Ep. 185 - Faithful Witness

In this episode of Tell Me More, hosts Dr. Wiles, Katy Reed Hodges, and Luke Stehr reflect on what it looks like to faithfully shepherd a church family in a season marked by both grief and gratitude—sharing updates on recent funerals and the lay leaders who help care so well for First Baptist Arlington.From there, the conversation pivots to Sunday’s message on John the Baptist—including a lively (and clarifying) detour into Baptist history. Dr. Wiles explains why “John the Baptist” is better understood as “John the Baptizer,” unpacks the Trail of Blood idea and why it faded, and traces Baptist origins to the English Separatist movement and early figures like John Smyth and Thomas Helwys.The episode then returns to the heart of the sermon: being a faithful witness today. The hosts talk practically about personal evangelism—praying, preparing, and proclaiming in a way that’s authentic, gospel-centered, and Spirit-led—along with stories from ministry that illustrate how God opens doors at the right time.Finally, they highlight important moments in the life of the church, including Ash Wednesday, Ramadan outreach, gospel conversations training, the budget presentation meeting, upcoming men’s and college events, Faith at Home, youth Encounter Weekend, and the launch of the Heart of Arlington Foundation as a way to invest in the church’s long-term future.