Strangers to Saints

Eric Bancroft is the pastor of Grace Church Miami in Miami Florida. He has been in the ministry for over 20 years. He served as Associate pastor at Grace Community Church under the late John MacArthur, Revitalized a church in Indiana called Castle View Church and has since planted Grace Church Miami 7 years ago. He has preached at conferences like Unorthodox, T4G, TGC, and Ligonier. Eric is also my pastor.In this episode, we tackle one of the most important and misunderstood questions in the modern church: What actually makes a pastor a pastor?In light of recent controversy surrounding Mike Todd and the broader rise of celebrity culture in Christianity, we sit down for an honest, biblical, and necessary conversation about the calling, character, and responsibility of pastoral leadership.Together, we walk through:- What Scripture actually says about the role of a pastor- The difference between influence and spiritual authority- How Christians should think about platforms, fame, and accountability- What it truly means for a pastor to be “above reproach”- And how the church can pursue discernment without drifting into cynicismThis episode is not about attacking individuals—it’s about recovering a biblical vision for the shepherd’s role and helping believers learn how to love pastors rightly, follow discernment wisely, and keep Christ at the center of the Church.Whether you’re a church leader, a young believer, or someone wrestling through what healthy leadership looks like, this conversation is for you.

This video is part of my ongoing series through the Gospel of John, where we’re walking step by step through the life and ministry of Jesus. In John 1:43–51, we see Jesus call Philip and Nathanael. What starts with doubt and skepticism quickly turns into faith and confession as Nathanael declares, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”This passage reminds us that Jesus personally knows us, calls us, and promises that we will “see greater things.” As we continue this journey through John, we’ll explore how each encounter with Jesus reveals His glory and invites us to trust Him more deeply.

Welcome to Day 2 of our journey through the Gospel of John! Each day we’re walking verse by verse, pulling out rich truth in short, practical teachings to help you stay consistent in God’s Word. Today we’re diving deeper into John’s opening chapter, where John the Baptist points us toward Jesus and shows us what it really means to make Him known. Whether you’re a Christian looking to grow or just curious about what the Bible says, this series is for you. Stick with me daily — by the end of John, you’ll not only know the text better, but see Jesus more clearly.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangersto...Website: https://www.strangerstosaints.com/

Welcome! While Strangers to Saints is still all about testimonies, interviews and giving biblical truths on difficult questions, I thought it would be helpful and fun to give you the bible in context! This is for those who want to learn more about the God of the bible! I’m starting a brand-new series where we’ll walk through the Book of John together — every single day until we finish! These are short, practical, and rich teachings designed to help you build consistency in God’s Word and discover the life-changing truth it holds. Whether you’re already a Christian or just curious about what the Bible actually says, this series is for you. My hope is that each video fuels your faith, stirs your curiosity, and gives you a daily push to stay rooted in truth. Let’s dive in and see how John’s gospel points us to Jesus in fresh and powerful ways!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangersto...Website: https://www.strangerstosaints.com/Personal Youtube Channel: ‪@nateathompson‬

Erika Kirk’s speech on the heartbreaking passing of her husband is more than just a testimony of loss — it’s a call for the church and for each of us to live differently. In this video, I reflect on her words and unpack why her perspective on faith, love, and hope in the middle of tragedy has the power to change our lives — and even strengthen the way we live out our calling together as the body of Christ — if we truly apply it.Her story is raw, emotional, and deeply challenging. It forces us to ask: what really matters? How do we handle pain when it comes? And what would our lives and our churches look like if we lived with the same faith and courage that Erika displayed?This isn’t just a review of her speech — it’s an invitation to lean in, to be changed, and to live with eternity in view as Christ’s church.

Tragedy has struck in painful ways—the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte train, and the Evergreen High School shooting in Colorado. These heartbreaking events remind us that evil is real and that our emotions—anger, grief, confusion—are not only natural but also acknowledged in Scripture. Like Habakkuk and the psalmists, we can be honest before God with our cries and questions, knowing He is not afraid of our raw prayers. Yet even in the face of evil, our hope cannot rest in politics or human answers; it must rest in God alone. In Jesus Christ we find the One who has overcome the world, who bore evil on the cross and rose victorious, securing justice and peace forever. Join me as we reflect on these tragedies, process our emotions honestly, and find unshakable hope in the Word of God and the risen Christ.Nathan Thompson (Mdiv, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Founder of Strangers to Saints, Preacher and Student Director at Grace Church Miami.FOLLOW:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/strangerstosaints?igsh=Z2NzYm1wYWJ0ZXE1&utm_source=qrYoutube - https://youtube.com/@strangerstosaints?si=_7lUfDpjWjhPGpsg

In this Sunday morning sermon, we dive deep into Ephesians 2:1-10, a powerful passage that reminds us of our spiritual condition before Christ and the incredible gift of salvation through God’s grace. As Christians, it’s easy to forget just how radically God has transformed us—from being dead in our sins to being made alive in Christ. This message encourages us to continually remember the Gospel, not just as a one-time event, but as the foundation of our daily faith and identity. Join me as we explore how God’s mercy and love empower us to live out the good works He prepared for us, and why keeping the Gospel at the center of our lives helps us remain humble, joyful, and faithful in our walk with Him.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with my friend Heather Rapalo, a Christian counselor and faithful member of Grace Church Miami, to talk about her journey of faith through unthinkable loss.Heather shares how she came to know Jesus—and how that relationship anchored her when her husband suddenly passed away. Her story is raw, honest, and deeply rooted in the hope of the gospel. We talk about the pain of grief, the goodness of God in the midst of suffering, and why following Jesus is still absolutely worth it—even when life falls apart.Whether you're walking through your own season of sorrow or know someone who is, this conversation will remind you that God is near to the broken hearted and that His grace is truly sufficient.Don’t miss this testimony of unwavering faith, deep love, and the healing power of Christ.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Pastor Ken Jones—faithful shepherd of Glendale Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, nationally known preacher at the Ligonier Conference, and contributor to Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and Ligonier Ministries.Pastor Jones shares his compelling testimony of God's grace, the trials and triumphs of the Christian life, and why the local church is essential for every believer. We dive deep into the beauty of sound doctrine, the dangers of cultural Christianity, and the life-transforming power of the gospel.Whether you're weary, wondering, or walking strong, this conversation will both challenge and encourage you to treasure Christ more and root your life in His Word and His church.

🎙️ In this episode, I share some exciting life updates and give you a sneak peek at the amazing guests who will be joining us in the coming weeks—people whose stories and insights will challenge and encourage your walk with Christ.But more than that, we dive into a powerful truth from the Apostle Paul: what should we do when we see other Christians living boldly, faithfully, and on fire for Jesus? Paul’s answer might surprise you—and inspire you. This short but rich reflection will help reframe how we view godly examples in the church today.Whether you're catching up, looking ahead, or needing a word of encouragement, this episode will leave you stirred toward deeper faithfulness and gospel-centered living.

🎙️ In This Episode:I sat down with my friend Jonathan Wood, a pastor’s kid from England, to talk about his powerful testimony, life in ministry, and what it’s really like being a Christian in the UK today.We also unpack the state of the church in England—and how many of the same issues are showing up in the American church. From cultural drift to weak teaching, from ministry burnout to identifying sound doctrine, this conversation is raw, honest, and deeply needed.Whether you’re a church leader, a young believer, or just trying to make sense of what’s happening in the Church right now—this episode will challenge and encourage you.📌 Topics Covered:Jonathan’s story growing up in churchThe blessings and struggles of being a pastor’s kidThe spiritual climate in EnglandParallels between UK and US churchesHow to spot false teaching and hold to truth👇 Leave a comment!🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe if you found this conversation helpful!

Chris Juday is one of the pastors at Grace Church Miami. He has lived an exciting life and has learned so much from the places and situations the Lord has had him in. After 5 years of pastoring Grace Church Miami he has thoughts on what biblical worship should look and sound like and more importantly why that should be what you least worry about when considering what church to go to. Chris is a man of humility and servitude. He is currently getting his Masters of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married and has 2 children, he loves all of them to pieces, as I'm sure you can tell in this interview. I pray and hope you are blessed by our conversation. Don't forget to follow Strangers to Saints on all platforms.

Looking for a biblically sound church can be difficult sometimes. In this episode I share things every christian should know about the church when it comes to making sure the church you attend or are looking for is a healthy biblical church. We don't want to just walk into any place that calls themselves a church. We must learn what the Bible says and look for a place that best models that. I pray you are helped and blessed by this episode!

One of the biggest lies we are tempted to believe is that we do not need the church. The Bible gives us clear direction on what we should be doing when it comes to the christians life in relationship to the church. I give 5 reasons people avoid the church and scripture that directly refutes all of the reasons we come up with. You need the church, so find a good one!

Hosted by the founder, Nate Thompson, Welcome to the Strangers to Saints Podcast. This platform is all about reaching the lost and equipping the found. This episode will tell you all about the plan for Strangers to Saints and why you should tap into this media platform to listen to all the episodes that will follow. Through conversations with different people who have walked in the faith we hope that you are challenged, encouraged, and blessed by all you hear.Make sure to subscribe and share!