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The Down to Earth Podcast

by Silas Forrester

Simple, down to earth conversations with local church pastors.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Aug 22, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. S3 E3 - Understanding the Great Commission

    In this week's episode, I wanted to recommend Mark Dever's book on the Great Commission. In this short, helpful book Dever helps readers understand the Great Commission in light of God's design in fulfilling it - the local church. Listen in on how the Scriptures and this resource reveal "the…

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  2. S3 E2 - The Light Who is Christ

    This past December, I had the joy and privilege to preach the opening message of the Advent season at my home church, Ocean Park Baptist Church (Jax, FL). We opened the series with a direct focus and emphasis on the Light, who is Jesus Christ in John 1, and the holiness of God, both in His Person...

  3. S3 E1 - Caleb Crittendon (Spartanburg, SC)

    What a joy and privilege it was to catch up with my old friend, Caleb Crittendon, and to talk about two important roles of the Church, missions and discipleship and specifically how Hope Point Church in Spartanburg, SC puts these roles into practice, both locally and globally.

  4. S2 E15 - Doxology

    In the final episode of season 2, I would love to praise and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and grace during the most overwhelming and uncertain season of my entire life and to encourage you, and your local church, with how to not only be honest about your struggles and your needs, but...

  5. S2 E14 - How Can I Serve My Church?

    On this week's episode, I have another book recommendation for you! "How Can I Serve My Church?" by Matthew Emadi. "Believers display the greatness of God’s kingdom to a hostile world when. We selflessly serve each other and those around us. In this short booklet, Matthew Emadi explains the vital...

  6. S2 E13 - Will Broadus (Greenville, SC)

    On this weeks episode, Will Broadus, out of Greenville, SC, shares his passion and love for the transformative power of the gospel in the lives of his congregants and the people in his community. We also take a brief look at Hebrews 10:24-25 and discuss the importance of Christian's regularly...

  7. S2 E12 - James Thompson (Simpsonville, SC)

    It was so much fun being able to talk with the first retired pastor of the podcast and to gain so much wisdom from someone who faithfully served the Lord through pastoring for 45 years! Listen in as we discuss how pastors can connect with their congregation, what pastors tend to under/over…

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  8. S2 E11 - Love: A Divine Disposition

    This week, I would like to share my sermon from Sunday, March 23rd. I pray that the Lord blesses you through His Word as we look at 1 John 3:11-4:21 and learn what love really is according to how God has revealed Himself in His Word.

  9. S2 E10 - Matt Purvis (Lexington, SC)

    Enjoyed being able to catch up and talk with my friend, Matt Purvis, and discuss the importance of discipleship, a unified church staff despite their differences, and the ultimate authority of God's Word.

  10. S2 E9 - How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics?

    "Election seasons can cause division on a variety of issues. But what happens when you disagree with someone in your local church community? Authors Jonathan Leeman and Andy Naselli propose that Christians should learn how to disagree on such issues with a spirit of gracious understanding by...

  11. S2 E8 - James Barnes (Wrens, GA)

    On this weeks episode, we get to hear from James Barnes, the Lead Pastor of Wrens Baptist Church in Wrens, Georgia. New to this pastoral role, James provides unique and insightful conversation as he talks about his new local congregation and some of the most influential people in his life that…

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  12. S2 E7 - Keith Foskey (Jacksonville, FL)

    Keith Foskey, pastor of Sovereign Grace Family Church in Jacksonville, FL joins the Down to Earth Podcast and shares how he got into pastoral ministry, how he would like to see his local congregation grow spiritually, and how he would encourage new pastors entering the ministry to "smell like...

  13. S2 E6 - The Gospel by Ray Ortlund

    Lately I have wanted to be more intentional about having practical definitions of words or phrases that are commonly used in the Bible, at church, or in Christian circles. Words and phrases like “blessed”, or “abiding in Christ”, or “fellowship”, etc. Sometimes, we can be so familiar with a word…

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  14. S2 E5 - Shaun Forrester (York, SC)

    Thankful to have the opportunity to sit down and talk with my little brother, Shaun Forrester, and reflect on how good and faithful the Lord has been in his life and how the Lord has been using him to teach and disciple students!

  15. S2 E4 - Trevor Hoffman (Greer, SC)

    Big thanks to my friend, Trevor Hoffman, teaching pastor of Ridgewood Church in Greer, SC for joining the podcast! In this episode we talk a lot about the true meaning of biblical community and fellowship, and why it is important for Christians to be intentional about loving and serving one...

  16. S2 E3 - Bishop Harry Williams (Jacksonville, FL)

    What started as a simple interaction with a customer, quickly turned into a Jesus-honoring friendship. Listen in as Bishop Harry Williams shares his story and how the Lord is using him and his church to meet both the spiritual and physical needs in their community!

  17. S2 E2 - Corporate Worship by Matt Merker

    The first book recommendation of season two is here! Listen in to the brief overview of one of my favorite books so far in the 9 Marks series, Building Healthy Churches. Does the why, when, and how of the corporate worship gathering really matter according to the Bible? Why does God gather...

  18. S2 E1 - Ken Forrester (Moore, SC)

    Eternally grateful for my dad, Ken Forrester, and the wisdom that he is willing to share as we start season 2! Listen in as we talk about the favorite child in the family; the importance for pastor's to have a healthy ministry/home life balance; the necessity of the role of the pastor's wife; and…

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  19. S1 E15 - Season 1 Recap & Book Recommendation

    The first season recap of the podcast! Take a few minutes to listen in to some encouraging themes and common ideas that were present throughout the first season; another book recommendation, specifically about how church members can serve their pastors; and lastly, a few updates about the future…

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  20. S1 E14 - Will Pareja (Chicago, IL)

    Will Pareja joins the Down to Earth Podcast from Chicago, IL giving us insight to the city as he shares about Addison Street Community Church, his ministry journey, and how he has learned from church conflict and would encourage other pastors and church members alike.

  21. S1 E13 - Matt Owen (Orange Park, FL)

    Matt Owen from Community Bible Church in Orange Park, FL sits down and opens up about his ministry journey and dives into the importance of church members genuinely encouraging their pastors and how the gospel needs to be at the center of the local church from which everything else springs.

  22. S1 E12 - Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman

    Back again with another book recommendation! Today I would like to recommend Jonathan Leeman's book on church membership. Whether you have been a church member for quite some time, a former church member, or maybe you have never been connected to a local church, this book is for you! Leeman…

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  23. S1 E11 - Allen Cagle (Atlantic Beach, FL)

    Allen has been the Lead Pastor at Sunrise Community Church in Atlantic Beach, FL since January of 2013. He received his MDiv from The Masters Seminary (2005) and a DMin from Southern Seminary (2017). Allen and his wife, Mindy, have 3 children, Kate, Jacob, and Karis. Allen loves the...

  24. S1 E10 - Jonathan Crum (Jacksonville, FL)

    Jonathan Crum is a preacher, life coach, theologian and chaplain. He works at Gordon-Conwell as an admissions representative while earning his Masters in Theological studies. Currently Jonathan lives in Jax with his wife and two kids and enjoys all things Marvel.

  25. S1 E9 - Kevin Bigelow (Jacksonville Beach, FL)

    I am grateful for my new friend, Kevin Bigelow, and his willingness to meet with me and talk about his church planting experience, the importance of healthy church leadership, and his love for his local church in Jax Beach, FL!Music By:Lucid Dreaming by | e s c p |...

  26. S1 E8 - Daniel Barta (Travelers Rest, SC)

    Excited to have Daniel Barta from Christ Fellowship Northwest in Travelers Rest, SC! Daniel serves as the pastor for discipleship and executive administration. Listen in as we discuss our mutual hatred for Clemson athletics, the local church, and how the Lord uses difficult ministry situations in...

  27. S1 E7 - Brief Update

    In this episode, Silas gives a brief update on the podcast, life events, and how the Lord is working in his current circumstances.

  28. S1 E6 - Chul Yoo (Ashton, MD)

    We are happy to have Chul Yoo from Christ Community Church out of Ashton, Maryland on today's episode as we discuss his extensive ministry journey and learn about how the Lord has used him as a local church pastor, a church planter, and in church revitalization/merger efforts! Music by: Lucid...

  29. S1 E5 - Stephen Forrester (Greenville, SC)

    Happy Thanksgiving from the Down to Earth podcast! We are excited to release the 5th episode today where host, Silas Forrester, gets to talk with his brother, Stephen, about his ministry journey and his passion for the local the church! Music by: Lucid Dreaming by | e s c p |...

  30. S1 E4 - Book Recommendation

    Another book recommendation for you! If you are seeking out a local church and are curious what to look for or if you are just curious of what a healthy church should look like and/or consist of, I would highly recommend Mark Dever's What is a Healthy Church?. Music by: Lucid Dreaming by | e s c…

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  31. S1 E3 - Chris Partyka (Jacksonville Beach, FL)

    Silas Forrester, the host of the Down to Earth Podcast, is happy to have his very own pastor join him for today's episode! Chris Partyka from Ocean Park Baptist Church in Jacksonville Beach, FL will be answering some questions about his testimony , church life, and the importance of church...

  32. S1 E2 - Jim Thompson (Greenville, SC)

    Jim Thompson is one of the teaching and equipping pastors at Fellowship Greenville. He is also a published author and he just released his latest book Sing Loud, Die Happy - An Exploration of How God's Gift of Song is Meant to Change us. Lucid Dreaming by | e s c p |…

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  33. S1 E1 - Book Recommendation

    Due to scheduling conflicts with multiple pastor friends, Silas Forrester releases his first episode on the Down to Earth Podcast as a book recommendation. He will briefly explain the point of these episodes, as he will do book recommendations every so often! His first recommendation is…

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  34. Introduction

    This is an introduction episode to the Down to Earth Podcast, where the host, Silas Forrester, gives some background information and a brief explanation of the purpose of this new podcast.

About this show

Simple, down to earth conversations with local church pastors.

Hosted by

Silas Forrester

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does The Down to Earth Podcast have?

The Down to Earth Podcast has 34 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on February 25, 2026.

What is The Down to Earth Podcast about?

Simple, down to earth conversations with local church pastors.

How often does The Down to Earth Podcast release new episodes?

The Down to Earth Podcast publishes monthly, based on its 34 episodes since September 2022.

Who hosts The Down to Earth Podcast?

The Down to Earth Podcast is created and hosted by Silas Forrester.
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