The Locker Room

In the middle of the battle with ALS, there are doubts, hopes, fears, unanswered questions, and moments of deep sorrow. In this episode, we sit down for a raw and honest conversation with a husband and wife from our church as they share their journey through an ALS diagnosis.We talk about what it looks like to trust God when you don’t understand what He is doing, where to turn when fear and doubt creep in, and how the Lord meets us with comfort in the middle of suffering.Preacher: Tim BassettText: Isaiah 40Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

Kelly M. Kapic holds the Honorary Chair of Theology and Culture at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where he has taught since 2001. An award-winning theologian and author, he has written or edited more than fifteen books, including "You're Only Human," winner of the Christianity Today 2023 Book of the Year Award (Theology, Popular). His other notable works include "Embodied Hope", "A Little Book for New Theologians", "You Were Never Meant to Do It All: A 40-Day Devotional on the Goodness of Being Human", and "Becoming Whole: Why the Opposite of Poverty Isn't the American Dream" (co-authored with Brian Fikkert). In 2023, Kapic was named a Georgia Author of the Year finalist (Inspirational).Recommended ReadingYou're Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News You Were Never Meant to Do It All: A 40-Day Devotional –Becoming Whole: Why the Opposite of Poverty Isn't the American Dream 

In this episode, we unpack the prophet's vision of deserts bursting into bloom, streams of living water flowing through barren places, and a day when sorrow and sighing finally disappear.What do these images mean? Together, we explore how Isaiah's promises find their fulfillment in Jesus,t the One who brings life to spiritual deserts today and who will one day renew all creation.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Isaiah 35Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

We sit down to chat Isaiah 25 and the ultimate hope of the Christian life: that death would be swallowed up, and that every tear would be wiped from our faces. Join us as we explore those themes alongside longtime member and former chair of our elder board Sam Sterk. Preacher: Tryg VekerText: Isaiah 25Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

We sit down with Phil Warners former chair of the Elder Board at Crossroads Bible Church, and longtime member as well as Tech Director Charlie Gretzinger to break down themes from Isaiah chapter 11.Preacher: Tryg VekerText: Isaiah 11Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

Join us as we sit down to explore Isaiah chapter 9, the relational dysfunction between God and his people, and the divine hope in the titles applied to the Messiah in this stunning prophecy. What do they mean, and how do they apply to today?Book Referenced:Ken Boa Handbook to Prayer: Praying Scripture Back to God Peacher: Tim BassettText: Isaiah 9Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

We sit down with Hunter Rowher to talk about Isaiah 6. What happens when we truly see God? Isaiah's vision of God's holiness leads to a deeper understanding of both God and himself. In this episode, we explore why the knowledge of God and the knowledge of self are inseparable—and how God's grace transforms those who encounter His glory.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Isaiah 6Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

We unpack Isaiah 5 and the powerful parable of the Lord's vineyard: a picture of God's faithful care for His people and His disappointment at the fruit they produced. We explore the six woes Isaiah pronounces against Judah, examining how greed, self-indulgence, pride, injustice, moral confusion, and self-righteousness reveal hearts that have drifted from God. Together, we discuss what these warnings teach us about God's holiness and justice, why judgment is ultimately an act of revelation, and how Isaiah's message still exposes the idols of our own hearts today while pointing us to the hope found in Christ, the true and faithful Vine.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Isaiah 5 Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

We sit down with Shannon Popkin and Noah French to discuss Isaiah 2. Here Isaiah, gives us a vision that is both breathtaking and unsettling. On one hand, it pulls back the curtain on a future where the nations stream to God, where swords become plowshares, and peace finally reigns. On the other, it confronts us with the sobering reality of judgment, the humbling of human pride and the exposure of everything we’ve tried to hide.In this episode, we unpack the tension at the heart of judgment: it is not just God dealing with sin, it is God revealing Himself. Judgment exposes what’s in us, but it also reveals who He truly is: holy, weighty, unmatched, and utterly glorious.Preacher : Tryg VekerText: Isaiah 2Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

Back by popular demand, Coach Mike Swider joins us to talk about what it really takes to endure when life gets hard. This conversation gets into resilience that isn’t hype, but forged over time, how faith anchors you in pressure, and why quitting quietly is often the biggest battle. We also talk fatherhood, responsibility, and becoming the kind of man who stays when things get difficult.Coach Swider is a respected figure in college football, having spent over two decades as the head coach at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Serving from 1997 to 2021, he became known not only for his success on the field but for his unwavering commitment to character, faith, and leadership beyond the game.During his 35 years at Wheaton, including 24 as head coach, he amassed 209 career wins with a win percentage over 80%. But what truly set his coaching apart was his dedication to building a program rooted in integrity, humility, accountability, and servant leadership. These weren’t just ideals—they defined the culture, shaping a program as committed to spiritual growth as it was to athletic excellence.His vision extended far beyond winning games. His goal was to develop young men into leaders—men prepared to make a lasting impact in their families, communities, and the world. His legacy stands as a powerful example of what a Christ-centered life and leadership can produce over time.

Isaiah doesn’t pull punches. He names the sin, unmasks the hypocrisy, and reveals a people far from God while still going through the motions of worship. But right in the middle of the darkness comes one of the most hope-filled promises in all of Scripture: though your sins are like scarlet, they can be made white as snow. Explore Isaiah 1 with us in this podcast!Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Isaiah 1Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

What does it actually look like to meet God in chaos? In this episode, we sit down with Annie VanDyke and wrestle with Philippians 4 in the middle of real battles: OCD, anxiety, and postpartum depression. How do we learn, like Paul, the secret of contentment when our minds won’t slow down and our emotions won’t cooperate?We explore what it means to cling to Christ when peace feels distant; and how the presence of God can guard your heart and mind even when nothing else makes sense. Plus, as a bonus, we preview our new sermon Series in Isaiah.

We sit down with David and Sherri VanderVelde to discuss their gritty life lived in reckless pursuit of the Kingdom of God as well as Philippians 4 and the call not to be anxious about anything. What does that mean? How can we apply it?Preacher: Tryg VekerText: Philippians 4:2-9Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

In this episode, we sit down with Crossroads member Phil Sims to unpack Philippians 3:12-21 and what it really means to mature in Christ. Paul reminds us that the Christian life isn’t about having already arrived, but about pressing on toward Jesus.So what does spiritual maturity actually look like? What does it feel like to grow, to struggle, to keep moving forward when you’re not where you want to be yet? Together, we explore the tension between grace and effort, the call to perseverance, and how keeping our eyes fixed on Christ reshapes everything.Preacher: Erik VekerText: Philippians 3:12-21Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

What makes someone right in the eyes of God? We tend to look to our performance and our résumé to justify ourselves, but does that actually work? In this episode, we unpack how Paul dismantles that way of thinking, drawing from Rod’s sermon on Philippians 3:1–11.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Philippians 3:1-11Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

We sit down with Brittany Riva, to talk about Crossroad's Missional Outpost led by Jason and Julie Botbyl and Phlippians 3. What if the church isn’t built on gifting, strategy, or comfort but on humility? In this episode, we explore powerful stories from the Romanian church, where radical sacrifice and gospel clarity have led to explosive yet faithful growth. Anchored in Philippians 2, we unpack what it means to live “cruciform”shaped by the self-emptying way of Jesus; and how suffering becomes a catalyst for deeper joy, freedom, and Christlikeness.

The Christ Hymn in Philippians 2 is one of the most profound and beloved passages in all of Scripture, but what is it really saying? What kind of mindset enabled Jesus to humble Himself, and how does that same mindset empower believers to rise above any circumstance?In this episode, we dive deep into the meaning and implications of Philippians 2, exploring how the mind of Christ reshapes everything. Join Crossroads Tech Director Charlie Gretzinger and Student Ministries Pastor Tim Bassett as we unpack the text and consider what it looks like to live with the mindset of Christ in everyday life.Preacher: Tryg VekerText: Philippians 2:1-11Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

We sit down with Worship Pastor RJ Alicea, and Children's Ministry Director Hannah VanderVelde to break down Philippians 1. Paul is imprisoned, overlooked, and facing an uncertain future: and yet he’s full of joy. Not because his situation changed, but because his perspective did.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Philippians 1:12-30Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

In this episode, we explore the backstory behind Paul’s letter: his missionary journey, the founding of the Philippian church, and the powerful bond they shared.But at the heart of it all is a radical kingdom truth: the way up is down. True greatness isn’t found in status, but in servanthood. As Paul identifies himself as a servant, we’re invited into a new kind of leadership—one shaped by humility, teamwork, and sacrificial love.Preacher: Joe StowellText: Philippians 1:1-11Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

As we discuss the Palm Sunday sermon we reflect on Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem and what it reveals about the heart of God. In this episode, our first podcast with video, we trace the thread from Palm Sunday to Acts 28, where the message of the Kingdom reaches Rome. Along the way, we wrestle with a deeper question: are we following the humble King who comes on a donkey, or have we drifted toward building our own versions of empire? A conversation about humility, surrender, and becoming people of living water in a thirsty world.

We sit down to unpack Acts 27 through three movements: the storm, the mission, and the power of God. The storm reveals what we actually trust: while others grasp for control, Paul stands anchored in a word from God. But the storm isn’t a detour; it’s part of the mission, as the gospel moves through chaos toward the “other side.” We also see that God’s power shows up not through strength, but through weakness, surrender, and dependence. What looks like disaster becomes the very place where God preserves life and extends grace to others. The invitation isn’t to escape the storm, but to become people who carry peace, purpose, and power through it.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Acts 27Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

What if we could actually trace the exact timeline of the most pivotal event in human history?In this episode, we take a deep dive into the death and resurrection of Jesus - not just through faith, but through history, archaeology, and the biblical witness. When did Jesus really die? Was it truly on a Friday? How do we account for the “three days and three nights”?Sign Up for the Class Here: Crossroads U: Journey Through Holy Week

In Acts 26, Paul stands on trial, but instead of defending himself, he boldly shares his story. In this episode, we unpack the anatomy of a Christian witness through Paul’s powerful testimony before kings and governors. From verse 22, we see that the gospel is for everyone: both the high and the low, the powerful and the overlooked. We explore the simple yet transformative structure of Paul’s witness: who I was, how I encountered Jesus, and what Jesus does in a life surrendered to Him. Finally, we examine the two responses in the room: Festus’ outright ridicule and Agrippa’s passive resistance, and how those same reactions still show up today. Whether you’re learning to share your faith or simply wanting to understand it more deeply, this episode will help you see that your story, centered on Jesus, is one of the most powerful tools God uses to reach the world.Preacher: Tryg VekerText: Acts 26Sermon Link: HERE.

We sit down with Tim and Shayla Bassett as we unpack Acts 24, where the apostle Paul the Apostle stands trial before the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea. What appears to be a legal defense quickly becomes something deeper: a confrontation the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As accusations fly and motives surface, Paul keeps pointing back to the hope that anchors the gospel: Christ is risen. In this conversation we zoom out to see how Paul’s trials fit into the bigger story unfolding in Acts of the Apostles, and we explore what it means to live today with resurrection confidence - seeking God’s verdict over human approval and recognizing the everyday opportunities God places in front of us to share the hope of the gospel. Preacher: Tim BassettText: Acts 24Sermon Link: HERE

We sit down with David Belanger and Community Life Pastor Brent Becker to chat about Acts 22-23. When obedience leads to conflict, how should Christians respond? In this episode, we walk through the dramatic events of Acts of the Apostles 22–23 as Paul the Apostle faces mob violence, legal pressure, and a deadly conspiracy. From invoking his Roman citizenship to confronting the Sanhedrin, Paul models how believers can navigate cultural chaos with wisdom, courage, and integrity. Most importantly, in Paul’s darkest moment, Jesus Christ draws near with a simple command: “Take courage.”Preacher: Brent BeckerText: Acts 22-23Sermon Link: HERE

This week we sit down with WCSG Program Director Brittany Riva and Crossraods Student Ministries Director Molly Vedders to unpack Sunday’s sermon and explore why the gospel can feel so offensive- especially to those deeply rooted in religious systems. Together, we talk about the difference between true surrender and spiritual pride, why grace disrupts performance-driven faith, and how to discern subtle religious tendencies in our own hearts. Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Acts 22Sermon Link: ⁠CLICK HERE⁠

We sit down with author and speaker Shannon Popkin to talk about how the early church changed the world through a radically different mindset—family-centered community, costly holiness, and lives shaped by the cross.In this episode, we explore what that means for us today and how rediscovering these truths could renew our faith and witness.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Acts 21Sermon Link: CLICK HERE

We sit down with Crossroads Pastor of Multiplication Jason Botbyl and his wife Julie, along with Crossroads Tech Director Charlie, to reflect on what God has been doing through the Saturday night service and the ongoing work of multiplication at Crossroads.Using Acts 20 as our backdrop- the emotional farewell of Paul to the Ephesian elders- we explore the beauty and difficulty of sacred goodbyes in the life of the church. Moments of sending are never easy, yet they are often the places where God’s faithfulness, mission, and love become most visible.Together we talk about what God has been stirring in this season of ministry for them; the tears and joy that come with gospel-centered sending; how multiplication reflects the heart of the Good Shepherd; and why faithful goodbyes are often the best beginnings.

In early 2022, almost no one believed war would come to Ukraine—but God warned one pastor to prepare.In this episode, we hear the remarkable story of Pastor Sergey Lysak, founder of Father’s House Church in Kyiv, and how God used obedience, faith, and courage to bring hope in the middle of war. As Russian troops gathered on Ukraine’s border, God showed Sergey that invasion was coming and told him to prepare his church. He gave them a choice: leave now—or stay and commit to being a blessing to a suffering nation.When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the church was ready. They mobilized food, medicine, and supplies, bringing aid into Kyiv’s underground Metro stations where tens of thousands sought shelter. As homes were destroyed, they pioneered a solution—prefabricated tiny homes that could be delivered and installed in a single day, providing warmth and safety to displaced families.After placing 100 tiny homes, God spoke again: “These people need a church.” What followed was extraordinary—four churches planted during wartime, all made up of mostly new believers who had never known Jesus. Churches now stand in devastated communities, on former front lines, and in areas of Kyiv with no prior gospel presence. Through year-end 2024 giving, Crossroads even funded the building of an entire church in Skybyn, one of these strategic new communities which is almost complete.This conversation is a powerful reminder that even in war, the gospel advances—and the harvest is ready.

In the pursuit of God’s Kingdom here on earth, weariness can come and go as a reality for the Christian. This week we sit down with our associate pastor Nate and is wife Jana, along with Crossroads worship pastor RJ to press into a discussion around the text of Acts 18. Through the journey of the Apostle Paul and the personal confrontation he has with his own weariness, we explore the elements of encouragement he discovers in Corinth and unpack how these same truths are accessible and available to the Christ follower today.

We sit down with Charlie Gretzinger (Crossroads Tech Director) as we step into the world of the early church and follow Paul into the cultural pressure cooker of Thessalonica and Athens. We explore the twin “tsunamis” that confronted the gospel: religious nationalism that turned faith inward and proud, and Hellenism that exalted success, self, and material glory. These forces shaped the opposition Paul faced and mirror the pressures believers still experience today.As Paul reasons in the marketplace and stands before the Areopagus, we see a model for taking faith into the public square—engaging ideas, culture, and power centers with clarity and courage. Beginning with God as Creator and confronting the city’s idols, Paul exposes how false gods enslave human desires and distort our understanding of life, purpose, and truth.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Acts 17Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like... Lily and Karl's Story. Lilly was raised in a genuine Christian home who walked through childhood trauma, years of anxiety, spiritual torment, and ultimately, profound freedom in Christ. From sexual abuse and the suicide of a close friend to a decade-long battle with fear and spiritual oppression, Lily shares how she learned that being a child of God doesn’t make you immune to spiritual attack—it puts you on the front lines of it.Through Scripture, community, and Freedom in Faith Ministries she grew in her understanding of the authority she had in Christ. Lily discovered what it means to “take back ground” the enemy had stolen and to reclaim her identity, no longer defined by fear but by Christ.The episode also features Karl, a filmmaker with a decades-long calling to tell “Kingdom Stories,” who shares how God orchestrated the timing, relationships, and vision that led to Lily’s story being told through film and podcast. In a beautiful picture of divine alignment, Karl and Lily both attended Crossroads, sitting only about ten feet from each other—yet they didn’t know one another. All the while, God was preparing both of them: Lily to be set free and to share her story, and Karl to be ready to tell it.Rooahk Films: Rooahk is a digital platform using visual storytelling to showcase the movement of God, working with the Holy Spirit to speak into people’s lives. On our YouTube channel you'll find short films, podcast conversations and more, where we observe people's real life experiences, exploring how their lives have been transformed.Freedom in Faith Ministries: Serving the Greater Grand Rapids community and beyond by bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to those who are hurting through biblical counseling.

Acts 16 places three people in the same story who should never be in the same room: a wealthy entrepreneur, a demonized slave girl, and a Roman jailer. Different status. Different wounds. Different levels of power. Yet each one carries the same desperate need for rescue. In this episode, we explore how all three answer the Macedonian cry, “Come help us,” and how God still pursues the achiever who is empty, the broken who are bound, and the comfortable who are spiritually asleep — bringing them not only to Christ, but into one family through the cross.

Was Paul or the early church really arguing against Judaism itself—or against a regression that threatened the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ? Was the New Perspective right about Second Temple Judaism, and was the Radical New Perspective right to insist that real differences between Jewish and Gentile believers continued after conversion?Galatians Reconsidered is a compelling and practical exploration of these questions through the writings of the Apostle Paul. Drawing from Neil Martin’s work, this podcast re-examines justification, the tension between faith and works, and the ways Paul envisioned Jews and Gentiles relating differently—and faithfully—to the Law.By re-situating the text in its original Jewish and pagan context, Martin exposes the pressures facing the Galatian churches and the church in Acts 15 and shows why Paul’s letter remains urgent for the church today. Each episode not only deepens our understanding of justification, but presses listeners to wrestle with how theology shapes communal life, belonging, and faithfulness.Preacher: Tryg VekerText: Acts 15Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠HERE

Preacher: Brent BeckerText: Mark 8:22-30Sermon Link: ⁠⁠HERE

This episode is the first in a new series titled “The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like…”, where we celebrate organic stories of God’s Kingdom breaking out through the ordinary and mundane parts of life. This story is about how an Advent Bible study started with a simple nudge from God—and turned into something way bigger than expected.Back in 2024, Maddy felt prompted to gather a few people to walk through Advent together. It was meaningful, life-giving, and didn’t feel finished. Then, months later on a summer run, the idea came back. Melinda would write a new Advent study, and Maddy would handle the logistics—sign-ups, groups, meeting spots, and making the whole thing actually happen.Now there are 56 people, five small groups, a kickoff night, weeks of shared Scripture, a caroling and worship night, and one final gathering to close it all out.This conversation is about small beginnings, shared leadership, and how God builds community through ordinary obedience. The Kingdom of Heaven is like… people saying yes and showing up together.

In this series of 3 special year-end episodes, we celebrate the stories of God’s faithfulness across three ministries that embody our core values.Worship: Visible Church, a new church plant led by former Young Adults Pastor Gabe Hartfield, pursuing a community wholeheartedly centered on Jesus.Community: Living Waters Ministry, walking intentionally with men coming out of incarceration through housing, employment support, discipleship, and true belonging.Mission: Amiina Ministries in Uganda, where Kevin and Marcy Smith are restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and raising up a generation to break cycles of poverty and strengthen families.As we reflect on how God has worked this year, we invite you to prayerfully consider partnering through year-end giving so these ministries can continue to flourish.⁠⁠GIVE HERE

In this series of 3 special year-end episodes, we celebrate the stories of God’s faithfulness across three ministries that embody our core values.Worship: Visible Church, a new church plant led by former Young Adults Pastor Gabe Hartfield, pursuing a community wholeheartedly centered on Jesus.Community: Living Waters Ministry, walking intentionally with men coming out of incarceration through housing, employment support, discipleship, and true belonging.Mission: Amiina Ministries in Uganda, where Kevin and Marcy Smith are restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and raising up a generation to break cycles of poverty and strengthen families.As we reflect on how God has worked this year, we invite you to prayerfully consider partnering through year-end giving so these ministries can continue to flourish.⁠GIVE HERE

In this episode, we look at Acts 12 and the two essential dispositions that make prayer powerful: “I have need, and I am dependent,” and “God, You are powerful and the only One who can change this reality.” As Peter sits chained in a prison cell and the church gathers to pray through the night, we see a picture of prayer that is both deeply humble and boldly expectant—people admitting their helplessness while trusting completely in God’s ability to break chains, open doors, and rewrite what seems impossible. But even when God answers, they're response is refreshingly human. This story invites us to recover a posture of prayer that is desperate, confident, and alive to God’s surprising interventions.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaText: Acts 13Sermon Link: ⁠HERE

In this series of 3 special year-end episodes, we celebrate the stories of God’s faithfulness across three ministries that embody our core values.Worship: Visible Church, a new church plant led by former Young Adults Pastor Gabe Hartfield, pursuing a community wholeheartedly centered on Jesus.Community: Living Waters Ministry, walking intentionally with men coming out of incarceration through housing, employment support, discipleship, and true belonging.Mission: Amiina Ministries in Uganda, where Kevin and Marcy Smith are restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and raising up a generation to break cycles of poverty and strengthen families.As we reflect on how God has worked this year, we invite you to prayerfully consider partnering through year-end giving so these ministries can continue to flourish.GIVE HERE

In this Advent episode, we sit down with pastor and author A.J. Sherrill to explore his reflections on Zechariah from Rediscovering Christmas. Together we talk about how Zechariah’s long season of waiting, disappointment, and unexpected silence reveals the often hidden ways God forms us. A.J. shares why God’s delays aren’t denials, how silence can become a gift rather than a punishment, and what it means to rediscover hope when prayers seem unanswered. Many of us have lived in the tension between faith and frustration, and this conversation will invite you to slow down, listen deeply, and receive Advent as a season of quiet transformation.Preacher: AJ SherrillText: Luke 1Sermon Link: HERE

In this episode, we sit down with a local Calvin College football coach Lamar Bell whose journey—from discipling athletes on campus to serving kids at Crossroads —embodies the very heart of ongoing conversion. Using Acts 10 as our backdrop, we explore how true conversion is more than moral improvement or theological precision; it is spiritual rebirth where God’s kingdom breaks into everyday life. Through the stories of Saul, Cornelius, and Peter, we see how God transforms the religious, the powerful, and even seasoned leaders with lingering blind spots. Our conversation with the coach shows how this same transforming work continues today—in locker rooms, in children’s ministry, and across diverse communities.Preacher: Rod VanSolekmaText: Acts 10-11Sermon Link: HERE

In Acts 9, Saul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus marks one of the most dramatic transformations in all of Scripture — but it’s more than a story of conversion; it’s a story of being undone and remade. We explore how true conversion always begins with a personal encounter with God that shatters pride, exposes sin, and births new life.We’ll trace Saul’s journey from zealous persecutor to humbled apostle, unpacking how his blindness became a symbol of spiritual death and resurrection, and how God’s grace pursued him even in rebellion. This conversation invites you to reflect on your own story of transformation — to ask where God may be confronting, humbling, or restoring you.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: Acts 9Sermon Link:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we explore what it means to pursue healing — body, mind, and spirit. Like physical therapy for the soul, spiritual growth often requires intentional work, patience, and the courage to face what’s been broken.Brett Cain, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, joins us to share how the body’s journey of recovery mirrors our spiritual walk with God. Just as muscles rebuild through resistance and consistent care, so our souls grow stronger through surrender, discipline, and grace.We talk about how empathy opens the door to deeper relationships, how behavioral patterns can either hold us back or propel us toward transformation, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your soul is retreat — to step out of the white noise of daily life and let God realign your story with His.For more information about Men's Retreats, click HERE

Why was the witness of Stephen in the face of the power brokers in Jerusalem so inspiring, and what does it mean for us today?Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: Acts 6-7Sermon Link:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gamaliel’s words in Acts 5 cut to the heart of every generation: “If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop it.” This episode unpacks that dividing line—how human-driven religion leads to jealousy, fear, and burnout, while Spirit-born faith produces courage, joy, and resilience even through suffering.Preacher: Tryg VekerPassage: Acts 5:17-42Sermon Link:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In Acts 5, the early church witnesses both explosive growth and a sobering act of divine judgment. Ananias and Sapphira’s deception isn’t just a story of greed—it’s a warning about hypocrisy and the holiness of God’s presence among His people. In this episode, we explore why God dealt so seriously with their sin, what it reveals about His desire to keep His church pure, and how grace calls us to integrity rather than pretense. When the Spirit fills the church, there’s no room for fake devotion—only the freedom of truth and holiness in Christ.Preacher: Nathan EnglishPassage: Acts 5:1-16Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with Nate English and Shannon Popkin to explore the radical vision of community found at the end of Acts 2 and 4—a people formed by the Spirit and devoted to the apostles’ teaching, to prayer, to fellowship, and to the breaking of bread. This wasn’t just a new social club; it was the birth of a people bound together by the gospel and empowered by the Spirit to embody heaven on earth. Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: Acts 2 & 4Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Acts 4 marks a turning point in the story of the early church—the moment when the honeymoon ends and reality sets in. As Peter and John stand before the power brokers of their day, we see two ordinary men, once fearful and unsure, now proclaiming with unshakable boldness that salvation is found in Jesus alone. We unpack why opposition comes, what true power looks like, and how boldness is born not from personality or credentials but from being with Jesus. We’ll explore how the gospel both offends and transforms, why conviction outweighs credentials, and why the Spirit still calls ordinary people to extraordinary courage today.Preacher: Tryg VekerPassage: Acts 4:1-22Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kurt Suidinski was respected, successful, and deeply embedded in the Grand Rapids community. To everyone else, he was living the American Dream — a suburban life of achievement, influence, and security. But underneath it all, he was living a double life. And in West Michigan, that’s not as uncommon as it seems.In this episode, we uncover the story of a man who had it all — except peace. When a reluctant trip to a retreat in the mountains of North Carolina disrupted everything, God met him in a way he never expected. This is a story of exposure, surrender, and the kind of freedom only found when the masks come off.Kurt now supports the community in which he lives and most specifically Hudsonville athletics.  His proudest contribution is to serve on the board of Grace Adventures, volunteer with Eastern Ottawa Young Life, and participate in and serve on The Road Ministry and Warriors Set Free.