The WoodsEdge Podcast

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Dave Ray sits down with Student & Young Adult Pastor Justin Kessler for an honest conversation about growing up around the church without really knowing God, a years-long battle with substance abuse, and what it looks like when someone finally says yes to Jesus — and means it.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Dave Ray sits down with longtime WoodsEdge member Sunbo Eze for an honest conversation about growing up in a family of mixed faith, her son's difficult diagnosis, and what it really means to trust God when life doesn't go the way you planned.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Dave Ray sits down with WoodsEdge elder and guest preacher DeLeon Bennett for a conversation about calling, trust, and the cost of following God into the unknown. DeLeon opens up about growing up in church while missing the main thing, a reluctant call into preaching, and what it looked like to obey God through years of uncertainty in business and life.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Dave Ray sits down with Rob Renfroe — retired pastor and beloved guest preacher — for an honest and life-giving conversation about joy. Together, they unpack what Rob calls the "joy stealers" — bitterness, busyness, guilt, negativity, and worry — and why worry tends to top the list for most people in every season of life. But this conversation doesn't stop at what robs us. It goes deeper into what restores us, and why joy is less a feeling to chase and more a series of decisions to make.Resources: The Joy Stealers - https://a.co/d/0hNqVA2d

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Pastor Jeff Wells joins Dave Ray and Dr. Paul Looney to have an honest conversation about mental health and the Christian life. Together, they explore the realities of anxiety, depression, and emotional struggle, and how the church can become a place where brokenness is met with compassion instead of shame.Through biblical truth and clinical insight, the conversation highlights how God often meets us in our weakness, why vulnerability matters in the body of Christ, and what practical steps believers can take toward healing and hope. This episode reminds us that even in seasons of deep struggle, God is present and faithfully at work in our lives.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we delve into one of the most challenging and often overlooked aspects of the Christian life: evangelism. Joined by our Missions Pastor, John Carswell, and Pastor Armando Anguiano of La Iglesia, the conversation explores why sharing our faith feels so difficult—and why it still matters deeply to the heart of God. Together, they unpack common fears, cultural barriers, and practical ways believers can live on mission through everyday relationships. Rather than separating proclamation from compassion, this episode shows how the gospel naturally flows through both word and action. Whether you feel hesitant, untrained, or simply unsure where to start, this conversation is an invitation to take your next step in living a life that brings hope to others.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Pastor Jeff Wells and our Prayer & Care Pastor, Carol Ham have an honest and practical conversation about fasting—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it still matters today. For many believers, fasting can feel unfamiliar, intimidating, or even unnecessary. But throughout Scripture, fasting is assumed as a normal rhythm of dependence, often paired with prayer and repentance.This conversation reframes fasting not as punishment or performance, but as “fasting away to feast on the Lord.” Fasting is about surrender—aligning our hearts with God’s and seeking Him for breakthrough, revival, and deeper intimacy.Resources:Awaken Houston:https://www.awakenhouston.org/Holy Here App:https://holyhere.com/

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we step into one of the most challenging and important conversations of the Christian faith: Can the Bible really be trusted? Joined by Pastor Scot Pollok, the discussion explores the history, transmission, and reliability of Scripture, addressing common objections, misconceptions, and hard questions many believers quietly wrestle with.Resources:The Journey From Texts to Translations: https://a.co/d/0aRpFsBpScribes and Scriptures https://a.co/d/01ILZ7GBMiracles https://a.co/d/07WAXAmx

In this new season of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we start a series called "The Hard Stuff." Pastor Jeff Wells joins the conversation to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian life: suffering. Rather than offering easy answers or neat explanations, this honest discussion explores why suffering challenges our faith, how fear and uncertainty shape our experience, and what the Bible actually teaches about pain, mystery, and hope.

The fourth and final week of Advent focuses on Love. God’s love is not fickle or fragile. It is faithful, steadfast, and everlasting. It is a love that pursues, protects, and provides. It is a love that knows each of us by name.

Join us for a 4-week Advent Guide leading up to Christmas. The third week of Advent focuses on Joy. Most of the joy we experience is a feeling that comes and goes with our circumstances - passing moments of happiness or relief. But the joy of God is far deeper.

Join us for a 4-week Advent Guide leading up to Christmas. The second week of Advent focuses on Peace. When the Bible talks about peace, it doesn’t simply mean the absence of conflict. God’s peace is something much greater.

Join us for weekly Advent devotionals designed to help you meditate on Jesus as we anticipate his arrival. The first week of Advent focuses on Hope. Christians have a different kind of hope. This hope is more than a wish. It is a certainty of something yet to come.

In this episode of As For Me and My House, we sit down with Jeff Miller, our Generations pastor, and Cindy Platt, our Children’s pastor, to talk about what it means to leave a legacy of faith. Together, they reflect on how discipleship extends beyond our own lives in raising the next generation to love Jesus, walk in truth, and lead with courage.Through stories of calling, mentoring, and God’s faithfulness, this conversation invites every listener to see their role in passing on faith and building a legacy that outlives them.

In this episode of As For Me and My House, we sit down with Abigail Gonzales, our Elementary Director and Katy Harris, our JoyBridge Director, to talk about building rhythms of discipleship in the home. Together, they share practical ways parents can make faith a natural part of daily life, through prayer, Scripture, conversation, and intentional moments that shape a child’s heart.

In the second episode of As For Me and My House, our Student and Young Adult Pastor, Justin Kessler, and our Early Childhood Director, Kim Salazar, talk about the world our kids are growing up in and how parents can lead with wisdom and faith. Together, they discuss the impact of technology, anxiety, and culture—and how families can stay grounded in truth, build healthy rhythms, and raise kids who love and follow Jesus.

In the first episode of our new season, As For Me and My House, Generations Pastor, Jeff Miller and Elementary Director, Abigail Gonzales share about the heart of family discipleship and why the home is the first mission field. Together, they explore how parents can build rhythms of faith, point their kids to Jesus, and partner with the church to raise the next generation of disciples.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Sam Storms and Pastor Jeff Wells to discuss what it means to be a Word and Spirit church. Together, we explore how holding firm to Scripture while embracing the power of the Holy Spirit deepens our faith, strengthens the Church, and draws us closer to God.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we conclude our series on the consecrated life with a powerful conversation about bold love. Our Communities Pastor, Phill Kwon, and Women’s Pastor Marie Perez share how God’s sacrificial love calls us to live differently—embracing vulnerability, extending forgiveness, and building authentic community.Through stories of generosity, healing, and transformation, they reveal how bold love breaks through fear, restores relationships, and creates space for true belonging.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we explore how, when life falls apart, we can find the freedom of repentance. Pastor Greg Johnson shares his powerful story of repentance, healing, and restoration, and how God turned pain into freedom. Together, they unpack the difference between confession and repentance, why transparency and vulnerability matter, and how true repentance brings intimacy with Jesus.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we explore what it means to live a life of deep-hearted worship. Our Worship and Creative Arts Pastor, Chris Collins, joins the conversation to share how worship is not something we conjure up, but a response to God’s revelation and His work in our lives. Together we talk about worship as more than songs—it’s a way of living that starts with remembering who God is, flows into daily surrender, and fuels mission beyond Sunday services.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge podcast, we explore the call to abundant generosity—what it means, why it matters, and how it transforms lives. Our Executive Pastor, Kevin Henson, and Missions Pastor, John Carswell, share personal stories of faith, sacrifice, and joy, and discuss the obstacles that often keep us from living generously. From learning to trust God with our resources to discovering the joy of giving beyond money, we unpack how generosity shapes hearts, builds God’s kingdom, and fuels the vision of seeing Houston become a city of God.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we dive deep into the topic of extraordinary prayer—what it is, why it matters, and how it transforms lives. Senior Pastor Jeff Wells and Prayer Pastor Carol Ham share personal stories of suffering, faith, and God’s miraculous answers, and explore how prayer moves from routine to extraordinary when fueled by desperation, surrender, and bold faith.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, we dive into what it means to live on mission as followers of Jesus. Our Senior Pastor, Jeff Wells, and Missions Pastor, John Carswell, explore how God calls ordinary people to bring extraordinary hope to a hurting world—not through perfect plans or strategies, but through hearts fully surrendered to Him.

Thank you for listening to the first season of the WoodsEdge Podcast! We hope this past season was an encouragement in your prayer life! We are excited to bring you the second season of the podcast starting August 24 on how to live the consecrated Christian life!

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Pastor Jeff Wells and Dave Ray conclude the Pray As They Prayed series by exploring what it means to make prayer a way of life. They walk through Paul's powerful words in 1 Thessalonians—rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances—and unpack how prayer isn’t just a moment, but a mindset. Learn how building rhythms of daily prayer can lead to intimacy with God, deepen your faith, and anchor you in His presence no matter what season you're in.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Pastor Jeff Wells and Dave Ray unpack how the early church lived in a constant state of prayer. They explore how the early church prayed amid dangerous threats, fueled the power of the Holy Spirit, and sustained believers through persecution. Learn how the early church didn't treat prayer as a formality, but as the main work.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Pastor Jeff Wells and Dave Ray dive into the Lord’s Prayer and why it still matters today. From understanding “Your kingdom come” to unpacking forgiveness and daily dependence on God, they explore how Jesus taught us to pray with purpose, trust, and focus.

In this episode of the WoodsEdge Podcast, Pastor Jeff Wells and Dave Ray discuss the power of worship as a form of prayer. Drawing from Scripture, personal experiences, and the wisdom of worship leaders, they explore how worship through song can transform our hearts, deepen our love for God, and unify the church.

What does it look like to truly seek God with your whole heart? In this episode, Pastor Jeff Wells talks about passion in prayer, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and learning to love Him for who He is, not just what He does.WoodsEdge is a church in the Spring/Woodlands area north of Houston. Find out more at woodsedge.org.

In this episode, Pastor Jeff Wells and Dave Ray discuss how to pray when you don’t know what to do, the power of worship in hard moments, and what it means to keep your eyes on God.WoodsEdge is a church in the Spring/Woodlands area north of Houston. Find out more at woodsedge.org.

In this episode, Pastor Jeff Wells discusses how to discern God’s voice in prayer, why God still speaks today, and why we shouldn’t say “God told me..."WoodsEdge is a church in the Spring/Woodlands area north of Houston. Find out more at woodsedge.org.

In this premiere episode of Pray As They Prayed, Pastor Jeff Wells explores why prayer can feel elusive, uncovers the most common untruth Christians say about it, and shares the one question that shapes everything we believe about prayer. WoodsEdge is a church in the Spring/Woodlands area north of Houston. Find out more at woodsedge.org. 

In this episode, Pastor Jeff Wells tells the history of WoodsEdge, from its origins in 1993 to where God is taking us in 2025 and beyond! We hope you enjoy this episode! If you enjoyed it or found value in it, consider subscribing and sharing this episode!If you want to learn more about WoodsEdge, visit our website at woodsedge.org