IronWorks Podcast #71 - Ministry Testimonies

Pastor Tyler's new book "Firebrand" is available NOW! https://www.ironworks.media/bookstore/p/firebrand Check out IronWorks Media, our Christian resource network! Registration for the IronWorks Bible Conference now open! https://www.ironworks.media/ Give to support the ministry of Calvary Chapel Trussville! https://tithe.ly/give?c=411758 More info on Calvary Chapel Trussville! 👇 https://launcher.nucleus.church/launcher/4a03a22309b4f591def1 Welcome to Episode 71 of the IronWorks Podcast! Pastor Tyler and Zack continue our series on the history, doctrine, and philosophy of ministry of Calvary Chapel in general—and Calvary Chapel Trussville in particular. In this episode, we cover: ✝️ **Ascension Day and the Exaltation of Christ** - What the ascension *actually* was (a real event from a place to a place) - Jesus’ exaltation and session at the Father’s right hand - Why Jesus being fully God and fully man *right now* in heaven matters ⚖️ **Christ Our Advocate & Intercessor** - Jesus as defense attorney vs. Satan as accuser - Intercession, advocacy, and what it means that He “ever lives to make intercession” - How the harrowing of hell and spiritual victory tie into your spiritual gifts ⛪ **Jesus as Head of the Church & the Great Commission** - How Christ actively leads His church today (not just as a symbol) - The role of the Holy Spirit in directing the church - The ascension, the Great Commission, and why missions/evangelism can’t be optional 🕊️ **Rapture, Resurrection, and Our Future Glory** - How the ascension points forward to the rapture and our own “ascension” - Being seated with Christ and partaking of the divine nature - What it means that a glorified *man* is seated at the right hand of God 📜 **From Costa Mesa to Lynchburg: Tyler’s Backstory** - How Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa shaped Tyler’s parents - The move to plant **Calvary Chapel Lynchburg, VA** - Tyler’s early ministry: worship team, youth ministry, radio, counseling, and more 🎸 **Youth Ministry, Worship Teams, and Learning the Hard Way** - Getting thrown into leadership at 17–20 and learning to lead people - Funny and painful worship team stories (anonymous letters, “this is *my* song,” etc.) - Teaching teens verse-by-verse, camps, small groups, and building a core team 🌍 **Short-Term Missions with High Schoolers** - Russia and Costa Rica trips: evangelism, skatepark outreach, and wild stories - How missions shaped the students—and the leaders - Why short-term missions, when done right, still matter 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 **Serving with Family and Not Burning Out** - Bringing babies to camp, Russia, and everywhere else - How their wives partnered in ministry (not resenting it, but owning it) - Why “burnout” is often misunderstood, and the blessing of being “exhausted for Jesus” 🧱 **Calvary Culture: Worked Like a Rented Mule (In a Good Way)** - How Calvary Chapel raises leaders: show up early, stay late, say yes - Loving the *work* of ministry, not just the idea of ministry - Why serving in church is one of God’s primary tools to grow you Ministry Testimonies (Ironworks Podcast #71)