TrueNorth Podcast

In the first week of our Anchored series, we talk about mental health, faith, and what it means to hold on to hope when life feels stormy. Through Scripture and real stories, we're reminded that being anchored doesn't mean avoiding the storm — it means Jesus holds us steady through it.   Show Notes: Click here   Bible Reading Plans Wisdom for Mental Health 7 Things The Bible Says About Anxiety Dealing with Uncertainty  

What are some of your favorite passages or verses in the Bible? Join Chris and Shane as they discuss some of the Bible passages that fascinate them most. Jump in to hear their rationale and reasons during their lively discussion!

In this episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Shane and Chris dive deep into the heart of service and how it shapes us to be more like Jesus. By sharing personal stories and discussing the life of Jesus, they explore the transformative power of serving others. Whether you're volunteering at your church, helping a friend in need, or simply showing kindness in your everyday life, each act of service follows the example set by Jesus. Tune in to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to serve with purpose and love!

On this special episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Shane and Chris are joined by worship leader and artist, Pat Sullivan. Join them as they talk about cornhole, going viral, and following Jesus. Your don't want to miss this one!

Do you feel distracted when you try to spend time with God? In this episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Chris and Shane share three helpful tips in your walk with God. Jump in and join the conversation!

When you hear the phrase, "Jesus Over Everything" what comes to mind? How would your life change if you handed every area of your life over to Jesus? On this episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Shane and Chris talk about the idea that Jesus is a banner over our lives. Join us for this lively discussion!

What is a culture of faith? In what ways does faith move the heart of God? On this episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Chris and Shane discuss walking by faith in everyday life. Join them as they suggest that people with great faith often are people of prayer and others can be inspired by faith in their community.

What is initiatory love? Join Chris and Shane as they discuss what it looks like to let love motivate action and service in the world.

Have you ever wondered how to cultivate a heart for humility? On this episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Chris and Shane dive into a conversation about prioritizing others over themselves. Join them as they define humility as the natural response of rightly understanding ourselves in light of who God is. The good news is that no matter where we start, Jesus is our model for humility.

What would it take for you to invite someone to become a follower of Jesus? On this special episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Shane and Chris are joined by student pastor Kamal Sajja to discuss the idea that followers of Jesus are called to invite others into the blessings that Jesus offers. So jump into the last installment of our "Everyone" series!

On this episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, we continue our " Everyone " series by asking, "Can everyone follow Jesus?" Yes, Jesus' invitation to follow Him is open to everyone. However, most people say "no" to Jesus' invitation. Join Chris Gregory as he challenges students to see that perhaps we have erred in understanding the "cost" of following Jesus.

Who are you following? What is forming your life? The reality is, that everyone is following someone. On this episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Shane Smith kicks off a new series called, "Everyone." Listen in as Shane opens up Mark 1 to help students see that what we follow forms us. After all, we are either actively pursuing Jesus or passively being formed by the world around us.

Why are we called TrueNorth? What is TrueNroth? Join Shane Smith as he provides students with the vision and culture of our student ministry.

Thanks for joining us for the final installment of our Jesus Wins series! We invited four high school seniors to talk about their experiences of following Jesus during high school. All four stories are amazing and it is my privilege to share them with you!

Welcome to part two of our Jesus Wins series! We invited four high school seniors to talk about their experiences of following Jesus during high school. All four stories are amazing and it is my privilege to share them with you!

Do you feel encouraged when you hear other people share about their faith in Jesus? This podcast is from a series called "Jesus Wins." We invited four high school seniors to talk about their experiences of following Jesus during high school. All four stories are amazing and it is my privilege to share them with you!

Join Shane and Chris as they unravel the myth that youth must bide their time, revealing the truth that your age is not a barrier, but a catalyst for change. There is no denying that students have always played pivotal roles in shaping the world, but too often students fall victim to the lies that they don't have anything to offer. So jump into our conversation as we discuss the many contributions of the young, reminding you that your youth doesn't disqualify you; it empowers you to set ablaze a world that needs hope, love, and faith.

Ever thought about how a simple word can steer the course of your day? In this episode, we're unpacking the idea that our words aren't just casual chatter—they're like sparks in a dry forest, capable of igniting fires of destruction or spreading rays of hope. But, even though words can be harmful, there's some good news too! Join Chris and Shane as they discuss how we can use our words to uplift others, and to be the generation known for spreading positivity and encouragement So, tune in as we uncover the incredible power our words hold, and how we can wield them to make a lasting impact in our world.

Ever felt the urge to keep different parts of your life separate? It's a common thought, but here's the deal: when we split things up, we risk losing the harmony between what we believe and how we live day-to-day. Join Chris and Shane as they dive into the radical idea that following Jesus should influence every area of life. Step into the world of living life to the fullest - totally connected, no compartments needed!

Life can be a total marathon, right? But fear not! The twists and turns of life can be navigated with Jesus. In this epic training session, Shane Smith uses 2 Timothy 1 to help students understand the importance of wrapping up their identity in Christ, passing the baton, living out their faith, keeping the Gospel central in life, and guarding the truth.

Prayer isn't a ritual – it's a way for us to connect with God. On this episode of the TrueNorth Podcast, Chris and Shane discuss the idea that prayer is a conversation between us and God. But what happens when our prayers seem to go unheard? Journey with us as we confront the challenges of doubt, disappointment, and spiritual exhaustion. Find hope amidst the questions and discover new perspectives on unanswered prayers. Tune in to this enlightening episode as we attempt to unravel the mysteries of prayer, ignite our spiritual fervor, and embark on a journey of deepened connection with God.

What does a committed follower of Jesus look like? In this episode, Chris and Shane explore what it means to go from casual to committed in your faith in Jesus. Join them as they share personal stories and discuss pivotal moments that sparked their decisions to deepen their faith.

Get ready to dive into a vibrant discussion about the Church! In this episode, Shane and Chris are breaking down what truly makes the Church tick and why it's so much more than just a place we gather on Sundays. The Church isn't just bricks and mortar; it's a living, breathing community of believers on a mission straight from the heart of God. So, whether you've been a longtime churchgoer or you're just dipping your toes into the waters of faith, join us for a conversation that's sure to stir your soul as we share why we love the Church! Don't miss out—hit play and let's journey together.

In this training on the Holy Spirit, Kamal Sajja helps students see that the Holy Spirit empowers and speaks to us today. But to hear the Holy Spirit we must learn to turn down some of the other voices that infiltrate our lives.

Perspective, Priorities, People, and Taco Bell?! Join Shane and Chris as they talk about three ways to follow Jesus well in high school. They'll discuss topics like learning from Jesus' example to gain a better perspective and figuring out priorities that help us grow spiritually. They'll also talk about how having the right people around us, like friends who support us and mentors who guide us, can make a big difference in our spiritual journey.

What do you know about the Holy Spirit? What if there was no Holy Spirit in the world? Maybe you've heard that the Holy Spirit is like wind, invisible, or a ghost. Or, maybe you're not sure what to say at all. In this new training series on the Holy Spirit, Chris Gregory gives students language to talk about the Holy Spirit and talks through some foundational ideas about who the Holy Spirit is.

What is the cost of being a disciple of Jesus? In part five of our Different Way series, Shane Smith helps students recognize the difference between liking the idea of following Jesus and following Jesus. Following Jesus is a lifelong endeavor in which we look more like Jesus, do what Jesus did, and make an eternal impact.

Culture sets the expectation for what is normal. In this training, Shane Smith reminds students that a culture that embodies radical humility, initiatory love, faith, and Jesus over everything can change the world. However, it is impossible to accomplish this alone because we live culture out with one another.

What are some of the foundations that you are tempted to build your life on? In this training, Shane Smith kicks off a new series by leading students through Matthew 7:24-27 and shares that followers of Jesus must do the things that Jesus taught.

Isaac shares stories and experiences to help his peers follow Jesus well.

Eliana shares stories, experiences, and truths about following Jesus with her peers.

When you think of "freedom" you might think of the reality of being delivered or freed from something. However, Scripture tells us that followers of Jesus also have freedom to do something. While the world may suggest that freedom is about serving the self, freedom is about serving others in the Kingdom of God. In the final installment of our Freedom series, Shane Smith trains students to serve one another humbly in love as an expression of freedom.

Freedom isn't achieved, it's received. In the second installment of our Freedom series, Shane Smith and Jeremy Nuckolls lead a conversation aimed to help students receive freedom by learning to break away from false expectations and sin habits. In the end, freedom isn't an issue of competency. Rather, true freedom is found in submission to Christ.

There is no denying that we live in a time of unprecedented freedom. But how are we supposed to exercise our freedom in light of our decision to follow Jesus? In this training, Kamal Sajja helps students understand that God has a design or purpose for how we are to use our freedom.

Decisions and situations can cause a lot of anxiety. However, James 4 outlines how followers of Jesus should sort through circumstances and opportunities. In part three of our Active Faith series, Shane Smith helps students identify four ways they can think about the future in a way that honors God.

What is the most powerful word you can think of? No doubt, many options come to mind! In this training, Chris Gregory equips students to grasp the power of words and suggests that followers of Jesus cannot use faulty logic when it comes to speaking. Words may be small, but they have a great capacity for good and evil.

Shane Smith teaches students that an active faith doesn't come from trying harder, but from seeing Jesus for who He is. Shane introduces students to the main ideas found in the letter of James, and states that an awakened faith leads to an active faith.

Cultivating a deep fellowship with Jesus, requires initiative and willingness to sit with God. In this training, Kamal Sajja and Clayton Haynes help students address some of the heart issues that so often keep us from cultivating a deep hunger for Jesus.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed when reading the Bible? Having an understanding of the overarching narrative of Scripture can help you not get lost in the story. In this training, Shane Smith helps students understand the overarching redemptive story of Scripture by walking through some of the major sections of the Old Testament and New Testament.

When you live in faith it encourages the people around you. Kamal Sajja helps studnets understand that though it may be scary or uncomfortable at times, when followers of Jesus boldly live and act in the way of the Kingdom of God, it inspires others to walk with God as well. As found in Hebrews 11, faith makes "real," for followers of Jesus the things that are hoped for, as though they were present. Through faith we are trusting God to do the impossible.

How could you share your story of what God is doing in your life with someone else? Kamal Sajja equips students to share the good news of Jesus and provides helpful language on how to lead someone else to Jesus. By remembering what life was like before Jesus, recalling the decision to follow Jesus, and contemplating the ongoing walk with Jesus, we are better equipped to share what God is doing in our lives with someone else.

Shane Smith trains students on the reality that having a culture of initiatory love requires seeing, going, serving, and walking with people. A passive Christianity will not change the world. Passivity sits on the sidelines and just watches as people are in desperate need of help. Our understanding of the Gospel cannot lead us to a place of passivity, but instead a willingness to love people just as Christ has loved us.