Bridgewater Hallstead’s Podcast

Money is always talking, whispering that we don’t have enough, pushing us to chase more, or shaming us for falling behind. Whether we’re rich or broke, it can easily become our master. But Jesus calls us to something greater: to store up treasures in heaven, where our giving directs our hearts toward what lasts forever. When we put money on mission, as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 9, our genero...

We often put ourselves first—spending, paying debt, taxes, and saving—leaving God with whatever is left. In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to tithe as a reminder to trust Him with their first and best, and Jesus raised the bar in the New Testament by teaching that where our treasure goes, our hearts will follow. The widow who gave all she had showed that true generosity comes from fai...

We all ask it: "Where did it go?" Our paychecks disappear, our budgets feel tight, and financial stress is more normal than financial peace. But the problem isn’t just math—it’s mission. This series explores what Scripture says about debt, tithing, and eternal investment, helping people not just manage money better but trust God more deeply and live more generously. Jesus tells the story of the Ri...

Envy can lead us into any of the three emotions we’ve already discussed: sadness, anger, and anxiety. Deep down, we are always striving to return to joy. The problem is that we often define joy on our own terms rather than God’s, which makes it elusive. Paul, however, finds true contentment because his focus is on God and others. He cares about what matters to God—reaching more people for Christ,...

Anxiety is another emotion that can easily take the driver’s seat in our lives. It can dominate our decisions, shift us from healthy preparedness to unhealthy obsession, and ultimately rob us of peace. While anxiety can serve a purpose—helping us stay alert and safe—how do we learn to walk in a way that brings peace instead of chaos? Passage: Philippians 4:4-9 Speaker: David Wyman

Anger often shows up as our default response when we’re sad, anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed. It’s also the emotion most likely to bring shame and regret, because it tends to get us into trouble. In Inside Out, anger is shown as a powerful force—and in real life, it can be just as consuming. At its root, anger often comes when our goals or desires are blocked. But what if the problem isn’t just...

Emotions can overwhelm us and cloud our perspective—but God created emotions for a purpose. They can motivate us, but they were never meant to control us. In this series, we’ll explore how God’s design for our emotions leads us to seek His purpose, not just temporary relief, and how we can let Him guide us through what we feel. Sadness can feel all-consuming, shaping our thoughts and even affectin...

What does it really mean for the church to win? In this message, Pastor Josh reminds us that Jesus defines the win—not by programs or activity, but by lives changed through the gospel. As we launch Vision 2025, discover how Bridgewater can put points on the board and run with purpose to reach more people for Christ.

Life is better connected. Great things usually happen through teams and families, not just individuals. God didn’t only save you from your sin—He saved you for His body, the church. The people in the church may be different (and sometimes even frustrating), but every one of us has a role, and every one of us is needed. The church is God’s plan to use us, together, to change the world. Are you in?...

What’s important to God should be important to us. It’s no surprise that people matter to God. But what may come as a shock is which people matter to Him: all of them. He doesn’t just love the sheep in the fold—He loves every sheep. If we are truly following Jesus, we must follow Him beyond the safety of our Christian circles and into the world to seek the lost. Passage: Luke 15:1-7 Speaker: Kevin...

Everyone has a next step with God—but how do we know what it is? In Luke 14:25-35, Jesus describes what following Him looks like. It’s so radical that we must pause and count the cost. Have you done that? Are you ready to take your next step with Jesus? Passage: Luke 14:25-35 Speaker: David Wyman

What if money isn’t what we think it is? What if everything we thought we knew about it is wrong? In one of Jesus’ most surprising stories, He praises a dishonest manager—a lying thief—to teach us something unexpected about the true purpose of money. Let’s dive into this unusual parable and discover what Jesus really wants us to understand. Passage: Luke 16:1-12 Speaker: Kevin Stiles

“Follow me!” It’s an invitation Jesus gives 21 times in the New Testament. But following Jesus is much more than just going for a walk—it means imitating Him and becoming the best possible version of yourself, the person God created you to be. So how do we follow Him? Join us as we explore the five core values of our church—five qualities we grow into when we say “Yes!” to Jesus. To win in footbal...

Do you want joy? One of the most dependable happiness engines is gratitude. So, how do we become more grateful? In Luke 17 Jesus tells a difficult story that points us to how we can have greater faith, gratitude and joy. It’s achieved not just by believing Christianity, but by living it out.  Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 17:5-10 Speaker: Kevin Stiles

When emotions run high, it’s easy to react in ways that escalate conflict—bitterness, blame, harsh words. But God calls us to a better way with Ground Rule #4—Act, don’t react. This week, we’ll learn how to respond with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness—even when it’s hard. Don’t let reactions rule you; let Christ lead you. Passage: Ephesians 4:31-32; Romans 5:8, 10 Speaker: Joel Garrison

Conflict is inevitable—but how we handle it makes all the difference. This week’s message explores Rule #3: Attack the problem, not the person, a biblical principle that helps us speak truth without tearing each other down. Instead of letting pride, blame, or hurtful words divide us, we’ll learn how to face issues with humility, grace, and a commitment to real solutions. Together, we’ll discover h...

Healthy relationships require maintenance. Unlike fashion, unresolved conflict in relationships doesn’t improve with time—it grows worse. Ephesians 4 reminds us: don’t let anger control you or linger. Keep current—deal with issues quickly, forgive fully, and pursue peace like God did with us through Jesus. Passage: Ephesians 4:26-28; Galatians 4:4-6 Speaker: Bob Kadlecik

Wherever people come together, conflict is inevitable. Relationships can be a source of both deep joy and real pain. That’s why this series is here: to meet you right where you are—at home, at work, and in your community—and offer God’s wisdom for navigating relational challenges. We’re calling them Ground Rules: practical, biblical guidance to help you build healthier relationships marked by heal...

This Father’s Day message challenges the myth that great dads are made in big, unforgettable moments. Instead, it highlights the quiet power of ordinary, consistent, and faithful routines in everyday life. Grounded in Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6, the message calls dads to love God first, lead with presence, and use the time they have to shape their children’s hearts. Passage: Deuteronomy 6:4-9;...

Mountaintop experiences are beautiful and memorable, but our lives are shaped in the valleys. In fact, the view from the mountaintop is even more meaningful when you’ve spent time at the bottom. Jesus spent time in the valleys—weeping, praying, and trusting in God’s plan for Him—even knowing that He would ultimately conquer the mountain. He knows that the God of the mountain is also the God of the...

What kind of God asks you to sacrifice your child? What kind of father would agree? Join us as we journey to Mount Moriah to explore one of the Bible’s most perplexing stories—one that wrestles with the most important question we can ask God: “Can I trust you?” Passage: Genesis 22 Speaker: Kevin Stiles

Glory is recognized greatness. Many people live for glory—for recognition. Actually, don’t we all, at least a little? But what if you were made for glory—not your own, but God’s? What if you could soak in and reflect His greatness and glory? How do we do that? Passage: Matthew 17:1-8 Speaker: David Wyman

Some of the greatest moments in human history have taken place on the legendary mountaintops of Egypt, Israel, and Syria. Journey with us to these sacred places of awe and beauty—not only to reflect on what God has done in the past, but to discover what He wants to do in your life during your own mountaintop moments. Fear can cripple us physically, causing everything from high blood pressure and h...

No matter who you are—whether you’re a mom, a man, or a woman—we all share something in common: we have expectations for life. We imagine who we’ll become, what our lives will look like, and even how we’ll handle the challenges that come our way. But when life falls short of those expectations, we experience disappointment. Sometimes that disappointment is small and easy to brush off. Other times,...

Jesus sacrificed His life for the very people who spit in his face - even those who were his closest friends who vowed to stick with Him even unto death. Kings normally ask others to sacrifice their lives for them, but Jesus sacrificed His life for others. Passage: John 10:1-18 Speaker: David Wyman