Companions

Romans is one of the most influential—and sometimes most challenging—letters in the New Testament. In this episode of Companions, we finish our journey through Paul's letter, exploring some of Christianity's biggest theological questions: original sin, baptism, predestination, and election. What does Paul actually say about these ideas? How has the Church understood them? And where is the good new...

We're wrapping up the book of Acts, and things are getting a little wild! Paul is on trial, survives a shipwreck, encounters some unusually kind strangers, and finally makes his way to Rome. But as Acts comes to a close, we're left wondering what it looks like for the story of the early church to continue through us. Then we're opening someone else's mail as we dive into Paul's letter to the Roman...

The book of Acts begins with Jesus’ followers waiting for what comes next—and quickly discovering that the Holy Spirit has other plans. In this episode of Companions, we journey through Acts 1–18, from Pentecost and the early church to Peter, Paul, Lydia, Priscilla, Aquila, and plenty of unexpected detours along the way. Again and again, God’s people find themselves learning, changing, making room...

In this episode of Companions, we journey through the second half of Luke’s Gospel and into the opening of Acts, following one persistent theme: Jesus keeps making room for people others would rather leave out. From uncomfortable dinner tables and lost things being found, to Zacchaeus, the road to Emmaus, the resurrection, and the beginning of the church’s mission, we explore how Luke challenges o...

This week on Companions, we begin our journey through the Gospel of Luke—and Luke wastes no time giving us plenty to talk about. From James and John wanting to call down fire on an unwelcoming village to Jesus growing in wisdom, challenging assumptions about wealth and status, and continually making space for prayer, Luke offers a rich and deeply human picture of Jesus and the people who follow hi...

In this episode, Pastors Angelo and Becca conclude their journey through John’s Gospel by exploring what it means for Jesus to be the Word made flesh. From Nicodemus and the seven “I am” statements to Lazarus, the washing of feet, and Easter morning, they discover a God whose self-giving love comes near, calls us by name, and draws us into a community of friendship and life.

After Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the Gospel of John feels decidedly different. In this episode of Companions, Pastor Angelo and Pastor Becca explore what makes John unique—from its mysterious authorship and Old Testament echoes to its signs, misunderstandings, and sweeping claims about Jesus. Along the way, they consider what John means by “believe,” why Jesus is called the Word made flesh, and how...

Fast-paced, urgent, and often surprising, Mark’s Gospel wastes no time introducing us to Jesus. This week on Companions, Pastor Angelo and Pastor Becca explore what makes Mark different from the other Gospels, unpack the mysterious Q theory, and discuss Mark’s vivid portrait of a Messiah revealed through service, suffering, and the cross.

In Season 3, Episode 36 of Companions, we take a high-level journey through Matthew’s Gospel. From healing and compassion to discipleship, community, the cross, and resurrection, we explore the kind of Messiah Jesus is—and the kind of people he calls us to become.

In this episode of Companions, Pastors Angelo and Becca celebrate the start of the New Testament by discussing its structure, how the books were chosen, how refreshing it was to start reading about Jesus, and why Jesus is the best news ever. We hope this conversation blesses you!

We’ve reached the final Old Testament episode! Pastors Angelo and Becca turn 2 Chronicles into an Old Testament greatest-hits album, revisiting the Temple, complicated kings, unwelcome prophets, and the persistent call to remember. Along the way, they share their favorite stories, strangest moments, and biggest surprises—and discover that even after failure, God isn’t finished.

Pastor Becca is back—and her reward is nine straight chapters of genealogies! This week on Companions, Angelo and Becca explore why 1 Chronicles retells stories we already know and what its writer wants God’s people to remember. From Jabez and David to worship, identity, and a very long list of names, they discover a message rooted in hope: God has carried the story through generations of faithful...

Pastor Angelo is joined by Jameson Tomlin of Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity for a conversation about Ezra and Nehemiah. Through the stories of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, they explore what it means to rebuild places of worship, shared ways of life, and communities where people can flourish. Along the way, they consider housing justice, belonging, shalom, and a difficult question: What good are...

In this episode of Companions, Pastor Angelo is joined by Wesley Memorial’s Director of Family Ministries, Alex Rammell, for Alex in Exile. Together, they explore Lamentations, Esther, and Daniel through the lens of children, youth, and families. From making room for big feelings, to finding courage when we are afraid, to remembering who we are when the world pressures us to change, these books re...

This week on Companions on the Journey, we explore three of the Old Testament’s most distinctive books: Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations. Together, they take us from the fleeting, vapor-like nature of life, to the goodness and complexity of love, and finally into the raw honesty of grief. Along the way, we consider why life’s brevity makes it precious, why embodied love belongs in Scr...

In Season 3, Episode 29 of Companions on the Journey, Angelo and Becca close the book on Job by exploring the final speeches of Job’s friends, the unexpected entrance of Elihu, and God’s dramatic response from the storm. Along the way, they consider whether Job’s friends deserve a more gracious reading, what suffering teaches us about faithfulness, and why grief does not simply disappear when life...

If Proverbs gives us the rule, Job offers the painful exception. How do we respond when righteous living does not keep us from suffering? In this conversation, Pastors Angelo and Becca talk about grief, sorrow, and stubborn hope, as we glean wisdom from the first 19 chapters of Job. Will you join us on the journey?

In this episode, Pastors Angelo and Becca talk about wisdom literature, the book of Proverbs, and why it is important to understand the difference between a probability and a promise.

This week on Companions, we celebrate reaching the halfway point in our Bible in a Year reading plan! As we finish the Minor Prophets and prepare to turn toward wisdom literature, Pastor Becca is joined by Rev. Beth Hood, former pastor at Wesley Memorial and current Assistant to the Bishop for Clergy Life with the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. Together, they reflect on...

Recording from Annual Conference, Pastors Angelo and Becca reflect on the Minor Prophets and their ongoing call to the church today. From justice and mercy to truth-telling and hope, this episode explores what it means for the church to live prophetically—not by predicting the future, but by bearing witness to God’s heart in the present.

This week on Companions on the Journey, Pastors Angelo and Becca leave the Major Prophets behind and enter the world of the Minor Prophets. Together they explore Hosea's powerful message of covenant love, Joel's vision of repentance and renewal, Amos's passionate call for justice, and Obadiah's warning against exploiting the vulnerable. Along the way, they discuss why these prophets still matter t...

In this episode, Pastors Angelo and Becca finish reflecting on Ezekiel. Together, they discuss the valley of dry bones, dragons, and the close connection between despair and hope.

This week on Companions, Pastor Angelo is joined by Wesley Memorial’s summer pastoral intern, Emma Strickland, for a special episode. Before diving into the strange and powerful world of Ezekiel 1–24, Emma shares about her life, faith journey, calling to ministry, and passion for social work. Together, they reflect on what it feels like to read prophetic literature honestly for the first time—the...

In this episode, Pastors Angelo and Becca close out their reflection on Jeremiah by discussing prophets and pretenders. What is a false prophet? How do we discern the difference between God's voice and the voice of the enemy? Do false prophets still exist today? Join us as we discuss these questions and more!

In this episode, Pastors Angelo and Becca reflect on the first half of Jeremiah. Does God speak through visions and dreams? What does it look like to be obedient even when it produces personal turmoil? What is the cost of seeing the world as God sees it? Listen as we explore these questions and offer greater insight into this weeping prophet.