Roots and Branches Podcast

Pastor Brent and Paul introduce the new sermon series on Romans by discussing faith in both the Old and New Testaments. Salvation by faith is traced to the very first chapters of the Bible, and the Apostle Paul grounds his argument in the OT prophet Habakkuk. Centering on Rom. 1:16-17 (the thesis statement of Romans), Pastor Brent and Paul also cover strong supportive passages for salvation by fai...

On the brink of Labor Day and the start of a new school year and ministry season, Pastor Brent and Paul discuss ministry cohorts as life-giving and applicable to all Christ-followers. A key element in long-term ministry is consistent, intentional connections with other believers going through (and mentors who have gone through) similar experiences, challenges, and joys. Paul opens this episode rec...

Five days back from his three-month sabbatical, Pastor Brent talks with Paul recapping the purpose of sabbatical and sharing stories of family and personal adventures. The two banter regarding how New Life functioned well in Brent’s absence and how our congregation can move forward with resolve for increased ministry “ownership” as well as appreciation for one another. Paul’s opener is a paro...

“Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.” —Deut. 34:7 (ESV) Keying off of this episode number and Moses’ remarkable lifespan and strong ending, Paul overviews three areas of physical challenges with which nearly all humans struggle: from birth (defects, etc.); from activities (injuries, etc.); and from aging (both predictable and unpredictable maladies)....

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” —Psalm 119:09 (ESV) In Part 2 of this interview with Carl & Becky Lewis, Paul asks the Lewises how they came to New Life as well as specific steps they’ve taken to restore trust and safeguard against returning to sinful addictive tendencies. Carl reviews his years in the Pure Desire ministry (with Becky in a group...

Carl & Becky Lewis have been committed New Lifers since 2011. In this transparent-yet-discreet interview with Paul, the Lewises give their marriage journey, faith story, and overcoming sexual addiction by God’s grace, forgiveness, and accountability. Part 1 focuses on how Carl & Becky came together as a couple; how infidelity led to separation; and how the Lord used a Greg Laurie crusade t...

“Only Jesus Lights the Way Home.” This is the living epitaph for Ben Myre, our guest in part 2 of “Building His House.” Ben struggled for 10 years exploring other religions to find God, but he realized at age 24 that Jesus is the ONLY way to God! The title for these two episodes has a three-fold meaning: 1) Ben is building his family with his wife, Kristi; 2) Jesus is building His spiritual house,...

Paul sits down with his friend Ben Myre, New Life member and new chair of our Building Team. After swapping impersonations of one another, Part 1 focuses on Ben’s testimony and family, including how the Lord brought the Myres to New Life EFC in 2023 after living in five locations and having four kids along the way! Although highly active as a husband, father, project manager, and volunteer in seve...

In this mid-summer episode, Paul returns to “regularly scheduled church programming” by discussing a few summer meetings that vitally inform and empower ongoing ministry. Paul opens with short tributes to the iconic TV series “The Twilight Zone” (1959-1964) and the recent passing of long-time pastor and theologian John MacArthur (1939-2025). He then offers a preview and overview of New Life’s Annu...

Paul walks through his life-long love of film by overviewing some origins and milestones for why movies (aka cinema, motion pictures, flicks, talkies) are an enduring favorite hobby. From gathering around the family TV in the 70’s to regularly hosting movie parties large and small, Paul continues to develop a Top 200 Movie list he began 40+ years ago. His criteria for ranking his favorite films in...

Paul Arneberg brings back a report from EFCA One, the biennial national conference for our denomination. This year’s location was Valley Church in West Des Moines, IA and marked the 75th anniversary of the EFCA Merger in 1950. Paul overviews the five worship service (plenary session) speakers; the six trainings (breakout sessions) he attended; opportunities to connect with vocational church staff...

Paul concludes his two-part interview with Administrative Coordinator Anne Van Kleek. After recapping her testimony, Paul asks Anne to describe how her church staff experience has been deeply enriched amidst her current two-year process of taking the Prepared class through the EFCA. The second half focuses on her and Glenn raising their special needs daughter, Mary. (Note: The intentional misspell...

Paul sits down with Anne Van Kleek, our faithful Administrative Coordinator who has been serving vocationally at New Life since October 2021. In Part 1, Anne shares her testimony, including how the Lord has guided both her and her husband of 35 years, Glenn, through many trials and joys: their initial pregnancy ending in a stillbirth at 7.5 months; a healthy boy; an early miscarriage; and a specia...

Paul starts this second podcast on his life mission statement with a triple-shoutout to the number 110: the lifespan of Joseph (a type of Christ); the lifespan of Joshua (Heb.: Yeshua , another type of Christ); and the messianic Psalm 110. Paul then dives into his life mission statement using select Scriptures and commentary: “Bearing fruit for Jesus Christ, faithfully stewarding mentorship, teach...

As Pastor Brent is still in the early weeks of his 3-month sabbatical, Paul recounts his own partial sabbatical back in 2016. Tying together his life-changing summer as a camp counselor in 1989 with a year of marriage restoration in 2007, Paul details how a challenging adventure to Philmont Scout Ranch prompted him to write a 25-word life mission statement. In so doing, Paul has seen the Lord’s gr...

Paul offers “director’s commentary” for his Psalm 8 sermon on 5/25/25. The themes of our human weakness, the strength of the LORD (YHWH), and the grace of Jesus are found throughout Psalm 8. Key cross-references include Heb. 2:5-9; 4:14-16; Matt. 11:25-30; 21:16; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; and Rev. 22:3-5. God’s Name, God’s Glory, and God’s Will in Psalm 8 help us to make sense of the dichotomy of our sinful...

Initially intended as a commentary on his latest sermon delivered during Pastor Brent’s sabbatical, Paul turned Episode 107 into a personal glimpse into his preparation process for his intermittent preaching at New Life. Despite holding B.A. in Speech-Communication and having 37 years of teaching the Bible to all ages, Paul has had a steep learning curve as he’s navigated the breadth, depth, and n...

Paul and Pastor Brent look ahead to our 17-week summer sermon series in the Psalms. While Pastor Brent will kick off this series on May 11 and take the last two sermons (Aug. 24 & 31), 11 other preachers will cover 14 weeks during the entirety of Pastor Brent’s sabbatical. The co-hosts discuss specific psalms and themes; name the elders and EFCA leaders who will join Paul in preaching this sum...

Pastor Brent and Paul preview a culminating day in the life of our church. On 5/4/25, we’ll have one service at 10 am, combining abridged corporate worship (including the end of our James series) with a business meeting detailing the 14 pp. packet emailed to our members on Resurrection Sunday. Key words are covered here (vision, staffing, serving, building, budgeting, fundraising, voting) and in m...

Pastor Brent and Paul discuss the why, what, and when of Pastor Brent’s 3-month sabbatical from pastoral ministry this summer. This period of rest, reflection, refocusing and realignment is based partly on Lev. 25 and is being advised by the North Central District of the EFCA, benefitting both the Kompelien family and New Life EFC. Paul’s opening passage (Matt. 11:28-30) and benediction (Rev. 7:15...

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien overview the purpose and process of ministry credentialing (licensing) and ordination in the EFCA. Paul is nearing the end of his 18-month journey (pending final approval from BOMS, the national board of ministerial standing), and Pastor Brent addresses the importance of this commendation from the Lord and the body of Christ. Key Scriptures shared include 2...

Pastor Brent and Paul preview an upcoming elective class at New Life EFC entitled “Foundations.” Paul’s opener is from Psalm 102:25-27 (quoted in Heb. 1:10-12). Just as the Lord laid the foundation of the earth, He also gave us “foundations” to the Christian life, which Pastor Brent articulates as “Who is God?”, “What is the Gospel?”, “What is the Bible?”, “What is the Church?”, and “What is Spiri...

This episode (the final in a four-part series) covers the same material that Pastor Brent presented at New Life EFC on 3/4/25. “Session 4—Staging Parables of the Kingdom: Learning to Love People and Place.” With 2 Cor. 5:11-21 as his main passage, Pastor Brent discusses “Ambassadorial Discipleship,” Foretaste and Signpost of the Kingdom of God,” and “Staging Parables of the Kingdom.” He draws on C...

What began as a communication strategy in Fall 2022 to kick off our building campaign has developed into our weekly, comprehensive all-purpose church podcast! Paul and Pastor Brent celebrate the origin, traditions, interviews, innovations, and purpose of this  Roots & Branches  podcast. They also recap the recent vote to hire Station 19 as our architect and look to the future of expa...

This episode (the third of four) covers the same material that Pastor Brent presented at New Life EFC on 2/25/25. Session 3 is entitled “Capturing the Imagination: Gospel Transformation and Renewal.” Keying off of The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-31), Pastor Brent discusses “Reordering What We Love” (heart); “Redefining Our Identity” (soul); “Rediscovering What Is True” (mind); and “Repatterni...