The Westside Podcast—featuring Jonathan Hansen

What does it mean to truly live on fire for God? In this episode of The Westside Podcast, we dive into “Building Bonfires: Cultivating a Life Lived for God” — a powerful conversation about surrender, spiritual growth, and becoming the kind of man who brings strength, hope, and stability to his family and community. Too many people today feel spiritually exhausted, disconnected, or stuck in surviva...

In this episode of The Westside Podcast, we continue our new series Stand Firm with a recap of Week 1: Three Battles Every Man Must Win: Standing Firm in Life’s Battlefields. Life isn’t a playground—it’s a battlefield. And the way we engage in these battles shapes the legacy we leave behind. In this conversation, we unpack three key areas every man must learn to stand firm in: • The Internal War —...

Honest Questions About Faith: Prayer, Christian Living, and God's Goodness Join Pastor Jonathan and Pastor Troy Kennedy for week three of the "Evidence" series from Westside Church, where they tackle some of the biggest questions and objections to the Christian faith. In this episode, they dive deep into three fundamental questions many believers wrestle with: Does God really hear my prayers? Expl...

Evidence for Christianity: A Conversation with Gavin Ortlund What if the toughest questions about faith actually lead us to the most compelling answers? In this episode, we sit down with Gavin Ortlund, creator of the popular YouTube channel Truth Unites, to explore some of the biggest objections to Christianity—and discover why the Christian worldview not only holds up under scrutiny but offers pr...

The Existence of God: Why Faith and Reason Go Hand in Hand Is faith in God irrational—or is there real evidence behind it? In this episode, we explore one of life’s biggest questions: Does God exist? Through the lens of both science and philosophy, we unpack compelling reasons why belief in God is not just a leap of faith, but a thoughtful and reasonable conclusion. You’ll hear about: Why every hu...

The conversion of Saul on the Damascus road is one of the most dramatic transformations in all of Scripture. In this episode, we explore how a man who was passionately committed to persecuting Christians encountered the risen Jesus—and everything changed. Saul was a highly educated Pharisee who believed he was defending God’s truth. But in a powerful and unexpected moment, Jesus confronted him wit...

What happens when you step out in faith… before you see the provision? In 2014, a single mom faced what felt impossible. Her daughter, Ashlyn, sensed God calling her to go on a mission trip to Ecuador—with only weeks to prepare and $1,600 to raise. For a family living on a teacher’s salary and walking through the pain of abandonment, it seemed out of reach. But within days of saying “yes” to God,...

Stephen’s story in Acts of the Apostles reveals a powerful truth: God uses ordinary people who are fully surrendered to Him. In this episode, we unpack the life of Saint Stephen—a table server in the early church who became a bold defender of the faith. His courage before the Sanhedrin and his unwavering trust in Jesus challenge us to examine our own faith. Is it intellectual belief, or life-chang...

What happens when ordinary people say yes to God’s call to go? In this powerful Global Trips conversation, three Westside leaders—David, Yulia, and Paul—share how short-term mission trips to Thailand and South Africa transformed their faith, leadership, and everyday lives. After 16 years of leading trips to Thailand, Paul reflects on how he went from being skeptical about short-term missions to se...

Have you ever felt disqualified by your past? Like your failure, shame, or mistakes are too big for God to use? In this powerful message, we explore the life of the Apostle Peter — a man full of bold faith and glaring contradictions — and how Jesus transformed him from a fearful denier into a courageous leader of the early Church. Centered around two “charcoal fire” moments in Scripture — Peter’s...

Finding Freedom in Spiritual Maturity | Moving Beyond Performance to Love Are you tired of a performance-driven faith and longing for something deeper with God? In this episode, we explore what spiritual maturity really looks like—and how to move from doing more for God to living with God in freedom, love, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Many Christians feel stuck in cycles of striving, burnout...

What if spiritual exhaustion isn’t failure—but an invitation? In this episode of Conversations with Troy Kennedy, Troy explores what spiritual formation leaders call the inner journey—the often uncomfortable but necessary transition from doing faith through willpower to being with God through surrender and intimacy. Many followers of Jesus reach a point where striving, serving, and “doing all the...

How do you discover God’s will when Scripture doesn’t give clear answers? When facing major life decisions—career moves, relationships, transitions—we often want God to give us a detailed roadmap. But the Bible rarely works that way. In this message, we explore a freeing truth: God is more concerned with who we are becoming than with giving us complete information upfront. Rather than providing a...

There comes a point in many faith journeys when the familiar patterns stop working. Prayer feels dry. Service feels empty. Certainty begins to crumble. In More Than We’ve Known, Season 2 of Conversations with Troy Kennedy, we explore these moments not as spiritual failure—but as invitations into deeper life with God. In this episode, Troy unpacks “the wall”—a season of spiritual struggle that ofte...

At every crossroads in life, we face a choice: pursue immediate gratification or pause to seek God’s wisdom.   In this episode of the Westside Podcast, we explore the “ancient paths” from Jeremiah 6:16—not as outdated traditions, but as life-giving practices that shape lasting spiritual health. Through prayer, Scripture, community, confession, and repentance, God forms us over time into people of...

Why does God allow detours, delays, and painful seasons? Discover how God is working behind the scenes—even when He feels distant—through the powerful truth of divine providence. What do you do when life doesn’t go as planned—and God feels distant? In this message, we explore how God works through life’s unexpected detours, delays, and painful seasons to accomplish purposes we often can’t see in t...

Spiritual growth with Jesus isn’t linear—and feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing. More Than We’ve Known is Season 2 of Conversations with Troy Kennedy, a Christian podcast exploring spiritual growth as a lifelong journey with Jesus. Many of us assume faith means having it all together—or that once we reach a certain point, growth should stop feeling hard. But real discipleship isn’t a straig...

More Than We’ve Known is Season 2 of Conversations with Troy Kennedy, a Christian podcast exploring spiritual growth as a lifelong journey with Jesus. Many of us assume faith means having it all together—or that once we reach a certain point, growth should stop feeling hard. But real discipleship isn’t a straight line. It unfolds in seasons, includes setbacks, invites healing, and continually call...

We talk a lot about freedom—but do we actually live free? In this week’s podcast conversation, Pastor Jonathan unpacks the heart behind Sunday’s message, “Set Free to Live Free.” With honesty and clarity, he dives into what it really takes to break strongholds, confront cycles that keep us stuck, and step into the freedom Jesus offers—not just in theory, but in everyday life. This conversation goe...

More Than We’ve Known is Season 2 of Conversations with Troy Kennedy, a Christian podcast exploring spiritual growth as a lifelong journey with Jesus. Many of us assume faith means having it all together—or that once we reach a certain point, growth should stop feeling hard. But real discipleship isn’t a straight line. It unfolds in seasons, includes setbacks, invites healing, and continually call...

This Advent episode explores biblical love (agape) and how it differs from the emotion-based, conditional love often celebrated in culture. Through the incarnation of Jesus, we see God’s love in action—unearned, intentional, and present with us in our brokenness. The conversation addresses common barriers to receiving God’s love, including performance-based thinking and projecting past relationshi...

Show Notes: Advent Week 3 — Joy (Luke 1:46–55) This week, Troy guides us through Mary’s Song in Luke 1:46–55—a beautiful reminder that Joy is rooted in God’s presence, not circumstances. Reflection Questions: • How does culture’s approach to Advent drain your joy? • How can you intentionally turn your focus toward Jesus this season? • What familiar patterns can you surrender to Him for renewal? •...

Show Notes: Advent Week 2 — Peace (Isaiah 9:6) In Week 2, we reflect on the Peace Jesus brings—the kind rooted in shalom: wholeness, completeness, flourishing. Through Isaiah 9:6, Troy walks us through the powerful names of Jesus and what they mean for our lives today. Reflection Questions: • Which name do you need to call on in this season? Wonderful? Counselor? Mighty God? Everlasting Father? Pr...

Show Notes: Advent Week 1 — Hope (Isaiah 9:2–7) In Week 1 of our Advent journey, Troy Kennedy explores the deep, biblical meaning of Hope through the prophecy of Isaiah 9:2–7. Advent is a season of anticipation, longing, and making room for Jesus. Together we reflect on: Reflection Questions: • What comes to mind when you hear the word Advent? • How do you plan to approach this Advent season? • Wh...

Have questions about the Bible? You’re not alone. In this episode, Troy and guest Eric Boles tackle common questions about Scripture’s trustworthiness, inspiration, and relevance today. From “How did we get the Bible?” to “Why does the Old Testament God seem different from Jesus?”, this conversation is designed to deepen your confidence in God’s Word. At Westside Family Church, our mission is lovi...