Pick Up the Mike

In this week's episode, Mike and Will explore practical evangelism strategies, examining how to effectively share faith despite the Bible offering surprisingly few specific methods. They analyze outreach approaches through video examples and personal stories, discussing the limitations of the "pray the prayer" method while emphasizing genuine relationship-building. They cover practical evangelism...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will explore the surprising effectiveness of teachers by breaking down the three key elements of persuasive communication: ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional connection), and logos (logical argument). They analyze sermon clips from Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Tony Campolo, and Alistair Begg, revealing how these speakers utilize these tools wi...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will welcome special guest David Burton to explore the Sabbath in depth, examining its historical context as a covenant with Israel while discussing its practical application for Christians today. They dive into Colossians 2:16 and Hebrews 4, analyzing how Christ fulfilled the Sabbath and what it means to enter God's rest through salvation rather than relig...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will address theological questions from their recent men's retreat about contemporary worship styles, defending modern music and production elements as culturally appropriate tools for meaningful participation. They dive into Colossians 2:11 for Bible study, which triggers a spirited debate between infant baptism and believer's baptism perspectives. The...

In this episode of Pick Up the Mic, Mike and Will tackle the misconception that God the Father is the "bad cop" while Jesus is the "good cop," providing numerous examples of Jesus's stern warnings in the New Testament. They dive deep into Colossians 2:9-10, exploring how "all the fullness of deity dwells" in Christ and what that means for today's church. After some nostalgic discussion about Ted N...

Mike and Will begin with a passionate discussion about world religions, arguing that Christianity uniquely welcomes debate and challenges while other major religions show "cowardice" by silencing opposition. They then dive into a Bible study of Colossians 2, working through Paul's complex language about being rooted in Christ and the challenges of understanding his dense writing styl...

In this episode of Pick Up the Mic, Mike and Will dive into the complexities of Calvinist theology, breaking down the TULIP acronym while sharing personal perspectives on God's sovereignty and human choice. They then explore 2 Corinthians 11, examining Paul's use of marriage metaphors to describe his relationship with the church. The episode concludes with an extensive analysis of JD Vance...

In this week's episode, Campus Pastor Vince shares his journey from homeschooled youth to his current role at Harvest's Natrona Heights campus. The conversation then explores Biblical perspectives on strong language in preaching, and concludes with a discussion about the distinctions between pastoral offices and church duties.----------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to H...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will explore recent sermons on prayer and share personal insights from their community groups about trusting God's fatherly character. Their Bible study of Luke 11 examines Jesus's confrontations with religious leaders and His rebuke of hypocrisy. The episode concludes with a cultural commentary on how social media and alternative news sources are reshaping public...

Join Pick Up the Mike as guest Brian Hodel shares his journey from financial stress to freedom through biblical money management. This candid conversation with Pastor Mike Greiner and Will Land cuts through typical financial advice to explore how trust, generosity, and faith can transform your relationship with money, offering wisdom for both the financially secure and those struggling to make end...

In this week's episode Mike and Will discuss "What is clergy?" as well as dive into Luke 11, and talk about the biblical implications of a certain chocolate factory.

In this week's episode, Mike and Will explore the priesthood of believers and how Jesus transformed traditional spiritual leadership. Through their Bible study of Luke 10, they examine the Good Samaritan parable and Mary & Martha story, analyzing Jesus's teachings on true neighborliness. They introduce their new "Gospel in the Movies" segment with a look at Willy Wonka as an illustration of gr...

In this powerful episode of Pick Up the Mike, we sit down with Dan Barker, a Vietnam veteran and long-time member of Harvest Church. Dan shares his remarkable journey from serving with The Walking Dead regiment in Vietnam to finding renewed faith and purpose. Through candid stories of combat miracles, PTSD, and personal transformation, Dan demonstrates how God's faithfulness carried him through li...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will delve into Jesus's teachings about receiving children and the deeper implications of ministry, examining Luke 9:47 and continuing through Luke 10's account of the seventy disciples. The conversation then shifts to a comprehensive analysis of recent cultural shifts, examining how alternative media platforms are reshaping political discourse and information shar...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will explore the complex intersection of biblical masculinity and modern culture, examining how Christian leadership differs from contemporary portrayals of manhood. They begin with a sermon discussion on "taking up your cross," exploring its historical context as a Roman execution method and what this challenging call to discipleship meant to Jesus's original audi...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will explore Islam in depth, analyzing its historical development while emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between Islamic ideology and individual Muslims. They begin with a sermon recap examining how the disciples' cultural expectations of the Messiah conflicted with Jesus's actual teachings in Luke 9:22, and continue their Bible study through Luke 9:46-...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will discuss the importance of Biblical preaching, contrasting churches that seriously engage with Scripture versus those offering superficial "feel-good" messages. They then examine Luke 9's account of a failed demon exorcism, exploring why the disciples couldn't cast it out and what Jesus' response reveals. They also dive into an extensive analysis of current pro...

In this heartfelt episode of Pick Up the Mike, we welcome Don Bowers, a Vietnam veteran and cherished member of Harvest Church, for a powerful conversation about resilience, faith, and finding purpose through life's challenges. Don shares his remarkable journey from his early days in New Kensington to his life-changing experiences in Vietnam, where a land mine injury and a providential encounter w...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will react to a video featuring Russell Brand's conversion to Christianity. They explore his journey from addiction and fame to faith, analyzing his interview with Tucker Carlson. They discuss the concept of Christianity as a "portable religion," contrasting it with the complex laws given to the Israelites after the Exodus, and they also examine the Biblical accoun...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will explore the concept of divine ownership, delving into the story of Jesus sending demons into a herd of pigs. They discuss God's ultimate ownership of all creation and how this impacts our view of property rights and our relationship with animals. Then the conversation shifts to a study of Luke 9:18-27, examining Jesus' teachings on self-denial and taking up on...

In this week's episode, Mike and Will reflect on Jesus calming the storm, drawing parallels between the disciples' fear and our own anxieties. They dive into a study of Luke 9, examining the miracle of feeding the 5,000 and its relevance today. Later, they discuss Christian dating and sexuality in the modern world, sharing personal stories about parental involvement in their children's...

In today's episode, Mike and Will explore Harvest Church's strategy for growth and community outreach, discussing the challenges and rewards of multi-site ministry and expansion. They then dive into a Bible study on Luke 8, examining Jesus' miraculous healings of Jairus' daughter and the woman with the issue of blood, unpacking their significance for faith today. Finally, they disc...

In this powerful episode of Pick Up the Mike, we sit down with Justin Morelli, a member of Harvest Church, for a raw and inspiring conversation about faith, redemption, and the transformative power of God's love. Justin shares his journey through loss, addiction, and ultimate renewal, demonstrating how even the darkest moments can lead to profound purpose. From childhood tragedy to acts of sel...

In today's episode, Mike and Will dive into the controversial teachings of prominent megachurch pastor Andy Stanley, who has suggested "unhitching" Christianity from the Bible. They also explore the topic of baptism, unpacking its significance, various denominational views, and its relationship to salvation. They continue their ongoing study in the book of Luke, focusing on Jesus&#39...

In today's episode, Mike and Will tackle the topic of tithing and financial giving in the Christian faith. They explore its biblical foundations, practical applications, and spiritual significance in modern church life. They also discuss the power of speech, examining why what we say matters and how it can affect those around us. They continue their Bible study in Luke, focusing on Jesus'...