The Echo Church Podcast

In this message, Ray Machen-Gray invites the Echo Church family to pause, be fully present, and remember the staggering truth that the God who created the universe loves each of us personally and desires relationship with us. Drawing from 1 John 4 and the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14 , Ray explores what it means to live in that love and to obey Jesus, even when His instructions se...

In this powerful message, Pastor Jason Polk takes us to Luke 5 and the life-changing moment when Simon Peter encounters Jesus by the Sea of Galilee. As Peter washes his nets after an unfruitful night of fishing, Jesus steps into his boat and into his life—issuing a call that will alter Peter's future forever. Pastor Jason unpacks the simple yet transformative response: "If you say so." He challeng...

In this heartfelt sermon, Pastor Ken Polk, father of Pastor Jason Polk, shares a moving message at Echo Church centered on the healing of the woman with the issue of blood from Mark 5. Ken reflects on the themes of faith, persistence, and the courage to reach out to Jesus even in the midst of a crowd. Drawing on personal anecdotes, biblical teaching, and reflections on the nature of crowds and fai...

In this message, Pastor Jason continues the Encounters series by teaching on Jesus' conversation with the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19. Through this story, we're reminded that it's possible to do all the "right" things, ask all the "right" questions, and still miss what truly matters if we're unwilling to fully surrender to Jesus. Pastor Jason challenges us to examine our own hearts: What are we...

In this message, Pastor Jason continues the Encounters series by teaching from Mark 2 about the paralyzed man whose friends lowered him through a roof to reach Jesus. Pastor Jason challenges us to consider: What if the thing you think you need most isn't actually your greatest need? Jesus surprises the crowd by forgiving the man's sins before healing his body — reminding us that restoration of our...

In this message, Pastor Jason kicks off our new series, Encounters , by looking at the radical transformation of Saul in Acts 9. He reminds us that Jesus is still in the business of interrupting lives, changing hearts, and sending people out with purpose. Through the story of Saul's encounter with Jesus, we're challenged to reflect on our own moments of transformation and consider how God might wa...

In this episode, Pastor Jason of Echo Church unpacks what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. Drawing on Luke 14, he highlights five essentials: loving Jesus above all else, willingly bearing your cross, counting the cost of commitment, fully surrendering control, and remaining "salt" that preserves and flavors the world with the gospel.  Through illustrations—like building a tower or a king...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason invites us to reflect on what it truly means to be the church—a flock led by the Good Shepherd. Rooted in John 10, this message unpacks the rich imagery of Jesus as both the Door and the Shepherd: the only way into the Kingdom and the one who protects, guides, and knows us by name. Pastor Jason reminds us that following Jesus isn't about performance or religion—it's ab...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of unity and love within the church, particularly in the face of diversity and differing opinions. Drawing from Romans 14 and 15,  he discusses how to navigate conflicts and maintain a spirit of acceptance and understanding among believers. The message encourages listeners to prioritize the Word of God over cultural influences and to engage in...

This week at Echo Church, Pastor Jason takes us into Hebrews 10 to answer a profound question: Why do we gather? In a powerful and heartfelt message, he unpacks the deep spiritual significance of the church community—not as a duty, but as an invitation into something sacred. He reminds us that gathering weekly isn't about obligation; it's about opportunity—an open door into the Holy of Holies made...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason walks us through the foundational marks of the early church, highlighting how believers responded after Christ's resurrection. Beginning with a celebration of worship, Pastor Jason reflects on the importance of the resurrection and how it ignited the formation of the early church. Pastor Jason explores how the church was never meant to be just an institution but a dyna...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason Polk leads us through the heart of the Easter story—where Jesus conquers death, leaves the grave empty, and invites us into resurrection life. Pastor Jason declares that if Jesus got out of the grave, there's hope for all of us. He shares the significance of the resurrection—not just as a historical event, but a present reality that changes everything. The resurrection...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason Polk takes us to the heart of the Palm Sunday narrative—where Jesus is declared King by the crowd, rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, and immediately sets to work flipping tables and expectations. Pastor Jason emphasizes that restoration begins with coronation —acknowledging Jesus as the King of our hearts and lives. Through rich narrative and humor, he paints the scene...

In this final sermon of the Above and Beyond on Prayer series, Pastor Jason Polk dives deep into 1 Kings 18-19 and the art of listening for God's voice—the still small whisper that often goes unnoticed. He explains that while we might expect dramatic signs, God often speaks in a gentle, subtle way. Many times, we miss His voice because we aren't prepared to hear it, or we're distracted by the nois...

In this sermon, Ray Machen-Gray challenges the church to reframe the way they think about fasting, not as a gloomy act of self-neglect but as an exciting opportunity to feast on Spiritual food at God's table. We explore the history of fasting in the bible and the early church, why we should fast, and how we can joyfully participate in this practice together to redeem its identity and experience th...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of prayer, confession, and genuine repentance when responding to sin. By looking at how Saul and David each handled their failures, Pastor Jason draws out some important truths about repentance. First, we need to acknowledge our sin instead of justifying it. Second, we must take responsibility for our actions, not pass the blame. Finally, true...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the vital role of persistent prayer in the life of a believer. He acknowledges the common struggles many face in maintaining a consistent prayer life, such as the challenges of self-discipline and doubt. Despite these obstacles, Pastor Jason highlights the example set by Jesus, who, even in His ministry, relied deeply on prayer. He encourages the congregatio...

In this sermon, the Mikhail discusses the significance of persistent prayer and how it shapes our relationship with God. He emphasizes the importance of communication in prayer, finding joy in trials, and asking for wisdom. Mikhail shares personal experiences and insights on how trials contribute to spiritual growth and the necessity of faith in overcoming doubt. He concludes by encouraging listen...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason talks about the incredible power of prayer. He highlights Jesus many promises about prayer throughout Scripture, promises that guarantee that prayer will bear results—those who seek will find, and those who knock will get an answer. But Pastor Jason also reminds us that there are important conditions to prayer. Rather than praying timidly, we need to approach God with...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of praying faithfully—not simply to receive earthly rewards, but to experience the greatest reward of all: an intimate, daily relationship with our Creator. Using Matthew 6, Pastor Jason highlights key truths about prayer from Jesus' teachings. Jesus models the importance of identifying the object of our prayer, committing to God's purposes, a...

In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of worship, community, and prayer in the life of a believer. The sermon revolves around understanding prayer not just as a discipline but as a lifestyle that connects us to God. The speaker highlights the power of earnest prayer, the significance of obedience, and the role of the church in spiritual warfare. The conversation concludes with a c...

February 2nd, 2025  In this sermon, Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of emotional worship, the power of prayer, and the transformative nature of a relationship with God. The sermon revolves around reflecting on past experiences, setting spiritual goals, and understanding prayer not as a discipline to perfect but as a dependence to surrender to. Pastor Jason highlights the significance of bei...

In this conversation, the Pastor Jason emphasizes the unwavering faithfulness of God and the importance of our response to His plans. Through the story of Moses and the Israelites, the speaker illustrates how God has a plan for each individual, even in moments of chaos and uncertainty. The message encourages listeners to trust in God's control, to respond actively to His call, and to recognize tha...

This conversation explores the themes of faith and decision-making through the lens of biblical narratives, particularly focusing on the story of Abraham. It emphasizes the importance of making faith-based decisions rather than reacting to circumstances, highlighting the struggles and lessons learned from Abraham's life. The discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their own decision-making p...

In this conversation, Pastor Jason Polk reflects on the importance of worship, community, and a strong foundation of faith as he prepares for the upcoming year. He emphasizes the need for prayer and biblical teaching, drawing inspiration from the story of Noah to illustrate the significance of faith grounded in God's Word. Jason outlines his vision for 2025, focusing on growth, prayer, and outreac...