Against the Grain

One of the most tragic things we see in this world is kids who have lost their parents. This happens across the world, as well as right here in our community. As followers of Jesus, God calls us to take care of the vulnerable - especially orphans. It seems He has a special heart for the fatherless. How can we get involved in helping these vulnerable kids? Mike Douris from Orphan Outreach has spent...

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12-15 As followers of Christ, we will be faced with temptations and desires that are against the heart of the Lord. What does it look like to battle temptation and fight against the flesh? What does it look like to choo...

Trials aren't a matter of if —they're a matter of when . We all face moments that bring us to our knees: devastating diagnoses, fractured relationships, crushing losses, and countless other heartaches that derail our carefully laid plans. But as followers of Jesus, how do we navigate these dark valleys? How do we maintain an eternal perspective when our present reality feels overwhelming?...

Change is inevitable. At every stage of life, we encounter shifts and circumstances beyond our control. In this episode, Courtney, Evan, and Jessica explore how to navigate change well and support others through difficult transitions. In a world of constant flux, there's hope in unchanging constants we can hold onto: God's character, His Word, and His promises. Join us as we find comfort,...

In a culture obsessed with climbing ladders and promoting ourselves, followers of Christ are called to a radically different path—one of servanthood. Instead of fixating on our own needs and advancement, we're invited to shift our focus outward, seeking to serve those around us. Join Kevin, Lorraine, and Brian as they explore what it means to serve not just well, but exceptionally—going above and...

At any stage in our lives, sports often take up a large portion of our time, energy and focus. What if we began to view the sports field as a mission field? In this game-changing episode, Jordan, Seth & Evan tackle how to integrate faith into the competitive world of sports. They dive into combating the pride that comes with athletic achievement, exploring how to live radically different lives...

Parenting teens comes with its own unique set of challenges. Your teen is facing a constant pull to follow the culture of this world. In this episode, Eric, Lauren & Jermaine discuss how to come alongside your teen to help them live against the grain.

How do you identify your spiritual gifts? What's the difference between natural talents and spiritual gifts? How should spiritual gifts be used within the church and in everyday life? Understanding your spiritual gifting can help you unlock how He has called you to serve. In this episode, Evan, Michelle and Eric discuss spiritual gifts and the many questions that surround this topic. Whether y...

Join us for a powerful conversation about the hope of Jesus that’s igniting hearts and transforming lives in some of the most unlikely places. In this episode, Eric, Travis, and Lauren sit down to discuss the incredible work God is doing through  God Behind Bars —a ministry that’s bringing healing, redemption, and lasting change to incarcerated individuals across the country. Whether you're cu...

Why would someone leave everything they know and move to live with a people across the world? For so many, the idea of becoming a global worker is daunting and impossible. In this episode, Eric, Arnaldo & a global worker guest discuss how we can cultivate a heart for the nations- from moving overseas to opportunities to reach the nations in our own neighborhood.

Prayer is foundational and vital to Christian living, however it can also be confusing and abstract. In this episode Lorraine, Sonja and Eric discuss growing a vibrant prayer life, the effects of prayer on our hearts and how to grow your faith through prayer.

No matter where you are in your faith journey, the idea of sharing your faith can be daunting. It's tempting to think that sharing the Gospel with others should be done by those who are better at it. The truth is, all believers are called to share the faith BOLDLY. In this episode, Eric, Tommy & Jamie discuss sharing the faith courageously. Show notes: 8 Ways & Discipleship Resources

Today’s generation of 18-35 year olds are facing unique challenges as they navigate being young adults in this culture. Whether you are a young adult yourself or have a young adult in your life, this episode is for you! While the life stages vary across this age range, from college students to becoming new parents, they are all learning to navigate the future while navigating the culture of this w...

The workplace is one of the biggest mission fields out there- and you are uniquely positioned for that field. In this episode, Bobby, Aubrie and Eric discuss how faith impacts work and how that can be leveraged that for the Kingdom. From jobs in leadership to entry level positions to working remotely, your job is a mission field waiting to be reached.

Pam, Courtney and Eric continue their discussion on parenting young children in episode 12 pt. 2 of Against the Grain. Parenting can be as joyful as it is overwhelming. In this episode, we learn about discipling kids in a culture that is counter-discipling them. Join us for part 2 of this conversation about parenting young kids against the grain of this world.

Parenting young children can be as joyful as it is overwhelming. In this episode, Pam, Courtney and Eric discuss discipling kids in a culture that is counter-discipling them. Join us for part 1 of this conversation about parenting young kids against the grain of this world.

Belief in the resurrection of Jesus is central to our faith.  And as we look back at what is recorded in scripture we see solid evidence that the events described that day really happened. The best part is that you don’t have to be a scholar or have a degree to understand it! The resurrection is a story of ultimate hope. We know how the story ends, but how did it happen? Why was it necessary? What...

Living out our faith is often easier in theory than in practice. The discipline of carving out time with the Lord, creating spaces for solitude, prayer, and sharing the Gospel are all aspects of the Christian faith that we often struggle with. In this episode, Ross & Eric discuss practical ways to cultivate habits of discipline in your life. Ross shares practices he has implemented in his own...

The number of people dealing with anxiety on a daily basis has skyrocketed in recent years. The question today is not what is anxiety or what causes anxiety. The question is what can I do about this anxiety I'm facing? In this episode, Rachel, Cathy & Eric discuss how we can learn to deal with anxiety to cultivate a non-anxious presence in our own lives. In a culture that only acknowledges anx...

In then Christian life, so many things beg for our attention. Even good things like church and LifeGroups and spending time with others cannot replace our need for God’s Word. When we delight in His Word, our hearts become replenished. When we delight in His Word, we gain new wisdom and understanding. In this episode, Eric, Jordan and Katie discuss practical ways to cultivate a heart that craves G...

Passover week often gets lost in all the other preparations for Easter. We are so focused on Easter Day and the celebration of Christ's resurrection, that we miss the opportunity of anticipation. The passover provides a mirror of what's to come with God's rescue story. Join us as Eric, Josh and Shelby discuss the significance of the season of passover.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Part of living for Jesus is living with Jesus. Learning to abide is crucial to the Christian life because it is what sustains us and it's how we learn to hear his voice. In this episode, Lorraine, Chuck and Eric discuss what it means to abide, the challenges that threat...

End times and end of the world? And what does that mean for us today? How can we exchange fear for hope in the face of the end of the world? In this episode, Eric and Jordan take a deeper dive into Mark 13 and the questions this passage raises. They look at three Biblical interpretive principles to explore this challenging passage and seek to understand how the truths revealed in Mark 13 point to...

What is at the heart of worship? Why do we do it? In this episode, Eric and Travis discuss worship as a way of life. Join us to as we dive into how authentic worship extends beyond Sunday gatherings into daily life and as we see begin to see worship as a lifestyle of awe. Scripture & Recommendations: John 4:24 How to Worship a King by Zach Neese

The concept of heaven often feels distant and theoretical, floating far above our daily experiences. Yet this promise of eternity serves as more than just an abstract ideal—it's a powerful source of hope that inspires us to live with purpose, seeking to create lasting impact beyond our earthly days. In this episode, Eric and Vince explore the nature of heaven, unpack the biblical promise of a new...