HOTLCAST

Send us Fan Mail Idols may seem like something from ancient history—golden statues and carved images worshiped in temples. But the truth is, idolatry hasn’t disappeared. It has simply changed form. In this message, we explore how the human heart still creates idols today—often through things that look good, desirable, or even harmless. Success, reputation, relationships, comfort, politics, enterta...

Send us Fan Mail What if your greatest blessings have quietly become your biggest distractions? In this honest conversation, the hosts explore how everyday things—sports, hobbies, even church attendance metrics—can shift from blessings to idols without us realizing it. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, they offer a roadmap for recognizing when good things demand too much of our hearts...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle challenges the congregation to examine what truly controls their hearts beyond the obvious statues and golden calves of ancient times. Through personal stories—including his struggle with Michigan football fandom—he reveals how modern idols hide in our priorities, screen time, relationships, and even ministry success. The message calls believers to replace competing lo...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Cyle, Cody, and Ryan as they tackle the crucial difference between guilt and shame through hilarious personal stories and genuine pastoral wisdom. From lost snorkel masks to a legendary Krispy Kreme incident, they explore how confession, community, and faith help us move from paralyzing shame to healthy accountability. Whether you're struggling with past mistakes o...

Send us Fan Mail Drawing from a humorous snorkeling mishap, Pastor Cyle unpacks the crucial difference between guilt and shame. While guilt says "I did a bad thing" and leads to restoration, shame says "I am a bad person" and keeps us trapped in the enemy's lies. Through Romans 3:23 and Romans 8:1, he reminds us that God doesn't label us by our failures—He calls us Hi...

Send us Fan Mail Join Matt, Mark, and Ryan as they explore how our expectations can limit what God has in store for us. Through honest stories about careers, family planning, and daily struggles, the hosts reveal how surrendering our plans to God often leads to something far better than we imagined. This conversation offers practical wisdom on balancing intentionality with trust, complete with a c...

Send us Fan Mail In this message from Heart O' The Lakes Church, we explore the tension between our personal plans and God's greater purpose for our lives. Drawing from Isaiah 55:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Philippians 3:13-14, this sermon challenges us to release our ideals and expectations, listen for God's voice in the silence, and trust that His path—though often harder—leads to so...

Send us Fan Mail Join the HOTLCast crew as they dive deep into why sharing our stories is so transformative. Through personal experiences and honest conversation, Ryan, Matt, Mark, and Cody, explore how vulnerability breaks down isolation, builds authentic community, and reveals God's work in our lives. Whether you're struggling to open up or wondering if your story matters, this episode...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle teaches that healthy relationships require intentional rules and boundaries, not just passion. Drawing from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and practical wisdom, he shares how "future us survives present us" through clear communication, quick repentance, faithful promises, prayer, and releasing bitterness. The message challenges listeners to apply biblical pr...

Send us Fan Mail Join Cyle, Ryan, Cody, and Mark as they navigate the messy, hilarious, and deeply practical world of relationship conflict resolution. What starts as a conversation about viral slap-fighting videos quickly transforms into honest insights about healthy communication, the importance of trusted mediators, and why rock-paper-scissors might actually be relationship genius. This episode...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like you're just guessing your way through relationships—hoping you say the right thing or avoid the wrong buttons? In this message, Pastor Kyle reveals why so many relationships struggle: we're relying on guesswork instead of guardrails. Drawing from his own marriage, Cyle shares how he and his wife Patty created 169 specific rules to navigate communication, c...

Send us Fan Mail Join Cyle, Carver, Matt, and Mark as they explore what it means to truly treat others the way you want to be treated. From navigating middle school friendships to honoring people in their final moments, this conversation dives into the heart of building authentic community. Discover practical ways to invest in relationships before it's too late and learn how one church transf...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle explores the timeless Golden Rule established 3,500 years ago and how it's the foundation for every relationship in our lives. From family and friends to enemies and strangers, discover why treating others the way you want to be treated isn't just good advice—it's the heart of following Jesus. Learn the difference between the Golden Rule, Silver Rule, an...

Send us Fan Mail Join Cyle, Cody, Ryan, and Mark for a candid conversation about marriage, community, and the power of influence in our daily lives. From newlywed wisdom to middle school ministry moments, the hosts explore how the people we surround ourselves with shape who we become. They dive deep into 1 Corinthians 15:33 and discuss why authentic Christian community matters more than we realize...

Send us Fan Mail Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15:33, Pastor Cyle unpacks his life verse to reveal how the people, media, and ideas we surround ourselves with slowly reshape our character from the inside out. Through personal stories from his college years and practical modern applications, he challenges the congregation to examine their influences—from social media accounts to friendships—and make i...

Send us Fan Mail Join Cyle, Matt, Ryan, and Mark as they discuss the heart behind Heart of the Lakes Church—from their United Brethren roots to exciting growth initiatives. This conversation explores discipleship, the Three 30 campaign, and what it means to create a church community grounded in Scripture while staying authentic and fun. Whether you're curious about church growth, spiritual di...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle walks through the United Brethren Church's historic Confession of Faith, explaining the seven core beliefs that have remained unchanged since 1841. Rooted in Scripture, this confession covers the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Bible and salvation, the salvation message, and Christian ordinances. The message emphasizes that faith is not inh...

Send us Fan Mail Join the HOTL cast team as they explore what it means to multiply through discipleship at Heart of the Lakes Church. From intentional mentorship programs to unexpected connections over Taco Bell, this conversation unpacks how authentic relationships become the foundation for spiritual growth. Discover why everyone needs a Paul, a Timothy, and a Barnabas—and how living out your fai...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle unpacks Heart O' The Lakes Church's vision of "multiply through discipleship," tracing God's call to make disciples from Genesis through the Great Commission. Using John 3:30 as the foundation ("He must become greater, I must become less"), he challenges the congregation to move beyond being "withered up Christians" to beari...

Send us Fan Mail Cyle, Ryan, and Cody dive into the heart of what makes authentic Christian community work—moving beyond surface-level niceness to genuine, sacrificial love. Through personal stories and real-life examples, they explore how caring about what matters to others transforms relationships and reveals Christ's love in tangible ways. This episode unpacks the first pillar of Heart Lak...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle challenges Heart O' The Lakes Church to embody their vision of loving like Jesus by genuinely caring about what matters to others. Drawing from Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:3-4, and the example of Christ, he teaches that biblical love isn't just handshakes and smiles—it's noticing people's needs, listening to their hearts, and stepping into their wo...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt sermon delivered at Heart O’ The Lakes Church, Pastor Morehead shares his personal journey through a life-threatening illness, drawing profound spiritual lessons from the biblical concept of "breath" as both physical and spiritual life. Anchored in scriptures like Psalm 150 and Genesis 2:7, the message explores how God’s presence sustains us, the import...

Send us Fan Mail This sermon explores the moment in Luke 2 when the angel appears to the shepherds, delivering a message that forever changes their lives and the world. Pastor Cyle unpacks the significance of God’s glory moving from the temple to ordinary people, illustrating how the good news of Jesus is meant for everyone. Through personal stories and biblical insight, listeners are challenged t...

Send us Fan Mail Join Cyle, Matt, and Ryan as they explore the power of authentic community and recognizing God's active presence in daily life. From coffee shop connections to small group dynamics, the hosts share personal stories about building meaningful relationships and staying attuned to divine movement. This conversation offers practical encouragement for anyone seeking deeper faith co...

Send us Fan Mail This message, delivered at Heart O’ The Lakes Church, explores the story of Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel in Luke 1. The sermon highlights Mary’s confusion, faith, and willingness to accept God’s plan with joy, even amid uncertainty and potential hardship. Listeners are encouraged to find joy and trust in God’s plan for their own lives, especially during challenging seas...