Joy & Java

Brian and Kristin are back in the Pursuit Studio to discuss this fascinating and really deep passage from John.  It's about way more than just a miracle!  Brian and Kristin also talk about God is doing at Pursuit Friends Network of House Churches.  This is a discussion you don't want to miss!

Jesus begins his public ministry after being baptized and some of John the Baptist's disciples decide to follow him.  They are imperfect men with plenty of shortcomings yet Jesus welcomes them into relationship with him.  He embraces their chaos and begins a relationship that will transform them into men who will effect and influence significant change throughout the course of history. &...

This week Brian and Kristin have a debate about the necessity of snow blowers in NE Ohio in light of the recent snow storm.  They also continue in the book of John and discuss the role of John the Baptist, his humility, and his declarations concerning Jesus Christ.  He makes several powerful and bold statements concerning the coming Messiah as Christ is about to step onto the scene publi...

Rusty Savage, Director of Multiplication for EFC-ER (Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region), joins Brian and Kristin for an exclusive interview about what God is doing around EFC-ER through church planting, cross-cultural ministries, and world missions.  This is an exciting conversation as there is a lot going on throughout EFC-ER!   If you're interested in learning more about how...

Brian and Kristin discuss John the Baptist's role in proclaiming the entrance of Christ as the Messiah.  John's role was to declare Jesus for who he was, and then to step out of the way.  In our culture, this is a hard and challenging concept.  We see John the Baptist do so, however, with great grace and faith.  He also makes some important statements in this passage concerning...

We're kicking off a new study on the life of Jesus from the perspective of John's gospel!  In this episode, Kristin and Brian dig deep into the first five verses of John (which holds one of the most important theological statements in all the Bible).  We are excited to study and discuss who Jesus was, what He taught, how He lived, and what our response should be as we follow Him.  ...

We welcome Joe Aull to the podcast and discuss what it's like to lead through a pandemic in both the church world and the corporate world. We discuss the importance of striving for healthy balance, knowing when to say "yes" and when to say "no". This is an engaging and interesting conversation as these three church leaders talk about the past couple years of being a part of Pursuit Friends Church....

Brian and Kristin discuss the differences between the disciples being made within the persecuted church in the middle east and the converts being made in the western church (predominantly in the U.S.).  Inspired by how God has been working in Pursuit Friends Network and a powerful video presentation that the Whitmer House Church watched and then discussed Sunday called "Discipleship in the Mi...

Pastor Jack Radcliffe from Ypsilanti, Michigan joins Brian for a frank and hard hitting discussion on church planting, discipleship, and deconstruction.  This is a revealing conversation by two church planting pastors about how God has been leading them through a season of deconstructing the very institution they have dedicated their lives to.  In this compelling episode, you will be cha...

Brian and Kristin discuss how this past week's Night of Worship went and what they're learning through the process of planting this network of house churches.  They break down how God is moving in them to evaluate everything they once held as a metric for success; how He is teaching them to embrace the moment and the people God has in front of them.  It's all about discipleship.  Th...

Brian and Kristin discuss this powerful chapter of 1st Samuel and how David had a very important choice to make on whether he should take Saul's life.  The circumstances, including a miraculous act of God, pointed to the opportunity to rid himself of Saul's jealousy and unfounded aggression and anger, to once and for all, claim his spot as the next anointed king of Israel.  But David cho...

Brian and Kristin sit down to share about the experiences of the Whitmer House Church and Deborah House Church, and they dive into 1st Samuel 20.  This chapter is a deeply emotional and heavy drama of intrigue, deep friendship, and betrayal.  The friendship and loyalty of Jonathan and David is an interesting and tragic piece of the narrative around the life of David. Music featured on th...

Brian and Kristin talk about this past week at Pursuit Friends Church, and have a powerful discussion on David's encounter with Goliath.  Lots of applicable and challenging things in this surprising and exciting passage of Scripture.   pursuitfriends.org/give All music for this podcast was written, performed, and recorded by Brian Donahue Find us on Facebook and Instagram!

Kristin and Brian discuss the importance of rest, of receiving God's peace through our obedience, and in trusting God to be faithful through our brokenness and the chaos of the world around us.  They recorded this episode via video as Kristin was in Michigan visiting her parents.  Brian updates us on a recent gathering of several house church movements that happened at his house, and the...

Brian and Kristin sit down for a conversation about 1st Samuel 16 as David is anointed the next king of Israel.  They also talk about the fun and fellowship they shared in the neighborhoods of Whitmer House Church and Deborah House Church this past weekend, as well as some ways God is moving in our midst as we "go" and "live" with His mission at the core of our lives. Music used on this podca...

Kristin and Brian are back to discuss the experience of starting a new house church including the struggles and the victories.  They encourage potential future house church leaders and/or new work starters to embrace the uncomfortable and unexpected as they step out into kingdom building efforts.  They also discuss 1st Samuel 10 as Saul is about to be anointed "king" of Israel.  We...

Pastor Brian takes us through 1st Samuel 8-9 and challenges us to keep our eyes upon Jesus as our only King.  When we lose sight of Jesus as King of Kings in our lives, we end up worshipping and living for false kings that can never satisfy or protect us like we imagine.  

Kristin and Brian discuss this strange, yet interesting and surprisingly applicable passage of Scripture.  Kristin also gives a brief report on their planning meetings and the launch date for our new house church!  Grab a cup of coffee and sit in on the conversation that will encourage and bless you as they discuss the move of God in this passage and also in our lives as followers of Jes...

Brian and Kristin talk about the formation and launch of our second house church, our special guests we had at the Whitmer House Church gathering, Dave and Laurel Derry, while also celebrating how God is moving in our midst and showing Himself so faithful to us as a network. Music used in this podcast is written and performed by Brian Donahue www.pursuitfriends.org/give Find us on Facebook!

Pastor Brian shares about this weeks experience at Pursuit Friends Church, gives an exciting announcement, and walks through 1st Samuel 4.  Amazing things are happening and we invite you to learn what God is doing at PFC through this episode of our podcast. www.pursuitfriends.org Music used on this podcast is an original song called "Living Waters" by Brian Donahue

Join Brian and Kristin as they share about Pursuit Friend's recent experience of gathering with other believers from Kent Chinese Friends Church and Winona Friends Church for a celebration of worship and fellowship, and of the unity we have in the body of Christ.  This is an engaging and encouraging episode that will challenge you to trust God with more, to grow your faith, and to trust Him w...

Join Brian and Kristin as they share about the atmosphere and experience of being a part of Pursuit's house church network, and listen as they have a candid conversation about 1st Samuel, chapter 3.  Music used is an original song from Brian Donahue called "Living Waters"

We've launched as a network of house churches and have seen God move in our midst in powerful and life changing ways!  This past week, Planter and Lead Pastor, Brian Donahue, gave a message on Acts 2 that challenged us to make sure that the sound of our lives is powerful and joyful enough for others to hear and respond.  Join Pastor Brian as he shares this message for us and discusses ho...

Planter and Lead Pastor, Brian Donahue is joined in the Pursuit Studios by Kristin and Joe Aull - co-founders and part of the original core team of Pursuit Friends Church.  Kristin and Joe are now part of the Network Leadership Team charged with building the vision, foundation, and organization of this new network of house churches.  They sit down with Brian to discuss their process of j...

Brian Donahue, planter and lead pastor of Pursuit Friends Church, kicks off this inaugural podcast with a basic description of principles that helped define the heart of the leadership and influencers within PFC to pivot towards a house church network during the past year.  3 main statements have defined their course change.  Join Brian as he talks about this "new old thing" God is doing...