afterWord with Pastor Kent

How do you cultivate real thanksgiving when life hasn’t been easy—and the holiday table holds both joy and sorrow? In this Thanksgiving Special of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Dr. Matt Rehrer to explore what Scripture calls us to when it says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 92) and “Enter his gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100).Drawing from passages like Psalm 92...

What do you do when your desires don’t line up with God’s commands? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down again with Dr. Greg Gifford—author of Heart & Habits and host of the Transform podcast—to explore how the Lord uses everyday obedience to reshape the heart. Building from Philippians 2:12–13 and themes throughout Psalm 119, Kent and Greg talk through the surprising wa...

What does it look like when God truly transforms a life? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow and Executive Pastor Jeremy Pray sit down with Dr. Greg Gifford, Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling at The Master’s University, host of the Transformed podcast, and contributor to Fortis+.Greg shares his story—from serving in the Army to teaching and writing on biblical counseling—and...

What should Christians do with October 31? In this special Halloween edition of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to talk costumes, candy… and the courage of Martin Luther. In a light, lively conversation (yes, including dad-tax debates and Pilgrim’s Progress nightmares), the guys offer a pastoral way to think about Halloween alongside Refo...

What does faithful ministry of the Word look like—both from the pulpit and across the counseling table? In this follow-up episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow continues his conversation with Jeremy Pray and Kevin Carson, pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, Missouri, and Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. Together they explore how expository preaching and biblical...

What shapes a pastor’s heart for people? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Jeremy Pray and longtime NCT guest Kevin Carson—pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, Missouri, and incoming Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition—to trace the Lord’s providence through Kevin’s life and ministry. From growing up in a pastor’s home to planting and pastori...

What is church membership, and why does it matter right now? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to consider the biblical foundations and practical blessings of committing to a local church. While the pulpit focuses on the public ministry of the Word, this conversation tackles a timely pastoral question many at NorthCreek a...

In this follow-up to our Sing! recap, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Dan Grassi, Minister of Music at NorthCreek Church, to unpack the vision behind the new Sing Hymnal—a collaboration from Getty Music and Crossway—and how curated hymnody can shape both our services and our homes. Dan traces a brief history of hymnals from the Reformation to the modern-hymn movement (think “In Christ Alone,” “...

What happens to a church when it sings rich truth together? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to unpack highlights from the Sing! Conference in Nashville and why those days of Scripture-saturated worship were such a gift to our staff and church family. From the joy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with believers from around the world to th...

In this special episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow reflects on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, exploring how Christians are called to respond when political violence shakes our hearts. Rather than allowing anger, fear, or vengeance to dominate, Kent points us back to Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37–39: love God fully and love our neighbor as ourselves. Rooted in Leviticus 19 and ill...

How does biblical counseling take root and flourish in churches around the world? In this second part of our conversation, Pastor Kent Dresdow and Executive Pastor Matt Rehrer continue with Andrew Rogers, Executive Director of Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide (BCMW), to explore the heart and vision of this global ministry. Andrew unpacks how BCMW equips pastors and leaders internationally...

What shapes a ministry leader with a passion for both the local church and the nations? In this episode of afterWord , Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastor Matt Rehrer and special guest Andrew Rogers to trace Andrew’s journey of faith and ministry. From his early years in central California, to coming to Christ as a teenager, to discovering a love for discipleship and biblical couns...

What do you do in the painful aftermath of discovering your child has walked away from the Lord? In this second conversation of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow and Executive Pastor Jeremy Pray sit down again with guest speaker Brad Bigney Lead Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church to offer gospel-centered hope and practical help for parents of prodigals. Building on Part 1, Brad speaks candidly about t...

What do you do when you’ve raised your children to know the Lord, only to watch them walk away from the faith? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastor Jeremy Pray and guest speaker Brad Bigney Lead Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church , a longtime teacher at NorthCreek’s Counseling Training Conference. Together, they open a heartfelt conversation on parenting...

What does the Bible have to say about caring for both body and soul? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow continues the conversation with Executive Pastors Jeremy Pray and Matt Rehrer on the foundations and distinctives of biblical counseling. Building on part one, they explore how Scripture’s sufficiency shapes our approach to life’s problems, the difference between biblical and Chri...

Why does NorthCreek Church practice biblical counseling—and what makes it different from Christian or secular therapy? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Jeremy Pray and Matt Rehrer to begin a two-part series on the private ministry of the Word, shifting from the pulpit to the counseling room. Together, they unpack what biblical counseling is, when i...

What happens in the pulpit when the preacher isn’t suffering—but the text is? In this unique episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to reflect on a recent sermon from Psalm 119:25–32. Together they explore the distinction between interpreting affliction versus personal sin, how that decision shaped the structure and tone of the messag...

How can we become not just hearers of the Word, but doers? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow continues the conversation with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray on expository listening—this time focusing on practical habits that help believers engage with sermons during and after the Sunday gathering. Building on the biblical foundation from Part 1, this episode dives int...

What does it mean to truly listen to a sermon? In this episode of afterWord , Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to explore the biblical concept of expository listening—a vital spiritual discipline often overlooked in modern church life. This is part one of a two-part conversation equipping believers to hear the Word of God with reverence, attention, a...

In this follow-up episode, your host Pastor Kent Dresdow is joined again by Jeremy and Matt to continue their discussion on expository preaching. Building on their previous conversation about the definition and biblical foundation of expository preaching, this episode delves into its practical application and profound benefits for the average churchgoer. The guys address common misunderstandings,...

In this episode, your host Pastor Kent is joined by Matt and Jeremy for an in-depth discussion on expository preaching. The conversation begins by defining expository preaching, emphasizing how it ensures the sermon's shape and emphasis are solely derived from the biblical text. They explore the historical and biblical mandate for this approach, drawing from significant passages and examples:2 Tim...

Questions Addressed in This Episode: At the GFG, why no dunk tank? Are you a chicken? Can we bring other staff onto the podcast in the future? Is it inherently sinful to end a friendship or should there be a sort of default attempt to reconcile and reconnect? If heaven is perfect and without sin, how could Satan, before creation, have had pride to want to be God and fall away and be thrown out wit...

In this afterWord Q&A episode, Pastors Kent, Matt, and Jeremy respond to five thoughtful questions submitted during NorthCreek’s Great Family Gathering. Their conversation ranges from lighthearted to deeply theological as they address: 1. What are your best dad jokes? 2. What is a moment or conviction from your dad that has stayed with you? 3. Does it matter which Bible translation you use? 4....

In this companion episode to “Why Biblical Meditation Might Be the Discipline You’re Missing,” Pastors Kent, Matt, and Jeremy return to explore how the discipline of meditation becomes a lived reality. Drawing from Job 31, Psalm 139, and Psalm 19, they unpack what it means to dwell on God’s Word in everyday rhythms—through songs, sermons, situations, and personal sin. You’ll hear how biblical medi...

In this episode of afterWord, we continue our conversation on private worship — not just time in the Word, but the often-overlooked discipline of biblical meditation. What does it mean to truly meditate on Scripture? How does it differ from the emptying practices of the world? Why do so many believers rush through the Word without lingering in it? Together, we explore how biblical meditation awake...