Encounter Podcast

Welcome back! As we journey through the book of the Bible and hold a magnifying glass up to the context and culture that Jesus was operating in, we encounter the Last Supper. Today, we take Communion in remembrance of what Jesus has done for us. Is that the whole picture that Jesus intended in John 13? We believe that the remembrance is only half of the picture. Listen to find out what else Jesus...

As we proceed through the book of John and continue to ask the hard questions about what Jesus actually meant when he said and did certain things, we arrive at John 12 and 13. In these two wonderful chapters, we see Jesus anointed as his feet are washed, Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, and Jesus' triumphal entry.  Today, we see these chapters cited as reasons for a bride and groom to...

In this week's episode of Encounter, we revisit the account of the lamed man at the pool of Bethesda. Through this account, we discuss the ways that we seek out ways to avoid or skip the desert of sanctification. How are we taking the "easy way out" on the path to knowing and becoming more like Jesus? We pray that this episode and the Scriptures speak to you and foster healthy convictions toward C...

This is one of our most unique episodes yet because of the target audience, which is new believers in Jesus Christ. The heart that drives this conversation is one that seeks to provide practical first steps for someone who recently started walking with God. We gather up all of the Biblical wisdom that we think would serve as a field guide for the newly saved. Listen to it, forward it, and share it...

We are back to John! Tonight, we work through John 7 and 8 and we go deep into the nuances of Biblical inspiration, why the Bible is ambiguous at times, the motives of the Pharisees, and our ideas of what Jesus may have written in the sand. Please read ahead for the book of John and do your own study and let the Holy Spirit be your ultimate Illuminator and guide to Truth. Thank you for listening a...

We were very excited to sit down with Lisa Whitaker in this week's episode of Encounter. Lisa is a long-time partner with Calvary Chapel Hammonton and we have supported her as a full-time missionary for decades as she spread the Gospel around the world. Having traveled and served in over 70 countries, she has a wealth of wisdom and experience about how God is moving globally. We delve into her mis...

As a Part 2 to follow last week's episode, we take a closer look at the Biblical truths that we can hold onto with a tight grip.  These are the doctrines that should unite believers under the banner of Jesus Christ and what separates us from the rest of the world.  Then, we look at the issues that we should hold with an open hand, which are what tend to cause the disunity and tribalism i...

Happy New Year! In the first episode of 2023, we want to focus on Unity. Specifically, the unity that is found in Christ. First, we look at the theme of Unity in the Bible that runs from Genesis to Revelation. Then, we look at how tribalism breaks down the Church, isolates ideologies outside of the Church, and what doctrines should we be willing to divide over. Thank you for listening, we are pray...

In this week's episode of Encounter, we discuss chapters 4 and 5 in the book of John. Particularly, we look at the accounts of the nobleman's son and the pool at Bethesda. As we close read these powerful displays of Christ's power, we also see how John arranges his book in a way that pulls from many books in the Torah.  Check out this episode and realize the immense depth and richness of Scri...

In this week's episode of Encounter, we are joined by Josh Cummings again to discuss the process of restoring relationships with people that we are called to love; family, friends, coworkers, and church members. Jesus died on the cross to restore our communion with Him. How then are we supposed to reflect the heart of Christ to the people around us? We look at Isaiah 58 as a mentor text for our di...

In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Gerst and discuss how restrictive environments restrict or promote Spiritual growth in our pursuit of Jesus. Do extra-Biblical guidelines create a discipline and submission that points us to Jesus, or does it hinder us from being sensitive to the Holy Spirit? We cover schooling, church environments, and doctrines such as women's roles in the church and bapti...

In this week's episode, we are joined by Josh Cummings as we dig into John's account of the Woman at the Well. As we study and discuss, we contrast the accounts of the Samaritan woman and Nicodemus and discover why Jesus revealed Himself the way He did. As this is one of the most alluded-to stories in all of the Scriptures, we should know this story inside and out. But do you? Listen to the episod...

Welcome to Encounter, this is a podcast and radio show where we seek to encounter Christ, Culture, and Community. In this week's episode, we get personal and work through some surface questions and some deep questions about our faith, personalities, and opinions. If you want to have fun and promote healthy conversations around the dinner table, start with some of these. Have a great week! We will...

In this week's episode, we consult the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the story of Nicodemus to us. What is the actual meaning of being born again? What is the context surrounding the Bible's most famous verse, John 3:16? How are we like Nicodemus in our walk with Christ? Take the deep dive with us as we seek to Encounter Christ, Culture, and Community.  Book Mentions: Sign...

In this episode, we ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate a significant part of Scripture to us. We read, discuss, and apply Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in John chapter 2. Is this account about how Jesus is allowed to get angry or is it something more? Is this account about how there are justifications for anger or is it something more? Is this account about how commerce is prohibited in church or...

Welcome to Encounter. In this week's episode, Joe, Cole, and I dig into the Wedding at Cana as Jesus' First Miracle. Is this a story God inspired so we could argue endlessly about alcohol, or is it something more? Why is it significant that Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding, with wine, and with 6 jars of wine?  We consult the Word to learn about the Word and God tonight. Book Mentions: Si...

In this week's episode, Joe, Cole, and Adam do a deep dive into the prologue of John. How is John different from other Gospels? What is unique about the start of John? How can we know more about Jesus as we read through this gospel? We dive headfirst into our favorite Gospel, grow closer to Christ, and relate John's message to today.  Book Mentions: Signs of the Messiah: An Introduction to Jo...

In this week's episode, we try to answer one question: Are we disciplined in our pursuit of Christ, Holiness, and becoming more like Him? If you are honest with yourself, you will see the Word illuminate parts of your walk with God that need to be sanctified. We discuss the 12 disciplines detailed by Richard J. Foster in the Celebration of Discipline. Stay tuned to find out if you are running this...

Do you speak in a way that is acceptable to God? Is your social circle replete with people that gossip about others? Do you even notice when it is happening or are you desensitized to evil tongues? Tonight, Cole, Joe, and Adam address these questions by exegeting Scripture, discussing the application, and looking back at Scripture again. We are so blessed that you are listening! Book Mentions: Wal...

We have the blessing and privilege to sit down with Pastor Dan McAnney. Starting with how he met Jesus and was pulled into full-time ministry, we delve into the many ways God has used him for His glory throughout his life, which sparked some great discussion. First, Dan and his wife Marci have fostered over a dozen children, done countless mission trips, serve in multiple churches, and more recent...

What is God doing in your life and what is He teaching you? We each answer the question, which leads us to a deep discussion about keeping our ministries with an open hand, transparency in our leadership, and the Matt Chandler incident. We hope that you enjoy this conversation, but even more than that, we hope that you can model this conversation in your personal life and the people around you. Tr...

Almost a year after we had Chuck and Christine Thornley on the podcast to discuss the Crisis Pregnancy Center that they run, we sit down with Pastor Chuck and reassess the landscape in the wake of Roe v. Wade. What exactly does it mean that Roe v. Wade was overturned? Was the overturning of Roe v. Wade a good thing for the Kingdom? What do we do now? We discuss all this and more.  Episode#25...

This episode is a must for anyone that is looking to be discipled or disciple as a part of a Bible believing church. First, Joe, Cole, and Adam review how we got from Acts 2 to what we call the modern church today. Then, we use the Saturate model by Jeff Vanderstelt to define true discipleship and how the Bible defines an authentic discipleship relationship. Lastly, we discuss the Biblical model f...

There's a good chance you don't correctly understand the book of Jonah. In episode 57 of Encounter, we get to the heart of one of the most ridiculed and misinterpreted Bible books. We discuss whether it is literal or figurative, Jonah as a type of Christ, Jonah as the prodigal son, how we tend to worship the God of our imaginations and ideologies, and how non-believers do have a right to judge a b...

All the way from Kenya, Maine, and Pennsylvania, Pastor Josh Lawrence, John Fleming, and Rich Pennisi join us for this episode of Encounter. Pastor Josh is the Senior Pastor and Planter of Calvary Chapel Eldoret, Kenya, John is the director of the CRD Addictions Ministry for Calvary Chapel Bangor, Maine, and Rich Pennisi is a worship leader for Calvary Chapel Philadelphia. With 4 Calvary Chapels r...