Encounter Podcast

This is part 1 of 2 where Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim seek to deepen the meaning of the birth of Christ. In this episode, we look into some Christmas traditions, their roots, and whether or not the scripture comments on how to handle them. Next week, we look at the prophecies surrounding Christ's birth and why God chose to send His Son when he did.  Podcast Website: https://encount...

Today, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim put aside the prep and do a freestyle episode. We each came up with 3 questions that were either Biblical, Personal, or Wildcard questions and each of us needed to answer. We weren't allowed to know each other's questions beforehand so the listeners are able to hear authentic and unprepared responses. We run the gamut from deep theological discussions...

This episode is unique. We each made a list of cheesy Christian cliches, quirks, and traditions. We are reacting to each other's lists on the fly and exposing some stories that helped shape each other's lists. This episode gets a little wild in the second half where there is a disagreement on the relationship between wealth and complacency in the church.  Podcast Website: https://encounterpod...

In this episode, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim are with Big Al Szolak. Big Al has been a pillar in our community as a drug counselor, teacher, Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader, founder of the “do hugs, not drugs” movement, and was a professional basketball for the Washington Generals. Tonight, we get into his testimony, what he thinks is wrong with the modern church today, and how...

In this episode, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim, are blessed to sit down with Chuck and Christine Thornley. Chuck is on the pastoral staff at Wellspring Church where he and Christine serve in various children and worship music ministries. However, the main reason that they are here is that they are the directors of a Crisis Pregnancy Center in Egg Harbor Township. Tonight, we will discuss...

Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim sit down to discuss the show, "The Chosen." We discuss what we love about it, how it has impacted us, what we don't love about it, and the general practice of separating the art from the artist. We had some fun on this one!

In this week’s episode, Joe Costa, Cole Person, Adam Preim, and Pastor Ed Seponosky discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Western Church today. We address Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and the weaknesses in our presentation of the Gospel. Pastor Ed was the head pastor of a church for over 15 years and now has a ministry where he ministers directly to pastors, which gives him a unique bird's ey...

Today, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim sit down with Dianne Lombardo. Dianne has served in women's ministry at Calvary Chapel Hammonton for over 20 years alongside her husband, Pastor Vince Lombardo. She travels to speak at women's retreats and conferences all over the world. In this episode, we dig into what the Bible says about the roles of women in the church, the issue of woman pastors,...

In this week's episode, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim sit down with our guest, Jennifer Brittin, and discuss what the Bible has to say about alcohol. What hard lines does the Bible draw on the subject? What are the grey areas that we look to the Spirit to discern? How is it advancing the Kingdom of Heaven? Listen as we Encounter Christ, Culture, and Community together.  Podcast Websi...

This week, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim take a deep dive into the popular Christian movement called Christian Deconstruction. We try to understand it, hold it up to God's Word, and offer our take on it. As Christians, we need to be like the Bereans (Act 17) by adhering to the Word and be willing to call out bad doctrine when we hear it. Today, we do just that.  Podcast Website: http...

This week, Adam Preim, Joe Costa, and Cole Perseo sit down with Dr. Ken Irvis to discuss vaccines, Covid, and preventable care. Dr. Ken has been a board-certified medical doctor in the fields of Obstetrics and Gynecology for nearly 45 years and has an invaluable perspective on how we should handle the virus.  Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Patrick Toner and discussing cults and world religions. Pat is an elder at Calvary Chapel Gloucester Calvary Chapel, teaches courses on world religions and cults, and co-leads a young adult ministry. In the episode, we discuss Pat's testimony, the Catholic Church, the sufficiency of Scripture, and how we can recognize cultish characteristi...

This week we sit down with an expert in Christian apologetics, Keith Kendrex. Keith runs his own podcast called Evidence 4 Faith, is the Chapter Director of Ratio Christi at Stockton and Rowan University, a Member Evangelical philosophical association, and has a Masters in Christian Apologetics from BIOLA.  We cover topics such as the purpose and heart behind Christian apologetics, the geneti...

Today, we hear from John and Emily Nally as we delve into their experiences with leadership roles in the church today, the differences between the church in America and the church in China, and the dynamics of being married and balancing full-time ministries.  Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

In this week's episode, we were blessed with being able to sit down with Caleb Eller and work through some complex questions. When looking for a new church, or even evaluating the one you are in now, what are the red flags you should look for? What attributes are absolutely necessary? How should your preferences factor into your decision? Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/enc...

We had the privilege of sitting down with Zach Greene and hear his incredible testimony of how Jesus changed his life. Coming from a background of homelessness and addiction, he now lives a life that is marked by sharing the gospel with the homeless and addicted. He runs the addiction ministry at Calvary Chapel Gloucester County and is actively serving multiple local communities. You won't want to...

Apologetics is the practice of defending your faith or preparing an answer for anyone who may ask for the reason that hope is in you (1 Peter 3:15). Joe, Cole, and Adam discuss the relevancy of apologetics today, the validity of the Scripture and resurrection, and the dangers of not learning to defend your faith at an early age. Join us as we encounter Christ, culture, and each other.  Book M...

We discuss a very opinion-based topic; contemporary congregational worship with Vince Lombardo and Ru Breau. Each of us have served in worship ministry for many years and have varying perspectives on what worship music should and could look like today.  Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

In this week's episode, we try to tackle the sensitive topic of education and schooling in the lives of Christian students and parents. By starting the conversation from a place of personal experience, and then expanding it to the strengths and weaknesses of each type of schooling, we tried to take an objective look at each type. With our guests; Jen, Tori, Cole, and Liz, Joe and I try to guide th...

In today's episode, we sit down and work through some topics related to short, long, local, and abroad missionary work. We warn of the dangers, but also the positives, of short term missions. Angelica just got back from traveling the world as a missionary and offers a unique perspective.  Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

How should Christians handle TV, songs, podcasts, and other types of media in their lives? Joe, Cole, and Adam take a closer look.  Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

We take a close look at the state of the modern church through the lens of what the Bible defines as idolatry. Do we put our pastors, leaders, worship, churches, comfort, or money over Christ, or are we doing a decent job?  Much of our discussion references the terminology in this article:  https://www.checkmychurch.org/post/6-ways-your-church-could-be-practicing-idolatry The John MacArt...

2 weeks ago, we recorded an episode with Adam, Joe, and Cole on the ins and outs of being married, dating, and single in the Christian culture. Today, we get the female perspective.  Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

Pastor Vince Lombardo from Calvary Chapel of Hammonton discusses some of the nuances of heavier topics such as persecution in the US, Covid, and vaccinations. On a lighter note, we discuss first and worst sermons, life in a fishbowl, and navigating humor in the Christian walk.   Calvary Chapel Hammonton Website: https://cchammonton.org Calvary Chapel Hammonton Instagram: https://www.instagram...

We discuss what healthy and transparent fellowship looks like in the context of a Bible study. How can we achieve the culture of the early church that proclaimed the Gospel? We don't have all of the answers, but we are trying our best to figure it out and are willing to share what has and hasn't worked in our personal lives.   Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterp...