Faith Conversations Podcast

Is God speaking to us today? And if so—how does God communicate? In this solo episode of Faith Conversations, Jessica Cabrera explores a powerful truth: God is expressive. He is not silent, distant, or detached. He communicates clearly, personally, and purposefully. From the Trinity to creation, from Scripture to Jesus Christ, from the Holy Spirit to the Church—God has made Himself known in unmist...

Where do you turn when you’re searching for the answers to life? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Pastor Marty Baker, Senior Pastor of Burke Community Church, shares his remarkable testimony and lifelong conviction that the answers to life are found in the Word of God. Growing up in a Christian home, Marty recalls the moment as a child when he truly understood his need for Jesus...

What happens when God pursues you—even when you don’t yet know Him? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Lydia Van Zandt, Director of Kids Ministry at Burke Community Church, shares her powerful testimony of being rescued by God and discovering the freedom, peace, and purpose she had been searching for in all the wrong places. Growing up without a Christian foundation and moving fre...

When life feels uncertain and the world around us is anything but settled, where does true peace come from? In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Pastor Bob Thornton—Pastor of Marriage and Counseling at Burke Community Church—shares his deeply personal faith journey and how God became a steady, unchanging presence through seasons of transition, isolation, military service, and spirit...

What happens when you realize the life you’re living isn’t the life you were made for? In this episode of Faith Conversations, Matt Sims, Pastor of Kids Ministry at Burke Community Church, shares his powerful journey of drifting from faith, searching for meaning, and ultimately discovering a life fully surrendered to Jesus. Growing up in the UK, Matt was deeply involved in the Salvation Army churc...

What happens when the version of the “good life” you’re chasing leaves you empty? In this episode of Faith Conversations, Matt Rampey shares his honest journey from chasing pleasure, popularity, and freedom on his own terms to discovering the true freedom found in Jesus Christ. Matt's life was shaped by partying, unhealthy addictions, and a relentless pursuit of approval—until everything came cras...

In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Monica Bacheler shares her story of moving from a place of fear and performance to a life of freedom rooted in God’s grace. Monica reflects on how a distorted view of God left her feeling afraid and unseen for many years. But as she began to understand the truth of who God is—a loving Father who pursues, sees, and extends grace—everything changed...

Alec Zacaroli, Pastor of Outward Ministries at Burke Community Church, shares his incredible journey from skepticism to surrender. Raised in a non-religious household in South Africa, Alec spent years chasing success as a journalist and later as a big firm attorney, until life’s challenges led him to cry out to God and seek something more. Then, one day, on his porch with his wife, in a moment of...

Greg Triplett, Pastor of Communications at Burke Community Church, shares his faith journey in this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast. Raised in a home where faith was not just professed but practiced, Greg witnessed his parents’ trust in God through all circumstances. This solid foundation laid the groundwork for his own walk with Christ. As a college student participating in and leading...

In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Pastor Jim Powell, Discipleship Pastor at Burke Community Church, shares how a simple prayer at a Young Life retreat sparked a lifelong journey of awe-inspired faith. Growing up without much knowledge of Jesus, Jim’s life began to change when he witnessed the transformation of his older brothers. A single prayer opened the door to a deep and ongo...

In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, host Jessica Cabrera talks with Jennifer Bertuna, Director of Connections at Burke Community Church, about her personal journey to discovering faith in Jesus. Jennifer wasn’t raised in church, but her spiritual curiosity began at just 10 years old. As an adult, after seeking God’s protection during risky work travel, watching her father transform...

In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Youth Pastor Jeremy Wittig of Burke Community Church shares how the love of the church and the presence of God transformed his life. From experiencing loss and loneliness in childhood and college to growing an intimate friendship with Jesus, Jeremy opens up about his journey of finding belonging, provision, and truth through faith and the people...

In this powerful kickoff to Season Three of the Faith Conversations Podcast , host Jessica Cabrera welcomes Dr. Michael Coffey, Executive Pastor of Burke Community Church in Northern Virginia. Together, they unpack a legacy of transformation as Dr. Coffey shares how three generations of men in his family encountered radical change through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Growing up in a home mark...

In this final episode of the 4-week special edition Faith & Work series, host Jessica Cabrera and guest co-host Kristen Stockton tackle a topic that working women know all too well: overwhelm. From family to career to health and the endless to-do list, the pressures can feel crushing—but they don't have to define us. During this episode, you’ll hear Jessica teach from a live event where she sh...

In this faith & work series special edition episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, host Jessica Cabrera is joined for the first time by co-host Kristen Stockton. Together, they dive into one of the most pressing issues faced by working women today—guilt, shame, and the haunting sense of inadequacy that often accompanies trying to juggle multiple roles. Jessica shares a live teaching segme...

In this special edition episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast , host Jessica Cabrera offers powerful encouragement for anyone wondering how their work, passions, or skills could possibly fit into God’s plan. Drawing from Exodus 31–36 and personal reflections, Jessica unpacks how God’s intentional design over your life includes the very talents, interests, and abilities He wired into you — not...

In this special solo edition of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Jessica Cabrera shares a deeply personal reflection on her career and how God’s hand has guided her every step of the way. From starting as a substitute teacher after college to taking on a leadership position in Washington, D.C., Jessica reveals how God orchestrated each move — even when she didn’t recognize it at the time. Through...

In this moving episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, host Jessica Cabrera sits down with Ash Wells to share her incredible journey from a turbulent past to a life transformed by God’s mercy. Raised by a single mother and shaped by years of rebellion, multiple marriages, and spiritual emptiness, Ash had no real connection to God—until adulthood. When she finally encountered Jesus, everything...

In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, host Jessica Cabrera interviews Heather Myers, Navy veteran, military wife, biological and adoptive mom, and author of the soon-to-be-published Bible study “Rooted Motherhood”. Heather shares her journey through military service, terrible sickness during pregnancy, and international adoption—and how those seasons of weakness brought her to depend...

In this episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, Katie Hagan opens up about growing up in church, wrestling with how much religious hypocrisy is out there, and learning what it truly means to walk in a personal, surrendered relationship with God. From her early baptism to adult struggles with doubt, Christian culture, and social justice, Katie shares a candid and compelling story of how faith i...

In this powerful episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast, host Jessica Cabrera talks with Sarah about her incredible journey from being raised by atheist and agnostic parents to unshakable faith in Jesus. Raised in a non-Christian home, Sarah discovered faith in Jesus through a youth program. It took time to discover what it meant to depend entirely on God—but that’s exactly what happened after...

In this powerful and redemptive episode of the Faith Conversations Podcast , host Jessica Cabrera sits down with Shannon Zaragoza to explore her courageous journey of faith after childhood trauma. Shannon opens up about growing up in a non-Christian home and enduring five years of sexual abuse by her stepbrother—experiences that left lasting emotional and spiritual scars. But Shannon's story doesn...

Jessica Cabrera hosts Faith Svendsen on the Faith Conversations Podcast to discuss her powerful story of trusting God through every season of life. From growing up with godly parents to becoming a military wife and navigating the challenges of motherhood, Faith’s journey is marked by deep prayer, scripture, and surrender. She opens up about the heartbreak of her father’s passing and how God met he...

Amber Scharbo shares her powerful testimony of holding onto faith through unanswered prayers, infertility, and personal loss. From a spiritual awakening on a high school missions trip to years of financial struggle and failed IVF attempts, Amber reveals how God’s presence met her in the waiting. Her journey toward motherhood through embryo adoption is a stunning picture of healing, surrender, and...

In this powerful episode of Faith Conversations , Jessica Cabrera welcomes Michele Bushman to share her deeply authentic faith journey. From a childhood rooted in the church to facing unimaginable grief after the murder of her father at age 21, Michele opens up about choosing faith over bitterness. She recounts how God used adoption, loss, and Scripture to draw her closer to His heart. Michelle sp...