Gospel Ambition

More than fifty years ago Pastor John and Shari Jones felt the Lord call them to fulltime ministry during a church service at Grace. Since then they have served in a variety of contexts across two continents, recently returning to Grace to serve in care ministry. They join Pastor Zac in the final episode of season three by sharing their story of receiving salvation, highlights and challenges of th...

All-church gatherings are a place for individuals and families of all life stages to come together for worship, biblical instruction, and fellowship. Pastor Gary Webb, Danny Nathan, and Rachel Stertzer join Pastor Zac in a conversation around the planning of all-church gatherings like Sunday morning and communion services. They highlight the process of writing sermons, selecting songs, and creatin...

Caring well for seniors is essential to the health of a church. In episode six, Pastor Zac is joined by care ministry team members Shari Jones, Tim Montgomery, and Pastor Dan Hammers. They talk about their involvement in ministering to seniors, various care ministries at Grace, and the role of seniors in the church. 

Pastor Zac is joined by Mike Yoder and Braden Dissinger, two long-time Grace members. They talk about multigenerational ministry through the lens of young families, empty nesters, and grandparents, emphasizing the opportunity and need of passing on the faith to the next generation.

When the Scriptures are central to a ministry, generations can gather for connection and edification with one another. In episode four Pastor Zac Hess, Pastor Dave Nicodemus, Pastor Gary Webb, and Rachel Stertzer discuss the beauty of keeping prayer and the Bible as the focal point for adult ministries, highlighting both multigenerational ministries and life stage-specific ministries. 

Pastor Zac, Pastor Dave Nicodemus, Pastor Lucas Cone, and Alli Nathan discuss student and young adult ministries. They highlight the philosophy of ministering to this unique and formative age group, as well as highlighting how we live out our church purposes of worship, community, training, and witness.

Pastor Zac is joined by members of the Grace Kids team Cliff McGowen, Erin Barlow, and Elizabeth Lake in a discussion about kids and family ministry. They discuss how kids ministry is truly a whole family ministry, the importance of teaching the Bible to young kids, and the impact of ongoing discipleship. 

In the first episode of season three, Pastor Zac is joined by Pastor Dave Nicodemus, Pastor John Jones, and Grace Kids Director Elizabeth Lake. They discuss the impact of mentors, the importance of other people speaking into our lives, and the biblical model for multi-generational ministry. 

In the final episode of season two, Pastor Zac is joined by Grace Students Pastor Dave Nicodemus, Assistant Pastor Lucas Cone, and Women’s Ministry Director Rachel Stertzer in a conversation about evangelism. They discuss who modeled witnessing to them, overcoming challenges and barriers in witnessing, and final encouragements for living life as a witness. Submit questions and interact with the po...

In part two of a two-part discussion on the church as a witness, Pastor Zac and Pastor Clancy Cruise of Marysville Grace Church talk about how suffering as a Christian can model the Gospel and be an avenue of witness. They discuss key passages about leadership in the church and the important role of church planting in evangelism.  Submit questions and interact with the podcast by emailing GospelAm...

How does the church play a part in witness? In part one of a two-part discussion, Pastor Zac is joined by Pastor Clancy Cruise of Marysville Grace Church in a conversation about the role of the church in evangelism. As Pastor Clancy shares his testimony and path into ministry, they discuss leaders discipling others through an evangelistic culture in a church. They emphasize how service among the B...

How do you discern sound doctrine? Why does it matter to have a correct theology? How do you interpret unclear Scripture? How do you balance sacrificial serving with self-care? In Episode nine we take a break from our witness series for a panel discussion with Pastor Zac, Pastor Dave Nicodemus, Pastor Gary Webb, and Communications Director Randi Walle on these foundational theological topics and c...

In episode eight, Pastor Zac is joined by Women’s Ministry Director Rachel Stertzer for a conversation on what it looks like to live life as a witness. They talk about building relationships inside and outside the church, repurposing time to be intentional in praying for others, and how the Bible is the best tool for evangelism. 

How do you develop a culture of evangelism, and why does it matter? In episode seven, Pastor George Dirscherl and Jeff Cain join Pastor Zac in a discussion that addresses why it’s important for every Christian to view themselves as a witness to the Gospel, the hindrances of every Christian seeing themselves as a witness to the Gospel, and practical encouragements in our church to witnessing. 

How does suffering play a role in our witness? In episode six, Pastor Zac is joined by Dan and Nancy Green. The Greens share their story of coming to faith, serving in Brazil as missionaries, and how the Lord used trials in their life as an opportunity to share Jesus with others.   

In episode five, Pastor Zac is joined by Jake Ferrier, director of spiritual formation at Worthington Christian School. In discussing boldness in our witness, they talk through how the early apostles spoke out of the overflow of the Spirit, the importance of praying for opportunities to share, and how Jesus modeled grace and truth in His speech and actions.

What does it mean to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is in you? In episode four, Pastor Zac is joined by Pastor Beau Stanley (East Side Grace Brethren Church) in answering this question. They discuss the importance of learning how to explain the Gospel and how the quality of our life matters in our witness.

In part two of the discussion on conversion, Pastor Zac and Pastor Joel Zook dive into scripture to discuss the assurance of salvation, God’s sovereignty in Gospel proclamation, and the work of prayer in evangelism. They also address practical applications and church practices for calling people to faith and discipling them in the process. 

In the first installment of a two-part message, Pastor Zac is joined by Pastor Joel Zook in a discussion of conversion. They discuss testimonies, our responsibility to share Jesus with others, and our trust in how God is working in the process of saving people. They use several passages to answer the question, “What is conversion?” and demonstrate how we are brought from spiritual death to spiritu...

In the first episode of season two, Pastor Zac Hess talks with Pastor Lucas Cone about what it means to be a witness. They discuss what it means for the book of Acts to be the Great Commission applied, how the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles, and what that means for us today. 

Gospel Ambition is all about fueling healthy churches to make Christ known where He has not been named. The Gospel Ambition Podcast is a ministry of Grace Polaris Church in Westerville, Ohio.

In the final episode of season one, Pastor Zac and Communications Director Randi Walle wrap up the season by sharing highlights and personal takeaways. They also reflect on the centrality of the church in discipleship, discuss resources for healthy churches, and look ahead at season two. 

In episode nine, Pastor Zac and Worship Director Danny Nathan discuss the elements of a worship service. They highlight the types of songs we sing, the reason we sing, and the benefit of singing together. 

Pastor Zac and Mike Yoder, executive director of Encompass World Partners, dive into a discussion on global missions and evangelism through the lens of the great commission. As Mike shares some of his background, he addresses the state of missions today and the involvement of local churches in fulfilling the great commission. 

In episode seven, Pastor Zac is joined by Wes Nottingham, lead pastor at Delaware Grace Church. Pastors Zac and Wes discuss leadership structure within the church as well as the importance of leadership development.