Growing Hope Living Faith

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the early church and things that we can hopefully learn from the early church. It is so easy for us to get caught up in being leaders and leading those around us, but the call of God's people is to be sheep. We are called to follow, not lead, and to lead others into following Christ. This is vital for the church to understand and is only d...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the 2 disciples and the road to Emmaus. This is such a great passage as it really is practical for life. As we live life, it is easy to live in this state of what now and doubt. The road to Emmaus leans into this part of life. The humanity of Jesus can very much be seen within this story as well, and should help us all in how we view Jesus. Ma...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the passages for the Sunday following Easter. Easter is so easy to get excited about, but what do we do now that we have celebrated it, and it is over. There is usually is a lull in the services immediately following Easter, but it is important for the church to continue to move forward. A great way to move is to look at the disciples and try...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss Holy Week and all that it entails. There is a lot to cover, but becomes a little easier as we begin to look for themes that run throughout the entire week. For this Holy Week season, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth look at the theme of weakness, and how does it play out in the events that take place. As they look at the events, the question trul...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss Palm Sunday and its significance in the christian calendar. We often rush over this Sunday to get to Easter Sunday, but it is so important to understand this Sunday and what it means for us. Jesus comes in peace and recognizes His call as the Messiah. There were ideas though of what Messiah should be and how Messiah should come. There were ide...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary passages that are found in the 5th week of Lent, which point to the truth of the Spirit and its movement in God's people. In Ezekiel, we see the passage of dry bones and the prophet prophesying to them. The bones came to life, but it was not until the Spirit was called and brought forth, that the bones were able to truly be...

In this special edition, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth interview Dr. Carla Sunberg for Women's History Month. Dr. Sunberg currently serves a General Superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene, and is only the second woman ever who has been elected to the position. In the interview, Dr. Sunberg tells her story of God's movement in her life and His guidance of her to get there. She talks...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth continue the conversation on scripture and the Lent season. All of the scriptures go hand in hand, and we want to encourage you to read them all. Today, we focus on the Gospel passage and the healing of a man born blind. Jesus heals him on the sabbath, and this creates issues within the leadership at the temple. As they question the man, he pushes bac...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the 3rd Sunday of Lent. The lectionary passages all point to living water and what it means for our lives. Jesus desires is for us to have and experience living water. This living water is not for a few, but for all people, even outcast and foreigners. When we experience this living water, it leads us to a life of worship in Spirit and Truth,...

What is up everyone? This week, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth look at the Gospel passage and what does it mean to be born of the Spirit. As we are in this time of Lent, it is important that we do not stay at a place of confession and repentance, but that we move forward into something bigger and better. The Spirit is the one who pushes us forward as we follow Christ.  We also have some exciti...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss Ash Wednesday and the first Sunday of Lent and what does this season mean for us and our lives. Lent is a season of repentance and confession. This should bring us to a place of humility and dependance upon Him. As we go through life and temptation comes, the choice we have is whether or not we are going to trust God and follow His way, or be...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the Matthew and Luke accounts of the Transfiguration. They look at what happened, the response of the disciples, and the response of God. Jesus truly showed His glory here, and connects the dots that He came to fulfill the Law and Prophets. Are we going to listen to Him? This is parlayed into the stories coming out of Asbury Seminary, and the...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth work through the Deuteronomy passage which simply puts a choice out there for us all. God's desire is that our life would be good, complete, and fulfill its purpose, but He will not make us go in that direction. We can experience those things right now, but the choice is ours. Are we going to allow God to be our God, and we be His people? Or do we des...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth look into Isaiah 58 and The Sermon on the Mount. These passages are great passages of a people who are in exile, apart from God, and God leads them to know where He is at. It is in the emptying of self and embodiment of the Gospel, that the people will find God. God tells His people that as they do these things, He will be there. This is not any easy...

In this episode, we just want you to listen. Leave all preconceived notions behind, and hear what Rev. Jacobi Campbell has to say about unity, race, ministering in diversity, and discrimination. After you listen, please pray that God will lead you and renew your mind as you contemplate what this information means for your life. We are so thankful that Rev. Jacobi Campbell was willing to do this in...

In this Episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth look a little closer at the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians, and the foolishness of the cross. The cross connects and draws us together, while the world brings us apart. Seth shares his story of journeying with the homeless and how this relates to us and understanding the cross and each other on a much deeper level. Thanks so much for listening in and...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth look at the calling of the first disciples in the book of John. As they inquire to Jesus to learn more about him, he simply states to "Come and See". The call is for us to call others to come and see what God is doing and to experience this Jesus on a different level. People will want this because of the examples out lives become. Thanks for listening...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the Christian idea of Epiphany and why it is important. The church celebrates Epiphany, remembering the time the wisemen came from the east to seek out the new king. This signifies that Jesus came not just for a few, but for all, even Gentiles. Are we awake to this idea? Are we living in a way that brings this to life? Listen in and be encoura...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth talk about the new year and how we can approach it to make it a year where our faith is strengthened. We know that many times it is hard to continue and follow through with things we desire to accomplish, but we hope and pray you do not allow your faith to be one of those things. We hope you are encouraged and ready for a new year and all that it migh...

This episode is coming out one day early for all to enjoy as you travel for this Christmas season. In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the Christmas story and it is the culmination of all the themes that we have been talking about this Advent season. Thanks for listening and know you are loved.

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth continue their Advent discussion, focusing on the theme of love. Love is such a broad topic, but join us as we try and journey through how love is important to Advent, and what that means for us. We also look at the tragedy that fell on the Amish community in Lancaster, PA, and how they chose love and allowed that love to bring light to a dark situati...

This week, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth continue their advent discussion, talking about the theme of Joy. More than just happiness, we are called to live a life a joy and bring joy to others. The Christmas and Advent season truly are the best representation of joy, and what it is. We see it in the birth, and we also see it in Mary's song that she sings about her soon to be born baby. Thanks so mu...

This week, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth journey through the second week of Advent, looking at the topic of Peace. Peace is such an important aspect of life, and we all desire to have peace in our lives, but Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss what kind of peace Jesus ushered in when He came to earth. Jesus desires that all people have peace. Thank you so much of listening and know that we love...

We usually drop episodes every Thursday, but are dropping this one early so if you are traveling you can listen to it on Wednesday. On this episode, we explore what is Advent with Dr. Hunter Cummings and why do we celebrate it as followers of Christ. When then jump into the theme of hope and how it should be played out in our lives. We have so much to hope for, and hope should inform how we live o...

In this episode, we explore 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, and how do we live now in community. God very much cares about how we live and interact with each other, and the truth is we can do so much more together than apart. We look at the examples that our grandmothers left us in community and kingdom living and encourage you to continue to explore how you can be involved in your local community. Know y...