Hey Friend

Real friends don’t just show up once—they keep showing up. In this episode, we unpack what it means to be consistently present in friendship, reflecting God’s faithful love through our presence and commitment. From biblical truth to practical ways you can go first, stay connected, and build trust over time, this conversation will help you become the kind of friend who’s really there —not just in t...

What is real friendship, really? In this episode, we go deeper than any dictionary can—defining true friendship through Scripture and the character of God Himself. We unpack what the Bible says, how real friendship reflects the heart of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and break it down into the “Five C’s” that make it real: consistent, careful, candid, counseling with truth, and committed to grace. I...

You’ve never had a good friend in your life—because none of us are good. In this first episode of our Real Friendship series, we unpack why the Bible says no one is good except God, and why that truth actually frees us to have deeper, more honest friendships. If you’re tired of fake masks and crushed expectations, this conversation will help you stop looking for “good” friends and start becoming a...

Let’s be honest—either the world is shaping you, or God’s Word is. You can’t have both. In this episode, we talk about why Scripture isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. We unpack why we avoid it, how to actually start reading it, and why it changes everything. If you’re feeling spiritually dry, distant, or just stuck, this is the conversation that might wake something up.

Is gossip the most accepted sin in the church today? In this episode, we have a raw conversation about how gossip quietly destroys community, divides the body of Christ, and weakens the Church’s witness. From false assumptions to masked pride, we break down how gossip sneaks in and what Scripture calls us to do instead. If you care about unity and real relationships in the Church, this episode is...

Lucas and Nathan discus what it looks like to walk by faith rather than walk by fear, what it looks like practically to walk in faith, and how to grow in a way that casts out fear.

Liv and Kendall talk about what makes or blocks friendship among women, why it’s worth the work to make real friends, and how to create spaces where friendship can thrive. If you’re a young woman looking for Christian community, check out their organization The Invitation.

Ben and Lucas interview Liv and Kendall about how they unintentionally started a non-profit created to help young Christian women find meaningful community and belonging. Want to learn more? Check out The Invitation on Instagram at @theinvitation___

We conclude our series on starting a Gospel Community by talking with pastor Stephen Glasser about what Gospel community looks like in the context of a large church, why it needs to be prioritized, and how to get connected.

If all your friends are within a couple years of your age, you’re missing out on the amazing blessings of being friends with people who are from other generations. In this episode Ben and Lucas talk about how they’ve been blessed by inter-generational friendships, what to expect when you become friends with someone who’s older (or younger) than you, and why it matters.

What if that argument with your friend is more than just a disagreement? What if it’s spiritual warfare? In this episode Ben and Lucas talk about how spiritual warfare shows up in friendship and how to fight well when evil is working to disrupt your relationships.

Part 4 of our series on How to Start a Gospel Community. You’ve gathered some people who want to pursue Jesus together. Now what? In this episode Ben and Lucas talk a simple framework to help you evaluate how to use your time when you’re together with your gospel community and provide some practical tips for making the most of the time.

Part 3 of our series on How to Start a Gospel Community. When people gather together regularly there are bound to be challenges and problems that come up. In this episode Ben and Nathan talk through some of the challenges they’ve faced in leading gospel communities and provide guidance on how to navigate your own challenges.

Almost 1/3 of young adults in the USA say they’re lonely every day. That’s not good. In this episode Ben and Lucas talk about what loneliness is, how you can grow through it, ways to deal with your loneliness, and why you shouldn’t settle for simply being lonely.

If you’re starting a Gospel community it’s important to get the right people there at the begining. In this second episode of the How to Start a Gospel Community series, Ben and Lucas talk through some helpful tips for how to practically identify who should be in that initial core group to begin a Gospel community.

Part 1 of a series on starting a Gospel community. In this episode we talk through six simple questions you need to ask yourself before you start gathering people to create a Gospel community. From evaluating your motive to making practical preparations, these questions will help you start well.

Confronting a close friend about how they hurt you can feel overwhelming—but avoiding it can damage the relationship even more. In this episode, we break down practical steps to have an honest conversation, from evaluating your feelings to setting the right tone and inviting real dialogue. Whether you're dealing with a misunderstanding or a deeper issue, we’ll help you navigate tough conversat...

Ever feel awkward or disconnected at church? In this episode, we dive into practical ways to make genuine friendships at church, even if you’re new or have been attending for a while without connecting. From small group tips to the power of serving, we’ll cover six actionable steps to build meaningful relationships and why it’s essential to take the first step.

Feeling disconnected or craving deeper relationships at church? In this episode, we explore why you need a gospel community and how it differs from just attending a service or Bible study. We'll break down what makes a true gospel community—small, purposeful gatherings focused on growing in Christ and reaching others. Whether you're looking to join or start your own, we share practical ste...

Is it ever a good idea to stay friends with your ex? In this episode, Ben, Lucas, Nathan, and Jordan dive into this question from a biblical perspective. They explore what it truly means to be friends, the factors to consider—like how the breakup went and the impact on mutual friendships—and whether the desire to stay friends is driven by fear or faith. They also discuss how to navigate forgivenes...

Ever feel frustrated or disappointed with your church or ministry’s small group? In this episode Ben and Lucas discuss why this can happen and why it’s important that we go first to make things change.

In Part 3 of the Why Real Friendship? series, Ben and Lucas dive into why friendships can be so difficult and painful. If we were created for relationship, why do friendships so often end in hurt, betrayal, or distance? The Bible gives a clear answer: sin has broken the way we relate to one another. From Genesis 3 to Cain and Abel, we see how self-focus and pride distort relationships. When we see...

In Part 2 of the "Why Real Friendship?" series, Ben and Lucas talk about how we were created for friendship. Starting with the creation story in Genesis, we examine what it means to be made in the image of God and how God designed us for relationship. Science backs this up too: strong social connections lead to a 50% increased likelihood of survival! Friendships boost our mental and phys...

Episode 1 of the Why Real Friendship series. In this episode Ben and Lucas contrast the naturalistic view of why friendship exists with the Biblical narrative’s answer to the same question. Drawing on Jesus’ prayer in John 17, they delve into God’s trinitarian nature, how we’re created in God’s image, and the fact that Jesus was someone who, as God incarnate, still pursued friendship.

We’ve officially completed the first year of Hey Friend. In this episode we recap some highlights from the year, talk about why Hey Friend exists, and give a glimpse of what we’re preparing for 2025.