Hope Church Memphis Podcast

What if serving others changes your own heart first? In this episode of Hope NOW: Not Only Weekends , Pastor Rufus Smith and Amanda Brown explore why service isn't just another church program—it's one of the defining characteristics of following Jesus. Together they discuss: • Why Jesus made serving central to His ministry • The vision behind Hope Church's Go & Do weekend • How ser...

Have you ever wondered if you've missed God's purpose for your life? Purpose can feel confusing. Some people seem to know exactly what they're called to do, while others spend years wondering if they're falling behind. In this episode, Pastor Rufus and Karis explore what the Bible actually teaches about calling, why it isn't limited to ministry or a career, and how God often re...

How do you trust a Heavenly Father when your earthly father wasn't there? This week on Hope NOW, Pastor Rufus Smith sits down with Alfredo Duran and Daryl Jackson for one of the most honest conversations we've had about fatherlessness, forgiveness, addiction, recovery, and breaking generational cycles. Both men grew up carrying deep wounds—but neither stayed defined by them. If you've...

The prevalence of single parenting is akin to fatherlessness in our society, but the Lord and His church can make up the difference! Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis:Website • HopeChurchMemphis.comInstagram • @Hope4MemphisTikTok • @Hope4MemphisFacebook • @Hope4MemphisPrayer • HopeChurchMemphis.com/PrayerGiving • HopeChurchMemphis.com/Give

What happens when the people who once cared for you become the people you must care for? In this honest conversation, Cheryl and David share the challenges, heartbreaks, and unexpected blessings of caring for aging parents. They discuss dementia, caregiver fatigue, difficult family histories, honoring parents, and the difficult decisions surrounding long-term care. Most importantly, they reveal ho...

Marriage and divorce are some of the most personal and painful topics many people face. But beneath the discussion of marriage lies a bigger question: Who gets to define our relationships—culture or Christ? In this episode, we walk through 1 Corinthians 7 and examine how the Apostle Paul reshaped a culture's understanding of marriage by pointing people back to Jesus. Along the way, we'll d...

Can Christians disagree without destroying relationships? In a culture fueled by outrage, Jesus modeled a better way. This episode explores how Jesus approached hard conversations—with grace, truth, curiosity, humility, and love. From political disagreements to church conflict to conversations about identity and sexuality, we discuss practical ways to engage people without losing sight of the gosp...

If you accept God’s perspective that your intimate relationship status is not a problem to be endured but a season to be enjoyed, it is a game-changer! Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis: Website • HopeChurchMemphis.com Instagram • @Hope4Memphis TikTok • @Hope4Memphis Facebook • @Hope4Memphis Prayer • HopeChurchMemphis.com/Prayer Giving • HopeChurchMemphis.com/Give

What happens when faith stops being about performance and starts becoming personal? In this episode, the Hope Now team discusses spiritual maturity—not as perfection, but as a lifelong journey of trust, freedom, humility, and deeper relationships. Together they explore how faith grows beyond rules and routines, why God doesn't abandon us when we make difficult decisions, and how authentic comm...

What if your story isn't random? In this episode, Noelle Jacobs explores how God's grace shapes every chapter of our lives—even the parts marked by uncertainty, hardship, disappointment, and detours. Through her family's remarkable journey and the powerful truths found in Ephesians 2, she reminds us that our identity is not found in our past, our accomplishments, or others' opinion...

What if feeling stuck, confused, or even disappointed in church doesn't mean you're moving away from God? In this episode, Pastor Rufus Smith and the Hope Church team explore the four phases of spiritual maturity and the surprising ways God grows us through pain, correction, community, and crisis. Through personal stories of loss, heartbreak, discipleship, and unlearning unhealthy beliefs about fa...

You've learned a lot in life—but what if some of it is keeping you from becoming who God created you to be? In this episode, Rev. Rufus Smith dives into 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and explores a challenging truth: spiritual maturity often requires unlearning old mindsets before we can embrace God's way of living. Discover how God's grace reshapes our identity, renews our thinking, and invite...

What if spiritual maturity isn’t about becoming perfect… but becoming rooted? In this episode of Hope Now, Not Only Weekends , Pastor Rufus Smith and the Hope Church Memphis team discuss the four stages of spiritual growth and why many Christians get stuck between legalism, shame, and authentic freedom in Christ. From learning how to pray to wrestling with church hurt, this conversation explores w...

What does it actually mean to honor God with your body in a culture confused about sex, identity, and freedom? In this honest message from 1 Corinthians 6, Dr. Eli Morris explores sexual purity, church hurt, temptation, shame, healing, and the power of the Holy Spirit: not through condemnation, but through rescue, grace, and truth. Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis:Website • HopeChurchMemphi...

What if spiritual growth is more like growing up than leveling up? In this episode, Pastor Rufus Smith and the Hope Church Memphis team discuss the four phases of spiritual maturity and why every believer starts with the “milk” of simple gospel truths before growing into deeper faith. Through honest stories about parenting, identity, struggle, and community, the conversation explores how God forms...

Rev. Rufus Smith teaches us about honoring our parents and explains that because Americans are living longer, a growing percentage of children are parenting aging parents for an extended time—a unique situation for which the Fifth Commandment offers both a wonderful promise and a caution. Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis:Website • HopeChurchMemphis.comInstagram • @Hope4MemphisTikTok • @Hope...

What if church wasn’t what you expected—but exactly what you needed? In this episode of Hope Now , we talk about building a church for people who don’t trust church, feel disconnected from faith, or aren’t sure they belong. Through real stories and honest conversation, we explore: Why church can feel unfamiliar (and why that’s okay) How people find faith in unexpected ways What it looks like to co...

Rev. Chad Johnson teaches on I Corinthians 1-6:8. Most people say Jesus is their standard, but live by something else. This message will challenge you to stop mixing standards and start letting His truth shape every part of your life. Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis:Website • HopeChurchMemphis.comInstagram • @Hope4MemphisTikTok • @Hope4MemphisFacebook • @Hope4MemphisPrayer • HopeChurchMemp...

What does it mean to be unchurched —and why are so many people walking away from church? In this episode of Hope Now, Not Only Weekends , we explore the heart behind Hope Church’s mission to be Jesus-centered and unchurched-friendly . From personal stories of church hurt and cultural faith to powerful moments of rediscovery, this conversation unpacks the real reasons people disconnect—and what can...

Rev. Vincent Joplin teaches from I Corinthians 6:1-8. Church conflict isn’t the problem, how we handle it is, and when we choose pride, revenge, or public drama, we damage our witness and reflect the world instead of Christ. This message calls us higher: handle it in the house, choose mercy over being right, and trust God to bring real justice and healing. Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis:W...

What does it really take to prepare a sermon, and why do some churches use a preaching team instead of one voice? In this episode of Hope Now, Not Only Weekends , the team at Hope Church Memphis breaks down the heart, process, and purpose behind their preaching model. From 15-hour prep weeks to different teaching styles and real-life application, this conversation reveals how sermons are crafted t...

Rev. Rufus Smith continues to teach on human sexuality with grace and truthfulness. The Church is a divine institution created by God the Father to stand in contrast to the world’s system, including how we caringly confront and hold each other accountable. Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis:Website • HopeChurchMemphis.comInstagram • @Hope4MemphisTikTok • @Hope4MemphisFacebook • @Hope4MemphisP...

What does it really take to communicate truth in a way people actually understand? In this episode of Hope Now, Not Only Weekends, the team from Hope Church Memphis unpacks the purpose and power of a preaching team —and why one voice isn’t enough to reach a diverse church. Through honest stories, practical insight, and moments of humor, they explore: How different perspectives help the message of...

Rev. Rufus Smith teaches on human sexuality with grace and truthfulness. The presenting issue is sexual immorality, but the primary issue is caring confrontation to redeem the offending party and protect the peace of the church. The word of God will offend someone, but it will also liberate someone. Stay connected with Hope Church Memphis:Website • HopeChurchMemphis.comInstagram • @Hope4MemphisTik...

What if church was never meant to be led by just one voice? In this episode of Hope Now, Not Only Weekends, the Preaching & Teaching team from Hope Church Memphis breaks down the why behind their preaching & teaching model and how it’s rooted in Scripture, not strategy. From different backgrounds, personalities, and life experiences, this conversation reveals how multiple voices don’t dilu...