In the Woods

In this episode we say goodbye to one of the best. Morgan has been an integral part of the inner workings of this church for the last several years. As he moves on to his next steps, we take some time to talk through how he started, what he's done (a LOT), but most importantly, the things that people saw in him that got him to a place of such excellence in serving the Lord in the capacity that he...

In this episode, Sarah, Pete, and Lane dive further into Matthew 9 and the surprising ways Jesus challenged the expectations of His day. They discuss Jesus healing the paralytic, forgiving his sins, and why Jesus’ response to sinners was so shocking to the religious leaders around Him. Rather than viewing the Pharisees as simple villains, the conversation explores the history, motivations, and fea...

In this episode, Pastor Kurt reflects on his late father's impact on his life and faith. We also explore a common question about Scripture: Why do different biblical authors sometimes tell the same story with different details? Join us for this thoughtful discussion about remembrance, and how both our personal stories and the biblical story invite us to see truth from multiple perspectives.

In this episode, we explore how personality shapes the way we parent and why comparison can rob us of the confidence and grace God intends for us to have. The truth is that God didn't accidentally place your children in your home. He knew your strengths, your quirks, your temperament, and even your limitations when He entrusted them to you.

In this episode, we sit down with Lane Gordon to explore the importance of a "title" and the surprising nature of Jesus' kingship. While many expected a conquering ruler who would establish an earthly kingdom, Jesus arrived as a very different kind of King. Together, we discuss what marked His reign as unexpected; a king who came not to be served, but to serve, and whose kingdom continues to trans...

In this episode, we sit down with Chase Clifford to talk about his journey of faith, his recent appointment as a board member at Woodland Church, and the experiences that have shaped his walk with Christ. We explore what it means to follow Jesus beyond Sunday mornings, remain faithful through life's storms, and cultivate a faith that endures. Join us for an honest discussion about faith, values, a...

This conversation is about honesty without performance, the courage to be fully seen even when there’s no immediate resolution, and the hope we have in Christ in the midst.

This episode explores the “mementos” of faithfulness we cling to: answered prayers, unexpected provision, healed wounds, timely words, old journals, songs, places, people, and moments that remind us God has not changed. Not every reminder removes anxiety instantly, but remembrance can steady us long enough to trust Him again.

Annette Altena shares pieces of her story and how survival, instability, and loss have shaped how she sees people today. From that story, the conversation opens into something many churches wrestle with daily: how do we genuinely help people without losing wisdom or boundaries in the process?

Money is one of the most sensitive and revealing topics in the church. In this episode, we sit in the tension: if the tithe isn’t a law, then what is it? Obligation? Invitation? Tradition? Join us as we unpack some of the complexities around giving in the modern church; how generosity actually keeps things moving, while also naming the questions most people are thinking: Where is this money going?...

In this episode, we step into Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew, where He confronts the dangerous drift of the human heart: doing the right things for the wrong reasons. Through His teaching on the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus isn’t just giving us a formula; He’s exposing our motives and providing action steps.

In this episode, we’re having a real, honest conversation about Easter Sunday, church production, and the heart behind it all. How do we pursue excellence without creating distractions with our presentation? How do we create a space for people to encounter the Lord without overfilling it with ourselves? Let's talk about it!

In a culture that treats marriage as both ultimate fulfillment and easily disposable, how do we hold a clear, honest stance on divorce without losing compassion or truth? In this episode, we unpack the tension between grace and conviction, exploring what marriage is actually for, why clarity on divorce matters, and how our beliefs shape the way we endure, leave, or restore. We talk about covenant...

In this episode, we dive into Matthew 4 and the testing of Jesus in the wilderness, unpacking how temptation often masquerades as practicality and how testing reveals what we trust when God feels distant. We also get to know Kim Read, who preached on this passage the same weekend! Submit a question for a future episode: questions@woodlandchurch.com

Why was Jesus baptized if He had no sin to repent of? In this episode, we look closely at Matthew 3 and uncover a powerful truth: Jesus’ baptism wasn’t about repentance; it was about revelation. John the Baptist publicly identifies Jesus as the promised King, fulfilling the prophetic pattern of anointing. With the Spirit descending and the Father speaking, this moment becomes heaven’s announcement...

In this episode, we get to know Anna Irwin, a newer member of our staff team serving your kids! We also talk about the differences between accounts in scripture. Each book of Scripture carries the fingerprints of its human author: their audience, their context, their burdens, and their hope. What they emphasize matters. What they repeat matters. And even what they leave out matters.   Submit a que...

In this episode, Pastor Pete sits down with Brian and Joleen Robins for an honest conversation about faith, life, and the stories that have shaped them. Submit a question for a future episode: questions@woodlandchurch.com

In this episode, we’re joined by Pat Galligan, who shares his testimony and how God has grown his faith from being deeply rooted in Christ to a life that now overflows into serving others! We connect his story to Sunday’s message on being rooted, growing, and overflowing, and what it looks like to say yes to God beyond simply attending.

Following Jesus isn’t just about where we go when we die; it’s about how we live while we’re here. This week, we explore what it means to experience life with Christ right now: a faith that shapes our loves, habits, relationships, and everyday decisions. Heaven matters, but so does the life Jesus is forming in us today!   Submit a question for a future episode: questions@woodlandchurch.com

Money is stressful, and many of us didn’t learn how to handle it well. In this episode, our Financial Peace University Class leaders have an honest conversation about money, freedom, and finding peace in real life. No guilt. No hype. Just practical wisdom and real stories.   Sign up for Financial Peace University: ⁠https://woodlandchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3284516⁠

Biblical hope is often confused with optimism or positive thinking, but Scripture makes a sharp distinction. Optimism wants things to improve; biblical hope dares to trust God even when they don’t. In this episode we explore the difference between the two, how it affects different personality types, and what having real hope looks like!

Why do we obsess over big callings and big moments? Where is God in the small moments of life? We’ve often been taught to believe that significance looks like visibility, influence, and momentum. That if our lives don’t feel “big,” then maybe God isn’t doing much at all. But Scripture tells a different story. In this episode, we confront the lie of insignificance and the quiet idolatry of “big cal...

Division is easy, unity is hard. What does it look like to be on mission when division and genuine disagreement runs deep even within the Church itself?

Pastor Pete’s wife, Julie Goodman, joins us on the podcast to share about their move to Battle Creek, glass-half-empty vs. glass-half-full dynamics, and give a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their marriage. Submit a question for a future episode: questions@woodlandchurch.com

Walking the line between flexibility, authenticity, and preparedness.