Kindred Podcast

In this episode, retired teacher and longtime seeker Mary Kate Hafemann explores the mystery of the Holy Spirit. Building on last week's discussion of Acts 2, she dives into scripture to examine the Spirit’s role in the early church—healing the sick, empowering bold speech, and even delivering unsettling judgment. Mary Kate shares her personal experience with the Spirit, reflecting on moments...

In this episode of the Kindred Podcast, Dr. Lorrel Toft leads a thought-provoking discussion on the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, and the practice of speaking in tongues. With honesty and depth, she explores personal and biblical perspectives, reflecting on Acts 2 and the early church’s experiences with spiritual gifts. Dr. Toft shares her own journey with charismatic practices, acknowledging both their...

In this episode, Rob Griffin leads a conversation on the book of Acts, exploring how the first followers of Jesus navigated life after his ascension. With a mix of historical context and practical reflection, Rob examines the mission of the early church, the cultural and political challenges they faced under Roman rule, and what it means for us today. The discussion touches on how we interpret scr...

In this episode, Ron Toft guides us through a reflective and thought-provoking conclusion to Kindred’s series on the Sermon on the Mount . Exploring its deep connections to Jewish tradition, the role of mountaintop experiences, and Jesus as the new Moses, Ron challenges us to consider how we bring the Kingdom of Heaven into our daily lives. What does it mean to descend from the mountaintop and emb...

In this episode, Ron Toft leads us in closing the book on our long-running Sermon on the Mount series. Ron explores the idea that the heart of Jesus’ message isn’t just about personal salvation but about bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth—right now, in our daily lives . We reflect on the Sermon’s structure, seeing its climactic center not at the end, but at the mountaintop: "Your kingdom...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Kindred Podcast, Garrett McGeein takes us on a deep dive into Matthew 6:25-34 and its challenging message about worry, trust, and divine care. But what happens when faith meets the reality of suffering? Through an exploration of Cain and Abel, Job’s lament, and Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, Garrett wrestles with the tension between divine provisi...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on themes of piety, motives, and the rewards of practicing faith. Through our dialogical teaching approach, we unpack Matthew 6 and reflect on Jesus’ teachings about giving, prayer, and fasting—examining the tension between public displays of righteousness and private, heartfelt devotion. We also explore the cultural...

In this episode, Pastor Rob guides the discussion as we continue our deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount by exploring Matthew 5:17-20. Together, we wrestle with Jesus’ call to fulfill the law and consider what it means to live in a way that reflects God’s character in the world. Through a lively discussion we discuss the purpose of Old Testament instructions and how Jesus redefined righteousnes...

In this heartfelt Christmas message, Kristine Caliger shares a deeply personal reflection on faith, doubt, and hope amidst life’s challenges. Recorded in the midst of a family health crisis, Kristine invites listeners to consider the meaning of a "mustard seed faith"—a faith that is small but steadfast, pure, and powerful. Through honest storytelling and biblical insights, this episode e...

In this episode of the Kindred Church Podcast, Eric Laster explores a timeless lesson from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount about building a solid foundation for our lives. Through dialogue, humor, and personal reflections, Eric discusses the difference between rock-solid conviction and the shifting sands of comfort. You'll hear insights on humility, community, and how the teachings of Jesus c...

In this episode of the Kindred Church Podcast, we explore the radical teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes. What does it truly mean to be "blessed"? Is it health, wealth, and comfort—or something far deeper? We discuss how Jesus inverts cultural expectations, elevating the meek, the mournful, and the peacemakers, calling his followers to embrace a new way of living that challenges the st...

This week, Alison Berreman leads an inspiring exploration of the profound challenge and call of Jesus to "love your enemies." Through Alison’s unique perspective, personal stories, and reflections on thinkers like Eric Fromm, the episode unpacks the transformative power of love—how it bridges our human separateness and fulfills God's vision for unity. You’ll hear candid discussions...

In this episode of the Kindred Church Podcast, Dr. Brandon Evans leads us through the concluding sections of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. What does it mean to bear good fruit? How do we define a follower of Christ, especially across diverse denominations, beliefs, and practices? Through engaging dialogue, we unpack Jesus’ teachings on humility, character, and the timeless relevance of the Sermon’s...

***CONTENT ADVISORY*** in this episode there are mentions of child harm In this episode of the Kindred Church Podcast, Ron Toft leads us through a powerful continuation of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Jesus’ teachings on anger, reconciliation, and love for our enemies. Reflecting on passages where Jesus contrasts anger with murder and challenges us to love those who oppose us, Ron dives in...

Join us as Rob Griffin dives into the Beatitudes, revealing how Jesus' teachings invite us to live out the Kingdom of Heaven right here on Earth. Far from being a distant, abstract concept, the Kingdom is something we enter through acts of compassion, justice, and humility. Rob explores how Jesus modeled this life and calls us to follow—a Kingdom not marked by power but by love and mercy for...

In this episode, we explore themes from the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting how anxiety, faith, and personal struggles intertwine in our spiritual walk. Our guest, Emily Loftus, shares her own journey with vulnerability and humor, offering insights into how we can navigate life's pressures without losing hope. If you'd like to join the conversation, find service times, or support our w...

💔 Sometimes, the hardest path can still be walked in love. Dr. Brandon Evans speaks on the profound impact of divorce in the church, especially for those from purity culture. Many of us grew up with promises about marriage that didn’t account for the real complexities of life and identity. In this video, Dr. Evans dives into the idea of a loving, respectful approach to separation—where honesty, p...

After a robust discussion at kindred church revealed that there is much to explore in regards to our relationship to wealth and the differences between abundance and excess; we decided to record a deeper exploration. Together, Pastors Mike and Rob discuss how we can navigate these the world of wealth, asking big questions like: How do we prepare our hearts to handle money wisely? Can we aspire to...

Pastor Garrett challenges our preconceptions of what Jesus means when he says the path to righteousness is narrow and the way is wide to destruction. Kindred Church is a Christian community gathering in Reno, Nevada. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization. If you believe in the ministry of Kindred Church and would like to support our efforts, visit kindredchurchreno.com/donate to make a contributi...

We begin our discussion series on the Sermon on the Mount with Ron Toft, who provides an insightful overview of Jesus essential teachings. In this episode, Ron shares a general synopsis of the sermon on the mount and reflects on the kingdom of heaven on earth—what it means for us today and how it calls us to live with purpose, love, and humility. Kindred Church is a Christian community gathering i...

In this episode of our Mutual Mentor series, we hear from Pastor Rob Griffin as he shares key moments that have shaped his faith journey. Rob explores the role of relationships and community in his spiritual life, emphasizing how shared experiences have been pivotal in his growth. In this talk, Rob reflects on the importance of togetherness, offering humorous and insightful stories along the way....

In this episode of the Mutual Mentor series, Pastor Eric Laster shares his spiritual journey, reflecting on the pivotal moments in his life that have shaped his faith. He discusses his experiences in vocational ministry and how music has been a consistent connection to God throughout it all. Eric’s story highlights the enduring strength of faith in navigating life's defining moments. Kindred...

In this episode of our Mutual Mentor series, we have the privilege of hearing from Diana, a valued member of Kindred Church. She opens up about her journey through pain and trials, and how she encountered God in music and nature, offering us a meaningful glimpse into her spiritual life. Kindred Church is a Christian community gathering in Reno, Nevada. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization. If yo...

In this episode, Mary Kate Haifman explores the spectrum of love that forms the foundation of our reality. Drawing from her deep faith as a lifelong follower of Christ and her expertise as an educator specializing in chemistry and the sciences, she offers profound insights. Tune in and savor the wisdom shared by our dear sister. Kindred Church is a Christian community gathering in Reno, Nevada. We...

In this episode, Pastor Mike leaves the direction of the discussion up to the audience. You'll hear us discuss how and why trusting in the benevolence of the universe is important for to living a life of faith. We touch base on forgiveness, predestination vs free will, divine intervention, and more.  Kindred Church is a Christian community gathering in Reno, Nevada. We are a 501c3 non-profit...