Native Exiles

What does God do with a childhood full of addiction, loss, and rage? Jeff McFarlane grew up in rural New Hampshire in a home where alcohol was everywhere — in every room, every car, every memory. By the time he was a teenager, he was stealing from his dad, planning his death, and watching his family fall apart piece by piece. Today Jeff is a licensed counselor and the founder of Restoration Counse...

Change is one of the few guarantees of life in a church family — and it's rarely comfortable. In this episode, Pastors Wyatt and Steve sit down to talk honestly about what happens when your church makes decisions you disagree with, when programs shift, when doctrinal statements get updated, and when things just don't feel the way they used to. Drawing from their own experience leading Al...

In this episode, Wyatt sits down with Bethany Allen, a pastor and leadership development leader, to explore her journey stepping into leadership as a woman in ministry and organizational life. Bethany shares how her faith, education, and lived experiences have shaped her approach to leadership, as well as the challenges and opportunities she has encountered along the way.   We also discuss practic...

Everything is never enough. It’s a feeling many of us know well, yet we struggle to name it. In this episode, we sit down with Bobby Jamieson to explore the ancient yet strikingly modern wisdom of Ecclesiastes. Bobby shares how a 2021 sermon series turned into a personal spiritual challenge, forcing him to wrestle with the "vanity" of life and the pursuit of satisfaction. From stories of...

Carolyn Taketa’s career spans three decades of navigating complex leadership landscapes, from the high-stakes environment of the courtroom to the heart of pastoral ministry. In this episode, Pastor Wyatt sits down with Carolyn to explore her journey from the corporate world to her role as a groups pastor and executive coach. Together, they discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing wom...

This episode of Native Exiles offers a deep dive into several of the key biblical passages that shape the conversation around women in church leadership. Rather than focusing primarily on modern debates, the discussion returns to the text itself, examining passages such as 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14. You can view the Alderwood position paper at alderwood.cc/essentials.  Attention is given to...

In this moving interview, author and Bible teacher Kendra Dahl shares her testimony of abortion, repentance, and redemption. She opens up about the trauma, secrecy, and identity struggles that followed. Kendra also share about how the mercy of Jesus brought healing and restoration. Kendra now helps others walk toward freedom in Christ, reminding us that no sin is beyond the reach of God’s grace. L...

What does it mean to be human, and why does that question matter so deeply in today’s debates about abortion, bioethics, and personhood? In this episode of Native Exiles , Steve and Wyatt engage one of the most urgent moral and theological issues of our time: the sanctity of human life. Rather than beginning with political arguments or cultural talking points, they ground the conversation in the b...

In this episode, we sit down with Gregory Coles , author, scholar, and speaker, to explore his deeply personal journey of faith, sexuality, and self-understanding. Gregory’s life story spans multiple cultures, academic disciplines, and spiritual landscapes — from growing up in Indonesia to earning a PhD in English and becoming a voice for nuanced conversations at the intersections of Christianity...

How does the biblical vision of human sexuality offer a more beautiful and life-giving path than the narratives of our modern world? In this episode of Native Exiles, Steve and Wyatt engage with one of the most pressing and complex topics facing the church today: the theology and practice of human sexuality. Rather than simply reacting to cultural shifts, they seek to ground the conversation in th...

As we prepare for a season in our church where we are tackling difficult conversations, we wanted to reshare one of our favorite episodes from Season 2!  Dr. Gerry Breshears from Western Seminary came to our church to talk about Genesis. This episode highlights his conversation with our Lead Pastor Wyatt Martin regarding handling disagreements in the church. He gives us a model to decipher which t...

Are foreign missions outdated—or more vital than ever? In this episode of Native Exiles , we sit down with theologian and missiologist Dr. Michael Goheen to talk about the heart of Christian mission and why the global call to make disciples remains central to the church’s identity.   Drawing from his book The Core of the Christian Faith: Seeing the Big Picture of God’s Story , Dr. Goheen addresses...

What does it mean for men and women to flourish together in God’s design—not in spite of their differences, but because of them? In this episode of Native Exiles, we sit down with Dr. Gregg R. Allison, theologian and professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , to explore his latest book, Complementarity: Dignity, Difference, and Interdependence . Allison offers a...

What if true evangelism begins with a warm welcome? In this episode of Native Exiles , we sit down with Danny Franks , pastor and expert on guest services, to talk about why hospitality is not just a program—but a reflection of the gospel itself. Danny unpacks how the early church made belonging a central part of its witness, and how modern churches can reclaim that same spirit of invitation. We’l...

If God is good, why does He let us suffer? It’s a question every believer faces at some point. In this episode of Native Exiles , we dive deep into the mystery of suffering and God’s role in it. Is pain a punishment, a test, or something more redemptive? Throughout history, theologians have wrestled with this very question—debating whether suffering is part of God’s sovereign will, the result of h...

Welcome to Season 5 of Native Exiles!  We wanted to start our Season by answering the question, "Does God Take Back His Promises?" Even when we are anxious about what is ahead, the promise of God is that he will be in it with us. The question really is, "What if all of those promises actually have an asterisk? What if there is hidden clause?" What if it is,"He will keep hi...

We are excited to share the audio from our Mental Health Seminar with Dr. Gregory Jantz. Dr. Jantz share practical resources to quantify anxiety and begin the journey towards healing. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety or looking to help others who may be, Dr. Jantz has something to say for everyone involved in this conversation. Doctor Gregory Jantz is an acclaimed author, speaker, and resear...

In this heartfelt and reflective season finale, we wrap up our deep dive into mental health with a conversation that ties together key themes from throughout the series. We revisit powerful insights on anxiety, depression, and the challenges of emotional well-being, reflecting on how faith and community can provide real hope and healing. Looking back at the season we explore that we are integrated...

In this profound and hope-filled conversation, award-winning theologian Dr. Kelly M. Kapic joins us to explore the intersection of mental health, anxiety, and theology. Drawing from his acclaimed book You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News, Kapic challenges the cultural narrative that treats human limitations as flaws to be fixed. Instead, he invites us to...

In this episode, we explore the deep and often challenging experience of grief through the lens of faith. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be in the world but not of it, and that includes how we respond to those in grief and how we navigate it ourselves. Our guest, grief counselor Cindi Sinnema, shares insights on how we can walk alongside others who are grieving, as well as practical guida...

In this episode, we sit down with author and pastor Patrick Miller to explore his book, Joyful Outsider, through the lens of mental health. As our culture changes rapidly, many of us feel isolated, overwhelmed, and disconnected—but what if embracing our role as outsiders could lead to peace and joy? Patrick discusses how Jesus invites us to experience the “joy of missing out” (JOMO) instead of suc...

In this deeply personal episode, Steve Brooks, one of the regular hosts on Native Exiles, opens up about his struggle with religious OCD and the profound doubts he faced regarding his salvation, despite growing up in a strong Christian family. Steve takes us through his journey of wrestling with fear and uncertainty, which first surfaced while living internationally in Taiwan. He shares the emotio...

In this powerful conversation, Rachael Clinton Chen, a trauma care practitioner and co-host of The Allender Center Podcast, joins us to discuss the deep impact of spiritual abuse and the church’s responsibility in creating safe spaces for healing. With a heart devoted to addressing the harm of abuse, especially spiritual abuse, Rachael shares her insights on trauma, embodiment, and spiritual forma...

In this thought-provoking episode with Curtis Chang, we explore a radical shift in how we view anxiety—not as a problem to be solved or eliminated, but as an opportunity to draw nearer to Jesus. Curtis delves into how anxiety often marks the people who approach Jesus, and how it can serve as the catalyst for spiritual growth. We discuss the contrasting approaches of the church and the world to anx...

In this powerful re-release of one of our most impactful episodes, Steve and Wyatt sit down with Dr. Dan Allender, renowned psychologist and author, to unpack the complex role of shame in marriage and deep relationships. Dr. Allender brings his expertise to the table, shedding light on how shame silently shapes the dynamics of intimate partnerships, often leading to disconnection, resentment, and...