Outside the Sanctuary

Outside the Sanctuary gets delightfully rowdy in this tight, humorous look at consumer Christianity, that sneaky moment when faith starts acting like a punch card at your favorite coffee shop. Vince McDonald Jr, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh bring the kind of playful honesty that says, “Hey, we've all done this,” while still nudging listeners toward something deeper. It's quick, wit...

We Believe in Miracles, Do You? brings Steve Entwistle, Marc McCleary, and Bill Merkh together for one of the most energizing conversations ever recorded on Outside the Sanctuary . This episode crackles with expectancy as the hosts dive into real stories, real questions, and real moments that make you stop and reconsider what's possible. With their signature blend of humor, honesty, and spiritual...

The Outside the Sanctuary gang drops a punchy, high‑momentum episode on Echo Chamber Theology , delivering a tight, energetic conversation that feels like required listening for anyone craving a fresher, wider faith perspective. Marc McCleary, Vince McDonald Jr., and Bill Merkh keep the pace brisk and the stakes high as they unpack how echo chambers form, why they feel so comforting, and what it t...

Outside the Sanctuary gets wonderfully weird in this episode as Katrina McDonald, Lisa Merkh, and Bill Merkh dive into the strange, funny, and downright gross stories tucked inside the Bible that you probably never heard in Sunday School. From bizarre plot twists to eyebrow‑raising details hiding in plain sight, the trio brings their signature mix of curiosity and comedy to passages that remind yo...

Outside the Sanctuary dives straight into the beautiful mess of being human in this unforgettable episode featuring Marc McCleary, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh. From the moment the mics warm up, the trio pulls listeners into a conversation that feels equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and uncomfortably relatable. Failure isn't treated like a taboo topic but like an old friend who shows up uninv...

Katrina McDonald, Marc McCleary, and Bill Merkh sit down for a candid, unflinching conversation about toxic relationships. T he subtle ones, the loud ones, the ones we justify, and the ones we don't even realize we're in. Through a biblical lens, they unpack how unhealthy dynamics form, why believers often tolerate them longer than they should, and what Scripture actually calls us to do when someo...

Pastor Vince and Bill settle into the studio with the kind of ease that only comes from years of shared life, and their conversation opens with the simple truth that close friends shape who we become. They talk about how friendships shift through seasons, how some companions walk with us for decades while others are gifts for a moment, and how discernment matters when choosing who speaks into our...

There's a new episode of Outside the Sanctuary, hosted by Steve Entwistle, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh, and it leans into a topic everyone knows too well but rarely talks about honestly: gossip. Not the light chatter that disappears in a moment, but the kind that lingers, shapes reputations, and quietly reshapes communities. This conversation approaches it with honesty, biblical grounding, re...

Hosts: Steve Entwistle, Marc McCleary, Lisa Merkh, and Bill Merkh The conversation opens with the crew diving into the world of Christian music , exploring why it resonates so deeply with some people and why it completely misses the mark for others. Steve, Marc, and Lisa talk about the songs that lift them, ground them, or help them reset during the week. Bill steps in as the lone dissenter, openl...

Batman Vs The Joker. Luke Vs Darth Vader. Harry Vs Voldemort. Bill Vs Katrina. This week on Outside the Sanctuary , the usual format gets tossed aside as Katrina McDonald and Bill Merkh go head to head in a lively, good natured debate over one surprisingly complicated question: Are screens actually good for you Armed with notes, research, and a few carefully prepared arguments, the two of them bui...

In this deep dive of an episode of Outside the Sanctuary , hosts Steve Entwistle , Marc McCleary , and Bill Merkh sit down for a thoughtful, wide ranging conversation about the many English versions of the Bible and what sets them apart. What begins as a simple question Which translation should someone use unfolds into a rich discussion on accuracy, readability, theology, and personal growth. Toge...

In this warm and often hilarious episode of Outside the Sanctuary , hosts Katrina McDonald , Vince McDonald Jr. , and Bill Merkh welcome a very special guest: Holly McCleary , wife of fellow host Marc McCleary and a beloved part of the extended OTS family. What starts as a light, good natured conversation quickly unfolds into one of the most warm, candid, and story rich episodes of the season. Hol...

This week on Outside the Sanctuary , hosts Marc McCleary, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh sit down with a beloved member of the Immanuel Baptist Church family, Theresa Suplee. Theresa brings a lifetime of faithfulness, resilience, and joy to the conversation. A mother of three with children and grandchildren in New Jersey and Ohio, she reflects on how family, distance, and changing seasons have s...

This week on Outside the Sanctuary, Steve Entwistle and Bill Merkh welcome Vince McDonald Jr. for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like pulling up a chair to listen to three friends talk honestly about their walk with God. Accountability isn't theoretical for them. It's lived. It's shared. It's something Steve and Vince Jr. have practiced together for years, showing up for...

Pastor Vince McDonald, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh welcome back a good friend of the show, Pastor Shane Colwell from Grace Bible Church of Barrington, who returns with his brand‑new book, A Life Worth Following: Godly Leadership Lessons from the Life of Boaz. Together, the panel dives into the often‑overlooked leadership brilliance of Boaz, exploring how the book of Ruth offers a surprisingly...

In this episode of Outside the Sanctuary, hosts Marc McCleary, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh open up about what it really means to live a Christian life beyond the church walls. Their conversation is candid and deeply personal as they explore how faith shows up in everyday moments when people are watching, whether it's children learning from what they see at home, coworkers observing how you ha...

This week on Outside the Sanctuary, hosts Katrina McDonald, Steve Entwistle, and Bill Merkh welcome Dr. Matt Miller for an in‑depth and surprisingly personal conversation about his life, his convictions, and his work with CCCRD. Dr. Miller shares the story behind his path into counseling and the experiences that shaped his approach to care. The hosts explore how his background, faith, and academic...

In this episode of Outside the Sanctuary, host Bill Merkh sits down with Scott Warren, owner of Bricks and Mini Figs Cherry Hill in Maple Shade, New Jersey. Scott is a former pastor and currently serves as the preaching elder at Columbus Baptist Church. His journey weaves together ministry, entrepreneurship, and family life, and this conversation explores how those worlds intersect. As the owner o...

In this laugh filled episode of Outside the Sanctuary, Pastor Vince McDonald, Steve Entwistle, and Bill Merkh dive deep into the unforgettable wedding memories that linger long after the last slice of cake is gone. They revisit the moments that were touching, chaotic, heartwarming, and wonderfully unplanned, weaving together stories that remind us why weddings are as entertaining as they are meani...

In this joy filled episode of Outside the Sanctuary , Bill Merkh welcomes back a familiar and much loved guest: Keeley (Samson) Smith. The last time Keeley joined the podcast, she was navigating life as a single woman, full of anticipation for what God had in store. Now returning for her second visit, she brings fresh perspective, deeper wisdom, and a few stories that spark both laughter and tears...

Outside the Sanctuary takes a fun look at the world of dumb fighting as Bill Merkh and Steve Entwistle unpack the arguments that flare up fast, go nowhere, and leave everyone wondering why they got so worked up. They share stories of their own pointless disagreements and laugh about how easily small things can turn into big standoffs. They also explore moments in Scripture where conflict pops up f...

In this episode, friends and co-hosts Bill Merkh, Katrina McDonald, and Steve Entwistle look back at their teenage years and explore the guidance they wish they could offer their younger selves. Their conversation moves through themes of identity, early relationships, and the spiritual influences that shaped their understanding of faith and community. They also revisit the cultural questions that...

In this episode of Outside the Sanctuary , Pastor Vince McDonald, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh dive into the wild, unpredictable world of weather and the ways it has shaped their lives and ministries. From the chaos and community impact of Superstorm Sandy to the unforgettable Blizzard of 1996, each host shares personal stories of storms that left a mark. Vince reflects on his early days as a...

Well, we did it! It's our one year anniversary! In this episode of Outside the Sanctuary , Steve Entwistle, Pastor Vince McDonald, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh come together for a lively and heartfelt exploration of motivation. Each host brings a distinct voice to the table, creating a conversation that feels both grounded and energizing. Steve offers his trademark curiosity and thoughtful que...

In this inspiring episode of Outside the Sanctuary , hosts Bill Merkh and Pastor Greg Ginion welcome a very special guest, Greg's daughter Leah Ginion . Leah opens up about her remarkable journey, guiding listeners from her early years in New Jersey , through her transformative season in Tennessee , and ultimately to her life‑changing experiences in Oregon . Along the way, Leah shares how she once...