Resilient Faith

Charlie Sponsel is one of our youth ministers.  He is truly connected to what our young people need   On today’s podcast, we have a powerful and honest conversation with Charlie. He shares what it looks like to follow God in today’s world and how the Church feels both familiar and different now. From navigating culture to craving authenticity, this episode explores what today’s youth are really se...

Today’s episode explores a question many churches are asking right now: Are we truly listening to the next generation of believers? Join our guest Ellie Laita, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry as we share ideas about today’s changing church and how the youth need our guidance even more   In a rapidly changing world, younger generations are navigating faith in ways that look differen...

Today’s guests are BPCs very own Vineta Rendler and Rev. Adam Jones. Hosted by Janice McQueen Ward.  In this episode we discuss the assumption that people seem to be walking away from God. The conversation reveals a deeper reality: many people are navigating stress, uncertainty, cultural shifts, and life transitions that leave them feeling disconnected, not faithless…just busy and overwhelmed!  We...

In this powerful God Moment episode, Jennifer Deaton courageously shares her coming-out story and the sacred turning points that shaped her faith. With honesty and grace, she reflects on the journey toward her parents’ acceptance and how love—rooted deeply in God—bridged fear, misunderstanding, and pain. Jennifer’s testimony is a moving reminder that faith and authenticity can coexist, and that wh...

If you’re in a season of waiting, this episode is for you. Linnea Scobey reminds us that God doesn’t disappear in the pause—He meets us there. In this deeply moving episode, Linnea Scobey shares her journey of living in the waiting —those in-between moments where answers feel delayed, prayers seem unanswered, and life feels suspended between what was and what’s next. Through uncertainty, surrender...

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 🎧 Listen in and be reminded that even in the quiet, God is near. God doesn’t always shout. Often, He whispers. In this heartfelt episode, we are joined by Michael Greig, our very own Presbyterian Church audiovisual technician, who shares his personal reflections on how God speaks gently, consistently, and often quietly into our lives. Working behi...

Rachel Ann Mencke shares a beautiful, vulnerable story that teaches us all to have gratitude for where we are....things are never as bad as they feel. It is easy to fall into sorrow or have a pity party about what isn't going right in our life, but the simple act of observing around us can help us become present, grateful, resilient and thankful. God meets us where we are and helps us move fo...

In this episode, Wynn Rees shares the simple but life-changing moment that shifted his entire faith journey: receiving a Bible from a friend during law school. What started as an unexpected gift became the catalyst for clarity, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose. Join us as Wyn reflects on how God can use the smallest gestures to spark the biggest transformations. Support the show Support us he...

Have you ever faced a big decision and found yourself asking, “God, just give me a sign”? In this episode of the Resilient Faith Podcast, we explore what it means to make a choice while waiting for divine direction. A beloved BPC member, Carol Maddon shares her big choice and how she heard God   Whether you’re standing at a crossroads or simply seeking clarity, this episode will remind you that Go...

In this special series, God Moments, we open our hearts to the extraordinary stories of faith, hope, and grace shared by beloved members of Brentwood Presbyterian Church. Each episode invites you to pause, listen, and reflect on the ways God shows up in our everyday lives—sometimes in quiet whispers, sometimes in bold, unmistakable ways. Through these intimate conversations, we’ll celebrate how fa...

In this inspiring episode, we welcome Brendan Lynch — an accomplished actor, singer, and tenor soloist , who serves as the tenor section leader at Brentwood Presbyterian Church . Brendan brings his passion for performance and faith together in a heartfelt conversation centered around “Learning Your Lessons Well,” a beloved song and monologue from the musical Godspell. Through this dialogue, Brenda...

Today’s guest is Kelsey Figone—a remarkable woman whose journey spans continents, classrooms, and cutting-edge research. Kelsey grew up in Oregon, where her curiosity and love for learning first took root. After college, she spent time teaching in Indonesia, an experience that shaped her global perspective and deepened her commitment to understanding the forces that impact communities worldwide. N...

Today, we’re joined by our very own Carol Maddon . She is a talented musician with a voice that moves hearts, a devoted leader in our church community, and a woman whose words carry both wisdom and grace. Through her music, her leadership, and her faith, she inspires others to draw closer to God and to live with courage and purpose.  She shares how God gave her hope, peace and joy and made her lif...

Today, we are honored to welcome a very special guest, Linda Regan Johnson, our Worship Elder. Linda is a gifted musician and writer whose creativity and passion shine through in everything she does. With a heart for sharing truth and beauty through both words and music, she inspires others to look beyond the ordinary and see the presence of God in their daily lives. In today’s conversation, Linda...

Today on the podcast, we are honored to welcome Betsy Baker Newell — a gifted actress, a treasured member of Brentwood Presbyterian Church, and someone whose life beautifully reflects faith in action. Betsy has touched countless hearts both on stage and in our community, and today she shares a faith journey — After Betsy’s story, we invite you to stay with us for a time of reflection and meditatio...

In this new season of Resilient Faith , we begin by exploring the transformative power of gratitude as a spiritual practice. Whether you’re walking through a season of joy, grief, uncertainty, or renewal, gratitude can anchor your heart and deepen your connection with God. Join us for a reflective and faith-filled conversation about how giving thanks—especially in the hard moments—can shape your p...

As we tread the solemn path of Holy Week, we invite you to walk with us through the poignant contrasts of Palm Sunday and the ensuing days that shaped the very foundation of faith. In the latest episode of Resilient Faith, we'll unravel the complexities of trust, particularly during Lent, and the challenge of keeping faith amid life's inevitable uncertainties. Prepare to experience a jou...

Imagine the profound impact trust can have on our lives, the resilience it builds, and the depth it adds to our spirituality. That's exactly what we explore in this episode of Resilient Faith, where we delve into the beauty of the natural world and its cycles that offer us comfort and a sense of certainty. This episode will guide you through the simple yet profound act of breathing, the resto...

“Not everything is going to be okay. And our assignment is to carry this truth without yielding to despair, and while tending to the flames of radical hope — the kind that demands our grittiest love and biggest imagination.“ How do we hold onto hope when we're faced with the stark truth that not everything in life will turn out okay? Journey with Lora East, as we grapple with this haunting re...

When the ground beneath you crumbles and your world is riddled with loss, where do you find the strength to navigate the uncharted waters of grief? Nancy Reeves, from Brentwood Presbyterian Church, bravely opens up about her personal story of heartache and the resilience of her spirit.  She shares a poignant reflection that tested her faith and how music that helped pave the path to healing. In an...

When the weight of the world seems unbearable, where do you turn for strength? Carol Maddon found her answer in an unlikely form—a tattoo, a symbol of her profound personal transformation and renewed faith. Embracing vulnerability, Carol recounts the tumultuous days of the mid-1980s that led her to the brink of despair. Through her gripping narrative, she shares with us the moment an unexpected fi...

As we usher in the reflective season of Lent, Pastor Lora  East invites you to join her on a journey of spiritual discovery and transformation. Embarking from the solemnity of Ash Wednesday, we'll traverse together through moments of self-examination and repentance, seeking the profound lessons of Psalm 51. The ashes we receive are not just reminders of our mortality, but signals of the rebir...

As the dawn of 2024 breaks upon us, we extend the warmest wishes for a year filled with health, safety, and spiritual depth. This episode is a tender farewell to the old year, and a hopeful embrace of the new, weaving together the timeless story of Epiphany and the journey of the Magi with our modern-day quests for divine guidance. We explore the rich tradition found in the Gospel of Matthew and c...

Where do you see the spark of the divine amidst the hum of daily life? Join me, Reverend Laura East, as I guide you through a Christmas reflection that might just reignite your awareness of God's constant presence. In this special holiday installment of Resilient Faith, brought to you with warmth from the Brentwood Presbyterian Church community, we unwrap the joy and hope that faith assures u...

As the candles of the Advent wreath flicker with hope and love, we find ourselves at the junction of anticipation and celebration; the sacred time when the fourth Sunday of Advent meets the joyous eve of Christ's birth. It's a moment ripe with divine wonder, and on today's episode of Resilient Faith, we invite you into a space of contemplation and jubilation, reflecting on the profo...