Roots and Branches Podcast

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien seize the day—Labor Day, that is—to celebrate and contemplate the biblical meaning of work. Desire, ability, opportunity, and passion are all ingredients into discerning vocational calling and serving the Lord in whatever capacity, whether paid or unpaid. The two discuss ideas from reformer Martin Luther, commentator Dennis Prager, and the late Pastor Tim K...

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg continue their two-parter on why we as Christ-followers should love the church—because Christ loves the church! Part 2 highlights two essential “both/and” aspects of a Christian’s life: 1) a believer’s sanctification is both individual and corporate through the local church; and 2) both discipleship as believers and outreach to unbelievers occur simultaneou...

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg focus a two-parter on why we as Christ-followers should love the church—in a word, because Christ loves the church! After an opening conversation about Paul’s lifelong tradition of attending the Minnesota State Fair, Pastor Brent highlighted two books dedicated to the church: The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church by Dustin Benge and Nine M...

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien invest three episodes in renewing the vision for creative ministry at New Life EFC in Hastings, MN. Part 3 discusses the sanctifying process of walking together by faith (2 Cor. 5:7), keying off of the five themes of our Roots & Branches building campaign: 1) biblical truth taught, studied, and applied; 2) vibrant community of faith; 3) evangelism and o...

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien invest three episodes in renewing the vision for creative ministry at New Life EFC in Hastings, MN. Part 2 discusses gardens and land plots both large and small, and how discipleship lessons and service opportunities abound, such as with our seniors and our youth.

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien invest three episodes in renewing the vision for creative ministry at New Life EFC in Hastings, MN. Part 1 contrasts the biblical concept of whole-life discipleship with the tendency to neglect our various forms of talents, relationships, possessions, and callings. Key passages discussed include Gen. 1-2; Deut. 6:4-9; Mark 4:1-20; John 6:67-68; John 15:1-2;...

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg continue their recap of Pastor Brent’s epic journey with nine other pastors hiking 113 miles around Mont Blanc near Geneva, Switzerland earlier this summer. In wrapping up his recollection of this peak experience of disciple-by-doing, Pastor Brent shares what he learned and taught his fellow pastors on prayer based on John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christi...

Pastor Brent Kompelien returns from his three-week adventure to the region of Geneva, Switzerland where he and nine other local pastors hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc—an 11 day, 113 mile trek around the tallest mountain in the Alps of Europe. He and Paul Arneberg discuss the manifold purpose of this epic journey: to study the Reformation; to lead each other in various studies of the Christian faith;...

Paul Arneberg concludes his two-part conversation with Jeff Moulton. Their focus was the specific topics in the broad area of apologetics that they’ll present to our youth group in the 2024-2025 school year, including “Why suffering?”; various social issues; and the trustworthiness of the Bible. Jeff and Paul give particular attention to the need to lovingly balance both grace and truth in these b...

Paul Arneberg is joined by his friend and our newest New Life staff member, Jeff Moulton. Jeff and his family began attending New Life nearly four years ago and he’s served on all three committees focused on the vision, campaign, and plans our building project. For 15 years, Jeff has had a passion for Christian apologetics and its importance for Christians and churches today. Jeff shares his testi...

Paul Arneberg continues his conversation with his fellow New Life staffer, Youth Coordinator Kiya Anderson. Kiya shares how our Youth Ministry has changed since it’s grown about six-fold since she and her husband, Josh, were involved as students. Kiya also honors some of her key mentors and our vital team of current volunteers who prioritize discipling the next generation.

Paul Arneberg sits down with his fellow multi-dimensional staff person Kiya Anderson, a lifer at New Life EFC. Kiya grew up in this church family; she married her high school sweetheart, Josh; and she serves as our half-time Ministry Assistant and Youth Coordinator while preparing for the imminent arrival of her and Josh’s firstborn. Kiya shares her testimony, her calling to youth ministry, and th...

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien continue their conversation with Tiffany Neuharth, co-founder and executive director of Rise Up Recovery in Hastings, MN. Topics discussed include how Rise Up complements residential long-term treatment ministries such as Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge and ways to give time, talents and treasure to this life-changing Hastings-based ministry. For more...

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien are joined by returning guest Tiffany Neuharth, co-founder and executive director of Rise Up Recovery in Hastings, MN. As a follow-up to Tiffany’s previous interview on Roots & Branches (Episode 6, 1/12/23), this two-part deeper dive covers Tiffany’s personal testimony; the origin story of the ministry co-founded by her and her husband, Chad; and ways t...

Paul concludes his conversation with New Lifer Jim Bahrke, discussing Jim’s vision for using his Christian faith and Physician’s Associate (P.A.) knowledge and experience to bless our local body of Christ.

Paul Arneberg sits down with New Life EFC regular attender Jim Bahrke to hear Jim’s faith story, his call to the medical field as a P.A. (Physician’s Associate), and his vision for using his professional knowledge of physical health care to bless our local body of Christ.

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg overview New Life EFC's current sermon series on the Book of Acts. They discuss two main themes: 1) the relationship between the Old and New Testaments; and 2) the Lord's promises and the fulfillment of His promises.

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg overview New Life EFC’s current sermon series on the Book of Acts. They discuss two main themes: 1) the relationship between the Old and New Testaments; and 2) the Lord’s promises and the fulfillment of His promises.

Paul Arneberg sits down with his wife Wendy and former head coach Erica Liddle to remember and celebrate Jugheads Youth Juggling Company. This was a wonderful example of disciple-by-doing that Paul and Wendy poured their lives into for 29 years. Paul, Wendy, and Erica swap stories and inspire how we can disciple all ages through creative hands-on learning.

Paul and Pastor Brent discuss the importance of our intellect and our mental capacity for glorifying God. Our minds are renewed in the gospel so that our thoughts are taken captive for Christ. What do you think about? Are your thoughts aligned with God and his priorities? How can you use your intellect to worship God?

Paul and Pastor Brent discuss a biblical view of children and youth. These are challenging days to raise kids and we need to see the high value of kids in the Bible, as well as understand the importance of everyone having a child-like faith.

Paul and Pastor Brent continue our discussion about the centrality of the Word of God in the local church. We dive into 2 Timothy 4 in order to talk about the authority of God’s Word and Paul’s warning to Timothy that many people will turn away from the truth of Scripture. It is so important that we humble ourselves to hear from God through the Bible.

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien

Paul and Pastor Brent are joined again by Jeff Moulton to talk about the future of our Deepening Roots and Growing Branches ministry initiative. We are prayerfully waiting upon the Lord by making adjustments to the concept plans, adapting to our growing ministry needs, and working hard at developing our current facility and grounds for discipleship. We are excited for the future!