Solid Ground Church

Some seasons of discouragement are easy to explain. Others are harder to name. You may look fine on the outside, keep doing what needs to be done, and still feel like something inside you has gone flat. When that happens, it’s easy to wonder whether you’re tired, stuck, drifting, grieving, or just not as strong as you thought. In this episode of Groundwork, Mike Collins offers a biblical and pract...

Adult life can be full of people and still feel lonely. You may have coworkers, neighbors, family, church acquaintances, text threads, and a busy schedule — but still wonder if anybody really knows what you’re carrying. In this episode of Groundwork, Mike Collins talks about why friendship can feel harder as we get older, why small talk often doesn’t become real connection, and why being noticed i...

Why do so many sincere believers still feel spiritually dry? In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus with genuine faith and honest questions. He knows the Scriptures. He believes the right things. Yet something isn’t connecting. Jesus responds with a phrase that has echoed for centuries: “You must be born again.” But what if being born again isn’t about trying harder or becoming a slightly improved ve...

Why does the internet reward outrage? In this episode of Groundwork, Mike Collins and his daughter Ella explore “rage bait” — content designed to provoke anger because anger drives engagement. They unpack how algorithms amplify negativity, why outrage spreads so quickly, and how you can disengage without being consumed. Your attention is sacred. What you linger on will shape you.

Many of us live with a quiet, persistent sense that we don’t quite measure up—not because anyone says it out loud, but because we’ve learned it over time. In this new Groundwork episode, Pastor Mike explores why feelings of inferiority can seem so reasonable, where they come from, and why even knowing the truth about our identity in Christ doesn’t automatically silence them. Scripture doesn’t tell...

We live in a world that constantly pressures us to perform, achieve, and prove ourselves. From an early age, we’re told that being impressive is what makes us valuable. But when Jesus called his first disciples, he didn’t look for the most qualified or accomplished. He called fishermen—ordinary people who were simply willing to follow. In Becoming Available, we explore Mark 1:16–20 and discover a...

There are seasons when faith feels real—but not very useful. We still believe. We still show up. But nothing about our everyday lives seems all that different. In this message, Pastor Mike explores Jesus’ words about being salt and light and what they reveal about the purpose of faith. Jesus never called his followers to be impressive, loud, or performative. He called them to be useful—present, di...

What do you do when your faith doesn’t disappear—but it does go quiet? Spiritual dry spells happen to more people than we admit. Prayer feels flat. Scripture doesn’t land. God feels distant, even though you’re still showing up. In this episode of Groundwork, Mike Collins talks honestly about what spiritual dryness looks like, why it happens, and how to walk through it without panic, guilt, or pret...

In a world that never slows down, it’s becoming harder to hear the voice that matters most. In this message, Pastor Mike shares a personal story of pressure, pain, and burnout—and how God used it to teach him a deeper lesson about attentiveness. Drawing from 1 Samuel 3, we’re reminded that God still speaks, but listening requires stillness, humility, and a posture of trust. This message explores:...

In this special episode of Groundwork, host Mike Collins introduces a moving dramatic retelling of a true story, originally shared by Forrest Arnold. After a year filled with serious illness, financial strain, and unanswered prayers, one family approaches Christmas with almost nothing left—except faith. What unfolds is not just a story about provision, but about how God brings life, hope, and mean...

What if science doesn’t weaken faith—but helps grow it? In this episode of Groundwork, Mike Collins talks with scientist and professor Dr. Bill Ranahan about the remarkable beauty and complexity uncovered by scientific discovery—and how those discoveries can lead to deeper faith, not doubt. Drawing from cancer research, biology, and the rhythms of everyday life, Bill shares how closely studying th...

In a world that feels like it’s constantly on fire, many of us are quietly asking the same question: When is Jesus going to come back and make things right? Has God forgotten His promises—or us? In this message, Pastor Mike invites us to see waiting through a different lens. God’s apparent delay isn’t neglect or indifference—it’s mercy. Every moment of waiting is an opportunity for repentance, res...

Every December seems to promise “peace on earth,” yet most of us feel more like we’re living in “panic at the mall.” We race, we spend, we wrap, we perform… and somewhere between the errands and the expectations, our souls quietly run out of steam. But what if the real gift of Christmas isn’t one more thing to do — but the rest your heart has been craving? In this message, Pastor Mike Collins unwr...

The holidays are filled with lights, music, nostalgia, shopping, pressure, and expectations—and it’s easy for Christmas to drift into overwhelm or commercialism. In this special episode, Mike sits down with “Santa Claus” (with a little help from a friend!) to explore the true origins of Saint Nicholas, how the Santa legend grew into a cultural icon, and what distinguishes the Gospel from our cultu...

Is counseling unspiritual… or essential? In this episode of Groundwork, Pastor Mike Collins sits down with Kris Anderson, founder and clinical director of Building Bridges Christian Counseling, for an honest conversation about emotional triggers, spiritual healing, boundaries, marriage patterns, and how to know when it’s time to reach out for help. Some Christians feel guilty seeking counseling. O...

What really makes someone a Christian—and how far can churches differ before they drift outside the boundaries of historic faith? In this deep and practical conversation, Pastor Mike sits down again with Dr. Kevin Mannoia—global church leader, theologian, and longtime friend of Solid Ground—to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian world: ecumenical unity. Why has the word “...

What if the stereotypes about Gen Z are completely missing the point? In this episode of Groundwork, Pastor Mike Collins talks with Dr. Jim DellaNeve—Boeing systems architect, Pepperdine adjunct professor, and coauthor of Working with Gen Z—to unpack what today’s youngest adults are really experiencing at home, at church, and at work. Drawing from a national study of 800–900 Gen Z participants, Ji...

The holidays can bring out the best in us — and sometimes, the worst in our families. One minute you’re catching up over coffee, and the next, someone’s brought up that topic — the parenting critique, the church debate, or the political zinger that changes the mood at the table. If you’ve ever wished you could walk into those gatherings with calm instead of tension, this episode is for you. Pastor...

It starts with a click… then a secret… and before long, it steals your peace, your time, and your real relationships. Pornography isn’t just a problem “out there.” It’s in our families, our churches, and our hearts. But just as there’s a way in — there’s a way out. In this courageous conversation, Pastor Mike Collins talks with Brian Hoerning, a longtime member of Solid Ground Church and mentor wi...

How do we hold uncompromising convictions without becoming unloving? Dr. Kevin W. Mannoia, Professor of Ministry and former University Chaplain at Azusa Pacific University, along with decades of global church leadership and reconciliation work, joins Pastor Mike Collins to explore how Christians can engage conversations on sexuality and culture with both compassion and clarity. From writing The Ch...

What if the clutter in your home is really crowding out your heart? In this inspiring conversation, voice actress Chris Anthony Lansdowne—best known for Adventures in Odyssey and Barbie—joins Pastor Mike Collins to explore how simplicity and organization can become a path toward freedom, faith, and emotional healing. Chris shares how God turned her love for organizing into a ministry that helps pe...

If you’ve ever felt the gap growing between you and your kids—or if family time has turned into screen time—this conversation will bring hope, laughter, and practical guidance. Pastor Mike Collins sits down with Dr. Vance Nichols, head of Alta Loma Christian School, to unpack real-life strategies for strengthening relationships across generations. You’ll learn how to communicate through the noise,...

What will Jesus find in your hands when He returns? In Luke 19:11–27, the Parable of the Minas calls every follower of Jesus to faithfully invest what we’ve been given. No one is empty-handed. No mina is too small. In this message, we will unpack: ✅ Why Jesus told this parable right before His crucifixion ✅ What the minas represent in your life today ✅ The difference between faith-filled obedie...

Too many people settle for survival when Jesus came to give them life. Real life. Abundant life. The kind that fills your days with peace, joy, and purpose instead of fear, guilt, and burnout. Pastor Mike will issue a wake-up call this week: you don’t have to wait for heaven to begin living. Eternal life isn’t just about what happens after you die—it’s about who you’re becoming right now. If you’r...

Scripture is pretty clear about Jesus’ true calling on our lives. The problem is that you may not be comfortable with it. It won’t lead you to safety or ease, but to the margins—because the poor, the overlooked, and the broken are what His mission is all about. In this message, join Pastor Mike as he reveals how stepping into that mission not only transforms lives around you, but also awakens your...