The Arsenal Church

To close our "Who Told You That?" series, Chad opened the floor to your questions — submitted live via Slido — with Britney Carrasco moderating. It's an honest, unscripted conversation about everything the series stirred up. Chad lays the groundwork in Genesis 3 — the garden, and how the real story of the Fall is distrust that makes us hide, not just rule-breaking — then works through your hardest...

What if "the fear of the Lord" was never meant to be terror? In the final message of our Who Told You That? series, Pastor Chad Belew traces the difference between fear and awe — from a blackout patrol base in Baghdad to a garden where God came walking in the cool of the day, asking not "gotcha," but "Where are you?" If you've spent your life bracing for a God who's disappointed in you, this one r...

The most famous verse in Christianity may be the most misread. Chad takes John 3:16 back to the late-night conversation it actually came from — Jesus and Nicodemus — and shows how a verse we memorized as a gospel-tract about heaven, hell, and a transaction at the cross was, in the original Greek, never about any of that. "Born again" is better read "born from above." "Perish" means lost, not damne...

We trained our dogs to stay off the couch — and they’re perfect angels, right up until no one’s watching. Chad opens there because it’s how a lot of us learned to follow God: behave when you feel watched, fall apart when you don’t. This message names the fear underneath that kind of obedience — the quiet question, "if I’m not afraid of getting caught, what’s to stop me?" — and gently turns it over...

In this message, Chad explores what happens when awe feels out of reach in the middle of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Using the story of Peter walking on water and Jesus’ invitation to “look at the birds” and “consider the lilies,” this talk reframes faith not as trying harder, but as learning to widen our perspective. When fear narrows our world, awe expands it—and what shapes our attention ul...

In this week’s message, Daniel Gertson invites us to rethink everything we thought we knew about the Bible—moving beyond rigid, inherited beliefs and into a more honest, human, and transformative way of engaging Scripture. Through personal stories, humor, and thoughtful insight, Daniel explores the tension many of us have felt when the Bible seems confusing, contradictory, or unclear, and reframes...

For Father’s Day, we throw out the manly checklist and re-root ourselves in the way of Jesus. What makes a good dad? A good man? It’s not toughness or dominance—it’s presence, empathy, and love. Using the parable of the prodigal’s father and research from leading psychologists, this talk unpacks how Christlike fatherhood heals families and transforms culture—for sons, daughters, and all of us.

Jesus told us to love our enemies—but what if “enemy” is a label we created? In this message, we explore the psychology of division, tribalism, and how compassion disarms it. Chad reflects on his time at an interfaith summit, and we revisit Jesus’ teachings on enemy love, with insights from writings of Psychologists Jonathan Haidt and Kristin Kobes Du Mez. What if compassion is the way we unlearn...

What if awe is more than a feeling? What if it’s medicine? This week, we explore how awe expands empathy, creates connection, and rewires our brain. Drawing from recent research, scripture, and everyday wonder, we explore how living rooted in awe changes not just our worship—but our world.

Is it possible that awe—not fear—is the beginning of wisdom? In this message in the Rooted series, Chad dives into what it really means to be “God-fearing.” With scripture, psychology, and real-life application, this talk unpacks how our view of God shapes the way we treat others—and ourselves.

We were told that God turns away from sin. But what if that’s never been true? This week’s message features the powerful “Gospel in Chairs” illustration and reflects on Jesus’ posture of unshakable presence, even with those who expected condemnation. When love never leaves, everything changes.

Mother’s Day Sunday leads us into the nurturing, motherly nature of God. What happens when the Church stops nurturing and starts controlling? In this talk, Chad blends psychological research, theology, and personal stories to challenge our view of a God who only disciplines, and instead reveals the God who nurtures us into healing and wholeness.

This week, we explore the story of Mephibosheth—a man who expected rejection, but found welcome at the king’s table. Chad invites us to see how our deepest fear of being too “damaged” to belong is met with the radical love of a God who always makes room for us. You don’t have to be fixed to be loved. You belong.

We begin the Rooted series by asking a deeper question: What if you were never broken to begin with? This week, Chad reframes our origin story—not as one of sin and shame, but of belonging and belovedness. This message explores how the story we believe about our beginnings shapes everything about how we live, love, and grow.

In the second episode of our Advent series, we reflect on the theme of Peace—God’s gift to a restless world. True peace isn’t simply the absence of conflict but the presence of Christ, bringing wholeness and restoration to our lives. Join us as we explore how the promise of peace, proclaimed at Jesus’s birth, invites us to live in harmony with God, others, and ourselves. Let this message center yo...

Welcome to Advent, a four-part series exploring the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. In this first episode, we dive into the power of Hope—God’s promise to sustain us even in the waiting. *Due to technical difficulty, this recording begins a few minutes into the message.

Chad unpacks the brief but powerful message of 3 John, exploring how the early church embodied hospitality as a key expression of their faith. Discover why welcoming others—both strangers and fellow believers—is central to living out the truth of the Gospel. Through stories and insights, Chad challenges Christians today to embrace hospitality as a vital part of our witness in a world hungry for au...

Rob challenges listeners to see love not just as a principle but as the defining element of the bigger picture in faith and life. With practical insights, this message invites you to reflect on how love shapes your relationships, your beliefs, and your impact on the world. 

Chad unpacks the challenges and beauty of living in alignment with the love of Christ. Whether you're questioning, seeking, or firmly rooted in faith, this message will inspire you to make God’s love known in your life and the world around you.

What does it mean to love in response to the love God has shown us? Rob unpacks how recognizing God’s love as our source changes the way we approach relationships, bringing a renewed sense of purpose, patience, and compassion. Join us as we explore how God’s love ignites our own, guiding us to love others selflessly and without fear. This episode is an invitation to let God’s love fill you and ove...

What does it really mean to say that God is Love? Join us as Chad unpacks how this declaration changes everything about how we see ourselves, relate to others, and even confront our fears. Chad explores how understanding God’s love can shift our entire perspective, bringing peace, banishing fear, and empowering us to love others more radically. If you’ve ever wondered how a deeper understanding of...

Chad continues our journey through 1 John. He discusses the call to radically love others and how that applies to the Arsenal.

Chad, our Lead Pastor, shares the story of our church, reflecting on its beginnings, the significant milestones that have shaped our community, and the exciting plans for the future. He highlights how love has been the foundation of our journey and the driving force behind every step forward. Whether you’ve been with us for years or are just joining, this episode will encourage and inspire as we e...

In this third installment of the series, we look at 1 John 2:18-29 to explore the warnings about antichrists—not just as future figures but as any ideas or teachings that distort the message of Christ. Chad unpacks how to stay anchored in truth amidst these deceptive forces. The focus is on discerning truth by holding to the core message of Christ’s love, ensuring we aren’t swayed by teachings tha...

Chad looks 1 John 2:1-17, exploring the connection between knowing God and loving others. What does it truly mean to know God, and how can we guard against mentalities that distract from the simplicity of love? The takeaway is clear: True knowledge of God is demonstrated in our love for one another. Tune in as we unpack the power of love in living out our faith authentically.