The Grove Church

Evan and Emily McCall share their incredible journey of moving from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Chiang Mai, Thailand, as missionaries integrating faith into their everyday lives. They discuss their vision of spreading the gospel in a region where Jesus is less known and how they use their business as a ministry platform to build relationships and share God’s love. Through stories of their work and...

Here’s the episode description based on the provided notes and transcript, following the rules we’ve established: We explore the profound meaning of faith—what it is, what it isn’t, and how it transforms our relationship with God. Rooted in Hebrews 11, this message defines faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. It challenges us to move beyond mere wishing o...

This week we reflect on the challenges of staying faithful to God’s calling amidst life’s difficulties. Using 2nd Timothy 2 as a guide, this message explores how perseverance, trust in God’s grace, and a focus on Jesus empower us to endure hardships. We are reminded that tough times are a part of life’s journey, shaping us into the people God has called us to be. This message challenges us to stay...

We’re taking a short break for the holidays! There won’t be new episodes on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day as we spend time with family and celebrate the season. We encourage you to do the same—stay connected to your faith and enjoy this time with loved ones. We’ll be back after the holidays, ready to dive back into our series on systematic theology. Have a joyful and meaningful holiday season, a...

This week, we reflect on the extraordinary story of Jesus’ birth through the eyes of the shepherds in Luke 2. In the midst of their humble and ordinary lives, the shepherds are visited by angels proclaiming the arrival of the Savior, inviting them to witness God’s incredible work firsthand. Their response of faith, worship, and proclamation challenges us to do the same. We are reminded that God do...

Charlie and Abigail conclude their exploration of angelology and spiritual warfare, diving into the biblical realities of angels, demons, and Satan’s influence in the world. They address common misconceptions, such as the meaning behind the name “Lucifer,” and emphasize the need to avoid two extremes: dismissing spiritual evil entirely or being overwhelmed by it. Through passages like Ephesians 6,...

Mark reflects on the extraordinary faith and obedience of Joseph as he faces a life-altering dilemma. Legally committed to Mary and faithfully waiting to consummate their marriage, Joseph discovers she is expecting. Presented with two seemingly impossible options—publicly shaming her or divorcing her quietly—an angel of the Lord offers a third, far riskier path. Trusting God and Mary, Joseph choos...

Charlie and Abigail take a deep dive into the unseen realities of angels, demons, and spiritual warfare. They explore the biblical origins of Satan and his rebellion, the roles and hierarchy of angels and demons, and how these spiritual forces influence the world today. With passages from scripture, they clarify distinctions between possession and oppression, highlighting how believers are protect...

Here’s the episode description based on the provided overview and transcript, crafted in line with the rules we’ve set: This week, guest speaker Brad Alexander explores how God uses ordinary moments for extraordinary purposes. Reflecting on the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary in Luke 1, Brad unpacks Mary’s faithful response to an unimaginable calling and emphasizes how belief, not understandi...

Charlie and Abigail explore the fascinating study of angels, diving into what the Bible teaches about their nature, roles, and purpose. They unpack key truths, like the distinction between angels and the Holy Spirit, and debunk common misconceptions, such as the belief that humans become angels after death. From their role as God’s messengers to protectors and worshipers, the conversation highligh...

Charlie kicks off the Christmas series by exploring the profound role of angels in the biblical stories leading up to the birth of Jesus. This week, we dive into Luke 1, focusing on Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story and their encounter with God’s messenger. Charlie provides rich historical and cultural context, unpacking the significance of Zechariah’s priestly duties and how this angelic encounter...

Charlie and Abigail continue their Q&A series, diving into key questions about early Christianity and the formation of the biblical canon. They explore how early believers relied on the Old Testament, oral traditions, and the circulation of letters like Paul’s to understand Jesus’ teachings before the New Testament was compiled. The conversation delves into the process of canonization, how bib...

Charlie concludes the Money and Jesus series by diving into the transformative power of generosity. Using Matthew 6, he challenges us to shift our focus from material wealth to spiritual treasures, emphasizing that generosity is more than an action—it’s a journey of the heart. Through heartfelt stories, like a nearly 30-year-old memory from Ukraine and The Grove Church's commitment to giving over...

Charlie and Abigail dive into the heart of systematic theology this week, focusing on how a deep understanding of God forms the foundation of Christian belief. They explore the importance of evaluating theological writings, emphasizing how an author’s beliefs about Jesus and their personal integrity can shape their work. Abigail shares her own journey of beginning with a focus on Jesus before expa...

This week, Charlie delves into the intersection of faith and financial anxiety, sharing practical insights on how to overcome stress by focusing on God’s provision. Using personal stories, like his own journey through financial struggles and learning to trust God, Charlie encourages us to prioritize spiritual wealth over material concerns. Drawing from scriptures like Romans 8:32 and Matthew 6:33,...

Charlie and Abigail dive into bibliology in this week’s Cultivate Podcast, exploring the complexities of the Bible’s inspiration, canonization, and interpretation. We delve into how sacred texts, like the Bible and even the U.S. Constitution, are often seen as “living documents” and what that means for interpretation. Charlie emphasizes the importance of understanding the original intent behind sc...

This week, Charlie dives into the delicate balance between faith and money, kicking off a new series with a powerful personal story. He shares how selling tickets to a major game to prioritize his daughter's birthday taught him about values and priorities—only to have her choose a youth ministry event instead! Using this story as a backdrop, Charlie explores how we navigate the tension between per...

Charlie and Abigail dive into the fascinating journey of how the Bible was historically compiled and canonized. Together, they explore the careful process early Christians followed to recognize sacred texts, discussing key criteria like apostolic authority, universal acceptance, and the inherent power of these writings. The episode also tackles controversies surrounding certain books, like Revelat...

In this week’s episode, Mark to dives into one of the Bible’s most unusual stories from Exodus 4, where Moses encounters a surprising divine threat on his way to Egypt. Together, they explore the significance of this intense moment, highlighting the quick-thinking actions of Moses’ wife, Zipporah, in saving his life through an emergency circumcision. We invite you to reflect on the themes of faith...

This week, Charlie and Abigail dive into *bibliology*, the study of the Bible, exploring what it means for scripture to be “God-breathed” and inspired. With lighthearted banter, they lead into a rich discussion on the authority of scripture, drawing from passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:20-21 to explain how God’s guidance shaped the Bible’s creation.  Charlie and Abigail also tackle ques...

This week, Charlie dives into the bold story of Jael, a woman who defied cultural norms to fulfill a God-given mission. By taking down Sisera with a tent peg, Jael showed incredible courage and revealed themes of divine timing and seizing opportunities. Charlie connects Jael’s actions to our lives today, sharing real-life stories about how God places people and circumstances perfectly in our paths...

In this episode, Charlie and Abigail dive into the fascinating concepts of mercy, justice, grace, and fairness through the lens of systematic theology. Using relatable examples, they break down how these divine attributes of God are intertwined and what that means for us in our everyday lives. From the idea of pleading for mercy after breaking a rule to the profound interplay between God’s justice...

In this episode Charlie dives into one of the most unusual and perplexing stories in the Bible. Focusing on the Prophet Elijah’s fiery ascent to heaven and Elisha’s role in confronting idol worship, Charlie unpacks their powerful impact in a time of miraculous events. Things take a surprising turn as he explores the story of Elisha cursing a group of mocking boys, leading to a shocking event invol...

Charlie Lofton and Abigail dive into the study of God’s nature, exploring attributes like omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence. With a mix of humor and depth, they break down these complex concepts and discuss how God’s justice, grace, mercy, and wrath work together, even when they seem to contradict. We invite you to reflect on these core beliefs, gaining insights to help d...

This week, Charlie challenges us to take bold steps toward personal growth. Drawing from the story of Ehud, we explore how courage, repentance, and a solid plan can lead to real change. Just as Ehud’s faith set Israel free, we are invited to trust God and act with intention in our own lives. Charlie shares personal stories, including lessons from parenting and reflections on being left-handed, enc...