The Pioneer Assembly

When Jesus called Judas as a disciple, he knew this was going to be the road …And He was willing to let him sit at the table anyway. In this field note, Bethany explores the complex relationship between Jesus and Judas, as she invites you to wrestle with the thought of betrayal among fellow believers. Jesus welcomed Judas to the table despite his sin, and He does the same with us. The discussion w...

Why does preparation matter in our faith life? Because what we don't prepare for, we could possibly miss. It's not popular language in today's faith circles, but being prepared for Christ's presence is a responsibility and privilege for every believer. In this Field Note from the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips explores the significance of Tuesday of Holy Week, focusing on the Parable...

What are you willing to tolerate in your faith? In this second Field Note answering the question “Why does it matter?” in Holy Week, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the theme of tolerance in a person’s faith. The day after Jesus enters Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday, He drives the money changers from the Temple courts. It was about much more than simply placement or anger. Bethany discusses...

Have you ever wondered: Why does it matter? Why does the significance of Holy Week matter in the current culture? Vol. 3 of Field Notes tackles this question, & in this first episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the significance of Palm Sunday and why it matters today. It's not enough to go through another season of remembrance and allow it to have no significance.  Bethany defines the shou...

Have you ever felt terrible about doubting God? Have you ever lied about having spiritual doubts, so you covered it up with words like "praise" or "wisdom"? In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the complex relationship between doubt and faith. Just because you doubt doesn't mean you're a bad believer, it might just mean you are an honest one. She challenges the notion that doubt is inhe...

Thomas Aquinas once said: “No one then can prepare himself for grace…” So How do you pioneer something you feel like you know NOTHING about? Meet Demetrius Hicks. Demetrius is a church planter pioneering in Orlando, Florida, where preparation most often happens through grace in the moment. In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips sits down with Demetrius to explore divine preparation (the grace you...

Are you willing to trust the Lord with your unknown as much as your future? If you have ever found yourself in a season of minimal clarity and maximum uncertainty, this episode of for you. In this engaging conversation, Bethany Barr Phillips sits down with Florida native and long time friend, Kim Bain, to discuss the purpose of the “unknowns” in life, those “in between” seasons. They explore how p...

How comfortable are you with honest or challenging conversations? In this first episode of Season Two of the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips emphasizes the need for honest and challenging conversations in faith, encouraging listeners to embrace their roles as pioneers in their spiritual journeys. After all, if faith is comfortable for you all of the time, then are you really living in...

Why does God’s love matter? Why should it matter to you? In this final episode of the season, Bethany discusses the profound significance of God's love for anyone with a pulse, especially during Advent. She emphasizes that God's love is unconditional and eternal, providing a foundation for understanding our relationship with Him and others. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, she i...

The topic of joy can only be had with a few good laughs. In this episode, Bethany and her daughter, Isaiah, discuss the theme of joy during the third week of Advent. They explore the biblical definition of joy, its connection to the Lord, and how it can coexist with sadness. After all, an honest Christian is one willing to choose true joy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of grounding jo...

Do you have peace with God? In this episode, Bethany explores the concept of peace which is the focus of week two in the Advent season. She emphasizes that Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) AND the bringer of a sword. (Matt. 10:34) He is both/and in our lives as He gives peace internally and eternally, even when peace isn't always our external reality. The discussion highlights the i...

In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips introduces the Advent season, emphasizing its significance as a time of anticipation and reflection. She explores the traditional practices associated with Advent, and delves into the theme of week one which focuses on hope. Encouraging listeners to choose hope even in difficult circumstances, Bethany highlights that hope does not disappoint as explained in R...

In this episode, Bethany explores the profound act that thankfulness has on one’s life. It’s not merely a response, it’s a choice that can lead to growth and sanctification in the life of a pioneer. By preparing your heart with thankfulness, you’ll be prepapred for the hard times and how to handle them. This is one that hits home as it lands on the life assessment of if you aren’t thankful, are yo...

One of the greatest detriments to our faith is our lack of focus, and where your focus lies will determine where your life is headed. In this episode, Bethany emphasizes the critical role of focus in one's faith journey. Misdirection, searching for the wrong thing, and distraction can lead pioneers away from their path, and she offers practical advice on how to maintain a clear focus on what's ahe...

Transitions can be daunting yet necessary for growth. In this episode, Bethany and Andy discuss transitions in life, emphasizing the importance of faith, resilience, and personal growth. The conversation highlights the challenges faced during transitions in life and jobs, such as fear and comparison, while also identifying allies and enemies of transition. They share personal experiences and insig...

If faith is hard, this is for you.  In this episode Bethany explores the concept of pioneering your faith drawing inspiration from the life of Adoniram Judson, a missionary to Burma and the first foreign missionary from the United States. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance, embracing suffering, and living out your faith in everyday life. The discussion highlights that true pioneering of...

As Field Notes vol. 2 wraps up, Bethany discusses the importance of faith in overcoming fear. She emphasizes the key statement: Faith in God will free you to live fearless. The conversation covers how to build faith through God's word, the necessity of knowing, believing, and living God's word, and the empowerment that comes from surrendering fears to God. takeaways The Bible says "Do not be afrai...

Day 4 discusses the pervasive issue of insecurity, emphasizing that it stems from finding our identity in anything other than God. Bethany highlights how insecurity can manifest in various forms and how it can control our actions and thoughts. The short time encourages listeners to build their confidence in Christ rather than in themselves, promoting the idea that true freedom comes from faith in...

If you want to heal from the wounds of rejection, this episode is for you. In in, Bethany explores the pervasive fear of rejection, drawing on the biblical story of Bartimaeus to illustrate how individuals can confront and overcome this fear. Society or mistakes don't dictate you or your purpose. Reject rejection by faith and trust that God will help you overcome.    Takeaways Fear of rejection ca...

Field Notes vol. 2, Day 2 focuses on the fear of doubt. Bethany shares personal experiences growing up in an environment where doubt was stigmatized, and she discusses the disciple Thomas to relate to those who grapple with belief. Bethany reminds us that one can only overcome doubt through faith and a relationship with God. Takeaways: - Doubt is a common struggle for many Christians. - Doubt can...

In vol.2 of Field Notes, Bethany Barr Phillips introduces the theme of 'Facing Your Fears' and discusses the significant impact of expectations on our lives. She shares a personal experience and insight on how unmet expectations can lead to feelings of inadequacy and fear. The conversation emphasizes the importance of rooting our expectations in faith and God's promises, encouraging listeners to s...

In this heartfelt conversation, Bethany introduces her husband, Andy, and together they share about their first years of marriage which featured much adversity and a committed choice. They recount the challenges they faced early on, particularly the unexpected cancer diagnosis that tested their faith and solidified their relationship. Through emotional turmoil, isolation, and the struggle to maint...

In this episode, Bethany discusses the crucial need for faith-filled conversations in a polarized society. She emphasizes that healing begins within the church and that believers must first address their own hearts before asking the Lord to heal the land. Highlighting the need for love, truth, and unity among believers and urging them to remember the Gospel and to turn from their sins, Bethany con...

Summary In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips discusses the concept of living with the understanding that heaven is our true home. She emphasizes the importance of faith, community, and the assurance that our citizenship is in heaven, which shapes our actions and attitudes on earth. Through personal anecdotes and scriptural references, she encourages listeners to embrace their identity as citizen...

Summary In this episode, host Bethany Barr Phillips explores the concept of bearing fruit in the Christian life by contrasting real fruit, which reflects a genuine relationship with God, with fake fruit, which is a superficial attempt to appear fruitful without true spiritual growth. She emphasizes the importance of living in truth and freedom, serving others, and the dangers of pursuing worldly g...