The Valley Chapel Podcast

Sometimes life feels stuck—like God’s promises aren’t coming true, and you’re left wondering if He’s even paying attention. In this message, we look at how people of faith, from Abraham to Jesus’ followers, learned to live with trust in the middle of uncertainty. You’ll discover how the Way of Jesus helps us walk through disappointment with honest hope, and how to help others do the same.

We all build our lives around something—success, comfort, control, or approval. But what if those things can’t give us what we really need? Jesus offers a different way—a way that changes what matters to us, from the inside out. Today’s scriptures invite us to let go of what won’t last and to choose a life centered on Him. And if you’ve already begun following Jesus, this is your chance to help ot...

This week, we’re exploring what it means to teach others how to pray. Prayer isn’t just a private habit—it’s a shared way of life. Jesus didn’t just pray; He showed others how to do it. Abraham prayed boldly, trusting God’s character. Paul warned against empty religious practice without a rooted faith. As Teachers of the Way, we are called to model, explain, and invite others into honest, expectan...

Are we teaching people to do more for Jesus—or to come close to Him? This message explores how spiritual maturity isn’t about climbing higher, but sitting nearer. Through the story of Mary and Martha and Paul’s words in Colossians, we’re invited to reframe the way we live, teach, and grow—making closeness with Jesus our first priority.

Jesus calls us not only to teach about Him, but to teach in the way He taught. This week, we explore how our humility, compassion, and intentional action shape the way others learn about Jesus. Discipleship isn’t just about transferring knowledge; it’s about demonstrating a way of life that others can follow, replicate, and teach themselves.

Today, we welcome Elaine Southard Back to Valley Chapel to share the scriptures with us! Elaine serves as a Conference Ministerial Candidate (CMC) at Hope Chapel in Perry, NY, where she works alongside Pastor Mike Kuhlkin and the leadership team. Known for her heartfelt ministry and down-to-earth way of being, Elaine has played a vital role in guiding various church programs, including leading a r...

In this message, we explore what it really means to be led by the Spirit—and how our teaching isn't just about giving instructions but about helping others follow the Spirit through our lives. We'll discuss the kind of fruit that grows when we're truly listening to God, the freedom that comes from grace rather than guilt, and the full-hearted commitment Jesus modeled.

In this powerful message from our "Becoming Teachers of the Way" series, Pastor Ryan explores how Jesus transforms our identity and sends us out to teach His Way—no matter our past, our feelings, or what others think. Using the story of the demoniac from Luke 8 and Paul’s teaching in Galatians 3, we learn that our true identity is “clothed with Christ.” This identity frees us from shame, fear, and...

In this first message of the Becoming Teachers of the Way series, we explore the truth that every follower of Jesus is already teaching others—whether they realize it or not. Through Proverbs 8, John 16, and Romans 5, we’ll see how our actions, words, and even silence shape others’ understanding of God. When we teach without intention, we risk misrepresenting the Way of Jesus. But when we draw fro...

What if there’s more to the real world than you realize? What if the better world we’re dreaming of is close enough to see, if our eyes are open? Through stories of healing, divine interruptions, and glimpses of the New Jerusalem, we’ll explore how God’s kingdom is breaking into our lives right now—inviting us to see and reveal it to others. Are you ready to open your eyes and discover where God's...

God's love is both tender and transformative, accepting us as we are while inviting us to become something more. What happens when we open ourselves to a love that both accepts and changes us? In this message, we’ll explore how God’s love shapes our identity, calling us into a new way of living. Is God’s love forming you? Come with an open heart to discover how this question can reshape your life.

This message invites us into a profound exploration of what it means to hear and follow the voice of our Good Shepherd in the lives we actually live. Through the lens of John 10 and the beautiful imagery of Psalm 23, we're reminded that Jesus knows His sheep by name and calls us to follow Him—not through dramatic, instantaneous revelations, but often through the faithful, ordinary rhythms of daily...

In the ordinary, easily-overlooked moments of life, God is often doing more than we can see. From Peter’s disappointing night of fishing to Ananias’ reluctant obedience, Scripture reveals that God sends us to specific people in unexpected ways for reasons we may not yet understand. If we slow down and trust Him, we just might discover that our small, faithful actions have a far greater impact than...

We often think sharing our faith means waiting for the perfect moment to have “The Talk.” But what if making disciples isn’t about a big, polished conversation—what if it’s about a thousand little ones? Join us as we explore how Jesus’ first followers grew in faith by simply telling others what they had seen. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be present.

What if the story of Jesus’ resurrection isn’t just about life after death? What if it’s about God’s power to bring life where there was death—right now, in your life and in the world? We follow Mary to the empty tomb and discover that Jesus, the gardener of the new creation, is still at work restoring what’s broken. But this isn’t just a story of the past—it’s an invitation to participate in God’...

We all cheer for things that capture our hearts—but what happens when our loyalty is misplaced? On Palm Sunday, the crowds praised Jesus as King, yet their allegiance faded when His way didn’t match their expectations. Jesus warned that if His followers stayed silent, the rocks would cry out instead. This message will challenge you to examine where your own allegiances lie and invite you to take a...

Maybe it’s a mistake you can’t forget. Maybe it’s a hurt that still lingers. Perhaps it’s a version of yourself you wish you could leave behind. The past has a way of keeping us trapped. But what if Jesus’ resurrection means you’re not the same person you used to be? What if new life is truly possible? This week, we’ll hear the invitation to step into something new. Encouragement Scripture: "If an...

What does God do when we keep messing up—when we ignore His calling, waste the opportunities He’s given us, or take His patience for granted? Is He still waiting for us to turn back, or has He already moved on without us? Today, we’ll look at a parable about an unfruitful tree and a passage from Isaiah that challenges the way we see God’s justice and mercy. His ways are higher than ours—but what d...

We spend a lot of time and energy justifying ourselves—proving our worth, explaining our choices, and defending our reputation. But what if Jesus' resurrection means we no longer need to live on the defensive? What if we could rest in knowing that we are fully known and loved? This week, we’ll explore how Christ’s resurrection sets us free from self-defense, inviting us to live humbly and confiden...

Fear keeps us on edge, always preparing for the worst. We brace for impact, expecting struggle and hardship. But what if Jesus' resurrection means we don’t need to live in constant fear? What if we could trust that God is truly in control? This week, we’ll explore how Jesus' victory over death allows us to step forward with courage and peace. Encouragement Scripture: "Whoever dwells in the shelter...

The Christian faith is fundamentally about following Christ—recognizing him as “the anointed one” and embracing the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. To be a true follower of Jesus means actively living out his teachings and sharing his message with others. Although this may sound simple, many of us often base our understanding of Jesus and his teachings on our own ideals of what constitutes a "good...

The Christian faith is fundamentally about following Christ—recognizing him as “the anointed one” and embracing the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. To be a true follower of Jesus means actively living out his teachings and sharing his message with others. Although this may sound simple, many of us often base our understanding of Jesus and his teachings on our own ideals of what constitutes a "good...

The Christian faith is fundamentally about following Christ—recognizing him as “the anointed one” and embracing the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. To be a true follower of Jesus means actively living out his teachings and sharing his message with others. Although this may sound simple, many of us often base our understanding of Jesus and his teachings on our own ideals of what constitutes a "good...

The Christian faith is fundamentally about following Christ—recognizing him as “the anointed one” and embracing the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. To be a true follower of Jesus means actively living out his teachings and sharing his message with others. Although this may sound simple, many of us often base our understanding of Jesus and his teachings on our own ideals of what constitutes a "good...

The Christian faith is fundamentally about following Christ—recognizing him as “the anointed one” and embracing the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. To be a true follower of Jesus means actively living out his teachings and sharing his message with others. Although this may sound simple, many of us often base our understanding of Jesus and his teachings on our own ideals of what constitutes a "good...