Under the Hood

Pastor Joe & Kirsten welcome Matt Rule of Crossover Global, one of NewLife's GO Partners. Matt shares his amazing, life-changing testimony: He left the corporate banking world to trade "building his own kingdom" in Middle America for building God's Kingdom in the Middle East. Get ready for powerful, firsthand accounts of Muslims stepping out of the darkness of Islam and into the light of Christ. T...

This week, Pastor Joe and Kirsten kick things off by chatting about the gorgeous Fall weather and their hilarious, albeit annoying, bird problem. Then, the conversation shifts to this week's message on Repentance. They discuss how the critical theme of repentance seems to be fading in many of today's churches, but Pastor Joe reminds us of Jesus' challenging words: if we don't repent, we, too, will...

Can you tell what's real anymore? Pastor Joe and Kirsten tackle the growing challenge of AI-generated videos and deepfakes, sharing their frustration over the spread of fake news on social media. Then, they pop the hood on last week's sermon—and Pastor Joe's surprising admission that it was "a little long." Plus, get all the details on the new Foundations discipleship class and the upcoming Holy L...

An accidental communion spill leads to a lengthy review of Pastor Joe & Kirsten's favorite church bloopers. From a problematic pizza delivery to a baptism tidal wave, this opener is good for a laugh. Next, they discuss a much more serious topic: the recent headline about Gateway Pastor, Robert Morris. They discuss what constitutes a disqualification for ministry, how repentance and forgiveness pla...

Pastor Joe pulls back the curtain on his sermon-writing process, revealing how Kirsten's feedback is key to polishing his messages. This leads to a lively discussion about asking permission before sharing personal stories from the pulpit—something Pastor Joe, as a PK (Pastor's Kid), knows is vital. Get ready for some sweet, personal anecdotes about his own dad, Pastor Dick Williams, that informed...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten pick right up where they left off last week. Pastor Joe starts off by giving a sure-fire way to spot a Progressive Christian church. Then, they dive into a conversation about forgiveness. Pastor Joe reminds us that it's level ground at the foot of the cross. None of us wants to be caught behaving like "the unmerciful servant." How should we conduct ourselves in light of al...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten are back on the mics after Summer Break! A lot has happened since we last heard from them, so buckle up! They give a family update and launch into a discussion of "Freezergate." Pastor Joe had surgery over the summer, too, and that leads to a trip down memory lane. Finally, they talk about how Pastor Joe's sermon on "The Unmerciful Servant" touched a nerve at NewLife. The...

Join Pastor Joe and Kirsten for a very special episode as they sit down with NewLife's Worship Pastor Jon Moore and his wife, Monica. For the past year and a half, the Moore family has walked a long and difficult journey. In this heartfelt (and sometimes hilarious!) conversation, Jon and Monica courageously share their story directly, offering listeners a chance to truly understand what they’ve fa...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten discuss their childhood gaming habits. Pastor Joe reveals that after 26 years of marriage, there are still things he does not know about his wife. A listener surprised Pastor Joe with a shocking confession, leading Kirsten to discover a kindred spirit! Then, they discuss last week's sermon about Jesus' teaching on motives for acts of righteousness in the Sermon on the Moun...

Today's episode is a family affair! Kirsten's parents, Ken & Scheri Bentsen, are in the house, and let's just say they came armed with some highly entertaining (and maybe slightly incriminating for Kirsten!) stories from her childhood. Prepare for tales that prove Kirsten has always been Kirsten! Then, Pastor Joe shifts gears for a truly heartwarming moment, highlighting that all of Ken and Sc...

A mysterious stench has left the Williams' home flipped upside down, but Pastor Joe & Kirsten reveal its not-so-mysterious source in today's episode! They laugh about their polar opposite spending habits, and then launch into a Holy Land discussion. They reminisce about their June 2023 Israel trip and look forward to the next one in the Fall of 2026. Pastor Joe does a deep dive on what it mean...

Ever wonder what keeps your pastor up at night? Pastor Joe & Kirsten discuss what's left him bleary-eyed this week! But the real debate heats up when they tackle a topic near and dear (and maybe a little pricey): cake! Pastor Joe confesses to a reaction he's not exactly proud of, which leads them to revisit last week's powerful sermon on the Beatitudes. They discuss how these eight seemingly s...

Join Pastor Joe and Kirsten this week as they shine a spotlight on, as they call them, the "unsung heroes" of NewLife – the Administrative Assistants! They discuss the wonderful Easter services we had at NewLife despite the wind and rain. Then, prepare for a passionate dive into one of Pastor Joe and Kirsten's biggest pet peeves: the mystery of the left-lane cruisers. They also unpack a truly stra...

Get ready for some Easter cheer with Pastor Joe and Kirsten! They're diving into their favorite things about the holiday, from delicious candies to springtime outfits and cherished memories. Then, brace yourselves as Kirsten spills the beans on a hilarious "oopsie daisy" that snuck into last week's sermon! Pastor Joe offers insightful context around Jesus' powerful triumphal entry into Jerusalem o...

Something smells fishy in today's opener with Pastor Joe & Kirsten, and it may not be what you think! Then, they dive deep into the challenges of distractions, the experience of being called out from the pulpit, and the nuances of legalism. Pastor Joe shares some insight on a textual variant in John chapter 5, and Kirsten grills Pastor Joe on superstitions. Let's pop the hood! Email: undertheh...

Kirsten's back! Get ready for a candid catch-up on her post-surgery recovery (prepare for Pastor Joe's squirming!). Then, they reveal the "cutting room floor" moments from Pastor Joe's sermon on Matthew, including the story everyone's been asking about: the neighbor! Finally, Kirsten shares a moment of sincere gratitude with the listeners. Let's pop the hood! Email: underthehood@newlifenwa.com Sho...

Pastor Joe and NewLife's GO Pastor, Sonny Johnson, pick up his story by sharing how Pastor Sonny was called out of air traffic control and into full-time ministry. Now, instead of directing planes to runways, he's directing people to Christ. He reveals how his leadership training in the U.S. Navy is directly impacting NewLife's discipleship efforts, emphasizing the power of relationships in fulfil...

Pastor Joe sits down with NewLife's GO Pastor, Sonny Johnson, to discuss the transformative power of faith in his life. From a self-proclaimed atheist to a fully devoted follower of Christ, Pastor Sonny's story is a testament to God's ability to reach even the most unlikely individuals in the most unbelievable ways. Pastor Sonny's journey is filled with divine appointments. Hear how God moved in h...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten jump right into a wonderfully weird pancake debate and the rabbit trail ensues! Then, shifting gears, they delve into Pastor Joe's sermon from Luke 5. It's a familiar passage, one he's preached on multiple times, yet the message hits him with fresh power each time. The Word of God doesn't change, but we do. Jesus ending up in Peter's boat was, Pastor Joe believes, a divine...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten welcome the month of March with some nostalgia! Then, they jump into Part 2 of Robert & Jennifer Banes' testimony. Just when they thought their race was over, it was really just beginning. Jesus is radically transforming them into a new creation, and their transparency and authenticity will bless all who have ears to hear. Let's pop the hood! Email: underthehood@newlif...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten explain the big gap in the recording schedule for the Under the Hood podcast. It wasn't intentional, we promise! Next, they introduce a special couple in our NewLife family, Robert & Jennifer Banes. The Banes share a powerful testimony of the radical transformation God is orchestrating in their lives right now. They share how the Lord rescued them both from the brink o...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten are ecstatic that the Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl AGAIN! They're looking forward to all their fun traditions in Kansas City and Super Bowl weekend at NewLife! Then they jump into a discussion about the latest His Words sermon. Pastor Joe points out how Jesus' first miracle points to His last, the Resurrection. The qualities of overabundance and 'very best' excellen...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten are back on the mics after a month-long hiatus and a lot has happened! There have been some highs and lows for the Williams family. Joe shares, as he calls it, a "massive cat update!" Then, they discuss the benefits of studying the life of Christ chronologically in the current His Words series. Finally, Kirsten shares a personal breakthrough in her culinary endeavors! Let'...

They're baaaaaaaack! The Williams boys are back in the studio, and it's a lively one on the Under the Hood podcast! Pastor Joe & Kirsten enlist the boys to give a family update. Brock has been busy with orchestra and finals, and Neil is a "Plebe No More" at the Naval Academy. Pastor Joe and Kirsten ask their sons to talk about staying anchored in their faith amid such busy seasons. Then they a...

Pastor Joe & Kirsten have a bunch of updates for the Under the Hood audience! Thanksgiving, Neil, cats, football, sourdough, and blessings to name a few. Several fun stories pop up and a chance run-in with Kansas City Chiefs Safety, Justin Reid, leads to an interesting investigation of what true blessing looks like. Pastor Joe poses the question, "Are we thinking about blessings the right way?...