VCLA Podcast

Have you ever felt like an outsider—unlovable, untouched, or carrying a "spiritual leprosy" of shame and guilt? In this powerful and fast-paced message through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Josh takes us on a wild ride through Jesus’ first 24 hours of ministry. From disrupting a church service to heal a demon-possessed man, to a shocking, rule-breaking encounter with a leper, we see the true heart of...

What if the greatest news in human history required absolutely zero effort from you? In this powerful sermon kickoff to the Gospel of Mark (Mark 1:1-15), we dive deep into the emotional intensity, historical urgency, and revolutionary message behind the earliest written record of Jesus of Nazareth. Living in a culture obsessed with performance, earning status, and achieving perfection, many of us...

In a culture pulling men toward two extremes—either total de-escalation and self-deprecation or aggressive, toxic domination—what does it actually mean to be a godly man? In this powerful Father's Day message, Pastor Josh cuts through the cultural noise to deliver a refreshing, counter-cultural, and deeply biblical look at masculinity. Drawing from Matthew 16, Mark 9, and the Book of Proverbs, he...

Are you exhausted, running low on reserves, or dealing with chronic burnout? You are not alone. In 2026, data shows that nearly half of organizational leaders are actively facing severe burnout. Whether you work in healthcare, education, therapy, or are navigating the intense demands of parenting, the hustle-driven grind is hitting universal limits. In this deeply refreshing and transparent messag...

Is following God harder than you expected? If you’ve ever taken one step forward in your faith only to feel like you’ve taken nine steps backward, you are not alone. In this powerful and encouraging message, Pastor Josh dives deep into Psalm 121 (a Song of Ascent) to reveal what it truly looks like to pursue God through life's volatility, spiritual warfare, and mundane everyday routines. Discover...

In this powerful summer series opener, we dive deep into one of the most famous scriptures to uncover its true meaning. King David’s ancient song isn't a song of lament—it is a bold, radical declaration of God’s character, provision, presence, and protection. When life feels like a chaotic mess, your mental health is struggling, or you find yourself seated at a table surrounded by your enemies, Go...

What happens when the infinite power of God breaks the barrier between heaven and earth? In this powerful Pentecost Sunday sermon, Pastor Josh breaks down Acts 2 to reveal how a global movement was birthed from just 120 ordinary, confused people waiting in an upper room. Whether you come from a traditional background, a charismatic environment, or you are a curious onlooker wondering if there is m...

Are you stuck in a season of waiting and wondering what God is doing? In this powerful message, Pastor Josh dives deep into Acts 1:1-11 to reveal the intentional purpose behind our seasons of waiting. When Jesus commanded His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit, it didn't make logical sense to them. Jerusalem was a volatile place of trauma and fear. Yet, Jesus had a long-te...

Are you living in your city with one foot out the door? In a culture addicted to "sampling"—from coffee shops and gyms to churches and relationships—it is easy to mistake browsing for living. But spiritual vitality doesn't happen in a sample cup; it happens in the soil. In this powerful Family Sunday message, we explore how to break the cycle of loneliness and isolation by making three radical, "c...

Have you ever felt like you’ve drifted too far from your purpose? In this powerful message, we dive into John 21 to witness one of the most tender and transformative encounters in the Bible. Whether you are struggling with a "massive failure" or simply feel stagnant in your faith, this sermon is a reminder that your failure does not cancel your calling. Jesus doesn't meet Peter with a lecture or a...

Have you ever felt like your reality hasn't caught up to your expectations of God? We often walk into our relationship with Jesus with a specific "version" of how we think life should go, only to find ourselves navigating unexpected roadblocks, family drama, or unanswered prayers. In this powerful message from Luke 24, we explore the journey of two disciples on the road to Emmaus who were blinded...

Is it okay to doubt? In this powerful message, we dive into the "spiritual FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out) of Thomas—the disciple who missed the greatest moment in human history: the resurrection of Jesus. If you’ve ever felt like everyone else is experiencing God while you’re left with questions, silence, and fear, this sermon is for you. We explore why Jesus isn't repelled by your uncertainty or you...

Are you following the right leader? On this Palm Sunday, we dive into the powerful tension of Holy Week—the journey of Jesus from the triumphant entry in Jerusalem to the sacrifice of the cross. In this moving message, we contrast two different parades: the Roman parade of military force and the humble, peaceful procession of Jesus on a donkey. Many in the crowd cheered for a king who would change...

Is anger ruling your life, your home, or your commute? In this powerful message, we dive deep beneath the surface of our "frustrations" to discover what is actually fueling our outbursts. Most of us think we are just "stressed" or "dealing with difficult people," but the Bible points to something much deeper. In this sermon, you will discover: Why Fear is often the primary driver of anxiety and ra...

Welcome back to our final week of our Season of Stillness. As we journey through Lent and move toward Easter, this weekly 10-minute guided prayer is an invitation to slow down, quiet your heart, and make space for the presence of God. In each episode, we’ll pause, reflect on Scripture, and practice listening prayer together. Whether you’re starting your day, taking a midday break, or winding down...

Are you living in a cycle of "never enough"? In this provocative message, we dive deep into the heart of greed—not just as a financial issue, but as a spiritual condition that affects us all. Using the teachings of Jesus and the writings of Paul, we explore how greed manifests in three distinct forms: selfishness, pride, and fear. Whether you are struggling with the pressures of scarcity mindset o...

Welcome back to our fourth week of our Season of Stillness. As we journey through Lent and move toward Easter, this weekly 10-minute guided prayer is an invitation to slow down, quiet your heart, and make space for the presence of God. In each episode, we’ll pause, reflect on Scripture, and practice listening prayer together. Whether you’re starting your day, taking a midday break, or winding down...

Is the "Idol of Control" running your life? In this week’s message, we continue our deep dive into the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on the final—and perhaps most epic—temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. We explore how Satan offers a "Crown without a Cross"—the promise of power, security, and a perfect life without the necessity of suffering or sacrifice. From hilarious debates about 90s Christia...

Welcome back to our third week of our Season of Stillness. As we journey through Lent and move toward Easter, this weekly 10-minute guided prayer is an invitation to slow down, quiet your heart, and make space for the presence of God. In each episode, we’ll pause, reflect on Scripture, and practice listening prayer together. Whether you’re starting your day, taking a midday break, or winding down...

Are you tired of feeling like you have to perform to be noticed? In this week’s message, Pastor Joel explores the second temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4. We often find ourselves in "spectacle mode"—trying to force God’s hand, demanding proof of His love, or taking shortcuts to avoid suffering. Using the hilarious yet poignant example of his dog Gibson, Joel illustrates how our anxiety leads us to...

Welcome back to our second week of our Season of Stillness. As we journey through Lent and move toward Easter, this weekly 10-minute guided prayer is an invitation to slow down, quiet your heart, and make space for the presence of God. In each episode, we’ll pause, reflect on Scripture, and practice listening prayer together. Whether you’re starting your day, taking a midday break, or winding down...

Are you feeling alone, exhausted, or questioning your purpose? You might be in a "wilderness season." In this powerful opening to our Lent series, Pastor Josh explores the profound connection between our spiritual highs and the refining fires that often follow. Drawing from Matthew 3 and 4, we dive deep into the temptation of Jesus. We often think Satan’s first attack was about food, but it was ac...

Welcome to the first week of our Season of Stillness. As we journey through Lent and move toward Easter, this weekly 10-minute guided prayer is an invitation to slow down, quiet your heart, and make space for the presence of God. In each episode, we’ll pause, reflect on Scripture, and practice listening prayer together. Whether you’re starting your day, taking a midday break, or winding down in th...

"Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Have you ever felt like you were coming down from a "mountain top" experience only to be met with the immediate chaos of real life? Maybe you’ve tried to fix your marriage, your finances, or your health in your own strength, only to find yourself exhausted and burnt out. In this powerful continuation of our series on the journey of the disciples, we dive into M...

Are you constantly searching for "more"? Whether it's the endless scroll on Instagram, the next career promotion, or the Friday night Netflix binge, we all feel an "itch" that this world just can't seem to scratch. In this powerful message, Pastor Josh dives into Matthew 17 to explore the story of the Transfiguration. Discover why C.S. Lewis believed our unsatisfied desires are the greatest proof...