In this powerful episode, Of Trials and Truth, we sit down with Ross Smith to hear a story forged in the crucible of war. Deployed overseas in the late 2000s, Ross entered the battlefield without a firm foundation of faith—but what he encountered there would change him forever.

Amid uncertainty, danger, and the weight of life-and-death moments, something began to shift. By the time Ross returned home, Scripture had found its way onto every piece of gear he carried—a visible reminder of an internal transformation.

This conversation explores how trials can strip away what is shallow and reveal what is true. It’s a story of searching, wrestling, and ultimately discovering faith in the most unlikely of places.

If you’ve ever wondered how hardship can shape belief, or how God meets us in our darkest moments, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

In this final episode of our Walk in the Spirit series, we look at the last fruit Paul lists in Galatians 5: self-control. In a world that constantly tells us to follow our impulses and express every feeling, Scripture calls believers to something different — a life shaped and governed by the Spirit of God.

Self-control isn’t simply strong willpower or personal discipline. It’s the Spirit-produced ability to say no to the desires of the flesh and yes to the ways of Christ. From our words to our reactions, from temptation to everyday decisions, the Spirit is working to form a life that is no longer ruled by impulse but guided by obedience.

We'll explore what biblical self-control really is, why it matters so deeply in the Christian life, and how walking in the Spirit strengthens us to live with wisdom, restraint, and freedom.

As we close out the Fruit of the Spirit series, we’re reminded that these qualities are not behaviors we manufacture, but fruit that grows as we stay connected to Jesus.

In this episode of the Church Folks Podcast, we continue our Walk in the Spirit series by looking at the often misunderstood fruit of the Spirit: gentleness.

In a culture that celebrates being loud, forceful, and always winning the argument, gentleness can easily be mistaken for weakness. But Scripture paints a very different picture. Biblical gentleness is not passive or timid — it’s strength under control. It’s the kind of character that reflects the very heart of Jesus, who described Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart.”

We explore what gentleness truly looks like in the life of a believer, why it matters in how we speak to and care for others, and how the Spirit of God forms this fruit in us as we walk closely with Christ.

When the Spirit shapes our lives, our words soften, our posture changes, and our relationships begin to reflect the gentleness of Jesus.

Faithfulness rarely makes headlines, but it’s one of the clearest marks of a life shaped by the Spirit. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by looking at the quiet strength of faithfulness — the steady commitment to God, His Word, and the people He has placed in our lives.

Together we explore how our faithfulness grows out of God’s perfect faithfulness, why consistency in small things matters more than we often realize, and how the Spirit forms a life that stays the course even when feelings change or results are slow.

Goodness is more than being nice — it’s moral courage shaped by the character of God. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by exploring what biblical goodness really means and why it goes deeper than cultural definitions of “being a good person.”

Together we look at how goodness flows from a transformed heart, why it often requires quiet courage, and how Spirit-formed integrity becomes a powerful witness in a confused world. If you’ve ever wrestled with staying faithful to what’s right when it’s inconvenient, this conversation will encourage us to pursue the kind of goodness that reflects Christ.

Kindness isn’t weakness — it’s the visible expression of God’s grace at work in us. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by exploring how Spirit-formed kindness shows up in our words, our reactions, and the way we treat people — especially when it would be easier to be harsh.

Together we look at how God’s kindness toward us becomes the foundation for kindness toward others, why kindness is love in action, and how small, everyday acts of grace can point people to Christ. In a world that often defaults to criticism and outrage, this conversation reminds us that kindness is a powerful witness to the character of Jesus.

Patience sounds simple — until life slows down, people frustrate us, or prayers go unanswered longer than we hoped. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by talking about the kind of patience the Spirit grows in us — a steady, long-suffering love that trusts God’s timing instead of demanding our own.

Together we explore how God’s patience toward us becomes the foundation for patience with others, how endurance is formed in difficult seasons, and why patience isn’t weakness but Spirit-shaped strength. If you’ve been feeling stretched lately, this conversation will help us see how God uses waiting to shape Christlike character in us.

Peace isn’t just quiet moments or a stress-free life — it’s a deep, steady wholeness that comes from being made right with God through Jesus. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our Fruit of the Spirit series by exploring the kind of peace the Spirit produces — the kind that holds firm even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.

Together we talk about peace with God, peace within, and peace with others, and how this isn’t something we manufacture but something that grows as we walk closely with Christ. If your mind has felt restless or your heart has felt heavy, this conversation points us back to the Prince of Peace and the calm only He can give.

Joy is more than a good mood or a positive mindset — it’s a deep, Spirit-formed confidence rooted in what God has done and what He has promised. In this episode of Church Folks, we continue our series on the fruit of the Spirit by talking about a kind of joy that can exist even in hard seasons.

Together we explore how joy is different from happiness, how it’s anchored in salvation rather than circumstances, and how Jesus Himself modeled joy in the face of suffering. If life has felt heavy or unpredictable lately, this conversation will help us see how real, lasting joy grows when we stay close to Christ.

Love is the first fruit listed in Galatians 5 — and that’s not an accident. In this episode of Church Folks, we kick off a new series walking backward through the fruit of the Spirit by starting at the root: love.

But not the sentimental, Hallmark-card version. We’re talking about the kind of love that comes from the Spirit, is defined by Jesus, and shows up in real, everyday life — especially when it’s hard. Together we’ll explore how love fulfills the law, exposes empty religion, and becomes the primary evidence that Christ is actually at work in us.

If we want the rest of the fruit to grow, this is where it starts.