Code Red with Zach Terry

Before Zach ever met him, he heard his voice on the radio. In the 1980s, Pastor Tommy Nelson of Denton Bible Church taught the Song of Solomon "on a lark," and his church jumped from 700 to 1,250 in six weeks. Then 4,000 singles showed up to a Dallas Bible study, the tapes went onto military bases and submarines around the world, and a generation learned what the Bible actually says about love, sex, and marriage.

Now, after 50 years in the pulpit, Tommy sits down with Dr. Zach Terry for an honest look back: the white shoes that cost him a Texas A&M scholarship, the church "nobody planted," the night his body quit before he preached, and the psychiatrist who said, "He has run out of gas." He talks openly about depression, medication, and rest, why a driven pastor with AI is a dangerous combination, what the Amish and Andy Griffith understand about a simple life, and why every church needs a discipleship current running under the Sunday crowd.

They also take on the hard questions: Should "one nation under God" name which God? Why is antisemitism rising on elite campuses? How should Christians love Israel without pretending Israel is always right? Stay to the end for Tommy's stories about Howard Hendricks, his one regret, and a word of hope for the next generation of pastors.

He was baptized at 12, raised in church, and a model kid. He was also lost. Pastor Hernán Sierra of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, tells how God saved him through his wife's transformation and an expository sermon, then turned a Spanish-speaking "perfect Pharisee" into the voice behind John MacArthur, Steve Lawson, and other Reformed preachers across Central America.

Then the conversation turns hard. Dr. Zach Terry gives his first honest take on Steve Lawson's newly released book after his moral failure ("I still haven't decided if he wrote it"), and the two pastors talk candidly about why leaders fall, why outrage is the wrong response, what MacArthur was like when the cameras were off, and how a church can publicly restore a fallen brother without putting him back on the platform.

If you love your pastor, pray for your pastor, or are a pastor, this one is for you. Stay to the end for Jude's doxology: the God who kept you from the beginning is able to keep you to the end.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Welcome back: Pastor Hernán Sierra joins Zach in studio

1:09 "To live is Christ" and the heartbeat illustration

2:30 Borrowing sermon insights: "The third time, I was thinking the other day..."

3:24 Baptized at 12, still lost: Hernán's story begins

4:30 A marriage on the edge of divorce, and a wife made new

5:45 "I was a perfect Pharisee"

6:11 Saved under expository preaching: the veil comes off

8:28 Planting a church in his garage (yes, the dogs counted)

9:10 Translator or "interrupter"? Translating for a Word of Faith preacher

10:00 First translation job and "born again, again" through the doctrines of grace

12:12 When your experience lines up with election

14:23 Why churches entertain, and the "baptized pagans" in the pews

15:49 Translating for John MacArthur, and the day his notes were stolen

17:38 MacArthur up close: a lion in the pulpit, a gentleman in person

22:19 Steve Lawson's fall and his new book

25:24 Zach's honest review: "I still haven't decided if he wrote it"

27:31 Psalm 51 without the story of David and Nathan

30:14 Sin in someone else is a mirror: "Take heed to yourself"

31:01 Why the Reformed world is furious, and why Zach isn't

32:14 "Know what associates Satan has in your heart"

33:08 The people we would most dread having to tell

35:16 "Lord, take me home before I go down that road"

36:00 Why does God let leaders fall?

38:04 MacArthur's final weeks and the succession at Grace

41:11 Jesus had twelve: the disciple living a double life

42:49 A fallen worship leader's public restoration

47:51 Beware the celebrity pastor

50:18 Life in the fishbowl: pressure on pastors' families

51:07 The loneliness of ministry and the need for a Barnabas

53:01 Accessibility as a safeguard: let the sheep see the shepherd

55:38 Soccer with the youth group: living as an open book

56:39 Finish well: the preservation of the saints

57:34 Jude's doxology: "Now to Him who is able to keep you"

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Code Red Talk: https://coderedtalk.com

Support Code Red and Maximum Life: https://maximumlife.org

Pastor Hernán Sierra / IBEX Internacional: https://ibex-hn.org  |  Instagram @ibexhonduras

First Baptist Fernandina Beach: https://fbcfb.org

Dr. Zach Terry on Substack: https://zachterry.substack.com

Books by Zach Terry: https://zachterrybooks.com

Instagram: @zachterry

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED

Philippians 1:21  |  2 Corinthians 4:5  |  2 Corinthians 2:5-8  |  1 Timothy 4:16  |  Psalm 51  |  2 Samuel 12  |  Philippians 1:6  |  Jude 1, 24-25

Code Red just passed 30,000 subscribers. Thank you. If this conversation helped you, subscribe, share it with your pastor, and drop a comment: who is a faithful minister who has finished well in your life?

#JohnMacArthur #SteveLawson #PastorFall #ReformedTheology #DoctrinesOfGrace #FinishWell #Honduras #ExpositoryPreaching #ChurchLeadership

Download the Maximum Life+ app today and get instant access to hundreds of hours of sermons, Bible studies, books, and exclusive content from Dr. Zach Terry — all in one place. Simply search "Maximum Life+" in the App Store or Google Play, download the app, and subscribe to unlock everything, including a free copy of A Commentary on the Minor Prophets. Join a growing community of believers who are going deeper in God's Word every day.

AMPLIFY THE TRUTH by supporting Maximum Life - https://maximumlife.zachterry.org/tab...

Facebook  

 / maximumlifewithzachterry  

Instagram  

 / zachterry  

Website http://www.zachterry.org

Twitter  

 / zachterry  

GEN Z TAKEOVER PART 2: Delaney Interviews Pastor Zach Terry | Code Red Talk

The Gen Z Takeover continues. Delaney is back in the host chair with Pastor Zach Terry, and Part 2 picks up with even more of the questions Gen Z is asking about God, faith, culture, and the Christian life.

If you enjoyed Part 1, Part 2 goes even deeper into what it looks like for Gen Z to wrestle honestly with Christianity while looking to Scripture for answers.

▶ GET THE MAXIMUM LIFE+ APP
Want more teaching like this? Maximum Life+ puts Dr. Zach Terry's sermons, devotionals, podcasts, and Bible study resources in one place, right on your phone. Search "Maximum Life+" in the App Store or Google Play, or visit https://maximumlife.org to get started.

What if one of the Church’s greatest resources is a generation we too often overlook?

In this episode of Code Red, Pastor Zach Terry sits down with Joanne Hickox, founder of Seniors on a Mission, to talk about the incredible purpose, wisdom, and ministry potential of senior adults.

For nearly three decades, Joanne has helped older adults find meaningful opportunities to serve their communities through local mission projects. Along the way, she has seen how purpose, fellowship, and service can transform the lives of seniors facing isolation, loneliness, and major life transitions.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

• Why senior adults may have more to offer the Church than we realize

• The challenges of isolation, loneliness, and depression among older adults

• How serving others can restore a sense of purpose after retirement or major life changes

• What younger generations can learn from those who have walked with God for decades

• Joanne’s story of following God’s call and the heart behind her book, G3 and Me

Learn more about Joanne's ministry: seniorsonamission.org

Purchase Joanne's book: amazon.com/dp/B0GYNR2677

As Pastor Zach puts it, there is “gold” sitting in our pews. The question is whether we are willing to recognize it.

Watch “Why Senior Adults Are the Church’s Hidden Treasure,” featuring Joanne Hickox of Seniors on a Mission.

GEN Z TAKEOVER: Delaney Interviews Pastor Zach Terry | Code Red Talk

The tables have turned. In this special Gen Z Takeover episode of Code Red, Delaney (age 25, Gen Z) takes the host chair and puts Pastor Zach Terry (Gen X) in the hot seat. What starts with texting habits, VHS tapes, Rocky, and a Mount Rushmore of country music turns into a wide-ranging conversation about the questions Gen Z is actually asking about God, the Bible, and the Christian faith.

Delaney walks Dr. Terry through the big ones: six-day creation, faith and science, why God allows evil, the judgment of God in the Old Testament, which biblical laws still apply, Israel and the Palestinian conflict, why Jesus is the only way, what happens to people who never hear the gospel, the age of accountability, eternal punishment, and why we can trust the Bible. Then it all wraps up with a Gen Z rapid fire round.

If you have ever wondered how a Gen X pastor and a Gen Z assistant see the world differently (and where they agree), this one is for you.

▶ GET THE MAXIMUM LIFE+ APP

Want more teaching like this? Maximum Life+ puts Dr. Zach Terry's sermons, devotionals, podcasts, and Bible study resources in one place, right on your phone. Search "Maximum Life+" in the App Store or Google Play, or visit https://maximumlife.org to get started.

What is God doing at Central Nassau, and what’s ahead as the campus continues to grow?

In this episode of Code Red, Pastor Zach Terry sits down with Central Nassau Campus Pastor Josh Wood to talk about the story and vision of Central Nassau, the growth they’ve experienced over the past two years, and the new building that will soon become home to the campus.

They discuss why First Baptist expanded beyond Amelia Island, what they’ve learned through launching a second campus, and why the vision has always been about more than solving a parking or space problem. At the heart of Central Nassau is a desire to reach more people with the gospel and build something that can impact Nassau County for generations.

In this episode:

- The story behind Central Nassau

- An update on the new Central Nassau building

- Why First Baptist chose a multi-campus model

- What they’ve learned after two years of services at Central Nassau

- How Central Nassau is reaching new families

- The challenges and opportunities of a video campus

- Why healthy churches should continue looking for ways to reach more people

- What could be next for Central Nassau and First Baptist

Timestamps:

00:00 – Josh Wood on finishing his master’s degree

07:06 – The importance of finishing what you start

10:27 – What seminary can’t teach you about ministry

13:31 – Central Nassau: Two and a half years in

15:25 – Why First Baptist pursued a multi-campus vision

19:44 – Church growth and the need for a second campus

23:07 – Building something that will impact generations

32:17 – What is it really like attending a video campus?

37:00 – How Code Red and Maximum Life are reaching people beyond the church

44:09 – Reaching and discipling the next generation

48:18 – The questions young Christians are asking

56:45 – The church is already happening at Central Nassau

59:00 – How to pray for Central Nassau and what’s needed next

The vision is bigger than a building. Central Nassau is already seeing people place their faith in Jesus, be baptized, join the church, and grow in their faith. The new building simply opens another layer of ministry and another opportunity to reach more people with the gospel.

In this episode of the Code Red Podcast, Pastor Zach Terry sits down with Kathy McCally to discuss spiritual warfare, deliverance ministry, repentance, forgiveness, and the importance of discipleship. Together, they explore common questions surrounding spiritual oppression while emphasizing the believer's identity in Christ and the authority of God's Word.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction

01:49 – Kathy's testimony

05:40 – A supernatural healing 09:24 – Strongholds and spiritual attacks

11:19 – Jesus' temptation and our authority in Christ

15:04 – Can a Christian have a demon?

19:56 – Can you experience deliverance on your own?

21:03 – Repentance, forgiveness, and breaking strongholds

27:55 – Spiritual growth is a process

30:47 – What does deliverance ministry look like?

36:20 – A powerful testimony of freedom

38:18 – Why discipleship matters after deliverance

42:06 – Living in freedom and fulfilling God's calling

43:23 – Final thoughts

If this conversation encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode. We'd also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

About Our Conversations: The Code Red Podcast features conversations with guests from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pastor Zach Terry or Maximum Life. Our goal is to encourage thoughtful, Christ-centered conversations while always pointing listeners back to the authority of Scripture. We encourage every listener to examine all teaching in light of God's Word.

The Hope Behind the Pro-Life Movement | First Coast Women's Services

What really happens inside a pregnancy resource center?

In this episode of the Code Red Podcast, Pastor Zach Terry sits down with Jen Pace (CEO) and Janice from First Coast Women's Services to discuss the reality of serving women and families facing unplanned pregnancies. Together they explore the role of pregnancy centers, the importance of compassion, practical support for mothers and fathers, abortion recovery, and why the gospel offers hope in life's most difficult moments.

Whether you're passionate about the pro-life movement, curious about pregnancy resource centers, or simply want to hear stories of God's redemption, this conversation offers a thoughtful, grace-filled perspective.

Learn more about First Coast Women's Services: https://friendsoffirstcoast.org/

Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction

00:49 – Jen Pace's journey to First Coast Women's Services

03:22 – Fear, hope, and walking alongside women in crisis

05:42 – What First Coast Women's Services actually provides

09:29 – Stories of lives changed

10:39 – The history of the pregnancy center movement

11:59 – Running six pregnancy centers & reaching women online

13:17 – Why ultrasounds change hearts

14:49 – Volunteers and serving after abortion

15:53 – Janice's redemption story

18:57 – Truth, grace, and ministering to every person

23:14 – Teaching the next generation before the crisis

27:21 – Why fathers matter

35:23 – Partnering with churches to protect life

41:02 – Technology, AI, and reaching women first

46:32 – How you can get involved

47:33 – Final encouragement

If this conversation encouraged you, please like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who would benefit from hearing it.

What does the future of Florida look like?

In this episode of Code Red Talk, Pastor Zach sits down with Paul Renner to discuss faith, public service, affordability, education, AI, China's influence, cannabis legalization, and the future of the Sunshine State.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:31 Why Paul Renner Is Engaging in the Process

02:14 Faith, Freedom & Entering Government 

04:12 Working with Ron DeSantis

06:19 America First & China

09:14 Florida's Biggest Challenges: Affordability & AI

14:53 Cannabis, Gambling & Conservative Values

20:36 Truth, Faith & the Future of America

21:38 The Path to Winning Florida

28:06 Why Paul Renner Believes He's the Best for Florida's Future 

30:19 Final Thoughts

What issue matters most to you about Florida's future? 

Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of faith, culture, and public life.

️ Listen to Code Red Talk: https://CodeRedTalk.com

#CodeRedTalk #PaulRenner #FloridaGovernor #FloridaPolitics #PastorZach #FaithAndCulture #ReligiousLiberty #PublicPolicy #ChristianPodcast #Florida #Leadership #CurrentEvents

Can women preach? Can women preach during Lord’s Day worship? And what does the Bible actually say about the role of women in ministry?

In this episode of Code Red, Pastor Zach sits down with Jenny Randle for an open and thoughtful conversation about women in ministry, the role of pastors and elders, the recent Southern Baptist Convention debate, and how Christians can faithfully interpret difficult passages of Scripture while disagreeing with one another.

They explore 1 Corinthians 14, 1 Timothy 2, Ephesians 4, the role of Phoebe and women deacons, and the difference between ministry gifts, functions, and church offices.

Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation is an example of how believers can discuss challenging theological issues with conviction, respect, and friendship.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Can Women Preach?
03:29 – Jenny’s Experience as a Woman in Ministry
13:42 – Women Serving in the Local Church
18:22 – The Southern Baptist Amendment
23:27 – What Does It Mean to “Function” as a Pastor?
32:18 – Are Women Being Displaced in Ministry?
35:31 – Phoebe, Anna & Women in Biblical Ministry
43:55 – What Does 1 Corinthians 14 Mean?
49:22 – 1 Timothy 2, Creation & Cultural Context
01:06:08 – Can Women Serve as Deacons?
01:21:20 – Final Thoughts: Can Christians Disagree on This?

Join the conversation in the comments, and subscribe to Code Red for more conversations on faith, culture, theology, and the issues facing the Church today.