This Sunday at Dorchester Family Church, Ben Martin explores the true gift of Lent — not as empty ritual, but as a life-giving invitation.

In a world full of noise, complexity, restlessness and speed, how do we create space for God? From Ash Wednesday to Easter, Lent offers us 40 days to empty ourselves of what distracts and overwhelms — and to be refilled with silence, simplicity, Sabbath and a slower, Jesus-centred rhythm.

Drawing on Scripture, the example of Jesus, and wisdom from voices like C. S. Lewis and John Wesley, this message invites us to rediscover spiritual disciplines not as “dead works”, but as anchors for a restless age.

✨ What might God want to empty from your life this Lent?
✨ What could He fill you with instead?

Listen now and journey with us towards the light of Resurrection Sunday.

🔗 More episodes: https://dfc.org.uk/podcasts

📝 Episode Description

In this powerful message from our Ephesians – United with Christ series, Les Crosthwaite unpacks the turning point in Epistle to the Ephesians chapter 4 — where belief becomes behaviour.

Because of all Christ has done, how then should we live?

We explore four key calls from the Apostle Paul:
✨ Walk worthy of your calling
🤝 Maintain unity in the body
🌱 Grow up into maturity in Christ
🏗️ Build one another up in love

Salvation is a gift of grace — we don’t earn it. But having received it, we are urged to live it out. This episode challenges us to move from passive faith to intentional discipleship, showing the fruit of the Spirit and demonstrating Christ’s worth through our unity and love.

Are we drifting like small boats in a storm… or growing into stable, mature followers of Jesus?

#UnitedInChrist #EphesiansSeries #ChurchFamily #GrowingInFaith

Listen now and explore more messages from Dorchester Family Church:
🔗 https://dfc.org.uk/podcasts

In this powerful message from our Ephesians series, Elder Ben Martin takes us into the heart of the Apostle Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesians 3:14-21.

Discover what it means to be strengthened with power through the Spirit, rooted and established in love, and filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ben explores Paul's posture in prayer - on his knees before the Father - and unpacks four transformative requests: strength to stand firm, love that roots us deeply, knowledge of Christ's immeasurable love, and fullness beyond what we can imagine.

This is the final message in the "sit" section of Ephesians, reminding us of our secure position in Christ before we move into the "walk" of living out these truths in daily life.

Key takeaways:

• Why kneeling in prayer matters - intensity and earnestness
• Christ dwelling vs. Christ ruling in our hearts
• The corporate nature of experiencing God's love
• Prayer as refreshment, not burden
• God's ability to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine

Whether you're an eager prayer warrior or reluctant in prayer, this message offers a window into the heart of God and an invitation to deeper communion with Him.

Preached at Dorchester Family Church https://dfc.org.uk/podcastsPart of our ongoing Ephesians series

Who do you think you are — really? 🧬
In this inspiring message from Dorchester Family Church (Charminster venue), Les Crosthwaite explores our spiritual DNA and heritage as followers of Jesus.

Journey through the book of Acts as we rediscover what shaped the early church: the power of the Holy Spirit, deep community, bold witness, and unstoppable mission. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, this is a call to remember who we are and to live it out today.

We’re not just a community — we’re a missional community.
Let’s be who we truly are. 🔥

🎧 Listen to more messages and podcasts at:
👉 https://dfc.org.uk/podcasts

Episode Tags

#Church Life #Holy Spirit #Mission #Identity #Acts Church #Faith & Community #Dorchester Family Church

Who do we think we are — really? 🤔

In this powerful and challenging message, Senior Pastor Ben Martin takes us back to the book of Acts to rediscover the true identity of the church. Not just a gathering, not just a social club — but a missional community, united in love and sent with purpose.

From Pentecost to persecution, from fellowship to bold witness, we’re reminded that church was never meant to be comfortable or convenient — but costly, Spirit-filled, and world-changing 🌍🔥

Whether we’re meeting in one venue or many, our identity remains the same:
👉 Loving God
👉 Loving one another
👉 Loving our community

🎙️ Be encouraged, challenged, and re-aligned with who Jesus says we are — and what He’s calling us to live out together.

🔗 Find more podcasts and messages at:
https://dfc.org.uk/podcasts

🏷️ Episode Tags (Spotify)

#Christian Living #Church & Mission #Identity in Christ #Holy Spirit #Community

In this Carols Celebration message, Ben Martin invites us to look again at the “glorious sight” of the Nativity — not as a sentimental decoration for our living rooms, but as the moment Heaven stepped into Earth.

Through the angels’ song “Glory to God… and peace on earth”, Ben shows how the Christmas story reveals real and lasting hope: Heaven Offers Peace on Earth.

Discover how Jesus brings:
✨ Peace with God — forgiveness and restored relationship
✨ Peace with one another — a new community shaped by love
✨ Peace within ourselves — freedom from inner turmoil and insecurity

As you listen, follow the gaze of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and even the angels… all pointing towards the child in the manger — the Almighty Son of God who came to bring hope to every heart.

👉 Explore more messages at dfc.org.uk/podcasts

#Christmas #Carols #Hope

Experience the heart of Christmas in this encouraging message from Ben Martin at Dorchester Family Church. In a season filled with mixed expectations and fragile promises, discover where true, lasting hope can really be found.

Ben explores three powerful truths from the Nativity story — hope in God’s promise, hope in a renewed future, and hope in a person: Jesus, our Emmanuel. Whether you're overflowing with festive joy or feeling the weight of the year, this message invites you to encounter the light that “shines in the darkness” and offers real peace, joy, and restoration.

👉 Listen to more messages at dfc.org.uk/podcasts

#Christmas #Nativity #Hope

In the second part of our Advent mini-series, Dan Romp takes us deeper into the surprising, upside-down way God chose to enter the world. From the arrival of the Magi to the humility of the manger, we discover that the how of Jesus’ coming offers as much hope as the why.

Dan explores Martin Luther’s idea of “left-handed power” — the power of humility, vulnerability, and sacrificial love — which reveals the heart of God and the nature of His kingdom. In a world obsessed with strength and control, Advent reminds us that true hope comes through the cross, not the sword.

Be encouraged, challenged, and inspired as we consider what it means to love left-handedly this Christmas — and who the “unexpected people” might be that God is inviting us to welcome.

👉 Listen and explore more at dfc.org.uk/podcasts

As we begin our Advent series, Sarah Dale invites us to rediscover genuine hope — not wishful thinking, but the steady, life-anchoring hope that Jesus brings right into the middle of our confusion, disappointments, and broken stories.

Exploring Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth, Sarah reminds us that Jesus intentionally enters messy family lines, hurting hearts and uncertain circumstances. He is our Emmanuel — God with us — both then and now.

Listen in and be encouraged as we prepare room in our hearts for the One who came, who is still coming to us personally, and who will one day come again.

👉 More episodes at dfc.org.uk/podcasts

#Advent #Hope #Emmanuel #Christmas #Faith #Dorchester Family Church

When life brings us to the very bottom, what — or who — do we find there?
In this deeply moving message, Geoff and Irene Green from Open Doors share how God became their rock after profound personal loss, and how the persecuted church around the world demonstrates extraordinary strength, joy and faith in the darkest places.

Drawing from Psalm 18, stories from Nigeria, Laos, Eritrea, Vietnam, and North Korea, and their own journey through grief, this episode reminds us that when everything else gives way, Jesus stands firm.

🔗 Listen to more messages from Dorchester Family Church: https://dfc.org.uk/podcasts