Welcome to Encounter. In this week's episode, Joe, Cole, and I dig into the Wedding at Cana as Jesus' First Miracle. Is this a story God inspired so we could argue endlessly about alcohol, or is it something more? Why is it significant that Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding, with wine, and with 6 jars of wine?  We consult the Word to learn about the Word and God tonight.

Book Mentions:

Encounter Website

In this week's episode, Joe, Cole, and Adam do a deep dive into the prologue of John. How is John different from other Gospels? What is unique about the start of John? How can we know more about Jesus as we read through this gospel? We dive headfirst into our favorite Gospel, grow closer to Christ, and relate John's message to today. 

Book Mentions:

Encounter Website

In this week's episode, we try to answer one question: Are we disciplined in our pursuit of Christ, Holiness, and becoming more like Him? If you are honest with yourself, you will see the Word illuminate parts of your walk with God that need to be sanctified. We discuss the 12 disciplines detailed by Richard J. Foster in the Celebration of Discipline. Stay tuned to find out if you are running this race well. 

Book Mentions:

Encounter Website

Do you speak in a way that is acceptable to God? Is your social circle replete with people that gossip about others? Do you even notice when it is happening or are you desensitized to evil tongues? Tonight, Cole, Joe, and Adam address these questions by exegeting Scripture, discussing the application, and looking back at Scripture again. We are so blessed that you are listening!

Book Mentions:

Encounter Website

We have the blessing and privilege to sit down with Pastor Dan McAnney. Starting with how he met Jesus and was pulled into full-time ministry, we delve into the many ways God has used him for His glory throughout his life, which sparked some great discussion. First, Dan and his wife Marci have fostered over a dozen children, done countless mission trips, serve in multiple churches, and more recently, Dan's life was rocked when he had a stroke. Since then, God has chosen to use him in new and different ways, all with the joy of the Lord in his heart and a smile on his face. 

Book Mentions:

Radical Hospitality - Lonni Collins Pratt

Encounter Website

What is God doing in your life and what is He teaching you? We each answer the question, which leads us to a deep discussion about keeping our ministries with an open hand, transparency in our leadership, and the Matt Chandler incident. We hope that you enjoy this conversation, but even more than that, we hope that you can model this conversation in your personal life and the people around you. Try to start a conversation this week with, "What is God teaching you right now?" 

Book Mentions:

Walking in The Dust of Rabbi Jesus - Lois Tverberg

Podcast Website

Almost a year after we had Chuck and Christine Thornley on the podcast to discuss the Crisis Pregnancy Center that they run, we sit down with Pastor Chuck and reassess the landscape in the wake of Roe v. Wade. What exactly does it mean that Roe v. Wade was overturned? Was the overturning of Roe v. Wade a good thing for the Kingdom? What do we do now? We discuss all this and more. 

Episode#25 - Abortion: From Womb to Tomb w/ Chuck and Christine Thornley

Crisis Pregnancy Services

Encounter Podcast Website

This episode is a must for anyone that is looking to be discipled or disciple as a part of a Bible believing church. First, Joe, Cole, and Adam review how we got from Acts 2 to what we call the modern church today. Then, we use the Saturate model by Jeff Vanderstelt to define true discipleship and how the Bible defines an authentic discipleship relationship. Lastly, we discuss the Biblical model for the church and how we can embody aspects of the Acts 2 church today. 

Book Mentions:

There's a good chance you don't correctly understand the book of Jonah. In episode 57 of Encounter, we get to the heart of one of the most ridiculed and misinterpreted Bible books. We discuss whether it is literal or figurative, Jonah as a type of Christ, Jonah as the prodigal son, how we tend to worship the God of our imaginations and ideologies, and how non-believers do have a right to judge a believer's commitment to the common good of society. 

Book Mentions:

The Prodigal Prophet

Exalting Jesus in Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk

Podcast Website:

https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

All the way from Kenya, Maine, and Pennsylvania, Pastor Josh Lawrence, John Fleming, and Rich Pennisi join us for this episode of Encounter. Pastor Josh is the Senior Pastor and Planter of Calvary Chapel Eldoret, Kenya, John is the director of the CRD Addictions Ministry for Calvary Chapel Bangor, Maine, and Rich Pennisi is a worship leader for Calvary Chapel Philadelphia. With 4 Calvary Chapels represented, we discuss the current state of the Church in Kenya and the United States, what Biblical discipleship looks like, and the standard of excellence required for worship. This is what gospel fluent conversation looks like!

If you would like to donate to the Lawrence Family as missionaries, Calvary Chapel Eldoret as a church body, or Josh's newly begun minsitry, Great Comission Ministries, as a means to help the orphan children of Kenya, you can do so by clicking any of the links below! We sincerely hope you take time to pray about donating to God's wonderful work that He is doing through Josh and his family! 

Donate to Calvary Chapel Eldoret!

Donate to the Lawrence Family through Shepherd's Staff!

Donate to Great Commission Ministries!

Great Commission Ministries is a Mission organization, spearheaded by Josh Lawrence, that seeks to Help children who need food, shelter, clothing and education while keeping the focus on the Gospel and Discipleship through local Churches. They believe those whom they rescue from the streets should be plugged into a local body of believers which the New Testament calls the church. They are church oriented in all that they do.

Book Mentions:

Finally Free

The Prodigal God

Encounter Podcast Website