Are kids leaving the church more rapidly than before, why are they leaving, and what can we do to stop it? We wrestle with all of these things and more on this week's episode of Encounter with youth leader Brady Montag. 

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

We are back! After a hiatus over the Christmas break, we are thrilled to kick off our second season and 31st episode in the New Year. We have some amazing guests and fascinating topics to cover over the next several months.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into some historical Christian figures whose lives we admire. From Charles Spurgeon, to Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, to CS Lewis, we take a few minutes to admire how God has chosen to use simple men of faith to accomplish great things. We also introduce some new segments that you will see in each episode. 

Charles Spurgeon Books: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=✓&query=Charles+Spurgeon

C.S. Lewis Books: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=✓&q=C.S.+Lewis&search_type=books

Pastor Richard Wurmbrand Books: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=✓&q=Richard+Wurmband&search_type=books

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

Have you ever wondered why God chose Jesus to be born when he did? Or what Old Testament prophecies the Jewish people would have known about Christ's birth? Joe Costa leads us through a study and discussion to wrestle with these questions. Also, we discuss what we thought about the Christmas episode of The Chosen that is out now. We pray that this episode will bring you closer to Christ as we celebrate His birth on Christmas. 

Book Mentions: Person of Interest Investigator's Guide: Why Jesus Still Matters in a World that Rejects the Bible

The Chosen Website: https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

This is part 1 of 2 where Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim seek to deepen the meaning of the birth of Christ. In this episode, we look into some Christmas traditions, their roots, and whether or not the scripture comments on how to handle them. Next week, we look at the prophecies surrounding Christ's birth and why God chose to send His Son when he did. 

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

Today, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim put aside the prep and do a freestyle episode. We each came up with 3 questions that were either Biblical, Personal, or Wildcard questions and each of us needed to answer. We weren't allowed to know each other's questions beforehand so the listeners are able to hear authentic and unprepared responses. We run the gamut from deep theological discussions on how the American church might see real persecution in our lifetimes, to then argue about murdering chickens daily versus fighting orangutans annually. 

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

This episode is unique. We each made a list of cheesy Christian cliches, quirks, and traditions. We are reacting to each other's lists on the fly and exposing some stories that helped shape each other's lists. This episode gets a little wild in the second half where there is a disagreement on the relationship between wealth and complacency in the church. 

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

In this episode, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim are with Big Al Szolak. Big Al has been a pillar in our community as a drug counselor, teacher, Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader, founder of the “do hugs, not drugs” movement, and was a professional basketball for the Washington Generals. Tonight, we get into his testimony, what he thinks is wrong with the modern church today, and how best we can further the Gospel.

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

In this episode, Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim, are blessed to sit down with Chuck and Christine Thornley. Chuck is on the pastoral staff at Wellspring Church where he and Christine serve in various children and worship music ministries.

However, the main reason that they are here is that they are the directors of a Crisis Pregnancy Center in Egg Harbor Township. Tonight, we will discuss their mission, what the Bible has to say about unborn children, and how we can help.

Stay tuned to encounter Christ, culture, and community.

Wellspring Church Website: https://www.wellspring-church.com

Crisis Pregnancy Services: https://crisispregnancyservices.com

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast

Joe Costa, Cole Perseo, and Adam Preim sit down to discuss the show, "The Chosen." We discuss what we love about it, how it has impacted us, what we don't love about it, and the general practice of separating the art from the artist. We had some fun on this one!

In this week’s episode, Joe Costa, Cole Person, Adam Preim, and Pastor Ed Seponosky discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Western Church today. We address Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and the weaknesses in our presentation of the Gospel. Pastor Ed was the head pastor of a church for over 15 years and now has a ministry where he ministers directly to pastors, which gives him a unique bird's eye perspective of the church today. 

Podcast Website: https://encounterpodcast11.wixsite.com/encounterpodcast