Formed by Jesus Podcast

Join our church as we pursue the way of Jesus through 9 practices. To learn more, go to: https://formedbyjesus.com/fasting

In this inspiring episode of Formed by Jesus, Pastor Trey VanCamp sits down with Keith Rogers—an ordained minister and cancer survivor—to talk about the intersection of fasting, faith, and the voice of God. Keith shares his testimony of coming to faith at 40, battling cancer four times, and how fasting has become a key part of his spiritual and physical renewal. From dreams that shaped his obedience to insights gained on prayer walks, Keith opens up about what it means to live with urgency, humility, and spiritual alertness in the fourth quarter of life. This conversation will challenge your assumptions, encourage your soul, and stir your desire to hear God's voice in both the ordinary and the miraculous.

In this honest and thoughtful episode, Trey sits down with Charlie Shorma, a faithful member of Passion Creek Church, to unpack his personal journey with the spiritual discipline of fasting. Charlie shares how he went from seeing fasting as a vague Christian obligation to embracing it as a pathway to deeper intimacy with God.

What started as skipped meals turned into a sacred rhythm—a time to confront long-held doubts about God's kindness, wrestle with past pain, and experience the steady pull of God’s hesed love. Along the way, Charlie opens up about his family’s cross-country moves, seasons of struggle, and how fasting helped reframe his story—not for what he could get from God, but for who he was becoming in Christ.

Join our church as we pursue the way of Jesus through 9 practices. To learn more, go to: https://formedbyjesus.com/fasting

In this episode of the Formed by Jesus podcast, we hear from Rebekah, a homeschooling mom of three who shares how the practice of fasting has transformed her spiritual life, her parenting, and even her daily rhythms. She reflects on what God revealed through hunger, how abstaining from social media created more peace at home, and how fasting uncovered a deeper desire for control rooted in perfectionism. It's a conversation filled with wisdom, honesty, and practical encouragement for anyone looking to draw closer to God through spiritual practices—without falling into legalism or performance.

In this episode of the Formed by Jesus podcast, we sit down with Mark Speiker, a faithful member of our church community, to talk about his first real experience with fasting—not as a religious ritual, but as a spiritual practice. Mark shares his journey from growing up in Catholic traditions to embracing a deeper, more intentional walk with Jesus. We discuss the physical and spiritual tensions of fasting, the temptation to fill the silence with distractions, and how this practice has softened his heart, strengthened his marriage, and brought unexpected clarity to his daily routine. This is a raw, honest, and encouraging conversation about learning to say no to cheaper desires and yes to deeper union with God.

Why Lent?

Lent is a historical Christian season in the church calendar that’s been observed by the Christian church going as far back as the 3rd century. Lent marks the 40 days leading up to Easter, beginning with Ash Wednesday, as a time for repentance and prayer. During Lent we turn our attention on our sin to better prepare for the celebration of Easter. The primary way we do this is by fasting or abstaining from something specific until Easter.

Lent is voluntary and invitational. It doesn’t make you more lovable to God, but it does move your heart in deeper devotion to God.

One of the sharpest and most consistent criticisms God gives against His people throughout the scriptures is the sin of neglect. As God’s people, the Israelites were chosen as a nation among nations to bring God’s light to a dark world. God’s people were always supposed to care for the poor and marginalized, and to bring the good news of God’s Kingdom to the lost around them. But rather than care for them, they often neglected them.

In Isaiah 58, God’s people wonder why their prayers and fasts haven’t been acknowledged by God. God’s response is that they fast in vain; their focus is only on themselves while they neglect those in need around them. Instead, God describes a holy and honoring fast as one that leads to care for their neighbors.

When we fast, we have an opportunity to direct our attention and our prayers away from ourselves and toward others. We use our bodies to cry out to God on behalf of those who have needs in our cities, communities, and neighborhoods. In our hunger, we identify with those who don’t have food in abundance like we do. We align ourselves with the poor and needy among us. From those with deep physical, relational, and emotional needs to those who have the ultimate spiritual need: reconciliation with God through the power of the gospel.

One of the sharpest and most consistent criticisms God gives against His people throughout the scriptures is the sin of neglect. As God’s people, the Israelites were chosen as a nation among nations to bring God’s light to a dark world. God’s people were always supposed to care for the poor and marginalized, and to bring the good news of God’s Kingdom to the lost around them. But rather than care for them, they often neglected them.

In Isaiah 58, God’s people wonder why their prayers and fasts haven’t been acknowledged by God. God’s response is that they fast in vain; their focus is only on themselves while they neglect those in need around them. Instead, God describes a holy and honoring fast as one that leads to care for their neighbors.

When we fast, we have an opportunity to direct our attention and our prayers away from ourselves and toward others. We use our bodies to cry out to God on behalf of those who have needs in our cities, communities, and neighborhoods. In our hunger, we identify with those who don’t have food in abundance like we do. We align ourselves with the poor and needy among us. From those with deep physical, relational, and emotional needs to those who have the ultimate spiritual need: reconciliation with God through the power of the gospel.

In this episode, Pastor Trey and Pastor Caleb recap Sunday's teaching on confessing your need.

Fasting is hard because it’s a form of self-denial. We suddenly become aware of our weakness, frailty, and imminence. It’s a reminder that our bodies need sustenance to survive, and without food, we’ll eventually die. But just like our bodies need food for life, our souls need God. David knew this well when he fasted and pleaded with God in Psalm 69. As he denies his body food, he learns to confess his needs before God and redirect his trust back towards Him. Like David, we too are powerless to accomplish our deepest desires and weak when it comes to uprooting the deepest sins in our lives. We all have needs that only God can meet — prayers we need answers to, sins we can’t overcome, and decisions we need God’s will revealed for. To help us redirect our trust in God and to confess our needs, we fast.

Fasting is hard because it’s a form of self-denial. We suddenly become aware of our weakness, frailty, and imminence. It’s a reminder that our bodies need sustenance to survive, and without food, we’ll eventually die. But just like our bodies need food for life, our souls need God. David knew this well when he fasted and pleaded with God in Psalm 69. As he denies his body food, he learns to confess his needs before God and redirect his trust back towards Him. Like David, we too are powerless to accomplish our deepest desires and weak when it comes to uprooting the deepest sins in our lives. We all have needs that only God can meet — prayers we need answers to, sins we can’t overcome, and decisions we need God’s will revealed for. To help us redirect our trust in God and to confess our needs, we fast.

Pastor Trey and Pastor Caleb recap the second teaching in the fasting practice.