Hot Takes & Holy Things

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We’re back for Season 2 with new faces (and places!), fresh segments, life updates, and one big hot take: Jesus didn’t come to make you comfortable. From revealing Jarvis’s real name to celebrating our first student shoutout, the crew kicks off the new season with plenty of laughs and a challenge worth taking seriously. In a culture that screams comfort, what does it look like to follow Jesus when obedience feels uncomfortable? The gang unpacks why following Jesus isn’t always the easiest path, how John 15:18 offers encouragement when faith meets pushback, and why stepping outside your comfort zone can make an eternal impact. Jarvis challenges students to take their faith beyond the church walls and into whatever spaces God calls them. The crew also gets practical about taking the next step in obedience, reminding students that following Jesus is meant to be an adventure. So, what’s your next step?

Key Points From This Episode:

• What’s changed since season one aired: life updates and the name mystery.

• We introduce our new segments for season two!

• Our first season two student shoutout.

• Today’s hot take: Jesus didn’t come to make you comfortable. 

• Finding the uncomfortable in a culture screaming comfortability. 

• Why being uncomfortable matters.

• How following Jesus might be the hardest place to be sometimes, but it is meant to be an adventure [with Him].

• Finding encouragement in John chapter 15:18.

• Jarvis challenges students to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, especially those called to vocations beyond the church.

• Next steps for following Jesus and getting uncomfortable. 

• Don’t forget to sign up for Advance!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

John 15:18 NIV

Family Church Students on Instagram

Family Church Students Linktree

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What happens when faith moves beyond comfort and becomes an adventure? In this episode of Hot Takes and Holy Things, hosts Jarvis Koyate, Cole Bearden, and Jake Kimbrell welcome Pastor Jimmy Scroggins for the season one finale. Jimmy is the lead pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, and a husband, father of eight, grandfather, and longtime mentor to students and families. Together, they talk about why faith grows when it is challenged and lived out in real life. Jimmy shares stories from his own childhood and young adult years, the ways his mentor helped him see the Christian life as bold, risky, and full of purpose. They explore why students need challenging spiritual experiences, how comfort can produce fear, and why following Jesus means being willing to be different. They also debate the best level of football to watch and address the rumor that Jarvis is not actually Jarvis. Tune in for a funny and faith-filled finale about confidence, perseverance, and stepping forward with Jesus.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Meet Pastor Jimmy Scroggins and hear the bio written by his sons.
• Learn about the family and what is new in the Scroggins household.
• Hear the full story behind how Jarvis accidentally became known as Jarvis.
• Today’s great debate: high school, college, or professional football?
• Celebrate a student from the Gardens campus for inviting others and sharing the gospel.
• Why Jimmy is encouraged by students who are committed to Christ and dreaming big.
• Explore the hot take that faith cannot grow without being challenged.
• How Jimmy’s mentor influenced his faith through Scripture, missions, and leadership.
• Consider why the Christian life should feel more like an adventure, not a simulation.
• Discover how fear and the need for comfort limit faith.
• Uncover why real Christianity is not safe, but good.
• Reflect on Jesus’ call to take up your cross and follow Him.

Quotes:

“Now, it almost seems like the argument that is happening is that, not only do I want the fastest way to get there, but I also want the easiest to get there, and I don’t think that’s God’s design for our spirituality.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:15:29]

“That is what I think is missing from a lot of young people. They get disenchanted with Christianity because they don’t see what God wants to do in their life as an amazing adventure.” — Jimmy Scroggins [00:18:08]

“Let’s face it, if you can’t be different, you can’t really do it for Jesus.” — Jimmy Scroggins [00:19:54]

“The real Christianity, the kind of Christianity that has taken over the world for the last two thousand years, is a Christianity people will die for.” — Jimmy Scroggins [00:23:56]

“Just because you’re faithful to God doesn’t mean it’s going to work out the way that you want.” — Jimmy Scroggins [00:25:03]

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What happens to your faith when no one is making you go to church anymore? In this episode of Hot Takes and Holy Things, hosts Jarvis Koyate, Cole Bearden, and Jake Kimbrell tackle a timely question: why do so many students drift from church after high school? Centered on the idea that “high school graduation is not church graduation,” the conversation explores the shift from inherited faith to personal responsibility. The hosts reflect on how independence can feel freeing but also carries weight, especially when it comes to staying connected to a church community. They unpack common reasons students disconnect, from viewing church as just a phase to never fully making their faith their own. Drawing on personal experiences and biblical insight, including the example of Priscilla and Aquila in Acts 18, they challenge students to see new seasons not as an ending, but as an opportunity to stay rooted and step into a new role. Listen in for a thoughtful and inspiring look at what it means to carry your faith forward!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An update from our hosts, including golfing, donations, and Mother’s Day gifts.
• Today’s word of the day: “SALTS” and a debate of its meaning.
• Student shoutout: Celebrating a student from Family Church Downtown for inviting friends and building church community.
• Today’s hot take: high school graduation is not church graduation.
• Why so many students drift from church after high school.
• The shift from inherited faith to making faith a personal decision.
• Independence after graduation and the weight of spiritual responsibility.
• How treating church as a phase leads to disconnection.
• Personal examples of staying rooted in church through college.
• Biblical example in Acts 18: Priscilla and Aquila staying rooted through change.
• Using new seasons as opportunities to find and build church community.
• Moving from consuming church to contributing to it.
• This week’s challenge: explore church options and reflect on what you value in one.

Quotes:

“High school graduation is not church graduation.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:14:39]

“We don't actually understand the weight of that independence. We don't understand how heavy that burden is to carry.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:16:27]

“Why do so many students disconnect from church after graduation?” — Cole Bearden [00:17:06]

“Your faith is your faith. It’s not your parents faith, it’s not your grandparents faith, it’s not your small group leaders’ faith, it’s yours. You've got to make the decisions on how you're going to prioritize church in your own life.” — Jarvis Koyate [0:18:09]

“Don’t simply just be a consumer at your church, but be a contributor.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:26:09]

“Don't let fear hold you back from finding community as you're going to college and as you're having to get plugged in and find a new church on your own.” — Jarvis Koyate [00:27:37]

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Episode 08: Being the Church ‘Out There’ with John MacTaggart

We cannot just live out our faith within the church walls; we have to embody it outside the church, too! In this episode of Hot Takes and Holy Things, Jarvis Koyate, Cole Bearden, and Jake Kimbrell are joined by Family Church student Pastor, John MacTaggart, to discuss today’s hot take about the importance of being the church ‘out there’. As always, we start with our Word of the Day Segment before shouting out our student leader at Family Church in the Farms. Pastor John goes on to share a personal story of a student who massively impacted his faith, and he talks about how we can define being the church ‘out there’ and the power of embodying God’s love for us in the way we interact with the world. He even touches on the tension students may face between identity and performance and discusses how faith and ‘works’ can complement each other, instead of competing with each other. Finally, we discuss how students can practically share the Gospel and live out everyday, ordinary, radical faithfulness. If you want to be inspired to be a ‘doer’ of the Word, not just a ‘hearer’, then this is for you, so be sure to tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, John MacTaggart.
• Today’s word of the day: Larping.
• A shoutout to a high school student leading at Family Church in the Farms.
• Why you cannot only live out your faith within the walls of the church.
• The disconnect students feel between their beliefs and the way they live their lives.
• Pastor John tells us about the impact a student had on his faith during his youth.
• What it means to be the church ‘out there’ and the power of embodying God’s love.
• Identity versus performance and how faith and ‘works’ can complement each other.
• How to live this out practically and how students can share the Gospel.
• Today’s challenge for students: plan a Church event ‘out there’ with your student pastor.

Quotes:

“The simplest definition that we have for [being the church ‘out there’] is simply loving other people. – To me, that’s the key to Christian growth.” — John MacTaggart [00:18:14]

“True spirituality is when we start to understand God’s love for us, and as our knowledge of that expands, it begins to shift the way that we think about other people.” — John MacTaggart [00:18:35]

“We’re so used to working for things that we think we have to work for grace.” — John MacTaggart [00:22:40]

“It’s His kindness that leads us to repentance. It’s what He’s done. – We’re not trying to earn God’s grace; we’re living from it.” — John MacTaggart [00:23:25]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

John MacTaggart on LinkedIn

Matthew 5:16

Romans 1:16

Larping Definition

Family Church | South Florida Church Campuses

Family Church Students on Instagram

Family Church Students Linktree

Family Church

Family Church Network

Family Church on Instagram

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Episode 07: You’re Not Just Skipping Church, You’re Weakening The Body! 

We’re back with another episode of Hot Takes and Holy Things with your hosts, Jarvis Koyate, Cole Bearden, and Jake Kimbrell. Today, they dig into why your church attendance actually matters. They kick things off with Jarvis’s full-circle asthma story, then jump into a fun Starbucks vs. Dunkin’ debate and share some student shoutouts. The main takeaway is simple: showing up matters, and when people don’t, it impacts the whole church community. They unpack why the “lonewolf” Christian mindset is a dangerous game to play and help students rethink how they view Sunday morning, encouraging them to make it a priority. From there, they explore different ways to get involved through serving, how to recognize your own spiritual gifts, and wrap up with a challenge for the week. Thanks for tuning in! 

Key Points From This Episode: 

• Jarvis tells listeners about this week’s full-circle asthma story. 
• The great date’s topic: Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts? 
• Shouting out to our graduating senior students. 
• Today’s Hot Take: Why your church attendance matters. 
• Why church attendance and school attendance are not the same.  
• A dangerous game to play: the lone wolf Christian. 
• How students should be thinking about church. 
• Why refusing to use your gifts can hurt both the church and you. 
• Cole breaks down why they’re so passionate about church attendance. 
• How to figure out what your spiritual gift is. 
• Applying our family values to be present in all areas of our lives. 
• We look at different ways students can get involved in serving on Sunday mornings at church. 
• Our challenge to students for this week! 

Quotes: 

“If you're not at church, then you're not only affecting yourself and your own spiritual health, you're also affecting the people that you attend church with.” — Cole Bearden [00:10:05] 

“Doing the Christian walk on your own is a dangerous game to play.” — Jarvis Koyate [0:11:14] 

“I think the devil loves isolation. I think the devil loves it whenever, like, you know, you're alone, and he can tempt you alone. And that I think one of the biggest weapons we have to fight against the devil is the people around us.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:11:58] 

“Instead of thinking of church like school, where my attendance really only affects me or impacts me, we really need to think about church more like a team and more like sports.” — Cole Bearden [00:13:05]  

“[We’ve got to] make Sunday morning a priority.” — Jarvis Koyate [0:21:40] 

Longer Quotes:  

“When we don't show up to church, we're hurting the body and the family that we're a part of because all of us have a role to play. All of us have gifts that God has given us that impact the team or the church or the family, the body that we're a part of when we attend church on Sunday mornings.” — Cole Bearden [00:13:45] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:  

1 Corinthians 12 

Family Church Students on Instagram 

Family Church Students Linktree 

Family Church 

Family Church on Instagram 

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 Episode 06: The Heart of Christian Dating: Guidance for Students w/ Kristin Scroggins 

Today on Hot Takes and Holy Things, we’re joined by Kristin Scroggins, speaker, author, and the heart behind a beautiful, thriving family. She’s a mom of eight and grandma to seven, building a legacy of love, strength, and unwavering support. She’s here today to dig into the heart of Christian dating and share her insights and wisdom on the hot take from today’s episode: Christians should only date other Christians. Tune in to hear more, including our word of the day segment, our student shoutouts, and how programs like Advance can have a true and lasting impact on our students. Plus, we dive into God’s purpose for dating, why it should ultimately point toward marriage, and the risks of being unequally yoked. We also unpack the danger of looking to relationships for what only the Lord can provide, the importance of spiritual maturity, and how to discern whether someone is truly aligned with your faith—all while challenging students to root their identity in Christ and pursue accountability in community. 

Key Points From This Episode: 

• We are introduced to today’s guest, Kristin Scroggins. 
• Our word of the day segment: Calm. 
• Shoutout to Rachel Fader & all of our engaged students (on Sundays and in the week!) 
• Mrs. Kristin shares how our three big events, like Advance, shape students’ lives.  
• Jake shares a personal dating story (and why no one in the 6th grade should be dating!) 
• Today’s hot take: Christians should only date other Christians.  
• They dig into the real reasons why dating should happen. 
• Reasons why people go outside of God’s design for dating.  
• Mrs. Kristin shares her thoughts on what’s more important: who you’re dating or who you’re becoming. 
• What happens when relationships try to replace what only the Lord can provide. 
• We discuss the question: when is someone ready to date? 
• They unpack what could happen if you, as a Christian, date a non-Christian. 
• What Mrs. Kristin is concerned about as a parent: what kind of company are they attracting? 
• Advice on how to get out of a relationship that isn’t the right one for you. 
• Our weekly challenge to our students: start a group Bible reading plan.  
• 
  

Quotes: 

“[Our] big three programs — [are] giving our students opportunities that we can’t possibly provide as [parents] on our own. To give them the confidence to share the gospel, to give them opportunities to do that, to pray for people, even to get rejected. It builds character, and it shows them how important all of this is.” — Kristin Scroggins [0:10:45]  

“I think that the conflict that I think a lot of people feel is the standards of dating have dropped significantly, but I think the expectations of dating have climbed through the roof.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:15:51] 

“There's only one reason for why we should be dating. There's only one reason that the Bible shows us for why we should be dating, and it's that dating is for marriage. — God's design for dating is that it leads to marriage.” — Cole Bearden [00:16:41] 

“Dating doesn't create health. It confirms it.” — Jake Kimbrell [0:23:56] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:  

2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV 

Matthew 6:21 NKJV

Family Church Students Linktree 

Family Church 

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Episode 05: Screens vs Scripture: Who’s Really Shaping You? w/ Grace Ann Williams 

 Are your students spending more time on screens than in Scripture? What is that doing to their identity and habits? In today’s episode of Hot Takes and Holy Things, the hosts are joined by Grace Ann Williams, student ministry admin for the Family Church Network, to unpack the idea that screens may be shaping students more than God’s Word. From leaderboard updates in the Word of the Day segment to eye-opening stats on screen time, the conversation explores how social media fuels distraction and forms “distracted hearts.” The episode wraps with practical steps like app fasting, managing notifications, and refocusing on God’s Word, challenging listeners to memorize Scripture and find their identity in faith, not online validation.  

Key Points From This Episode: 

• An introduction to our guest speaker: Grace Ann Williams. 
• Scoreboard update and Word of the day: Frame Mogging. 
• Student Shoutout: To those being The Church out there. 
• The Hot Take: Are our students being shaped more by screens or by scripture? 
• Jarvis shares some statistics about students and their screens. 
• Grace Ann highlights areas where the Bible should shape our lives, but where social media often takes over instead. 
• Our thoughts on how social media is impacting identity among students. 
• Grace Ann shares where her mind goes in scripture when she thinks about reflection and meditation. 
• How often we should be going to scripture: It’s about frequency. 
• What students can take away from today’s conversation on navigating the tension between screens and scripture. 
• A challenge to our students: memorize Psalm 19:14. 

Quotes: 

“Frame mogging. The actual definition is when someone is physically bigger than another person and takes the spotlight away from them.” — Cole Bearden[00:06:29] 

“Our students pick up their phones on average about 113 times a day – and [get] over 200 notifications from an app a day. – Your phone isn't just something that you check every time. Your phone is actually something that's shaping you.” — Jarvis Koyate [0:09:49] 

“I think social media is also shaping the habits that our students are engaging in.” — Grace Ann Williams [00:13:03] 

“When it comes to these conversations about social media and good things to God things, the best place that we can go back to and ground ourselves, is in the scriptures.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:15:52] 

“Social media, while it promises us connection, it's really disguised as distraction.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:18:42] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Matthew 13 ESV 

Psalm 19:14 ESV 

Psalm 1 ESV 

Family Church Students on Instagram 

Family Church Students Linktree 

Family Church 

Family Church on Instagram 

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Episode 04: Maybe You Should Question Your Salvation w/ Jimmy Muir 

Have you ever wondered if you should question your salvation? Today on Hot Takes and Holy Things, we welcome one of our dear pastors, Jimmy Muir, to discuss whether or not you should question your salvation. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about the differences between healthy questions versus harmful doubt and why we think you should question your salvation in a healthy manner. We delve into why fear and anxiety surrounding faith need to be substituted with the word of God (truth), before discussing where you can learn about this issue in the Bible. Pastor Jimmy goes on to share why he believes wrestling with these issues of salvation actually brings you closer to God and reminds you what your salvation is actually dependent on. Finally, our guest leaves listeners with some words of wisdom about the importance of facing your difficult questions. Thanks for listening! 

Key Points From This Episode: 

• Our highs since the last time we recorded.  
• Introducing today’s amazing guest, Jimmy Muir. 
• Today’s Word of the Day: ‘Jestermaxer’. 
• Our Student Shoutout: Students who went canvassing. 
• Providing spiritual clarity about whether you should question your salvation. 
• Helpful questions versus harmful doubt and the differences in the fruit each produces. 
• The importance of substituting fear and anxiety with truth. 
• Where students can go to answer some of their questions about salvation. 
• What your salvation is dependent on: God’s love and grace. 
• Why you shouldn’t ignore the questions that come up on this topic. 
• Today’s challenge: Put the phone away! 

Quotes: 

“If you’re a student [who] wrestles with this [question of salvation], it’s not an abnormal thing to question and wonder.” — @JimmyMuir [0:16:13]  

“I think the fact that you’re concerned about [salvation] and this is on your radar is a very, very, very good sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in your heart and in your mind.” — @JimmyMuir [0:16:58] 

“You are worth saving because you are made in the image of God, He loves you, and He wants to save you. And that’s what your salvation is dependent on, not on your ability to live up to it.” — @JimmyMuir [0:17:59] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Romans 7  

Ephesians 2:8-9 

‘Jestermaxxer’ Meaning 

Family Church Students on Instagram 

Family Church Students Linktree 

Family Church 

Family Church on Instagram 

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Episode 03: The Spiritual Playbook for Student Athletes

What if you’re physically in your prime and winning on the field, but spiritually exhausted and running on fumes because you’ve prioritized physical conditioning over the spiritual training and armor you need for the real battle? Today’s episode of Hot Takes and Holy Things explores the intersection of athletics and faith. Hosts Jarvis Koyate, Cole Bearden, and Jake Kimbrell dive into the reality of being physically strong but spiritually drained when sports take priority over your relationship with Jesus. They unpack the tension student athletes face and why it often leads to a struggle balancing faith and sports commitments. The hosts break down supporting scriptures to help students find their true center, Jesus, share three key questions, and offer a challenge to set up a personal faith training program, showing how Jesus can transform their lives.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Story time with Uncle Jarvis: a sports story.

• The great debate: Apple Music or Spotify?

• Today’s Student Shoutout: reigning girls’ soccer state champions.

• Student athletes: in shape physically but exhausted spiritually.

• We see the tension our student athletes are feeling.

• The struggle of balancing our faith and sports commitments. 

• What the bible teaches us about our faith in sports commitments. 

• Jesus calling us to surrender.

• Training plans: three questions to ask yourself to see if you are training your faith. 

• Today’s challenge: creating your training plan.

Quotes:

“Today's hot take is our student athletes are in shape physically but exhausted spiritually.” — Jarvis Koyate [00:08:37]

“Our students physically, they’re in their prime, but spiritually, they're running on fumes.” — Jarvis Koyate [0:09:34]

“Our students, they're out there grinding for a starting spot, grinding to be as successful as they can in their sports, but we're not really doing the things to guard our hearts. And so maybe you would say that our student athletes are physically winning, but spiritually they're fading.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:09:46]

“And here's the truth. Faith was never meant to be squeezed in or around sports. Faith is meant to be the foundation that shapes how you play, why you play, and who you become through your sport. It's not about choosing between faith and sports, it's about choosing who sits at the center.” — Cole Beardan [00:11:16] 

“Our students, while they're in shape physically and they're physically strong, they're fading spiritually because they're going into a war unarmed.” — Jake Kimbrell [00:14:10]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

1 Timothy 4:8 NIV

Ephesians 6:8-10 NIV

Family Church Students on Instagram

Family Church Students Linktree

Family Church Network

Family Church on Instagram

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Episode 02: Does God Care About My Spotify Playlist? w/ Sidney Rushing 

Music is an incredibly powerful tool for worship, but what if the music we listen to is encouraging us to worship the wrong things? Today, we welcome our very first guest to Hot Takes and Holy Things, Sidney Rushing. Sidney is a four-time NBA champion who leads worship at Family Church Tequesta, and he is here to discuss today’s hot take. In this episode, we begin with a new segment called Word of the Day, where we guess the meaning of a new word (or words) in every episode. We then delve into our hot take of the day: all music is worship music! Sidney tells us all about what it means to actually worship something and why we need to realign our identities to our true purpose, to worship God. He goes on to explain the power of music in shaping our thoughts and feelings, and as a tool of worship, before we help students get practical in assessing the type of music they’re exposing themselves to. Finally, listeners will be challenged to participate in a ‘playlist purge’ in order to figure out what the music we listen to is pointing our hearts towards. Thanks for tuning in! 

Key Points From This Episode: 

•    Welcoming Sidney Rushing to the show. 

•    Today’s Word of the Day: ‘City Boy’. 

•    A shout-out to Crew Edwards from Family Church Tequesta. 

•    Today’s hot take: all music is worship music. 

•    What it means to actually worship something.

•    The importance of redirecting worship back to God. 

•    Why music is particularly powerful in our lives and worship. 

•    Asking yourself if the music you listen to aligns with God’s truth and design.

•    Today’s challenge: the playlist purge. 

Quotes:

 “Worshiping something is ascribing it value, either rightly or wrongly, and then responding in that manner.” — Sidney Rushing [0:10:06]

“I think all of us are made to worship – God, but because of the fall, we don’t know who or what to worship.” — Sidney Rushing [0:10:33]

“Both in life and in the Bible, there’s a trend that music has a way of connecting to us emotionally. It connects to our minds and our hearts and bridges them together.” — Sidney Rushing [0:13:00]

“It is wise to notice what messages you’re constantly feeding your mind and your soul because, over time, what you listen to will shape what you think about. And what you think about – shapes what you love.” — Sidney Rushing [0:16:49]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Romans 12:1

Philippians 4:8

Luke 6:45

Family Church Students on Instagram

Family Church Students Linktree

Family Church

Family Church on Instagram