Native Exiles

As we prepare for a season in our church where we are tackling difficult conversations, we wanted to reshare one of our favorite episodes from Season 2! 

Dr. Gerry Breshears from Western Seminary came to our church to talk about Genesis. This episode highlights his conversation with our Lead Pastor Wyatt Martin regarding handling disagreements in the church. He gives us a model to decipher which topics are worth debating, dividing over, or dying for.

To learn more about Dr. Gerry Breshears, visit https://breshears.net/

Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.

For more questions and inquiries, reach us at [email protected] or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Are foreign missions outdated—or more vital than ever? In this episode of Native Exiles, we sit down with theologian and missiologist Dr. Michael Goheen to talk about the heart of Christian mission and why the global call to make disciples remains central to the church’s identity.

Drawing from his book The Core of the Christian Faith: Seeing the Big Picture of God’s Story, Dr. Goheen addresses common objections to foreign missions—such as cultural imperialism, globalization, and the rise of local churches worldwide—and offers a thoughtful defense of why cross-cultural witness still matters today.

We’ll explore how God’s mission has always been global in scope, what a healthy theology of mission looks like, and how ordinary believers can participate meaningfully in God’s redemptive work among the nations.

Dr. Michael Goheen has served as a professor of missiology and theology at several institutions, including Missional Training Center and Covenant Theological Seminary. His writing and teaching help the church recover a whole-life, mission-shaped vision of the gospel.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it.

What does it mean for men and women to flourish together in God’s design—not in spite of their differences, but because of them? In this episode of Native Exiles, we sit down with Dr. Gregg R. Allison, theologian and professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to explore his latest book, Complementarity: Dignity, Difference, and Interdependence. Allison offers a vision of complementarity that goes far deeper than the typical debates. Rather than reducing the conversation to roles or authority, he roots his perspective in the equal worth of men and women, their meaningful distinctions, and the interdependence through which they thrive together. 

In our conversation, Gregg traces how the church has historically understood gender, how Scripture shapes a richer framework for thinking about dignity and difference, and why the modern church often struggles to apply these truths in a way that is both faithful and life-giving. He explains how complementarity is not merely a doctrinal position but a lived reality that shapes relationships, community, and the mission of the church. We also talk about the practical implications for everyday discipleship—how men and women serve alongside one another, how churches can cultivate environments of mutual flourishing, and how theology can help bridge divides rather than create them.

Gregg Allison brings deep theological expertise and a pastor’s heart, drawing from years of scholarship and ministry. Whether you’re wrestling with contemporary questions about gender, seeking clarity on complementarian and egalitarian debates, or simply longing for a more beautiful vision of life together as God’s people, this episode offers thoughtful, hopeful guidance.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it.

Gregg R. Allison is Professor of Christian Theology at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. Allison came to Southern in 2003. 

What if true evangelism begins with a warm welcome? In this episode of Native Exiles, we sit down with Danny Franks, pastor and expert on guest services, to talk about why hospitality is not just a program—but a reflection of the gospel itself.

Danny unpacks how the early church made belonging a central part of its witness, and how modern churches can reclaim that same spirit of invitation. We’ll discuss the theology behind hospitality, the barriers that keep churches from being truly welcoming, and practical ways to create spaces where strangers feel seen, known, and loved.

Danny Franks is the Pastor of Guest Services at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, where he helps churches create cultures of genuine hospitality that reflect the heart of the gospel. He’s the author of People Are the Mission: How Churches Can Welcome Guests Without Compromising the Gospel and shares insights on ministry and life through his blog, Connective Tissue—a mix of practical wisdom, humor, and honest reflection.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it.

If God is good, why does He let us suffer? It’s a question every believer faces at some point. In this episode of Native Exiles, we dive deep into the mystery of suffering and God’s role in it. Is pain a punishment, a test, or something more redemptive?

Throughout history, theologians have wrestled with this very question—debating whether suffering is part of God’s sovereign will, the result of human freedom, or a necessary path to spiritual growth. We’ll explore these perspectives and then turn to the practical side: how our understanding of suffering shapes how we pray, comfort others, and find hope in the hardest seasons of life. 

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. Check out our previous episode on Does Evil Disprove God’s Goodness? for more discussion on this topic.

Welcome to Season 5 of Native Exiles! 

We wanted to start our Season by answering the question, "Does God Take Back His Promises?" Even when we are anxious about what is ahead, the promise of God is that he will be in it with us. The question really is, "What if all of those promises actually have an asterisk? What if there is hidden clause?" What if it is,"He will keep his promises if we obey him?" Then what, does he take back his promises? Let's talk about it!

Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.

We are excited to share the audio from our Mental Health Seminar with Dr. Gregory Jantz. Dr. Jantz share practical resources to quantify anxiety and begin the journey towards healing. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety or looking to help others who may be, Dr. Jantz has something to say for everyone involved in this conversation.

Doctor Gregory Jantz is an acclaimed author, speaker, and researcher in the field of mental health. From eating disorders to depression, Dr. Jantz has written and conducted research on a wide range of mental health topic. Out of his work, Dr. Jantz started A Place of Hope, to put into practice a holistic approach to addressing mental health concerns. As a follower of Jesus, Dr. Jantz continue to model a balanced view on mental health that finds its basis in scripture.

In this heartfelt and reflective season finale, we wrap up our deep dive into mental health with a conversation that ties together key themes from throughout the series. We revisit powerful insights on anxiety, depression, and the challenges of emotional well-being, reflecting on how faith and community can provide real hope and healing.

Looking back at the season we explore that we are integrated beings—mind, body, and spirit—and how understanding this unity is essential to mental and emotional well-being. God’s grace is essential steps toward true wholeness. We also reflect on the importance of rest, spiritual resilience, and the ways the church can continue to grow as a place of support and understanding.

Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are just tuning in, this episode offers an encouraging and grace-filled reminder that none of us are alone in the struggle for mental and emotional health. Join us as we celebrate the journey so far and look ahead with hope.

In this profound and hope-filled conversation, award-winning theologian Dr. Kelly M. Kapic joins us to explore the intersection of mental health, anxiety, and theology. Drawing from his acclaimed book You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News, Kapic challenges the cultural narrative that treats human limitations as flaws to be fixed. Instead, he invites us to see our finitude as part of God’s good design—a truth that offers deep relief in the face of anxiety, burnout, and unrealistic expectations.

We also touch on insights from his other works, including Embodied Hope and Becoming Whole, as we discuss how accepting our God-given limits can lead to greater spiritual health, emotional honesty, and a more grounded life. If you're wrestling with perfectionism, exhaustion, or a pressure to "do it all," this episode is for you.

We talk about why our limits are not sins, the theological roots of anxiety and performance culture, how embracing finitude opens the door to real community and grace, and what it means to be fully human in a fast-paced, success-driven world. Join us for a refreshing and compassionate take on what it means to be whole in a world that prizes productivity over presence.

Check out Kelly’s book: You’re Only Human

Also, see his new 40 day devotional: You Were Never Meant to Do It All

In this episode, we explore the deep and often challenging experience of grief through the lens of faith. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be in the world but not of it, and that includes how we respond to those in grief and how we navigate it ourselves. Our guest, grief counselor Cindi Sinnema, shares insights on how we can walk alongside others who are grieving, as well as practical guidance for those who are personally facing loss. Whether you’re supporting a loved one or struggling with grief yourself, this conversation offers compassion, wisdom, and hope.

Cindi Sinnema is the Director of The Grief Companioning Project and has spent over 25 years working in the field of traumatic response and community support. Her expertise spans from working with Separation and Loss Services at Virginia Mason to providing chaplaincy services both locally and nationwide. Cindi has supported individuals, families, and communities affected by disasters—both natural and man-made—and trained volunteers to help in the aftermath of trauma. She has also worked with the Behind the Badge Foundation to support first responders across the country. Through her work, Cindi has gained deep insight into the challenges of grief and loss and the healing that comes from walking through it with others.

To learn more about Cindy and her work here.