Follow the Leader - "Jesus Prioritized the Scripture" - John 1:1-5

Jesus was the Word, and is the Word. If you want to know the Word, you must be in the Word. You need a time, place, and a Bible. Get in the word! God's word will never pass away - that means you can trust it. Jesus taught the Word, so apparently, He thought it important enough for us to learn it. Jesus applied it to His life; therefore, you are to apply it to your life. Jesus challenged people to search the Word. Are you searching? How close are you following?

In this New Year's Day 2025 podcast episode, hosts Josh Hensley, Cliff Hines, Justin Eshenbaugh, and Michael Shearon reflected on New Work Fellowship’s achievements in 2024. Key highlights included reaching over 1,000 total baptisms since founding, launching their first Spanish-speaking ministry, and growing their Night of Worship event to over 550 attendees.

Looking ahead to 2025, the hosts shared upcoming changes including a new special needs ministry for children, moving 6th graders into student ministry, and relocating summer camps to Jonathan Creek. The conversation maintained an optimistic tone as they discussed their "Imagine a Church" vision and plans for continued growth and community impact.

Celebrate with us! Access the 2024 Year In Review!

Follow the Leader - "Pick Your People" - Matthew 4:18-22, 16:24-26

There is a spiritual discipline of connection and community that is intentional in the Christian faith. We are not to live out our faith in isolation. From the very beginning we find that it is NOT GOOD to be alone, and that is certainly true in our faith! We do not just do church together; we do life together. If there was someone who could do it all, be it all, didn't need anyone...it was Jesus. But Jesus intentionally chose to do life in community. Who are your people? Who are your faith people? Who can speak into your life? Who is it that you are speaking and pouring into?

Hosts Josh Hensley, Paxton Redd, Kevin Lee, and Michael Shearon discuss Christmas traditions and answer listener questions in this December 2024 episode of Beyond Sunday.

The episode begins with sharing unique family Christmas traditions, including peppermint ice cream with eggnog, special Christmas morning breakfasts, and cookie decorating competitions.

Key questions addressed:

The episode concludes with hosts sharing their favorite Christmas movies. Merry Christmas to our faithful listeners!

Sometimes the last thing we want is an interruption. Everything is going along just like we want it to. I imagine that 's the way it was with the shepherds. They were content.  They were comfortable. I don't picture the shepherds as an exceedingly ambitious lot. Their job was on the bottom rung of economic advancement. There must have been "easy as you go" vibe to these guys. This night was just same ol', same ol'. They were used to day in and day out. Every night was the same...oh, sure - maybe the occasional moment of madness when a bear or lion tried to swipe a lamb.  And this night was nothing special, until SUDDENLY IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE! There is comfort in routine. We like to know what is coming. Christmas can be tough because we lose our routine and rhythm, but this interruption was God's way of saying, "There is more to your story!" God's story intersected their story, and God has a purpose when He interrupts your story.  He is inviting you to something more. So what's the lesson here? Get your eyes up, get your worship on, step into the call, find Jesus, AND never be the same again!

In this episode of the Beyond Sunday podcast, host Josh Hensley is joined by Michael Shearan, Evan Ryan, and special guest April Oatts to discuss several engaging topics. The group dives into Pastor Steve's recent sermon about the wise men's journey to Jesus, exploring the profound significance of their three gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - and what these gifts reveal about Jesus's identity as king, priest, and sacrifice. They share personal stories about following God's calling, including Evan's transformative journey from Arkansas to becoming a vital part of New Work Fellowship's ministry.

The conversation also touches on upcoming Christmas Eve services and mission initiatives, with April providing insights into how the church's year-end missions offering supports local, national, and global partners. Don’t miss out on the beginnings of the exciting and upcoming journey of Michael and Laina welcoming a new cat to their family. There sure to be more as the story develops and unfolds!

Same story as last week. Only this time, we are not looking so much at Herod's perspective but watching the journey of the magi. These wisemen were perceptive, far-seeing visionaries who were on a mission. Notice these truths about these Christmas travelers: 1) they were prepared, 2) they had a goal, and 3) they even knew who could potentially help them to accomplish their mission.  What they didn't know is that every step of the journey - they were caught in a trap. Notice their interruption: they were warned in a dream. All of them. It interrupted their sleep. Life is like that. What do you do when life takes a frightening turn? Trust the Light (where God illuminates - trust Him); Stay on the way (be patient but be persistent); Follow the nudge (when God tugs at your heart, jump all in - even if you don't know where the journey will end).

The Beyond Sunday podcast, hosted by Steve Buttram, Josh Hensley, Evan Ryan, and Michael Shearon, delves into faith, control, and personal growth. This episode explores three key topics: King Herod's mistakes in resisting divine interruptions, including his refusal to relinquish control; the challenges of balancing forgiveness and reconciliation in relationships; and the importance of trusting God with finances and other areas of life. The hosts also share personal stories of surrendering control and finding peace through faith, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own lives and what they might need to release to God.

Pardon the Interruption - "It's Not Supposed to Be This Way" - Matthew 2:1-8, 16:20

Ever feel that way? Ever think these words? It's NOT supposed to be this way! We plan, but plans fail. The story of Herod is one of a man who was a wheeler & dealer. He was an exceptional planner (or plotter - his schemes were maddening and murderous). But this was a guy who was used to being in charge. He worked every angle; he laid out all his plans. The truth is all of us like to believe the myth of control. It comforts us - until it is shattered. The moment comes to all of us whether through death, loss of a job, illness, betrayal...or, sometimes we just discover, "I am not the king that I thought I was." In those moments, trust that God's ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) Realize that you don't have to have all the answers. Look for God's message in the moment. Even evil, broken, sinful King Herod had an inside track to an amazing truth of Christmas, "...when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him." How close he was to the needed interruption. How close could you be?