In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, we explore Exodus 21–24, a section of Scripture that's often skipped but deeply important. Instead of preaching these chapters, Pastor Bobby Pell and Lexi walk through them in conversation, unpacking how God's covenant laws shaped Israel's life and what they reveal about God's character today.

These chapters address justice, responsibility, and human dignity, including difficult topics like servitude, restitution, and the limits of power. The discussion clarifies how God regulated broken systems, restrained vengeance through proportional justice, and consistently showed concern for the vulnerable. As the conversation moves to Exodus 24, Bobby and Lexi focus on the covenant itself, God formally binding Himself to His people and inviting them into a relationship marked by obedience and trust.

This episode helps listeners slow down, understand a challenging passage, and see how these laws ultimately point forward to Christ and a Spirit-filled life of grace.

This week on the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Lexi sits down with Pastor Bobby for an extended follow-up to Sunday's sermon, exploring the deeper layers beneath Exodus 17–18 and what it means to live with prayerful dependence in 2026.

Together, they unpack why the real battle isn't won by effort alone, but by dependence on God, and why prayer is not an accessory to the Christian life, but the engine. Pastor Bobby explains the powerful image of Moses' raised hands, the role of Aaron and Hur, and how community prayer sustains faith when we grow weary. They also dive into practical theology: what it truly means to pray "in Jesus' name," why evangelism flows best from compassion rather than obligation, and how prayer reshapes the way we see and love others.

A key focus of the conversation is the Circles, a simple way to identify people God has already placed in our lives who need Jesus. Click here to print your copy and get using it today!

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Lexi sits down with Larry Riley, who will be joining the NorthWoods staff in January as Ministry Director. Larry shares about growing up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, coming to faith as a teenager, and discovering a lifelong calling to ministry. Along the way, he reflects on God's faithfulness, the importance of relationships, and what it means to join God where He is already at work. You'll also hear why NorthWoods stood out to him, what excites him most about the Ministry Director role, and how the church can pray for him as he steps into this new season.

What does it really look like to live on mission, right where you are?

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Lexi sits down with Ryan Moore, Missions Pastor at NorthWoods, to reflect on the Do Not Be Silent Missions Conference and unpack how God is calling ordinary believers to faithful, everyday obedience.

Ryan shares personal stories from hosting missionaries from around the world, explains how evangelism fits into discipleship, and offers practical next steps for anyone who feels stirred to witnessing but unsure where to begin. From sharing the gospel with neighbors, to serving locally, to joining mission teams headed to Peru, Ecuador, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and beyond, this conversation paints a compelling picture of what it means to live "from Evansville to everywhere."

You'll also hear exciting updates about:

• Local NorthWoods mission partnerships and volunteer opportunities
• Upcoming 2026 mission trips
• NorthWoods' growing Deaf Ministry

What does it really look like to live on mission, right where you are?

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Lexi sits down with Ryan Moore, Missions Pastor at NorthWoods, to reflect on the Do Not Be Silent Missions Conference and unpack how God is calling ordinary believers to faithful, everyday obedience.

Ryan shares personal stories from hosting missionaries from around the world, explains how evangelism fits into discipleship, and offers practical next steps for anyone who feels stirred to witnessing but unsure where to begin. From sharing the gospel with neighbors, to serving locally, to joining mission teams headed to Peru, Ecuador, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and beyond, this conversation paints a compelling picture of what it means to live "from Evansville to everywhere."

You'll also hear exciting updates about:

• Local NorthWoods mission partnerships and volunteer opportunities
• Upcoming 2026 mission trips
• NorthWoods' growing Deaf Ministry
• And more!

Neighborhoods Reimagined: How the Beatitudes Inspire our Call to be Good Neighbors by Chris McKinney

In this special "Get to Know the Staff" episode, Pastor Bobby sits down with Lexi Bruner, the NorthWoods Communications Director and the new voice of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast.

Lexi shares about her small-town upbringing, her journey to USI, and how a shift from long-term care to marketing set her on a path she never expected. She describes growing up a "Christmas and Easter" churchgoer, how God woke her up from that, and the big part that NorthWoods has played in her testimony.

Lexi and Bobby also look ahead to the future of the podcast: why it matters for discipleship in a growing church, how it creates space for conversations that Sunday mornings can't hold, and what's coming when the new building opens, including the launch of a full vodcast. Lexi even shares her dream guest list (and Bobby doesn't shoot any of them down!).

In this special episode, Lexi sits down with Pastor Bobby Pell and Elder Troy Lucht to walk through NorthWoods' proposed 2026 annual budget. Together, they unpack why the church creates a budget each year, the major categories that shape our financial planning, and what's changing as we look ahead to a new year of growth and ministry.

Troy explains the core purposes behind the budgeting process: planning, mission alignment, stewardship, transparency, and accountability. Bobby adds insight about how the budget reflects the heart of our church's mission. They discuss expected shifts for 2026, including the mortgage for the new building, adjustments in Cooperative Program giving, changes in staffing roles, and the financial impact of NorthWoods' recent 15% growth.

You will also hear why some line items are increasing, how ministry expansion affects spending, and how the elders evaluate stewardship through historical trends, mission focus, and real-time financial health. The team also outlines how members can review the budget, ask questions, and participate in the upcoming approval vote.

Check out the budget here!

Can a believer lose their salvation? What if I don't feel saved? Why do I still struggle with sin? What are the real signs of a changed heart?

Many Christians wrestle with the question: How can I be sure I'm really saved? In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, the crew digs into the doctrine of assurance of salvation: what it means to be saved, how God initiates and completes our salvation, and why we can rest in His unchanging grace.

Listen for a down-to-earth, theologically rich discussion on finding assurance in a world full of doubt.

On this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Pastor Matt and the gang continue their conversation on language and cursing. Are "Christian cuss words" really any better than the real thing? What does our speech reveal about the condition of our hearts?

From "dag-nabbit" to cultural taboos, the crew talks about how words shift across generations, how Christians should respond when faced with other folks' foul language, and why holiness matters even in our humor. They also tackle how media, music, and technology shape our tongues—and what practical steps believers can take to guard their speech in a world that's lost its filter.

On this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Matt is joined by Ivan and Carey to tackle a subject the church often avoids—cussing and profanity. Together, they explore how culture's shifting standards on language compare with God's unchanging Word. The conversation highlights how generational views on profanity differ and why Gen Z Christians often have looser tongues, the influence of the internet and media on what society considers "acceptable speech," and what the Bible says about the power of words, especially from James 3.

They discuss why careless or corrupting talk reveals the heart, how Christians are called to use speech to build up rather than tear down, and practical wisdom for watching our words, guarding our hearts, and teaching children about godly speech.