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.

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, missions pastor Ryan Moore is joined by church membes Eli and Kimberly to reflect on their recent mission trip to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Together, they dive into why Utah is such a unique and spiritually urgent mission field, and what it's like to share the gospel in a culture dominated by Mormonism. The conversation highlights key theological differences between evangelical Christianity and the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—while offering practical insights into how to lovingly engage with LDS friends and neighbors.

You'll hear what a typical day on the mission trip looked like, from early breakfasts and canvassing neighborhoods with door hangers, to preparing for block parties, supporting two local churches, and even handing out water bottles during Utah's Pioneer Day parade. As the team reflects on their time in Utah, they talk about moments when they felt especially used by God, the importance of approaching every conversation with both truth and love, and how the experience has changed the way they view evangelism at home.

In this second installment of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast series on alcohol, Matt and the team dig deeper into what Scripture teaches about drinking. How should we understand Paul's advice to Timothy to take "a little wine" for his stomach? Why does Paul contrast drunkenness with being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5? And what does Christian freedom look like in a culture where alcohol is both celebrated and misused?

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Matt sits down with Carey and Ivan for a candid conversation about alcohol. From the church's historical stance on drinking—spanning John Wesley, the Temperance Movement, and Prohibition—to the biblical passages that warn against drunkenness while also portraying wine as a good gift, the crew explores both sides of the debate.

They discuss practical questions every Christian faces: Where is the line between moderation and excess? How do we know when alcohol has become an idol? What wisdom does Scripture offer for navigating gray areas?

Whether you've wrestled with alcohol yourself or simply want to understand the church's complicated history with it, this episode invites you to look beyond what is merely lawful and consider what is truly wise, helpful, and honoring to God.

Can demons cause physical ailments? What about deliverance ministries—are they biblical, or do they risk becoming spectacle?

Bobby, Matt, and Rache explore these questions in part 2 of our conversation on healing. Along the way, they caution against turning suffering into a guessing game, highlight the hope believers have in Christ's victory, and stress the importance of humility and community when walking through illness.

Whether you're wrestling with your own suffering or seeking to minister to others, this episode offers both truth and encouragement rooted in the gospel.

What does the Bible really say about the spiritual gift of healing? Is it still around today? And why do some ministries make handkerchiefs sound like magic wands?

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Bobby, Matt, and Rachel dive into one of the least-discussed (and most misunderstood) spiritual gifts: healing. From 1 Corinthians 12 to James 5, from mud in the eyes to mailed-out prayer cloths, we sort through what's biblical, what's questionable, and what's just plain strange.

The conversation explores why "gifts of healing" is written in the plural, whether healing in Acts should be seen as descriptive or prescriptive, and how prayer, faith, and God's sovereignty actually work together in healing. We also unpack why it can be dangerous to build a ministry around miracle-stories and how God uses both healing and suffering for His glory and for our growth in holiness.

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Lexi sits down with Rachel and Bobby to reflect on the Wholehearted Women's Summer Bible Study on Deuteronomy 6:4–9, the Shema. Together, they unpack the timeless call to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, exploring what it means to listen with intent, live with visible faith, and pass on God's Word to the next generation. Along the way, they tackle common excuses that hold us back, share practical memorization tips, and challenge listeners to daily evaluate whether God truly has their ear, and their heart.