NorthWoods Church Matters

After 45 years in ministry and nearly a decade serving at NorthWoods, Pastor Darin Garton announces his retirement from vocational ministry. In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Pastor Bobby sits down with Darin to reflect on God's faithfulness through decades of ministry, church planting, discipleship, leadership, and the recent NorthWoods building project.

Darin shares why now feels like the right season to step away, what he and Stacy are looking forward to in retirement, and how the Lord has guided their family through this decision. Bobby also shares personal encouragement and gratitude for Darin's friendship, wisdom, and faithful service to NorthWoods Church.

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters Podcast, Bobby Pell sits down with Matt Higgins and Rachel Bland to talk about Southern Baptist seminaries, online learning, ministry preparation, and why theological education isn't just for pastors.

Together, they unpack the differences between the six Southern Baptist seminaries, discuss their own educational journeys, and explore how seminary can strengthen everyday believers, not just vocational ministers. The conversation also introduces Northwoods' new partnership with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, giving students the opportunity to earn accredited master's-level credits right here through NorthWoods.

Whether you're considering ministry, wanting to grow deeper in your faith, or simply curious about theological education, this episode offers practical insight, encouragement, and a vision for lifelong discipleship.

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters Podcast, Pastor Bobby Pell sits down with Pastor Darin Garton and Bob Weeks to continue the conversation on Roman Catholicism after a recent Gathering session sparked plenty of questions.

The conversation explores questions surrounding the authority of the pope, the role of church tradition versus Scripture, the Apocrypha, praying to Mary, purgatory, indulgences, and whether a Catholic can truly be born again. Along the way, the gang shares personal experiences ministering to Catholics, discusses the emotional and cultural pull of Catholicism, and carefully distinguish between critiquing Catholic doctrine and condemning individual Catholics.

Helpful resources:

Desiring God on the Apocrypha

Got Questions on Catholicism

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters Podcast, Pastor Bobby Pell sits down with two new members of the NorthWoods team: Emily Pfister and Kennedy Roos. Get to know their stories, from growing up in the Evansville area to how each of them came to faith in Christ.

Together, they talk about their new roles as Ministry Assistants, what excites them about serving at NorthWoods, and how they're helping behind the scenes to support everything NorthWoods.

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters Podcast, Bobby Pell sits down with Bob Weeks and Larry Loveless to introduce their new roles at NorthWoods during a pivotal season in the life of the church.

Bob shares his powerful testimony of conversion, his calling into ministry, and his heart for helping pastors and staff grow in effectiveness. Larry reflects on his business background, his journey to NorthWoods, and his desire to strengthen the church's operational systems so ministry can flourish. Together, the conversation explores how healthy leadership, discipleship, and support structures can help NorthWoods continue making disciples who make disciples.

This episode offers a meaningful look at where NorthWoods is, where it is headed, and how God is providing the right people for the next chapter. You can listen to Larry's old episode here!

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Bobby sits down with Bob Weeks to discuss all things Easter 2026 in relation to NorthWoods Church.

In this episode Bobby & Bob discuss:

• What Easter was like growing up
• What Easter means to followers of Jesus
• How we celebrate Easter at NorthWoods
• What things will be different this year
• How the people of NorthWoods can/should participate with Easter activities in 2026

Toolbox:

It's Friday But Sunday's Coming by S.M. Lockridge

Learn more about Easter at NorthWoods Church HERE

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Want to learn more about NorthWoods Church?

Contact us at https://www.northwoodschurch.org/

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodschurchevv

Watch our Live Sermons on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@northwoodschurchevv

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Jim sits down with Pastor Darin Garton to discuss cults, world religions, and the Gathering.

In this episode Jim & Darin discuss:

• What's up with the Groups and Grounds title?
• What are the differences between Cults and World Religions?
• How does NorthWoods differ from a Cult?
• What to expect during the Spring Season of The Gathering.
• and more. . .

Toolbox:

The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin

World Religions and Cults by Answers in Genesis

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Want to learn more about NorthWoods Church?

Contact us at https://www.northwoodschurch.org/

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodschurchevv

Watch our Live Sermons on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@northwoodschurchevv

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Bobby & Jim sit down with Michael and Brittani Graening to discuss Next Generation Ministry and why it matters.

In this episode Jim & Bobby introduce the Graenings and discuss:

• How God uses all types of tools to draw people to Himself.
• Michael & Brittani's adventures in 20+ years of ministry
• How NorthWoods parents can model prayer in their homes
• The DNA of a good Student Ministry
• What's on their Spotify playlist
• and more. . .

Toolbox:

• Check out The Ambassador's music HERE
• You can watch Michael's video Greek is Heartless (Greek Alphabet) HERE!

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Want to learn more about NorthWoods Church?

Contact us at https://www.northwoodschurch.org/

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodschurchevv

Watch our Live Sermons on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@northwoodschurchevv

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Lexi sits down with Pastor Bobby, Pastor Matt and our new Communications Director, Jim Miller to discuss how NorthWoods Church chooses worship music and why transparency matters.

The four discuss how discernment and intentionality in song choices can:

• Prepare our hearts for God's word.
• Elevate our view of God.
• Advance the mission of NorthWoods
• Discover alternative resources for Worship
• Help us navigate when division is needed

Pastor Matt's Toolbox of References:

• Kevin Twit & Indelible Grace
• Mike Winger's 6 hour Expose on the Bethel Scandal
• Keith & Kristyn Getty - Getty Music
  • Sing Conference
• Sovereign Grace Music
• City Alight

____________________________________

Want to learn more about NorthWoods Church?

Contact us at https://www.northwoodschurch.org/

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodschurchevv

Watch our Live Sermons on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@northwoodschurchevv

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.