This week, Bill Merkh and Marc McCleary welcome a guest who has had a profound impact on countless families at The King's Christian School: principal Craig Beatty.

For Bill, this conversation reaches back decades. He's known Craig since childhood, when Craig and Bill's sister shared a classroom. For Marc, the connection is just as personal. All four of his children have gone through TKCS, and three of them are still there today while the oldest, John, has moved on to college.

Together, the three explore the heart behind Christian education and the thoughtful, sometimes difficult decisions parents make when choosing private school. They dive into Craig's daily routines as principal, the energy it takes to keep the school running, and the challenges he navigates along the way. Craig shares how he builds meaningful relationships with students, teachers, and parents, and why those connections shape the culture of the school.

He also opens up about his own story—from his formative years in Christian school, to his time at Cedarville University, to teaching in Portugal, and ultimately stepping into leadership at TKCS.

It's a warm, insightful, and encouraging conversation that highlights calling, community, and the lasting impact of a Christ-centered education.

Tune in and step Outside the Sanctuary for an episode that feels both personal and deeply inspiring.

In this thought provoking episode of Outside the Sanctuary, hosts Bill Merkh and Steve Entwistle invite listeners into the kind of conversations they have all the time when the microphones are off. Now those same honest, unfiltered discussions are happening on air, and they are diving straight into a question many people wonder about but rarely voice: Is my favorite celebrity actually a Christian?

From movie stars to musicians to superstar athletes, Bill and Steve explore why so many public figures claim Christianity, attend megachurches, or speak openly about faith, yet may not show the signs of a genuine relationship with God. They unpack the difference between wearing the Christian label and living a Christ centered life, and they take a close look at how fame, public image, and church culture can blur the lines between appearance and authenticity.

With biblical insight, real world examples, and the natural chemistry that comes from years of private conversations, Bill and Steve offer clarity and depth while keeping things relatable and engaging. They challenge listeners to look beyond celebrity status and consider what true discipleship really means.

Whether you are curious, skeptical, or simply trying to navigate the noise of modern Christian culture, this episode delivers a refreshing and honest perspective. Join Bill and Steve as they step outside the sanctuary and into a conversation that just might change the way you see faith in the public eye.

Outside the Sanctuary brings hosts Bill Merkh, Katrina McDonald, and Marc McCleary together for a heartfelt, joy filled look back at Immanuel Baptist Church in 2025. Right from the start, they reflect on how Immanuel truly is a special place, a church family marked by love, service, and a deep sense of community.

They revisit the excitement of children's ministry, highlighting all the ways Keeley Smith poured into the kids this year, from PJs and Pancakes to the Egg Hunt to Storytime and so much more. They also celebrate the True North VBS, which came to life thanks to an incredible number of volunteers and church members who showed up, served, and made it a huge success.

They reflect on Immanuel's 100 year celebration, complete with a picnic that brought generations together to laugh, worship, and remember God's faithfulness.

Marc shares stories from the many Sunday school communities, his own class, the mixed men's group, and the women's class faithfully led by Lisa, Christine, and Erika. They highlight the New Believers class with Frank and Jodi Punzi, a place where new faith took root and lifelong relationships began.

The Praise Team gets a special spotlight too, including Nate, Ethan, Laura, Cindy, Dan, Kathryn, Kelsey, Mike, and several new singers who stepped up this year to help lead the church in worship with passion and humility.

They talk about the Young Married group with Marshall and Theresa and the Abide youth group with Dylan, Max, Carleigh, and Kathryn, celebrating the growth, energy, and discipleship happening at every age and stage.

Bill, Katrina, and Marc also take time to honor Pastors Vince and Greg, whose leadership, teaching, and steady presence continue to shape the heart of Immanuel. They highlight Kathleen Thompson, whose dedicated work and incredible annual report always add so much to the life and clarity of the church.

In a joyful personal moment, they celebrate that Bill's son Ethan, the podcast producer, married Kate this year, a beautiful milestone for the Merkh family and a sweet reminder of how intertwined church and family life can be.

In a tender moment, they remember those from the Immanuel family who went home to heaven in 2025, honoring their legacy and the hope that anchors the church.

And of course, they talk about the podcast itself, why it exists, who it is for, and how it has become a place to celebrate the life of the church outside the sanctuary. They also share so much more, with stories, laughter, and reflections that paint a full picture of a year lived together in faith.

If you are part of Immanuel, love Immanuel, or simply want to hear the heartbeat of a church family living out its faith, this is the episode to listen to. Tune in, share it with a friend, and be reminded of how God is moving in our community.

And finally, just to keep everyone honest, Holly McCleary and Christine Neitzel are officially authorized to correct anything we forgot.

Step outside the walls and into the heart of global generosity on this episode of Outside the Sanctuary with hosts Marc McCleary, Katrina McDonald and Bill Merkh. This week, they sit down with the energetic and inspiring Dori Straub, one of New Jersey's key leaders for Operation Christmas Child, part of Samaritan's Purse, the worldwide ministry that delivers joy‑filled shoebox gifts to children in more than 118 countries.

Dori brings the fun, the passion, and the purpose as she shares how these simple shoeboxes do far more than deliver toys. They open doors. They spark hope. And most importantly, they help children around the world learn about the love of Jesus in a personal and life‑changing way.

Whether you've packed a shoebox before or you're just curious about how a small gift can make a global impact, this episode will leave you smiling, inspired, and maybe even ready to grab a shoebox of your own.

Tune in, laugh along, and get ready to see how big things happen outside the sanctuary.

This week, Pastor Vince McDonald and Bill Merkh welcome guest Jody Adams — a former New Jersey cranberry farmer turned missionary in South Africa. Together with his wife Kathy, Jody founded Acts 26 Missions, a ministry devoted to bringing hope and care to children in South Africa.

You'll laugh, you'll reflect, and you'll be inspired as Jody shares his journey from the cranberry bogs of New Jersey to the mission fields of Africa. The conversation blends lighthearted humor with powerful, heartfelt stories of faith, calling, and the impact of serving others.

Whether you're looking for encouragement, a good laugh, or a reminder of how ordinary people can do extraordinary things, this episode delivers it all.

Step outside the sanctuary and into real-life conversations with Pastor Vincent McDonald, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh. Outside the Sanctuary is a Christian podcast where faith, wisdom, and laughter come together to tackle everyday challenges.

In this episode, the hosts explore the power of criticism—both the encouraging words that inspire us and the tough feedback that tests us. With biblical insight, practical guidance, and a healthy dose of humor, they show how Christians can respond to criticism in ways that build character, strengthen relationships, and glorify God.

Expect thoughtful discussion, relatable stories, and moments of levity that remind us that even serious topics can be approached with joy.

In this lively episode of Outside the Sanctuary, Bill Merkh and Marc McCleary welcome guest Mark Johnson for a conversation filled with stories, history, and laughter. Marc and Bill share highlights from their unforgettable ten-day journey through Israel—walking the streets of Jerusalem, floating in the Dead Sea, and visiting Bethlehem in Palestine. Mark brings his own unique perspective, recalling his semester abroad in Israel and an adventurous side trip to Egypt that led to a photo he probably shouldn't have taken. Together, the three swap memories of faith, culture, and travel, blending humor with heartfelt reflection. It's an episode packed with fun, friendship, and the kind of stories that stay with you long after the journey ends.

This episode of Outside the Sanctuary podcast is brimming with laughter and joy as Pastor Vince, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh gather to swap stories about their favorite holiday traditions. This episode is a lively mix of playful Halloween memories, hilarious Thanksgiving gatherings, and heartwarming Christmas celebrations. Their conversation is full of chuckles, good-natured teasing, and the kind of jovial spirit that makes you feel like you're right there at the table with them.

Amid the fun, they reflect on how God's presence shines through each season—whether in the gratitude of Thanksgiving prayers, the wonder of Christmas worship, or even the joy of family during Halloween festivities. It's a spirited, faith-filled time that blends humor with heartfelt reflection, reminding us that God is in the middle of all our laughter, traditions, and celebrations.

Step outside the ordinary with hosts Marc McCleary, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh as they welcome Lauren Correa, founder of the online magazine Lauren. This episode dives into the vibrant mix of faith, mental health, fashion, and food, showing how spirituality and creativity collide in everyday life.

Lauren shares the story behind her magazine and how it became a space for honest conversations about Christianity and wellness, while also serving up style inspiration and recipes. Bill brings his trademark humor, reflecting on his blogging days with outrageous stories that keep the laughs coming. With Marc and Katrina steering the dialogue, the result is a lively, heartfelt, and entertaining conversation that feels fresh, real, and impossible to pause.

If you're looking for a podcast that blends faith with culture, laughter with insight, and inspiration with fun, this episode is your perfect listen. Hit play and join the conversation—because life happens Outside the Sanctuary.

In this heartfelt episode of The Outside the Sanctuary podcast, hosts Bill Merkh and Katrina McDonald sit down with two inspiring Immanuel Baptist Church Women's Sunday School leaders—Lisa Merkh (Bill's wife) and Christine Neitzel—for an intimate conversation about the spiritual and practical sides of teaching. Together, they explore how Lisa and Christine prepare each week to lead their classe with purpose and clarity. Thier lesson planning and staying grounded in Scripture. They also discuss their personal journeys of faith and what they believe God is calling them toward

Whether you're a seasoned teacher or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of Sunday School ministry, this episode offers encouragement, wisdom, and a glimpse into the hearts of women faithfully serving their church community. Tune in and be inspired by the passion and dedication that fuels their calling—both inside and outside the sanctuary.