This week on The Journey, we took some time to explore the remarkable journey of Ridgecrest Baptist Church through the eyes of someone who has witnessed decades of faithful ministry. From the old sanctuary with its eight-foot ceilings and supporting poles to our current worship center, from traditional committee structures to our current staff-led model, we traced how God has been faithful through every season. More importantly, we discussed how authentic Christian community happens in both large gatherings and smaller, intentional groups—and how the role of servant leadership continues to shape our church’s health and vitality.

Key Takeaways:

* Legacy matters, but it must evolve. The faithfulness of previous generations laid the foundation we stand on today, but healthy churches adapt their structures and methods while maintaining their core mission. What worked for a church of 200 doesn’t always work for a church of 2,000, and that’s okay.

* Servant leadership transforms community. The shift from deacons who made major decisions to deacons who serve, combined with staff who see themselves as shepherds rather than managers, has created an environment where ministry happens organically and people feel genuinely cared for.

* Smaller groups create deeper connections. Whether it’s Man Church, Connection Groups, or other intentional gatherings, there’s something powerful that happens when we move beyond Sunday morning rows to face-to-face circles where people can share authentically and grow together.

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This week on The Journey, we welcome Mitch Lucky to the show to help us explore the reality of being a witness for Christ outside the church walls, particularly in secular workplaces where people knew us before our transformation in Christ. Mitch shared his compelling story of how God has used his past struggles and current faithfulness to open doors for ministry among coworkers who watched him change. There’s a tension between our desire to share Christ and our fear of being seen as hypocritical by those who knew us “before.” But ultimately, we were reminded that God calls us to faithful obedience, allowing the fruit of the Spirit to speak louder than our words, and trusting that He will bring people to us in His perfect timing.

Takeaways:

* Let the fruit speak for itself - Rather than constantly defending our past or trying to prove we’ve changed, we should focus on living faithfully and allowing others to witness the transformation Christ has made in our lives through our daily actions and responses.

* Don’t give up, but trust God’s timing - While we should never stop loving and being available to those who need Christ, we must balance faithful witness with patient trust in the Holy Spirit’s work. Some seeds take years to grow, as evidenced by the grandmother who faithfully witnessed to her grandson for years before he finally came to faith.

* Step out of your comfort zone - God often uses our willingness to say “yes” to uncomfortable opportunities as the catalyst for Kingdom impact. Whether it’s sharing your testimony, leading a small group, or simply having a difficult conversation, obedience in discomfort often leads to divine appointments.

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This week on The Journey, we explored the tension between feeling called by God and feeling equipped for that calling. We encourage each other (sorta) to step out in faith, even when we’re uncertain, trusting that the Holy Spirit works through our obedience rather than our perfection.

Takeaways:

* Obedience over comfort: God often calls us to serve in ways that stretch us beyond our comfort zones. Our willingness to say “yes” matters more than our perceived readiness.

* Community discipleship takes many forms: We don’t all have to teach from a stage to make an impact. Discipleship happens in conversations, small groups, and everyday moments when we share what God is teaching us.

* Genuine authenticity matters: Whether we’re serving in preschool, leading a group, or sharing our faith with a friend, people can sense when we’re being genuine versus just going through the motions. Let your service flow from a sincere heart.

We encourage you to prayerfully consider where God might be asking you to step out in faith—even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Let us know what you think! Write to us at [email protected] and don’t forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneypodcast.substack.com

This week on The Journey, we returned from our staff retreat with a wide-ranging discussion that touched on something we all face daily: how do we discern what content is worth our time and attention? What started as a conversation about A.W. Tozer’s book turned into a deeper exploration of creativity, storytelling, and the importance of being careful about what we allow to shape our thinking.

Takeaways:

* Content matters more than the author’s reputation. While we may be drawn to books or podcasts by certain names, what ultimately matters is whether the content itself is true, good, and beautiful. Even respected authors from the past might not withstand today’s scrutiny, so we must evaluate everything through a biblical lens.

* Creativity is part of our calling, not separate from it. Jesus told parables—creative stories that transformed hearts. We’ve surrendered too much of the cultural storytelling space, and we need Christians who can tell compelling, truthful stories that point people to the gospel without compromising truth for entertainment.

* Guard what shapes your mind and heart. Whether it’s books, podcasts, TV shows, or personality assessments like the Enneagram, we must be discerning. Only God should define us, and we need to have “a check in our spirit” when something doesn’t align with biblical truth, even if it comes from Christian sources.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneypodcast.substack.com

This week on The Journey, we explored the tension between extending grace to those struggling and enabling destructive patterns. We discussed how the church often falls into two camps—those who emphasize repentance without restoration, and those who walk alongside people through the messy journey of redemption. The discussion challenged us to consider: How long do we help someone before we’re simply enabling them? How do we balance Christ-like compassion with healthy boundaries? And why does vulnerability remain so difficult in many church circles, particularly in Southern Baptist culture?

Key Takeaways:

* Restoration is messy and requires long-term commitment. Real transformation rarely happens on our timeline. Some organizations succeed because they’re committed to the journey, not just a quick fix. We need to call people to something more while walking patiently alongside them through setbacks and failures.

* The enemy uses deception to keep people stuck. Whether it’s convincing someone in addiction that they can’t change, or making them believe the church will only judge them, Satan works to prevent both the hurting and the helpers from experiencing God’s redemptive power. We must recognize these lies in ourselves and others.

* Early Christians changed the world through radical, self-sacrificing love. During plagues in the third and fourth centuries, Christians walked directly into danger to care for the sick, viewing even death as a worthy sacrifice. Their lack of concern for self-preservation caused the church to explode in growth and forced even pagan emperors to take notice. We should ask ourselves: are we willing to love at that level?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneypodcast.substack.com

This week on The Journey, we explored the challenges we face in discerning truth amidst the prevalence of conspiracy theories. We discussed the importance of biblical wisdom in evaluating information, the dangers of uncritically accepting sensationalized claims, and the need for Christians to be grounded in God’s truth rather than speculative theories.

Takeaways:

* Be discerning: Not everything we read or hear, especially on social media, is true. We must carefully evaluate information and its sources.

* Seek evidence: Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, we should eagerly listen but also search the Scriptures and seek credible evidence before accepting claims.

* Focus on what matters: Instead of getting caught up in unproductive speculations, we should concentrate on living out our faith and sharing the gospel.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneypodcast.substack.com

This week on The Journey, we’re joined by one of our most loyal listeners: Curt Vance. We explored the concept of being the church beyond our Sunday gatherings. Our journey doesn’t begin and end within the church walls, but rather starts when we leave the building.

Takeaways:

* Our Christian witness extends beyond church attendance: We are called to be the church in our everyday lives, not just check in and out on Sundays.

* Our actions reflect on Christ and our church community: Whether it’s our behavior at sports events or our conduct while driving, people associate our actions with our faith.

* Serving others is at the heart of our calling: Jesus came to serve, not to reign, and we are called to follow His example in our own lives.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneypodcast.substack.com

This week on The Journey, we explored the nature of faith, the challenges of fully embracing Christianity, and the ongoing process of spiritual growth. We discussed how both non-believers and long-time church members can struggle with fully surrendering to Christ, often due to the personal discomfort and life changes total submission requires. The discussion emphasized that salvation is not the endpoint, but rather the beginning of a lifelong journey with God.

Takeaways:

* True faith in Christ requires a complete reorientation of our lives, which is challenging but ultimately rewarding.

* Many people, both inside and outside the church, struggle with fully embracing Christianity because it demands significant personal change.

* Our spiritual journey doesn’t end with salvation; God is always calling us to go deeper and grow in our faith.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneypodcast.substack.com

This week on The Journey, we continue discussing the profound impact of Charlie Kirk’s life and tragic assassination, focusing especially on how this moment can inspire us to deepen our faith and live more intentionally. We discussed the power of forgiveness, as demonstrated by Charlie’s wife, Erika, and the importance of being prepared spiritually for life’s challenges.

Takeaways:

* Long obedience in the same direction: We emphasized the importance of consistent spiritual growth that prepares us for moments we don’t even know we’ll experience yet.

* Finding your cause: Identify your God-given passions and use them to make a difference in your sphere of influence.

* Dependence on the Holy Spirit: We recognized that true, lasting change in our lives comes not from willpower alone, but from relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneypodcast.substack.com

This week on The Journey, we talked about the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and its implications for our faith and culture. We discussed the challenges of processing such events as Christians, the importance of standing firm in our convictions, and the need for respectful dialogue in an increasingly polarized world.

Takeaways:

* As Christians, we must be deeply convicted in our beliefs while also showing love and respect to those who disagree with us.

* In a world of misinformation and quick judgments, we need to be cautious about how we consume and share information, especially on social media.

* We are called to pray for our enemies AND seek justice, recognizing that God is both merciful and just.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneypodcast.substack.com