You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
The same basic principle applies to missions work. Too many churches and other missions organizations over-emphasize Relief Aid―no-strings-attached, handouts of vital supplies given in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. While necessary and lifesaving, Relief Aid is only a temporary fix. Once the funds dry up and the ground team leaves, the impoverished community is often no better off than they were before.
In Teach a Man to Fish, the authors illustrate the benefits of “wholistic transformational development,” where―through engagement with the local church― the community is empowered to identify and carry out long-term sustainable solutions to meet its own needs.

Florence Muindi, MD, MPH, is the founder and president of Life in Abundance International, a faith-based nonprofit headquartered in Nairobi Kenya, that serves the poor and the vulnerable through partnerships with local indigenous churches.

In this episode we sit down with our new Resident College Pastor Jackson Brown and Middle School Director Cayden Kregel to discuss the Road to Emmaus story from Luke's gospel. In a world marked by quiet desperation, disappointment, and confusion, the Emmaus Road story offers a picture of what it means to find hope again. We explore how the resurrection of Jesus reframes our lives, giving us more than just comfort — it gives us a new framework to understand who we are, why we’re here, and where we’re going.

We’ll talk about the weight of a life without purpose, the problem of sin and death, and why the resurrection is the anti-venom to the world’s pain. If Jesus really rose, then everything changes — not just in the end, but here and now.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Luke 24:13-32

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: [email protected]

How do you define the Kingdom of God? In Luke 13, Jesus doesn’t offer a tidy definition—He gives us two surprising images: a tiny mustard seed and a hidden bit of leaven. In this episode, we dig into the earthy, upside-down, and unstoppable nature of God’s Kingdom. It begins in the smallest, humblest places—a barren womb, a poor village, a crucified King—and yet it grows into something expansive and eternal.

We’ll explore how this Kingdom is not about power the way the world defines it. It’s about extravagant generosity, radical surrender, and hidden transformation. It's not a system, a nation, or a Sunday service—it's the presence of a King who is remaking the world from the bottom up. And the question that cuts through all of it: Is Jesus your King?

In this week’s episode, we dive into the Parable of the Wise & Foolish Builders and explore what it means to set your foundation of your life on Jesus and obeying his teaching. We’ll discuss the importance of true obedience, digging deep, the importance of chaverim, and more.

Preacher: Jason Botbyl

Passage: Luke 6:47-49

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: [email protected]

In this thought-provoking 1-week "Crossroads U" class, we dive deep into the Bible, examining its content through the lens of archaeology and historical context. By exploring the physical and cultural backdrop of the scriptures, we uncover fascinating surprises that offer fresh perspectives, especially on the life of Jesus during the week leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection.

Through archaeological discoveries and historical records, we can trace the locations where Jesus lived, taught, and carried out His ministry—without requiring a leap of faith. These tangible, historical facts help confirm that Jesus was a real historical figure and provide a richer understanding of the world He walked in.

However, while we can confidently assert the reality of His existence and the key events of His life, faith becomes crucial when it comes to understanding the deeper significance of those events. It is through faith that we come to believe in the divine nature of Jesus and embrace His teachings and sacrifice. This elective doesn’t just highlight the historical Jesus; it challenges us to reflect on who He claimed to be and what His life and resurrection mean for us today.

Join us as we uncover the historical and archaeological context behind Jesus' final days and explore the intersection of faith, history, and the profound impact of His life. Whether you’re a believer or simply curious about the historical Jesus, this class offers compelling insights that will deepen your faith and understanding.

SIGN UP HERE: The Chronology and Coins of Christ: Passion Week

In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Bartlett, Director of Crossroads Adoption and Foster Care, and Stephanie Teslaa, Community Care Pastor, to dive into the message of Matthew 21, where Jesus challenges empty religiosity and calls for true repentance. Together, we explore how outward religious actions can sometimes obscure genuine heart change and discuss how, in both our marriages and service to the least of these, we are called to draw from a deeper, God-centered source.

This conversation emphasizes how true transformation in our relationships and ministries comes from cultivating a deeper connection with God, allowing Him to shape our hearts and actions in a way that truly reflects His love and grace.

Contact Stephanie for the marriage retreat audio: [email protected]
Marriage Curriculum

Connect with Jamie to learn more about serving in our foster care and adoption ministry:

[email protected]

CarePortal Sign-Up Link

We sit down with Rod and Libby as we dive deep into the journey of becoming and making disciples, exploring the powerful invitation Jesus gives to His followers: "Come" and "Go." Jesus' first words to His disciples invite them to come and follow Him, but His last command sends them out to make disciples of all nations. But here's the key—before we can go, we must first come and be trained.

Discipleship isn't just a set of teachings; it's a transformative relationship where we become just like the rabbi in every area of our lives. Yet in America, we've missed an essential piece: the role of the rabbi. A rabbi is not just a spiritual peer—just as a coach isn't a player, or a parent isn't a child, a rabbi isn't just one of the sheep. They guide and train, preparing disciples to live out their calling.

So, who is your rabbi? Who is training you to walk in Jesus' footsteps? And are you training others in turn? Discipleship doesn’t just happen in church—it happens in our daily lives, in the spaces where we work, parent, and live. It’s about living out faith in the everyday, and actively discipling those around us.

As we explore the Hebrew word for "come," which can be plural, we discover that this invitation is not just for you—it’s for all y’all. Discipleship isn’t a solo mission. It’s a community effort, a group of Havarim—fellow followers of Jesus, united in mission under the guidance of a rabbi.

Are you discipling others? If you can't name names, this episode will challenge you to reconsider how you are living out the Great Commission.

Today Tryg sits down with Joe Stowell to talk about his latest book This Light of Mine: Living Like Jesus in a Non-Jesus World. Joe has a distinguished career in higher education and church leadership. He has served as President of Moody Bible Institute and Cornerstone University and has had the honor of pastoring several churches in the Midwest. An internationally recognized conference speaker, Joe has written devotionals for Our Daily Bread and authored several books, including Strength for the Journey, The Trouble with Jesus, Simply Jesus, and Redefining Leadership: Character-Driven Habits of Effective Leaders. He and his wife, Martie, enjoy the pleasure of three children and ten grandchildren.

Laurie Krieg is the president of Impossible Ministries, a coaching/consulting, teaching, and podcasting ministry with the mission to equip Jesus-followers with a gospel-centered approach to marriage and sexuality. Laurie serves on the Board of Directors for The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender, and is earning a master’s degree from Wheaton Graduate School in Evangelism and Leadership.

In this week’s episode, we dive into the Parable of the Ten Minas and explore what it means to invest in the Kingdom of God with everything we have. We’ll discuss how truly understanding God’s character is essential for this kind of investment, what it takes to follow through, and why many of us hesitate to do so. Join us as we unpack all of this and more!

Preacher: Jason Botbyl

Passage: Luke 19:11-27

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: [email protected]