The Locker Room

Sports can be a powerful tool for shaping character, not just chasing trophies. In this episode, we sit down with Mark and Steph TeSlaa to explore how Christian parents can think more deeply about their kids' participation in sports—not just what happens on the field, but who our kids are becoming because of it.

We wrestle with big questions like:
• What kind of humans are we trying to raise through sports?
• What story do your words and reactions tell your kids about their worth?
• Can we help them play like it matters—precisely because it doesn’t?

This week we sit down with Ben, an area coordinator with FCA, to talk about what it means to see spiritually in a world clouded by fear and distraction. Looking at Elisha’s prayer in 2 Kings 6—“Open his eyes, Lord”—we explore how God moves us from blindness to sight, from anxiety to trust. Together we reflect on how faith opens our eyes to God’s greater reality, giving courage and clarity in every season.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: 2 Kings 6

Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with Shannon Popkin again as we dive into the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5—a powerful commander whose greatness couldn’t hide his deeper sickness of pride. Though Naaman wore the garments of success, his leprosy exposed his weakness and need. Redemption came not through his strength, but through the faith of a powerless slave girl and God’s simple call to humility. Behind it all, God’s sovereign hand used suffering to bring healing and salvation. This story ultimately points us to Christ, the true suffering servant, who entered the ultimate Jordan of death to make us whole. 

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: 2 Kings 5

Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with Ryan and Bri Conners as we journey through the story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4 — a story that moves from the heartbreak of hope, to the distress of death, to the relentless fight for life. We sat down with Ryan and Bri to talk about the wrestle of their faith through Ryan’s brain cancer journey, and how their story echoes the defiant hope we see in Scripture. Along the way, we wrestle with the reality that God doesn’t always resurrect now — and discover why that’s not a cause for despair, but a call to deeper faith.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Passage: 2 Kings 4

Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Isaac Teslaa, the newest addition to the Detroit Lions wide receiver room. Born and raised in Grand Rapid's Michigan, Isaac’s journey from local standout to NFL athlete is one marked by faith, family, and relentless perseverance. He shares about growing up in a Christ-centered home to being shaped by the community at Crossroads Bible Church, where his parents have faithfully served for years, and how his spiritual foundation shaped his mindset through college football and the leap to the professional stage with all of its pressures and potential to glorify Christ.

2 Kings 2:1–15 invites us into a powerful handoff moment. Elijah’s mantle—the symbol of prophetic authority—doesn’t just fall randomly; it falls on Elisha, who has counted the cost, surrendered comfort, and asked for a double portion of responsibility, not privilege. What does that mean for us today?

Through places like Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan, we uncover deeper layers of spiritual inheritance and identity, and we wrestle with this question: “Where is the God of Elijah?”—a cry of both desperate need and bold expectation.

Link to the Study: HERE

Preacher: Tim Bassett

Passage: 2 Kings 2

Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with former Crossroads Pastor and church planter Gabe Hartfield (Visible Church) to discuss this Sunday's sermon. Is it possible that God's voice more often leads us into mystery than into safety? In this episode, we unpack Elisha’s radical response to God’s call—leaving behind wealth, family, and stability in a dramatic act of irreversible obedience. We reflect on Elijah’s fear in 1 Kings 19 and how God gently redirected him rather than rebuking him. Elisha doesn’t just recognize God’s call—he runs after it, burns his plows, and refuses to leave a path back. Gabe shares his own journey from ministry success to depression, and the costly decision to follow God forward instead of clinging to the past. 

Preacher: Gabriel Hartfield

Passage: 1 Kings 19:15-21

Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode unpacks how God meets people in seasons of burnout, anxiety, and global crisis with compassion, rest, and purpose. Centered on the story of Elijah and real-world ministry among Middle Eastern communities, it explores Christian hospitality, spiritual formation, and resilience through suffering. Listeners will gain insight into how the gospel continues to spread in regions like Jordan, Gaza, and among the Druze, even amid war, displacement, and persecution. Ultimately, this episode calls believers to embrace faithful discipleship, carry hope into conflict zones, and reflect the love of Christ in a broken world.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: 1 Kings 19:1-14

Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alton Hardy is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church of America and the founding pastor of Urban Hope Community Church in Fairfield, Alabama. He also co-founded Urban Hope Development and launched the Urban Hope Leadership Initiative (UHLI), a discipleship and leadership program for African American college graduates preparing to serve in urban ministry. Through Alton’s leadership, the church is driving community renewal—reviving commerce, housing, and economic opportunities in a struggling city. His broader vision, “The Manifold Wisdom of God,” unites theologically conservative gospel-centered churches and Christian businesses to address racial division, poverty, and family housing needs. A native of Selma, Alton has studied at Alpena Community College, Reformed Bible College, and Calvin Seminary. He lives with his wife, Sandra, and they are passionate about prayer, reading, and urban gospel reconciliation.

- Read Alton's Book: ⁠Long Is the Way by Alton Hardy ⁠

- Learn more about Manifold Vision: ⁠Manifold Vision⁠

- Learn more about Alton's Church: ⁠Urban Hope Community Church⁠

Preacher: Alton Hardy

Passage: 1 Kings 18:20-21

Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with Beth Guckenberger to discuss her book Throw the First Punch: Defeating the Enemy Hell-Bent on Your Destruction.

In this modern-day collection of our enemy’s activities, learn to anticipate how Satan will attack and discern powerful techniques to preemptively fight against him.
 
Through biblical examples and engaging stories from Beth Guckenberger’s own life experiences, become equipped and encouraged to battle Satan with boldness and wisdom. Throw the First Punch will teach readers how to fight by:
  

• Anticipating how Satan will attack spiritually, emotionally, and physically
• Discerning specific techniques to preemptively fight against the Enemy
• Understanding the limitations God has placed on the Enemy
• Confidently engaging the power they have as co-heirs with Christ