Vertical Ministries Podcast

This week, Myles kicks off the series 'Ask Us Anything' pointing out how the world around us can shape who we are. Myles shows how, as Christians, we can engage with culture through:

1. Clarity - Know Truth
2. Courage - Stand In Truth
3. Compassion - Share Truth In Love

Speaker: Myles Olenski

Series: Ask Us Anything

Message Title: How Should A Christian Engage With Culture

Passage: Acts 17:22-34

This week, we are joined by Dr. Ed Newton, lead pastor of Community Bible Church (CBC) in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Newton speaks on 2 Corinthians 5 pointing out that God does not look at the outward appearance but the heart.

Speaker: Ed Newton

Passage: 2 Corinthians 5

Leading up to FM72, Myles talks about how to spot the lies college students hear and how to important it is to break through the noise to find the voice that will truly guide you. 

The 3 lies covered in this message are:

1. I am what I do
2. I am what others think of me
3. I am my failures

Speaker: Myles Olenski

Message Title: 3 Lies on Identity Most College Students Believe

Passage: Matthew 3:13-17

In the final week of the PSALMS series, Myles Olenski teaches on Psalm 136 and how to fight familiarity when relationship grows into routine. In this message Myles focuses on: When God's love feels familiar...

1. Reflect on Who He Is
2. Remember What He Has Done
3. Receive His Love

Speaker: Myles Olenski

Series: PSALMS

Message Title: The Love of The Lord

Passage: Psalms 136

Continuing the series, PSALMS, Myles Olenski teaches on Psalm 4 and what to do as believers when your mind feels like a mess. In this message Myles focuses on: 

1. Call on Him for Relief
2. Call on Him for Renewal
3. Call on Him for Rest

Speaker: Myles Olenski

Series: PSALMS

Message Title: When Your Mind Feels Like A Mess

Passage: Psalms 4

In this message, Anna Webb walks through Psalm 42 focusing on ways lament Psalms can teach us how to respond to the question: "How do we respond when life feels hard?"

Speaker: Anna Webb

Series: PSALMS

Passage: Psalms 42

This week, Tyler Heidelberg, College Pastor at Austin Ridge and advisor to Revive Texas Ministries at The University of Texas at Austin, teaches from Psalm 51 and walks us through faith after failure. Tyler focuses on the questions: "What do we do when we find ourselves caught in sin?" and "What does God do with us when he finds us in sin?

Speaker: Tyler Heidelberg

Series: PSALMS

Passage: Psalms 51

Jonathan Pokluda

This week, we had the honor of hearing from Jonathan Pokluda (@jpokluda), who brought a bold, convicting message on sexual purity, marriage, and self-control. Speaking with clarity and compassion, JP challenged us to realign our view of sex with God's design and purpose. 

Main Points: 

1. Sex is a gift for your spouse
2. Sexual sin is never safe
3. Self-control starts when you're single

His teaching reminded us that obedience in the area of purity isn’t just about following rules—it’s about trusting God’s heart and plan for our lives. Whether you're single, dating, or married, this message speaks directly into the cultural noise with truth, grace, and practical wisdom.
 
Speaker: Jonathan Pokluda
Message Topic: Purity, Sex, and Self-Control
Takeaway: Your view of sex impacts your spiritual life—choose purity, pursue self-control, and trust God's design.

Nate Hilgenkamp on Faith vs. Fear

At our final SUB Bowl of the semester, we welcomed a special guest—Nate Hilgenkamp from Harris Creek—to deliver a one-off message on faith vs. fear, drawn from Numbers 13.

Nate walked us through the story of Israel in the desert, where spies were sent into Canaan and returned with drastically different perspectives—some paralyzed by fear, others moved by faith. His message challenged us to ask:

In seasons of uncertainty, will we respond like the ten who saw only giants, or like Caleb and Joshua—who trusted in the power of God over the size of the obstacles?

Speaker: Nate Hilgenkamp
Series: Homecoming One-Off
Message: Faith vs. Fear
Passage: Numbers 13
Host: Sarah Davis

A timely word on courage, obedience, and what it really means to trust God with the unknown.
Listen in and be reminded: faith always sees differently.

We wrapped up the Missions: Neighbors & Nations series this week at the SUB Bowl, with a message from Myles Olenski titled “Our Heart for the Nations.” 

Drawing from Acts 1:8 and Acts 13:1–3, Myles unpacked three core movements of a mission-minded life: 

– Engage – stepping into relationships and spaces where the Gospel is needed
– Empower – trusting the Holy Spirit to work through us in boldness and love
– Equip – preparing and sending others to carry the mission further 

Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: Missions: Neighbors & Nations
Message Title: Our Heart for the Nations
Passages: Acts 1:8, Acts 13:1–3 

Let this message refocus your heart on God's mission—and your part in it.