Walk Talks

In this episode of Friday Focus, Malachi Herbster sits down with Cody Bill to talk about faithful service and personal faith—what it looks like to walk steadily with the Lord through every season of life and ministry.

From meeting his wife Amy at Bible college to years of church service, bivocational ministry, and eventually full-time service at Southland Christian Ministries, Cody shares how God has used ordinary faithfulness in ordinary work to shape his walk with Christ. They discuss serving the Lord in the local church, raising a family committed to ministry, and trusting God’s call whether in the pew, the workplace, or behind the scenes.

This conversation is a reminder that lasting impact isn’t built on the spotlight, but on consistent obedience—day after day, year after year. A timely encouragement for anyone seeking to serve Christ faithfully right where God has placed them.

In this episode of Word Within, Michael McIntyre joins us for a verse-by-verse walk through the 13th stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 97–100)—a section that celebrates the deep, shaping power of God’s Word.

Together, we explore how love for the Word fuels meditation (v.97), why obedience makes us wiser than our enemies(v.98), and how a life saturated in Scripture can grant understanding beyond teachers and even the ancients (vv.99–100). Along the way, we’re reminded that true wisdom is not self-made but God-given—“Thou hast made…”—and that, as Thomas Manton observed, “Those that meditate most, thrive most.”

This conversation presses us to ask: What does it really mean to delight in God’s law, and how does sustained meditation reshape the way we think, live, and discern? A rich and practical discussion for anyone longing to grow in biblical wisdom from the inside out.

In this episode of Friday Focus, Shelly Hamilton shares a deeply personal testimony originally delivered at The 2026 Worship Conference. She reflects on the lives and legacies of two remarkable men—her father, Frank Garlock, and her husband, Ron Hamilton—whose faithfulness, leadership, and dedication have profoundly influenced conservative Christian circles for decades.

Shelly’s story is both moving and inspiring, reminding us that no matter the challenges or burdens we face, we can always give it to God. Listeners will hear lessons of faith, perseverance, and the enduring impact of godly leadership, woven with heartfelt memories of two men whose influence continues to echo today.

Whether you’re seeking encouragement, wisdom, or a reminder of God’s sustaining grace, this episode is a powerful invitation to trust Him with every part of your life.

To hear more messages and testimonies from The 2026 Worship Conference, visit theworshipconference.org.

In this episode, we arrive at the twelfth stanza of Psalm 119—Our Firm Foundation—and reflect on the unshakable, settled nature of God and His Word. Beginning with a reading of Psalm 119:89–96, Micah Herbster and Cody Bill walk verse by verse through this powerful passage, showing how the eternal stability of God’s Word enables spiritual growth even in the midst of affliction.

We explore how God’s Word is forever settled, faithfully standing through every generation, and upholding all things by His power and for His glory (vv. 89–91). From there, the Psalmist’s response unfolds—delighting in the Word, remembering it through lived obedience, seeking the Lord in dependence, heeding Scripture over self-destruction, and humbly acknowledging the limits of human perfection (vv. 92–96).

This discussion highlights a vital truth: when God’s Word steadies us, spiritual advancement follows. The episode closes with a prayer drawn directly from the Psalm, reminding us not only to study Scripture—but to pray it.

Today’s Friday Focus episode features a powerful excerpt from The 2026 Worship Conference, capturing a key moment from the opening night of the event. In this session, Dr. Greg Stiekes delivers a thoughtful and challenging message that calls believers to examine how the Word of Christ must shape and govern the life of the church as a corporate body. Drawing attention to the responsibility of the gathered people of God, Dr. Stiekes presses beyond individual devotion and highlights the necessity of shared submission to Scripture in our worship, ministry, and life together.

This excerpt serves as a timely reminder that true worship is not driven by preference, personality, or performance, but by a collective commitment to conform every aspect of church life to the authority of Christ’s Word. To learn more about The Worship Conference, including its purpose and upcoming events, or to listen to all of the conference sessions in their entirety, visit www.theworshipconference.org.

Greg Stiekes, often known as Pastor Greg, has served as pastor of Gateway Baptist Church since April 2017, initially part-time while teaching at BJU Seminary and transitioning to full-time ministry in 2024 as the church grew. Raised in the Detroit area as the son of an independent Baptist pastor, he trusted Christ as a child and committed to preaching and teaching God’s Word during high school. Greg holds degrees from Bob Jones University, Central Seminary, Erskine Theological Seminary, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has served in a variety of ministry roles including associate pastor, church planter, youth pastor, and senior pastor in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Carolina, as well as on the faculties of Northland Baptist Bible College and BJU Seminary. His teaching focuses on New Testament studies, Greek exegesis, homiletics, apologetics, and biblical worship, and he remains active in writing and theological service. Greg and his wife Rena have five adult children and several grandchildren, and he joyfully shepherds the Gateway family with a desire to see Christ known, loved, and proclaimed.

*Bio taken from www.gatewaytr.org

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in Scripture, but it is far from repetitive. In this episode, Center of the Psalm, Micah Herbster is joined by Mike Herbster for a focused recap of Psalm 119:1–88, walking through the themes, patterns, and spiritual emphases that lead us to the very heart of the psalm. Together, they explore how the opening sections emphasize delight in God’s Word, dependence on His statutes, and faithfulness through affliction—setting the stage for the powerful midpoint where God’s Word is declared forever settled. This conversation helps listeners see not only what the psalmist says, but why the structure matters, and how these opening verses prepare us to stand firmly on the unchanging truth of Scripture today.

Listen to the first episode with Pastor Will:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/walk-talks/id1626316493?i=1000680260001

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5aM0N7d3zDu0uCh8HUySb0?si=c8WJ-A1UQhKLSzcWSJxlNw

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In this week’s Friday Focus, we sit down with Pastor Will Esayenko, a faithful shepherd serving in the small mountain town of Hinton, Alberta. Though his congregation is modest in size, his commitment to the Lord and to gospel ministry is anything but small.

Our conversation centers on two key themes. First, Pastor Will shares creative and effective ways his church is reaching their community—strategies that build relationships and open doors for the gospel without compromising biblical doctrine. From simple acts of service to intentional community presence, he demonstrates how a church can be both missional and theologically anchored.

Second, we take a sober look at the decline of spiritual-mindedness in Canada, shaped by an increasingly lax cultural posture toward faith. Pastor Will speaks candidly about the challenges this creates for pastors and congregations who desire to remain steadfast in truth.

Finally, he issues a heartfelt and urgent call: Canada needs more pastors. The fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are few—not only in Canada, but also across the United States. Pastor Will encourages men to prayerfully consider the pastoral ministry and to step courageously into the work of shepherding God’s people.

This is a rich and needed conversation about faithfulness, outreach, cultural discernment, and the ongoing need for biblically grounded leaders. Tune in and be encouraged.

In this week’s episode, Micah Herbster welcomes us from Edson, Alberta, Canada, as we arrive at the halfway point of Psalm 119—the eleventh stanza in this remarkable 22-stanza chapter. Joining Micah is guest Scott Bratt as together they explore verses 81–88, a section many have called the “midnight of the Psalm.”

This stanza plunges into the depths of despair using words like fainteth, fail, digged pits, persecuted, and almost consumed. Yet even in this darkness, glimmers of hope shine. With help from the insights of Charles Spurgeon and cross-references throughout Scripture, Micah and Scott walk verse by verse through the psalmist’s cries—his fainting soul, longing eyes, the strange image of a “bottle in the smoke,” and his urgent questions for God.

Though the psalmist nears total destruction, he refuses to abandon God’s precepts. And in the final verse of this stanza, he pleads for renewed life—a request that becomes a springboard for the hope and restoration that follow later in the Psalm.

This “cliff-hanger” moment leaves us longing for what comes next, and we invite you to join us when Walk Talks returns in 2026. In the meantime, revisit earlier episodes to follow the unfolding journey of Psalm 119.

Scott closes today’s episode by praying the psalm, giving voice to both the struggle and the steadfast hope found in God’s Word.

In today's Friday Focus episode, Malachi Herbster sits down with Evangelist David Corn to discuss avenues of gospel ministry. David Corn shares his burden for his own ministry on his website:

1. My burden is to preach the gospel to unreached people and see them get saved! My heart is broken about people on their way to hell, and I want to spend my life leading as many people to Christ as possible! Romans 15:20 reads, “Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.” The public schools are a special heartbeat of mine because so many young people do not know about Christ!

2. My burden is to see people added to the church like in Acts 2. Acts 2:41 reads, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Verse 47 reads, “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” We pray that God uses us to see people join Bible-believing, fundamental, independent, local New Testament Baptist churches!

3. My burden is to see believers become soul-winners. Matthew 28:18-20 is still in the Bible, reading, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” If believers are not trying to win souls, then they are out of God’s will!

4. My burden is to see believers learn to live the Spirit-filled life. I am still learning this myself, but what God has taught me so far is life-changing! We need to learn how to depend on Christ, grow in faith, and look to God to work in our lives! John 15:4 reads, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

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*Burden taken from Evangelist David Corn's website

In this episode, Micah sits down with Mike Herbster to explore Psalm 119:73–80—a stanza that anchors us in God’s faithful work even in seasons of affliction. Together, they reflect on how the psalmist recognizes God as his Maker, seeks understanding in His commandments, and finds hope in His Word when trials press in.

This conversation highlights a powerful truth: God’s judgments are right, and His afflictions are faithful. His merciful kindness becomes our comfort, His tender mercies sustain our life, and His statutes steady our hearts. As the psalmist prays for a sound heart, the episode urges believers to cling to God’s Word so that they, too, may stand unashamed and strengthened through every trial.

Join us as we meditate on this portion of Psalm 119 and consider how God uses difficulty to deepen our dependence on Him and shape us into faithful followers of His testimonies.