Westside Podcast

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Fear often sneaks in just as God is calling us into something greater. In this episode of Midweek Motivation, Pastor Jess sits down with psychologist and coach Nancy Casteel for a powerful conversation on fear, calling, and how to move forward when everything in you wants to freeze or run. They explore what fear actually is, how it operates in the brain and body, and how to face it with faith, wisdom, and the support of others.

Discover:

• Why fear is more than a feeling—and how it affects your brain and body
• The truth behind limiting beliefs and confirmation bias
• Practical steps to break free from fear and take bold action
• How to spiritually and physically regulate your response to anxiety
• Ways to support yourself and others in stepping into God’s calling

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Fear is a natural part of life, but it shouldn’t drive your decisions
• The amygdala controls fight-or-flight—but you can retrain your response
• Your thoughts shape your identity; challenge negative confirmation bias
• Taking small steps helps rewire your brain to embrace courage
• Connecting with safe, trusted people gives you strength to move forward

This is a must-listen for anyone feeling paralyzed by self-doubt, fear of failure, or imposter syndrome. Let God stretch you beyond the limits fear has set.

❓Question for You to Think About
What’s one brave step you can take this week in response to something God is calling you into—despite fear?

We’ve got groups for every stage of life and schedule. Don’t do this alone — find your people and grow together. Head to westsidecommunitychurch.com/groups and get plugged in today.

📢 New here? Subscribe and join us every week for honest, practical encouragement to fuel your faith, relationships, and personal growth.

🔗 Connect with us:
Westside Community Church – westsidecommunitychurch.com
Instagram – @westsidecommunitychurch
Subscribe for more Midweek Motivation episodes! – youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1

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Join us as Valerie Bellamy brings us a message about The Story of Mary.

#Godisgreater #highsandlows #hope #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2025sermon #churchonline #valeriebellamy

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts, or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

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What do you do when life feels uncertain, your faith is tested, and the answers just haven’t come yet? In this heartfelt episode, Pastor Gabe sits down with Greg and Amy Lang to explore what it looks like to stay faithful through unemployment, financial hardship, and the emotional toll of a long season of waiting.

Discover:

• How Greg and Amy have held onto hope during over two years of underemployment
• The emotional and spiritual challenges men face when identity is tied to work
• The power of community, vulnerability, and showing up faithfully even in hard times
• Encouragement for marriages under stress and how to grow closer in the storm
• How faith, giving, and persistence opened unexpected doors

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This episode is a beautiful reminder: your valley doesn’t define you, and God sees you even when the path ahead feels hidden. Whether you’re in a waiting season or walking with someone who is, you’ll walk away encouraged.

Key Takeaways:

• Your worth is not defined by your job title or paycheck—God sees deeper.
• Community is a lifeline during difficulty. Let others walk with you.
• Generosity and service are possible even in scarcity—and they strengthen your spirit.
• God’s timing is different than ours, but He never stops providing.
• Marriage can grow stronger in trials when it’s built on mutual encouragement and trust.

Question for you to think about:
What’s one area of your life where you need to be reminded that God still sees you?

📢 New here? Subscribe and join us every week for honest, practical encouragement to fuel your faith, relationships, and personal growth.

🔗 Connect with us:
Westside Community Church – westsidecommunitychurch.com
Instagram – @westsidecommunitychurch
Subscribe for more Midweek Motivation episodes! – youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1

#midweekmotivation #faithinuncertainty #christianencouragement #marriageincrisis #godseesyou #resilience #stickyfaith #westsidecommunitychurch

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Join us as Pastor Gabe Kolstad and Ken Wooten bring us a message about how God Can Keep You Strong.

#Godisgreater #highsandlows #hope #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2025sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts, or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Midweek Motivation, Jess opens up about her own journey with doubt, sharing how an unmet expectation at age 13 caused her to walk away from faith—and how she found her way back. Whether you’re wrestling with questions yourself or walking alongside someone who is, this conversation will bring insight, comfort, and practical tools for engaging your doubts with faith and courage.

💬 Got questions or wrestling with doubt? Join Alpha.
Alpha is a safe, welcoming space at Westside where you can ask big questions, explore faith, and connect with others. If you’re ready to take that next step, check out the group at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/groups.

Discover:

• The impact of unchecked doubt: how it affects your confidence, relationships, and peace.
• Jess’s personal story of walking away from God—and what brought her back.
• Four practical steps for handling doubt in a healthy, faith-filled way.
• Why facing doubt head-on builds a stronger foundation for your future.
• How the Alpha Course at Westside can provide a safe place for honest questions.

You’re not alone in your questions—and doubt doesn’t disqualify your faith. It can be the starting point of a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

• Doubt is common—but if ignored, it can erode peace and stability.
• Your perspective matters: ask God to reveal what’s going on in your heart.
• Don’t settle for surface answers—seek truth through prayer, study, and wise community.
• You can’t wait for perfect answers to take a step of faith. Faith grows through action.
• Creating space for your questions is one of the most powerful ways to grow in faith.

Question for you to think about:
What doubts have you been holding onto—and what’s one step you can take to face them with God this week?

📢 New here? Subscribe and join us every week for practical wisdom to fuel your faith, relationships, and personal growth.

🔗 Connect with us:
📍 Westside Community Church – https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com
📱 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch
🎧 Subscribe for more Midweek Motivation episodes! –  https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1

Send us Fan Mail

Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Pastor Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about When Faith Meets Doubt.

#Godisgreater #highsandlows #hope #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2025sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when you feel like you’ve reached the end of the road? In this week’s episode of Midweek Motivation, Gabe sits down with Brenda to hear her incredible journey of healing, faith, and second chances—all sparked by an invitation from her 4-year-old grandson.

Discover:

• Brenda’s journey from pain to purpose: Hear how her past led her to an encounter with Jesus that changed everything.
• The power of one small invitation: See how her grandson’s simple question opened the door to a new life.
• How community and connection build strength: Learn how joining groups and Bible studies fueled Brenda’s transformation.
• Practical encouragement for anyone starting over: Find hope and courage to take that first step, wherever you’re at.
• The beauty of forgiveness: Discover how letting go of the past unlocked peace and deeper relationships in Brenda’s life.

Be encouraged by Brenda’s story and reminded that God can redeem any chapter of your life—and He often starts with the smallest steps of faith.

Key Takeaways:

• Your past doesn’t disqualify you from a hopeful future.
• Real change often starts with a simple invitation.
• Healing happens in community.
• Forgiveness opens the door to peace and freedom.
• God’s grace shows up when you least expect it.

Question for you to think about:
What step of faith could you take today that might change everything?

📢 New here? Subscribe and join us every week for practical wisdom to fuel your faith, relationships, and personal growth.

🔗 Connect with us:
📍 Westside Community Church – https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com
📱 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch
🎧 Subscribe for more Midweek Motivation episodes! –  https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1

#midweekmotivation #redemptionstory #faithjourney #secondchances #jesus #westsidecommunitychurch #testimony

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Join us as Pastor Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about What God Can Do With Your Dead End.

#easter #easterservices #resurrection #deadend #newlife #Godisgreater #highsandlows #hope #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2025sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

What do you do when you're waiting for a miracle? In this powerful and vulnerable episode of Midweek Motivation, Jess talks with Rachel about her journey of healing and the lessons she's learned while waiting for God's intervention.

Discover:

• Rachel's journey of healing: Hear her courageous story of overcoming trauma and finding strength in God.
• The importance of trusted relationships: Learn how talking about your pain and struggles with safe people can be a crucial step in healing.
• The power of God's presence: Discover how God's nearness can provide comfort and strength, even when answers seem delayed.
• Practical encouragement for those in the waiting: Find hope and inspiration to persevere in prayer and hold onto the vision of your miracle.
• Finding purpose in pain: Learn how God can use your experiences to help and encourage others facing similar challenges.

Be inspired by Rachel's vulnerability and the message of hope that God is with you in the waiting.

Dive deeper on your time with "Westside + | Self-Paced Training"
Click here to access it now: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/westsideplus

Key Takeaways:

• Healing is a process that requires courage, vulnerability, and trust.
• Trusted relationships and therapy can provide essential support in the healing journey.
• God is present and offers comfort, even when we don't receive the answers we desire.
• Our experiences can be used to help and encourage others facing similar challenges.
• Holding onto hope and persevering in prayer is crucial while waiting for God's miracles.

Question for you to think about:

What are you waiting for God to do in your life? Share your stories of hope and perseverance in the comments below!

#midweekmotivation #christianpodcast #healing #hope #faith #prayer #miracles #westsidecommunitychurch

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Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Pastor Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about When You're Waiting for God to Work.

#miracles #explainingmiracles #modernmiracles #hope #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2025sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/