In this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, the hosts discuss the intriguing topic of angels and demons, particularly in the context of the Advent season. They explore the nature of angels, their roles as messengers, and the reality of spiritual warfare involving demons. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the spiritual realm, the authority of believers, and practical ways to engage in spiritual warfare through prayer and scripture. The hosts encourage listeners to live boldly in their faith, recognizing the victory of Christ over spiritual adversaries.

In this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Josh and [Co-host Name, if known] tackle the crucial question of how to discern modern Christian trends—from new theological movements to popular personalities—to determine if they are truly led by the Holy Spirit or merely products of culture and novelty.

They discuss the essential role of the Bible as the sole and final authority for truth and practice, while acknowledging the challenge of differing interpretations. The conversation covers:

• The Speed of Trends: How social media and content saturation accelerate the spread of new movements.

• The Danger of Tear-Down Ministries: A warning against overly critical "discernment bloggers" and the importance of being "builders" while still evaluating.

• Case Studies in Drift: A look back at the Emergent Church (Mark Driscoll, Rob Bell) and more recent figures (John Mark Comer, Steven Furtick) to illustrate how early compromise on hermeneutics and core doctrine can lead to heresy and deconstruction.

• Evaluating "Gig Eva": Addressing the rise of influential figures with huge online platforms but little organizational accountability.

• The Crucial Role of Proximity: The need to evaluate a leader's fruit (behavior, humility, orthodoxy) and the danger of replacing your local pastor with a distant, digital influence.

• Practical Questions for Discernment: Offering clear steps to test any movement by asking: Does it glorify God or man? What fruit does it produce? Does it stand the test of time?

Tune in to learn how to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11)—receiving the word with eagerness but examining the Scriptures daily to remain steadfast in the truth.

In this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, the hosts celebrate one year of the podcast while discussing the importance of multiplication in the church. They emphasize the need for church planting, particularly in North Fort Collins, and explore the biblical basis for multiplication through the Great Commission. The conversation highlights the significance of discipleship as a lifestyle, the necessity of multiplying leaders, and the sacrifices required for kingdom growth. Ultimately, they reflect on the worth of Jesus and the joy that comes from participating in His mission.

In this episode, Pastors Zack and Josh introduce special guest Mitch Chase, and delve into the importance of biblical theology. They reflect on their childhood experiences with the Old Testament, emphasizing the need to understand the Bible as a unified story centered on Christ. The conversation highlights the discipline of reading the Bible, the significance of wisdom throughout scripture, and practical advice for applying biblical principles in everyday life. The episode concludes with personal nuggets of wisdom, encouraging listeners to embrace correction and choose their companions wisely.

Conference sessions coming soon to the Overland Church YouTube Channel. Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@overlandchurchfoco

In this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh dive into Overland Church's week of prayer and fasting, timed strategically with their seasonal missions focus and offering. They reflect on how a leadership exercise revealed the church's "prayerless" culture years ago, prompting four annual intentional weeks to seek God's heart, align with His mission, and depend on His power—without earning favor.

Fasting is explained as a biblical practice of self-denial (primarily from food) to express "I want You more than I need this," creating hunger for God, humility, clarity, and breakthrough from apathy. Practical tips include starting small (one meal, not 40 days), using meal times for focused prayer, and exceptions for health reasons like pregnancy or blood sugar issues. Avoid Pharisaical showiness; keep it private and genuine.The discussion shifts to missions' utter dependence on the Holy Spirit (Acts 1, 13), with prayer and fasting as non-negotiable for empowerment amid opposition. Historical examples highlight prayer's role in revivals: the Moravian 100-year continuous prayer chain sparking the modern missions movement (influencing William Carey); the Haystack Prayer Revival birthing senders/goers like Adoniram Judson and Luther Rice.

Prayer aligns our purposes with God's kingdom, fuels impossible obedience, and combats distraction—unreached peoples remain so not due to a weak gospel, but a distracted church.Closing wisdom: Prayer feels unnatural and hard (like pulling teeth), but persist—it's long-term "banked" investment. Missionaries thrive on knowing they're prayed for; send a quick note. Listeners are challenged to fast, pray the guide, and join the movement.

In this timely episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh tackle a listener's question: Should Christians celebrate Halloween? With Halloween approaching, the pastors dive into the holiday’s complex history, from its Celtic pagan roots in the festival of Samhain to its partial Christianization through All Saints’ Day. They explore the tension between Halloween’s secular, commercialized form and its darker undertones, addressing concerns about demonic influences and cultural participation. Sharing personal insights, they discuss how they navigate Halloween with their families, emphasizing the importance of rejecting evil while allowing room for conscience-driven decisions. The episode offers practical advice for parents and churches, encouraging listeners to use Halloween as an opportunity to build relationships with neighbors and disciple children in distinguishing between good and evil, all while fostering kindness and understanding within the Christian community.

In this raw, heartfelt dive into Nehemiah's "Weep, Pray, Obey" series, Pastors Zack and Josh unpack the lost art of grief. From personal losses—like shattered dreams, broken relationships, and perpetual pain as special needs parents—to the church's call to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15), they expose America's sanitized avoidance of sorrow. Drawing from real stories—Zack's battles with anger, bitterness, and delayed funerals; Josh's grief counseling wisdom—they share biblical tools: 

• Personal Grief: Cry raw prayers to God (Lamentations-style), fight isolation, embrace Christian counseling, and hold funerals soon for gospel hope. 
• Corporate Comfort: Sit in silence, validate emotions, mow lawns (not just "let me know!"), remember anniversaries, and build vulnerability in groups. 
• Cultural Lament: Collectively mourn society's brokenness with a "Maranatha" cry for Christ's return.

Grieve as those with hope (1 Thess. 4:13)—not like the hopeless. Perfect for anyone hurting, helping, or hungry for honest faith.

**SCHEDULING NOTE: THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A PEACE DEAL.**

In this episode, recorded on the two-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on Israel, the pastors tackle a listener's question about how Christians should view modern-day Israel. They explore theological perspectives like dispensationalism, covenant theology, and progressive covenantalism, unpacking their implications for understanding Israel’s role in God’s plan. With clarity and balance, they address political divisions, the dangers of propaganda, and the biblical call to love all people while keeping Christ at the center. Tune in for thoughtful discussion, grounded in Scripture, and practical wisdom for navigating complex issues.

Learn more and register for the Rocky Mountain Theology Conference, November 7-8 at rockymountaintheology.com

This podcast episode from Wisdom for the Wilderness, hosted by Pastors Zack and Josh of Overland Church, explores the concept of "pathways to hope" through compassion ministries. The pastors discuss the biblical foundation for compassion ministry, distinguishing it from the historical social gospel movement and liberation theology, which they critique for redefining sin, salvation, and the church’s mission. They emphasize that compassion ministries should flow from the gospel, not replace it, and focus on demonstrating Christ’s love through practical acts of service like foster care, support for the unhoused, literacy programs, and disaster relief. The episode highlights the church’s role in addressing local needs while prioritizing evangelism and discipleship, rejecting the idea that social justice is the gospel itself. The episode concludes with a call to prioritize preaching the gospel while loving “the least of these” and to persevere in compassion ministries despite challenges.

Listen to Zack's Sermon on Pathways to Hope: https://youtu.be/0az7Uiwd4uY?si=omYuhlTxGLATzqHM

In this poignant episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh tackle the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk whose death on September 10 at Utah Valley University has sent ripples through the nation. Recorded three weeks after the tragedy, the pastors explore why this event continues to resonate, particularly among younger generations, and how it exposes the deep spiritual and political divides in our culture. They reflect on the surprising celebration of Kirk’s death by some, the profound forgiveness offered by his widow, Erika, and the contrast with other public responses. Through a biblical lens, they discuss the call to forgiveness, the necessity of justice, and the spiritual battle at the heart of this moment. Urging listeners to focus on Christ, love their neighbors, and persist in faith, Zack and Josh offer timeless wisdom for navigating grief, polarization, and the pursuit of truth in a broken world. Email your questions to [email protected], and join us next week for more Wisdom for the Wilderness.