New Work Fellowship Podcast

FOLLOW THE LEADER - Jesus Prioritized Worship (1/26/25)

Follow the Leader - "Jesus Prioritized Worship" - Luke 4:14-16; John 4:21-23

Worship was at the heart of Jesus' ministry. In fact, it is evident that He was raised that way. His parents modeled it. When travelers went to Jerusalem, they sang together the same "psalms of assent" as they headed to Jerusalem. Jesus grew up singing, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord'..." He continued that rhythm in His own life. There is a trend at work in the church right now in which people, on average, attend 1.4 times a month - that's average. It's called "regular attendance." The implication from the text was that every week, Jesus was at the synagogue, and every year, at the temple.

Beyond Sunday- FOLLOW THE LEADER (Week 4)

In this episode of the Beyond Sunday podcast, hosts Michael, Josh, Evan, and Paxton dive into the themes of generosity as they reflect on the current sermon series, "Follow the Leader." They discuss the contrast between the biblical stories of the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus, highlighting the significance of a generous heart in following Jesus.

The team also shares personal insights on giving, emphasizing the spiritual and practical rewards of living generously, and recounting inspiring moments of generosity witnessed during mission trips. Along the way, they answer a listener's question about career paths outside of ministry, providing a mix of humor and heartfelt reflections. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of faith, generosity, and living a Christ-centered life.

FOLLOW THE LEADER - Jesus Prioritized Generosity (1/19/25)

Follow the Leader - "Jesus Prioritized Generosity" - Luke 18:18-27; 19:1-10

Jesus talked more about money than any other topic. Not because He (or the church) is trying to get money from people, but the reality is that money is the largest "competitor" with God. You cannot serve both God and money. 1 Timothy 6:10 is a great example of why Jesus taught about it...it can ruin people. You see it all throughout the Bible - Judas, Ananias and Saphira, Simon the Sorcerer, Achan in Joshua, the sons of Levi, the and rich young ruler. So, if we are following closely, it makes sense that we would be generous. Radical Generosity is one of the core values of the church. We teach it, not because we want your money, but because we are trying to follow Jesus closely.

Beyond Sunday- MISSIONS EPISODE

In this episode, Michael Shearon and Josh Hensley welcome April Oattes and introduce Nora Snyder, the newest missions intern at New Work Fellowship. Nora shares her passion for service and her decision to step into this role, combining her graduate studies in counseling with her dedication to missions. The team discusses Nora's responsibilities, such as coordinating local mission projects, creating a prayer wall for the church, and assisting small groups in identifying service opportunities. They also reflect on the personal impact of serving others and fostering relationships through shared faith.

The conversation highlights the church’s recent mission trip to Guatemala, where 21 participants built homes, distributed food, and strengthened relationships with local communities. They celebrate the generosity of New Work Fellowship, which raised over $61,000 for missions in 2024 and contributed to disaster relief efforts for California wildfire victims. The hosts emphasize the importance of living missionally through global trips, local service, or prayer and encourage listeners to explore opportunities to engage with the church’s vision for making a difference.

FOLLOW THE LEADER - Jesus Prioritized the Scriptures (1/12/25)

Follow the Leader - "Jesus Prioritized the Scripture" - John 1:1-5

Jesus was the Word, and is the Word. If you want to know the Word, you must be in the Word. You need a time, place, and a Bible. Get in the word! God's word will never pass away - that means you can trust it. Jesus taught the Word, so apparently, He thought it important enough for us to learn it. Jesus applied it to His life; therefore, you are to apply it to your life. Jesus challenged people to search the Word. Are you searching? How close are you following?

Beyond Sunday- NEW YEARS EPISODE

In this New Year's Day 2025 podcast episode, hosts Josh Hensley, Cliff Hines, Justin Eshenbaugh, and Michael Shearon reflected on New Work Fellowship’s achievements in 2024. Key highlights included reaching over 1,000 total baptisms since founding, launching their first Spanish-speaking ministry, and growing their Night of Worship event to over 550 attendees.

Looking ahead to 2025, the hosts shared upcoming changes including a new special needs ministry for children, moving 6th graders into student ministry, and relocating summer camps to Jonathan Creek. The conversation maintained an optimistic tone as they discussed their "Imagine a Church" vision and plans for continued growth and community impact.

Celebrate with us! Access the 2024 Year In Review!

FOLLOW THE LEADER - Pick Your People (12/29/24)

Follow the Leader - "Pick Your People" - Matthew 4:18-22, 16:24-26

There is a spiritual discipline of connection and community that is intentional in the Christian faith. We are not to live out our faith in isolation. From the very beginning we find that it is NOT GOOD to be alone, and that is certainly true in our faith! We do not just do church together; we do life together. If there was someone who could do it all, be it all, didn't need anyone...it was Jesus. But Jesus intentionally chose to do life in community. Who are your people? Who are your faith people? Who can speak into your life? Who is it that you are speaking and pouring into?

Beyond Sunday- 2024 CHRISTMAS EPISODE (Listener Questions)

Hosts Josh Hensley, Paxton Redd, Kevin Lee, and Michael Shearon discuss Christmas traditions and answer listener questions in this December 2024 episode of Beyond Sunday.

The episode begins with sharing unique family Christmas traditions, including peppermint ice cream with eggnog, special Christmas morning breakfasts, and cookie decorating competitions.

Key questions addressed:

1. Personal moments that challenged their Christian views - The hosts discuss church hurt, theological education, and personal trials that deepened their faith
2. Biggest spiritual influences - They share stories about mentors, family members, and church leaders who shaped their faith
3. Theological questions about:
   • Whether deceased loved ones watch from heaven
   • Timing of Jesus's birth relative to Mary and Joseph's marriage
   • Proper tithing practices and designated giving

The episode concludes with hosts sharing their favorite Christmas movies. Merry Christmas to our faithful listeners!

PARDON THE INTERRUPTION - I Was Fine Right Where I Was (12/22/24)

Sometimes the last thing we want is an interruption. Everything is going along just like we want it to. I imagine that 's the way it was with the shepherds. They were content.  They were comfortable. I don't picture the shepherds as an exceedingly ambitious lot. Their job was on the bottom rung of economic advancement. There must have been "easy as you go" vibe to these guys. This night was just same ol', same ol'. They were used to day in and day out. Every night was the same...oh, sure - maybe the occasional moment of madness when a bear or lion tried to swipe a lamb.  And this night was nothing special, until SUDDENLY IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE! There is comfort in routine. We like to know what is coming. Christmas can be tough because we lose our routine and rhythm, but this interruption was God's way of saying, "There is more to your story!" God's story intersected their story, and God has a purpose when He interrupts your story.  He is inviting you to something more. So what's the lesson here? Get your eyes up, get your worship on, step into the call, find Jesus, AND never be the same again!

Beyond Sunday- PARDON THE INTERRUPTION (Week 3)

In this episode of the Beyond Sunday podcast, host Josh Hensley is joined by Michael Shearan, Evan Ryan, and special guest April Oatts to discuss several engaging topics. The group dives into Pastor Steve's recent sermon about the wise men's journey to Jesus, exploring the profound significance of their three gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - and what these gifts reveal about Jesus's identity as king, priest, and sacrifice. They share personal stories about following God's calling, including Evan's transformative journey from Arkansas to becoming a vital part of New Work Fellowship's ministry.

The conversation also touches on upcoming Christmas Eve services and mission initiatives, with April providing insights into how the church's year-end missions offering supports local, national, and global partners. Don’t miss out on the beginnings of the exciting and upcoming journey of Michael and Laina welcoming a new cat to their family. There sure to be more as the story develops and unfolds!