New Work Fellowship Podcast

Beyond Sunday- FOLLOW THE LEADER (Week 5)

 

In this episode of the Beyond Sunday Podcast, hosts Tate Zillman Wells, Josh Hensley, Michael Shearon, and Paxton Redd discuss the true meaning of worship beyond just music. They emphasize that worship is a way of life, not just a Sunday activity, and should be an overflow of a heart consistently focused on God. Through personal stories, they highlight the power of worship in difficult times, sharing how praising God through struggles can serve as a testimony to others. They also explore practical ways to develop a habit of worship throughout the week, such as incorporating prayer, gratitude, and worship music into daily routines.

The episode also features a listener question from Tammy Witte, sparking a discussion on recommended faith-based podcasts that encourage spiritual growth. The hosts wrap up by teasing Vision Sunday and the launch of The Outpouring, an exciting new initiative at New Work. With humor, personal insights, and practical advice, this episode encourages listeners to cultivate a deeper, more intentional worship life.

FOLLOW THE LEADER - Begin on the Inside: Practice Solitude and Prayer (1/5/25)

Follow the Leader - "Begin on the Inside: Practice Solitude and Prayer" - Luke 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 9:28, 11:1

Sometimes we need silence to think. There is so much noise in our lives - people, thoughts in our heads, notifications from our phones, etc.  Sometimes we just need to be still.  How can we ever know God if we are never still (Psalm 46:10)? So, pick a time/place. Prioritize it. If Jesus could, surely you can.  And then begin. Fail at it over and over again. And then, you know what to do? You try again!

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!