New Work Fellowship Podcast

Hosted by Steve Buttram with Kevin Lee, Michael Shearon, and Paxton Redd, this week’s episode brings a fun, honest look at Easter traditions—from egg hunts and Reese’s eggs to family moments that make the day special—but it quickly shifts into something deeper. As the team reflects on Easter at The Bruce and across both campuses, they unpack the powerful message of “The Garden of the Skull,” where death gives way to life and God meets us in our darkest moments. With stories of spontaneous baptisms and real-life transformation, the conversation highlights how Easter isn’t just something we celebrate—it’s something we’re invited into.

The discussion moves into a meaningful reflection on “graves into gardens,” exploring how seasons of hardship often feel like endings but are actually places where God is quietly at work. Through personal stories and biblical insight, the team reminds us that even when life feels silent or uncertain, God is preparing something greater—both in us and around us. It’s a hopeful, faith-building reminder to trust Him in every season and live with eternity in mind as we walk forward.

The garden of Golgotha is a strange place where death somehow becomes life. On that skull-shaped hill, Jesus stepped right into the darkest reality we all face and planted Himself there like a seed in the ground. What looked like the end… wasn’t the end at all. God was at work, even in the silence, bringing life out of death. The empty tomb proves there’s more to the story. And just like He called Mary by name, He still calls ours today, inviting us to step out of death and into new life. Because even in the hardest places, God is still working- turning graves into gardens and offering life to anyone who will receive it.

This week’s episode brings a fun and honest conversation as the crew kicks things off with some alliteration-filled introductions before diving into a thought-provoking segment called “Whose Will Is It Anyway?” Through real-life scenarios—group chats, big opportunities, Sunday morning stress, and even those quiet moments no one sees—they wrestle with a powerful question: Is this God’s will… or mine? The discussion is both lighthearted and deeply challenging, reminding us that obedience—not success, recognition, or comfort—is the true marker of walking with God.

The conversation then turns toward prayer and preparation, drawing from Jesus’ example in the Garden of Gethsemane. Instead of praying after problems arise, we’re called to pray before they come—anchoring our hearts in God’s will ahead of time. As Easter approaches, the team encourages listeners to lean into intentional prayer, invite others, and trust that God is working even when we don’t see immediate results. It’s a timely reminder that faithfulness matters, seeds are being planted, and God’s purposes are always bigger than what we can measure.

If Life Were a Garden - "The Garden of Gethsemane - Where Life Was Won" - Matthew 26:36-46

The garden of Gethsemane is a place of both beauty and deep sorrow—the very ground where the battle for our salvation was fought and won. On that heavy night, Jesus chose not to walk away, but to draw near to the Father in honest, agonizing prayer. Even in overwhelming grief, betrayal, and pressure, He remained rooted in God’s presence. This powerful reflection invites us to become “garden people”—those who pray deeply, stay close to God in every season, and trust Him even in life’s hardest moments. Because it is often in the darkest gardens that God is doing His greatest work.

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This week’s conversation with Hannah Buttram, Josh Hensley, Paxton Redd, and Michael Shearon brings a fresh look at the beginning—walking through the Garden of Eden and how something that didn’t seem dangerous became irresistible. Through a fun (and surprisingly revealing) food game, the team highlights how small additions can transform something ordinary into something hard to resist—mirroring how temptation often works in our lives. Sin rarely appears destructive; instead, it appears appealing, subtle, and justifiable. The discussion unpacks how sin is greedy, contagious, and ultimately separates us from God, while also reminding us that the enemy often tempts us with things God has already promised—just twisted or mistimed.

The conversation moves deeper into how sin spreads—not just through actions, but through relationships, habits, and even family patterns. From gossip to comparison to hidden struggles, the group reflects on how easily we drift when we’re tired, isolated, or trying to carry things alone. Yet even in the weight of sin’s reality, there is a strong thread of hope: God’s mercy is woven into the story from the very beginning. What may feel like consequence can actually be protection, and what feels like defeat has already been overcome through Jesus. As Easter approaches, the invitation is clear—step out of the cycle of sin and into the life and freedom that Christ has already secured.

If Life Were a Garden - "The Garden of Eden - First Life" - Genesis 2:4-15

From the very beginning, God chose a garden as the place where life would begin—a space full of beauty, purpose, and His presence. Adam and Eve had everything they needed, and most importantly, they walked closely with God. But sin disrupted that perfection, bringing brokenness not only to humanity but to all of creation.

Still, the story doesn’t end in ruin. Though sin damages every “garden” it touches, God—the true Gardener—never abandons His creation. Even in the midst of our mess, He is at work, restoring, redeeming, and bringing life again.

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This week’s episode brings a long-awaited guest to the table—Tammy Witty, one of the podcast’s most faithful listeners, finally stepping into the conversation. After some fun (including a Disney vs. Scripture game that keeps everyone guessing), the tone shifts into something deeper as the team reflects on what it truly means for love to endure. Through laughter, stories, and honest moments, the conversation builds around the idea that real love isn’t just felt—it’s proven over time through perseverance, sacrifice, and intentional daily choice.

Tammy shares a powerful and personal testimony of walking through hardship with her husband’s health crisis, offering a living picture of love that endures disappointment, difficulty, and requires intentional faith. Her story becomes a reminder that enduring love is rooted in a strong foundation with Christ, and that even in seasons of struggle, God is at work shaping something meaningful. The episode closes with encouragement for anyone feeling weary or ready to give up—pointing back to Jesus as the perfect example of love that never quits and always makes a way forward.

Living on Purpose - "Be Loyal...to the End" - 1 Corinthians 13:7; John 13:1-5, 12-17

Love that truly lasts doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intention. In a world that often drifts toward convenience and self-interest, followers of Jesus are called to something deeper. If we want love to endure, we must choose it daily by following the way of Jesus. This means loving God wholeheartedly and loving others faithfully, just as He did. Real discipleship isn’t passive; it’s a lifelong commitment to live and love like Christ—faithfully and fully, all the way to the end.

This week on Beyond Sunday, Josh Hensley is joined by Michael Shearon, Brandon Tubbs, and Justin Eshenbaugh for a lively conversation centered on truth, honesty, and the cultural confusion surrounding absolute truth. The episode kicks off with a fun game called “Absolute Truth?”, setting the tone for a discussion about how culture often blurs the lines between personal opinion and objective truth. From humorous takes to deeper reflections, the group explores how quickly conversations about truth can shift depending on perspective.

As the conversation deepens, the team reflects on the biblical claim that truth ultimately has a source—Jesus Himself—and how that reality challenges the modern belief that everyone gets to define truth for themselves. They talk about how lies shape behavior, why culture often resists the idea of absolute truth, and why Jesus’ bold declaration of who He is demands a response from every person. With a mix of humor and thoughtful discussion, the episode invites listeners to consider whether their beliefs are rooted in opinion or anchored in the truth revealed through Christ.

Living on Purpose - "Just Be Honest" - 1 Corinthians 13:6; John 8:31-59

In John 8:31–59 we encounter a powerful “truth conflict.” Jesus boldly speaks truth, yet those around Him reject it because it doesn’t fit their version of truth. The tension feels strikingly familiar in our culture today. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we truth tellers? Does the truth shape the way we live? Or is there a gap between what we say and how we live? In the end, this story calls us to lives of integrity and fidelity—letting the truth of Christ win out in us and through us.