Joel & Rachel Shelley are Calvary Global Partners serving with Word of Life in the Philippines. Their focus is on camp ministry, where they seek to introduce people to Jesus and disciple the next generation of believers, equipping them to make disciples of their own. Today, Joel & Rachel are sharing the story of how God called them into missions, ways they’ve seen Him at work in the Philippines, and the impact that Calvary short-term ministry teams have had over the past several years....
Jun 30, 2025•39 min
Calvary Elder, Freeman Chakara, was born in Zimbabwe and all but orphaned as a young boy. After committing his life to Christ as an early teen, he faced quite a bit of persecution from his extended family. But the one thing that has been true throughout Freeman’s life is that God is faithful to provide. Today he is sharing the story of how God brought him from a small village in Africa to where he is today—a Doctor of Psychology with his own local practice, where he lives out the Great Commissio...
Jun 23, 2025•57 min
Today we have the privilege of hearing from Steve Iseman, who has served on the Elder Board for about 5 ½ years. You may have heard a bit about Steve on Episode 20, when we heard from his wife, Meg, who oversees our ministry to 5th & 6th graders here at Calvary. Like Meg, Steve is also a former teacher, and he loves being able to serve alongside her in C56, because he believes it’s such a formative age where there is so much opportunity for spiritual growth. Today, Steve is sharing about his...
Jun 09, 2025•29 min
Grif Jack recently rejoined the Elder Board, taking the place of another Elder whose vocation moved him out of the area. While Grif previously served as an Elder, he’s excited about the ways God will use his unique giftings to contribute to the overall leadership of Calvary Church at this specific point in time. If you’re a regular listener of Pursuing Life, you may remember hearing from Grif’s other half, Kim (Calvary’s Librarian), in episode 96. Grif has served in a variety of capacities over ...
Jun 02, 2025•36 min
Our series may be ending, but for us, the resurrection is just the beginning. Today we reflect back on what we've learned and what it looks like to not only behold the King, but to follow Him. Follow along by reading John 21, or use this episode as a companion to our current sermon series, Behold the King. If you missed this week’s message, visit calvarychurch.org/messages.
Apr 28, 2025•22 min
A video edition of this episode is available here . We've reached the culmination of our series. Jesus is crucified as a sacrifice for the sins of all, and just when it seems like the battle has been lost, He victoriously conquers death by rising from the dead. Follow along by reading Matthew 27:27-28:10, Mark 15:16-16:8, Luke 23:26-24:43, and John 19:18-20:23, or use this episode as a companion to our current sermon series, Behold the King. If you missed this week’s message, visit calv...
Apr 21, 2025•30 min
A video edition of this episode is available here . This week we unpack the trials of Jesus that ultimately lead to His condemnation and death. In the face of injustice, we see Jesus boldly declaring His identity and inviting us to believe that He is who He says He is. Follow along by reading Matthew 26:57–27:26, Mark 14:53–15:15, Luke 22:54–23:25, and John 18:12–19:15, or use this episode as a companion to our current sermon series, Behold the King. If you missed this week’s message, visit c...
Apr 14, 2025•32 min
A video edition of this podcast is available here . This week we see Jesus pray in deep sorry and unwavering submission as He prepares for His coming arrest. Through it all, He remains in complete control, resolute in His mission to drink the cup of suffering for our sake. Follow along by reading Mark 14:32-50; Matthew 26:36-56; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-11, or use this episode as a companion to our current sermon series, Behold the King. If you missed this week’s message, visit calvarychurch.o...
Apr 07, 2025•30 min
A video edition of this episode is available here . Join us as we discuss what happens as Jesus eats His final meal with His disciples and gives them an example to follow to continuing building His Kingdom. Follow along by reading Matthew 26:17-25, Mark 14:12-31, Luke 22:14-38, John 13-17, or use this episode as a companion to our current sermon series, Behold the King. If you missed this week’s message, visit calvarychurch.org/messages ....
Mar 31, 2025•26 min
A video edition of this episode is available here . Join us as we discuss what happens during Tuesday of Holy Week. Follow along by reading Mark 11:27-12:44, Matthew 21:23-25:45, and Luke 20-21, or use this episode as a companion to our current sermon series, Behold the King. If you missed this week’s message, visit calvarychurch.org/messages .
Mar 24, 2025•31 min
A video edition of this episode is available here . Join us as we discuss what happens the day after Jesus' triumphal entry as He enters the temple and displays His authority. Follow along by reading Matthew 21:12-27 and Mark 11:20-12:44, or use this episode as a companion to our current sermon series, Behold the King. If you missed this week’s message, visit calvarychurch.org/messages ....
Mar 17, 2025•22 min
A video edition of this episode is available here . Join us as we discuss Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Follow along by reading John 12:12-50, or use this episode as a companion to our current sermon series, Behold the King. If you missed this week’s message, visit calvarychurch.org/messages .
Mar 10, 2025•25 min
Sharon Lambertson serves as Calvary’s Adult Ministry Assistant. She loves working behind the scenes to support others in helping people take next steps in their faith journey. Sharon is skilled in a variety of administrative areas and helps to bring continuity to Calvary’s processes. But in addition to that, she is also a skilled musician, and she serves as the Concertmaster of Calvary’s orchestra. Today, Sharon is sharing how she came to faith in Christ and how God has used her experience to le...
Feb 24, 2025•36 min
Jen Drakopoulos knew from an early age that overseas ministry could be a part of her future. As a teenager, she experienced firsthand the impact that healthcare training could have for the Kingdom of God, so she pursued an education in nursing. God has allowed her to use that training for many years, including a decade in community healthcare. In the last several years, God has transitioned Jen to a new country and subsequently, a new ministry. And while that transition is ongoing, Jen is sharin...
Feb 17, 2025•42 min
Today we’re joined by Matt Holden, who just began a new term on the Elder Board. However, this is not Matt’s first time serving as an Elder, as he previously served two, three-year terms, and he was even the Elder Chairman for part of that time. But after a few years off, Matt is returning to the Elder Board, and he is excited about the ways that God will use his skillset to serve the church. Matt is passionate about helping others in their time of need, and that plays out daily in his career in...
Jan 27, 2025•36 min
To kick off the year, we are continuing our tradition of hearing from our newest Elders. Today, we’re joined by Bryan Willoughby, who started attending Calvary after graduating from college and plugging in to C4. Now, in addition to serving as an Elder, Bryan continues to stay involved with young adults by helping to lead our Young Professionals ABF. Today he’s sharing about how he came to know the Lord, some lessons he’s learning right now, and what excites him most about stepping into the role...
Jan 21, 2025•33 min
For this final episode of 2024, Tammy McDaniel is joining us to chat about Advent! As a church, we’ll be intentionally tuning in to the Church calendar over the course of this next year…and that calendar actually begins in December with Advent. In the past, Tammy was skeptical about the liturgical nature of the Church calendar, but over the past few years, she’s leaned into the traditions of Advent and found that they have actually had a profound impact on her spiritual life. So today, she’s sha...
Nov 25, 2024•38 min
Global Partners, Brian and Jody Williams, recently transitioned back to the States after serving in Cambodia for 13 years. While in Cambodia, the Williams’ partnered with locals to open an international preschool which, as you’ll hear, God has used in incredible ways to advance His Kingdom. Even though they no longer live in Cambodia full-time, Brian and Jody are still quite active in the ministry that’s taking place there, and they even have a vision for how they can extend that ministry to oth...
Nov 18, 2024•57 min
Jonathan Yoder serves as Calvary’s Associate Pastor of Care and Visitation. Before coming to Calvary earlier this year, Jonathan had about 40 years of ministry experience, both as a senior pastor and in a care role, and he has specialized training in hospice and hospital chaplaincy. Jonathan cares deeply about coming alongside people in times of need, and through his time in end-of-life care, he has learned that we all play an important role in the body of Christ, despite our age or even our lim...
Nov 04, 2024•39 min
Pastor George May oversees our Pastoral Care Department and, as you’ll hear, he has a variety of responsibilities—from overseeing support groups, visitation, weddings, and funerals, to one-on-one counseling, to teaching, and more! George cares deeply about walking alongside individual people as they experience both the joys and the sorrows of life. Today you’ll hear why George is grateful for his upbringing—right here at Calvary Church—and how God very clearly directed him to the counseling fiel...
Oct 21, 2024•34 min
Johnny Vasquez grew up as a missionary kid, surrounded by the gospel his entire life. And he made a commitment to follow the Lord at a young age. As a young adult, Johnny enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and after returning from deployment in Iraq, he struggled to adjust back to civilian life. This led to issues with addiction that plagued Johnny for years. But God, in His loving-kindness, has done an amazing work in Johnny’s life and heart, bringing him from the depths of addiction, to the de...
Oct 14, 2024•55 min
In the late 1940s, two missionaries from Calvary Church visited Don Isely’s one-room school in Wisconsin, shared the gospel, and offered a Scripture memory program, which ultimately laid the foundation for Don to trust in Jesus. Eventually, Don himself went on to serve as a missionary, and then retired as a pastor here in the U.S. Today, he is sharing how the impact of these two missionaries reached far beyond his own life, to his family, and to others in ways that we can’t even see this side of...
Sep 23, 2024•50 min
Angie Glick is Calvary’s Receptionist, and she also helps to schedule all of the major events that take place in our building. So, chances are, if you’ve called the church recently, or stopped in during the week for a meeting, Angie is the first person you’ve talked to! Today, Angie is sharing her story of coming to know the Lord, her heart for serving, and why she’s passionate about adoption, foster, and respite care. Interested in learning more about Care Communities? Click here or call the ch...
Sep 16, 2024•34 min
When Matt Bachman was 11 years old, he thought he was saved. He went to church, and he had a desire to go to heaven, but his basis for faith didn’t go beyond good works. For nearly 30 years, Matt believed he was saved, until one day, he realized he wasn’t. And once he found true faith in Jesus Christ, his entire perspective changed. Now, Matt is passionate about sharing the gospel, and he serves on Calvary’s baptism team because he is passionate about helping others to share their stories of bei...
Sep 09, 2024•48 min
As a teenager, Jeff Batzer was very focused on finding his value in his athletic abilities—in particular, climbing. By the time he graduated from high school, Jeff had teamed up with world class climbers and was tackling difficult peaks. But, in January of 1982, everything changed when a climb on New Hampshire’s Mount Washington went very wrong. Today, Jeff is sharing how God used that experience on Mount Washington to both reignite his faith and call him to a ministry of caring for those who ar...
Aug 26, 2024•52 min
Today we’re joined by Calvary Graphic Designer, Andrew Herr. If you’ve ever engaged with Calvary Church, you’ve seen Andrew’s work. You may not recognize him walking around the lobby on a Sunday morning, but chances are, his designs are somewhere in your house—on a bulletin cover, prayer guide, or even a sticker! Today Andrew is sharing about the highs and lows of his faith journey, how his passion for art led him to a career in graphic design, and the importance of daily intentionality in growi...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Delanie Ouk grew up warring with her identity. Born into a multicultural family, her parents’ differing beliefs felt synonymous with their cultural identities, and to Delanie, choosing one felt like rejecting the other. So eventually, she rejected both. Even as Delanie embraced agnosticism in her teenage years, God was using people in her life to plant gospel seeds. By early college, Delanie could no longer reject the truth: she needed Jesus, and more than that, she wanted Him. And once she surr...
Aug 12, 2024•37 min
When Barry Shumaker found himself in church in his late 30s for the first time in years, he had no idea how God would use the people there to disciple him towards saving faith in Jesus Christ. One of those people was a woman named Cherrie, who walked with Barry as he wrestled with his questions about faith and prayed fervently for his salvation. Little did Barry know, Cherrie would not only play a significant role in his salvation story, but she would also become his wife. Fast forward over 30 y...
Aug 05, 2024•51 min
Join us starting Monday, August 5, as we begin a new series, Made New.
Jul 29, 2024•1 min
AN EXCLUSIVE VIDEO EDITION OF THIS EPISODE IS AVAILABLE! Click here to watch . Since the birth of Pursuing Life in December 2021, we have told 99 stories about the ways God is at work in, around, and through ordinary, everyday people, just like us! Today, host, Monica Kirsch, and Calvary Church Senior Pastor, Beau Eckert, take time to reflect on the importance of telling stories, the impact stories have had on their lives, and how they’ve seen God at work in and through their own stories. Thank ...
Jul 22, 2024•43 min
