Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. In this episode we hear from Mphatso Stiles (wife of Todd Stiles our Ridge Youth Director) as she shares the amazing ways God has proven His faithfulness in her life.
While sports are intrinsically good, there is a danger that they can grow to carry too great an influence in our lives. So what are some ways we can identify the current level of influence sports has in our lives? How can we avoid idolizing sports but instead enjoy them as God intended? Join Ridge Director of Discipleship and Ridge U host Seth Sparks as they give some practical direction around developing a healthy relationship with sports as followers of Jesus.
It's estimated that global spend on sporting apparel alone will top $300 billion by 2030. While it’s clear that sports are a global phenomenon transcending culture and century, it's not always clear why. How do we explain the gravitational pull of sports and why does it matter to us as followers of Jesus? Join Ridge Director of Discipleship and Ridge U host Seth Sparks as they explore the why behind the global phenomenon of sports.
How did Jesus view political differences? He didn't see people with different opinions as enemies or make a distinction between us/them. Instead, he urged us to pray for everyone in authority.
There are all kinds of views on the role of God and government. This message will reassure you who's role it is to bring lasting peace and wholeness... hint: His name is not on the ballot.
It’s election season. So let’s take a look back at three important elections in history. Through examples of how the bible addresses politics, we find ourselves at the door of another election ... each and every day of our lives.
Let's talk about AI, algorithms and what we can do to tame them for our benefit and God's glory.
Are you getting in your own way when it comes to effective, God-honoring media consumption?
How can we better evaluate the media organizations and influencers in our media feeds?
As Christians, we are told to pursue truth. Is your media diet helping your or harming you in that pursuit?
In this final episode, Will and Kurt share some of their personal experience of the church. Listen in as they share how, despite the imperfect nature of the church, it can still be a place to serve, find support, and be formed by God. Resources: Why Bother With Church ? (Sam Allberry) Church: Why Bother ? (Philip Yancey)...
You don’t have to search hard to find negative publicity about the church. Sadly, much of it is justified. It can cause us to ask afresh, what is God’s intention for the church? What should the church look like? Join Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron and guest contributor, Kurt Beyer, as they continue our series by exploring what the Bible has to say about God’s plans for the church.
Recent research has shown that Americans are leaving the church at the highest rate in U.S history. It is a movement greater in numbers than all the American revivals combined - just in the opposite direction. It’s now estimated that 15% of all Americans are de-churched. That’s people who used to attend a church at least once per month and now attend fewer than two times a year. This is an alarming trend that draws us to re consider again - “Why Church?”. Why should church be a priority in our l...
Join Ridge Kids Director, Neil Erredge, and Ridge Family Director Doug Applegate as they tackle some challenging questions about God posed by our very own Ridge kids!
Join Ridge Kids Director, Neil Erredge, and Ridge Family Director Doug Applegate as they tackle some challenging questions about God posed by our very own Ridge kids!
Join Ridge Kids Director, Neil Erredge, and Ridge Family Director Doug Applegate as they tackle some challenging questions about God posed by our very own Ridge kids!
We were made to glorify God with our whole lives and that includes our physical bodies. But what exactly does it look like to honor God with our bodies? Join Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, as she welcomes functional nutrition counselor and health coach, Jayne Reysack to the podcast. Together they'll explore the role that nutrition plays in glorifying God in our physical health. Jayne works with people to help them understand how nutrition directly affects their overall ph...
We were made to glorify God with our whole lives and that includes our physical bodies. But what exactly does it look like to honor God with our bodies? How might our dietary and lifestyle choices play a role in it? Join Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, as she welcomes functional nutrition counselor and health coach, Jayne Reysack to the podcast. Together they'll explore the role that nutrition plays in glorifying God in our lives. Jayne works with people to help them under...
From the Ridge University Podcast, it’s our From the Archives series, in which we take a look back a look back at some of the most memorable and impactful sermons from the past several years and then sprinkle in a little modern context. Today’s topic: Am I putting up barriers that are keeping others from coming to faith in Jesus?
From the Ridge University Podcast, it’s our From the Archives series, in which we take a look back a look back at some of the most memorable and impactful sermons from the past several years and then sprinkle in a little modern context. Today’s topic: Finding joy in our work. If that seems impossible to you, stay tuned. God’s got a plan.
From the Ridge University Podcast, it’s our From the Archives series, in which we take a look back a look back at some of the most memorable and impactful sermons from the past several years and then sprinkle in a little modern context. Today’s topic: Living counterculturally amid a culture that doesn’t seem to need God.
For many, the presence of suffering in the world presents a damning verdict on the existence of a good, all-powerful God. Or, if God does exist, it is suggested that He must not care about the suffering we endure. But what does the Bible say about God and suffering? Join Ridge U podcast host Will Herron and special guest Dr. Barb Braband as they conclude this series highlighting Scripture that breathes strength, courage and hope into hardship and pain. Book Resources: Walking with God Through Pa...
Sharing our story of suffering can be difficult. In the days following a hardship, we often feel more like curling up into a ball rather than opening up to others. What are some of the ways we can get better at sharing our suffering and coming alongside others who are suffering? What are the “phases of suffering” and how can we identify them? Join Ridge U podcast host Will Herron and special guest Dr. Barb Braband as they address these questions in episode two of “Walking Through Suffering.” Boo...
Despite the reality that each of us will encounter some form of suffering at some point in our lives, most people tend to avoid the topic. One might argue, why would we want to dwell on the difficult things in our lives? Isn’t it better to simply hope for the best or plan to face hardship when it comes? Join Ridge U podcast host Will Herron and special guest Dr. Barb Braband as they begin this series discussing the importance of talking about suffering and being able to identify it in our own st...
Hope is essential for anyone at anytime but perhaps none more so than when we are in the midst of something challenging. In Christianity we find an ultimate hope, a promise of eternity with God in a restored heaven and earth. But how does that hope impact how we navigate the atypical life in the here and now? Join host Will Herron and special guest Kerry Lust in this final episode of the series as they discuss the ways in which our promised future can greatly impact an often challenging present....
Community can be a powerful asset when journeying life with a special needs child. And yet, sometimes the words and actions of others can cause the most hurt. Whether well intended or not, the feedback of others can simply make matters worse. So, how should we respond in such situations? How can we act in a manner that is constructive for us, our child and others? Join series host Will Herron and special guest Kerry Lust as they explore how we go about responding when others don’t get it. Resour...
Navigating life with a special needs child can require 24/7 care and attention. Parents and caregivers draw from emotional, mental and physical resources to ensure those in their care are given the support they need. But how do we go about navigating this day-to-day reality? And beyond that, how can we plan appropriately for care in our child’s future? Join series host Will Herron and special guest Kerry Lust as they seek answers to these questions and more in episode two of “An Atypical Life.” ...
Unless disability is a part of your life, it can be hard to comprehend just what it looks and feels like. In this series, “An Atypical Life,” we hear from Kerry Lust. Kerry’s son, Brandon (15), was diagnosed with autism at an early age and since then, Kerry and her family have been learning to embrace, appreciate and adapt to their atypical life. Listen in as series host Will Herron and Kerry start the conversation by exploring how we go about defining disability and navigating diagnosis. Resour...
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. Listen in as host Joni Pine welcomes Ridge Director of Strategic Planning and Communication Dayne Logan to the studio. For more info on getting connected at The Ridge click here .
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. In episode 2, host Joni Pine is joined by mom and young adult Karina Schmidt. For more info on getting connected into community at The Ridge click here .
