The Locker Room

The Christ Hymn in Philippians 2 is one of the most profound and beloved passages in all of Scripture, but what is it really saying? What kind of mindset enabled Jesus to humble Himself, and how does that same mindset empower believers to rise above any circumstance?

In this episode, we dive deep into the meaning and implications of Philippians 2, exploring how the mind of Christ reshapes everything. Join Crossroads Tech Director Charlie Gretzinger and Student Ministries Pastor Tim Bassett as we unpack the text and consider what it looks like to live with the mindset of Christ in everyday life.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Text: Philippians 2:1-11

We sit down with Worship Pastor RJ Alicea, and Children's Ministry Director Hannah VanderVelde to break down Philippians 1. Paul is imprisoned, overlooked, and facing an uncertain future: and yet he’s full of joy. Not because his situation changed, but because his perspective did.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Text: Philippians 1:12-30

In this episode, we explore the backstory behind Paul’s letter: his missionary journey, the founding of the Philippian church, and the powerful bond they shared.

But at the heart of it all is a radical kingdom truth: the way up is down. True greatness isn’t found in status, but in servanthood. As Paul identifies himself as a servant, we’re invited into a new kind of leadership—one shaped by humility, teamwork, and sacrificial love.

Preacher: Joe Stowell

Text: Philippians 1:1-11

We sit down to unpack Acts 27 through three movements: the storm, the mission, and the power of God.

The storm reveals what we actually trust: while others grasp for control, Paul stands anchored in a word from God. But the storm isn’t a detour; it’s part of the mission, as the gospel moves through chaos toward the “other side.” We also see that God’s power shows up not through strength, but through weakness, surrender, and dependence. What looks like disaster becomes the very place where God preserves life and extends grace to others. The invitation isn’t to escape the storm, but to become people who carry peace, purpose, and power through it.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Text: Acts 27

What if we could actually trace the exact timeline of the most pivotal event in human history?

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the death and resurrection of Jesus - not just through faith, but through history, archaeology, and the biblical witness. When did Jesus really die? Was it truly on a Friday? How do we account for the “three days and three nights”?

In Acts 26, Paul stands on trial, but instead of defending himself, he boldly shares his story. In this episode, we unpack the anatomy of a Christian witness through Paul’s powerful testimony before kings and governors. From verse 22, we see that the gospel is for everyone: both the high and the low, the powerful and the overlooked. We explore the simple yet transformative structure of Paul’s witness: who I was, how I encountered Jesus, and what Jesus does in a life surrendered to Him. Finally, we examine the two responses in the room: Festus’ outright ridicule and Agrippa’s passive resistance, and how those same reactions still show up today. Whether you’re learning to share your faith or simply wanting to understand it more deeply, this episode will help you see that your story, centered on Jesus, is one of the most powerful tools God uses to reach the world.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Text: Acts 26

We sit down with Tim and Shayla Bassett as we unpack Acts 24, where the apostle Paul the Apostle stands trial before the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea. What appears to be a legal defense quickly becomes something deeper: a confrontation the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As accusations fly and motives surface, Paul keeps pointing back to the hope that anchors the gospel: Christ is risen. In this conversation we zoom out to see how Paul’s trials fit into the bigger story unfolding in Acts of the Apostles, and we explore what it means to live today with resurrection confidence - seeking God’s verdict over human approval and recognizing the everyday opportunities God places in front of us to share the hope of the gospel.

Preacher: Tim Bassett

Text: Acts 24

We sit down with David Belanger and Community Life Pastor Brent Becker to chat about Acts 22-23. When obedience leads to conflict, how should Christians respond? In this episode, we walk through the dramatic events of Acts of the Apostles 22–23 as Paul the Apostle faces mob violence, legal pressure, and a deadly conspiracy. From invoking his Roman citizenship to confronting the Sanhedrin, Paul models how believers can navigate cultural chaos with wisdom, courage, and integrity. Most importantly, in Paul’s darkest moment, Jesus Christ draws near with a simple command: “Take courage.”

Preacher: Brent Becker

Text: Acts 22-23

This week we sit down with WCSG Program Director Brittany Riva and Crossraods Student Ministries Director Molly Vedders to unpack Sunday’s sermon and explore why the gospel can feel so offensive- especially to those deeply rooted in religious systems. Together, we talk about the difference between true surrender and spiritual pride, why grace disrupts performance-driven faith, and how to discern subtle religious tendencies in our own hearts.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Text: Acts 22

We sit down with author and speaker Shannon Popkin to talk about how the early church changed the world through a radically different mindset—family-centered community, costly holiness, and lives shaped by the cross.
In this episode, we explore what that means for us today and how rediscovering these truths could renew our faith and witness.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Text: Acts 21

We sit down with Charlie Gretzinger (Crossroads Tech Director) as we step into the world of the early church and follow Paul into the cultural pressure cooker of Thessalonica and Athens. We explore the twin “tsunamis” that confronted the gospel: religious nationalism that turned faith inward and proud, and Hellenism that exalted success, self, and material glory. These forces shaped the opposition Paul faced and mirror the pressures believers still experience today.

As Paul reasons in the marketplace and stands before the Areopagus, we see a model for taking faith into the public square—engaging ideas, culture, and power centers with clarity and courage. Beginning with God as Creator and confronting the city’s idols, Paul exposes how false gods enslave human desires and distort our understanding of life, purpose, and truth.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Text: Acts 17

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like... Lily and Karl's Story. Lilly was raised in a genuine Christian home who walked through childhood trauma, years of anxiety, spiritual torment, and ultimately, profound freedom in Christ. From sexual abuse and the suicide of a close friend to a decade-long battle with fear and spiritual oppression, Lily shares how she learned that being a child of God doesn’t make you immune to spiritual attack—it puts you on the front lines of it.

Through Scripture, community, and Freedom in Faith Ministries she grew in her understanding of the authority she had in Christ. Lily discovered what it means to “take back ground” the enemy had stolen and to reclaim her identity, no longer defined by fear but by Christ.

The episode also features Karl, a filmmaker with a decades-long calling to tell “Kingdom Stories,” who shares how God orchestrated the timing, relationships, and vision that led to Lily’s story being told through film and podcast. In a beautiful picture of divine alignment, Karl and Lily both attended Crossroads, sitting only about ten feet from each other—yet they didn’t know one another. All the while, God was preparing both of them: Lily to be set free and to share her story, and Karl to be ready to tell it.

Was Paul or the early church really arguing against Judaism itself—or against a regression that threatened the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ? Was the New Perspective right about Second Temple Judaism, and was the Radical New Perspective right to insist that real differences between Jewish and Gentile believers continued after conversion?

Galatians Reconsidered is a compelling and practical exploration of these questions through the writings of the Apostle Paul. Drawing from Neil Martin’s work, this podcast re-examines justification, the tension between faith and works, and the ways Paul envisioned Jews and Gentiles relating differently—and faithfully—to the Law.

By re-situating the text in its original Jewish and pagan context, Martin exposes the pressures facing the Galatian churches and the church in Acts 15 and shows why Paul’s letter remains urgent for the church today. Each episode not only deepens our understanding of justification, but presses listeners to wrestle with how theology shapes communal life, belonging, and faithfulness.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Text: Acts 15

Preacher: Brent Becker

Text: Mark 8:22-30

In this series of 3 special year-end episodes, we celebrate the stories of God’s faithfulness across three ministries that embody our core values.

Worship: Visible Church, a new church plant led by former Young Adults Pastor Gabe Hartfield, pursuing a community wholeheartedly centered on Jesus.

Community: Living Waters Ministry, walking intentionally with men coming out of incarceration through housing, employment support, discipleship, and true belonging.

Mission: Amiina Ministries in Uganda, where Kevin and Marcy Smith are restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and raising up a generation to break cycles of poverty and strengthen families.

As we reflect on how God has worked this year, we invite you to prayerfully consider partnering through year-end giving so these ministries can continue to flourish.

In this series of 3 special year-end episodes, we celebrate the stories of God’s faithfulness across three ministries that embody our core values.

Worship: Visible Church, a new church plant led by former Young Adults Pastor Gabe Hartfield, pursuing a community wholeheartedly centered on Jesus.

Community: Living Waters Ministry, walking intentionally with men coming out of incarceration through housing, employment support, discipleship, and true belonging.

Mission: Amiina Ministries in Uganda, where Kevin and Marcy Smith are restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and raising up a generation to break cycles of poverty and strengthen families.

As we reflect on how God has worked this year, we invite you to prayerfully consider partnering through year-end giving so these ministries can continue to flourish.

In this episode, we look at Acts 12 and the two essential dispositions that make prayer powerful: “I have need, and I am dependent,” and “God, You are powerful and the only One who can change this reality.” As Peter sits chained in a prison cell and the church gathers to pray through the night, we see a picture of prayer that is both deeply humble and boldly expectant—people admitting their helplessness while trusting completely in God’s ability to break chains, open doors, and rewrite what seems impossible. But even when God answers, they're response is refreshingly human. This story invites us to recover a posture of prayer that is desperate, confident, and alive to God’s surprising interventions.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Text: Acts 13

In this series of 3 special year-end episodes, we celebrate the stories of God’s faithfulness across three ministries that embody our core values.

Worship: Visible Church, a new church plant led by former Young Adults Pastor Gabe Hartfield, pursuing a community wholeheartedly centered on Jesus.

Community: Living Waters Ministry, walking intentionally with men coming out of incarceration through housing, employment support, discipleship, and true belonging.

Mission: Amiina Ministries in Uganda, where Kevin and Marcy Smith are restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and raising up a generation to break cycles of poverty and strengthen families.

As we reflect on how God has worked this year, we invite you to prayerfully consider partnering through year-end giving so these ministries can continue to flourish.

In this Advent episode, we sit down with pastor and author A.J. Sherrill to explore his reflections on Zechariah from Rediscovering Christmas. Together we talk about how Zechariah’s long season of waiting, disappointment, and unexpected silence reveals the often hidden ways God forms us. A.J. shares why God’s delays aren’t denials, how silence can become a gift rather than a punishment, and what it means to rediscover hope when prayers seem unanswered. Many of us have lived in the tension between faith and frustration, and this conversation will invite you to slow down, listen deeply, and receive Advent as a season of quiet transformation.

Preacher: AJ Sherrill

Text: Luke 1

In this episode, we sit down with a local Calvin College football coach Lamar Bell whose journey—from discipling athletes on campus to serving kids at Crossroads —embodies the very heart of ongoing conversion. Using Acts 10 as our backdrop, we explore how true conversion is more than moral improvement or theological precision; it is spiritual rebirth where God’s kingdom breaks into everyday life. Through the stories of Saul, Cornelius, and Peter, we see how God transforms the religious, the powerful, and even seasoned leaders with lingering blind spots. Our conversation with the coach shows how this same transforming work continues today—in locker rooms, in children’s ministry, and across diverse communities.

Preacher: Rod VanSolekma

Text: Acts 10-11

In Acts 9, Saul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus marks one of the most dramatic transformations in all of Scripture — but it’s more than a story of conversion; it’s a story of being undone and remade. We explore how true conversion always begins with a personal encounter with God that shatters pride, exposes sin, and births new life.

We’ll trace Saul’s journey from zealous persecutor to humbled apostle, unpacking how his blindness became a symbol of spiritual death and resurrection, and how God’s grace pursued him even in rebellion. This conversation invites you to reflect on your own story of transformation — to ask where God may be confronting, humbling, or restoring you.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Acts 9

In this episode, we explore what it means to pursue healing — body, mind, and spirit. Like physical therapy for the soul, spiritual growth often requires intentional work, patience, and the courage to face what’s been broken.

Brett Cain, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, joins us to share how the body’s journey of recovery mirrors our spiritual walk with God. Just as muscles rebuild through resistance and consistent care, so our souls grow stronger through surrender, discipline, and grace.

We talk about how empathy opens the door to deeper relationships, how behavioral patterns can either hold us back or propel us toward transformation, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your soul is retreat — to step out of the white noise of daily life and let God realign your story with His.

Why was the witness of Stephen in the face of the power brokers in Jerusalem so inspiring, and what does it mean for us today?

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Acts 6-7

Gamaliel’s words in Acts 5 cut to the heart of every generation: “If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop it.” This episode unpacks that dividing line—how human-driven religion leads to jealousy, fear, and burnout, while Spirit-born faith produces courage, joy, and resilience even through suffering.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Passage: Acts 5:17-42

In Acts 5, the early church witnesses both explosive growth and a sobering act of divine judgment. Ananias and Sapphira’s deception isn’t just a story of greed—it’s a warning about hypocrisy and the holiness of God’s presence among His people. In this episode, we explore why God dealt so seriously with their sin, what it reveals about His desire to keep His church pure, and how grace calls us to integrity rather than pretense. When the Spirit fills the church, there’s no room for fake devotion—only the freedom of truth and holiness in Christ.

Preacher: Nathan English

Passage: Acts 5:1-16

We sit down with Nate English and Shannon Popkin to explore the radical vision of community found at the end of Acts 2 and 4—a people formed by the Spirit and devoted to the apostles’ teaching, to prayer, to fellowship, and to the breaking of bread. This wasn’t just a new social club; it was the birth of a people bound together by the gospel and empowered by the Spirit to embody heaven on earth.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Acts 2 & 4

Acts 4 marks a turning point in the story of the early church—the moment when the honeymoon ends and reality sets in. As Peter and John stand before the power brokers of their day, we see two ordinary men, once fearful and unsure, now proclaiming with unshakable boldness that salvation is found in Jesus alone.

We unpack why opposition comes, what true power looks like, and how boldness is born not from personality or credentials but from being with Jesus. We’ll explore how the gospel both offends and transforms, why conviction outweighs credentials, and why the Spirit still calls ordinary people to extraordinary courage today.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Passage: Acts 4:1-22

We sit down to unpack the relevance of Acts 2 and Pentecost. We dig into how the Holy Spirit moves with power — convicting hearts of sin, awakening repentance, and opening the way for people to receive God’s grace. We discuss how Pentecost isn’t just an event in history but a revelation of God’s deepest desire: to dwell personally with His people and we trace this theme through Scripture, and reflect on what it means for our lives today.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Acts 2

In this opening episode of our series A Church That Changed the World, we set the stage for the book of Acts and the explosive growth of the early church—from 120 believers in Jerusalem to over 35 million within the Roman Empire by the 4th century. We explore the historical and cultural backdrop of the Roman world, Jesus’ ascension from the Mount of Olives, and the angelic promise of His return. Acts 1 reminds us that the Kingdom of Heaven is not a distant escape but God’s reign breaking into our world through His people. As Christ commissions His followers to witness “to the ends of the earth,” we face the same challenge today: Will we submit to Jesus as King and live in the power of His Spirit?

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Acts 1

This week we sit down with Ben, an area coordinator with FCA, to talk about what it means to see spiritually in a world clouded by fear and distraction. Looking at Elisha’s prayer in 2 Kings 6—“Open his eyes, Lord”—we explore how God moves us from blindness to sight, from anxiety to trust. Together we reflect on how faith opens our eyes to God’s greater reality, giving courage and clarity in every season.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: 2 Kings 6

We sit down with Shannon Popkin again as we dive into the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5—a powerful commander whose greatness couldn’t hide his deeper sickness of pride. Though Naaman wore the garments of success, his leprosy exposed his weakness and need. Redemption came not through his strength, but through the faith of a powerless slave girl and God’s simple call to humility. Behind it all, God’s sovereign hand used suffering to bring healing and salvation. This story ultimately points us to Christ, the true suffering servant, who entered the ultimate Jordan of death to make us whole. 

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: 2 Kings 5

We sit down with Ryan and Bri Conners as we journey through the story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4 — a story that moves from the heartbreak of hope, to the distress of death, to the relentless fight for life. We sat down with Ryan and Bri to talk about the wrestle of their faith through Ryan’s brain cancer journey, and how their story echoes the defiant hope we see in Scripture. Along the way, we wrestle with the reality that God doesn’t always resurrect now — and discover why that’s not a cause for despair, but a call to deeper faith.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Passage: 2 Kings 4

2 Kings 2:1–15 invites us into a powerful handoff moment. Elijah’s mantle—the symbol of prophetic authority—doesn’t just fall randomly; it falls on Elisha, who has counted the cost, surrendered comfort, and asked for a double portion of responsibility, not privilege. What does that mean for us today?

Through places like Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan, we uncover deeper layers of spiritual inheritance and identity, and we wrestle with this question: “Where is the God of Elijah?”—a cry of both desperate need and bold expectation.

We sit down with former Crossroads Pastor and church planter Gabe Hartfield (Visible Church) to discuss this Sunday's sermon. Is it possible that God's voice more often leads us into mystery than into safety? In this episode, we unpack Elisha’s radical response to God’s call—leaving behind wealth, family, and stability in a dramatic act of irreversible obedience. We reflect on Elijah’s fear in 1 Kings 19 and how God gently redirected him rather than rebuking him. Elisha doesn’t just recognize God’s call—he runs after it, burns his plows, and refuses to leave a path back. Gabe shares his own journey from ministry success to depression, and the costly decision to follow God forward instead of clinging to the past. 

Preacher: Gabriel Hartfield

Passage: 1 Kings 19:15-21

This episode unpacks how God meets people in seasons of burnout, anxiety, and global crisis with compassion, rest, and purpose. Centered on the story of Elijah and real-world ministry among Middle Eastern communities, it explores Christian hospitality, spiritual formation, and resilience through suffering. Listeners will gain insight into how the gospel continues to spread in regions like Jordan, Gaza, and among the Druze, even amid war, displacement, and persecution. Ultimately, this episode calls believers to embrace faithful discipleship, carry hope into conflict zones, and reflect the love of Christ in a broken world.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: 1 Kings 19:1-14

Alton Hardy is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church of America and the founding pastor of Urban Hope Community Church in Fairfield, Alabama. He also co-founded Urban Hope Development and launched the Urban Hope Leadership Initiative (UHLI), a discipleship and leadership program for African American college graduates preparing to serve in urban ministry. Through Alton’s leadership, the church is driving community renewal—reviving commerce, housing, and economic opportunities in a struggling city. His broader vision, “The Manifold Wisdom of God,” unites theologically conservative gospel-centered churches and Christian businesses to address racial division, poverty, and family housing needs. A native of Selma, Alton has studied at Alpena Community College, Reformed Bible College, and Calvin Seminary. He lives with his wife, Sandra, and they are passionate about prayer, reading, and urban gospel reconciliation.

We sit down with our Young Adults Administrative Partner, Chloe Damron, to explore 1 Kings 17:17–24—a l story of desperation, death, and divine intervention. As drought and famine ravage Israel, a widow finds herself at the end of her resources. What does this account say to us today when we find ourselves emotionally, financially, relationally, or spiritually"running out?" Together we wrestle with hard questions: Do we have the humility to acknowledge our brokenness, or do we default to blaming external circumstances? And what is the surprising gospel response when we finally come to the end of ourselves?

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: 1 Kings 17:17-24

We sit down and chat about the Elijah's journey to meet an unlikely character. What do you do when you’ve reached the end—emotionally, spiritually, or even financially? In this episode, we look at the story of a desperate widow in 1 Kings 17:8–16, who had nothing left but a handful of flour and a drop of oil. Then God sends a prophet… and asks for everything.

Preacher: Jason Botbyl

Passage: 1 Kings 17:7-16