ONE: One Body Many Stories

In Episode 18, we talk with Bishop W. C. Martin. “For more than twenty years Bishop Martin served the community of Possum Trot, Texas, as pastor of Bennett Chapel. Possum Trot is an East Texas town so tiny you won’t find it on most maps. Yet in this small town, God chose the bishop of a church and his wife to begin a movement with one simple word: adopt. In 1997, he and his wife, Donna, adopted two children and began a miraculous adventure that has become one of the premier adoption stories in America. Family by family, over two years, God challenged the members of Bennett Chapel (a little country church) to adopt seventy-seven of toughest kids in the foster care system. It was the hardest challenge this faith community ever faced. But they were determined to give the kids something they had never experienced - the power of redemptive love.” – From the back cover of Small Town Big Miracle: how love came to the least of these by Bishop W. C. Martin with John Fornof.

In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to an audio-only podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Click HERE for the links https://www.northpark.com/one

In Episode 17, we talk with Liza Purdy. Liza is married to Sean, and they have two boys, one in college and one in elementary. As you’ll hear, Liza is passionate about the church! Her love for Christian community runs deep. Why? Because she has been, and continues to be, shaped by Christians living out their faith in Jesus by doing life together in the churches to which she has belonged. Liza has seen and experienced Jesus through the living faith of Christians in her life: her parents, a Youth Pastor, a Deacon, generous families, her small groups, and the list goes on-and-on. Liza walks us through a very difficult seven-year period after the birth of their first child. This dark, prolonged, and painful trial that came through caring for their very sick child. As Liza describes, her relationship with Jesus, and the life-giving support of Christian community, not only got her through these trials, but enabled her to emerge with a deeper love for Jesus, stronger marriage, and even greater love for Christ’s Church!

In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to an audio-only podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Click HERE for the links https://www.northpark.com/one

In Episode 16, we talk with Monelle Heinze who’s married to Emil and has one daughter who’ll be a Junior in high school next fall. Monelle opens up about her journey and struggles to find fulfillment. Looking at Monelle, one would have thought she had it all: great marriage, wonderful daughter, and flourishing career. But Monelle shares how appearances can be deceiving as she struggled deeply over many years to find contentment, self-worth, and peace. This struggle ebbed and flowed leading to depression and physical ailments a few years ago. Monelle beautifully explains how the grace of God found in Christ washed over her and literally changing her from the inside out. While Monelle had faith in Jesus for years, it wasn’t until a few years ago that the reality of the gospel and the grace of God sunk in deeply. When this happened, Monelle knew in the core of her being that her identity and worth were not dependent on what she did or accomplished. She was loved and accepted through Christ. He had made her a new creation, and she could rest in him. No more pressure to “keep all the plates spinning” in search of self-worth and contentment. Listen to Monelle passionately and transparently describe her journey to new life, peace, and contentment through Jesus.  

In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about the ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Visit https://www.northpark.com/one for links to the audio-only PODCAST on your favorite podcast platform.

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about the ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Visit https://www.northpark.com/one for links to the audio-only PODCAST on your favorite podcast platform.

In Episode 15, we talk with Eric Heilbrun from NorthPark. Eric is married to Lauri and they have two adult daughters. Eric shares about his long journey to faith that Jesus is the Messiah. While Eric’s family is Jewish, he did not grow up regularly attending synagogue. But after marrying, he began attending church with Lauri who is a Christian. Learn how God used many people and ministries of the church to bring Eric to faith in Jesus. Hear Eric reflect on what it means to live out his faith amongst those who don’t know Jesus. Listen to the end and be encouraged to hear how God is still at work in Eric’s life as retirement nears and he contemplates how he’ll serve God in this next phase of life.

In Episode 14, we talk with Leo Davison, Senior Minister at ChristChurch Wyre Forest (https://www.christchurchwyreforest.org.uk/). Leo is married to Vicky and together they have 3 children. Laurie and I met Leo and Vicky when we lived in Durham, England for three years (2007-2010) while I worked on a PhD at Durham University. Leo was a Minister at ChristChurch Durham where we attended, served, and did life together with so many wonderful people. I learned so much from Leo and the Christians in Durham. I firmly believe that Christians in the U.S. would be blessed by learning about gospel ministry in a very, non-Christian culture from our friends ‘across the pond’. To get the ball rolling, we discuss how Leo, a science major at University (his wife, Vicky, has a PhD in Neuroscience), came to faith in Christ through a high school friend who challenged him to investigate the claims of Christianity. Leo’s science background proved helpful both in recognizing the Creator’s handiwork and in critically evaluating the evidence as he searched for Truth. Now, as a minister, Leo devotes his life to helping others find and follow Jesus. England is a wonderful place in so many ways, and yet, as a Christian, its culture presents significant challenges to gospel ministry. Leo shares about the reality that gospel ministry is tiring. And yet, Leo affirms, God is good. Through the hard times, we can trust that God is at work in significant ways even during trials and challenges. Listen through to the end, and you will be blessed by his healthy, biblical take on the pandemic’s impact on their church. Hear how having the mind of Christ impacts how you deal with, and grow, through trials…even one as challenging as a pandemic.

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about the ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Visit https://www.northpark.com/one for links to the audio-only PODCAST on your favorite podcast platform.

In Episode 13, we talk with Michelle Stewart. She and Jeff have two kids, a boy in college and a girl in Jr. High. Michelle is well-known to many at NorthPark not only because they were at NorthPark for about ten years before moving to Chicago in 2010 (and then returning to Santa Clarita and NorthPark in 2017) but also because Michelle has a gorgeous voice and sings on the Worship Team.  Join us as Michelle shares about the interplay between her faith and living with the affliction of anxiety and depression. Anyone who’s walked this path or has a loved one or friend who’s walked this path will resonate with Michelle’s journey. Listen as Michelle describes the roles played by Christ, Christian community, and her church (“the 3 C’s” as she puts it) in helping her through some very dark valleys and deepening her faith in Christ because of the trials. Also, if you’ve ever faced severe financial struggles, and faced the challenge of being uprooted to move across the country as a result, then you’ll want to hear Michelle’s story. She shares their family’s experience of the ‘Great Recession’ and how the Lord led them to Chicago where He rebuilt their lives, grew their faith, and enabled them to flourish, things that were impossible to see in the darkness when the bottom fell out of the economy and their personal finances. Join us in a substantive conversation about faith in the realities of life. You’ll be blessed by Michelle’s transparency, sincerity, and laughter as she drives home the point that the gospel is our real source of hope at all times.

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about the ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Visit https://www.northpark.com/one for links to the audio-only PODCAST on your favorite podcast platform.

In Episode 12, we talk with Mari Harris who’s been at NorthPark for about 4 years. Mari is married to Greg, a former Marine and Los Angeles police officer, and they have three grown children. Because of Greg’s deployments, they’ve lived all over the country and world including North Carolina, Hawaii, and Okinawa, Japan! Mari shares her spiritual journey and how being involved in a local church has been so significant in her life. When Greg was overseas, a church in N.C. was instrumental in their family’s life. And at NorthPark, the Women’s Ministry Tuesday evening Bible study has been a huge blessing. Especially this past year, even meeting over Zoom, the women of NorthPark came along Mari to support her through the grief of losing twenty friends to Covid while working at a live-in Senior care facility in L.A. County. Mari’s warmth and faith are a beacon of light as Jesus shines through her even as she tenderly shares the traumas of 2020. Join us and be encouraged that Jesus is using the people and pastors of NorthPark to bring God’s grace into this world in significant and life-changing ways.

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about the ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Visit https://www.northpark.com/one for links to the audio-only PODCAST on your favorite podcast platform.

In Episode 11, we talk with Dr. Mark Strauss who is a university professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary. His areas of special research include the Gospels, Hermeneutics, and Bible Translation. His books include commentaries on Mark’s Gospel in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary Series and Expositor’s Bible Commentary, and on Luke in the Illustrated Bible Background Commentary. His other books include Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels; Introducing Jesus; How to Read the Bible in Changing Times, and Distorting Scripture? Mark serves as vice chairman of the committee on Bible translation for the New International Version (NIV) and has been an associate editor for the NIV Study Bible since 2008. Mark has been married for 36 years to Roxanne, a marriage and family therapist, and they have three grown children.

Mark and I discuss his spiritual journey as a pastor’s kid and the path that led him to seminary at Talbot (Biola), a PhD at The University of Aberdeen in Scotland, and 26 years at Bethel Seminary as a professor. Mark has a deep passion for helping Christians love God with all their mind, and we discuss what that looks like not only in the church but in all areas of life. Mark has a gift for connecting the academy with the church making important topics accessible to the person in the pew so to speak. So, in addition to talking about Mark’s writing and research, we discuss the importance of Christian’s developing the skills of learning and empathy to dialogue fruitfully with those who hold different opinions than our own. Join us for a stimulating discussion on a broad range of topics!

To learn more about Dr. Mark Strauss and his work, visit:

https://www.bethel.edu/academics/faculty/strauss-mark

https://marklstrauss.com/books

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Each episode is available either as an audio-only PODCAST or a VIDEO podcast on YouTube. For links, visit https://www.northpark.com/one

In Episode 10, we talk with Rev. Dennis Keating who served at Emmanuel Faith Community Church in Escondido, CA for forty years as the College Pastor (10 yrs), Adult Ministries Pastor (3 yrs), and Senior Pastor (26 yrs) before retiring last fall. I’ve known Den since my sophomore year at Baylor when he did the pre-marital counseling for Laurie and I. Years later, I had the privilege of serving with Den at E.F.C.C. for almost seven years before going overseas for a PhD. Den has been my mentor in ministry and the guy I’ve turned to for advice and help as a Senior/Lead Pastor. Settle in for a feast as we talk about a wide range of topics: what happens when God gets hold of your heart (even after you completing an accounting degree and sit for the CPA exam), how to figure out God’s direction for your life, how to deal with depression and panic attacks caused by work-related pressures and exhaustion, what to do (and not to do!) when you’re a pastor and your kids live in a ‘fish-bowl’, and how to approach major life transitions…to name just a few of many topics on the table! Wherever you are in life, there’s something for you. Grab a coffee. Kick back. And listen in to a guy who’s faithfully served the Lord for over four decades transparently share about his journey following Jesus through the twists and turns of life over good roads and rocky ones too.  

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Each episode is available either as an audio-only PODCAST or a VIDEO podcast on YouTube. For links, visit https://www.northpark.com/one

In Episode 9, we talk with Jason Wek who serves on the Worship Team playing keyboard as well as co-leading a Small Group. Married with three little boys, Jason shares a powerful story you don’t want to miss. After his dad left when he was 15, Jason’s mom and his four siblings were abandoned by their church. What do you do with hurt like that? How do you find the love of Jesus in the church once again? How do you learn to trust and be vulnerable after being let down so profoundly? Listen as Jason explains how God has been at work in his life over the past two decades not only showing him the beauty and richness of following Jesus with other Christians but also growing him to trust once again, serve, and lead in his local church. If you’ve experienced hurt from a church, listen to Jason’s story and see how God wants to bring you back to Him and experience the fullness of life through true Christian community.

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Each episode is available either as an audio-only PODCAST or a VIDEO podcast on YouTube. For links, visit https://www.northpark.com/one

In Episode 8, we talk with Shannon Smith who serves on the Women’s Ministry Council. Shannon shares how her spiritual journey became her own in high school when she trusted in Jesus, but it wasn’t until much later in life, after a couple of decades of marriage and raising a boy, and then going through a difficult time in life that she started following Jesus for real! That was twelve years ago. And now, years of Bible studies with other women that includes walking through the highs and lows of life, praying for, and being there for, each other, that Shannon can look back and see the amazing way her life has changed over the past twelve years. We talk about the joys of serving in the church, the beauty of suffering used by God to shape us, and the power of God’s Word to guide our thinking and reduce our worrying. You’re in for a treat hearing from Shannon as she talks about the various ways that following Jesus has, and is, profoundly shaping every aspect of her life.

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Each episode is available either as an audio-only PODCAST or a VIDEO podcast on YouTube. For links, visit https://www.northpark.com/one

In Episode 7, we’ll talk with Sean Purdy. Sean is married to Liza. They have two boys, and they moved to Santa Clarita from the East Coast where they both grew up. Sean’s family is from England where his dad worked in the coal mines before bringing the family to the U.S. Learn how his dad’s dramatic conversion when Sean was 15 led to his brother accepting Christ. And then when Sean was in the Navy, his brother led him to Christ! Hear about Sean’s interesting journey after high school…enlisting in the Navy and learning large plane mechanical repair, then after the Navy, caring for adult head injury patients at a live-in facility, then becoming the first generation in his family to attend college by going to The University of Pittsburgh as an older undergraduate on the G.I. Bill, to working as a research chemist at a large petrochemical company until the Lord answered his prayers and opened the door for him to move into the business development side of the company. Hear how the Lord used Robert almost twenty years ago in Sean’s life even though Sean and Robert didn’t know each other, and they wouldn’t connect the surprising dots until meeting each other at a NorthPark Men’s Breakfast! Sean also shares about dealing with depression and anxiety and the transformation that he’s experienced. On this path, Sean has seen God’s hand at work through Christian community. So today, Sean and Liza serve as small group leaders helping others to know and experience the Lord’s love and guidance through Christian community!

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Each episode is available either as an audio-only PODCAST or a VIDEO podcast on YouTube. For links, visit https://www.northpark.com/one

In Episode 6, we’ll talk with Kristin Sullivan, the Children’s Ministry Director at NorthPark. She’s married to John and has twin girls in high school. Kristin shares about growing up all over the country before landing in Northern California for her formative years. At UC Davis, Kristin’s faith in Jesus became real and personal, and from there the Lord led her to do missions in Mexico and work in a local church as well as private industry before getting a Masters in Education. Kristin explains how a difficult pregnancy with twins, and more recently, severe seizures from epilepsy have taught her much about God’s goodness and sovereignty and the role of suffering in growing us in Christ-likeness. Join us and get to know Kristin and her journey a little better and along the way, see how challenges can provide opportunities to know and love the Lord more deeply.

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. Each episode is available either as an audio-only PODCAST or a VIDEO podcast on YouTube. For links, visit https://www.northpark.com/one

In Episode 5, we’ll talk with Ben Davitt. Ben is married to Tanya, and they have three kids. Ben shares about growing up in a single-parent home with three brothers and a mom in ministry. Following Jesus in high school, Ben considered ministry before pursuing audio and video production. This journey has led he and Tanya across the country from Illinois to South Dakota to Florida to Los Angeles! Like all journeys, the lessons learned along the way have shaped him and prepared him for serving Jesus while leading teams at Disney. Join us and get to know Ben and his journey a little better.  

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time. In Episode 4, we’ll talk with Rebekah Weigel. Rebekah is the Southern California Area Director for CarePortal (https://www.careportal.org). Rebekah has a passion for helping churches serve families and kids in crisis. Many times, if churches act quickly, kids could be prevented from entering into the foster care system. Rebekah shares her own story of growing up in rural Kansas, competing in college athletics, and then as a mom of three kids under the age of ten, feeling the Lord calling her and her husband to be foster parents. Join us as we explore how God wants to take us into the deep end of the pool where we learn to rely on Him, grow, and experience a deeper relationship with Jesus as we sacrificially love others in his name.

Welcome to ONE. In each episode Robert interviews ONE Christian to hear their story. Join us in learning about this ONE body of Christ, ONE story at a time.

In Episode 3, we’ll talk with Mark Landre Gould. Mark is a multi-talented guy…Director, Producer, and Editor (IMDB.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2348678/) as well as writer and teacher. Mark serves on the Worship Planning Team at NorthPark Community Church serving as the Production Director. Mark and I talk about his journey from New Mexico to Cal Arts and how he views his work in “the industry” as a vessel for the gospel through authentic relationships.

Welcome to ONE where in each episode Robert will interview ONE person from NorthPark Community Church in Santa Clarita, CA. Join us in learning about this ONE body one story at a time.

In Episode 2, we talk with Elizabeth VonBusch who serves on the Worship Planning Team and sings on the Worship Team. A mother of three kids and Preschool teacher at Noah’s Park Preschool, Elizabeth shares what God has taught her in these various roles.

Welcome to ONE where in each episode Robert will interview ONE person from NorthPark Community Church in Santa Clarita, CA. Join us in learning about this ONE body one story at a time.

In Episode 1, we talk with John Nelson who serves as the Deacon of Men's Ministry and helps with CarePortal. John shares how he came to trust in Christ later in life and the significant impact this has had on his life.