Reality LA Podcast: The Drop In

Dorcas Adewole drops in to share her journey from Brazil to the UK to LA, Reality LA's prayer team, the temptation to be performative in prayer, asking God for the small things in addition to the big things, surrendering control, and following rather than trying to lead the Holy Spirit when we pray.

Dawnchelle Holmes drops in to share the story of losing her mom to cancer, how God meets us in our sorrow, how grief will always be part of life in a fallen world, the importance of community during times of loss, and how to best love those who are grieving. If you are in need of care, visit reality.la/care.

Pastor Jonathan Fitzgerald drops in to discuss rethinking presence, understanding rest as a gift, an unhurried life, and how God does significant work even in the most mundane situations.

Pastor Jeremy drops in to discuss grieving our city's losses and needs, participating in God's restorative activity through the combination of practical work and dependent prayer, and how all of this relates to our sermon series through the book of Nehemiah.

Reality LA Administrative Assistant Danielle Devlin (whose voice you may recognize from leading worship on Sundays!) drops in to discuss fear of disappointment that God won't answer our prayers, the Holy Spirit praying on our behalf, the freedom and boldness to ask God what we want, and trusting God's presence in our lives during hardship.

In this episode, Nathan and Michael discuss our church family's vision for the coming year as shared Sunday by Pastor Jeremy. The wide-ranging conversation covers how our leadership develops vision, the relationship between Luke and Acts, and our church values of desperate prayer, whole-life discipleship, and sacrificial service. Download our "10 Days of Prayer" guide. See how our 2025 events tie into our Discipleship Pathway and stay updated on their details and registration.

While "desperate prayer" is one of our foundational values, there are some seasons of life that remind us more than others of our constant need for and dependence upon God. In light of the uncertainty, grief, and ongoing difficulty our church family and city are currently experiencing in the LA fires, we've recorded this special episode to encourage one another and prompt us toward unity in desperate prayer.

This week, Leauretta Simmons and Jeffrey Burnell drop in to discuss giving for the sake of giving, the simplicity of obedience, the connection between growing faith and growing generosity, and how honest reflection on WHY we're doubtful or suspicious about giving can tell us volumes about what's going on in our hearts.

This week long-term pastor and financial consultant Greg Gibbs drops in to discuss what a capital campaign is, how one works, why one of Jesus' favorite subjects is often our least favorite, and the connections between our generosity, our hearts, and our discipleship.

Reality LA staff members Milla Nieminen (Executive Director), Chaundra Hitchens (Director of Care and Community), Mary Beth Lattimore (Director of Operations), and Heather Fischer (Communications Director) drop in to describe their roles and responsibilities on staff, why a church staff exists in the first place, and why such roles matter. They discuss how our church's different ministries and departments integrate and support one another, their mission to equip the saints, the work that goes into carrying out that mission, and how—most of all—their heart behind everything is love for God and God's people.

Jenny Oetzell and Jeremy Treat drop in to discuss Reality's unique central/regional church model and its limitations, difficulties, but many benefits. Jeremy provides a clear picture of how central operations is like a heart pumping blood to the regional limbs; while Jenny shares the story of how she came to Reality LA and the blessings she has received from being rooted both regionally and centrally.

As we discuss the upcoming capital campaign, Kyle Mueller, Jeremy Treat, and Kevin Weiner drop in to discuss the relation between Reality LA and Serve LA, their shared history and values, the way they mutually benefit from one another, and Serve LA's unique opportunities within the city.

As we discuss the upcoming capital campaign, Cesar Sotelo, Kyle Mueller, and Mary Beth Lattimore drop in to share their experiences and hopes for our buildings. Serve LA's head chef, Cesar, tells how the ministry of Serve LA was instrumental in his coming to know Jesus, and Mary Beth shares the tale of her own journey coming to work at Reality LA. They discuss the limitations and hindrances of the current state of our buildings and how the Reality LA and Serve LA ministries could bless even more people with expanded space and improved facilities.

Jeremy Treat, Nadine Harris, Mary Hashimoto, and Sydney Cooper drop in to share with Nathan the stories of the Hope Center and how Reality LA came to inherit its buildings, congregations, and ministries. Nadine and Mary joined the Hope Center in the 70s when it was called Fountain Ave Baptist Church and Sydney joined the church family in the 90s. They share how they came to the church, the many iterations of the Hope Center they've been part of, Pastor Ed, and the work, miracles, and faithfulness of God they've seen through it all.

The Drop In returns with an eight-episode deep dive into our capital campaign! This week, Michael and Nathan introduce the campaign, the series, and the seven key questions we'll delve into over the coming weeks: What is the story of the Hope Center? What is the condition of the buildings? How do Reality LA and Serve LA relate? How does investing centrally enhance regional ministry? What does the staff do? How does a capital campaign work? How should we think about giving?

In our season one finale, producer Heather Fischer drops in to discuss how the earthly pales compared to the eternal, healthy detachment from fallen creation as investment in the new creation, surrendering all to Jesus, and how our church communications and branding reflect our value of kingdom mindset. Between seasons, we'll be taking a break from our weekly schedule—and as we prepare for season two we invite you to email us at [email protected] to give us feedback and share topics or approaches you'd like to see in the future of the podcast.

Kate and Nicole drop in to chat about familial love; living out a faith visible to your children; sibling love in families of origin and within church families; and God's tender, sweet parental love for us whether we have it together or not.

In this clip show, we return to some of our past conversations to revisit two crucial foundations for loving one another well: being vulnerable and knowing the fullness of a person's story. We revisit Chaundra Hitchens on the power of our personal stories, Dr. Crawford Loritts on generational stories, Alex Hitchens on God's story in our story, and Lindsay C and Ian Mackley on the shared stories we call friendships.

Fiona and Saz drop in to chat about love as friendship, needing people in our lives different from ourselves, desiring the best for one another, saying yes to one another, being on mission together, and complementary partnership.

Cody and Lindsay drop in to discuss ways to healthily adjust our expectations for friendship, how idealizing community actually kills it, community groups as places we welcome and love one another, how to join a Reality LA community group, and curiosity as the way into deeper friendship. Want to join a community group? Visit reality.la/community. Want to message Cody and Lindsay? Email [email protected].

Nathan's wife Stevie drops in to join him for a conversation with Mike about love as intimacy, reimagining romantic passion around God's word, not being afraid of our desires but submitting them to the Lord, and building meaningful, non-romantic friendships through expressing fondness and admiration. CONTENT WARNING: While not explicit, this week's episode covers such topics as sex and pornography.

Ben Chung drops in to chat about how God created not just a functional world but a beautiful one, intimacy with God through art, and the grace of our identity resting in God and not depending on anything we create.

Reality LA elder Philip Chew drops in to discuss love as grace, the love that other loves point to, experiencing agape in the little things of life, and learning to receive love that hasn't been "earned."

The Burnells drop in to discuss love as intimacy, how it relates to friendship and brokenness, the role of prayer and communication, and some of the ways love can evolve over the course of a 45-year marriage.

Love is supremely important, but the word "love" can be extremely overused. This is where we can learn something from ancient Greek, which had four words to distinguish between different types of love: friendship, affection, intimacy, and charity. Inspired by C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves, starting next week we'll invite various people from our church family to help us explore one of the four loves. But first, Mike and Nathan take this week to introduce each kind of love and get us excited about delving deeper into each of them!

Drop In producer Heather Fischer joins Nathan this week and, in place of a full episode, they offer a few Easter reflections to encourage us to continue to rest in the confidence graced to us through the resurrection of Jesus.

Our Worship Leader, Graham, drops in to discuss music as something first created by God, its role in his journey to Jesus, recognizing when music is worshipful, and music as a formative practice and extension of Sunday's preaching of the word.

Reality LA elder Erich Lee drops in to discuss being discipled in our money habits, the connection between the gospel and giving, and the relationship between generosity with wise financial planning. Listen to Pastor Jeremy's recent teaching on money within our Everyday Discipleship teaching series at reality.la/money.

Macie and Tyler drop in to chat about Cru, the burden created by misunderstanding our role in evangelism, relational boldness, and praying for the people in our lives.

Our Community Group Director, Cody Weston, drops in to discuss the radical importance of rest, how we should practice it not just as individuals but as a community, and learning both to sit still and to trust God to keep things going as we do. Listen to Pastor Jeremy's recent teaching on rest within our Everyday Discipleship teaching series at reality.la/rest.

Cristina and Pastor Jonathan drop in to discuss how God created work as a good thing before sin, how it plays out now in a redeemed and fallen world, how calling is usually simpler than we think, and how our work can be a place to commune with God and a tangible outworking of his eternal kingdom. Learn about upcoming events on the topic of faith and work at events.realityla.com. Listen to Pastor Jonathan's recent teaching on work at reality.la/work.

A.C. drops in to share his story, discuss the difference between big spiritual highs and following Jesus day to day in every context, explore some of the unique challenges facing teenagers today, and encourage our entire church in ways to equip and disciple youth, regardless of our life roles or contexts.

Lauren drops in to discuss dwelling deeply on the words of God, wrestling with Scripture together in community, how every new season of life evolves our living relationship with the Bible, and the ultimate reason we were given a book—so we can develop intimacy with the God who loves, protects, and sustains us.

Our regular cohost Michael shares how he first came to Reality LA, his story of releasing spiritual baggage and learning to trust a church's leadership once again, and the way Jesus uses healthy relationships to heal us from the relational wounds of our past.

Our church's planting pastor, Tim Chaddick, drops in to share the story of the birth and growth of Reality LA, the utter necessity of prayer in the process, and the ongoing cycle of desperation for and deliverance by God.

This year we're learning to live "all of life, all for Jesus." Pastor Jeremy drops in to share the process we use to discern yearly direction, what it means for a church family to share a joint vision together, and remind us that vision is not a burden of things to do, but an invitation from the God who meets us where we are.

This week, Drop In producer Heather Fischer joins Michael to cohost a group discussion with returning guests Chaundra Hitchens, Milla Nieminen, Maggy Wong, and newcomer Suzy Frankian sharing hopes and encouragements for the coming year (no matter what it may bring!).

Elder candidates Alex and Kevin drop in to share their stories of meeting and growing with Jesus, their calls to eldership, and what they long to see Jesus do in our church.

Goodwin drops in to share about his early spiritual formation, how God shaped his story through a long-term injury, his years working and traveling with Cru, and an encouragement he has for our church today.

Our new Kids Ministry Director, Tim Siregar, drops in to discuss growing up second generation Indonesian American; his journey in childhood development studies, through directing and owning preschools, to joining the Reality LA staff; Advent faith; doubt; and connecting with Jesus as God in the flesh after the death of his father.

Our Events and Sundays Operations Director, Majena Alvarez, drops in to share her story and discuss making tamales at Christmastime, joy as strength, the difference between God's joy and our joy, and the mirth of Jesus. This episode touches on the topic of divorce. If you're struggling with your marriage, considering divorce as an option, or have any questions about this topic, please contact our elders at [email protected].

Stevie Potter drops in to discuss Advent traditions, practicing peace as parents, operating from the Holy Spirit, and how "peace" is far more than a synonym for "quiet" or "serene."

Composer Alex Hitchens drops in to discuss hope through God's presence with us, formative Advent and Christmas practices, God's provision through other people, giving out of discomfort, and new fatherhood.

Michael is joined by Pastor Jeremy Treat and Reality LA community group leaders Chris Covell and Tiffany Neiderhauser for a conversation recapping our teaching series through the book of Daniel.

Michael and Nathan welcome Maggy Wong, Reality LA Benevolence Coordinator, regional deacon (shout out to South County!), and prayer team lead, for a conversation about communing with God in times of grief, setting your own rhythms of prayer, and developing a robust nearness with the Holy Spirit.

We welcome our podcast co-host Nathan Potter back from his 3-month sabbatical to discuss the why of sabbatical and how we too can apply rest, recalibration, and reentry to our times away from work.

Serve LA Program Director, Kyle Mueller, drops in to share what Serve LA is, its journey from beginning as a bread table to serving ten hot meals a week, the changes holistically filling needs can make in a person's life, and how YOU can partner and get involved in Serve LA's work! Learn more at weservela.com and follow @servelosangeles on Instagram. And if you'd like to contribute to the wrap-up episode for our Daniel sermon series, email us an audio clip at [email protected] or call us at 323-433-3899 and leave a voicemail to share anything God is doing in and through your life with this series or any questions you may still have about the book of Daniel.