The Down to Earth Podcast

In this week's episode, I wanted to recommend Mark Dever's book on the Great Commission. In this short, helpful book Dever helps readers understand the Great Commission in light of God's design in fulfilling it - the local church. Listen in on how the Scriptures and this resource reveal "the local church is God's plan for evangelism, discipleship, and the Great Commission."

This past December, I had the joy and privilege to preach the opening message of the Advent season at my home church, Ocean Park Baptist Church (Jax, FL). We opened the series with a direct focus and emphasis on the Light, who is Jesus Christ in John 1, and the holiness of God, both in His Person and in His Purity. We also look at how the Light exposes what is in the darkness and points us to God’s Holiness, Truth, and Life.

What a joy and privilege it was to catch up with my old friend, Caleb Crittendon, and to talk about two important roles of the Church, missions and discipleship and specifically how Hope Point Church in Spartanburg, SC puts these roles into practice, both locally and globally.

In the final episode of season 2, I would love to praise and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and grace during the most overwhelming and uncertain season of my entire life and to encourage you, and your local church, with how to not only be honest about your struggles and your needs, but also how to accept help and support from those who offer it. I hope and pray that this story of God's grace and the church's support brings you much comfort, encouragement, and joy.

On this week's episode, I have another book recommendation for you! "How Can I Serve My Church?" by Matthew Emadi."Believers display the greatness of God’s kingdom to a hostile world when. We selflessly serve each other and those around us. In this short booklet, Matthew Emadi explains the vital roles we play within the church. Through acts of service including hospitality, ministry, and evangelism, we bless our communities and long to hear Jesus one day say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant'."

On this weeks episode, Will Broadus, out of Greenville, SC, shares his passion and love for the transformative power of the gospel in the lives of his congregants and the people in his community. We also take a brief look at Hebrews 10:24-25 and discuss the importance of Christian's regularly gathering together.

It was so much fun being able to talk with the first retired pastor of the podcast and to gain so much wisdom from someone who faithfully served the Lord through pastoring for 45 years! Listen in as we discuss how pastors can connect with their congregation, what pastors tend to under/over estimate about pastoring, and the importance of diligently working on your marriage while also leading a congregation.

This week, I would like to share my sermon from Sunday, March 23rd. I pray that the Lord blesses you through His Word as we look at 1 John 3:11-4:21 and learn what love really is according to how God has revealed Himself in His Word.

Enjoyed being able to catch up and talk with my friend, Matt Purvis, and discuss the importance of discipleship, a unified church staff despite their differences, and the ultimate authority of God's Word.

"Election seasons can cause division on a variety of issues. But what happens when you disagree with someone in your local church community? Authors Jonathan Leeman and Andy Naselli propose that Christians should learn how to disagree on such issues with a spirit of gracious understanding by recognizing the importance of what binds us together as a local church body - the gospel of Jesus Christ."

On this weeks episode, we get to hear from James Barnes, the Lead Pastor of Wrens Baptist Church in Wrens, Georgia. New to this pastoral role, James provides unique and insightful conversation as he talks about his new local congregation and some of the most influential people in his life that have provided wisdom and guidance in his pastoral ministry.

Keith Foskey, pastor of Sovereign Grace Family Church in Jacksonville, FL joins the Down to Earth Podcast and shares how he got into pastoral ministry, how he would like to see his local congregation grow spiritually, and how he would encourage new pastors entering the ministry to "smell like sheep" as they lead and shepherd their congregations.

Lately I have wanted to be more intentional about having practical definitions of words or phrases that are commonly used in the Bible, at church, or in Christian circles. Words and phrases like “blessed”, or “abiding in Christ”, or “fellowship”, etc. Sometimes, we can be so familiar with a word or phrase that we forget the actual meaning, weight, or depth of it. In this episode, with the help of a book recommendation and a few pastor friends of mine, we are going to look at what the gospel is and what the implications are for those who believe it.

Thankful to have the opportunity to sit down and talk with my little brother, Shaun Forrester, and reflect on how good and faithful the Lord has been in his life and how the Lord has been using him to teach and disciple students!

Big thanks to my friend, Trevor Hoffman, teaching pastor of Ridgewood Church in Greer, SC for joining the podcast! In this episode we talk a lot about the true meaning of biblical community and fellowship, and why it is important for Christians to be intentional about loving and serving one another, both inside and outside of the gathering on Sundays.

What started as a simple interaction with a customer, quickly turned into a Jesus-honoring friendship. Listen in as Bishop Harry Williams shares his story and how the Lord is using him and his church to meet both the spiritual and physical needs in their community!

The first book recommendation of season two is here! Listen in to the brief overview of one of my favorite books so far in the 9 Marks series, Building Healthy Churches. Does the why, when, and how of the corporate worship gathering really matter according to the Bible? Why does God gather Christians to worship on Sundays? Is worship really more than just the singing section of the worship service? These are questions that Matt Merker answers as he helps us look to the Scriptures to see what God has to say about why God gathers His people together for worship.

Eternally grateful for my dad, Ken Forrester, and the wisdom that he is willing to share as we start season 2! Listen in as we talk about the favorite child in the family; the importance for pastor's to have a healthy ministry/home life balance; the necessity of the role of the pastor's wife; and a plethora of other helpful areas for both pastors and church members alike!

The first season recap of the podcast! Take a few minutes to listen in to some encouraging themes and common ideas that were present throughout the first season; another book recommendation, specifically about how church members can serve their pastors; and lastly, a few updates about the future of the podcast!

Will Pareja joins the Down to Earth Podcast from Chicago, IL giving us insight to the city as he shares about Addison Street Community Church, his ministry journey, and how he has learned from church conflict and would encourage other pastors and church members alike.