Encounter Grace Podcast

Grace Fellowship Church
  • 5.0 (36)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Biweekly

Encounter Grace is a weekly podcast from Grace Fellowship Church in Kinston, NC, where hosts Jason McKnight and Justin Tilghman help Christians think clearly and biblically about faith, culture, relationships,a nd leadership. Each episode tackles topics with thoughtful, practical conversations that equip believers to live wisely and walk faithfully in today’s world. Join us as we explore how grace meets everyday life.

  1. 4d ago

    Ep. 226 - From Crack Addiction to the Pulpit: Khayyam Shepherd’s Story

    Twenty-five years ago, Khayyam Shepherd was trapped in crack cocaine addiction. His marriage was crumbling. He was facing eviction, problems at work, and the possibility of jail. After another day of getting high, he reached the point where he knew he could not fix himself. So he cried out to Jesus. “If you don’t help me, I’m going to die.” What happened next changed the trajectory of his life. Today, Khayyam is a pastor, teacher, community leader, and passionate advocate for building lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word. And now he has told his story in his new book, From the Pit to the Pulpit: How God Turned My Addiction Into a Calling. To celebrate the book’s release, we’re revisiting this powerful Encounter Grace conversation with Khayyam about addiction, surrender, redemption, discipleship, racial reconciliation, biblical truth, and the calling God brought out of the darkest chapter of his life. This is more than a story about overcoming addiction. It’s a story about what can happen when someone reaches the end of himself and discovers that Jesus is still there. #EncounterGrace #FromThePitToThePulpit #KhayyamShepherd #ChristianTestimony #AddictionRecovery #JesusChangesLives #Redemption #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Gospel #ChristianLiving #Testimony #GodsGrace

  2. Aug 27

    Ep. 225 - When Does Bad Theology Become Heresy?

    How wrong can your theology be and you still be a Christian? Not every theological mistake is heresy—but that doesn't mean every theological error is harmless either. So where exactly is the line? In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin revisit a debate that started during their recent conversation about hell: What's the difference between error, heterodoxy, and heresy? They explore how Christians have historically understood orthodoxy, why the church's historic witness matters, and what happens when a belief begins moving outside those boundaries. Along the way, they discuss real examples including Apollos, the Galatian controversy, Arianism, classic dispensationalism, annihilationism, and the resurrection debate in 1 Corinthians 15. They also wrestle with an important distinction: A heretical belief and a heretic aren't necessarily the same thing. How should we respond when a sincere Christian gets something seriously wrong? When does disagreement become dangerous? And how can we defend truth without labeling everyone who disagrees with us a false teacher? The goal isn't to become better at calling people heretics. It's to become more discerning Christians—holding tightly to biblical truth while extending the kind of grace and humility we hope others will extend to us when we're wrong. And this conversation isn't finished. Next time, we'll tackle false teachers, wolves, schismatics, and the question that started this whole discussion: What happens eternally to a heretic? If this episode helps you think more clearly about theological disagreement, share it with someone you've had these conversations with—and let us know where you think the line between heterodoxy and heresy should be drawn. #EncounterGrace #ChristianPodcast #Heresy #Heterodoxy #ChristianTheology #BiblicalTruth #Theology #Christianity #ChurchHistory #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #FalseTeachers #Orthodoxy #Faith #Jesus

  3. Aug 20

    Ep. 224 - What Really Happens After You Die? A Biblical Look at Hell, Judgment, and Eternity

    What happens the moment you die? Is hell real? What is the final judgment? Is there a second chance after death? And how should Christians think about eternity without fear or speculation? In this episode, Jason and Justin walk through what Scripture actually teaches about death, paradise, Hades, the final judgment, heaven, and hell. Rather than relying on popular myths or medieval imagery, they explore the Bible's unfolding story—from Genesis to Revelation—to answer some of Christianity's most important questions. You'll also hear why God's justice and mercy are not in conflict, why hell was never created for humanity, how Jesus' work on the cross changes everything, and why the biblical story ultimately leaves us with profound hope. Whether you've wrestled with these questions for years or you're hearing them for the first time, this conversation will help you think biblically about eternity and live today with greater confidence in God's grace. 👇 Let us know in the comments: What question about heaven, hell, or eternity would you like us to discuss next? #EncounterGracePodcast #Hell #Heaven #FinalJudgment #Eternity #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #Theology #Faith #JesusChrist #Gospel #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #Grace #Apologetics

  4. Aug 13

    Ep. 223 - Did the Church Leave Books Out of the Bible? The Truth About the Canon

    Have you ever wondered why the Bible has 66 books? What about the Book of Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, the Apocrypha, or the Ethiopian Bible? Were these books intentionally left out—or is there more to the story? In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin sit down with pastor and professor Dr. Randy Outland to explore one of Christianity's most important questions: How was the biblical canon recognized? Did church councils decide what counts as Scripture? What are the Apocrypha and the Gnostic Gospels? Why do Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians have slightly different Bibles? Can Christians really trust that the Bible they have today is God's complete Word? Whether you've encountered skeptical claims on social media or you've simply wondered how we know the Bible is trustworthy, this conversation provides historical context, biblical insight, and practical confidence for your faith. 📖 If you've ever asked, "How do we know the Bible is really God's Word?" this episode is for you. #Bible #BiblicalCanon #BookOfEnoch #Apocrypha #GospelOfThomas #ChristianApologetics #BibleQuestions #Scripture #Theology #EncounterGracePodcast #GraceFellowship #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndReason #ChurchHistory #BiblicalTruth

  5. Aug 6

    Ep. 222 - What We Look For Before We Trust Someone to Lead

    How do you know if someone is ready to lead? Whether you're hiring a pastor, appointing an elder, selecting a ministry leader, or building a volunteer team, one question matters more than almost any other: Is this person mature? In this episode, we explore seven key maturity indicators that every church should look for in its leaders. We discuss why giftedness alone isn't enough, how emotional health impacts leadership effectiveness, the importance of relational skills, resilience, theological conviction, and what true spiritual maturity looks like in real life. If you've ever wondered what separates healthy, effective leaders from those who eventually struggle or fail, this conversation is for you. Topics include: • Warmth for Jesus and spiritual vitality • Willingness to serve and sacrifice • Biblical wisdom and theological maturity • Emotional health and resilience • Relational skills and trust-building • Essential leadership qualities • Professional competence and follow-through Leadership isn't just about what a person can do. It's about who they are becoming. #EncounterGrace #ChristianLeadership #ChurchLeadership #Elders #Pastors #LeadershipDevelopment #SpiritualMaturity #Discipleship #ChristianLiving #ChurchHealth #Leadership #MinistryLeadership #BiblicalLeadership #EmotionalHealth #FaithAndLeadership

  6. Jul 30

    Ep. 221 - The Secret to Healthy Ministry Teams (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our Healthy Teams in the Local Church series, we move from people to culture—because even the best people struggle in the wrong environment. In Episode 1, we introduced the game-changing paradigm: Ministry teams have a dual purpose—task AND discipleship. Now we take the next step: How do you actually build that kind of team? We unpack the final four traits of healthy ministry teams—focusing on the culture you create as a leader and the kind of fruit you can expect when you get it right. Here’s where we go: How to cultivate high-trust, high-respect relationships on your team Why communication, training, encouragement, and accountability matter more than you think How your environments (rooms, systems, processes) either support or sabotage your team Why great leaders don’t just manage people—they build spaces where people thrive What it looks like when teams actually become places of spiritual growth, risk-taking, and joy And ultimately… how God produces more fruit than you could generate on your own This episode is deeply practical. From nursery teams to worship teams to student ministry, you’ll walk away with a clearer vision—and concrete ways to lead differently this week. Because when you stop treating people like tools… and start building teams like discipleship environments… Everything changes. #ChurchLeadership #HealthyTeams #MinistryLeadership #ChristianLeadership #Discipleship #ChurchGrowth #VolunteerLeadership #TeamCulture #SpiritualGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ChurchLife #KingdomLeadership

  7. Jul 23

    Ep. 220 - The Secret to Healthy Ministry Teams (Part 1)

    Every church has them—nursery teams, worship teams, youth leaders, elders, volunteers holding everything together behind the scenes. But here’s the reality: healthy churches are built on healthy teams… and healthy teams don’t happen by accident. In this first episode of our Healthy Teams in the Local Church series, we introduce a paradigm shift that can change everything about how your ministry operates. Most leaders focus on getting the job done—but what if that’s only half the mission? What if your team has a dual purpose in God’s eyes? Not just accomplishing the task…But forming people into the likeness of Christ. We unpack the foundational idea of TASK + TEAM ministry—where the mission matters and the people matter just as much. You’ll learn why your volunteers aren’t just “help,” but partners in mission… and how that shift transforms your leadership, your culture, and your impact. We also introduce the first three traits of truly healthy teams: Partners in mission (not minions) Teammates matter as much as the task Expecting God to work through every person If you lead in any capacity—pastor, ministry leader, volunteer coordinator, or team lead—this episode will give you a framework to build teams that are more joyful, more effective, and more aligned with the heart of Jesus. Because when God is in it… it’s never a zero-sum game. Everybody wins. #HealthyChurch #ChurchLeadership #MinistryLeadership #ChristianLeadership #Discipleship #ChurchGrowth #VolunteerLeadership #TeamBuilding #SpiritualFormation #PastoralLeadership #ChurchTeams #KingdomLeadership

  8. Jun 25

    Ep. 219 - Seeing the American Dream through an Immigrant's Eyes

    What happens when a young Muslim man leaves Pakistan for America, discovers the gospel, and risks everything to follow Christ? In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason McKnight sits down with Ali Master, author of Beyond the Golden Door, to discuss his remarkable journey from Islam to Christianity, the challenges of leaving behind deeply held beliefs, and the freedoms that transformed his life. Ali shares his story of coming to America as an international student, wrestling with faith, encountering Jesus through Christian friends, and ultimately finding a freedom that changed everything. Together they explore: Why freedom matters more than most Americans realize The difference between seeking truth and believing truth What Ali learned about Jesus while trying to disprove Christianity The challenges of following Christ in a Muslim culture Why gratitude is the antidote to cynicism The future of faith, freedom, and America Whether you're interested in apologetics, evangelism, immigration, religious freedom, or inspiring testimonies, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. https://www.alimaster.com #EncounterGrace #AliMaster #ChristianTestimony #FromIslamToChristianity #ReligiousFreedom #FaithJourney #JesusChrist #ChristianPodcast #AmericanDream #ChristianLiving #Evangelism #Apologetics #Freedom #Immigration #ChristianFaith

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Encounter Grace is a weekly podcast from Grace Fellowship Church in Kinston, NC, where hosts Jason McKnight and Justin Tilghman help Christians think clearly and biblically about faith, culture, relationships,a nd leadership. Each episode tackles topics with thoughtful, practical conversations that equip believers to live wisely and walk faithfully in today’s world. Join us as we explore how grace meets everyday life.

Information

  • Creator
    Grace Fellowship Church
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    225
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Grace Fellowship Church
  • Show Website
    Encounter Grace Podcast

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