Equip Podcast

Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • 4.8 (114)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Produced by Cornerstone Church of Ames, The Equip Podcast is designed to provide insight, resources and Biblical wisdom to help us live faithful and fruitful lives together. 

  1. 6D AGO

    Pursuing Wisdom in Your Teens with Owen & Brenna

    In this episode of the Equip Podcast, Mark is joined by high school seniors Brenna Van Cleave and his son Owen for a conversation about what it looks like to grow in wisdom during the “spring” season of life. As part of a broader series on the seasons of life, this episode focuses on youth and the unique challenges young people face today. Through an honest and practical conversation, they explore what it means to pursue godliness in a digital world shaped by smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity. With insight for both students and parents, this episode offers a window into how the next generation is learning to follow Jesus with wisdom and intentionality. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing Brenna and Owen 00:54 — The “seasons of life” series and youth as the springtime of life 01:49 — Giving parents a window into what it’s like to be a teenager today 02:53 — Where teenagers actually find godly wisdom 03:36 — Big questions, youth leaders, and the people who shaped their faith 04:49 — Why being invited into someone’s life matters as much as Bible study 06:57 — Choosing close friends who are growing in godliness 07:41 — Friendship and how peers shape the stories of your life 10:57 — Looking ahead to college and the challenge of finding the right people 14:40 — Social media, texting, and how digital communication can be harmful 16:41 — Why some teenagers are trying to step back from social media 18:25 — The dating scene in high school and how it feels different now 22:54 — How young people hear dating advice and future family wisdom 24:11 — The “anxious generation” and fear of failure 26:06 — Why young people need real community that pushes them toward growth 28:39 — What Brenna and Owen would say to younger students about choosing a path 30:48 — Final reflections on how to seek wisdom from Scripture, mentors, sermons, and podcasts Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    33 min

  2. APR 14 ·  BONUS

    How Should Christians Think About War?

    In this episode, Mark and Emily talk through how Christians should think about war in a world filled with conflict. Looking at Scripture and ideas like just war theory, they explore how believers can pursue peace while still understanding the role of justice and government. Episode Highlights 00:30 — Introducing the topic: how Christians should think about war 01:19 — Where war comes from: not part of God’s original design 02:25 — Sin’s effects: broken relationships that lead to conflict 03:38 — Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the restoration of all things 04:49 — Christians as peacemakers in a fallen world 05:19 — The role of government and authority in a broken world 07:39 — Romans 13: the government’s responsibility to wield authority 09:02 — Introduction to just war theory 13:42 — Just causes: protection, justice, and preventing evil 14:20 — Who can declare war? Why individuals cannot 15:09 — Considering long-term consequences before entering war 16:27 — Conduct in war: restraint, proportionality, and discrimination 17:21 — Is there a “loving” way to wage war? 21:05 — Evaluating modern conflicts through a biblical framework 24:34 — The dangers of distance in modern warfare 27:11 — A call to pray for peace, not just outcomes 29:51 — The ultimate hope: Christ will bring lasting peace 31:02 — Praying for revival, not just regime change Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    31 min

  3. APR 9

    Building A Healthy Marriage with Steve Jones

    What does a godly marriage actually look like? In this episode of the Equip Podcast, Emily sits down with Steve Jones, Executive Director of Ministries and a licensed mental health counselor, to talk about God’s design for marriage. Drawing from both Scripture and real-life counseling experience, Steve reframes marriage not as a checklist of spiritual habits, but as a deep, lifelong partnership marked by friendship, formation, and intentional pursuit. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing Steve Jones and the focus on marriage 01:21 — The Marriage Experience and why this conversation matters 02:11 — Setting the vision: What is a “godly marriage”? 02:54 — Moving beyond surface-level answers (Bible reading, prayer, etc.) 03:10 — Returning to God’s design for marriage 03:19 — Genesis 2: God’s purpose—companionship, partnership, and friendship 03:45 — The meaning of “helper” (ezer): not assistant, but strong partner 04:02 — Marriage as a unique, one-flesh friendship 04:10 — A key question: What is the condition of your friendship? 04:54 — Marriage as a relationship that forms and shapes you over time 06:30 — The difference between living as roommates vs. intentional partners 09:15 — Why communication breakdowns often trace back to deeper issues 12:40 — Identifying common “pinch points” in marriage 16:20 — The role of self-awareness and humility in a healthy marriage 20:10 — Practical steps toward growth: pursuing one another intentionally 24:00 — Final encouragement: marriage as a lifelong process of formation Resources The Marriage Experience Session RecordingsCornerstone Sermons: Listen Online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    40 min

  4. APR 2

    Easter Apologetics: Evidence for the Resurrection

    In this special Easter episode of the Equip Podcast, Mark walks through the historical and biblical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. He explores why the resurrection is not just a matter of faith, but a claim rooted in real events, eyewitness testimony, and early Christian conviction. Episode Highlights 00:30 — Setting the context: Easter week and the importance of the resurrection 00:59 — Why Christians revisit the evidence for the resurrection every year 01:45 — Turning to 1 Corinthians 15 as a foundational text 01:57 — The early creed: death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus 03:13 — The resurrection as the center of the Christian message 06:49 — Eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus 08:12 — The gospel accounts as historical sources 10:12 — The resurrection as a real historical event, not just a spiritual idea 12:24 — Early Christian belief grounded in real testimony 14:18 — The reliability of the New Testament documents 16:17 — The uniqueness of the resurrection story 20:44 — Could the resurrection have been made up? 22:52 — Why the resurrection still matters today Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen OnlineThe Reason for God by Tim Keller Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    24 min

  5. MAR 26

    Men & Women Part 4: Q&A

    In the final episode of the Men & Women series, Mark and Emily respond to questions submitted by listeners throughout the series. These questions explore how the biblical vision for men and women plays out in everyday life, the church, and broader society. Episode Highlights: 00:29 — Launching the final Q&A episode of the Men & Women series 00:56 — Theological triage: where debates about men and women fit in gospel importance 01:34 — When gender theology becomes a dividing line between churches 03:04 — Can a Christian attend a church with a woman pastor? 03:34 — How gender debates often reveal deeper views about Scripture 05:57 — Historical arguments about women in the early church 07:07 — Understanding the role women played in early Christianity 08:41 — Should biblical distinctions influence leadership outside the church? 09:10 — Authority structures in the home and church 10:44 — Questions about military service and physical standards 13:42 — Interpreting difficult passages like “women saved through childbearing” 17:40 — Questions about modesty and gender distinction in clothing 22:31 — What actually counts as a pastoral role in the church? 23:12 — Can women lead communion or baptize? 27:03 — Final reflections on honoring and encouraging women in the church Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    28 min

  6. MAR 19

    Men & Women Part 3: Dangers & Distortions

    In Part 3 of the Men & Women series, Mark and Emily turn to the tensions and misunderstandings that often arise in conversations about gender. After exploring the biblical definitions and distinctions between men and women, this episode addresses the ways those ideas can be distorted both inside and outside the church. Episode Highlights: 00:27 — Entering Part 3 of the Men & Women series: addressing the dangers 00:37 — Why discussions about gender often become controversial 00:58 — A core principle: danger arises whenever we push against God’s created order 01:02 — Starting with the church: how these debates affect Christian communities 01:49 — The “slippery slope” fear that any flexibility leads to abandoning biblical teaching 02:40 — The risk of rigid or reactionary complementarian cultures 03:38 — A serious pastoral concern: when churches fail to protect women in harmful situations 04:36 — Cultural trends like “tradwife” conversations and their influence on Christian discussions 05:49 — How complementarian ideas can sometimes be misused or weaponized 07:26 — A different vision: cultivating a culture of pursuit rather than mere permission 08:18 — Encouraging men and women to actively use their gifts in the life of the church 16:00 — The cultural pressures shaping modern conversations about gender 19:48 — Holding biblical conviction while still loving people who disagree Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    23 min

  7. MAR 12

    Men & Women Part 2: Distinct by Design

    In Part 2 of the Men & Women series, Mark and Emily move from definitions to distinctions. After establishing in the previous episode that men and women share equal dignity as image-bearers of God, this conversation explores how scripture describes meaningful differences between male and female. Episode Highlights: 00:27 — Returning to the Men & Women series and recapping the foundation from Part 1 00:43 — Moving from definitions to distinctions between men and women 00:59 — Genesis 1 recap: male and female created by God 01:05 — Genesis 2: the first distinction between man and woman in creation 02:30 — Opening Ephesians 5 to understand how the New Testament addresses gender roles 03:55 — Paul’s teaching about order and relationships within the church 06:20 — Why biblical distinctions are grounded in creation, not merely cultural context 08:40 — Avoiding stereotypes while still acknowledging real differences 11:15 — Women as vital partners in the gospel mission 13:00 — Biological and relational realities that shape how men and women engage the world 17:58 — Ephesians 5 and the vision for marriage and the household 22:45 — Final reminder: Christ is the ultimate authority over men and women alike Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    26 min

  8. MAR 5

    Men & Women Part 1: God's Good Design

    Mark and Emily begin a new series exploring what the Bible teaches about men and women. At a time when questions about gender, identity, and roles dominate cultural conversations, they return to the opening pages of scripture to establish a biblical foundation. Episode Highlights: 00:27 — Introducing a new series: Men & Women 00:46 — Why conversations about gender keep resurfacing in both culture and the church 01:27 — Gender as part of God’s created order, not merely a social construct 02:11 — Series roadmap: foundations, distinctions, dangers, and a Q&A episode 03:12 — “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus?” — where many gender conversations begin 03:18 — Starting point: men and women are more alike than we often assume 03:37 — Most commands in Scripture apply to all image-bearers, not just one gender 03:55 — Why Genesis 1 must shape our understanding of gender 05:00 — Equal dignity as image-bearers of God, with distinctions that follow 05:36 — The “pyramid” framework: creature vs. creator, human vs. animal, adult vs. child 07:38 — A biblical summary: masculinity as strength to serve, femininity as beauty that brings life 11:00 — Biological differences and why even secular science recognizes them 13:01 — How biological realities shape how men and women show up in relationships and society 17:00 — Why separating biology from identity pushes against God’s created order 21:40 — Final takeaway: the Bible consistently affirms that men and women are different by design Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    23 min
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4.8
out of 5
114 Ratings

About

Produced by Cornerstone Church of Ames, The Equip Podcast is designed to provide insight, resources and Biblical wisdom to help us live faithful and fruitful lives together. 

Information

  • Creator
    Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    328
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • Show Website
    Equip Podcast

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