Equip Podcast

Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • 4.8 (115)
  • 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. 1D AGO

    Planting a Church in Austin, TX with Mitchell Johnson

    Mark sits down with Mitchell Johnson, a church planter being sent out from Cornerstone to launch The Way Church in Austin, Texas. Mitchell shares his remarkable story of growing up in New Orleans, surviving Hurricane Katrina, a crisis of suicidal despair in high school, and ultimately finding faith in Jesus at Texas Tech University. The conversation traces how God used brokenness, mentors, and years of ministry experience to equip Mitchell to plant a church in one of America's most spiritually searching cities. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing Mitchell Johnson and his connection to Cornerstone Church 00:58 — The Way Church: launching in Austin, Texas on September 13th 01:22 — Getting to know Mitchell: a peek behind the scenes before the ministry talk 01:50 — Growing up in New Orleans: family background, divorce, and the Lower Ninth Ward 02:51 — Mitchell's mom goes to prison — and he finds out on his own at age eight 03:42 — Life in one of New Orleans's most dangerous neighborhoods 04:12 — Hurricane Katrina hits: staying in the Lower Ninth Ward without evacuating 05:40 — Trapped for four days, rescued by boat and helicopter, and arriving in Houston at age 12 06:25 — Mitchell's grandmother: a model of faith in the middle of the storm 07:44 — Depression, anxiety, and a suicidal crisis in high school 08:55 — A gold cross on a rearview mirror and the moment everything changed 09:28 — Coming to faith at Texas Tech University and beginning to run after Jesus 12:18 — Mark reflects on Mitchell's infectious joy in the Lord 13:40 — Ministry at Redeemer Church in Lubbock and the mentors who shaped him 15:35 — Being handed the college pastor role at 23 and stepping into leadership 17:33 — Wrestling with the call to full-time ministry and what shifted 18:11 — Moving to Austin Stone and six years of ministry at UT Austin 19:51 — The Way Church: mission, vision, and the launch plan for fall 2026 20:35 — Austin as a city: culture, spiritual climate, and why a new church is needed 22:54 — Reaching the high rises, the alleyways, and the dorm rooms of Austin 24:34 — John 13:35 and the heart of what The Way Church wants to be 25:06 — Celebrating what God has done and what He's about to do 25:49 — How to find, follow, and support The Way Church online Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online The Way Church Austin: thewaychurchaustin.org Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    27 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Finishing Well: Health, Medicine, and Dying Well

    Mark tackles one of the most avoided conversations in the Christian life: how do we approach health, medical care, and dying in a way that reflects a biblical worldview? With honesty and care, he challenges listeners to stop prolonging death and start pursuing a life of flourishing, all the way to the end. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing the topic: end-of-life health and the final decades of life  01:46 — The technology that prolongs death, not life — and why Christians need to think carefully about it  04:43 — Three principles for approaching end-of-life health as a Christian  05:20 — Principle 1: Stay healthy now — the four pillars of preventable disease  08:19 — The fifth pillar: social connection and why it matters more than most realize  10:25 — Principle 2: Doctor by decade — why your 40s approach shouldn't look like your 80s approach  12:52 — The shortage of geriatric doctors in America and what it means for you  14:31 — A personal story: Mark's dad, congestive heart failure, and asking hard questions about treatment  17:00 — Principle 3: Terminal illness, hospice, and palliative care — quality of life over length of life  19:20 — What hospice care actually is (and isn't) — and why Christians shouldn't fear it  21:33 — A firm word on euthanasia: the difference between dying well and ending life  22:19 — Closing call: have honest conversations with your family, your doctor, and your friends Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen OnlineHow to Make Disease Disappear by Rangan Chatterjee — practical framework for preventable diseaseOutlive by Peter Attia — a deeper dive into longevity and healthspan Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    23 min

  3. MAY 7

    Finishing Well: End-of-Life Finances and Generosity

    Mark tackles one of the most practical (and often avoided) topics in the Christian life: what does faithful stewardship look like in the final season of life? Drawing from Scripture and real conversations with retirees, Mark offers biblical principles and concrete wisdom for navigating end-of-life finances, inheritance, and Kingdom generosity. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing the topic: end-of-life finances, inheritance, and kingdom-centered giving  01:00 — Two North Stars: all money belongs to God; leaving a legacy has biblical priority  02:33 — Why most people want to be generous but struggle with the mechanism  03:31 — Four financial buckets retirees commonly fall into  07:50 — The Macedonian and Corinthian principles: everyone gives something, but not the same something 09:36 — Applying biblical proportionality to each financial scenario 14:31 — The $85 trillion baby boomer wealth transfer — and why Christians can't be absent 16:04 — End-of-life medical expenses: what the numbers actually look like 17:04 — "We are taking longer to die" — why Christians should pursue flourishing living, not slow dying 21:33 — Three options for covering long-term care costs 24:19 — Inheritance principles: it's not only monetary, and money amplifies character 27:48 — Treating the church as "another child" and giving in strategic stages 30:19 — Kingdom generosity: capping personal spending and investing the rest for God's purposes 35:22 — Final word: seek first the Kingdom, trust God's provision, open your hands 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!

    37 min

  4. MAY 5 ·  BONUS

    Preparing for Summer: The Spiritual Workout Plan

    Summer is one of the most enjoyable seasons of the year, but it can also be one of the most spiritually distracting. In this episode, Mark and Emily talk about how to approach the summer months with intentionality through the Spiritual Workout Plan. This conversation offers a practical ways to stay rooted in Christ during a season that often pulls people away from consistency and challenges listeners to pursue depth, not just rest. Episode Highlights 00:35 — Why summer can be both life-giving and spiritually distracting 01:05 — The goal: approaching summer with intentionality, not drift 02:04 — Building a plan for Scripture reading during the summer months 03:56 — Why spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident 05:56 — Reflection from past rhythms (Lent) and how they shape future habits 07:57 — Creating a “punch list” for spiritual growth 09:57 — The importance of accountability and doing this with others 12:01 — Key components of the Spiritual Workout Plan 14:10 — Finding practical and creative ways to stay consistent 15:55 — Adapting rhythms to fit the unique pace of summer 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!

    18 min

  5. APR 30

    Navigating Midlife with Brent & Tori Haverkamp

    In this episode of the Equip Podcast, Mark is joined by Brent and Tori Haverkamp to talk about the “fall” season of life: midlife and beyond. They talk about the challenges and opportunities that come with this stage, including career pressures, shifting priorities, anxiety, and the process of learning to trust God more deeply.  Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing Brent and Tori Haverkamp and the “fall” season of life 01:00 — What defines midlife and how this season feels different 02:15 — The pressure to perform and achieve in earlier seasons 04:56 — Career success, identity, and the hidden costs of striving 07:23 — How ambition and drive can shape (and strain) life 09:46 — Shifting priorities and re-evaluating what really matters 11:51 — The role of mindset and internal pressure in midlife 13:50 — Anxiety, fear, and the emotional weight of this season 15:54 — Family, responsibility, and the complexity of midlife decisions 18:09 — Recognizing God’s work even in difficult or unclear seasons 20:10 — The danger of being too exhausted to enjoy life 22:37 — Letting go of control and trusting God more fully 25:03 — How God uses messy seasons to shape deeper faith 27:10 — Processing suffering, pain, and hardship with a biblical lens 29:21 — Moments that redefine perspective and deepen trust 31:39 — Gratitude and learning to be present in the moment 33:48 — Looking back and seeing God’s faithfulness over time Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online"Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    34 min

  6. APR 23

    Marriage, Money, and Calling with Crystal Vance

    Mark is joined by his wife, Crystal, to talk about the “summer” season of life: young adulthood, marriage, and building a life marked by faithfulness. Through stories and wisdom, they reflect on navigating relationships, finances, work, and spiritual growth in the early years of adulthood. Episode Highlights 00:26 — Introducing Crystal and the focus on the “summer” season of life 01:00 — Transitioning from youth to adulthood and new responsibilities 02:49 — How God led their early adult decisions and direction 04:20 — Early marriage realities and learning to grow together 05:38 — Navigating uncertainty and figuring life out in real time 06:58 — Wrestling with unknowns and trusting God in the process 08:19 — Financial realities and learning how to live within limits 09:32 — Making practical decisions about lifestyle and affordability 10:54 — Advice for those entering adulthood and learning from others 12:10 — Early financial decisions and stewardship (saving, working, planning) 13:31 — Balancing work, life, and long-term direction 14:51 — How cultural expectations shape decisions about life and family 16:13 — The role of community and learning from others in similar stages 17:38 — Choosing faithfulness over drifting or “messing around” in this season 18:51 — Living intentionally for the Lord in everyday decisions 20:09 — The danger of lack of intentionality in early adulthood 21:16 — Trusting God’s timing and provision 22:33 — Recognizing God’s kindness and guidance along the way 23:43 — Final reflection: life as a gift from God to steward well Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online"How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him" by Ann Wilson Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    24 min

  7. APR 15

    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

  8. 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
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4.8
out of 5
115 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
    334
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • Show Website
    Equip Podcast

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