Faith & Culture by Skyline Church Skyline Church

In this inspiring episode, Jeremy McGarity sits down with Jim Morris, the baseball player whose life story inspired the film, 'The Rookie.' Together they dive into his incredible journey, discuss the pivotal role of faith and the resilience needed to overcome life's challenges.

Tune in for this conversation filled with wisdom and perseverance.

Join Tom Mercer and Jeremy McGarity as they continue their dynamic conversation about ministry, church life, and core values among other things.

About Tom Mercer:
With nearly 50 years in pastoral ministry, Tom led High Desert Church in Southern California, growing it from 125 members to multiple campuses and thousands of attendees. For the past decade, he's been a global ambassador for the oikos principle, inspiring church leaders to simplify and thrive. Tom holds degrees from Biola University and Talbot Seminary and is the author of three impactful books. He and his wife Sheryl have three married children and eleven grandchildren.

Tom Mercer

President, Executive Director

The Oikos Movement

Tom has been in pastoral ministry for almost 50 years. For 38 of those years, he served as the Senior Pastor and primary teacher at the High Desert Church in Southern California. During that time, the church grew from 125 to multiple campuses and thousands of people.

For the past decade, Tom has also been an ambassador for the oikos principle around the world, frequently speaking at conferences, churches, university classrooms, and denominational gatherings, challenging church leaders to become more efficient through simplification.

Tom received his formal education at Biola University and Talbot Seminary. He is the author of three books, 8 to 15—The World is Smaller Than You Think, Not My Church, and Diary of a World Changer. Tom is married to his wife Sheryl, and they have three married children and eleven grandchildren.

Listen in as Pastor Jeremy McGarity has a great conversation with Pastor Tobin Wilkins.

Listen to and learn more about Coach Downer and his story of integrating his faith into his life story.



Last year, Point Loma's men's basketball team went 29-4 overall, winning the PacWest regular season title after becoming the first team in conference history to finish an unbeaten 20-0 in conference play. The Sea Lions also won the PacWest Tournament before earning the No. 1 seed in the NCAA West Regional. PLNU reached the regional championship game, finishing the season ranked No. 7 in the final D2SIDA Media Poll.



Downer inherits a program that has made six consecutive NCAA West Regional appearances, the longest active streak in the region, having won at least the PacWest regular season or tournament title in the past four full seasons.

Listen to the life story of Tylene Howarter and how she established her relationship with Jesus and NOW how she uses her gifts and talents to pour into others.