Gather

Josh Smothers
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  • Christianity

Gather is the podcast of Wilmington First Church, hosted by Josh Smothers. Each episode is a space to slow down, lean in, and explore what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. Through thoughtful teaching and honest conversation, Gather covers everything related to the church and Christianity—faith, Scripture, discipleship, worship, leadership, culture, and what it looks like to live out the gospel in our homes, workplaces, and community. Whether you’re part of Wilmington First or simply curious about faith, this podcast exists to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus and stay connected to what God is doing in and through the local church. New episodes drop regularly. Come gather with us.

Episodes

  1. Feb 28

    Interview with Pastor Paul Evans

    The conversation delves into Pastor Paul's call to ministry and his journey of cultural adaptation as he transitioned from England to the United States. It explores the formative experiences that shaped his early years in ministry and the challenges he faced in adapting to a new cultural context. The conversation covers the smooth pastoral transition, passing over leadership, healthy pastoral transition, reevaluating success in ministry, endurance and longevity in ministry, and excitement for the School of Ministry. Key takeaways include the importance of a smooth pastoral transition and the need to balance metrics and discipleship in ministry. Takeaways Call to ministryCultural adaptation Smooth pastoral transitionBalancing metrics and discipleship Chapters 00:00 Call to Ministry and Cultural Adaptation01:08:03 Excitement for School of Ministry

    1h 4m

  2. Feb 21

    Interview with Pastor Jonathan Altman

    The conversation covers Pastor Jonathan's current roles, personal backstory, reading interests, sense of God's calling, early ministry experiences, lessons from mentors, faithful leadership, shepherding people vs. leading systems, importance of the local church, current hopes and concerns for the church, staying rooted in Pentecostal Holiness doctrines, and words of encouragement for pastors and leaders. The chapters provide a comprehensive exploration of these themes, offering valuable insights and perspectives on pastoral leadership and ministry. Takeaways Life of serviceFaithful leadership Chapters 00:00 Words of Encouragement for Pastors and Leaders

    29 min

  3. Feb 14

    Episode Seven: Spiritual Formation Over Spiritual Performance

    The episode explores the difference between spiritual formation and spiritual performance, emphasizing the need to shift from performance-based faith to formation-based faith. It delves into the impact of performance-based faith on individuals and the unintentional rewards it receives within the church. The conversation highlights the biblical vision of transformation, the practices that shape the soul over time, and the role of grace in spiritual growth. Takeaways Shift from performance-based faith to formation-based faithGod cares more about who you're becoming than how you're perceived Chapters 00:00 Grace as the Engine of Spiritual Growth

    19 min

  4. Feb 7

    Episode Six: Why Does Prayer Feel So Hard?

    The episode explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding prayer, emphasizing the importance of prayer as a relationship with God. It delves into the significance of silence, honesty, and perseverance in prayer, highlighting the value of faithfulness over frequency or eloquence. Takeaways Prayer is about relationship, not performanceSilence does not mean God's absenceFaithfulness in prayer matters more than frequency or eloquence Chapters 00:00 Reframing Faithfulness in Prayer

    15 min

  5. Feb 1

    Episode Five: Following Jesus in Ordinary Life

    The podcast explores the concept of following Jesus in everyday life, emphasizing the integration of faith into all areas of life. It discusses the importance of faithfulness in work, family, and daily routines, as well as the significance of obedience when no one is watching. The episode highlights the value of setting up small practices for discipleship and recognizing everyday moments as opportunities for spiritual formation. Takeaways Following Jesus in everyday lifeBringing faith into every area of life Chapters 00:00 Following Jesus in Ordinary Life06:09 Faithfulness in Work, Family, and Daily Routines13:23 Setting Up Small Practices for Discipleship

    16 min

  6. Jan 24

    Episode Four: Faith, Feelings, and Following Jesus When God Feels Distant

    The conversation explores the relationship between faith and feelings, emphasizing the importance of trusting God even when He feels distant. It also delves into the concept of lament as an act of trust and the significance of choosing faithfulness in the midst of spiritual dryness. Takeaways Faith and feelingsLament as an act of trust Chapters 00:00 Faith and Feelings07:47 Lament as an Act of Trust13:32 Choosing Faithfulness

    16 min

  7. Jan 17

    Episode Three: Can Doubt Be a Part of Real Faith?

    The conversation explores the normalcy of doubt in faith and the church's response to doubt. It delves into the distinction between doubt, unbelief, and cynicism, providing biblical examples of doubt and emphasizing the importance of healthy ways to wrestle with doubt and grow from it. The key takeaways are that doubt is a normal part of faith, and God welcomes our doubts and questions. Takeaways Doubt is a normal part of faithGod welcomes our doubts and questions Chapters 00:00 Growing from Doubt

    17 min

  8. Jan 10

    Episode Two: What is the Gospel?

    The episode explores the concept of the gospel, emphasizing its definition, misconceptions, biblical significance, and its impact on identity and behavior. It highlights the transformative power of the gospel and the shift from earning to receiving grace. Takeaways The gospel is good news, not just good adviceGrace is received, not achieved Chapters 00:00 Living from the Gospel

    15 min

  9. Jan 2

    Episode One: The Importance of the Church

    The podcast episode explores the relevance and challenges of the church in today's culture, addressing issues of disconnection, distrust, and church hurt. It emphasizes the importance of community, grace, and discernment in navigating these challenges and returning to the original vision of the church as a family. Takeaways The church faces challenges of disconnection, distrust, and church hurt in today's culture.Community, grace, and discernment are essential in addressing these challenges and returning to the original vision of the church as a family.

    20 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Gather is the podcast of Wilmington First Church, hosted by Josh Smothers. Each episode is a space to slow down, lean in, and explore what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. Through thoughtful teaching and honest conversation, Gather covers everything related to the church and Christianity—faith, Scripture, discipleship, worship, leadership, culture, and what it looks like to live out the gospel in our homes, workplaces, and community. Whether you’re part of Wilmington First or simply curious about faith, this podcast exists to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus and stay connected to what God is doing in and through the local church. New episodes drop regularly. Come gather with us.

Information

  • Creator
    Josh Smothers
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Josh Smothers
  • Show Website
    Gather