RE: CHURCH GFA Missions

How can current events prompt a sermon series? Matt Fagan's desire to preach the book of Jude came as he observed and read about the rise of the exvangelical movement. Although authored about 2,000 years ago, Jude talks about the same phenomenon of people "deconstructing" their faith. In this episode of RE: CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses the small book of Jude with Matt Fagan, pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Windham, NH.  Speaking of the impact on him personally, Pastor Fagan says, "Jude teaches me that as a believer, I must be growing and maturing in my faith." 

The 38 verses of Haggai record this minor prophet's five sermons to a post-exilic Israel. How do these messages apply to New Testament believers? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses Haggai with Eric Newton. Haggai lifts our focus from a day that doesn't seem as bright as other eras, to the grand redemption that God is working out in and through His people. Speaking of the personal impact of the messages on him, Pastor Newton explains, "It strengthened my confidence in God's Word even more." Pastor Newton serves as associate pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville, SC.

Why preach prophesy? One third of the Bible is prophetic with many of those prophecies having already been literally fulfilled. But Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians focuses on a prophecy we are waiting to be fulfilled: the Lord’s second return. In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant interviews Chuck Phelps about preaching through 2 Thessalonians. For much of his 41 years of pastoral ministry, Pastor Chuck Phelps has mentored men preparing for ministry. He makes a plea for preaching prophetic books. Speaking of the blessing of preaching this prophetic book, Pastor Phelps says, “I’m looking forward to the coming of Christ on so many levels. That's where our comfort is; that's where the challenge for holy living is...and that's how we live without fear. If you're not settled on where we live within the timeline, there is cause for a whole lot of fear.” Pastor Phelps has pastored Colonial Hills Baptist Church for the last 14 years.

What would make a suitable series for services on Wednesday nights? Rick Arrowood chose Psalm 119 to help his people mature in their relationship with God’s Word. He explains, “Because you love your people, you see how the passage will affect their lives. You want to reach their hearts with God’s Word.” In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant interviews Rick Arrowood about his series on Psalm 119. Pastor Arrowood served as senior pastor in several churches during his 41 years in the pastorate. Most recently he pastored Crosspointe Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN, before retiring in June 2020. He currently serves as an interim pastor with GFA.

What book would help address some of the challenges churches and pastors faced during COVID? How about a historical book describing the birth of the church, a book focused on what a church is and does and why the church is important? Marshall Fant IV's burden to preach through the book of Acts developed while reading through the Bible in his personal devotional time during COVID lockdowns. In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant III interviews his son, Marshall Fant IV, pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC, since 2017. One challenge he faced was determining what is normative for today. Speaking of making appropriate applications for today, he says, "This kept me on my knees, asking for grace and understanding." 

How do you prepare to preach a prophetic book? What fruit is there to reap and feed to your people from a book like Daniel? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses these questions with Gary Reimers, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Greer, SC, since 2002. He also serves as a professor at BJU Seminary, where he teaches expository preaching. Speaking of the challenges of preaching the Old Testament book of Daniel he says, "There is always something God wants us to change based on the truth of a passage."