The SOBC Pod

Stone Oak Bible Church
  • 5.0 (2)
  • CHRISTIANITY

An extension of the ministry of Stone Oak Bible Church. Stone Oak Bible Church is located in North Central San Antonio, TX. We would love to have you join us.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Don’t Retire from the Mission: Rick’s Story of Faith, Calling, and Joy

    What does it look like to follow Christ faithfully into retirement—and beyond? In this episode of the SOBC Pod, Craig sits down with Rick to hear his story of faith, work, and the surprising ways God reshaped his life. From a successful career in church insurance to a season of deep personal conviction, Rick shares how God shifted his identity from achievement to surrender. Rick opens up about his upbringing, marriage, and family, and how he and Blanca found Stone Oak Bible Church. He also shares how a pivotal moment at age 60 forced him to confront his identity, leading to a renewed commitment to Christ as Lord, not just Savior. Now in retirement, Rick is more active in ministry than ever- discipling men, leading Bible studies, and intentionally engaging people in everyday life. His story is a powerful reminder that following Jesus is not something we retire from, but something we grow deeper into. Topics covered: Rick’s background, marriage, and family lifeGrowing up Catholic and coming to faith in ChristHow Rick and Blanca found Stone Oak Bible ChurchRick’s role as a deacon, men’s ministry leader, and assimilation leaderThe unexpected launch of the men’s ministry during COVIDLessons from 25+ years working with churches and pastorsThe danger of finding identity in career successA pivotal moment at age 60 that reshaped Rick’s faithWhat it means to truly make Christ Lord of your lifeLearning to listen to God and spend intentional time in His WordHow retirement became a season of deeper purpose, not restThe importance of discipleship and investing in othersLiving with intentionality in everyday moments (even neighborhood walks)Why Christians never truly retire from their calling

    54 min

  2. APR 2

    From Education to Ministry: Ross’s Story of Calling and Faithfulness

    How does someone go from pursuing a career in elementary education to full-time ministry? In this episode, Craig sits down with Ross, Stone Oak Bible Church’s Children’s and Youth Director, to hear the story of how God shaped his life and calling. Ross shares about growing up in the San Antonio area, his time at Texas A&M, and the unexpected ways God used relationships, church involvement, and mission trips to redirect his path. What began as a desire to simply “help people” eventually turned into a clear calling to ministry through small group leadership, discipleship, and global missions. Along the way, Ross reflects on the importance of the local church in his own life and how simple invitations, faithful presence, and intentional discipleship played a major role in his growth. He also shares his heart for children and students today, and why helping them connect to Christ and the local church right now is so important. If you’ve ever wondered how God leads people into ministry, or how your own story might be used for something bigger, this conversation is both encouraging and practical. Topics covered: Ross’s background growing up in the San Antonio area and his path through Texas A&MWhy he initially pursued elementary education and what changedThe role of mentoring, teaching, and influential leaders in shaping his directionHow an invitation to church and small group leadership impacted his faithLessons learned about finding a church and staying grounded in core doctrineHow mission trips helped clarify his calling to ministryHis experience in a church residency and seminary trainingHow God led him to Stone Oak Bible ChurchThe importance of the local church in spiritual growth and discipleshipHis vision for children’s and youth ministry at Stone Oak Bible ChurchWhy kids and students are not the church of tomorrow, but the church today Closing line Stone Oak Bible Church is located in San Antonio, Texas. Learn more at stoneoakbible.com

    1h 12m

  3. MAR 31

    The Story of Stone Oak Bible Church: 11 Years of God’s Faithfulness

    How did Stone Oak Bible Church get started? In this episode, Craig sits down with Justin Evans and Justin Bishop to look back on the story of how God launched Stone Oak Bible Church, from a seminary church planting assignment to an actual church plant in North Central San Antonio. They talk through the earliest days of the church, including Justin Evans’ connection with Northeast Bible Church, the awkward “speed dating” phase of meeting people before the launch, the first core group gatherings, and what it was like to start with a simple vision for a gospel-centered church. They also revisit the different locations Stone Oak Bible has called home over the years, from Stone Oak Elementary to Bush Middle School, through the uncertainty of COVID, and into the church’s current home at San Antonio Christian. Along the way, they share funny stories, meaningful memories, and reflect on God’s steady faithfulness through every season. If you’ve ever wondered where Stone Oak Bible Church came from, what shaped its DNA, and what has stayed the same over the last 11 years, this episode is for you. Topics covered: How Stone Oak Bible Church began as a seminary church-planting projectWhy Justin Evans felt called to plant in North Central San AntonioThe role Northeast Bible Church played in launching Stone Oak BibleThe early “core group” days and the vision of an intentionally simple churchWhat the first preview services and launch season were likeMemories from Stone Oak Elementary, Bush Middle School, Living Rock, the Shrine, and San Antonio ChristianFunny stories from the life of the church, including broken chairs, popped baptism pools, and church planting chaosWhat has remained the same at Stone Oak Bible Church from day one until nowHow God has shown His faithfulness through every season of the church’s history

    44 min

  4. MAR 25

    Sent & Faithful: Missions in a Closed Country with Jacob & Sophia

    In this episode, Craig is joined by Jacob and Sophia, missionaries with Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) serving in a 99% Muslim country in North Africa. They share what it looks like to proclaim the gospel in a closed country, how underground churches are born through relational evangelism, and the remarkable story of a young man named "Fred" who came to faith after a dream about Jesus. Topics covered: How Jacob and Sophia got connected to Stone Oak Bible ChurchWhat drew them to the 10/40 Window and North AfricaThe legal landscape of sharing the gospel in a closed countryRelational evangelism and what "win, build, send" looks like on the groundThe story of "Fred," a Muslim-background believer who dreamed of JesusThe challenges of raising a child on the mission fieldTheir daughter's hospitalizationWhat keeps them going on the hard daysHow to get started in missions right where you areIf you are interested in hearing more about Jacob and Sophia and what God is doing in North Africa, they would absolutely love to have a call with you, regardless of your capacity to give! Resources mentioned: Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: perspectives.orgCampus Crusade for Christ (CRU): cru.orgSupport Jacob and Sophia financially: https://give.cru.org/1097504Note that because they serve in a secure location, you won't see their names. It will say "International Staff" and then their giving ID number, 1097504.Join Jacob and Sophia's prayer newsletter: Email craig@stoneoakbible.com and he will get you added to their newsletterQuestions? Email Craig at craig@stoneoakbible.com

    43 min

  5. MAR 21

    Shepherds and Servants: Understanding Elders and Deacons with Justin

    What does the Bible actually say about how a church should be led? In this episode, Craig sits down with Justin to dig into one of the most foundational topics for any healthy church: biblical leadership through elders and deacons. Justin and Craig both grew up in staff-heavy churches where these roles were either missing or misunderstood. Now, as leaders at Stone Oak Bible Church, they've seen firsthand why getting this right matters so much. They walk through what Scripture says about these two offices, why the language can get confusing, and how Stone Oak tries to live this out in a practical way. They tackle the big questions: What is the difference between an elder, an overseer, a bishop, and a pastor? Are they the same thing? What separates a staff elder from a lay elder? Why does plurality of elders matter, and what is the difference between unity and uniformity around the elder table? And who is ultimately in charge of the church anyway? From there, they turn to deacons, starting all the way back in Acts 6, where the first deacons were identified to make sure people were not being overlooked and neglected. That need, they argue, is just as real today, and they get honest about the fact that Stone Oak currently needs more deacons as the church continues to grow. They also get practical: what does benevolence look like? How do people communicate needs to the church? And how can everyday church members actually serve and support their elders and deacons? This one is for anyone who has ever wondered why church structure matters, or who wants to understand the church they call home a little better. Topics covered: Why church leadership conversations shape church health and missionThe biblical terms for elder and why they all point to the same officeStaff elders vs. lay elders and how Stone Oak structures thisWhy Jesus, not the elders, is the ultimate head of the churchThe case for plurality of elders and why it protects the churchWhere deacons first appear in Scripture and what problem they solvedHow deacons and elders work side by side without overlappingPractical needs deacons meet: benevolence, facilities, congregational careWhy people in our community rarely self-report needs and what to do about itHow the congregation can pray for and support their leadersStone Oak Bible Church is located in San Antonio, Texas. Find us at stoneoakbible.com

    40 min

  6. MAR 21

    Seen & Known: Building a Welcoming Church with Monica

    What does it really mean to make someone feel seen when they walk through the doors of your church? In this episode, Craig sits down with Monica, the Serve Team Director at Stone Oak Bible Church, to talk about the art and heart of biblical hospitality. Monica shares her experience of moving to San Antonio and visiting churches where she felt invisible, and how that shaped her passion for ensuring no one feels that way at Stone Oak. They dig into the difference between volunteering out of obligation versus out of a love for Christ, and why getting that order backwards leads straight to burnout. Monica also lays out her practical top tips for being a genuinely welcoming church member on a Sunday morning, and they're not what you might expect. From checking your heart in the car on the way in, to being real about a hard morning, to spending just three minutes looking for an unfamiliar face in the lobby, these are simple, actionable things every believer can do. They also tackle the things we need to stop doing, like holy huddles, closed-circle body language, and leading with a connect card before you've even learned someone's name. This episode is for anyone who wants to love their neighbor well, starting with the person standing awkwardly in the lobby next Sunday. Topics covered: Monica's background, from Lubbock to California to San AntonioWhat the Serve Team actually does and why it existsThe difference between doing and being in our faithMonica's top tips for a welcoming Sunday morningWhy "is this your first time?" is a dangerous questionThe seven-minute window that makes or breaks a first impressionHow to approach Connect cards without feeling like the AT&T guy at CostcoStone Oak Bible Church is located in San Antonio, Texas. Find us at stoneoakbible.com

    47 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

An extension of the ministry of Stone Oak Bible Church. Stone Oak Bible Church is located in North Central San Antonio, TX. We would love to have you join us.

Information

  • Creator
    Stone Oak Bible Church
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © @Stone Oak Bible Church, 2026
  • Show Website
    The SOBC Pod