NorthWoods Church Matters

In this special episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters Podcast, Pastor Bobby Pell sits down with elders Carey Bockting, Ivan McDonald, and James Sanders for an honest conversation about faith, family, leadership, and the life of the church. From growing up in Southern Illinois, Newburgh, and Darmstadt to finding their way to NorthWoods, each elder shares the story God has written in his life and the path that led him to serve the congregation. Along the way, they discuss everything from cycling, gardening, and technology projects to the joys and challenges of family life. The conversation also explores what excites them most about the future of NorthWoods, including the church's growing outreach to international communities and the Deaf community, as well as the many ways they see God at work among the people of the church.

This week on the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Lexi sits down with Pastor Bobby for an extended follow-up to Sunday's sermon, exploring the deeper layers beneath Exodus 17–18 and what it means to live with prayerful dependence in 2026. Together, they unpack why the real battle isn't won by effort alone, but by dependence on God, and why prayer is not an accessory to the Christian life, but the engine. Pastor Bobby explains the powerful image of Moses' raised hands, the role of Aaron and Hur, and how community prayer sustains faith when we grow weary. They also dive into practical theology: what it truly means to pray "in Jesus' name," why evangelism flows best from compassion rather than obligation, and how prayer reshapes the way we see and love others. A key focus of the conversation is the Circles, a simple way to identify people God has already placed in our lives who need Jesus. Click here to print your copy and get using it today!

What does it really look like to live on mission, right where you are? In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Lexi sits down with Ryan Moore, Missions Pastor at NorthWoods, to reflect on the Do Not Be Silent Missions Conference and unpack how God is calling ordinary believers to faithful, everyday obedience. Ryan shares personal stories from hosting missionaries from around the world, explains how evangelism fits into discipleship, and offers practical next steps for anyone who feels stirred to witnessing but unsure where to begin. From sharing the gospel with neighbors, to serving locally, to joining mission teams headed to Peru, Ecuador, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and beyond, this conversation paints a compelling picture of what it means to live "from Evansville to everywhere." You'll also hear exciting updates about: Local NorthWoods mission partnerships and volunteer opportunities Upcoming 2026 mission trips NorthWoods' growing Deaf Ministry

In this special episode, Lexi sits down with Pastor Bobby Pell and Elder Troy Lucht to walk through NorthWoods' proposed 2026 annual budget. Together, they unpack why the church creates a budget each year, the major categories that shape our financial planning, and what's changing as we look ahead to a new year of growth and ministry. Troy explains the core purposes behind the budgeting process: planning, mission alignment, stewardship, transparency, and accountability. Bobby adds insight about how the budget reflects the heart of our church's mission. They discuss expected shifts for 2026, including the mortgage for the new building, adjustments in Cooperative Program giving, changes in staffing roles, and the financial impact of NorthWoods' recent 15% growth. You will also hear why some line items are increasing, how ministry expansion affects spending, and how the elders evaluate stewardship through historical trends, mission focus, and real-time financial health. The team also outlines how members can review the budget, ask questions, and participate in the upcoming approval vote. Check out the budget here!

On this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Pastor Matt and the gang continue their conversation on language and cursing. Are "Christian cuss words" really any better than the real thing? What does our speech reveal about the condition of our hearts? From "dag-nabbit" to cultural taboos, the crew talks about how words shift across generations, how Christians should respond when faced with other folks' foul language, and why holiness matters even in our humor. They also tackle how media, music, and technology shape our tongues—and what practical steps believers can take to guard their speech in a world that's lost its filter.

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, missions pastor Ryan Moore is joined by church membes Eli and Kimberly to reflect on their recent mission trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. Together, they dive into why Utah is such a unique and spiritually urgent mission field, and what it's like to share the gospel in a culture dominated by Mormonism. The conversation highlights key theological differences between evangelical Christianity and the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—while offering practical insights into how to lovingly engage with LDS friends and neighbors. You'll hear what a typical day on the mission trip looked like, from early breakfasts and canvassing neighborhoods with door hangers, to preparing for block parties, supporting two local churches, and even handing out water bottles during Utah's Pioneer Day parade. As the team reflects on their time in Utah, they talk about moments when they felt especially used by God, the importance of approaching every conversation with both truth and love, and how the experience has changed the way they view evangelism at home.

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Matt sits down with Carey and Ivan for a candid conversation about alcohol. From the church's historical stance on drinking—spanning John Wesley, the Temperance Movement, and Prohibition—to the biblical passages that warn against drunkenness while also portraying wine as a good gift, the crew explores both sides of the debate. They discuss practical questions every Christian faces: Where is the line between moderation and excess? How do we know when alcohol has become an idol? What wisdom does Scripture offer for navigating gray areas? Whether you've wrestled with alcohol yourself or simply want to understand the church's complicated history with it, this episode invites you to look beyond what is merely lawful and consider what is truly wise, helpful, and honoring to God.