The Pioneer Assembly

Life is hard. People walk through loss. Prayers go unanswered. Growth feels slow. Eventually, every believer reaches a moment where the question is no longer, ”Do I believe in Jesus?” but ”Will I keep pursuing Him when it gets too hard?” In the first episode of ONWARD, we explore Philippians 3:12-14 and Paul’s determination to keep pressing toward Jesus despite hardship, struggle, and uncertainty. This conversation is for anyone who feels tired, discouraged, spiritually dry, or frustrated with where they are in their faith journey. It’s to encourage you that faithful people aren’t those who never struggle. They’re the ones who keep going. Gather. Go. Onward.

What does it actually cost to follow Jesus? In this episode of Pioneer Assembly, Bethany Barr Phillips sits down with pastor and longtime friend, Jason Cook, for an honest conversation about discipleship, suffering, surrender, disappointment, obedience, and the reality of counting the cost of the call. Together, they unpack the tension between calling and comfort, the dangers of shallow Christianity, why so many people become disillusioned in their faith, and how the modern church often underprepares believers for suffering. From the prosperity gospel to perseverance, from loneliness to long obedience, this conversation refuses easy answers and instead points listeners toward a deeper, more durable faith. They discuss: What Jesus really meant by “count the cost.” Why suffering & disappointment are part of discipleship. The difference between calling, comfort, & unnecessary striving. Why salvation is the starting line. The role of community in discerning God’s voice. How faithfulness is formed over time. Whether you’re wrestling with disappointment, questioning your calling, walking through hardship, or simply trying to stay faithful in the long obedience of following Jesus, this episode is a reminder that the cost is real… but so is the presence of God. “The decision to follow Jesus is a one-time decision for all time… that you make every single day.” Scripture References: Luke 14:27–33 Luke 9:23 2 Corinthians 12 About Jason: With over 20 years of public speaking, pastoral, and leadership experience, Jason Cook is truly a master of inspiring every room. He's been a leader in locker rooms, elder rooms, and boardrooms at a young age -- showcasing his wisdom, humility, and skill across multiple settings. Jason has been an entrepreneur, evangelist, itinerant preacher, church planter, team captain, business owner, and current Senior Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA. He holds an M.Div from Beeson Divinity School and serves on its Advisory Board. He and his wife, Courtney, have four children: Charlie, Cager, Boss, and Bishop. They live in the Atlanta area with their two dogs, Apollo and Minnie. Follow on Instagram or Youtube Follow Substack Follow Bethany Book Bethany

What do you do when you need God to speak… but all you hear is silence? In this episode of The Pioneer Assembly, we continue our series, The Good Fight, by stepping into one of the hardest parts of faith—learning to hear God’s voice when He feels quiet. If you’ve ever asked: “Did I miss God?” “Why does everyone else seem to hear Him but me?” “Is God still speaking?” You’re not alone. In this conversation, we talk honestly about why God can feel silent and what Scripture actually says about hearing His voice. Rooted in Romans 10:17, this episode explores how faith grows through hearing—and how to position yourself to listen again. We also cover: Why silence does not mean God’s absence The difference between assuming God’s voice and actually hearing Him Practical ways to hear God again through His Word and stillness I also share a personal story from my journey through cancer, where I realized I wasn’t truly listening—I was assuming what God would say. That shift changed everything. If you’re in a season where God feels distant or unclear, this episode will help you slow down, refocus, and begin listening again. Silence does not mean absence.

Not every fight is the good fight. In this episode of the Pioneer Assembly Podcast, Bethany Barr Phillips sits down with Pastor Ryan McDermott to explore what it means to fight the good fight of faith in a world full of tension, disagreement, and gray areas. Together, they talk about how to navigate difficult conversations with courage and humility, why people are never the enemy, and how following Jesus often means staying at the table when it would be easier to walk away. If you’ve ever struggled with when to speak up, how to engage without becoming combative, or how to hold truth and grace together—this conversation is for you. Because sometimes, the good fight isn’t about winning the argument… It’s about remaining in the conversation.

This episode of The Pioneer Assembly explores the question of whether Christians are meant to fight or be peaceful. While the Bible calls believers to be peacemakers, Paul also instructs Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith,” which creates confusion for many Christians. The discussion explains that this “fight” is not about arguing online, defending politics, or engaging in culture wars, but about something deeper—remaining faithful to Jesus in a challenging world. The episode covers: What Paul meant by “fight the good fight” The difference between fighting for Jesus and fighting like the world Why many Christians are focused on the wrong battles The tension between religion and the true gospel Why authentic faith often requires courage, sacrifice, and endurance Ultimately, the episode encourages believers to understand how to faithfully live out and defend their faith without adopting the hostility of the world. It invites listeners who want deeper conversations about faith, truth, and the Christian journey to join the new season of The Pioneer Assembly.

Can you really be “filled” or “receive” the Holy Spirit, or is it just a one time deal? In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores receiving and being filled with the Holy Spirit. She emphasizes that this experience is not merely a one-time event but a continuous journey of prayer, pursuit, and obedience. The conversation delves into the nature of the Holy Spirit, the importance of understanding indwelling, and practical steps to cultivate a Spirit-filled life. Bethany encourages listeners to embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives and to trust in God's faithfulness. Takeaways Indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs at salvation. Sanctification leads to greater empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Obedience is crucial for being filled with the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the foundation for a relationship with God. Pursuing God helps us understand the Holy Spirit's guidance. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit 04:46 - Understanding the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit 06:32 - Two Camps of Thought on Receiving the Holy Spirit 09:41 - Personal Experiences with the Holy Spirit 16:03 - Practical Steps to Receive the Holy Spirit 19:47 - The Importance of Obedience and Pursuit 22:04 - Conclusion and Encouragement Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram

Can you grieve or quench the Holy Spirit? Is it as trivial as the elderly lady in your home church telling you to hush or the Spirit “is quenched?” In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the realities of grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of knowing the Holy Spirit personally. She breaks down what each means and how they effect the daily lives of believers. The conversation is part of the 'Summer in the Spirit' series, aimed at helping believers understand the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Book mentioned: Sensitivity to the Spirit - R.T. Kendall Takeaways if our choice is to simply know about him and not grow in him, we will find ourselves grieving him because we’re not living for him. “When we discover what grieves the HS, we learn more deeply what sin is.” - R.T. Kendall If grieving is continuing to live with or in sin, to cause sorrow, then quenching is putting water on the fire that is offered by the Spirit. “The fire of the Spirit is suppressed when he is rejected, when his convicting power, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8–11) are ignored. We douse the Spirit’s influence in our life through doubt, we drench him with anger, we drown his power with immorality.” - Knute Larson Choosing sin can limit the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. To live without grieving or quenching the Spirit, we must adjust our lives to align with Him. Chapters 00:00 - Understanding the Holy Spirit 03:47 - Summer in the Spirit Series 06:57 - Grieving the Holy Spirit 12:17 - Quenching the Holy Spirit 20:12 - Living in Alignment with the Spirit Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram Contact Bethany

How many times have you prayed that God would give you an audible or visual sign that He wanted you to do something? If we're honest, we often want God to speak but aren't very quick to listen. In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips dives into how to know the Holy Spirit's voice. Is it some mystical moment? (Quick answer... no) It’s more about relationship than a neat and tidy formula. She gives practical ways to hear the Holy Spirit like being a willing vessel, and sobering truths such as: “The Holy Spirit doesn’t need you to agree with everything He wants to do in your life.” Don’t miss this episode if you’re longing to hear the Spirit’s voice and wiling to adjust accordingly. Takeaways The Holy Spirit's voice aligns with the Word of God. Familiarity with God's voice comes from spending time with Him. The Holy Spirit will never lead you to error. Hearing God’s voice is not about a formula. It’s a relationship. Distractions and unresolved conflicts can hinder our ability to hear God. "We often miss hearing God's voice simply because we aren't paying attention." - Rick Warren Chapters 00:00 - The Quest for God's Voice 02:08 - Understanding the Holy Spirit's Guidance 03:53 - The Role of Scripture in Hearing God 06:30 - The Process of Being Shaped by the Holy Spirit 08:59 - Trusting the Leading of the Holy Spirit 11:37 - Finding Peace in God's Direction 14:03 - Practical Steps to Hear God's Voice Pioneer Assembly Instagram Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Learn more about Bethany

Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit aren’t anything new, but they are definitely something to look out for. Why? Because at some point in your faith, having a misconception about the Holy Spirit will cause faulty thinking and frustrated living. In this episode of the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips discusses common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of understanding His true nature as a person rather than a force or mere feeling. She shares personal experiences that shaped her understanding and encourages listeners to engage with the Holy Spirit, highlighting that He is available to all believers. The conversation aims to clear up misunderstandings and foster a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. Takeaways Misconceptions about the Holy Spirit can weaken faith. The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force. If the enemy can’t convince you the Holy Spirit is real, then he’ll try to convince you the Holy Spirit is something he isn’t. The Holy Spirit is available to all believers, not just a select few. Comfort in misconceptions will hinder spiritual development. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Summer in the Spirit 01:42 - Misconceptions About the Holy Spirit 06:16 - The Holy Spirit: A Person, Not a Force 11:53 - The Holy Spirit: More Than Just a Feeling 16:48 - The Holy Spirit is for Everyone 19:03 - Conclusion and Call to Action Bethany's website

Regret is REAL. And knowing it’s coming is sometimes worse than knowing you may have to live with it. While you may not always like a possible outcome, you don’t have to regret the reality from a decision you made. In this third and final episode in the series on decisions, Bethany Barr Phillips discusses the complexities of decision-making and dissects regret, offering seven decisions you won’t regret. These seven key decisions can lead to a life with less regret, encouraging listeners to trust in God's guidance over worldly desires. Takeaways Seven Key Decisions: Prayer over Pettiness: Are you making a decision for or with God? Trust over impulsiveness: Are your trusting His timing or creating your own? Forgiveness over faking it: Are you truly forgiving or are you faking it and keeping score? Right thing over the easy thing: Are you more concerned with comfort rather than call? Obedience over independence: Are you willing to submit rather than lead your own life? Resting over striving: Are you able to rest or do you feel like striving is significance? Worshiping over worrying: Are you willing to worship instead of worry? Chapters 00:00- Introduction to Decision-Making and Regret 01:48 - Seven Decisions You Won't Regret 05:49 - Prayer Over Pettiness 06:41 - Trust Over Impulsiveness 07:44 - Forgiveness Over Faking It 08:55 - The Right Thing Over The Easy Thing 09:59 - Obedience Over Independence 11:32 - Resting Over Striving 12:29 - Worshiping Over Worrying 13:40 - Conclusion: Living Without Regret Links Ryan McDermott's Book titled: He is Here Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram Contact Bethany

At some point, everyone faces a decision about their future. If you’re human, you have that moment in time where you froze thinking if you chose wrong, you’d end up like those looking for the holy grail before Indiana Jones came along. In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips discusses the challenges of making decisions in life, and fleshes out indecision and no decision. Drawing from the allegory of Pilgrim's Progress, she explores the journey of faith and the necessity of making choices that align with God's will. Whether you’re worried you’ll ruin your life or don’t trust the next right thing, this episode will challenge you to move forward with what’s in front of you. Takeaways God wants us to take action in our current season. Making a decision reveals the level of our trust in God. We cannot ruin our lives with a single decision if it honors God. Making a decision is not God’s cruel way of testing you to see if you’re listening good enough. Sometimes, making a decision reveals just how much you really trust Him. Any Godly decision about your life will not cause you to go outside of God’s word or live outside of God’s word. Four Questions to Make a Decision: 1 - What does His Word say? 2 - What are my motives? 3 - Have I saught counsel? 4 - Will this decision point people to Jesus? Chapters 00:00 - The Challenge of Decision-Making 01:31 - Understanding the Christian Journey 04:45 - God's Guidance in Decision-Making 06:29 - The Fear of Ruining Your Life 08:13 - Four Steps to Making the Right Decision 13:40 - Conclusion and Encouragement Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram Contact Bethany

Many talk about the cross, but have you stopped to think why it matters? If we really lived like the cross matters, then maybe the world would look different. In this Field Note, Bethany Barr Phillips discusses the profound significance of Jesus's death on the cross. She outlines three key reasons why the crucifixion matters: (1) It allows for a full relationship with God, (2) highlights our inability to save ourselves, and (3) emphasizes that we cannot pay for our own sins. The discussion also touches on the love of God revealed through the cross and the importance of sharing this message with others. Takeaways Without the cross, Christianity lacks its core message. Believing in Jesus means accepting the full weight of the cross. "[Christ's] death is the foundation of our hope, the promise of our triumph." - Billy Graham J.I. Packer: “The cross of Christ is a revelation of the love of God, for it reveals what that love is prepared to suffer for the one loved.” Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instgram Contact Bethany Chapters 00:00 - The Significance of Jesus's Death 02:00 - Understanding Our Relationship with God 04:24 - The Need for Salvation 06:46 - The Power of the Cross

Why does preparation matter in our faith life? Because what we don't prepare for, we could possibly miss. It's not popular language in today's faith circles, but being prepared for Christ's presence is a responsibility and privilege for every believer. In this Field Note from the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips explores the significance of Tuesday of Holy Week, focusing on the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. She emphasizes the importance of being prepared for Jesus' return and invites listeners to reflect on their faith and commitment. The conversation will encourage and challenge you to be willing to prepare even when it's not popular. Takeaways He doesn’t require a resume of service activities, but He does want us to be ready at all times. There are consequences for being unprepared. As followers of Jesus, we must be prepared for His return at any time. “When He returns is not as important as the fact that we are ready for Him when He does return.” A.W. Tozer Pioneer Assembly Substack Pioneer Assembly Book Club Pioneer Assembly Instagram Contact for Bethany Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Holy Week and Its Significance 01:47 - The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids 05:03 - Preparedness for Jesus' Return 07:00 - Invitation to Faith and Commitment