Vertical Ministries Podcast: Recent Episodes
Vertical Ministries
These talks were recorded at the weekly gathering of college students in Waco, known as Vertical Ministries.
This week, we're joined by a panel to tackle questions college students are asking about technology and AI, and what it looks like to engage with both as Christians.
Speaker: Panel
Series: Ask Us Anything
Message Title: Technology & AI Panel
This week, Myles kicks off the series 'Ask Us Anything' pointing out how the world around us can shape who we are. Myles shows how, as Christians, we can engage with culture through:
- Clarity - Know Truth
- Courage - Stand In Truth
- Compassion - Share Truth In Love
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: Ask Us Anything
Message Title: How Should A Christian Engage With Culture
Passage: Acts 17:22-34
This week, we are joined by Dr. Ed Newton, lead pastor of Community Bible Church (CBC) in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Newton speaks on 2 Corinthians 5 pointing out that God does not look at the outward appearance but the heart.
Speaker: Ed Newton
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5
Leading up to FM72, Myles talks about how to spot the lies college students hear and how to important it is to break through the noise to find the voice that will truly guide you.
The 3 lies covered in this message are:
- I am what I do
- I am what others think of me
- I am my failures
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Message Title: 3 Lies on Identity Most College Students Believe
Passage: Matthew 3:13-17
In the final week of the PSALMS series, Myles Olenski teaches on Psalm 136 and how to fight familiarity when relationship grows into routine. In this message Myles focuses on: When God's love feels familiar...
- Reflect on Who He Is
- Remember What He Has Done
- Receive His Love
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: PSALMS
Message Title: The Love of The Lord
Passage: Psalms 136
Continuing the series, PSALMS, Myles Olenski teaches on Psalm 4 and what to do as believers when your mind feels like a mess. In this message Myles focuses on:
- Call on Him for Relief
- Call on Him for Renewal
- Call on Him for Rest
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: PSALMS
Message Title: When Your Mind Feels Like A Mess
Passage: Psalms 4
In this message, Anna Webb walks through Psalm 42 focusing on ways lament Psalms can teach us how to respond to the question: "How do we respond when life feels hard?"
Speaker: Anna Webb
Series: PSALMS
Passage: Psalms 42
This week, Tyler Heidelberg, College Pastor at Austin Ridge and advisor to Revive Texas Ministries at The University of Texas at Austin, teaches from Psalm 51 and walks us through faith after failure. Tyler focuses on the questions: "What do we do when we find ourselves caught in sin?" and "What does God do with us when he finds us in sin?
Speaker: Tyler Heidelberg
Series: PSALMS
Passage: Psalms 51
Jonathan Pokluda
This week, we had the honor of hearing from Jonathan Pokluda (@jpokluda), who brought a bold, convicting message on sexual purity, marriage, and self-control. Speaking with clarity and compassion, JP challenged us to realign our view of sex with God's design and purpose.
Main Points:
- Sex is a gift for your spouse
- Sexual sin is never safe
- Self-control starts when you're single
His teaching reminded us that obedience in the area of purity isn’t just about following rules—it’s about trusting God’s heart and plan for our lives. Whether you're single, dating, or married, this message speaks directly into the cultural noise with truth, grace, and practical wisdom.
Speaker: Jonathan Pokluda
Message Topic: Purity, Sex, and Self-Control
Takeaway: Your view of sex impacts your spiritual life—choose purity, pursue self-control, and trust God's design.
Nate Hilgenkamp on Faith vs. Fear
At our final SUB Bowl of the semester, we welcomed a special guest—Nate Hilgenkamp from Harris Creek—to deliver a one-off message on faith vs. fear, drawn from Numbers 13.
Nate walked us through the story of Israel in the desert, where spies were sent into Canaan and returned with drastically different perspectives—some paralyzed by fear, others moved by faith. His message challenged us to ask:
What report are we believing?
In seasons of uncertainty, will we respond like the ten who saw only giants, or like Caleb and Joshua—who trusted in the power of God over the size of the obstacles?
Speaker: Nate Hilgenkamp
Series: Homecoming One-Off
Message: Faith vs. Fear
Passage: Numbers 13
Host: Sarah Davis
A timely word on courage, obedience, and what it really means to trust God with the unknown.
Listen in and be reminded: faith always sees differently.
We wrapped up the Missions: Neighbors & Nations series this week at the SUB Bowl, with a message from Myles Olenski titled “Our Heart for the Nations.”
Drawing from Acts 1:8 and Acts 13:1–3, Myles unpacked three core movements of a mission-minded life:
– Engage – stepping into relationships and spaces where the Gospel is needed
– Empower – trusting the Holy Spirit to work through us in boldness and love
– Equip – preparing and sending others to carry the mission further
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: Missions: Neighbors & Nations
Message Title: Our Heart for the Nations
Passages: Acts 1:8, Acts 13:1–3
Let this message refocus your heart on God's mission—and your part in it.
Back from Fall Break, we gathered outside at the SUB Bowl to continue our Missions: Neighbors & Nations series. This week, Myles Olenski brought a sweeping message tracing God’s global heart from Genesis to Revelation.
Teaching from Genesis 12:1–3, Matthew 28:18–20, and Revelation 7:9–17, Myles walked us through three key movements in Scripture:
– Covenant (Genesis 12): God’s promise to bless the nations through Abraham
– Commission (Matthew 28): Jesus sending us to make disciples of all nations
– Culmination (Revelation 7): the final vision of every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping before the throne
His message called us to see missions not as a moment, but as a movement we’re invited into—from our neighborhoods to the nations.
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: Missions: Neighbors & Nations
Message Title: God’s Heart for the Nations
Passages: Genesis 12:1–3, Matthew 28:18–20, Revelation 7:9–17
This week, Will Bowden brought a powerful word centered on Acts and the call to live missionally in every sphere—Missions, Neighbors, & Nations.
Teaching under the theme "Empowered by the Spirit," Will reminded us that the same Spirit who empowered the early Church empowers us today to bring the hope of Jesus into our everyday lives—across the street, across campus, and across the world.
His message challenged us to open our eyes to the opportunities around us and to lean on the Holy Spirit as the source of boldness, direction, and compassion.
Speaker: Will Bowden
Message Title: Missions, Neighbors, & Nations
Theme: Empowered by the Spirit
Main Text: Acts
Listen in, and be reminded that the mission field starts right where you are
e wrapped up the What Church Isn’t series with a powerful message from Jeff Warren—and he did not hold back.
Jeff walked through how the Church is the place to discover:
– Who we are
– Whose we are
– What we’re doing here
His message was full of truth, clarity, and (as some would say) he was spitting bars.
This week on Fountain Mall, Myles Olenski continues our What Church Isn’t series with the message: “The Church Isn’t a Stage, It’s a Body.”
Teaching from 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, Myles challenges the idea that church is a performance. Instead, he reminds us that the Church is a body—where every part matters, where comparison fades, and where we’re all called to play a role.
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: What Church Isn’t
Message: The Church Isn’t a Stage, It’s a Body
Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:12–31
Lean in, find your part, and live like the Church is more than a platform—it’s a people.
This week, Myles Olenski starts the What Church Isn’t series In the unique setting of worship in the round on Fountain Mall, Myles helps us reframe how we see the Church—not as a performance or platform, but as a living body where every person matters, belongs, and contributes.
Whether you feel unseen, disconnected, or unsure of your role, this message is a reminder that you are a vital part of what God is doing.
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: What Church Isn’t
Lean in—and find your place in the body.
This week at Fountain Mall, Anna Webb closed out the More Than A Monday series with a message on Deeper Into Satisfaction, drawn from John 4.
Anna taught on the story of the woman at the well, reminding us that everyone thirsts, but only Jesus satisfies. She challenged us to recognize our deep spiritual need, receive Christ’s fullness, and then tell others about the source of that living water.
Speaker: Anna Webb
Series: More Than a Monday
Topic: Deeper Into Satisfaction
Passage: John 4
Let this message stir your soul and call you deeper into a life of daily, lasting satisfaction in Jesus.
Listen and be filled.
We’re back in Waco Hall for round two, and this week Myles Olenski continues the More Than a Monday series with a message titled “Deeper Into Peace.”
Teaching from Mark 4:35–41, Myles walks through the story of Jesus calming the storm and challenges us to recognize how peace isn’t found in circumstances but in the presence of Christ.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or restless, this message will remind you where true peace begins.
Speaker: Myles Olenski
Series: More Than a Monday
Topic: Deeper Into Peace
Passage: Mark 4:35–41
Let the Word steady your heart.
Tune in and be encouraged.
The Lord is MOVING—and we’re celebrating His faithfulness as we kick off a new semester of Vertical! This week, we were honored to welcome Kylen Perry from @theporch, who brought an encouraging and challenging word as Baylor students returned to campus.
We’re excited to hear from Myles Olenski, who will walk us through James 5:12 and the call to commitment.
This week, Myles Olenski takes us into James 4:13–17, unpacking what it means to trust God in our decision making. In a world where we constantly wrestle with uncertainty, Myles reminds us of three key truths:
– We lack knowledge
– We lack time
– God lacks nothing
This week, we’re joined by Connor Baxter, lead pastor at Onward Community Church! Connor will be diving into James 3:1-12, unpacking the power of the tongue and our words—how they shape our lives, reflect our hearts, and impact those around us.
This week we have a new guest speaker—Trey Etter from Columbus Avenue! Trey speaks on how to have an Active faith
This week Vertical dives into James 2:1-7 with guest speaker Marquise Cox from Community Bible Church in San Antonio! We'll explore the topic of favoritism—how it distorts the image of Jesus, conflicts with the Gospel, and lacks the humility we’re called to model.
guest speaker Kam Coe from Harris Creek speaks on
- Trials…
- reveal faith
- produce maturity
- require eternal perspective
- Temptations…
- are not from God
- come from within
- can grow to sin
To start off the new semester, Vertical is going over James and today myles reads thorough the whole book of James.
Camilo Buchanan from passion city church speaks on friendship and community in the church.
during Family Weekend, Myles goes over how to stand out in a world that is telling you to fit in. he goes over 1 peter 5:5, Isaiah 66:2, mark 10:45, 2 chronicles, and jeremiah 15:16
Today Myles goes over Ephesians 4:1-18 where he talks about the call to unity, the gifts of unity, and the mark of unity.
In this message to kick off the school year, Myles teaches through Matthew 6:19-33 as we discuss living in a world seeking things to find, we ought to find the One seeking us.
Our brokenness leads us to isolation and to trying to do live alone which leads us to being stuck in rhythms and cycles that are hard to get out of, so this week, Myles leads us in looking at the life of Mephibosheth and what we can learn from him on this.
For women's night, Anna Webb is joined by the hosts of the podcast "Call Her Holy" as they walk through what it looks like to follow Jesus and some things they've learned in their journeys.
Have we gripped the power of fully living in the light? Are we forgiven but not healed? Grant Troutt teaches on the power of living fully known and sharing our "2%".
Tonight, Myles teaches us how our view of God determines our response to God, so if we want a big response to God, we have to have a big and clear view of Him as we look at John 3 and John the Baptist.
This week, Myles teaches on the topic of comparison and how jealousy of an object can turn to hatred of a person as we look at Genesis 4.
Continuing our series called, Mind The Gap, Myles teaches on the topic of alcohol and what God's Word has to say about it so we can find clarity & conviction.
Joel shows us what we can learn from Joseph's fatal flaw of hidden pride and how that can instruct and teach us today.
Purity is the pursuit of freedom from anything that contaminates or pollutes our lives, so Myles walks us through the story of David and Bathsheba as we pursue purity of heart.
How do we prevent fear from taking us on a rollercoaster? Myles walks us through how fear is our belief in the worst possible scenario and how we can combat fear in our lives.
This week, in a night partnered with Compassion International, we look at 2 Timothy 4:5-8 and learn 6 things we need to finish the race well.
As we continue our series in 2 Timothy, this week Myles teaches on the importance of Scripture and what we do with it.
Case Smith encourages students to "take off the mask" as he continues our series, "Letter's to a Younger Me" through 2 Timothy.
This week, we continue our series, "Letter's to a Younger Me" through 2 Timothy, Myles teaches on how we can prepare our lives to be used by God.
This week, we start a new series called "Letter's to a Younger Me: The Last Lessons from an Older Leader" through 2 Timothy as Myles walks us through 3 things the Gospel gives us.
This week, Madi Prewett Troutt asks the question: "are you living with something that's slowly killing you?". How do we break free from the things that are keeping us bound?
Guest speaker, Shane Pruitt, talks about how the Gospel saves us to send us to know Jesus and to make Him known.
This week, Myles teaches on how we can have deep and meaningful friendships in college.
This week, JD teaches on Luke 5:4-11 as he walks us through how our view of God determines our response to God as we seek out what He's calling us to.
What is our purpose? It's the question that circles in the back of each of our minds and drives what we give our focus to. Myles walks us through how your purpose will define your college years.
This week, guest speaker Luke Lezon talks about the "true north" of dating as he walks through 1 Corinthians 10:23-24.
In this message, Pastor John Durham walks us through 3 reasons why we should never give up when we face trials and difficulty.
This week, Grant Skeldon talks about what comparison is, how we see it in our lives and how we can combat it.
This week, Myles walks us through the feeling and emotion of anxiety and we can combat it.
This week, Jennie Allen, walks us through Daniel 1 as we discuss what we can learn from Daniel's example and what we see about the character of God.
What does it mean to enjoy God and invite others to enjoy Him too and how does that change us? Join us as Austin Murray, College Pastor at Antioch Waco, continues in our series called "Stressful and Not Restful".
This week, Myles continues our series called "Stressful and Not Restful" with a message teaching us what the Bible has to say about conflict.
This week, Myles continues our series called "Stressful and Not Restful" with a message teaching us what the Bible has to say about our need for confession.
This week, Nate Hilgencamp walks us through Luke 1 as we look at God's promises through the Christmas story.
In this message, Drew walks us through 1 Thessalonians and asks the question - "do we sit in the anxiety of death or the security of hope?".
In this message, Drew walks us through 1 Thessalonians and asks the question - "do we sit in the anxiety of death or the security of hope?".
This week, Matt Thigpen from Austin Ridge, walks us through Ephesians 2 as we explore how we as Christians should look compared to the rest of the world.
This week, Myles walks through Ephesians 6 as we discuss how we can wage war against the enemy and for the affections of our hearts.
This week, Josiah Jones from Watermark speaks on Biblical community and what it looks like to be fully known and live authentically in relationship with people who are committed to Christ.
This week, Josiah Jones from Watermark speaks on Biblical community and what it looks like to be fully known and live authentically in relationship with people who are committed to Christ.
This week, guest teacher Louie Giglio taught about how Moses in Exodus 34:2 approached the mountain and went to the top to be with God and how that same opportunity is available to each of us today.
In this message, we explore what the Bible tells us about rest in Hebrews 4:8-12 and how we can do that practically.
In this message, guest teacher David Platt encourages all of us to have a heart for the Nation's and shows us why it's so important and what steps we can take.
In this message, Myles Olenski walks us through Proverbs 2 as we learn how Jesus is the person of wisdom and that we can put our hope and trust in Him.
Many of us, if not all of us, experience insecurity on a regular basis. In this message, Dale Wallace explores where that comes from and how we can respond.
In this message, Timothy Ateek (TA), speaks on finding the Greatest Of All Time and what that means for us.
In this brief message, Dale challenges us to consider whether we really know Him, wrapping up our series in the Sermon on the Mount.
This week, Dale continues in the Sermon on the Mount as he teaches from Matthew 7:7-14.
This week, guest speaker Jake Talbert continues our series in the Sermon on the Mount as he teaches from Matthew 7:1-5 on what unrighteous judgement is and how we can combat it in our own hearts.
In this message, Dale continues our series in the Sermon on the Mount as we talk about anxiety and how the Bible shows us ways to battle it.
We all want to have both God and the world, so this week, we ask the question "Where do we put our treasure?" as Dale walks us through Matthew 6:19-24.
In this message, Dale discusses Matthew 6 as we see the warning against practicing righteousness in front of others in our series of preparation for FM72.
In this message, Dale examines Matthew 5:3-37 as we discuss why we need to quit qualifying and quit being flaky.
How can we be people that imitate God? Highland College Pastor, Drew Humphrey, walks us through Matthew 5:38-48 in this message about learning the difficult truths of Godliness.
In this message, we discuss how Matthew 5:13-16 shows us that when we're the salt and light of the earth, we should look different.
In this message, we discuss being a peacemaker and what persecution looks like for us as Dale walks us through Matthew 5:9-12.
This week, Dale walks us through the next 2 verses in the Beatitudes and learn what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness and be pure in heart.
As we begin walking through the Sermon on the Mount, we examine the first 5 verses (Matthew 5:1-5) in the Beatitudes together.
This week, guest speaker David Marvin walks us through finding freedom from anxious thoughts and feelings.
How do we go about walking by the Spirit? Dale takes us through Galatians 5 as we continue in our series about the Holy Spirit.
This week, we look at John 16 as we see Jesus leaving His disciples, but sending them the Holy Spirit in His place, and what that means for us.
This week, Dale walks us through Ezekiel 36 as we learn about the Lord's reasons and methods for restoration.
In this special Homecoming Week Vertical, Dale teaches about the parable of the Prodigal Son and how we can relate to each person in the story.
Guest speaker, Matt Thigpen, walks us through John 3 and what it tells us about God and His heart towards us and our sin, then how we should respond.
In this message, Dale walks us through the original display of marriage in the Bible in Genesis 2 & 3 and what is shows us about ourselves, whether married or unmarried.
In this message, Dale talks about 1 Corinthians 13 and how it applies to dating, but more importantly, to our relationships with the Lord.
This week, as part of our Better Together series, we fielded questions from students about relationships and dating and gave JP and Brooke a chance to speak into each of them.
In this talk, Dale walks us through the characteristics we should be looking for when deciding who to date.
In this talk, Dale speaks about the importance of singleness and how we can leverage singleness for the Kingdom.
In this message, we are posed with the questions; Who do you say Jesus is and are you following Him? Then, we'll see how our response is crucial to how we shape our priorities.
Christian business leader & author of 'Do Life Differently' joins us at Vertical this week to discuss what it looks like to be a Christian leader in today's world.
This week, we are cancelling imbalance in favor of being balanced between grace and truth.
Dale speaks on why we should cancel "Cultural Christianity." Tune in to learn about the 3 P's: Purpose, Passion, & Power.
Dale speaks on how we must cancel our 'discontentment.' Discontentment kills joy, whereas contentment is total trust and satisfaction in Christ.
Join us as Dale leads off the 'Cancel Culture' series discussing why we should cancel independence, because apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
In this message, we take a look at what our right response to scripture should be from James 1:19-25.
Guest speaker and author, David Platt, challenges us to change the world by taking the Gospel to the nations, as we take a look at Matthew 28 and what it asks of us.
In this message, Dale speaks about how we prioritize our time with the Lord and spend time with Him in the secret place.
Asking the question, "How do we change the world?", we look at 1 Timothy 4:12-16 to see how we set the example by our speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.
How do we change the world? Discipleship. In this message, we look at 2 Timothy 2:1-4 to see how Paul instructs Timothy in the discipleship of others.
As we start our new series, "Hey Siri, How Do We Change The World?", Dale speaks about the scriptural foundation for changing the world, by dying to ourselves daily.
Join us as we discuss questions from our students regarding local church bodies with leaders Dale Wallace, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda, Jamarcus Ransom and John Durham.
This week, we look in Ephesians and find 3 facts of encouragement that Paul prays for the church of Ephesus and that we can apply towards our walks of faith.
As we continue our series on the "New Normal", Dale walks us through the guardrails we find in the Bible against sin, but also the posture of our hearts we need as we receive grace from the Lord.
As we start a new series, "New Normal", Dale speaks about how to have faith in a crisis and where God is in crisis. Don't miss a great start to the year in Daniel 3:1-30!
How do we find contentment when our expectations go unmet? Join Dale, Jacie and Chambers as they discuss some of their biggest unmet expectations and how they've looked to find contentment in those seasons.
Pt.2 // Listen to our conversation with Jamarcus Ransom as he gives us practical resources and steps for real change at Baylor and in our nation through each step in ARC; Awareness, Reconciliation, and Commitment.
// Resources
Movies/TV Shows ::
When They See Us (Netflix)
The Hate U Give
13th (Netflix)
Atlanta
Blackish
Mixedish
Fruitvale Station
Just Mercy
TREVOR NOAH: AFRICAN AMERICAN
American Son (Netflix)
Mudbound (Netflix)
If Beale Street Could Talk
Freedom Writers
Trial By Media (Netflix)
The Innocence Files (Netflix)
The Butler
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It)
Selma
The Wire
The Help
Hidden Figures
Do the Right Thing
Beatriz at Dinner
Sounder
Pride
The Great Debaters
Seven Seconds
Podcasts ::
1619
Lift Every Voice
Yo is this Racist?
Code Switch
We Live Here
The Breakdown
Dear White Women
Democracy in Color
The Nod
Latinos Who Lunch
See Something, Say Something
About Race
The Stoop
The Combat Jack Show
Our National Conversation About Conversations About Race
Intersection
Books/Articles/Poems ::
Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
The Color of Compromise- Jemar Tisby
Prophetic Lament- Soong-Chan Rah
Me and White Supremacy- Layla Saad
White Fragility- Robin DiAngelo
I’m Still Here- Austin Channing Brown
Between the World and Me- Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Articles/Books by James Banks, Donna Y. Floyd & Paul C. Gorski
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Medical Apartheid by Harriet Washington
Please Stop Touching My Hair by Phoebe Robinson
Passing by Nella Larsen
They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Anything by Bell Hooks, Coretta Scott King, Audre Lorde, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison
Homeland Insecurity by Louis A. Cainkarr
Joe Rogan and Dr. Cornel West
SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE BY IJEOMA OLUO
THIS BRIDGE CALLED MY BACK: WRITINGS BY RADICAL WOMEN OF COLOR
GHOSTS IN THE SCHOOLYARD BY EVE L. EWING
WHITE KIDS BY MARGARET A. HAGERMAN
STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING BY IBRAM X. KENDI
Whistling Vivaldi
Anything by Langston Hughes & James Baldwin
How to Be Anti Racist by Ingram X. Kendi
God Who See by Karen Gonzalez
Raise Your Voice by Kathy Khang
Separated by the Border by Gena Thomas
The Cross & The Lynching Tree by James Cone
A Black Theology of Liberation
Listen to our conversation with Jamarcus Ransom as he gives us practical resources and steps for real change at Baylor and in our nation through each step in ARC; Awareness, Reconciliation, and Commitment.
// Resources
Movies/TV Shows ::
When They See Us (Netflix)
The Hate U Give
13th (Netflix)
Atlanta
Blackish
Mixedish
Fruitvale Station
Just Mercy
TREVOR NOAH: AFRICAN AMERICAN
American Son (Netflix)
Mudbound (Netflix)
If Beale Street Could Talk
Freedom Writers
Trial By Media (Netflix)
The Innocence Files (Netflix)
The Butler
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It)
Selma
The Wire
The Help
Hidden Figures
Do the Right Thing
Beatriz at Dinner
Sounder
Pride
The Great Debaters
Seven Seconds
Podcasts ::
1619
Lift Every Voice
Yo is this Racist?
Code Switch
We Live Here
The Breakdown
Dear White Women
Democracy in Color
The Nod
Latinos Who Lunch
See Something, Say Something
About Race
The Stoop
The Combat Jack Show
Our National Conversation About Conversations About Race
Intersection
Books/Articles/Poems ::
Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
The Color of Compromise- Jemar Tisby
Prophetic Lament- Soong-Chan Rah
Me and White Supremacy- Layla Saad
White Fragility- Robin DiAngelo
I’m Still Here- Austin Channing Brown
Between the World and Me- Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Articles/Books by James Banks, Donna Y. Floyd & Paul C. Gorski
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Medical Apartheid by Harriet Washington
Please Stop Touching My Hair by Phoebe Robinson
Passing by Nella Larsen
They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Anything by Bell Hooks, Coretta Scott King, Audre Lorde, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison
Homeland Insecurity by Louis A. Cainkarr
Joe Rogan and Dr. Cornel West
SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE BY IJEOMA OLUO
THIS BRIDGE CALLED MY BACK: WRITINGS BY RADICAL WOMEN OF COLOR
GHOSTS IN THE SCHOOLYARD BY EVE L. EWING
WHITE KIDS BY MARGARET A. HAGERMAN
STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING BY IBRAM X. KENDI
Whistling Vivaldi
Anything by Langston Hughes & James Baldwin
How to Be Anti Racist by Ingram X. Kendi
God Who See by Karen Gonzalez
Raise Your Voice by Kathy Khang
Separated by the Border by Gena Thomas
The Cross & The Lynching Tree by James Cone
A Black Theology of Liberation
Why is going home so hard, and what can we do about it? Join Dale, Jacie & Chambers for our Horizontal Podcast series that dives into discussions we aren't normally able to explore during Vertical.
Today, we ask the question, "who is our neighbor?" and look at what the Bible says about how we should treat them.
Join Dale, Jacie & Chambers for our first podcast in a series that dives into discussions we aren't normally able to explore during Vertical. This week we chat about how to set healthy rhythms for our life during this time of uncertainty.
In this message, we look at the difference between Mary and Martha's response to Jesus in Luke 10 and what we can learn about the posture we should take in this season.
Staring off our VERT AT HOME series, Dale asks us to examine ourselves with some questions in this time of quarantine as we walk through Luke 15:11-24.
As part of our first live stream, Dale encourages us in this time of uncertainty to be firm in our purpose, process and promise from Joshua 1:6-9.
In this message, Dale asks the question, "What's in your driver seat?" as we talk about the worldly desires in our lives that we need to crucify as we read through Galatians 5:16-24.
Kicking off our series titled _ vs _, Dale speaks about the how we can live out the Gospel by avoiding wasted words and instead encouraging others.
Dale shares with us 2 keys to college that are centered around the idea of yielding based on 1 John 1.
Continuing our series about prayer, Dale walks us through how we ask in prayer from Matthew 7:7.
As we continue our series on prayer, we look at 1 Thessalonians 5:16 to learn to rejoice with thanksgiving.
Dale opens a new series on prayer with a message about pausing and finding a place for prayer.
One of our Student Exec members, Nick Graeve, uses Psalm 16 to show us how we can find peace by seeking the Kingdom.
This week, Dale talks about the importance of scripture and how we can commit it to our hearts and minds.
In this message, Logan speaks about the importance of worship in our lives and the different ways it looks.
This week, Dale speaks about the importance of fasting as we begin our new series looking into habits that will set our hearts on Him.
This week, Dale discuses our misconception that contentment stems from our circumstances and how to find our fulfillment in Christ.
Dale speaks about how we can respond to the pressures of life to find the peace of Christ as shown in Philippians 4.
As we kick off our new series, Dale speaks about how we can find joy in a world of disappointment by taking up the attitude of Christ.
Matthew speaks about the lies that cause us to not follow Jesus fully and the ways that this manifests in this message from our Student Night.
In this message, Dale asks, "Are you willing to be completely forgotten by the world so that Christ may be known and remembered?" as we look at why, how and where we can go on mission.
In this message, Dale speaks about the importance of the local church for Vertical's Church Night with Passion Band.
As we celebrate Vertical's 10 Year Anniversary, Dale examines how we are tested with lies.
As we open our new series about Lies, Dale speaks about the lies that we find ourselves believing.
Summer freebie! Dale speaks about building our confidence in the Lord out of Psalm 16 during Summer Friends at Highland Baptist Church.
In this message, Dale speaks about how to find freedom from caring about what others think.
JP asks the question, "What if you got so busy doing the work of God, that you didn't have time to be distracted by the things of this world?" as part of our FM72 gathering at Baylor; 72 hours of prayer on Fountain Mall, asking that God would bring revival and renewal to our campus and city.
Dale speaks about our tendency to be lukewarm Christians and how that prevents us from changing the world.
In this message, David speaks about the power anxiety can have over our lives and walks us through finding freedom from it.
Continuing our series in Hebrews, Dale asks us to examine where we are running in our lives and where our focus is with the passage, Hebrews 12:1-2.
This week, Dale spoke about why spiritual maturity is important and how we can grow in our faith.
Dale kicked off our series in Hebrews with this message as he asks us, "How do you expect God to speak?"
Guest speaker, John Elmore goes in depth into what addictions are, how we fall into them, and how we can be freed from them through Jesus. 1. Block 2. Talk 3. Walk
To kick off the new year and our new series, Dale spoke on the barriers and keys to growth.
Continuing our series on leadership, Dale spoke about 3 things that leaders do as they course correct with the passage, 1 Timothy 1.
This week, Dale asks the question, "Who is your audience?" using the Scripture, Matthew 6:5-15.
For our second annual Student Night, Bailee gave her testimony and spoke about how we can lead in our everyday lives.
In this message, we explore the difference between how Martha and Mary react to Jesus visiting, and ask the question, "Are you busy with the 'many things' or do you find fulfillment in the 'one thing', Jesus?".
In this message, Dale speaks about resting in our seasons of busyness using the scripture, Matthew 11:25-30.
Dale answers the question, "how do I live my life on mission?" in this message using Acts 17:16-34.
Continuing our Ring By Spring series, TA spoke on what the Bible says about biblical sex.
Guest speaker, JP gave us five things to look for in someone you're wanting to pursue a relationship with.
This message focuses on our relationships with others as Dale encourages us to ask the questions, "Am I self-righteous? Am I angry? Am I lustful?".
In this message, Dale talks about love and what it means in relationships, towards God and towards others.
This week, Dale kicked off the new semester with a message about the importance of the season of singleness and answers the question, "What is singleness and what do I do in singleness?".
In our final Vertical of the semester, Dale spoke about the difference between good advice and the good news.
In this message, Dale posed the question, “What do you put before God?” as we look introspectively at whether we are living in success or surrender.
Dale spoke about forgiveness in this message from Vertical. He reminded us that "The gospel isn’t as sweet until we understand that we deserve death" and asked the question, "Does our forgiveness have limits?".
At our annual All Women's Vertical, Nika spoke about our identity as warriors and reminded us, "Your identity is not from your fitness but from His faithfulness".
Continuing our Pebbles series, Dale asked the question, "Am I using what God has richly and uniquely gifted me with to further His Kingdom?" using Matthew 25.
Chambers spoke about the fact that Jesus is worth trusting in for this message continuing our Pebbles series.
Starting off our new series, Pebbles, Dale asked the question, "Is Christ the authority of your life?" using Mark 2:1-12.
Continuing our Say Cheese series, Dale spoke about the importance of God's word going off the statement, "Truth is the greatest treasure" using Psalm 19.
Starting off a new series, Say Cheese, this first message is about the saying, "Taming the tongue" focusing on gossip.
As we kick off our short Resolve series, Dale spoke about the important difference between resolve and resolutions.
Spiritual maturity is not dependent on time or age. In 1 Timothy 4:11-15, Paul explains how our college years matter, and how we can use them to bring glory and honor to the Kingdom of God.
Adam Tarnow breaks down Philippians 2, and explains why humility is crucial to relationships.
Dale Wallace teaches from Acts 2:41-47 on the importance of being connected to the local church and not just being a spectator but a participant.
Drew Worsham goes between Acts and Philippians to help us discern whether or actually know God, or just know about him.
Dale Wallace opens up the fall 2017 semester with a study on Luke 9:61-62. Are we really devoted to following Jesus, or are we distracted?
Jeff Mangum works through Luke 19 and shows how Jesus displayed His power through His kingship.
Jeff Mangum show us in Mark 5 how Jesus shows His power through setting the captive free and how we are released by sin's grip through His power.
Jeff Mangum speaks on Mark 4:35-41 and shows how Jesus is always in control, even in the harshest of storms.
Chad Kincer concludes his series on Wisdom by working through Proverbs 7 and the nature of sexual temptation, practical ways to fight temptation, and the hope we have in spite of all of this.
Garrett Perkins works through Romans 1:18-25 and teaches how distractions can lead to deception which can lead to a distorted doctrine or way that we live life.
Adam Tarnow finishes up the Stay Salty series with a challenge on commitments from Matthew 5:33-37.
Jeff Warren works through Matthew 5:13-16 to challenge us to live courageously as light in the darkness.
Austin Fischer asks and answers the thought provoking question of "Why do we wonder when people are starving?"
Dale Wallace teaches through Matthew 6:1-6 and challenges us to assess our motives, consider the reward and take the alternative.
Jeff Mangum leads us through Matthew 7 and Philippians 1-2 on perseverance and platform in spite of trials.
Chad Kincer teaches from Matthew 5:43-48 on the always relevant topic of loving your enemies.
Brad Jones from Passion City Church teaches from Matthew 5:14-16 on how to be a light and receive the light.
Nabeel Qureshi walks through Matthew 7:24-27, shares his story, his apologetic, and finishes with Q&A.
Adam Tarnow walks through Matthew 6:25-34 in the Sermon on the Mount and teaches us how to deal with and respond to anxiety.
Curtis Jones from Bayou City Fellowship opens up the series of "Stay Salty" by teaching on Matthew 5:1.
JP from Watermark Community Church teaches on Luke 18 and asks the question "What keeps you from going all in?"
Afshin Ziafat share's from scripture to answer the age old question of "How do we find God's will?"
Timothy Ateek shares from Mark 8 on the importance of answering the questions that Jesus asks "Who do you say that I Am?".