Ridge University Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Ridge Ankeny
The Ridge University Podcast is a place to explore and engage with a variety of topics relating to following Jesus in our everyday lives. In each conversation you’ll hear fresh insights and perspectives, equipping you with ways to practically live out your faith. Join us as we discover what it means to live as a Christian in the modern day.
Jesus once summarized all the teachings of the Jewish law and the prophets in two short statements: Love God with all you are and love your neighbor as yourself. But what does it really mean to love our neighbor well? What does it look like to love those around us in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools and churches? And what about the people we don't like? Do we really have to love everyone? Join host Will Herron and guests as they consider what it would mean to elevate neighboring from a nice idea to a way of life.
Join Ridge Leader Pastor Mike Van Rees and Ridge U host Will Herron as they unpack some of the why behind familiar aspects of church life.
Join Ridge Leader Pastor Mike Van Rees and Ridge U host Will Herron as they unpack some of the why behind familiar aspects of church life.
Join Ridge Leader Pastor Mike Van Rees and Ridge U host Will Herron as they unpack some of the why behind familiar aspects of church life.
Join Ridge Leader Pastor Mike Van Rees and Ridge U host Will Herron as they unpack some of the why behind familiar aspects of church life.
Encountering God at Work is a continuation of our series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. In these episodes you'll have the chance to hear stories of how peoples relationship with God is impacting how they work.
Encountering God at Work is a continuation of our series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. In these episodes you'll have the chance to hear stories of how peoples relationship with God is impacting how they work.
Encountering God at Work is a continuation of our series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. In these episodes you'll have the chance to hear stories of how peoples relationship with God is impacting how they work.
In this edition of From the Archives, we're dusting off a series called Foundations, which was originally recorded back in 2023. In the series, Will Herron and some guests work their way through the basics of the Christian faith. In this episode, it's time to go to church ... or is it? Is church someplace we go, is it the people we go with, or is something else altogether?
In this edition of From the Archives, we're dusting off a series called Foundations, which was originally recorded back in 2023. In the series, Will Herron and some guests work their way through the basics of the Christian faith. Today, we're getting practical with a discussion of the most hands-on aspect of our faith: serving. Let's talk about roadblocks that prevent us from serving others and specific ways we can play a part in bringing God's kingdom to earth here and now.
In this edition of From the Archives, we're dusting off a series called Foundations, which was originally recorded back in 2023. In the series, Will Herron and some guests work their way through the basics of the Christian faith. Today, we're taking a close look at one of the most mysterious aspects of our faith: The Holy Spirit. Part of the trinity of God, the Spirit is a beautiful gift that a lot of us simply don't know how to use. Consider this episode your user manual!
In this edition of From the Archives, we're dusting off a series called Foundations, which was originally recorded back in 2023. In the series, Will Herron and some guests work their way through the basics of the Christian faith. In episode 3, we're focusing on the big book at the center of the Christian Faith and considering the following questions: What is the bible? Where did it come from? And most importantly: How do we know we can trust it?
In this edition of From the Archives, we're dusting off a series called Foundations, which was originally recorded back in 2023. In the series, Will Herron and some guests work their way through the basics of the Christian faith. In this episode, we're exploring what it means to communicate with God. How can we hear from, talk to and have a relationship with a God who many consider to be invisible?
In this edition of From the Archives, we're dusting off a series called Foundations, which was originally recorded back in2023. In the series, Will Herron and some guests work their way through the basics of the Christian faith. In episode one, we take a look at the most fundamental question of all: What does it mean to be a disciple or student of Jesus? Turns out, he's not your average teacher.
Our final episode of From the Archives: Faith and Finances is a fitting one in that it deals with work, which also happens to be the topic of our current sermon series at The Ridge. Work has the potential to be a source of fulfillment and purpose, but that's not how most people see it. With more than 2/3 of Americans claiming they are dissatisfied with their jobs, how do we reclaim a more God-honoring perspective?
Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we're dipping into the archives to revisit our Faith and Finances series. This episode, we take a look at one of the more overlooked aspects of financial stewardship: generosity. There are lots of things we can do with money, but there is perhaps no more fulfilling way to use it than to bless others. But how do we do that well, how do we do it responsibly? Travis has a few ideas.
Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we're dipping into the archives to revisit our Faith and Finances series. In this episode, it's time to talk about spending and its two extremes: impulsive spending and obsessive hoarding. Most of us tend toward one of these extremes, but the Bible calls us to seek a middle ground of using our money thoughtfully.
Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we're dipping into the archives to revisit our Faith and Finances series. In this episode, we discuss saving. Saving money isn’t everyone’s default. Even if we do save, we are still posed with questions: How much should I save? What should I be saving for? Time to get some answers.
Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we're dipping into the archives to revisit our Faith and Finances series. This episode is all about budgeting, a task that can be frustrating and even defeating but that also has the potential to transform your relationship with money in surprising and God-honoring ways.
Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we're dipping into the archives to revisit our Faith and Finances series. This episode, we explore debt, a word that evokes fear for some, paralysis for others and PTSD for many. No matter what your relationship to debt is or has been, let's look to the Bible for wisdom.
Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we're dipping into the archives to revisit our Faith and Finances series. This episode, we explore contentment, an important yet often elusive Biblical principle.
Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And that’s OK. Money has a tremendous impact on the way we see the world and the way we live our lives. That’s why so much of the Bible is devoted to discussing finances.
And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we figured this might be good time for us to dust off one of the most popular series we’ve ever done on the pod. Originally titled Faith and Finances, this eight-part series features financial coach and speaker Travis Shelton, who sits down with Ridge Discipleship Director Will Herron to discuss important topics such as debt, saving, spending, generosity and how to view money from God’sperspective.
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
Closing out series 3 is Ridge Director of Outreach, Mary Kohlsdorf. Listen in as Mary shares some of her key learnings from three decades in ministry.
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
Joining series host Joni Pine this time is Ridge Youth Director, Todd Stiles.
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
Joining series host Joni Pine this time is Paige Lawrence. Paige serves on our women’s strategic team and is an active member of our young adults community.
Each year, The Ridge supports missions work all around the world. In this series, we'll take you behind the scenes with some of our partners so you can catch a glimpse of the amazing, life-changing things God is doing in the mission field.
Our third episode brings us into a mission field that hits close to home for many of us as we talk with two of the women behind Des Moines-based nonprofit Can Do Cancer. Jump in with us as we learn about how this organization helps women struggling with breast cancer diagnoses and how its formation has redeemed one of the darkest moments in the life of founder Molly Zaver.
Each year, The Ridge supports missions work all around the world. In this series, we'll take you behind the scenes with some of our partners so you can catch a glimpse of the amazing, life-changing things God is doing in the mission field.
Our second episode continues the conversation with Tracy Blackmer from Zambia Iowa Agriculture Partners (ZIAP). Tracy shares some exciting news about how he left things in Zambia in February and fills us in on the challenges and opportunities that remain for him and his team.
Each year, The Ridge supports missions work all around the world. In this series, we'll take you behind the scenes with some of our partners so you can catch a glimpse of the amazing, life-changing things God is doing in the mission field.
Our first episode features Tracy Blackmer, who recently spent four months living and working in Zambia. There, he teamed up with local pastors, and together, they endeavored to combat hunger, malnourishment and a general spirit of helplessness by teaching rural growers practical ways to improve their yields.
Join your Big Questions of Faith hosts Dayne Logan and Will Herron as they continue their conversation on the topic of gender.
In more recent years, gender has become a topic of contention both in and outside the church. How should we define it? What was God's purpose in creating both male and female?
Join your Big Questions of Faith hosts Dayne Logan and Will Herron as they unpack these questions and more in episode three of our new series.
Recent statistics have shown the number of people cohabitating together before they get married has increased dramatically in recent years. What once was true for 11% of those couples now stands at around 76%. How can we account for those stats and what does the Bible have to say about it?
Join your Big Questions of Faith hosts Dayne Logan and Will Herron as they unpack these questions and more in episode two of our new series.
Dinosaurs have captured the imagination of children and adults alike since their discovery in the early 1800s. But what does the Bible have to say about dinosaurs? Does it say anything at all?
Join your Big Questions of Faith hosts Dayne Logan and Will Herron as they explore these questions and more in episode one of our new series.
Between school activities, after-school activities, sports, family obligations, careers and personal hobbies, Christian families today are expected to cram a lot into a limited schedule. You might say they’re beyond busy.
And when life gets busy, something has to give. Sadly, for more and more families today, church involvement is often one of the first things to go.
Statistics show that parents in these families typically remain faithful and often return to church eventually. But overwhelmingly, their children and grandchildren do not. Put succinctly: The kids of the dechurched become the unchurched. It's a sad reality, but there is hope.
Join us on this four-episode exploration of the dechurching phenomenon for young families. We’ll look at four myths that surround this stage of life and then explore how these myths stand up to God’s word. We’ll also get practical as we equip you with the tools you and your family need to move beyond busy.
Between school activities, after-school activities, sports, family obligations, careers and personal hobbies, Christian families today are expected to cram a lot into a limited schedule. You might say they’re beyond busy.
And when life gets busy, something has to give. Sadly, for more and more families today, church involvement is often one of the first things to go.
Statistics show that parents in these families typically remain faithful and often return to church eventually. But overwhelmingly, their children and grandchildren do not. Put succinctly: The kids of the dechurched become the unchurched. It's a sad reality, but there is hope.
Join us on this four-episode exploration of the dechurching phenomenon for young families. We’ll look at four myths that surround this stage of life and then explore how these myths stand up to God’s word. We’ll also get practical as we equip you with the tools you and your family need to move beyond busy.
Between school activities, after-school activities, sports, family obligations, careers and personal hobbies, Christian families today are expected to cram a lot into a limited schedule. You might say they’re beyond busy.
And when life gets busy, something has to give. Sadly, for more and more families today, church involvement is often one of the first things to go.
Statistics show that parents in these families typically remain faithful and often return to church eventually. But overwhelmingly, their children and grandchildren do not. Put succinctly: The kids of the dechurched become the unchurched. It's a sad reality, but there is hope.
Join us on this four-episode exploration of the dechurching phenomenon for young families. We’ll look at four myths that surround this stage of life and then explore how these myths stand up to God’s word. We’ll also get practical as we equip you with the tools you and your family need to move beyond busy.
Between school activities, after-school activities, sports, family obligations, careers and personal hobbies, Christian families today are expected to cram a lot into a limited schedule. You might say they’re beyond busy.
And when life gets busy, something has to give. Sadly, for more and more families today, church involvement is often one of the first things to go.
Statistics show that parents in these families typically remain faithful and often return to church eventually. But overwhelmingly, their children and grandchildren do not. Put succinctly: The kids of the dechurched become the unchurched. It's a sad reality, but there is hope.
Join us on this four-episode exploration of the dechurching phenomenon for young families. We’ll look at four myths that surround this stage of life and then explore how these myths stand up to God’s word. We’ll also get practical as we equip you with the tools you and your family need to move beyond busy.
Written and compiled across centuries, the Bible stands as a remarkable piece of divine work. Despite the broad span of dates and geography, a consistent narrative emerges from its pages; a gripping story of rebellion, reconciliation and renewal.
But what about the people God chose to write the books of the Bible? What was their back story and why did they write the books they wrote?
Join Ridge U hosts Julie Wiemann and Will Herron as they explore the backstories to the authors of the Bible.
Written and compiled across centuries, the Bible stands as a remarkable piece of divine work. Despite the broad span of dates and geography, a consistent narrative emerges from its pages; a gripping story of rebellion, reconciliation and renewal.
But what about the people God chose to write the books of the Bible? What was their back story and why did they write the books they wrote?
Join Ridge U hosts Julie Wiemann and Will Herron as they explore the backstories to the authors of the Bible.
Written and compiled across centuries, the Bible stands as a remarkable piece of divine work. Despite the broad span of dates and geography, a consistent narrative emerges from its pages; a gripping story of rebellion, reconciliation and renewal.
But what about the people God chose to write the books of the Bible? What was their back story and why did they write the books they wrote?
Join Ridge U hosts Julie Wiemann and Will Herron as they explore the backstories to the authors of the Bible.
It's been another encouraging year on the podcast as we've continued to see lots' of engagement across our various series! Thank you!
Before jumping into the new year, we thought it would be a good idea to look back and share some of our stand out episodes/series from 2024. Listen in as our podcast hosts share some of their favorites!
Back for another round of festive fun and trivia are Ridge U hosts Joni Pine and Will Herron alongside good friends Mindy Schardt and Gavin Jerome. Listen in as the team put their Christmas trivia knowledge to the test in Christmas Jeopardy, while also braving the unknown of some blindfolded taste testing!
Mentioned in the Episode: For more info on our Christmas services or to serve at one of our services, click here.
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
Joining series host Joni Pine this time is long time Ridge staff member, Julie Wiemann. Listen in as Julie reflects on her journey with God both in and inside The Ridge.
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
In this episode we hear from Keith Schwickerath as he shares about his journey in coming to Jesus and how serving plays a crucial role in his faith.
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
In this episode we hear from Mphatso Stiles (wife of Todd Stiles our Ridge Youth Director) as she shares the amazing ways God has proven His faithfulness in her life.
While sports are intrinsically good, there is a danger that they can grow to carry too great an influence in our lives. So what are some ways we can identify the current level of influence sports has in our lives? How can we avoid idolizing sports but instead enjoy them as God intended?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship and Ridge U host Seth Sparks as they give some practical direction around developing a healthy relationship with sports as followers of Jesus.
It's estimated that global spend on sporting apparel alone will top $300 billion by 2030. While it’s clear that sports are a global phenomenon transcending culture and century, it's not always clear why. How do we explain the gravitational pull of sports and why does it matter to us as followers of Jesus?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship and Ridge U host Seth Sparks as they explore the why behind the global phenomenon of sports.
How did Jesus view political differences? He didn't see people with different opinions as enemies or make a distinction between us/them. Instead, he urged us to pray for everyone in authority.
There are all kinds of views on the role of God and government. This message will reassure you who's role it is to bring lasting peace and wholeness... hint: His name is not on the ballot.
It’s election season. So let’s take a look back at three important elections in history. Through examples of how the bible addresses politics, we find ourselves at the door of another election ... each and every day of our lives.
Let's talk about AI, algorithms and what we can do to tame them for our benefit and God's glory.
Are you getting in your own way when it comes to effective, God-honoring media consumption?
As Christians, we are told to pursue truth. Is your media diet helping your or harming you in that pursuit?
In this final episode, Will and Kurt share some of their personal experience of the church. Listen in as they share how, despite the imperfect nature of the church, it can still be a place to serve, find support, and be formed by God.
Resources: Why Bother With Church? (Sam Allberry) Church: Why Bother? (Philip Yancey)
You don’t have to search hard to find negative publicity about the church. Sadly, much of it is justified. It can cause us to ask afresh, what is God’s intention for the church? What should the church look like?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron and guest contributor, Kurt Beyer, as they continue our series by exploring what the Bible has to say about God’s plans for the church.
Recent research has shown that Americans are leaving the church at the highest rate in U.S history. It is a movement greater in numbers than all the American revivals combined - just in the opposite direction. It’s now estimated that 15% of all Americans are de-churched. That’s people who used to attend a church at least once per month and now attend fewer than two times a year. This is an alarming trend that draws us to re consider again - “Why Church?”. Why should church be a priority in our lives?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron and guest contributor, Kurt Beyer, as they kick off our series by reflecting on some of the reasons why people it hard to consistently connect with Church life.
Join Ridge Kids Director, Neil Erredge, and Ridge Family Director Doug Applegate as they tackle some challenging questions about God posed by our very own Ridge kids!
Join Ridge Kids Director, Neil Erredge, and Ridge Family Director Doug Applegate as they tackle some challenging questions about God posed by our very own Ridge kids!
Join Ridge Kids Director, Neil Erredge, and Ridge Family Director Doug Applegate as they tackle some challenging questions about God posed by our very own Ridge kids!
We were made to glorify God with our whole lives and that includes our physical bodies. But what exactly does it look like to honor God with our bodies?
Join Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, as she welcomes functional nutrition counselor and health coach, Jayne Reysack to the podcast. Together they'll explore the role that nutrition plays in glorifying God in our physical health.
Jayne works with people to help them understand how nutrition directly affects their overall physical health. For more information contact Jayne at coach@inspiredliving4you.com
We were made to glorify God with our whole lives and that includes our physical bodies. But what exactly does it look like to honor God with our bodies? How might our dietary and lifestyle choices play a role in it?
Join Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, as she welcomes functional nutrition counselor and health coach, Jayne Reysack to the podcast. Together they'll explore the role that nutrition plays in glorifying God in our lives.
Jayne works with people to help them understand how nutrition directly affects their overall physical health. For more information contact Jayne at coach@inspiredliving4you.com
From the Ridge University Podcast, it’s our From the Archives series, in which we take a look back a look back at some of the most memorable and impactful sermons from the past several years and then sprinkle in a little modern context. Today’s topic: Am I putting up barriers that are keeping others from coming to faith in Jesus?
From the Ridge University Podcast, it’s our From the Archives series, in which we take a look back a look back at some of the most memorable and impactful sermons from the past several years and then sprinkle in a little modern context. Today’s topic: Finding joy in our work. If that seems impossible to you, stay tuned. God’s got a plan.
From the Ridge University Podcast, it’s our From the Archives series, in which we take a look back a look back at some of the most memorable and impactful sermons from the past several years and then sprinkle in a little modern context. Today’s topic: Living counterculturally amid a culture that doesn’t seem to need God.
For many, the presence of suffering in the world presents a damning verdict on the existence of a good, all-powerful God. Or, if God does exist, it is suggested that He must not care about the suffering we endure. But what does the Bible say about God and suffering?
Join Ridge U podcast host Will Herron and special guest Dr. Barb Braband as they conclude this series highlighting Scripture that breathes strength, courage and hope into hardship and pain.
Book Resources: Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering (Tim Keller) / A Grief Observed (C.S. Lewis)
For more info on counseling services and support groups at The Ridge click here.
Sharing our story of suffering can be difficult. In the days following a hardship, we often feel more like curling up into a ball rather than opening up to others. What are some of the ways we can get better at sharing our suffering and coming alongside others who are suffering? What are the “phases of suffering” and how can we identify them?
Join Ridge U podcast host Will Herron and special guest Dr. Barb Braband as they address these questions in episode two of “Walking Through Suffering.”
Book Resources: Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering (Tim Keller) / A Grief Observed (C.S. Lewis)
For more info on counseling services and support groups at The Ridge click here.
Despite the reality that each of us will encounter some form of suffering at some point in our lives, most people tend to avoid the topic. One might argue, why would we want to dwell on the difficult things in our lives? Isn’t it better to simply hope for the best or plan to face hardship when it comes?
Join Ridge U podcast host Will Herron and special guest Dr. Barb Braband as they begin this series discussing the importance of talking about suffering and being able to identify it in our own stories.
Book Resources: Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering (Tim Keller) / A Grief Observed (C.S. Lewis)
For more info on counseling services and support groups at The Ridge click here.
Hope is essential for anyone at anytime but perhaps none more so than when we are in the midst of something challenging. In Christianity we find an ultimate hope, a promise of eternity with God in a restored heaven and earth. But how does that hope impact how we navigate the atypical life in the here and now?
Join host Will Herron and special guest Kerry Lust in this final episode of the series as they discuss the ways in which our promised future can greatly impact an often challenging present.
Resources:Aching Joy: Following God through the Land of Unanswered Prayer (Jason Hauge) / Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent (Faith Kim) / Eat, Sleep, Save the World: Words of Encouragement for the Special Needs Parent (Jamie Summer) / Boundaries (Cloud and Townsend) / Held: A Bible Study for Special-Needs Parents (Sandra Peoples) / Unexpected Blessings: The Joys & Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family (Sandra Peoples)
Spark Ministry at The Ridge – (Special Program Assisting Ridge Kids)
Community can be a powerful asset when journeying life with a special needs child. And yet, sometimes the words and actions of others can cause the most hurt. Whether well intended or not, the feedback of others can simply make matters worse. So, how should we respond in such situations? How can we act in a manner that is constructive for us, our child and others?
Join series host Will Herron and special guest Kerry Lust as they explore how we go about responding when others don’t get it.
Resources:Aching Joy: Following God through the Land of Unanswered Prayer (Jason Hauge) / Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent (Faith Kim) / Eat, Sleep, Save the World: Words of Encouragement for the Special Needs Parent (Jamie Summer) / Boundaries (Cloud and Townsend) / Held: A Bible Study for Special-Needs Parents (Sandra Peoples) / Unexpected Blessings: The Joys & Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family (Sandra Peoples)
Spark Ministry at The Ridge – (Special Program Assisting Ridge Kids)
Navigating life with a special needs child can require 24/7 care and attention. Parents and caregivers draw from emotional, mental and physical resources to ensure those in their care are given the support they need. But how do we go about navigating this day-to-day reality? And beyond that, how can we plan appropriately for care in our child’s future?
Join series host Will Herron and special guest Kerry Lust as they seek answers to these questions and more in episode two of “An Atypical Life.”
Resources:Aching Joy: Following God through the Land of Unanswered Prayer (Jason Hauge) / Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent (Faith Kim) / Eat, Sleep, Save the World: Words of Encouragement for the Special Needs Parent (Jamie Summer) / Boundaries (Cloud and Townsend) / Held: A Bible Study for Special-Needs Parents (Sandra Peoples) / Unexpected Blessings: The Joys & Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family (Sandra Peoples)
Spark Ministry at The Ridge – (Special Program Assisting Ridge Kids)
Unless disability is a part of your life, it can be hard to comprehend just what it looks and feels like. In this series, “An Atypical Life,” we hear from Kerry Lust. Kerry’s son, Brandon (15), was diagnosed with autism at an early age and since then, Kerry and her family have been learning to embrace, appreciate and adapt to their atypical life.
Listen in as series host Will Herron and Kerry start the conversation by exploring how we go about defining disability and navigating diagnosis.
Resources:Aching Joy: Following God through the Land of Unanswered Prayer (Jason Hauge) / Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent (Faith Kim) / Eat, Sleep, Save the World: Words of Encouragement for the Special Needs Parent (Jamie Summer) / Boundaries (Cloud and Townsend) / Held: A Bible Study for Special-Needs Parents (Sandra Peoples) / Unexpected Blessings: The Joys & Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family (Sandra Peoples)
Spark Ministry at The Ridge – (Special Program Assisting Ridge Kids)
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
Listen in as host Joni Pine welcomes Ridge Director of Strategic Planning and Communication Dayne Logan to the studio.
For more info on getting connected at The Ridge click here.
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
In episode 2, host Joni Pine is joined by mom and young adult Karina Schmidt.
For more info on getting connected into community at The Ridge click here.
Listen through the Ridge U podcast series, Big Questions of Faith Series 2, then join podcast hosts Will and Dayne for a casual meet-up to discuss the various topics that were explored through the four episode series!
Click here for event info.
Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge.
In this episode, Joni sits down with long-time Ridge member Liz Austin to hear the ways in which God has worked in and through her life.
For more info on getting connected at The Ridge click here.
Fewer topics are more potent or partitioning today than the area of same sex relationships. In recent years, particularly in the West, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in support for same sex marriage as well as the right for individual sexual expression. Many Christians who hold to a traditional ethic on marriage and sexuality have been accused of holding a discriminatory/oppressive stance toward the LGBTQ community. But what does the Bible have to say about our sexuality? Is it really as homophobic as some make it out to be?
Join guest host Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they look to the Bible in search of answers to these pressing questions.
Resources: People to Be Loved (Preston Sprinkle) / Is God Anti-Gay? (Sam Allberry)
One of the common points of contention posed to Christianity revolves around a few war texts found within the Old Testament. Many have taken God’s commands to wage war against certain people groups as both genocidal and tyrannical in nature. No doubt, these stories present a challenge to the believer both in their divine commanding and condoning of such actions. So does the critique posed to Christianity carry some weight? Is it true that at certain times God has promoted genocide as part of His plans?
Join guest host Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they engage with this challenging question and more in series 2 episode 3 of Big Questions of Faith.
Resources - Is God Guilty of Genocide? (Michael J.Kruger)
A large blot upon the history of Christianity lies in the fact that a huge number of self-confessing followers of Jesus have claimed to justify the owning of slaves from the Bible. So what does the Bible say about slavery? Is any form of slavery or servitude ever OK? Does the Bible actually permit slavery?
Join guest host Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they seek to uncover answers to these questions and more in series 2 episode 2 of our Big Questions of Faith series.
Resources: Why It’s Wrong to Say the Bible is Pro Slavery (Gavin Ortlund) / Background on William Wilberforce (Joe Carter)
Over the last number of centuries the fields of science and religion appear to have shared a somewhat turbulent relationship. Many assert the basic incompatibility of the two, dismissing the validity of religious belief and arguing for the ultimate viability of the scientific method. Others see no conflict at all, claiming a complementary nature between the two fields. So what are we to think? Is it possible that Christianity and science are truly compatible?
Join guest host Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they seek to answer this question and more in series 2 episode 1 of Big Questions of Faith.
Resources: Cosmic Chemistry: Do God and Science Mix? (John Lennox) / Enriching our Vision of Reality (Alistair McGrath)
It’s not exaggeration to say the practice of silence and solitude is a lost art. No doubt the rise in accessibility to entertainment, news and a global social network has contributed to this trend. We’ve never had more opportunity to be occupied or distracted. But is silence and solitude something we need to fight for in any case? Are we really loosing out by not regularly inhabiting these quiet spaces with God?
Join series host Will Herron and special guest Brandy Young as they talk about the challenges, benefits, and practical ins and outs of practicing silence and solitude.
Resources: The Way of the Heart (Henri Nouwen) / Invitation into Solitude and Silence (Ruth Hailey Barton)
It’s no secret that prayer is one of the biggest challenges for many Christians. While there may be several reasons for that trend, most end up feeling a sense of discouragement, guilt or even frustration at their lack of ability or consistency in prayer. But what if some of that tension is caused by a misconception of what prayer actually is? How might prayer look different if it was less ritual and more relational?
Join series host Will Herron and special guest Brandy Young as they finish out this series by discovering how we can move from a “should do” to a “want to” attitude in prayer.
Resources: How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (Pete Greig) / Prayer (Tim Keller)
For some, personal reflection comes easily (almost too easily!). Yet for others, spending time quietly processing can be a challenge or simply dismissed as self-indulgent. Yet as we look at Jesus’ life, retreating into spaces to pray, reflect and hear from the Father seems to have been a regular practice. So how can we look to incorporate these kinds of spaces into our lives? How can we create a healthy habit of self-reflection where we allow God to speak into our lives on a consistent basis?
Join series host Will Herron and special guest Brandy Young as they explore how we can grow in this practice in a healthy and constructive way.
Resources: Using Self-Examination for Spiritual Formation (Joe Carter)
The concept of a “retreat” can bring to mind various images and ideas. For some it might be a walk in the woods, for others a quiet weekend escape to the beach. But in what ways might a “spiritual retreat” look different? What are some of the challenges we might face within that space, and how do we overcome them?
Join Ridge U host Will Herron and special guest Brandy Young as they discuss these questions and more in episode 2 of our Spiritual Practices series.
Resources: Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God (Ruth Hailey Barton) / Lighthouse Ministries at Third Church in Pella / Transforming Community Retreats
Someone once said, “Your habits will determine your future.” While there’s surely more to it, there is no doubt the things we do repetitively impact our lives on a large scale.
In this first episode of Live Better: Spiritual Practices to Live By, host Will Herron and trained spiritual director Brandy Young explore the why behind spiritual practices. Join them as they discuss the essential role these practices play in living the kind of life God intends for us.
Resources: The Celebration of Discipline (Richard Foster) / Sacred Rhythms (Ruth Hailey Barton)
Join Ridge U hosts Will Herron and Joni Pine as they embark on a festive extravaganza of comedy, competitive Christmas games, and even some carol renditions too!
Featuring special guests, Mindy Schardt and Gavin Jerome.
PS: if you missed out on last years Christmas episode, don't fret! You can listen in here.
For many families, the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia is overwhelming. For some the diagnosis is swift and horrifying; for others the slow progression gives us time to prepare. What are some things that would be helpful in caring for a parent with Alzheimers or another dementia?
Join guest host and Leadership Director Julie Wiemann and Ridge friend Gavin Jerome as discuss some practical ways to care for parents with Alzheimers.
For many people, caring for their elderly parents is an honor, but also can be extremely difficult. Sibling support is sometimes available, but there are times when even that is not an option. So how can we navigate well the various challenges that come with caring for elderly parents?
Join guest host and Leadership Director Julie Wiemann and Ridge members David & Tara Erredge as they explore some common challenges and helpful tips in caring for aging parents.
Resources: Finding home health care
For further questions, please contact us at info@ridgelife.org
#aging #agingparents #endoflife #endoflifediscussions #palliativevshospicecare #palliativecare #hospicecare
While death is inevitable for us all, having discussions with our loved ones about medical interventions and end of life is difficult. So what kinds of conversations should we have with our aging parents or elderly family? How can medical professionals assist in those discussions?
Join guest host and Leadership Director Julie Wiemann and Family Medicine Doctor Christina Goebel as they explore some key topics in regards to caring for aging parents.
Resources: Always consult a qualified and trained medical professional for further information.
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
IPOST Form (state of Iowa)
Medical Power of Attorney
The difference between palliative care and hospice
For further questions, please contact us at info@ridgelife.org
#aging #agingparents #endoflife #endoflifediscussions #palliativevshospicecare #palliativecare #hospicecare
As a part of our commemorating 25yrs of The Ridge we’ve taken some time to sit down and interview a few couples who were part of the original planting group of the church. In our final episode of the series we welcome to the studio Ridge Director of Family Ministries, Doug Applegate, and his wife, Michelle.
As a part of our commemorating 25yrs of The Ridge we’ve taken some time to sit down and interview a few couples who were part of the original planting group of the church. Joining series host in this third episode is Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, and her husband, Chuck.
As a part of our commemorating 25yrs of The Ridge we’ve taken some time to sit down and interview a few couples who were part of the original planting group of the church. Listen in as our second couple, Rod and Helene Bergren, reflect on 25yrs at The Ridge with series host, Will Herron.
As a part of our commemorating 25yrs of The Ridge we’ve taken some time to sit down and interview a few couples who were part of the original planting group of the church. In our first episode we welcome to the studio Ridge Lead Pastor, Mike Van Rees, and his wife Sarah. Listen in as they reflect and recount some meaningful and (sometimes surprising!) stories of the last 25yrs at The Ridge.
What is the role of the church? How can we go about understanding past church hurt? And how do we go about sharing our faith as followers of Jesus?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship, Will Herron, and Ridge U teacher, Jay Braband, as they seek to answers these questions and more in the final episode of our Foundations series.
Resources: Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them (John Ortberg), How to Tell Others (Nicky Gumbel)
Got more questions about Christianity? Why not reach out to us? Click here and we’ll be in touch.
In Matthew 20:28 we read that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” How can we go about following Jesus’ example in our every day lives?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship, Will Herron, and Ridge Outreach Director, Mary Kohlsdorf, as they explore what it looks like to live a life of service.
Resources: Placed for a Purpose (Chris + Elizabeth McKinney), The Art of Neighboring (Jay Pathak + Dave Runyon)
Got more questions about Christianity? Why not reach out to us? Click here and we’ll be in touch.
Even for people who have been following Jesus for a while, the person of the Holy Spirit can be a mystery. And yet Jesus said it was actually better for him to leave the earth so that we could have the Holy Spirit. So who is the Holy Spirit and what role does He play in our lives?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron and Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, as they spend some time considering the person of the Holy Spirit.
Resources: Experiencing the Spirit (Robert Heidler), Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
Got more questions about Christianity? Why not reach out to us? Click here and we’ll be in touch.
The Bible was written centuries ago in cultures and continents different than our own. So how should we approach reading it, studying it, and applying it to our lives?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship, Will Herron, and Ridge U teacher, Jay Braband, as they discuss some practical ways to go about engaging with the Bible.
Resources: New Bible Commentary (Various Authors), The New Testament for Everyone: A Series of Commentaries (N T Wright)
Got more questions about Christianity? Why not reach out to us? Click here and we’ll be in touch.
Most would agree that good communication is key to the health of any relationship. The same is true for our relationship with God. But how do we go about talking and hearing from someone who is not physically present?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron and Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, as they discuss how we can go about talking with and hearing from God.
Resources: How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People (Pete Greig)
Got more questions about Christianity? Why not reach out to us? Click here and we’ll be in touch.
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
Join Ridge Director of Discipleship, Will Herron, and Ridge U teacher, Jay Braband, as they explore what we mean when we talk about being a “Christian”.
Resources: The Reason for God (Tim Keller), Mere Christianity (C.S Lewis), Confronting Christianity (Rebecca McLaughlin)
Got more questions about Christianity? Why not reach out to us? Click here and we’ll be in touch.
“An assuming character is called into an epic quest with their success or failure determining the future the world.” Sounds familiar right? While we might encounter different characters and worlds, this kind of fictional journey is a common one. But why has it proven to be so popular? And what is it about calling, purpose, and destiny that keeps us returning to this narrative?
Join guest host, Seth Sparks, and Ridge Director of Discipleship, Will Herron as they close out the series discovering again the biblical roots of our fascination with fiction.
Resources: The Stories We Tell (Mike Cosper), Hollywood Heroes (Frank + Zach Turek), The Seven Basic Plot Lines (Will Herron)
Ever wondered why most fictional romance stories are so predictable? We know what is going to happen (people find their “true love”) and yet we keep coming back to see it work out again and again. So why do we do this? And what has it got to do with God and the Bible?
Join guest host, Seth Sparks, and Ridge Director of Discipleship, Will Herron as they continue to explore popular plot lines like romance and discover the biblical roots to our fascination with them.
Resources: The Stories We Tell (Mike Cosper), Hollywood Heroes (Frank + Zach Turek), The Seven Basic Plot Lines (Will Herron)
Did you know that 48 of the top 50 highest grossing movies of all time have good vs evil as a primary plotline? It provokes us to ask, why are we so often drawn back to this ancient kind of story? Why do we so often seek the resolution of the good winning out, justice for villains, and a happily ever after?
Join guest host, Seth Sparks, and Ridge Director of Discipleship, Will Herron as they look to answer these questions and more in episode two of The Story Behind the Story.
Resources: The Stories We Tell (Mike Cosper), Hollywood Heroes (Frank + Zach Turek), The Seven Basic Plot Lines (Will Herron)
Fictional stories create the foundation for a multi billion dollar industry. Whether its books, movies, plays, or tv shows, audiences around the world are drawn back again and again to similar plot lines and narrative themes. But why is this so? Is it just entertainment or is there something deeper going on? And what does it have to do with Christianity and the Bible?
Join guest host, Seth Sparks, and Ridge Director of Discipleship, Will Herron as they seek to discover the biblical roots of our fascination with fiction.
Resources: The Stories We Tell (Mike Cosper), Hollywood Heroes (Frank + Zach Turek), The Seven Basic Plot Lines (Will Herron)
What do our conversations with God look like when we walk through difficult seasons? How could I ever pray publicly in front of others?
Join Ridge University host Will Herron and special guest Vivian Kinkade as they seek to answers these questions and more in this third and final episode of our prayer series.
Resources: Dark Clouds Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament (Mark Vroegop)
Communication is a two way street - we talk and we listen. But how do we go about hearing God’s voice? How can we know it isn’t just one of the many voices inside our head or that we are just speaking to ourselves?
Join Ridge University host Will Herron and special guest Vivian Kinkade as they unpack some ways we can go about growing to hear God’s voice in prayer.
Resources: How to Hear God: A Simple Guide for Normal People - Pete Greig
If any relationship is to be healthy, good communication is vital. When it comes to our interacting with God, prayer is a key part of our relationship and yet for many, it can prove to be the most challenging.
Join Ridge University host Will Herron and special guest Vivian Kinkade as they explore why prayer is so important and discuss ways we can grow in our prayer life with God.
Resources: How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People - Pete Greig
Why do bad things happen to good people? It’s no wonder man has been grappling with this question for centuries given the prevalence of cruelty, pain, suffering and death throughout all of human history. Add in the fact that Christians claim to follow a God who is benevolent and merciful and good, and the head-scratching begins.
Join guest host and Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they explore the topic of suffering — what it is, where it comes from and some thoughts on why God allows it.
Resources: Unspeakable (Os Guinness), Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering (Tim Keller), Where is God in All The Suffering? (Amy Orr Ewing)
Few could doubt the monumental impact the Bible has had over the course of history. Yet for most, it remains nothing more than a classic piece of literature. For Christians however, it is considered to be God's primary revelation of truth regarding who He is and His will for us as His creation. But what reason do Christians have for such a claim? Why should we base how we live on a book that is nearly two thousand years old?
Join guest host and Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they discuss some key reasons why the Bible is still supremely trustworthy and authoritative centuries after its writing.
Resources - Amy Orr Ewing - "Why Trust the Bible?" / FF Bruce "Are the New Testament Documents Reliable?"
When we look at the world, we see lots of faith traditions that all appear to reinforce similar value systems and moral standards. Further, the followers of these religions often express their faith in similar ways — through religious observances, prayer and charitable work. In light of this, is it possible that all religions are actually pointing to the same basic truth? Or put a different way: Is it possible that there is just one true faith with many expressions?
Join guest host and Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they seek to answer this question by contrasting the world's major religions.
Resources: The Universe Next Door (James W Sire)
While billions of people across the globe profess belief in a god or some sort of higher power, millions of others do not. So what evidence do we have for belief in God and in particular, the God of the Bible? Join guest host and Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they explore some key pieces of evidence pointing toward the existence of a good, all powerful God.
Resources: The Reason for God (Tim Keller), God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? (John Lennox), Whose Design is it Anyway? (John Lennox)
We’ve explored what the Bible has to say about the rich and the poor but what next? Listen in as Rob and Roger share how these Bible passages have propelled them out into meeting the basic needs of others both locally and internationally.
Rob, Roger and Will continue the series by discussing key passages of Scripture that speak to the responsibility of those with resources. Listen in as they discover how our responding to the poor can be part of our worship to God.
One clear thread that runs through the Bible is God’s care for the poor. We also find much teaching when it comes to the rich. Join Will Herron and guests Rob and Roger Wheeler as they explore God’s call upon us as western Christians when it comes to poverty in the world.
Join series host Doug Applegate and special guest Kris Schlemmer as they discover how, even with a prodigal child, your life can still be full and have purpose. For a list of resources related to this subject area click here.
Join series host Doug Applegate and special guest Kris Schlemmer as they address some of the harmful things parents of prodigals often do and say to themselves. For a list of resources related to this subject area click here.
Join series host Doug Applegate and special guest Kris Schlemmer as they look to Scripture to help define what the word "prodigal" really means. For a list of resources related to this subject area click here.
Finishing off our Neighboring Well series, host Will Herron and guest Join Pine (Ridge Director of Hospitality) discuss how hospitality can play a key role in fulfilling Jesus command to love our neighbor.
In the Bible we read that man can’t live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matt 4:4) All of us have needs both practical and spiritual. So what does it look like to love our neighbor when it comes to spiritual need? Join Will Herron and guests Mary Kohlsdorf (Ridge Director of Outreach) and Jay Braband (retired pastor/Ridge U teacher) as they explore what it looks like to share Jesus through our words and our actions.
Jesus once summarized all the teachings of the Jewish law and the prophets in two short statements: love God with all you are and love your neighbor as yourself. But what does it really mean to love our neighbor well? What does it look like to love those around us in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and churches? Join host Will Herron and guests Mary Kohlsdorf (Ridge Director of Outreach) and Jay Braband (retired pastor/Ridge U teacher) as they explore what it practically means to love our neighbor well.
A recent Gallup poll discovered that 70% of Americans dislike or hate their job. For many, work has become a means to a paycheck and little more. In this final episode of the Faith and Finance series, host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton (Meaning Over Money/travisshelton.com) explore what God says about our work and how that can change the way we steward our finances.
In the Bible, generosity plays a key role not only in God’s relationship with us but also our relationships with others. So what does this look like when it comes to our finances? How much should we give? How do we decide where to donate our money? Join host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton (Meaning Over Money/travisshelton.com) as they discuss what a life of generosity looks like as a follower of Jesus.
When it comes to spending there can be extremes: We can either spend too much or hoard what we earn. Join host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton (Meaning Over Money/travisshelton.com) as they uncover what lies behind these behaviors and propose a healthy balance when it comes to how we spend what we’ve been given.
Saving money isn’t everyone’s default. Even if we do save, we are still posed with questions: How much should I save? What should I be saving for? Join host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton (Meaning Over Money/travisshelton.com) as they tackle these questions and explore saving as a biblical ethic.
To steward something well, we must be intentional. But what does it look like to be intentional with our finances? Join host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton (Meaning Over Money/travisshelton.com) as they discover how budgeting can move from being a dreaded idea to a life-giving tool.
In the western world, debt has become a familiar part of people’s financial life. But at what cost? Join host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton (Meaning Over Money/travisshelton.com) as they highlight the dangers of debt and propose some healthier alternatives.
What does a life of contentment look like? And why do so many struggle to find it? Join host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton (Meaning Over Money/travisshelton.com) as they discover the key role a healthy perspective of money plays in finding contentment.
Host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton (Meaning Over Money/travisshelton.com) unpack the first principle to stewarding finances well: The way we view money changes everything about how we handle it.