backcountry.church Podcast

What do you do when you’ve reached the end of yourself—when you’re stuck, and nothing seems to move forward or back? In this deeply personal and practical message, we confront the crushing moments of life when you feel like you’ll never be happy again, when nothing good could possibly come from your pain, and when you wonder if there’s even a point to continuing. Through the raw and honest lens of the Apostle Paul—writing from prison, carrying a painful and permanent burden—we discover a profound truth: it is possible to experience peace on the inside while chaos reigns on the outside. Paul learned the secret of contentment in any circumstance, not by escaping hardship but by being strengthened through Christ. This isn’t a call to fake happiness—it’s an invitation to real, resilient faith. If you're tired, disillusioned, or hanging by a thread, don’t miss this message. Learn the secret to standing strong when you can’t fix your situation: Christ in you, empowering you.

In this honest and deeply encouraging message, we confront the difficult seasons in life when our prayers seem unanswered and our pain feels unrelenting. Drawing from the powerful story of the Apostle Paul, we discover that even the most painful, humiliating, and debilitating struggles are not without purpose. Paul—though full of faith and committed to God's mission—was given a “thorn in the flesh,” a gift wrapped in suffering that God chose not to remove. Instead, God offered something greater: the sustaining promise of His grace and the transforming power of His presence. This message invites you to consider that your own pain, though unwanted and seemingly permanent, may carry a divine purpose that is still unfolding. It challenges the belief that faith should remove hardship and instead reveals that true strength often comes not in spite of weakness, but because of it. Through Paul’s example, we learn that embracing our limitations is the very gateway to experiencing God’s power. If you’re walking through a season of disappointment, loss, or silence from God, this message will speak directly to your heart. It’s a reminder that you are not forgotten, your pain is not wasted, and God's grace is still enough. There is a promise buried even in the hardest circumstances—and it’s one worth holding onto. #backcountrychurch

Trusting God When… It Is What It Is. What do you do when the circumstances aren’t changing—when the marriage feels stuck, the diagnosis is permanent, or the career didn’t turn out the way you hoped? In this opening message, we’ll wrestle with the unsettling reality that sometimes there is no way out, only a way through. “The New Normal” confronts those seasons of life where you’re not looking for a solution—because there isn’t one. And yet, Jesus invites us to trust that silence is not absence, and that God is still present, still good, and still working even when it feels like He’s gone in the opposite direction. This week, we’ll discover how to find faith—not by fixing our situation, but by refusing to give up hope in the middle of it.

Pride traps you, feeding on applause while pushing God and others away—dive into this episode and see how it steals your freedom! Inspired by John the Baptist, learn to break free by pointing to Jesus instead of craving recognition. This raw, liberating insight will shift your perspective—listen or watch today!

Nebuchadnezzar ruled with power, prestige, and possessions, yet pride blinded him, leading to his humbling fall. His grandson Belshazzar inherited the same—wealth, status, and might—but ignored the lesson, misusing them in arrogance until his kingdom fell. Join Episode 2 of “Stop It” at backcountry.church as this message unpacks how unrecognized pride can twist your blessings into ruin, showing Heaven’s ultimate rule over all. From Nebuchadnezzar’s madness to Belshazzar’s feast, learn to spot pride before it takes you down. Don’t miss this gripping truth—listen or watch and start living under God’s sovereignty today!

Pride acts like a mirror, showing a big you that’s really small, a distorted reality. Join us at backcountry.church for this first message of “Stop It!” We’ll expose pride’s empty promises, admit our limits, and hear the solution of what truly matters to break free. Don’t miss this raw wake-up call as we disuss this fresh take on pride’s grip!

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to live with such peace, joy, and purpose—even when life gets tough? The secret isn’t in what they have but in how they give. As we wrap up our journey through Philippians, we’ll explore one of the greatest promises in Scripture: God will meet all your needs. But there’s a catch—this promise is tied to living with a generous heart. Generosity isn’t just about money; it’s about living with open hands—giving our time, our encouragement, our resources, and our love. And the best part? Every time we give, we don’t just bless others; we grow in faith, store up eternal rewards, and bring joy to the heart of God. Join us as we discover how generosity unlocks a life of abundance, purpose, and divine provision.

Stress is a constant in life, but it doesn’t have to control you. In Calm in Chaos, we’ll uncover five powerful practices from Philippians 4 that will help you break free from worry, focus your mind on what truly matters, and experience the peace of God—no matter your circumstances. If you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or like you’re at your breaking point, this message is for you. You don’t have to live in a constant state of stress, waiting for the next crisis to knock you down. God offers a peace that defies logic, a calm that steadies your soul even in life’s most chaotic moments. It’s time to stop letting stress steal your joy—join us and discover how to reset your heart, refocus your mind, and finally find the peace you’ve been longing for. #backcountrychurch #nature #philippians4 #americansamoa #stress #peace

Your habits shape your life—so are yours leading you closer to Christ or keeping you stuck? In The Right Habits, we dive into Philippians 3 to uncover five daily choices that can transform your faith, your mindset, and your future. Are you carrying the weight of worry, regret, or busyness? Are old patterns holding you back from the joy and peace God has for you? It’s time to let go of what doesn’t matter and focus on what does. Join us as we learn how to break free from the traps of legalism, pride, and distraction—so we can embrace the life of purpose, peace, and power that God designed for us! Don’t miss this! #backcountrychurch #americansamoa #habits #philippians3

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you”—it’s about how we live. When we take time to appreciate the people around us, recognize the opportunities we’ve been given, and give back in meaningful ways, we create a ripple effect of positivity and connection. In Philippians, Paul shows us that gratitude shifts our focus, strengthens relationships, and leads to a more fulfilling life. Writing from prison, he took the time to thank the Philippian church for their generosity and loyalty, appreciating their partnership in a greater mission. Even in hardship, he recognized the power of gratitude to bring people together and inspire action. Join us as we explore what it means to put gratitude into action and how it can transform the way we live, work, and give! #capesanblaslighthouse #tybeeisland #backcountrychurch #message #philippians #thankyou #graditude

Walking with Christ takes work! In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul challenges us to actively live out our faith, not casually or passively, but with purpose and dedication. While God is at work within us, we have a role to play in strengthening our hearts and staying the course. A healthy faith, like a healthy body, requires commitment and discipline. Developing the right habits will shape our character, sustain our joy, and deepen our relationship with Christ. When we put in the effort, we become a light in a dark world, reflecting God’s goodness to those around us. Join us as we discover how to build spiritual endurance, shine in a dark world, and experience deep, lasting joy. #backcountrychurch #philippians2 #lighthouses #FortPulaskiNationalMonument #workout #message

What does it mean to live a life that truly makes a difference? Join us this week as we continue our series, Walking Thru Life with Christ, with a message titled "Walking a Better Path." In Philippians 2:19-30, Paul highlights four character qualities that can transform your life and exponentially increase your joy. From shifting your focus outward to building trust, collaborating well with others, and living for something worth dying for, this message offers practical steps to help you walk a path that leads to real fulfillment. Don’t miss it—your better path starts here!

Are you longing for deeper, more meaningful relationships? In this episode of Walking Thru Life with Christ, we’ll explore how to cultivate a connection so profound it transforms how we live, love, and work together. Drawing from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we’ll discover the key to aligning our minds, hearts, and purpose to create something extraordinary. Join us as we learn from the ultimate example, Jesus Christ, who modeled what it means to live in perfect connection with others. Don’t miss this chance to find the principles that can inspire harmony and fulfillment in every area of your life.

What if the challenges in your life weren’t obstacles but opportunities or something different? In this episode, we’ll explore how to shift your focus, see life’s problems from a bigger perspective, and find strength in the midst of pressure. Through timeless lessons inspired by Paul's journey and imprisonment, discover how to maintain a steady outlook, stay true to your purpose, and let go of what you can’t control. This isn’t about waiting for life to get better—it’s about learning to thrive right where you are. Join us and uncover a deeper sense of peace, focus, and fulfillment!

What if the quality of your life is shaped by the quality of your relationships? In this first message of Walking Thru Life with Christ, we’ll explore how choosing grace, gratitude, and love can transform the way you connect with others. Through the inspiring words of Philippians, written by Paul during a season of incredible challenges, we’ll uncover practical habits and insights that strengthen relationships and align our lives with Christ’s example. Join us as we learn to embrace a life marked by prayer, patience, and purpose. Join us and let’s start this 9-week journey together!

The enemy says you’re unforgivable, unlovable, and useless—but God says you’re His child. Like Peter, your story isn’t about failure, it’s about God’s victory. Close the door on your past through God’s forgiveness, and step into 2025 with confidence and purpose. You are not what you’ve done—you are who God says you are. Join us for the powerful and final episode of the series TRAVEL LIGHT. It’s time to leave the weight of 2024 behind and step into 2025 with freedom, faith, and a fresh start!

Do you really have control over most things in your life? The answer is no. Yet, our expectations prove that we expect to AND we often act like we do. Yes, we are responsible for ourselves and should take responsibility for our health, relationship with God, our people skills and the like. In reality, to travel light, we need to let go of control. Control of things we have no control over. Mary is a wonderful example of this biblical principle. Mary taught us that we don’t always have the power to control, but we always have the power to surrender. Join us for this Christmas time example of a marvelous way to live: Living life with an open hand.

We get offended or hurt. Someone takes advantage of us. We hold a grudge along with holding onto the offense.... and that root of bitterness begins to form, grow and stregthen. In this episode, filmed at New River Gorge National Park, we address the reality that all of us have a reason to be bitter. But all of us who follow Jesus need to be sure that root of bitterness is sprayed with Round Up, dug up and is gone! Tune in to learn how!

Squirrel! Yup. We all get distracted. Whether it is momentarily, daily or even our very life direction and be distracted and get off course. Traveling light requires us to address this culturally relevant issue of being distracted. And what's worse, the main tool these days of distraction: our smart phones. It's not the only tool but according to research from 2023, on average we give 14% of our adult lives to this device! Join us in this episode as we commit and act on getting rid of squirrels...I mean... distractions! #backcountrychurch #message #newrivergorgenationalpark #distraction

We all know it's better to have less of what doesn't matter and more of what does. And, we mostly live two fisted lives with so many possessions which ultimately weighs us down, keeping us from the very blessings we were made for. The resulting question: What if the stuff we have is robbing us from the life we want? punctuates the deniability we all espouse. Yet, as we see in this episode, if we are honest with ourselves, our circumstances and our stuff, we might actually end up being free and traveling light!