Blackhawk Church Next Steps

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, we’re entering into Advent together. We will explore what Advent is, why it matters, and how to celebrate it. We’ll also hear from worship leaders as they guide us through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.In this episode, Christian Eggers talks with worship leaders Hannah Busse and Trevor Kleinmeyer about Advent’s theme of love and the practice of beholding and adoring. They reflect on why slowing down to adore can be difficult, how the story of Jesus’ birth invites us into deeper wonder, and how worship and the arts help shape this practice.Reflection PracticeTake a minute to sit in silence, slow your mind, and breathe deeply. Invite God into this moment with you.Start by simply thinking about God. Consider who he is. Consider his love for you.Now spend a few minutes beholding God's goodness in your life. Recall some of the things he's created, the people he's put in your life, and the ways you've experienced his love and presence.Take a moment to simply reflect on the fact that God loves you and wants to spend time with you. What would it look like to embrace that truth this week?ResourcesThe Knowledge of the Holy | A.W. Tozer31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew | Ruth Myers & Warren MyersBeloved | Francis ChanSpoken For: Embracing Who You Are and Whose You Are | Robin Jones Gunn & Alyssa Joy BethkeAdvent ResourcesHeaven and Nature Sing series | Blackhawk ChurchChristmas at Blackhawk Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, we’re entering into Advent together. We will explore what Advent is, why it matters, and how to celebrate it. We’ll also hear from worship leaders as they guide us through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.In this episode, Christian Eggers talks with worship leaders Hannah Busse and Trevor Kleinmeyer about Advent’s theme of joy and the practice of rejoicing. They talk honestly about when joy feels easy or hard to access, reflect on how the story of Jesus invites joy in every season, and consider how worship and music help us engage joy in everyday life.Reflection PracticeTake a minute to sit in silence, slow your mind, and breathe deeply. Invite God into this moment with you. Spend a moment doing an emotional check with yourself. How are you feeling right now? Does joy feel easy or difficult to find right now?If there are things you're grieving over or struggling with that make joy hard to find right now, talk to God about those things. Lay those things before him.Now spend a moment considering all the things that have brough you joy recently. Who are the people, things, and moments that have brought you true joy recently? Spend some time in simple gratitude for these things. Let them strengthen and encourage you.Wherever you're at, spend some time in prayer asking God to help you experience that the joy of the LORD is your strength whether circumstances are easy or difficult.ResourcesAdvent ResourcesHeaven and Nature Sing series | Blackhawk ChurchChristmas at Blackhawk Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, we’re entering into Advent together. We will explore what Advent is, why it matters, and how to celebrate it. We’ll also hear from worship leaders as they guide us through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. In this episode, Christian Eggers talks with worship leaders Matt Wilhelm and Isaiah Wu about Advent’s theme of peace and the call to be peacemakers. They get honest about anxiety, conflict, and family dynamics, explore how Jesus brings true peace in the middle of real life, and share practical ways to pursue peacemaking in our relationships today.Reflection PracticeTake a minute to sit in silence, slow your mind, and breathe deeply. Invite God into this moment with you. Then reflect:How are you feeling? Is your heart and mind at peace? Is it troubled by something? Are there relationships in your life that lack peace? Are there circumstances you're going through that make it hard to experience peace? Are there things going on in the world that are disrupting your ability to feel at peace? In the areas that are making peace hard to find, ask for God to bring his peace. Now consider, is there one small way you can make "shalom" peace in your home, your family, your workplace, or the world?Spend a few minutes reflecting, praying, or writing about what comes to mind.ResourcesAdvent ResourcesHeaven and Nature Sing series | Blackhawk Church Christmas at Blackhawk Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, we’re entering into Advent together. We will explore what Advent is, why it matters, and how to celebrate it. We’ll also hear from worship leaders as they guide us through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. In this episode, Christian Eggers talks with worship leaders Matt Wilhelm and Isaiah Wu about Advent’s theme of hope in seasons of waiting and longing. They reflect on what hope looks like in everyday life, how the story of Jesus steadies us, practical ways to wait well, and even share a few Christmas playlist favorites.Reflection PracticeTake a minute to sit in silence, slow your mind, and breathe deeply. Then reflect:How are you feeling today?Is anything making you worried or anxious?Where in your life do you desire more control?What feels especially difficult to wait for right now?What would it look like to surrender that to God?How can you cling to hope as you experience waiting and longing?Spend a few minutes reflecting, praying, or writing about what comes to mind.ResourcesThe Hub | Blackhawk Church Heaven and Nature Sing series | Blackhawk Church Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, we're entering into Advent together. We will explore what Advent is, why it matters, and how to celebrate it. We’ll also hear from worship leaders as they guide us through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. In this first episode, we're asking the most basic question: What is Advent? Hosts Christian Eggers and Tiffany Malloy talk through the meaning and history of Advent, the themes behind the candles and wreath, and why this season of waiting matters for our spiritual growth. You'll also hear simple ways to celebrate Advent at home, along with a few helpful tools and resources to get started.ResourcesBooksWaiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal: An Advent Christmas Devotional | Rich VillodasWatch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas | Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Annie Dillard, Thomas Merton, C. S. Lewis, Henri J. M. NouwenFullness of Time | Esau McCaulley, Emilio Alvarez, Tish Harrison Warren, Emily Hunter McGowin, Fleming Rutledge, Wesley Hill, Amy PeelerAdvent Reading PlansPractices of Advent | Blackhawk Church (PDF | YouVersion)Christmas Countdown: Reading Plan & Advent Ornaments | Blackhawk Kids OtherThe Advent Project | Biola UniversityAdvent Conspiracy | Blackhawk Church

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, hosts Chris Kopp and Tiffany Malloy go deeper into Greater Things, our series on Colossians. Together, they’ll explore what true spiritual growth looks like and how God invites us into greater things through Christ.In this bonus episode, Tiffany and Pastor Charles Yu take a closer look at the household codes in Colossians, a passage that’s often misunderstood without the right historical background. Charles unpacks how first-century households functioned and why Paul addressed them the way he did, and together they explore how this section fits into the message of Colossians and what it means for us today. If you’ve ever wrestled with this passage or wondered how to interpret it faithfully, this conversation is for you.Resources: The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries | Rodney StarkGreater Things Resource PageThe Hub | Blackhawk Church Podcast Transcript - ESPAÑOL | 中文Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, hosts Chris Kopp and Tiffany Malloy go deeper into Greater Things, our series on Colossians. Together, they’ll explore what true spiritual growth looks like and how God invites us into greater things through Christ.In this final episode of this series, Tiffany and Chris share their own rules of life and talk about how intentional rhythms help us grow with God. They walk through the practices, habits, and heart-postures that shape their daily lives and offer practical encouragement for creating a rule of life of your own.ResourcesRule of Life Guide | Practicing the Way Rule of Life builder | Practicing the Way Rule of Life - Website | BookGreater Things Resource PageThe Hub | Blackhawk Church Wesley Band Questions:How is it with your soul?What are your struggles and successes?How might the word and spirit be speaking in your life?Do you have any sin that you want to confess?Are there any secrets or hidden things you would like to share?Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, hosts Chris Kopp and Tiffany Malloy go deeper into Greater Things, our series on Colossians. Together, they’ll explore what true spiritual growth looks like and how God invites us into greater things through Christ.In these final Greater Things episodes, Tiffany and Chris introduce a simple “rule of life,” a helpful way to build intentional rhythms that create space for God to shape us. It’s a practical, grace-filled look at how spiritual practices help us grow with Jesus in everyday life.Questions to think about this week:What kind of person do I sense God inviting me to become? What does looking more like Jesus mean for me personally?What practices, relationships, and environments help me stay rooted in God’s love?Does my time, attention, and commitments align with both the vision of who God’s inviting me to become as well as the things that help to stay connected to Jesus and His love?If not, is the Rule of Life something you want to try for this next season? Prayerfully ask God to help you discern!ResourcesRule of Life - Website | BookGreater Things Resource PageThe Hub | Blackhawk Church Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, hosts Chris Kopp and Tiffany Malloy go deeper into Greater Things, our series on Colossians. Together, they’ll explore what true spiritual growth looks like and how God invites us into greater things through Christ.In this episode, Tiffany and Chris sit down with Phoebe Turner, Blackhawk Bible Study leader and staff with Athletes in Action, to talk about how studying Scripture in community shapes our faith. Phoebe shares her story, what happens inside Blackhawk Bible Study, and why spaces like these help us grow in maturity and stay centered on Christ. Together, they unpack Colossians 2:8–15, exploring what it means that we’re “made alive in Christ” and how baptism, curiosity, and community all point us back to Jesus.Resources:Blackhawk Bible StudyGreater Things Resource PageThe Hub | Blackhawk Church Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, hosts Chris Kopp and Tiffany Malloy go deeper into Greater Things, our series on Colossians. Together, they’ll explore what true spiritual growth looks like and how God invites us into greater things through Christ.In this episode, Chris and Tiffany (with a quick cameo from Isaac on our Tech Team!) talk about how we actually grow up in Christ. Building on Colossians 1:28–29, they get practical—spiritual practices that lead to encountering Jesus, friendship and community that shape us, and how our screens and algorithms may be forming us more than we think. Resources:Podcast: Beyond Self-Help: Real Spiritual Formation with Dr. Kyle Strobel, Episode 77 | Being Human with Steve CussBook: Theo of Golden | Allen LeviGreater Things Resource PageThe Hub | Blackhawk Church Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, hosts Chris Kopp and Tiffany Malloy go deeper into Greater Things, our series on Colossians. Together, they’ll explore what true spiritual growth looks like and how God invites us into greater things through Christ.In this episode, Chris and Tiffany sit down with Pastor Craig Gartland to unpack one of the most powerful passages in Colossians (1:15–20). Together, they explore what it means that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, how He holds all things together, and what His supremacy means for our lives, work, and church today.ResourcesThe Book of Colossians | Bible ProjectColossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary | N.T. WrightGreater Things Resource PageHave questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps Podcast, hosts Chris Kopp and Tiffany Malloy go deeper into Greater Things, our series on Colossians. Together, they’ll explore what true spiritual growth looks like and how God invites us into greater things through Christ.In this first episode, Chris and Tiffany pull back the curtain on how a teaching series comes to life at Blackhawk. From prayerful planning to collaborative feedback, they share how the team prepared our journey through Colossians—and what it means to grow in true maturity in Christ.Recommended Resources: Greater Things Resource Page

This season on the Next Steps podcast, host Christian Eggers sits down with our teaching pastors for the Can I Ask That? series. On Sundays, we’re exploring some of the biggest questions people have about faith—but there’s never enough time to cover them all. That’s why, here on the podcast, we’re digging deeper into more of those big, honest questions.In this episode, Christian sits down with Pastor Matt Metzger to explore how we can share our faith in everyday life. They tackle common fears and misconceptions—from worrying about being too pushy to wondering if people have already made up their minds about Jesus. Matt offers encouragement from his own experience, reminding us that sharing faith is less about having perfect answers and more about telling our story, trusting the Holy Spirit, and caring deeply for the people in front of us.Referenced Resources:  Can I Ask That? Series | Blackhawk Church WebsiteEvangelism ExplosionThe Four Spiritual Laws | CruPodcastEpisode 749: Revival Series Pt. 5 | Why God is Moving So Powerfully Now: JP Pokluda on Gen Z and Gen Alpha Revival and How to Share the Gospel with Your Uber Driver | The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership PodcastKey Verses to MemorizeEphesians 2:8-9John 14:6John 3:16Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps podcast, host Christian Eggers sits down with our teaching pastors for the Can I Ask That? series. On Sundays, we’re exploring some of the biggest questions people have about faith—but there’s never enough time to cover them all. That’s why, here on the podcast, we’re digging deeper into more of those big, honest questions.In this episode, Christian talks with Pastor Chris Kopp about one of the most challenging questions people ask about God: Is He mean, angry, or violent? Together they explore difficult Old Testament passages, the violence of the cross, and the tension between God’s justice and love. Chris shares from his own journey and offers practical ways to approach troubling parts of Scripture, always pointing us back to Jesus as the clearest picture of God and reminding us that doubts can deepen faith.Referenced Resources:  Can I Ask That? Series | Blackhawk Church BooksFlood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God | Matthew J. Lynch

This season on the Next Steps podcast, host Christian Eggers sits down with our teaching pastors for the Can I Ask That? series. On Sundays, we’re exploring some of the biggest questions people have about faith—but there’s never enough time to cover them all. That’s why, here on the podcast, we’re digging deeper into more of those big, honest questions.In this episode, Christian talks with Pastor Charles Yu about whether faith is private or public. They explore how the gospel shapes both our personal relationship with God and our shared calling as the church to live out God’s values in the world. From caring for creation and pursuing justice to engaging politics with humility, this conversation invites us to see faith not just as something private, but as a way of loving God and loving our neighbors.Referenced Resources:  Can I Ask That? Series | Blackhawk Church Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

Can I Ask That? | How Do We Really Follow God?This season on the Next Steps podcast, host Christian Eggers sits down with our teaching pastors as part of our Can I Ask That? series. On Sundays, we're exploring some of the biggest questions people have about faith, but there's never enough time to cover them all. That's why, here on the podcast, we'll dig a little deeper, tackling more of those big, honest questions. In this episode, Christian talks with Pastor Tiffany Malloy about what it really means to follow God over a lifetime. They explore the ups and downs of faith, from new excitement to seasons of doubt or dryness, and share practical ways to keep growing in relationship with Jesus.Referenced Resources:  Can I Ask That? Series | Blackhawk Church BooksSpiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us | Adele Ahlberg CalhounDark Night of the Soul | John of the CrossPodcastsThat Sounds Fun Podcast | Annie F. DownsApps Lectio 365 | 24-7 PrayerHave questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

This season on the Next Steps podcast, host Christian Eggers sits down with our teaching pastors as part of our Can I Ask That? series. On Sundays, we're exploring some of the biggest questions people have about faith, but there's never enough time to cover them all. That's why, here on the podcast, we'll dig a little deeper—tackling more of those big, honest questions.In this episode, Christian talks with Pastor Chris Dolson about some of the Bible's strangest and most challenging parts. From miracles and healing to angels, demons, and unusual Old Testament laws, they explore why the Bible can feel so weird and how asking hard questions can actually grow our faith.Referenced Resources: Can I Ask That? Series | Blackhawk Church Invisible Realm Series | Blackhawk ChurchBooksThe Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism | Timothy Keller Evangelical Theology: A Biblical and Systematic Introduction | Michael BirdAuthorsRichard SwinburneAlvin PlantingaMichael HeiserWebsitesThe Bible ProjectUpper House | Stephen and Laurel Brown FoundationLumen Center | Stephen and Laurel Brown FoundationHave questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org. 

Join host Veronica Hummel as she sits down with Scott Heller to explore what it means to invest your time as part of our "Made for More" series. Scott shares his journey of grief, healing, and spiritual growth— starting from showing up quietly in the back row to becoming deeply involved in serving others at Blackhawk. Through stories from Alpha, Blackhawk Kids, and Study Day, Scott reflects on how prayer, community, and service have helped him discover new joy and purpose. He offers practical encouragement for anyone hesitant to take their next step into serving, sharing how small commitments can lead to meaningful community and spiritual growth. Referenced Resources: Made for More Series | Blackhawk Church Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org. 

Join host Veronica Hummel as she sits down with CJ Klaas and Ranjit Mathai to explore what it looks like to live generously as part of our "Made for More" series. Drawing from their personal experiences and years of teaching financial courses at Blackhawk, CJ and Ranjit offer practical wisdom and spiritual insight into managing money with intentionality and trust in God. They share their own journeys of learning to give, navigating debt, and discovering the freedom that comes from generous living. Whether you're getting started or looking to grow, this honest conversation offers practical steps and spiritual encouragement for living generouslyReferenced Resources: Made for More Series | Blackhawk Church Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.

Join host Veronica Hummel as she sits down with Amy Racki, a therapist and longtime Blackhawk member, to explore what it means to truly know ourselves as part of our "Made for More" series. Amy shares her journey from a corporate business background to mental health counseling and discusses practical tools for self-discovery, including personality assessments and spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation. They explore learning to embrace discomfort in the transformation process, finding community that speaks truth in love, and discovering what's "mine to do" in each season of life.  Referenced Resources: Made for More Series | Blackhawk Church  Have questions or topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@blackhawkchurch.org.