Blackhawk Church Next Steps

If you've ever felt exhausted by caring, you're not alone, and you're not failing. In this episode, Anne Kierce, Pastor of Care, and Alicia Penning, Associate Director of Care, talk honestly about compassion fatigue: the signs, the causes, and what to do when the weight of caring for others starts to feel like too much. From setting boundaries to giving yourself permission to rest, this conversation is for every caregiver who needs to be reminded that you need care too.ResourcesBlackhawk Care Ministry- https://blackhawk.church/care/The Hub - https://blackhawk.church/hub/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.

Some struggles don't show up on the surface, but they're there. In this episode, Anne Kierce, Pastor of Care, and Alicia Penning, Associate Director of Care, open an honest conversation about the experiences people in our community may keep silent about: mental health, loneliness, and relationship strain. They explore why these topics can feel taboo in church, why depression and anxiety aren't failures of faith, and how to recognize when someone around you, or you yourself, might be hurting. So let's talk about it. Shame thrives in silence, and you were never meant to carry this alone.ResourcesBlackhawk Care Ministry- https://blackhawk.church/care/The Hub - https://blackhawk.church/hub/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.

Have you ever frozen when someone shares something hard, unsure of what to say? Anne Kierce, Pastor of Care Ministry, and Alicia Penning, Associate Director of Care Ministry, share why our instinct to "fix it" often misses the mark, and what people actually need in their most painful moments. From helpful phrases to the words that hurt even when well-intentioned, this episode gives you practical tools for showing up well, even when it feels awkward. You have more to offer than you think.ResourcesBlackhawk Care Ministry- https://blackhawk.church/care/The Hub - https://blackhawk.church/hub/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.

In this Behind the Scenes episode, we sit down with Anne Kierce, Pastor of Care, and Alicia Penning, Associate Director of Care, to talk about Care Ministry at Blackhawk. What does the Care team actually do? They share what care ministry is, how God led them to it, and who makes up the team (the answer might surprise you).Whether you've walked through a hard season and found support at Blackhawk or you've never heard of Care Ministry before, this episode will give you a closer look at how God is using this team to love and care for our church family.ResourcesBlackhawk Care Ministry- https://blackhawk.church/care/The Hub - https://blackhawk.church/hub/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.

In this episode, host Chris Kopp walks through the days of Holy Week and then leads you through an immersive retelling of the events from the perspective of the Apostle Peter. As we head into Easter, this is an invitation to slow down, step into the story, and reflect on the significance of the season ahead.ResourcesEaster at Blackhawk | https://blackhawk.church/easter/The Hub | https://blackhawk.church/hub/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.

We're a month into our Exodus series, and you had questions. Hosts Chris Kopp and Tiffany Malloy sit down with Pastor Charles Yu for a Q&A on Exodus, covering why tribalism feels so instinctive, how to notice systemic oppression when it doesn't affect you directly, how to pursue justice without losing your witness, and why God seems drawn to passionate but deeply flawed people. ResourcesExodus Resource Page & JournalThe Hub | Blackhawk ChurchHave 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.

In this Behind the Scenes episode, we sit down with Michael Knapstad and Grace Miller to talk about college ministry and internships at Blackhawk. What's the college landscape looking like right now? What are students hungry for? And why do these years matter so much?You'll hear about the deep hunger students have for real, honest, and convicting teaching, how quickly what connects with college students can shift from year to year, and what it looks like to watch a student begin to recognize their gifting and sense God's call on their life.Whether you're a college student, a parent, or someone who cares about the next generation, this episode will give you a hopeful look at what God is doing in the lives of college students at Blackhawk.ResourcesBlackhawk College Ministry - https://blackhawk.church/college/Internships at Blackhawk Church - https://blackhawk.church/internships/The Hub - https://blackhawk.church/hub/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.

In this Behind the Scenes episode, we sit down with Charles Huang, the pastor of our Blackhawk Chinese Ministry. Listen in as he shares the origin story of the Chinese ministry here at Blackhawk, some highlights from this past year, and how we can be praying for their ministry in the season ahead.ResourcesBlackhawk Chinese Ministry The Hub | Blackhawk ChurchHave 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.

In this Behind the Scenes episode, we sit down with Ben Knox and Micah Howard to talk all things middle school and high school ministry. What's really going on in the lives of students right now? What pressures are they facing? What are they hungry for?You'll hear stories of how God is moving in powerful ways among middle and high schoolers, why this generation is more spiritually curious than we might think, and how our church family can pray for and support them. We also take a moment to marvel at the unexpected return of Christian apparel. Apparently, the T-shirts are back and more popular than ever.Whether you're a parent, volunteer, student, or someone who cares about the next generation, this episode will give you a hopeful look at what God is doing in our students' lives.ResourcesBlackhawk Middle School MinistryBlackhawk High School Ministry The Hub | Blackhawk ChurchHave 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.

What is Lent, and why does it matter? Whether you grew up observing it, you've never heard of it, or it felt more like an obligation than an invitation, this episode is for you. Tiffany Malloy and Chris Kopp talk about the history of Lent, what Ash Wednesday is all about, and practical ways to observe this season as we head toward Easter.ResourcesFalling into Goodness: Daily Readings for Lent | Chuck DeGroatYouVersion Bible AppLectio 365 AppThe Hub | Blackhawk ChurchHave 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.

We're diving into a 13-week series on the book of Exodus. In this episode, pastor Charles Yu shares all about the series: why Exodus, how he hopes it will form us as a community, and why Exodus is the second-most foundational book of the entire Bible.ResourcesBearing God's Name : Why Sinai Still Matters | Carmen Joy ImesExodus Overview | BibleProject ClassroomThe Exodus Way | BibleProject Podcast SeriesExodus Resource Page & JournalThe Hub | Blackhawk ChurchHave 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.

We’re back for another season of the Next Steps Podcast! Pastors Matt, Charles, and Tiffany kick off 2026 by looking back on how God moved in 2025 and sharing what they're excited about in the year ahead. You'll hear stories, highlights, and ways to join us in prayer for our Blackhawk Church family. Don’t miss the Year in Review for more stories: https://blackhawk.church/year-in-review-2025/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 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.