Fellow Heirs

What comes to mind when you hear the term “brainwashing”? Many think of manipulation and control, but what if it actually meant cleansing the mind? In a culture filled with spiritual and satanic pollution, Christians must intentionally renew their minds with truth. Join us as we explore what it really means to be “brainwashed” as followers of Christ.This episode is a talk that was given at our most recent men’s conference, the Builders Conference. For more teachings, follow the link below. https://open.spotify.com/show/5lwV5Nm2UpJepCssji3fp8?si=C8ymWoBdQlKJyDnBcGtakQShort stories mentioned, with links:"Araby" by James Joycehttps://www.rvclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/February-SS.pdf"Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingwayhttps://www.rvclibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/May-Short-Stories.pdf

Sam Crisenbery was the typical college guy—sports, parties, and the occasional church visit to keep up appearances. But underneath, he was drowning. He joins us in this episode to share his raw, honest story of hitting rock bottom and how God made Himself known to Sam. If you’ve ever felt like you’re "too far gone" or struggling to find your place in the church, Sam’s story is the encouragement you need today.Run With Christ link:https://www.instagram.com/runwchristtol?igsh=MWF0ZXB2OTQxZXpxNA==Question/comment/criticism? Idea? Anything?? Email us: fellowheirspod@gmail.comCome to church! More info here: christtheword.comThank you for listening. 

In this episode we hear how Lucas Wilson got saved, how he went from engaged to married in 10 days, and how God worked in his life in many other ways. We are grateful for the time he gave us to discuss God’s goodness. The Sunday school series Lucas referenced can be found here (they are the episodes titled “The Fruitful Home”):https://open.spotify.com/episode/6uJxZxvokjDtR1JWt0WA8e?si=_hQu5mlETN61YVEnS3qwogQuestion/comment/criticism? Idea? Anything?? Email us: fellowheirspod@gmail.comCome to church! More info here: christtheword.comThank you for listening. 

As Christians, should we be using AI for emotional support? In this episode, we’re joined by clinical psychologist Jason Brouwer to discuss the implications of using AI for mental health and therapy, among various other topics of conversation. Books mentioned:- Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtArticle mentioned by Isaac:https://shumer.dev/something-big-is-happeningPodcast episode mentioned by Nick:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6jpUIEA1zxefDf15wqXGLg?si=VjsbgnD-RXi-ieNEG3RvVQ&pi=3HDfj_lHQRGLU&t=23Come to church! More info here: christtheword.comThank you for listening. 

Video games are a normal part of modern life. But can Christians partake, or should they? In this episode, we sat down with one of our church staff members to ask whether Christians and video games can truly coexist, examining issues of time, self-control, distraction, and godliness through a biblical lens.

We are BACK for Season 3 of Fellow Heirs! Pastor David Bayly joins us on this episode to discuss the recent ICE incidents and the importance of how God works through the Church. Passages mentioned by David:“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him.” (Deuteronomy 23:15–16, NASB 1995)“Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with you falter, then you shall sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, and he shall live with you.” (Leviticus 25:35, NASB 1995)Photo mentioned:https://photos.app.goo.gl/8HwZ2viEEdVmx3HG7Søren Kierkegaard book mentioned: https://share.google/Op1ZFuqQsSSXjM1IsIn the Toledo area? Come to church! Information about Christ the Word:christtheword.comQuestion/comment/criticism? Email us: fellowheirspod@gmail.comThank you for listening. 

In this episode, Isaac sits down with church elder Josh DeSonne to talk about the importance of Christmas. Then, a Christmas short story. Have a thought, idea, or criticism? Email us atfellowheirspod@gmail.comThank you for listening, and Merry Christmas!

In this second episode of a two-part series, we talk about how God provided a building of our own and how He used seasons of change to refine and grow the body. We reflect on people leaving, new members joining, the development of our worship over the years, and the importance of biblical eldership in shaping the life and future of Christ the Word Church.Brochure mentioned:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HEIwYbZxibrgOknn210ZV3-jk0JR9Mh8/view?usp=drivesdkAlbum with photos mentioned as well as various other media of the early days of CTW:https://photos.app.goo.gl/RZ7iv9Zxdo2g2cKB8Have a thought you’d like to share? Maybe a disagreement or criticism, idea for another episode, or something else? Email us atfellowheirspod@gmail.comThank you for listening. 

Fellow Heirs was created here at Christ the Word Church, but how did the church begin? What events and decisions, both seen and unseen, led us to where we are today? In this first episode of a two-part series, we sit down with our former senior pastor David Bayly and current elder Matt Miklovic to recount the story of Christ the Word Church; how it came to exist, the convictions that shaped its foundation, and the Lord’s providential hand at work through each step along the way. This two-part conversation preserves the living memory of our church’s beginnings and reflects on God’s faithfulness in building our congregation here at CTW. Have a question or comment about the episode? Maybe an idea, an issue or criticism, or a piece of advice? Email us and let us know your thoughts at fellowheirspod@gmail.comThank you for listening.

How do we stay Christlike when family conflict rises, especially around the holidays? In this episode, Isaac sits down with Mike Ahrendt and Ken Wegrzyn to talk about biblical principles for peacemaking, humility, forgiveness, and navigating hard conversations.Thank you for listening.

In this episode, I sit down with my dad, Tim Speweik, for a conversation on true gratitude—rooted in Christ, shaped through life, and central to the Thanksgiving season. We read an excerpt from something he wrote years ago, look at the real history behind Thanksgiving, and talk about why Christians should lead the way in thankfulness. A simple, encouraging reminder to see God’s goodness and give Him praise.Tim’s testimonial episode (Spotify):https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lqjZ2Tb08qghnhY5eWZbd?si=Wx7_YDnsSRaY8v9R2BcO5QTim’s article:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hYBXAr3va1aa608EwwiCSq3Fg01n1ONi/view?usp=drivesdkVideo referenced:https://youtu.be/IqQuG_JUqhg?si=RhiZ5GnO7x9RefyOThank you for listening.

Why does writing matter? Why should Christians be readers and writers? And why is poetry something men need to reclaim?In this episode, we’re joined by Noah Wing and Ryan Baechle, two well-read literature guys who teach writing and think deeply about the power of words. Together, we talk about why good writing shapes us, why consuming well-written books strengthens our minds and our faith, and why Christians should make writing a regular practice in their lives.Whether you already love reading or you’re trying to grow in this area, we hope this conversation encourages you to pick up a pen, open a book, and use your words for the glory of God.The links to the media mentioned in the episode are below.Noah’s article on the Michigan sulfur spring:https://enjoyer.com/stinking-spring-hidden-in-rural-michigan/Video of the spring:https://youtu.be/cNBFsPwiY7I?si=QRhrDQHJmGYWQOkPJordan Peterson on Writing:https://youtu.be/Kwjw2J6ByJoJordan Peterson writing guide:https://jordanbpeterson.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Essay_Writing_Guide.docxTim Bayly’s substack:https://bayly.substack.com/Out of Our Minds Podcast mentioned:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/out-of-our-minds/id1571137041?i=1000734487015Seamus Heaney reading ‘Digging’:https://youtu.be/61zlSYgFwmk?si=Au1lvaMRy1bfG7eWThank you for listening.

In this episode, Jason Wilson shares how he got saved. Growing up in the projects, Jason dealt with pride and arrogance, trying to make life work on his own strength and intellect. He became a husband and father at a young age and faced years of instability and struggle—then he found Christ. Jason and his wife both came to faith, and through God’s patient guidance and merciful hand, he learned God’s purpose for his life. Today, Jason serves as a dean and athletic director, using the skills he’s developed to connect with young people and point them to Jesus Christ.The correct term that I was referencing is not “oughts,” it is “aughts,” which refers to the decade from 2000 to 2009.Thank you for listening. 

Nick and Isaac sit down with Jordan Daugherty, an elder here at Christ the Word Church, to discuss what effeminacy is, how to fight it, and what biblical manhood should look like. The Jerry Clower “New Bull” joke that Jordan retells can be found here: https://youtu.be/0Gmw6j6eCCY?si=CQEBFu2dyOunQTgiThank you for listening. 

Chris is a husband, father, and firefighter paramedic. He joins us on this episode to discuss how he became a Christian. As mentioned in the episode, here is the data on male suicide:According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the overall age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States remained nearly the same, at 14.21 per 100,000 in 2022 and 14.12 per 100,000 in 2023. In 2023, men died by suicide 3.8 times more than women.White males accounted for 68.13% of suicide deaths in 2023. Citation: https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/The book Chris mentions is called Dirty Glory: Go Where Your Best Prayers Take You by Pete Greig. Thank you for listening. 

Zach Warner is husband to Anna and the father of one son; he also has a daughter due next month. Zach and his family have been attending Christ the Word for about 2 years. We are very grateful for the time Zach gave us, as well as the openness and vulnerability he exemplified during our conversation. The section of the Westminster Confession of Faith that Zach references is Chapter 10, paragraph 3 (“Of Effectual Calling”), which says:“Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how He pleaseth. So also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.”Stay tuned for more episodes coming soon. Thank you for listening. 

This is our final episode of our summer series with David, as well as our final episode with cohost Reese Foulke. We expect that God will bless Reese as he moves on from the show and are grateful for his work in getting it up and running. In this episode, we discuss AI as we know it today and how we as Christians should consider it and interact with it.The recent teachings that David has been giving on idolatry can be found here (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/5MQwxLDtBJFIx4W47rPQgs?si=mEkiYyLOQ-ydmbSCiqXJnAThank you for listening.

Justin Amburgey is a member here at Christ the Word. He is also a husband, father, and operator of two Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Toledo area. He joins me on this episode to discuss how he got saved and how God brought him to work as a restaurant operator. Justin’s go-to Chick-fil-A order is a chicken wrap with cheese sauce on the side. The book Justin references is Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight. Thank you for listening. 

Tanner Ruiz is a 29-year-old husband, father, and the leader of our children’s ministry here at Christ the Word Church. We enjoyed our time with him as he spoke about how he got saved. The books Tanner mentions are: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John BunyanOf the Mortification of Sin in Believers by John OwenThe Doctrine of Justification by James BuchananRespectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry BridgesAlso, for those wondering, Tanner did in fact pass his ordination exam! Praise God. Thank you for listening. 

Our former senior pastor here at Christ the Word Church joins us again to discuss Israel as we know it today and how we should think about the nation and its people. The passages read by David are from Romans 10 and 11. The book David mentions is titled Jerusalem: The BiographyBook by Simon Sebag Montefiore. More testimonial episodes coming soon!Thank you for listening.