Claim OwnershipPastor Plek's Podcast
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© 2026 Pastor Plek's Podcast
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Pastor Chris Plekenpol deals with Faith, Culture, and everything in between. Recording from Austin, TX, Pastor Plek deals with many of the issues that he faces pastoring in a post-Christian environment. He takes questions from his congregation and beyond to help Christians navigate culture from the Christian perspective.
376 Episodes
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Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 378: Matt Badgley's life began with unimaginable trauma - conceived through rape to a drug-addicted mother. His childhood was marked by poverty, abuse, and abandonment, leading to a suicide attempt at 14. However, God intervened through Young Life ministry, where Matt encountered the unconditional love of his Heavenly Father. Today, he's breaking generational cycles by raising godly children with his wife Brittany....
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 377: Discover how one man found hope after losing his wife, daughter, and son in just six years. This powerful testimony explores finding God in the midst of unimaginable grief and trauma. Kenneth Monroe's story addresses childhood abuse, military PTSD, sudden death, losing a child, grief counseling, and spiritual healing. Learn practical steps for processing pain, dealing with anger toward God, and finding purpose...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 376: A woman's powerful journey from religious extremism to authentic faith reveals the stark difference between controlling religion and true Christianity. Growing up in the Fraternal Society of St. Peter meant living under strict rules, complete isolation, and predetermined life paths. At 12 years old, she was told her only options were marriage or becoming a nun. The breaking point came when her parents blamed h...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 375: What happens when a stay-at-home dad with a decade of youth outreach experience decides to run for the Texas House? We sit down with District 50 candidate John Hash to map the road from everyday life to the state Capitol, translating committee-speak, ballot rules, and campaign realities into plain English. If you’ve ever wondered how bills are crafted, why fundraising expands staff power, or what a representat...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 374: A 15-minute walk into a Venezuelan church changed everything. Manny grew up in Iran with loving, educated parents, a strict culture, and a head full of questions no one would answer. Kickboxing and Muay Thai gave him structure; wrestling shaped his base; but joy in worship—clapping, singing, smiling—gave him a first taste of freedom. That brief encounter set him on a path through Damascus, deep into Costa Rica...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 373: What if your most generous years aren’t behind you, but right in front of you? We sit down with Jake Ridley, a faith-driven wealth advisor and church board treasurer, to unpack how a clear plan and a grounded theology of money can turn fear into purposeful action. From estate strategies that nudge giving upward today to the surprising reality that most retirees underspend, this conversation bridges spiritual c...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 372: Pride shows up in strange outfits, and ours wore a white dress. We share how engagement exposed pride, how confession and forgiveness changed the room, and why gratitude lowers anxiety. Then we answer a listener’s question on the parable of the ten virgins and explain why oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit and readiness. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs calm in the chaos, and le...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 371: A throwaway line about “mutual submission” sparked a storm—and a much-needed deep dive. We open the Bible, sit with the tension, and then walk into the real-life mess of engagement, decision-making, and what loving leadership actually looks like when two strong people share a future. No formulas, no clichés, just a honest look at Ephesians 5 and how it plays out when feelings are high and stakes are higher. If...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. A Supreme Court fight, a crisis of conscience, and a hard look at justice—this conversation moves fast and cuts deep. We open with Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors and why the 10th Circuit’s framing of “harmful professional conduct” raises alarms for counselors who practice faith-informed talk therapy. Where does protected speech end and regulated treatment begin? We unpack why the distinction matter...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 369: A simple question about “priests before the Law” opens a door into one of Scripture’s most fascinating arcs. We trace the roles of prophet, priest, and king before Sinai, explore Jethro’s surprising faithfulness, and sit with the mystery of Melchizedek—king of Salem, priest of God Most High—who foreshadows Jesus as our eternal priest‑king. Along the way, we show why tithing, sacrifice, prayer, and Sabbath rhyt...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 368: A stadium filled with worship, national leaders in the room, and the gospel preached without flinching—some moments refuse to stay “cultural.” We unpack why Charlie Kirk's memorial became a spiritual inflection point and how it’s stirring unexpected courage, repentance, and renewed interest in church across the country. From claims of martyrdom to the evidence behind motive, we grapple with the costs of public...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. Pastor Plek and guest co-host Ruben Campos from Lifeway navigate the challenging intersection of faith and politics in an increasingly polarized world. They explore how Christian leaders should respond to political violence, cultural controversies, and personal questions of faith in everyday life. • Discussion of the Charlie Kirk assassination attempt and whether pastors should address political events from the pu...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. When is deception morally justified? It's a question that challenges our understanding of biblical ethics. In this thought-provoking episode, Holland and Chris tackle the fascinating case of Samuel in 1 Samuel 16, where God himself instructs his prophet to conceal his true mission of anointing David as king. Ready to join the conversation? Send your questions to 737-231-0605! Like, share, and subscribe! We love s...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. What if everything you thought you knew about angels, demons, and the spiritual realm was just scratching the surface? This episode dives deep into Michael Heiser's groundbreaking book "The Unseen Realm" and explores how it transforms our understanding of the Bible's supernatural worldview. Ready to join the conversation? Send your questions to 737-231-0605! Like, share, and subscribe! We love seeing and responding...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. What happens when ritual replaces relationship? When a nation embraces death as a solution? When God is removed from governance? These profound questions drive our latest conversation about faith, culture, and the sanctity of life. We begin by examining how easily Christians can fall into the trap of treating Scripture as a good-luck charm rather than a life-changing relationship. From soldiers reciting Psalm 91 b...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. In today's episode we explore the dangers of neglecting our salvation and how to navigate cultural tensions as Christians in today's complex world. • How spiritual and material worlds converge in our daily lives • When we neglect our salvation, we miss seeing God at work around us • The challenge of navigating the Ten Commandments in society • The difference between accepting Jesus and truly following Him • Addres...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 362: Dive into a fascinating biblical mystery as Pastor Plek and Pastor Holland unravel a perplexing passage from Hosea that seems to contradict God's earlier commands. Why would God punish Jehu for bloodshed in Jezreel when He had specifically ordered him to eliminate Ahab's descendants? The answer reveals a profound spiritual principle about following God's commands while missing His heart. Ready to join the con...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 329: Pastor Holland Grieg from Eastside Community Church joins Pastor Plek for an engaging conversation about mentorship and relationships within the faith community. How should someone like Kalor, who has embraced celibacy after leaving a homosexual lifestyle, navigate the complex world of male and female mentorship? They also discuss setting boundaries in relationships, particularly when faith intersects with cul...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 326: Embark on an inspiring journey as Caleb McLemore shares his story of transformation and redemption. Faced with spiritual burnout during his time at Azusa Pacific University, Caleb found himself drifting from his faith despite being in a Christian environment. His candid account of navigating the entertainment industry's ethical challenges—notably through burlesque shows and complex relationships—sheds light on...
Have a question or comment for Pastor Plek or one of his guests. Send it here. 361: When "Machine Gun Nick" Drummond drops his militant moniker, it signals a profound shift in his approach to life. Once quick to embrace violence as a first response, Nick now considers it "the very last option, and only if extremely applicable." What caused this transformation? This raw, honest conversation between Pastor Plek and former soldier Nick Drummond explores the mysterious alchemy that occurs when ge...
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