What does true Christian fellowship look like?In part 1 of 3 series on Strengthening Fellowship from Superficial to Spiritual, Eric Ayala explores how the gospel forms the foundation for genuine, spiritual connection not just social interaction.
🎧 Listen to learn how believers can move beyond surface-level relationships to deep, Christ-centered community.
Author: Eric Ayala is a pastor, healthcare chaplain, and seminary professor. He earned degrees from Moody Bible Institute, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Anderson University. He holds professional certifications in spiritual care, palliative care, and end-of-life support. He has also served in homelessness recovery ministry, spiritual counseling, traumatic crisis support, and ethics committees for healthcare organizations. He currently serves Reformation Church in Plant City, FL.
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In this audio article, we dive deep into the opening verses of Genesis, exploring the creation narrative and the profound questions it raises. Pastor Chris Marley discusses the nature of Scripture, God's role as the Creator, and the mysteries of formlessness and void in the universe. With a focus on humility and prayerful reflection, pastor Chris Marley invites you to consider the complexities of the creation story, while highlighting the certainty of God's sovereignty and love. Explore the theological and philosophical significance of Genesis 1 and 2, and how they lay the foundation for the redemptive story that follows.About: Chris J. Marley is the pastor of Miller Valley Baptist Church in Prescott, AZ. Chris has a BA in Theatre, an MDiv from Westminster Seminary California, and a certificate from the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies. He is the author of Scarlet and White and Cow and Cog.Visit us at https://reformedbaptistnetwork.com/Other socials:instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedbaptistnetwork/facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reformedbaptistnetworkX: https://x.com/RefBapNet
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Dr. Jim Newheiser, Professor of Christian Counseling and Pastoral Theology & Director of the Christian Counseling Program at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte North Carolina, about his book Do I Need Boundaries? Seeking to Please God by Learning to Say No.
You can order Jim Newheiser's book Do I Need Boundaries? from Amazon: https://a.co/d/4Eu34hJ
Find peace in not having all the answers. This audio article walks through the Christian comfort of trusting God in uncertain times, focusing on the biblical truth that believers don’t need to “figure it all out” to walk faithfully. Instead, depend on God’s wisdom, rest in His sovereignty, and experience assurance, even in ambiguity. Let this episode encourage you to embrace faith over anxiety and lean on God’s guidance each step of the way.
About: Eric Ayala is a pastor, healthcare chaplain, and seminary professor. He earned degrees from Moody Bible Institute, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Anderson University. He holds professional certifications in spiritual care, palliative care, and end-of-life support. He has also served in homelessness recovery ministry, spiritual counseling, traumatic crisis support, and ethics committees for healthcare organizations. He currently serves Reformation Church in Plant City, FL.
Discover how ordinary acts of faithfulness can have extraordinary significance in God’s kingdom. This audio article explores why God values “small” acts of obedience such as loving your family, being a kind coworker, serving quietly in your church, and living faithfully in everyday life. Drawing from biblical examples and personal reflection, this encouragement counters the pressure for “big” impact and reminds us that every act done in Christ’s name truly matters. Listen now and be released from comparison, find joy in serving God right where you are.
About: Eric Ayala is a pastor, healthcare chaplain, and seminary professor. He earned degrees from Moody Bible Institute, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Anderson University. He holds professional certifications in spiritual care, palliative care, and end-of-life support. He has also served in homelessness recovery ministry, spiritual counseling, traumatic crisis support, and ethics committees for healthcare organizations. He currently serves Reformation Church in Plant City, FL.
Explore the real-life challenges pastors face in balancing reassurance and warning within the church in “Ministers of a New Covenant and the Reality of Deception.” Pastor Jeff ("Pastor JJ") shares insightful counsel on how gospel ministers can faithfully help their congregations avoid spiritual self-deception, urging believers to both cherish assurance and heed the Bible’s sober warnings.
Read the original article here.
About: Pastor Jeff, otherwise known as “Pastor JJ”, is a full-time vocational elder at Grace Immanuel Reformed Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his Master of Divinity from Reformed Baptist Seminary. Pastor JJ grew up in South Carolina with the blessing of two loving parents and was saved at the age of 17. In January 2008, he and his wife made the transition from the temperate climate of the Carolinas to Grand Rapids and was ordained as a pastor for GIRBC, where he has faithfully served ever since.
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews John Sweat, Pastor of Heritage Reformed Baptist Church in Fayetteville Georgia, about his book Simple Truths for Communion with God: An Experiential Commentary on the Baptist Catechism.You can order John Sweat's book Simple Truths for Communion with God from Amazon: https://a.co/d/gP26ZYf
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Jeffrey Smith, Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Coconut Creek Florida, about his book Preaching for Conversions.You can order Jeffrey Smith's book Preaching for Conversions through Free Grace Press: https://freegracepress.com/products/preaching-for-conversions
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Jeffrey Johnson, Pastor of Grace Bible Church and President of Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway Arkansas, about his book The Beauty of Prayer.You can order Jeffrey Johnson's book The Beauty of Prayer through Free Grace Press: https://freegracepress.com/collections/jeff-johnson/products/the-beauty-of-prayer
In this thoughtful article, pastor Jeff Johnson examines the role of ministers under the New Covenant and the risks posed by preaching that constantly questions the listener’s salvation. With clarity and pastoral insight, pastor Jeff Johnson highlights how such messages can unintentionally lead to confusion, fear, and legalism rather than the assurance and grace offered through Christ.🎧 Listen as pastor Jeff Johnson explores how gospel-centered preaching affirms Christ’s finished work and nurtures the believer’s confidence in Him.🔗 Read the original article here.About:Pastor Jeff, otherwise known as “Pastor JJ”, is a full-time vocational elder at Grace Immanuel Reformed Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his Master of Divinity from Reformed Baptist Seminary. Pastor JJ grew up in South Carolina with the blessing of two loving parents and was saved at the age of 17. In January 2008, he and his wife made the transition from the temperate climate of the Carolinas to Grand Rapids and was ordained as a pastor for GIRBC, where he has faithfully served ever since.
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Sam Waldron, President of Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary and Pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Owensboro Kentucky, about his book The Crux of the Free Offer of the Gospel.You can order Sam Waldron's book from Free Grace Press: https://freegracepress.com/products/the-crux-of-the-free-offer-of-the-gospel
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Conrad Mbewe, Pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka Zambia, about his book Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing: Family Meditations in Grief.You can order Conrad Mbewe's book Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing: Family Meditations in Grief through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SORROWFUL-YET-ALWAYS-REJOICING-MEDITATION-ebook/dp/B0DWPF3N9K/
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews three Reformed Baptist Network pastors about pastoring small town RBNet churches. The three pastors are: Jon Hueni, Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Bremen, Indiana; Dave Johnston, Pastor of Bible Fellowship Church of Greentown, Pennsylvania; and Andrew Heath, Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church of Sidney, Montana.
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Tom Hicks, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Clinton Louisiana, about his book What is a Reformed Baptist? An Overview of Doctrinal Distinctives.You can order Tom Hicks' book What is a Reformed Baptist? An Overview of Doctrinal Distinctives through Founders Ministries: https://press.founders.org/shop/what-is-a-reformed-baptist/
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Chad Bennett, a Pastor of Grace Community Church in Saint Cloud Florida, about the significance of our union with Christ.Chad Bennett's DMin paper is available online: https://repository.sbts.edu/handle/10392/7050
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews three Reformed Baptist Network pastors about lessons we can learn from growing RBNet churches. The three pastors are: Jeff Smith, Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Coconut Creek, Florida; Matt Foreman, Pastor of Faith Reformed Baptist Church in Media, Pennsylvania; and Robert Elliott, Pastor of Reformed Baptist Church in Riverside, California.
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Justin Miller, Pastor at First Baptist Church in Puxico Missouri, about his forthcoming book Gentle Parenting: Is It Biblical? For more information, see: https://freegracepress.com/
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Eric Ayala, Pastor at Reformation Church in Plant City Florida, about his book Politics in the Pulpit: How an Ancient Preacher Can Guide Us through Modern Political Crisis. For more information, see: https://a.co/d/gad1o3R
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Brooks Buser, President of Radius International, during the 2024 Reformed Baptist Network General Assembly about the need for missionary training to survive and thrive on the mission field. For more information, see: https://radiusinternational.org/
RBNet Coordinator Mark Chanski interviews Sam Masters, a missionary serving in Argentina, about his book Doing Missions: How a Church of Any Size Can Reach the Nations. For more information, see: https://a.co/d/b6xtuu3