Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. Each episode unpacks topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city.
In this episode, Joel and Akin are joined by Pastor Zach Schlegel of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro. Together, they open 1 Timothy 4:16 and explore a sobering and hopeful theme: You don’t want to ruin your life—stay faithful until the end. Zach unpacks what it means to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” and why this command is essential for every pastor and church member.
The conversation moves from the role of the conscience in keeping us on track, to how watching your life and doctrine protects both you and your church. They discuss the devastating ripple effects when a pastor falls, and offer practical helps for guarding the soul, persevering in the faith, and finishing the race well.
Together, they make the case that finishing well is not an accident—it’s the fruit of intentional watchfulness, gospel-centered endurance, and God’s sustaining grace.
Joel is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Akin serves as Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church. Zach serves as Pastor at First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro.
Learn more about FBC Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org
Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com
Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com
Learn more about First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org
Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives
❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate
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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. Each episode unpacks topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city.
In this episode, Joel and Akin are joined by Pastor Zach Schlegel of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro. Together, they open 1 Timothy 4:16 and explore a sobering and hopeful theme: You don’t want to ruin your life—stay faithful until the end. Zach unpacks what it means to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” and why this command is essential for every pastor and church member.
The conversation moves from the role of the conscience in keeping us on track, to how watching your life and doctrine protects both you and your church. They discuss the devastating ripple effects when a pastor falls, and offer practical helps for guarding the soul, persevering in the faith, and finishing the race well.
Together, they make the case that finishing well is not an accident—it’s the fruit of intentional watchfulness, gospel-centered endurance, and God’s sustaining grace.
Joel is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Akin serves as Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church. Zach serves as Pastor at First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro.
Learn more about FBC Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org
Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com
Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com
Learn more about First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org
Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives
❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate
Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend.
As the Stoop crew continues their focus on personal evangelism, we offer Eric’s testimony as an example of how the Lord uses people, sometimes without their knowing, to lead another to Christ.
In today’s episode, Stephanie interviews Eric on how his cousin, CJ, shared the Gospel with him. Eric began attending a church after his daughter was born. Around the same time, CJ was coming to an understanding of the Gospel, reading, and talking about Jesus. CJ and Eric met weekly to read and talk. God used these meetings to bring clarity and faith. Listen and be encouraged to take the Gospel to your own friend’s and family, leading them to know Jesus.
Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill is an elder at The Garden Church and a Physical Therapy Assistant by day.
Support the Show at www.onehope.gives/donate
Learn more about planting churches in the inner city at www.onehope.gives
The Stoop Sessions
Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. Each episode unpacks topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city.
In this episode, Joel and Akin are joined by Pastor Zach Schlegel of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro. Together, they open 1 Timothy 4:16 and explore a sobering and hopeful theme: You don’t want to ruin your life—stay faithful until the end. Zach unpacks what it means to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” and why this command is essential for every pastor and church member.
The conversation moves from the role of the conscience in keeping us on track, to how watching your life and doctrine protects both you and your church. They discuss the devastating ripple effects when a pastor falls, and offer practical helps for guarding the soul, persevering in the faith, and finishing the race well.
Together, they make the case that finishing well is not an accident—it’s the fruit of intentional watchfulness, gospel-centered endurance, and God’s sustaining grace.
Joel is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Akin serves as Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church. Zach serves as Pastor at First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro.
Learn more about FBC Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org
Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com
Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com
Learn more about First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org
Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives
❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate
