The Locker Room

In this episode, we step into one of the darkest moments in Israel’s history and meet Elijah—a rugged nobody from Gilead who confronts the most powerful king in the land with nothing but a word from God. As Baal and Asherah worship spreads like wildfire under Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah steps onto the scene and declares a drought in the name of Yahweh. But before he becomes the fiery prophet of Mount Carmel, God sends him into the desert to be shaped. What if the real power of Elijah wasn’t in his miracles, but in his quiet conviction and desert obedience? And what if God is still looking for people just like him today? Ordinary men and women, who live in God’s presence and speak truth with boldness in a world overrun by idols.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: 1 Kings 16:29-17:6Sermon Link:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with Community Life Pastor Brent Becker as we explore Joel 2:28–32, a powerful prophetic vision of God's Spirit being poured out on all people—sons and daughters, young and old, servants and leaders. We unpack how this ancient promise found fulfillment at Pentecost in Acts 2, signaling the dawn of a new era where God's presence is no longer reserved for the few, but available to all through the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to live in the age of fulfillment? How does this prophecy reshape our understanding of power, prophecy, and God's kingdom?Preacher: Tryg VekerPassage: Joel 2:28-32Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode features a rich roundtable discussion with Erin, Hannah, Bri, and Ally, on the importance and practice of Sabbath, particularly in the context of family life. Each woman reflects on her personal journey of embracing rest amidst the busyness of parenting, work, and modern culture. The conversation highlights practical, creative ways to honor the Sabbath—such as shared meals, intentional screen-free time, family worship, and small rituals that teach children the value of slowing down. Together, they explore the tension between legalism and grace, and how Sabbath can become a life-giving rhythm rather than another rule to follow. Listeners are encouraged to start small, remain flexible, and see Sabbath as a sacred invitation to trust God and delight in His rest.

In this episode, we sit down with Brittany Riva as we reflect on the powerful imagery of Ezekiel 37 and the valley of dry bones. What does it mean for God to breathe life into what feels dead? How does this connect to the wind and fire of Pentecost, the heartbreak of idolatry, and the deep love God has for His people? Join us as we explore how God revives, restores, and raises up an army—not just of people, but of purpose—through His Spirit.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: Ezekiel 37Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with longtime Crossroads member Brian Sikma to explore what happens when the presence of God is reduced to a good luck charm and how that challenges our understanding of calling, holiness, and the weight of God’s glory. Israel, though in the Promised Land, has lost its sense of vocation, treating God as an accessory rather than the center of life. Meanwhile, even the Philistines recognize the terrifying reality of God's holiness. From Dagon’s fall to the obedience of yoked cows, this passage invites us to ask: Are we walking straight under the yoke of our Creator, or are we trying to pull Him into our plans? Join us for a conversation about fear, reverence, vocation, and what it means to truly carry the weight of glory.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: 1 Samuel 5-8Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Locker Room, we unpack the powerful themes found in the Book of Ruth, exploring how God meets us in our emptiness and redeems our brokenness. Through rich discussion, they highlight the significance of sacred rhythms, the meaning of biblical feasts like Pentecost, and the concept of the "whole Megillah." The conversation moves through the four key scenes of Ruth—emptiness, family, provision, and redemption—showing how each reveals God’s faithfulness. They also reflect on Naomi’s transformation, Ruth’s bold faith, and Boaz’s role as a kinsman-redeemer, drawing parallels to Jesus. Ultimately, this episode is a call to trust God in seasons of lack, to live into our identity in Christ, and to participate in His ongoing story of redemption.Preacher: Jason BotbylPassage: Ruth 1-4Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we step into the sacred rhythms of Scripture to uncover the rich meaning behind Pentecost, or Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks. Far more than a date on the calendar or a historical church event, Pentecost is a divine appointment — one of God’s moedim, sacred times designed not only to remember but to participate in His unfolding story.Why were Jews from every corner of the known world in Jerusalem in Acts 2? Why did the Spirit fall then, and what did it all mean?We trace the roots of Pentecost from Deuteronomy 16, exploring how the early believers didn’t just attend a feast — they became part of God’s story. These feasts weren’t man-made traditions; they were God-ordained rehearsals of redemption, relationship, and the restoration of all things.We talk about how harvests, and holy days all pointed to something greater — and how we can recover sacred rhythms in our modern, distracted lives.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: Deuteronomy 16, Leveticus 23Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode kicking off our Promise of Pentecost series, we explore the truth that God didn’t just rescue His people from slavery—He brought them to Himself. From Exodus 19 to Acts 2, we trace the storyline of a God who is both deeply loving and utterly holy. His love calls us close; His holiness reminds us we cannot come casually. And yet, He makes a way. Through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to be His treasured possession—a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. But intimacy requires consecration. Are we preparing our hearts to meet this God? Join us as we reflect on what it means to be set apart, filled with the Spirit, and transformed from the inside out—not just saved from something, but saved for  Someone.

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”The same basic principle applies to missions work. Too many churches and other missions organizations over-emphasize Relief Aid―no-strings-attached, handouts of vital supplies given in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. While necessary and lifesaving, Relief Aid is only a temporary fix. Once the funds dry up and the ground team leaves, the impoverished community is often no better off than they were before.In Teach a Man to Fish, the authors illustrate the benefits of “wholistic transformational development,” where―through engagement with the local church― the community is empowered to identify and carry out long-term sustainable solutions to meet its own needs.Florence Muindi, MD, MPH, is the founder and president of Life in Abundance International, a faith-based nonprofit headquartered in Nairobi Kenya, that serves the poor and the vulnerable through partnerships with local indigenous churches.

In this episode we sit down with our new Resident College Pastor Jackson Brown and Middle School Director Cayden Kregel to discuss the Road to Emmaus story from Luke's gospel. In a world marked by quiet desperation, disappointment, and confusion, the Emmaus Road story offers a picture of what it means to find hope again. We explore how the resurrection of Jesus reframes our lives, giving us more than just comfort — it gives us a new framework to understand who we are, why we’re here, and where we’re going.We’ll talk about the weight of a life without purpose, the problem of sin and death, and why the resurrection is the anti-venom to the world’s pain. If Jesus really rose, then everything changes — not just in the end, but here and now. Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: Luke 24:13-32Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Questions for The Locker Room?email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org