The Locker Room

This episode unpacks how God meets people in seasons of burnout, anxiety, and global crisis with compassion, rest, and purpose. Centered on the story of Elijah and real-world ministry among Middle Eastern communities, it explores Christian hospitality, spiritual formation, and resilience through suffering. Listeners will gain insight into how the gospel continues to spread in regions like Jordan, Gaza, and among the Druze, even amid war, displacement, and persecution. Ultimately, this episode calls believers to embrace faithful discipleship, carry hope into conflict zones, and reflect the love of Christ in a broken world.Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: 1 Kings 19:1-14Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alton Hardy is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church of America and the founding pastor of Urban Hope Community Church in Fairfield, Alabama. He also co-founded Urban Hope Development and launched the Urban Hope Leadership Initiative (UHLI), a discipleship and leadership program for African American college graduates preparing to serve in urban ministry. Through Alton’s leadership, the church is driving community renewal—reviving commerce, housing, and economic opportunities in a struggling city. His broader vision, “The Manifold Wisdom of God,” unites theologically conservative gospel-centered churches and Christian businesses to address racial division, poverty, and family housing needs. A native of Selma, Alton has studied at Alpena Community College, Reformed Bible College, and Calvin Seminary. He lives with his wife, Sandra, and they are passionate about prayer, reading, and urban gospel reconciliation.- Read Alton's Book: ⁠Long Is the Way by Alton Hardy ⁠- Learn more about Manifold Vision: ⁠Manifold Vision⁠- Learn more about Alton's Church: ⁠Urban Hope Community Church⁠Preacher: Alton HardyPassage: 1 Kings 18:20-21Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down with Beth Guckenberger to discuss her book Throw the First Punch: Defeating the Enemy Hell-Bent on Your Destruction.In this modern-day collection of our enemy’s activities, learn to anticipate how Satan will attack and discern powerful techniques to preemptively fight against him. Through biblical examples and engaging stories from Beth Guckenberger’s own life experiences, become equipped and encouraged to battle Satan with boldness and wisdom. Throw the First Punch will teach readers how to fight by:  Anticipating how Satan will attack spiritually, emotionally, and physicallyDiscerning specific techniques to preemptively fight against the EnemyUnderstanding the limitations God has placed on the EnemyConfidently engaging the power they have as co-heirs with Christ

We sit down with our Young Adults Administrative Partner, Chloe Damron, to explore 1 Kings 17:17–24—a l story of desperation, death, and divine intervention. As drought and famine ravage Israel, a widow finds herself at the end of her resources. What does this account say to us today when we find ourselves emotionally, financially, relationally, or spiritually"running out?" Together we wrestle with hard questions: Do we have the humility to acknowledge our brokenness, or do we default to blaming external circumstances? And what is the surprising gospel response when we finally come to the end of ourselves?Preacher: Rod VanSolkemaPassage: 1 Kings 17:17-24Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We sit down and chat about the Elijah's journey to meet an unlikely character. What do you do when you’ve reached the end—emotionally, spiritually, or even financially? In this episode, we look at the story of a desperate widow in 1 Kings 17:8–16, who had nothing left but a handful of flour and a drop of oil. Then God sends a prophet… and asks for everything.Preacher: Jason BotbylPassage: 1 Kings 17:7-16Sermon Link:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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