

The Locker Room
Crossroads Bible Church
Breaking down sermons, stories, and Scripture to prepare Crossroads and beyond for the race of our faith.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 30, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep. 78 - Dealing with Dissapointment and Unmet Expectations (Genesis 40-41) ft. Tracy Groot, RJ Alicea, Libby VanSolkema, Tryg Veker
We sit down with Tracy Groot and RJ Alicea (Worship Pastor) as we dive into Genesis chapters 40 and 41, exploring the themes of disappointment and unmet expectations through the lens of Joseph’s journey. Joseph, once favored and dream-filled, finds himself in a pit of despair, forgotten in prison despite his hopes for liberation. We’ll unpack how Joseph’s resilience and faith in God shape his response to adversity, and how God humbles us to exalt us and raise us up. Join us as we reflect on the transformative power of patience, the importance of hope in the face of setbacks, and the ways God can work through our challenges to bring about unexpected blessings.
Preacher: Rod VanSolkema
Passage: Genesis 40-41
Sermon Link: CLICK HERE
Questions for The Locker Room?
email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 21min
Ep. 77 - Jospeh in Potiphar's House (Genesis 39) ft. Brian Robinson, Tryg Veker, Quinn Humphrey
We sit down to unpack Genesis 39 and the themes of integrity, holiness, resilience, and the complexities of temptation. We'll discuss Joseph's rise to prominence despite his circumstances, the challenges he faces from Potiphar's wife, and the lessons about faith and character. Tune in for a deep dive into how Joseph's journey resonates with our own struggles and the importance of facing temptation with humility and wisdom.
Preacher: Brian Robinson
Passage: Genesis 39
Sermon Link: CLICK HERE
Questions for The Locker Room?
email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 9min
Ep. 76 - Unlikely Redemption: Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) ft. Hailey Smith, Kayla Smith, Tim Bassett, Tryg Veker
We sit down with a couple of our young adults as we dive into the complex story of Judah and Tamar from Genesis 38. On the surface, it’s an account of deception, betrayal, and scandal, but beneath the surface, we uncover profound themes of justice, redemption, and God's sovereign plans working through flawed human lives. We'll explore Judah's moral failings, Tamar’s bold actions, and the surprising twists that lead to the continuation of the messianic line. We discuss how this ancient narrative speaks to our own struggles with identity, justice, and God's ability to bring good from even the most broken situations.
Preacher: Tim Bassett
Passage: Genesis 38
Sermon Link: CLICK HERE
Questions for The Locker Room?
email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

Oct 14, 2024 • 1h 28min
Ep. 75 - Coach Mike Swider: On Leadership, Coaching, Being a Man, and Walking with Jesus ft. Mike Swider, Rod VanSolkema, Tryg Veker
In this conversation, we sit down with Coach Mike Swider, former head coach of the Wheaton College Thunder football team, to discuss the powerful intersection of building a winning football culture and glorifying Jesus in the process. Coach Swider is a respected figure in college football, having spent over two decades as the head coach at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Serving from 1997 to 2021, he’s known not only for his success on the field but also for his unwavering commitment to character, faith, and leadership that extends beyond the game.
During his 35 years at Wheaton College, including 24 years as head coach, Swider amassed 209 career wins, maintaining an impressive win percentage of over 80%. But what truly set his coaching apart was his dedication to building a program rooted in integrity, humility, accountability, and servant leadership. These values were at the core of the Wheaton football culture, which was as much about spiritual growth as it was about athletic achievement.
Swider’s vision extended beyond winning games—his goal was to develop young men who would grow into leaders with the ability to positively impact their communities and the world. His legacy is a testament to the lasting influence of a Christ-centered program that shaped both the character and careers of countless student-athletes.

Oct 10, 2024 • 1h 3min
Ep. 74 - Joseph’s Fall from Favor to the Pit (Genesis 37) ft. Tina Watschke, Jason, Botbyl, Libby VanSolkema, Tryg Veker
We sit down with Tina Watschke as we dive into the rich narrative of Genesis 37, where we encounter the story of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, whose coat of many colors becomes a symbol of both love and jealousy. We explore the dynamics of sibling rivalry, the first seeds of conflict between Joseph and his brothers, and the dreams that set the stage for a dramatic turn in his life. What can we learn from Joseph’s journey, and how does his story speak to themes of faith, betrayal, and God’s providence? Join us as we unpack some of the layers to the story and its implication for our lives.
Preacher: Rod VanSolkema
Passage: Genesis 37
Sermon Link: CLICK HERE
Questions for The Locker Room?
email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

Oct 7, 2024 • 1h 10min
Ep. 73 - Impact Middle East ft. Hany Salah, Joe Sindorf, Scott Gustafson, Tryg Veker
We sit down to talk with Hany Salah who is a pastor in Iraq, and partner of Crossroads through Impact Middle East to discuss what God is doing amidst the tumult and war in the region.
Joining God on His mission to redeem, reconcile, and restore all creation, Impact Middle East empowers national leaders to holistically proclaim the grace and truth of Jesus in word and deed and embody the hope of the gospel through creative strategies that best fit their contexts. I.M.E. plants reproducing communities of faith in the Middle East that live in winsome contrast to the world and bear witness to the Kingdom of God.

Oct 3, 2024 • 34min
Ep. 72 - Savoring Scripture Preview & The Significance of the Desert ft. Dr. Andrew Abernethy, Sheryl Langerak, Libby VanSolkema, Tryg Veker
We sit down to preview this week's "Crossroads U" Elective with Dr. Andrew Abernethy (Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College).
Sign Up HERE
In this 3 week elective, we will explore how to read the Bible better. Drawing from his experience training students to study the Bible, Andrew Abernethy provides a holistic method that helps readers listen carefully to what God was saying to the original audience and what God is saying to us today.
He will guide learners using interpreting biblical genres, factoring in historical backgrounds, reading each passage in context, tracing the redemptive storyline of Scripture, and more to encounter God and be shaped by the Word as we savor its richness.
This class will run October 6th, 13th, and 20th at 8:45 am in the Upper Room.

Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 19min
Ep. 71 - Bury Your Idols ft. Cayden Kregel, Libby VanSolkema, Rod VanSolkema, Tryg Veker
We sit down to discuss the theme of idolatry as depicted in Genesis 35. As Jacob and his family journey to Bethel, they confront the remnants of their past, including the foreign gods that have infiltrated their lives. We’ll examine the significance of Jacob’s call to his household to put away these idols and what this act symbolizes in terms of spiritual renewal and commitment to God.
Preacher: Rod VanSolkema
Passage: Genesis 35-36
Sermon Link: CLICK HERE
Questions for The Locker Room?
email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep. 70 - What is a Disciple? ft. Jeff Vanderstelt, Rod VanSolkema, Libby VanSolkema, Tryg Veker
Today we sit down and chat about the topic of being a disciple with Jeff Vanderstelt. Crossroads Bible Church celebrated its 20th-anniversary last year, and we continue to be dedicated to our mission of being a church of disciples who make disciples. As we reaffirm our commitment to this vision, we are excited to partner with Jeff Vanderstelt. While there’s no substitute for the hard work of disciple-making, we find joy in knowing we are secure in our relationship with Jesus.
Jeff has a rich background as a pastor and is currently the leader of Saturate, where he dedicates his time to training disciples of Jesus to multiply their faith and equipping the Church for gospel-centered, missional living. Jeff lives in Tacoma, Washington, with his wife Jayne and their three children: Haylee, Caleb, and Maggie.
Preacher: Jeff Vanderstelt
Passage: 1 Peter 2:4-12
Sermon Link: CLICK HERE
Questions for The Locker Room?
email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 2min
Ep. 69 - Vengeance or Justice? ft. Sara Krieg, Brittany Riva, Libby VanSolkema, Tryg Veker
We sit down to explore Genesis 34 and the Dinah debacle. What happens when we or someone we love has been sinned against grievously? What should we do and how do we respond? We dive into the differences between justice and vengeance and how our feelings aren't always the greatest barometer for measuring our righteousness.
Preacher: Tryg Veker
Passage: Genesis 34
Sermon Link: CLICK HERE
Questions for The Locker Room?
email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org


