The FBC Durant Podcast

Meet Will Sandmann. Will has recently joined our staff as the College Ministry Assistant. Will teaches the college ministry LIFE Group and helps lead the ministry at FBC Durant. Will has also spent several years working at Southeastern’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM). We discuss ministering to young people and what our college ministry consist of. If you’re a college student or you would like to involved in our college ministry, please contact us and we’ll get you hooked up!www.fbcdurant.orgChapters:0:00 Intro.0:45 First takes.9:03 Will's testimony.15:28 Why is the church important for young people?24:02 Understanding Gen Z.38:34 College Ministry at FBC Durant.48:54 Outro.

Pastor Garry and Dustin have a conversation with Dr. Tom Elliff and Dr. Elbert Smith of Oklahoma Baptist University's Tom Elliff Center for Missions. Dr. Tom Elliff served as the International Mission Board’s president from 2011–2014 and served two presidential terms with the Southern Baptist Convention. He's also spent time as a missionary in Zimbabwe as well as many years pastoring churches in Arkansas, Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma. Dr. Elbert Smith began his career as a church planter in Mexico and from 2004 to 2019 he directected the field personnel orientation with the IMB where he oversaw the orientation of more than 7,600 IMB workers. These two men take the Great Commission seriesly as we all should. We get to hear insight from them on discernment and how to be missional in our everyday life. Visit the link below to learn more about the Tom Elliff Center for Missions at OBU.Chapters:0:00 Intro.1:30 Dr. Tom Elliff's testimony.4:00 Dr. Elbert Smith's testimony.6:06 What is the Tom Elliff Center for Missions at OBU?13:03 How to discern God's calling on your life.18:11 How to leverage it all for the sake of the gospel.20:26 Encouragement to go on mission when it's hard.26:41 How can you be missional in your everyday life?30:54 Dr. Smith's favorite memory on mission.32:41 A God sized moment in Dr. Elliff's ministry.38:24 Outro.Tom Elliff Center for Missionswww.fbcdurant.org

At FBC Durant, we long to see every person grow deeper in their understanding of the Scriptures and the Savior. To achieve this, we have what we call Journey groups (J-Groups). J-Groups are designed to move believers along the pathway of discipleship in very small, gender specific groups over a specific time frame with a specific course of study. This strategy derives from a collective known as Replicate Ministries. Replicate helps pastors and churches become equipped with customizable, multiplication-focused tools to activate an all-play, everyday disciple-making movement—making Jesus’ last words our first work. Our guest for this episode, Tim LaFleur, played an integral role assisting Replicate Ministries for 15 years. Tim joins us with Chris McDaniel, Senior Pastor at Southside Baptist Church in Atoka, OK to talk about spiritual formation. As a longtime pastor and campus minister, Tim has been involved in disciple-making culture in a variety of environments. His assistance in expanding discipleship ministry where he's at is contagious and fires us up to do the same. How special is it to join the work that the Lord is doing? If you follow Jesus, be encouraged to become discipled and be a disciple-maker in the 26th episode of the FBC Durant Podcast. If you're interested in being part of a J-Group, or starting a J-Group, contact our church staff and we'll get you the necessary information and tools to be part of the movement.Tim's books:The Heart of a DisciplemakerChapters:0:00 Intro.0:48 Tim's testimony.7:33 How discipleship started in Tim's ministry.10:34 Why is a closed group important for discipleship?15:47 When did the conviction for discipleship kick in for Chris?20:56 Replicate Ministries growth.26:26 Cole's discipleship experience.29:27 Chris' pastoral perspective on discipleship.32:54 Tim's encouragement to be part of discipleship.37:12 Discipleship at FBC Durant.40:15 Outro.Website:www.fbcdurant.org

Jace Williamson, the Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church in Van Alstyne, Texas, shares his insights on the importance of connecting within church communities. He discusses the value of small groups, emphasizing how they facilitate personal growth and accountability. Jace offers practical advice for those struggling to engage beyond Sunday worship and highlights the biblical foundation for fostering genuine relationships among believers. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone seeking deeper connections in their faith journey.

As Christ followers, what we need to know about worship is that God calls us to do this (Psm. 95:1-6, Isa. 12:5, Heb. 13:15, Rom. 12:1). So how do we do this in a God-honoring way? Especially in the midst of the good, bad, and ugly that our lives hold. Worship is the opening pillar to our pathway as we long to see every person engage in the worship of the one true God (Col. 3:16). For this episode, we meet with Charlie Hall to tackle all things worship. Charlie has spent a career leading worship ministry. His singer/songwriter discography starts in the 1990's and he began touring and boldly proclaiming Christ's name in the contemporary worship music scene in the 1990's and 2000's. He played a pivotal role in the Passion movement and is credited on many of the Passion albums. Now, Charlie is the Pastor of Worship and Liturgy at Frontline Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and we get the opportunity to hear his insight on the topic of worship. Whether you're a musician involved in worship ministry or not, this conversation shows us all how to be excellent at exalting praise to the Lord and why it's important (Isa. 25:1, Col. 3:23). We were made to commune with God so we worship Him in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:24). To learn more about Charlie Hall, visit the links below.https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Przo8VxOHYfZv9FMZWsWV?si=5oImFcQ6RLyB7-UMYcVOhQhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0qtPUv?si=kHSOVoDiSJuUaNAijYYqGQhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/2uxYp5lsPE9t297UIoxAJz?si=9d17rucnRFmhL-NoJSKVSAhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Hall_(musician)https://www.frontlinechurch.com/our-teamChapters:0:00 Intro.1:16 First takes.4:20 Charlie's testimony.16:30 How do you make worship music?18:45 Channeling your emotions & response in worship.25:39 How do you worship God when you're really not feeling it?34:14 How to devise worship & conduct liturgy.40:18 Being part of and growing a worship team.49:09 The work of songwriting.54:49 How to rise up and come into the presence of an indwelling spirit.59:22 End statement—what to know about worship.1:02:18 Outro.www.fbcdurant.org

Welcome back to season 2 of The FBC Durant Podcast! It's been a great summer and we're excited to continue rolling out biweekly podcast episodes again. Stay tuned for things to come as we continue our journey at FBC Durant—to glorify God by making disciples of all nations.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:44 First takes5:01 Summer recap10:12 Season 2 preview11:45 How to tune in14:45 OutroWebsite:https://www.fbcdurant.org

Our final episode of season 1! We reflect on the season and answer the remaining questions from Q&A night. Thank you for joining us this season on the FBC Durant Podcast! If you like the show, we encourage everyone to subscribe to the FBC Durant YouTube channel where you can watch us and if you turn on your notification bell, you'll be notified when we release new episodes. You can also listen to us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, and all the other major podcast platforms. Follow us on your preferred platform and feel free to leave us a review! If you know someone who would enjoy the podcast, please share it with them! We love hearing from people about how they’ve engaged with the show! This podcast exists to help everyone become equipped, encouraged, and ultimately engage with the Lord and our church’s mission. To learn more, you can visit fbcdurant.org which is linked in the show notes. You can also follow @fbcdurant on social media to further connect with the church online. FBC Durant worships every Sunday at 8:30AM, 10:00AM, and 11:15AM at 124 West Evergreen Street in Durant, Oklahoma. You can also join the live streams every Sunday at 8:30AM and 11:15AM. We exist to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. We long to see every person progress along the path to spiritual maturity through worship, connection, discipleship, and mobilization. Please contact us if you have any questions or want to know more about the church. Thank you to our podcast host Garrett Scott, Cory Williams, and Sarah Hughes. The podcast is produced by Cole Hughes, the Creative Media & IT Director at FBC Durant. We want to say a huge thank you to all of our guest we’ve had this season: Garry McNeill, Kanda Forbis, Sebastian Conner, Ryan McMillan, Tiller Watson, Danny Torres, Ken Bartholomew, Esme Garcia, Jim Hodson, Dustin Searles, Guillermo Garcia, Charles Lee, Katherine Rhynes, and Deedee Gallegos. Also, a special thank you to John Mark McMillan for our podcast theme song “God is Young” from the album Peopled with Dreams provided by Musicbed. Episode 22 also features How Deep the Father's Love for Us - Instrumental Version by Free As a Bird provided by Artlist. That wraps up season 1 of the FBC Durant Podcast. Until next time, go and make disciples of all nations.Chapters:0:00 Intro.1:33 What is your favorite episode from season 1?11:50 What is next for The FBC Durant Podcast?13:00 Would you rather: sloppy wet kiss or unforeseen kiss?18:49 What is a cherubim and is it different than an angel?21:57 What's a moment in pop culture that you think exemplifies a biblical principle or gospel message?27:48 Have your views on any of the pillars changed since starting the podcast?34:46 What would the world have been like if Eve never ate the fruit?36:29 What has been challenging and encouraging about going through Romans?38:57 How's the podcast changed your mind in a good way?41:30 Cory why you move that way when playing the guitar?45:11 What is your sense of where the Lord is leading us as we enter into the summer months and the Fall?50:01 Are you able to share the gospel with someone through a podcast session?51:36 What is the biggest impact you've seen in season 1 on church members and non church members?55:49 Season 1 highlights.1:06:29 Outro.www.fbcdurant.org

To begin the wrap up of season 1, we hosted an event in the student worship center. This was a question and answer panel including our podcast host and Pastor Garry McNeill. People can submit any question and our panelist will provide an answer. The submission link is included below if anyone else would like to submit a question, we will attempt to answer the remaining questions in part 2 of the season finale. We also encourage anyone to submit the form even if you don't have a question because there is a feedback section that helps us better understand what our audience is interested in. All of the fields in this form our optional. Thank you to everyone who came out!https://fbcdurant.org/q-amp-a-night-with-the-fbc-durant-podcast-teamChapters:0:00 Intro.2:04 Bloopers.7:50 First takes.11:54 What is the most exciting thing to you in our church right now?14:50 How did you get the idea for The FBC Durant Podcast?15:53 How do you know what area of ministry God is calling you to?21:11 If you could interview anyone from the Bible for your podcast, who would it be and why?23:02 What's one thing you wish more Christians would ask or talk about?25:50 How can members of the church support different ministries?27:33 What did Pastor Garry have in his Easter crock pot?29:17 What are your thoughts on the Luka, AD trade?30:55 Any tips on how to be efficient in finding the right LifeGroup?33:08 If you're a new member looking for a place to serve, what is the best avenue to find areas of need and/or opportunity?34:28 What's one Bible verse that has changed the way you live your life?40:04 What's the best way to witness to someone of a different culture or language?44:08 Can you update us on recent staff additions and transitions?47:27 If the podcast team and Garry were characters from any sitcom, who would be who and why?49:18 What happens to a baby or toddler when they die?53:52 Does the Bible speak to those with mental illness?54:26 What are some practical ways individuals can evaluate whether their faith is rooted in a genuine relationship with Christ?57:30 How can we stay strong in our faith when the message of Jesus is often distorted?1:03:03 Cory, what is the greatest Nic Cage movie?1:03:40 What is the plan to address our growth?1:07:32 What is your favorite worship song?1:09:41 Outro.https://www.fbcdurant.org/

Today we have our Light of Mine Special Needs Ministry Coordinator, Deedee Gallegos. Deedee is a devoted wife to Michael, mother to Tad, autism advocate, Mighty Moms Podcast Co-Host, and ministry leader whose mission is rooted in faith, family, and creating safe spaces for the special needs community. Inspired by her 17 year old son Tad, who lives with profound autism and epilepsy, Deedee has dedicated her life to supporting other families on similar journeys. Tad is her greatest teacher and daily reminder of resilience and joy. His challenges and victories have shaped her passion for advocacy, especially in finding inclusive, understanding environments where individuals with autism are not just welcomed—but celebrated. Deedee is the co-host of the Mighty Moms Podcast, a platform that gives voice to the realities of parenting a child with disabilities. Each episode offers encouragement, practical insight, and community for moms walking through the ups and downs of autism, caregiving, and faith. Her goal is to help other families feel less alone and more equipped as they navigate their own paths. The Lord orchestrated Deedee to kickoff the Light of Mine Special Needs Ministry after her family’s struggle to find a church where Tad could be safely and lovingly cared for while the rest of the family worshipped. Through trained volunteers, a sensory-friendly room, and individualized attention, Light of Mine provides a safe haven for individuals with special needs—and the peace of mind their families deserve. Deedee believes that the love and support of a church family aren’t luxuries—they are lifelines. Through every effort, Deedee’s mission is clear—to build a world where families impacted by disabilities are supported, where no one feels alone, and where every person is seen, valued, and loved. Disclaimer: please be aware that suicide is mentioned in this episode.Follow the Mighty Moms Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pakSqo4XQnQMB9I4lnIQy?si=d50aa8c0c5db4832Chapters:0:00 Intro.1:10 Deedee's story & Light of Mine startup.6:04 Mighty Mom's Podcast.9:22 Getting involved with Light of Mine.19:56 What have you learned as a special needs parent?24:39 Autism explained.30:23 FBC Light of Mine facility.31:23 Encouragement.36:46 Outro.Website: https://www.fbcdurant.org

We have previously discussed the many ministries at First Baptist Church Durant. Now, we are discussing our men's and women's ministries as a whole. Our men's and women's ministries hold meetups periodically and these events are lead by a individuals who are faithfully committed to seeing our mission and vision fulfilled. These events are opportunities to connect further with the multi-generational church and maybe spend time with people you don't regularly see. We have men's ministry leader Charles Lee and women's ministry leader Katherine Rhynes in this episode to review the gender specific work that takes place at First Baptist Church.fbcdurant.orgFBC Women's Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1stLadiesMinistryChapters:0:00 Intro & announcements.1:24 First takes.3:00 Men's Ministry at FBC Durant.35:00 Women's Ministry at FBC Durant.47:48 Outro.