The FBC Durant Podcast

To continue our series on the pillars of our discipleship pathway, we are joined by Sebastian Conner (Pastor of Connection & Students) and Esme Garcia (Girls Ministry Assistant). Esme shares her testimony and how she connected to FBC Durant. Sebastian further expands on his experience in church as it relates to linking with the people God puts around you. We long to see every person connected to the people and ministries of our fellowship. LIFE Groups are a key component for diving further into fellowshipping at FBC. In addition to LIFE groups, we have a large variety of other adult studies and ministries, age-graded ministries, ministries of compassion, and a myriad of other similar opportunities.https://www.fbcdurant.orgChapters:0:00 Intro.1:00 First Takes.10:00 Esme's testimony.24:50 All about connection.38:18 FBC ministries & engagement.52:43 Outro.

To kick off 2025 our Pastor of Worship & Administration, Ken Bartholomew, sits down with us to discuss the act of worship and why it's important to him. Ken has served at several churches throughout his ministry career and has been at FBC Durant since 2003. Today we hear about Ken's path to salvation which ultimately led him to lead worship in church for many years. Worship is the first pillar of our discipleship pathway and the entryway to becoming spiritually mature.https://www.fbcdurant.org/ken-bartholomew-bioChapters:0:00 Intro2:00 First takes.5:00 Ken's testimony.15:50 What is worship?26:20 Traditional & contemporary worship.40:54 The Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma.44:40 Church administration.53:11 Have you ever experienced burnout?55:00 The act of leading worship.1:05:47 Hymns.1:11:13 Outro.

Danny Torres is the Pastor of Swerve Church in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Swerve Church is a mission partnership of FBC Durant and we are blessed to get to work with them. Danny talks about his life and their mission to love their neighbors. Listen and learn what it’s like to go on the New York mission trip and mobilize your life for the sake of the gospel. Visit the link below to learn more about Swerve Church.https://www.fbcdurant.org/mobilization-national-partnershipsChapters:0:00 Intro2:47 Favorite Christmas song and movie.6:30 Our connection to Swerve Church.10:30 Danny Torres testimony.25:05 What does the mission trip to Bushwick, Brooklyn look like?28:34 What is the need in Bushwick?32:37 Caring and sharing the gospel.37:41 Danny's encouragement to FBC Durant.40:54 Prayer and thanksgiving.48:08 Outro.

For the tenth episode of The FBC Durant Podcast, we are checking in with our state mission partner Tiller Watson of Turn Church Tulsa, Oklahoma. Turn Church seeks to serve in ways that are relevant to their specific community. FBC has the opportunity to partner through various service project trips and children's ministry events. Tiller shares how the Lord led him to Pastor Turn Church and the heart of their ministry. To learn more about this mission partnership, visit the link below.https://www.fbcdurant.org/turn-church-tulsaChapters:0:00 Intro1:47 What are our mission partnerships?5:38 Why is it important to engage in missions at every level?8:57 Tiller's story.13:58 What is the community around Turn Church like?17:40 What is Turn Church community-based ministry like?21:21 How do you encourage church members?25:23 Doing ministry together?28:46 What do Turn Church mission trips look like?32:22 Do you need certain skill sets to go on a mission trip?37:32 Prayer request.41:30 Outro.

Today we have Ryan and Brea McMillan, church planters with the International Mission Board in Berlin, Germany, join the show. Ryan and Brea are from southern Oklahoma and both graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. FBC Durant is currently engaging in mission trips to Berlin annually alongside the McMillans. In this episode, we focus on our third key truth in Romans - that is missional living. The McMillans share how the Lord called them to be missionaries and what it means to live intentionally. We learn about some of the demographics in Germany and how to proclaim the gospel to all nations! "How beautiful the hands and feet of those who preach the good news!" Pray for the McMillan family and the people of Germany. Watch the video linked below to learn more about the McMillans in Berlin.https://vimeo.com/895418700www.fbcdurant.orgChapters:0:00 Intro.1:43 The McMillans introduction to missions and transition from Oklahoma to Germany.7:12 What compels you to move overseas?14:25 What does daily life look like on mission?19:10 The demographics and spiritual landscape of Germany.26:03 Church in Berlin.30:42 Encouragement to FBC Durant (how to live missionally).43:25 Sharing the gospel.50:09 Prayer and outro.

For the second edition of this three-part episodic series on the Book of Romans, we discuss community building. Lead Pastor Garry McNeill joins us to share why community building is so important in the Christian life. What does a gospel-saturated community look like today? How would Paul encourage our community of believers in Durant, Oklahoma?www.fbcdurant.orgChapters:0:00 Intro to community building.1:00 Garry, how are you enjoying Romans?2:42 What can we learn from Romans about community building?4:20 How should we properly live in our current community?7:12 How do we stay anchored to the truth?17:20 Why dive into community even though it's challenging?24:00 What would Paul say to FBC Durant?26:44 Outro.

This episode marks the beginning of a three-part episodic series on the Book of Romans and the key truths that comprise its foundation. Firstly, Romans is a gospel-saturated letter. The Apostle Paul's boldness to unashamedly proclaim the gospel is a message for the world. Garrett, Cory, and Sarah share how the gospel was revealed to them and why it's important. Come along with us as we commence on the themes of Romans as Pastor Garry has laid out in our current sermon series - The Book of Romans: The Power of God for Salvation.www.fbcdurant.orgChapters:0:00 Intro to Romans.2:30 What has the gospel meant to you?14:42 What does a gospel-saturated life look like?22:07 In our culture, what makes it difficult to be close to God?28:04 Sponge illustration.32:10 How has the church encouraged you?40:50 Outro & announcements.

Join in with Sebastian Conner, FBC Durant Pastor of Connection and Students, as he shares his story and his vision for the student ministry. Sebastian walked a unique road to salvation and shares what he has learned along the way. Sebastian talks about his passion for student ministry and the direction First Students is going - to make Christ known.To learn more about First Students, visit https://www.fbcdurant.org/first-students.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:02 Sebastian’s testimony.13:28 The vision for First Students.20:32 Corporate world vs ministry world.22:30 This generation youth.27:18 Working with parents.34:42 Praise God for our student ministry.36:07 How to be involved.39:56 The challenges in student ministry.41:49 Midweek, tribes, life groups, and student journey groups.47:28 Closing.https://www.fbcdurant.org/sebastian-conner-biohttps://www.fbcdurant.org

For this episode, we have special guest Kanda Forbis who shares her testimony and journey through grief after her oldest son, Bowman, went to his heavenly home at the young age of four years old. Kanda wholeheartedly believes that allowing God to use this tragedy to further His kingdom gives purpose and meaning to something that otherwise makes no sense. This is a message to encourage everyone in their faith to press on through the various trials of life. "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14Kanda has written a book based on Bowman's life titled "Finish Your Race" which is available at https://finishlinepublications.com/products/finish-your-race.www.fbcdurant.orgChapters:0:00 Intro.0:56 Kanda's story.5:07 Journey through grief.9:33 What gets you through hard days?19:23 What scriptures help?22:05 How has clinging to the cross influenced your life?24:28 The “Finish Your Race” story.31:48 The future.33:32 Parenting now.36:33 Remembering Bowman.42:24 Closing remarks.

Get to know our hosts as they share their personal experiences with the church, FBC Durant, and church membership. Garrett, Cory, and Sarah all have different backgrounds and unique stories that led them to Christ. Every testimony is powerful because it is the power of God for salvation. Tune in to how the Lord has influenced our lives and guided our paths to where we are today.www.fbcdurant.orgChapters:0:00 Intro & announcements.1:55 Our experiences with church.14:13 How has the local church influenced our faith?17:04 Our BCM experiences.22:00 Church can be hard but necessary.26:34 Spiritual gifts & serving.28:03 Our pathway & ministries.35:30 J-Groups.38:45 The case for church membership & our experiences.