Grace Chapel - San Diego

Impact school of ministry relaunches in less than 100 days. And we're doing 100 days of testimonies and stories around impact leading up to its launch at the end of January. Today we hear from one of the original impact team members, Cisco. Cisco talks to Peter Varberg about joining Horizon School of Evangelism, and then going on to help found Impact, and then later Impacto, a discipleship school modeled after Impact, but planted as a mission down in Oaxaca, Mexico. This is an inspiring journey of faith, trust, obedience, and abundant life. 

In this episode, Alanna Sullivan completes her interview with Becky & Peter Friberg. we hear the happy ending to the epic story of Becky & Peter's wild ride through the season around Impact. They also share a little about Impact who it might be valuable for, and what kind of fruit you can expect from attending.

Over the next 100 days we will be exploring amazing testimonies from graduates of Impact as we prepare for Impact to launch in January, 2022. The first testimony we explore is a powerful one. Alanna Sullivan interviews Becky and Peter Friberg on their individual experiences in Impact, and how it worked in their lives together. Becky attended first, followed by Peter, but Impact was intertwined in their collective story of redemption and restoration. 

Peter Varberg interviews Willie Briscoe, Founder and Director of Hope Leadership Academy. Willie Briscoe had first-hand experience of growing up without a father in the home and desired to fill that gap in homes across San Diego County. HLA is a year-round comprehensive youth ministry that seeks to ensure that youth from fatherless homes in underserved communities receive support, guidance, and a plan to break the cycles of divorce, poverty, and hopelessness.HLA will be the focus of the October Serve First Sunday at The Gathering. Learn more at HLA.Org 

What's up with rest and sabbath? Is this just about Netflix and chill, or is there something more? Why did God place keeping the Sabbath holy next akin to not murdering people in the Ten Commandments? In this episode of The gathering Podcast we explore the discipline of Sabbath and will help you discover why rest is such a big deal to God.

When Covid first hit in 2020 community was virtually torn out from underneath people. Peter Varberg interviews four unique members of his own Home Gathering Community that reflect on this time and use it was a way to  explore the concept of community: its value, it's fruit, and the discipline it takes to foster it.

Hear from two conversations on the spiritual discipline of Journaling.Peter & George discuss the basics journaling, and how it can be used as a practice on its own or to reinforce other spiritual disciplines.Second, you will hear a conversation between Alanna and Brittany Pendleton (Formerly Atterbery) on how to combine journaling with creative arts to accelerate the process of hearing from God.

This week we launch Season 2 of The Gathering Podcast. Peter Varberg interviews Michelle Madden, a chaplain from the Rock Church who specializes in Suicide Prevention and Suicide Loss. This is a powerful and extremely helpful episode for anyone in God's family who may encounter someone contemplating suicide, or walking with someone close to another who is.This is in preparation for the Serve First Sunday this week, the Mental Health Resource Fair.

This month we have explored both the highs and lows of fatherhood from members of our congregation, and today we hear from Tim Whitcomb about the tragic story of his own Father, and how his father's sin led to a life defined by loss, abandonment, and grief.Yet, this is a story about God, and so Tim's story becomes one defined by hope, redemption, forgiveness, and love. This will be the final episode of our series on fatherhood and the last in of season one. It’s one of the most powerful testimonies you’ve heard on the podcast yet. Except for Serve 1st Podcasts, the Gathering Podcast will return in late August. Have a great summer.

Hear an amazingly vulnerable and real testimony about the challenges of fatherhood from one of our very own stay-at-home-dads, Miguel Morton. Miguel shares a little about how he became a father and then dives in deep about the real struggles of fatherhood. Struggles many fathers have experienced, but often don't talk about, let alone share. Miguel's bravery, courage, and humility shine through in this awesome conversation between Peter and Miguel.

Hear the amazing testimony of Sebastian Matthews as he shares about his relationship with his father, his relationship with his children, and the redemptive relationship with his ultimate Father in Heaven and how God has knitted it all-together into a beautiful story of hope and love.

Ali found more than just a husband in Sam, she found a father for her son, Uriah. Sam took on more than just being a new husband to Ali, but a father all in one. Experience the story as told by Sam and Ali as they explore the journey of an unconventional courtship, marriage, and adoption through their story of falling in-love. 

Listen to an interview between Host Peter Varberg and Director of a groundbreaking new documentary "The Matter of Life." Go behind the scenes on the story behind the story, as well as get a sneak peak to some of the topics and stories the film explores.The Matter of Life is an Open and thoughtful discussion about abortion. The film takes you on a journey to unravel the complexities of the abortion debate by addressing the issue through science, philosophy, history, and powerful personal stories. The film answers hard questions and provides hope for the future.https://www.thematteroflife.org

This month, we're focusing on topics that relate to motherhood, both those lived and those lost. In this episode, Lisa Thompson shares a powerful story about an abortion she had when she was young, and the battle with shame and guilt she's endured most of her life. It is also a testament to God's healing power, Christ's victory in our lives over sin, and the redemptive power our stories can bring to the world.This testimony took a lot of courage to share, and we hope you feel the power of her vulnerability, her authentic and undeniable trust in God, and the freedom that can come when shame is broken. This a must listen and is also the final episode on motherhood this month.

This month, we are focusing on topics that relate to motherhood, both those lived and those lost. Today, you’ll hear a conversation with Dina Wessell, Marty Reneau, Marta Ortiz, and Alanna Sullivan about their experiences with miscarriage. They talk about the deep pain, how they leaned on God through the heartbreak, and now how their testimony may help others find healing. 

Today's episode features a panel of three stay-at-home mothers interviewed by Alanna Sullivan. They cover both personal and parental challenges of staying home full-time, as well as some of the joys and opportunities to experience God through full-time motherhood!Features: Jane Racuya, Abrey Kamp, and Sarah DoriaMusic By Jared Nepute

This is the first of four Podcasts throughout the month of May focusing on different aspects of motherhood.This first installment comes just after May's Serve Sunday, which was focused on serving single moms in our community. The Gathering congregation put together gift baskets with encouragement, gift cards, and treats for single moms, and received inspiration about how Jesus redefines the meaning of family for us, including welcoming single moms and their children into our own families. Today we hear from Allie Sterner, who shares her powerful story as a single mother of 4 and God’s redemptive love that took her from the verge of suicide to a mother alive in Christ.

This week host Peter Varberg and Aeron Sullivan discuss the resurrection, and more specifically, how we respond to the news of the resurrection? This is the final episode of this month where The Gathering Podcast has been focusing on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.Music by Jared Nepute & Poor Bishop Hooper

Welcome to Episode Two of a discussion on Jesus and the Cross. This first episode dives into the Biblical Story from the perspective of the cross. What is Jesus going to accomplish by going to the cross? In this episode, Host Peter Varberg and Aeron Sullivan help explore exactly how Jesus does accomplish all the Biblical expectations, but in a way no one expected.Music by Poor Bishop Hooper.

Welcome to Episode One of a two part discussion on Jesus and the Cross. This first episode dives into the Biblical Story from the perspective of the cross. What is Jesus doing? What is he accomplishing through the cross? We hope this discussion between Host Peter Varberg and Aeron Sullivan help shed new light on how everything happening from Pages 1 and 2 of the Bible culminate in Jesus, and ultimately in the cross.Music by Poor Bishop Hooper.