The Marben Bland Podcast

Healthy Souls, Healthy Bodies: God’s Plan for Total Wellness

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1779779/fan_mail/new] Physical and spiritual health are both gifts from God that require intentional care and daily stewardship. The Apostle Paul reminds us in First Corinthians 6:19 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Just as prayer, worship, and Scripture strengthen our spirit, movement, rest, healthy eating, and meaningful relationships strengthen our bodies. God desires wholeness for His people, not just survival, but abundant living. A healthy spirit helps us trust God through life’s challenges, while a healthy body gives us strength to fulfill our calling and serve others faithfully. Today, ask yourself: Am I nurturing both my soul and my body? Honor God with your mind, body, and spirit, and remember that caring for yourself is also an act of worship. For More Great Content Go To  Marben Bland.com  [https://marbenbland.com/]

Powered by the Holy Spirit : 4 Ways God Empowers You

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1779779/fan_mail/new] Everybody wants power. Politicians spend millions chasing it. Corporations fight for it. But Pastor Marben Bland reminds us this Pentecost Sunday that there is a power money cannot buy—the power of the Holy Spirit! In this dynamic 27-minute sermon, Powered By The Holy Spirit: Four Ways God Empowers You, Pastor Bland of Greater Bethel AME explores how God empowers believers with identity, discernment, community impact, and bold witness, drawing on Acts 1–2 and 1 Peter 2:9. Discover why Christians are not called to be weak, silent, or powerless, but chosen, Spirit-filled agents of transformation in today’s world. This message speaks directly to the challenges of fear, deception, injustice, and the need for spiritual courage in 2026. Watch and listen today—and prepare to shout, “POWER!” For More Great Content Go To  Marben Bland.com  [https://marbenbland.com/]

Maddox Center Radio Announcement

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1779779/fan_mail/new] Grace and peace to the Athens community. I am Pastor Marben Bland of Greater Bethel AME Church. After prayer, careful study, and a unanimous church vote, Greater Bethel has decided to demolish the Maddox Center building within the next 60 days. For more than 40 years, the building has remained vacant, and time and deterioration have left it beyond practical restoration. It is also uninsured and uninsurable, creating serious legal and financial risks. While the Maddox Center carries deep history and memories, God’s mission is greater than any one building. As Matthew 16:18 reminds us, the church is built upon people and faith. We invite the community to help shape the future vision for this property by attending listening sessions we are hosting at the church on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 26 and 27, at 6:00 PM, and on Saturday, May 30, at 1:00 PM.   Details about these sessions are available on our website, gbaathens.org. For More Great Content Go To  Marben Bland.com  [https://marbenbland.com/]

Rooted by a Mother’s Faith

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1779779/fan_mail/new] This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the power of a mother who plants her children in the right place. In 1 Samuel 2:11 (NRSV), the Bible says, “The boy was ministering to the Lord.” That didn’t happen by accident—Hannah placed Samuel in an environment where he could grow in God’s presence. And in John 8:31, Jesus reminds us that disciples are those who “continue in my word.” Mothers make disciples by creating spaces where faith can grow—through church, prayer, and the Word. If you want strong faith, you need deep roots. This Mother’s Day, thank God for the mothers who kept us planted. For More Great Content Go To  Marben Bland.com  [https://marbenbland.com/]

Sermon: From The Pit to Purpose

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1779779/fan_mail/new] From the pit to the palace—Joseph's story reminds us that what others mean for evil, God can turn for good! Genesis 50:20 declares that even in betrayal, abandonment, and injustice, God is working out His purpose in our lives. You may be in a pit of despair, trapped by materialism, or just stuck in dysfunction—but here's the truth: if you stay rooted in God's Word, you won't stay down! Like Joseph, your story doesn't end in the pit. When you're planted in God, you're not buried—you're positioned to rise! Jeremiah 17:8 promises that those rooted by the water will thrive even in drought. Don't let the pit steal your purpose. Stay rooted in His Word, and watch God elevate you from the prison to the palace. Your breakthrough is coming! Catch the full message from our series "The Four Hallmarks of a Disciple" and discover how to move from surviving to thriving! For More Great Content Go To  Marben Bland.com  [https://marbenbland.com/]