Why God Chooses the Unlikely (Gideon’s Story Will Surprise You)

Why God Chooses the Unlikely (Gideon’s Story Will Surprise You)

Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack is joined by Pastor Kevin to continue unpacking Sunday’s message on Gideon—a story that reminds us God doesn’t call the most qualified… He calls the willing. Gideon was hiding when God called him a “mighty warrior.” Sound familiar? So often we feel unqualified, overlooked, or unsure—but this episode dives into the truth that God specializes in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, questioned where God is, or felt like you’re not “enough,” this conversation will challenge and encourage you to make room for God to work through you. 👉 Key takeaway: God doesn’t call the strongest—He empowers the ones He calls. 🙏 Connect with us: * Learn more about Shepherd Church: https://shepnaz.org * Watch more episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast * Email us your story: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if this encouraged you! 💬 Comment below: Where is God calling you to step out in faith? Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Introducing Pastor Kevin 00:45 – What Makes a “Legend” in God’s Kingdom? 02:20 – Gideon’s Doubt: “Why Is This Happening?” 04:00 – God Is Present… Even in Chaos 06:00 – “Am I Sending You?” – The Turning Point 07:50 – God Empowers the Called (Not the Strongest) 10:00 – Real-Life Struggles & Feeling Unqualified 11:30 – Why God Uses the “Unexpected” 13:20 – Boasting in God Alone (Paul’s Example) 15:00 – God Specializes in the Impossible 16:25 – What If YOU Are the Answer? 18:00 – Make Room for God 19:30 – Final Challenge & Call to Respond

From Hiding to Hero: Gideon’s Story | Lessons from the Legends (Pastor Kevin)

What if the very place you feel weakest is where God wants to call you? Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack sits down with Pastor Kevin to kick off our new series, “Lessons from the Legends.” We’re diving into the story of Gideon—a man who went from hiding in fear to being called a “mighty warrior” by God. In this powerful and relatable conversation, you’ll discover: * How God calls ordinary people in everyday moments * Why feeling unqualified might actually be the point * How God sees who you can become, not just who you are * What it means to fully surrender and trust His calling If you’ve ever doubted yourself or wondered if God could use you—this episode is for you. 👉 Learn more about Shepherd Church: https://shepnaz.org 👉 Watch more episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast 📩 We’d love to hear from you! Email us at: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today! ⏱️Chapters 00:00 Welcome & Monday energy ☀️ 00:49 New Series: Lessons from the Legends 01:40 Meet Gideon (“Giddy Up Gideon!”) 02:29 What makes someone a legend? 03:19 Gideon’s insecurity & imposter syndrome 04:29 Israel’s cycle of disobedience 06:05 When life spirals out of control 07:41 Gideon hiding in fear 09:22 God uses ordinary people 10:44 Called in the routine moments 12:10 How God speaks personally 13:46 Confidence comes from God 15:48 Seeing what God sees in you 17:08 Called beyond yourself 18:20 The place of surrender 19:09 Personal calling stories 21:08 You don’t have to be “qualified” 23:15 Final challenge: Trust God’s calling

Carry Each Other’s Burdens 🙌 | Galatians 6 Part 2 (Faith, Humility & Community)

Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack continues Part 2 of Pastor Nick’s powerful message from Galatians chapter 6. What does it really mean to live out our faith in community? How do we respond when someone struggles? And how can we carry each other's burdens while still taking responsibility for our own spiritual walk? In this episode, we explore: * The importance of Christian community * What it means to restore others gently * The balance of mutual accountability and personal responsibility * Why humility is essential in following Jesus This is a practical and convicting message that challenges us to love like Christ—walking with others while allowing God to search our own hearts. 💬 We’d love to hear from you: How can you help carry someone’s burden today? 📍 Learn more about Shepherd Church: 👉 https://shepnaz.org 🎧 More episodes: 👉 https://shepnaz.org/podcast 📧 Send feedback or questions: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to encourage others! Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Recap (Freedom in Christ) 00:40 – Why We Need the Church 01:30 – Carrying Each Other’s Burdens Explained 03:30 – The Power of Community (Real-Life Illustration) 04:20 – “Love One Another” — Jesus’ Command 05:30 – Restoring Those Who Fall 06:15 – What Does Gentleness Really Mean? 07:30 – Gentleness Is Power Under Control 08:40 – Avoiding Pride While Helping Others 10:00 – The Danger of Spiritual Comparison 11:30 – “Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself” 12:30 – Personal Responsibility in Faith 13:30 – Speck vs. Plank (Self-Examination) 14:40 – Oxygen Mask Analogy (Help Yourself First) 15:30 – A Church Where No One Walks Alone 16:00 – Prayer: “Lord, Search Me” 17:00 – Who Needs Your Help Today? 18:00 – Final Encouragement & Challenge

The Optimism of Grace: Freedom, Restoration & Carrying Each Other’s Burdens (Galatians 6)

Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack introduces a powerful message from Pastor Nick, recorded at our Johnstown campus. We dive into Galatians 6:1–5 and explore what Pastor Nick calls the “optimism of grace.” God’s grace isn’t just about forgiveness—it’s about true transformation. Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live in freedom, grow in holiness, and walk in step with Christ. But this freedom isn’t just personal—it’s deeply communal.In this episode, we learn: * What it means to restore one another gently * How to practice mutual accountability and personal responsibility * Why we’re called to carry each other’s burdens * How grace shapes the way we live and love as a church family 💬 Let us know your thoughts! Email us at podcast@shepnaz.org 🔗 Learn more about Shepherd Church: Visit Shepnaz [https://shepnaz.org] 🎧 Listen to more episodes: Shepnaz Podcast [https://shepnaz.org] 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to encourage others! ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome from Pastor Zack 00:20 – Introduction to Galatians 6 01:03 – Reading: Galatians 6:1–5 01:57 – What is the “Optimism of Grace”? 02:50 – Freedom in Christ: Forgiven AND Transformed 03:35 – What Are We Freed For? 04:36 – Following Jesus: Loving God & Others 05:34 – Living by the Spirit 06:40 – Growing in Holiness (Sanctification Explained) 07:47 – The Reality of Sin in the Christian Life 08:06 – Misunderstanding “Christian Perfection” 09:26 – Becoming More Like Christ Over Time 10:22 – How Do We Handle Sin? 10:35 – Mutual Accountability & Personal Responsibility 11:12 – Restore Gently, Don’t Condemn 12:17 – A Countercultural Call to Restoration 12:39 – What Restoration Really Means 13:34 – Who Is Responsible? (Answer: All of Us) 14:05 – Carrying Each Other’s Burdens 15:21 – Why We Need Each Other 16:13 – The Church as Family 17:05 – Closing Encouragement & Part Two Preview

Obeying God’s Call When It’s Scary | Worship Leadership & Faith Journey w/ Genesis Mena Cruz

What does it look like to truly follow God—even when it’s uncomfortable, unexpected, or even scary?In today’s Worship Wednesday episode of the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack sits down with Genesis Mena Cruz, Youth and Worship Pastor at Grace Life Church of the Nazarene. Genesis shares her powerful journey from growing up in a Hispanic Pentecostal church in Miami, to encountering the Holy Spirit in a life-changing way, and ultimately stepping into her calling as a pastor. This conversation is filled with encouragement for worship leaders, ministry workers, and anyone learning to trust God’s voice day by day. 🔥 In this episode, you’ll discover: * What authentic worship really looks like * How to recognize God’s calling on your life * Why obedience matters more than comfort * The importance of community and vulnerability in ministry * Practical encouragement for young leaders and pastors No matter where you are in your faith journey, this episode will remind you: God is faithful—and He will guide every step. 👉 Learn more about Shepherd Church: shepnaz.org [https://shepnaz.org] 🎧 Listen to more episodes: shepnaz.org/podcast [https://shepnaz.org] 📺 Watch more sermons & content: shepnaz.org/media [https://shepnaz.org] 📩 Send us your thoughts or questions: podcast@shepnaz.org👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others grow in their faith! 💬 Drop a comment: What has God been calling you to lately? Chapters 00:00 Welcome + Worship Wednesday Intro00:30 Meet Genesis Mena Cruz01:10 Why Worship Conversations Matter02:25 Genesis’ Faith Background (Miami, Hispanic Church)05:10 A Life-Changing Encounter with God07:10 Why You Never Forget God Moments08:30 Discovering Worship & Leadership11:40 Called Into Ministry13:10 Moving to Ohio & Trusting God14:20 Growth Through Community & Vulnerability16:00 Learning to Lead Worship Teams18:00 Stepping Into Pastoral Calling20:00 Pastor Zack’s Story & Calling Shift22:00 Obedience Over Comfort25:15 What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?26:00 Trust the Spirit Within You26:40 Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions27:10 Take Up Space in Ministry28:00 Pray Without Ceasing28:50 Final Encouragement + Outro