Pekin First Podcast

Episode 78- Running on Empty

Somewhere along the way, exhaustion became a badge of honor. We stay busy, overwhelmed, constantly connected… yet spiritually drained. In Episode 78, “Running on Empty,” we talk about burnout, emotional exhaustion, and what Jesus really meant when He said, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” Because sometimes faith doesn’t look like pushing harder… Sometimes it looks like finally resting in God.

Episode 75 - Flying Lessons

In Episode 75 of the Pekin First Podcast called, Flying Lessons, we dive into Heather Robertson’s powerful new book. This book is filled with  reminders that growth isn’t always smooth—but it’s always worth the destination. From learning when you’re at your best, to asking the hard question—who do you want to be?—this episode challenges you to rethink success, identity, and even failure. Not everyone has to agree with you. You belong to you. And maybe… just maybe… you’re doing better than you think. Join us as we explore what it really means to fly.

Episode 60 - How to Surprise Jesus

Don’t you love it when things turn out better than expected? Those moments when we say, “What a pleasant surprise, “or “Wow, that worked out perfectly.” But what if Jesus said something like that about our faith? In Matthew 8, Jesus encounters a Roman centurion in Capernaum who asks for his servant to be healed. When Jesus offers to come to his home, the centurion responds with remarkable humility and confidence: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Scripture tells us that Jesus was amazedby this faith—the greatest He had seen up to that point. What does it mean to have a faith that amazes Jesus? In this episode, we explore what “amazing faith” looks like in today’s world and how we can grow and strengthen our faith so that we, too, might live with trust, humility, and confidence in Christ.

Episode 58 - The New Years Promise

New year, new promises—but why do so many of them fade so quickly? As a new year begins, many of us take time to reflect on our lives and set New Year’s resolutions or personal goals. We promise ourselves that this year will be different. Yet studies show that nearly 80–90% of resolutions are abandoned within the first few months. In this episode, we explore how you can be part of the small percentage—about 8–9%—who succeed in keeping at least some of their goals. We’ll focus on the four F’s: Faith, Fitness, Family, and Finance, and how intentionally prioritizing just one or two of these areas can lead to a healthier, more successful year. Most importantly, we’ll be reminded that even when our promises fall short, God’s promises never fail. No matter the outcome of our goals, His faithfulness remains unbroken.

Episode 56 – Rebuilding a Foundation

Over time, even the strongest foundations can develop weak spots or cracks. The foundations that hold up large buildings and homes can wear down, suffer damage from fires or earthquakes, and after years of stress, they sometimes need major repairs—or even a complete rebuild. So when is the best time to rebuild a foundation? Most building experts will tell you that in the Midwest, summer is ideal because of the weather. But what happens when our faith foundation begins to crack? What if it’s been shaken by hardship, worn down by time, or strained under a load that feels too heavy to carry? When that happens, how do we strengthen it—or rebuild it altogether? And when is the best time to do that? Rebuilding our faith means re-centering our lives on Jesus Christ. And there’s no better time to do that than at Christmas—a season that reminds us of hope, renewal, and the solid foundation we find in Him.