(Ep. #23) After Taps: The Legacy of SGT. Derek Banks

(Ep. #23) After Taps: The Legacy of SGT. Derek Banks

On November 14th, 2007, SGT. Derek Banks passed from injuries sustained during combat in Iraq. The folded flag was presented. Taps was played. The ceremonies ended. But for the families left behind…the grief did not. This episode is deeply personal. In 2007, Brandon deployed to Iraq alongside Derek. They trained together, shared laughs, and attended church together before war changed everything. Nearly two decades later, Derek’s mother, Renee Person, opens her heart to share the story behind the uniform...not simply of a soldier, but of her son. Together, we honor Derek’s life and legacy while listening to the perspective of a Gold Star mother who has carried grief, faith, questions, memories, and hope through the long years that followed. This is a conversation about sacrifice. About grief that does not run on a schedule. About the people we love and the memories we carry. And about trusting God when life leaves wounds that never fully disappear. This episode also honors Gold Star families, including Derek’s son, DJ...a living extension of his father’s legacy and a reminder that while death may interrupt a life, love and influence often continue long after. Some stories entertain. Some stories challenge. And some stories deserve to be remembered. This one aims to remember.

(Ep. #22) The Night Everything Changed: The Story of Jon Holt

What happens when a man survives the kind of night that should’ve killed him? In this powerful episode of The Awkward Pastor, we sit down with Jon Holt — an Iraq War veteran that Brandon served with, Purple Heart recipient, and law enforcement officer whose story sounds more like a movie than real life. After surviving a devastating EFP roadside bomb attack in Iraq that killed two of his brothers-in-arms and left him severely wounded, Jon was told he may never walk normally again. But that wasn’t the end of his story. It was the beginning. By the grace of God, Jon went from the battlefields of Iraq to a life spent serving and rescuing others as a police officer — pulling people from burning homes, responding to horrific crashes, and walking through trauma most people could never imagine. His journey is one of pain, resilience, brotherhood, faith, survival, and purpose. This episode dives deep into: * The reality of combat trauma and PTSD * Survivor’s guilt and grief after war * Brotherhood forged in combat * The mental and emotional cost of law enforcement * Faith in the middle of suffering * How God can bring purpose out of devastation * Overcoming impossible odds * Redemption, resilience, and hope after pain This is not a polished Hollywood war story. It’s raw.It’s human. And it’s unforgettable.

(Ep. #21) If Your Gospel Requires Your Help...It's Fake

What if the most dangerous false gospel isn’t outside the church…but sounds almost exactly like the truth? In this episode of The Awkward Pastor, we expose the “Jesus + something” gospel...a subtle, soul-crushing lie that started with the Judaizers and still shows up in churches, sermons, and social media feeds today. They didn’t reject Jesus. They just made Him… insufficient. “Jesus saves you… but you better perform.” “Grace starts it… but you better maintain it.” “Faith matters… but your effort proves everything.” It sounds spiritual.It sounds serious.It sounds right. But it’s poison. In this episode, we break down: What the Judaizers were really teaching (and why it spread so easily) * Why adding anything to the gospel doesn’t strengthen it—it destroys it * How performance-based Christianity quietly replaces peace with pressure * The difference between real obedience and religious exhaustion * How to finally rest in a gospel that doesn’t depend on you If your faith has ever felt like a constant test you’re failing… If you’ve been stuck trying to prove something God already settled… If Christianity feels more like a burden than freedom… This episode is going to hit you right where you live.

(Ep. #20) Why Did Jesus Have To Die? (The Cross Explained)

With Good Friday approaching, we’re forced to confront a question most people avoid—why did Jesus have to die? The cross of Jesus Christ is the center of the Christian gospel. Without His death and resurrection, there is no forgiveness, no peace with God, and no hope of salvation. But if God is good, why didn’t He simply forgive sin and move on? Why the cross? Why did Jesus have to be crucified? In this episode of The Awkward Pastor, we go deep into the why behind the cross—exploring God’s holiness, justice, and mercy, and what was really happening when darkness fell and the earth shook. We also examine the supernatural events surrounding the crucifixion and unpack the powerful symbolism behind them, revealing that the cross was not just an execution, but a divine act of redemption. Joining us is A.T. Stewart, a seasoned Bible expositor, and former pastor with over 50 years of ministry experience bringing clarity, depth, and biblical truth to one of the most important questions in Christianity. Check out Dr. Stewart's sermons here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-t-stewart-ministries/id82454198

(Ep. #19) When The Phone Rings at 2AM: Dealing with Tragedy

Tragedy is something every person will face eventually. A sudden death. A devastating accident. Suicide. Violence. Loss that makes no sense. In this episode, Brandon and Tim step into an honest, raw conversation about tragedy in a broken world. This episode was motivated by the recent sudden and tragic death of Brandon’s close friend, which forced a deeper reflection on questions many people wrestle with but rarely say out loud: Why does tragedy happen? Where is God in the middle of it all? With biblical truth, real-life experience, and the occasional dark humor that life sometimes requires, Brandon and Tim talk openly about the reality of living in a fallen world while still holding on to hope. In this episode, they discuss: • Why tragedy exists in a broken world • Why suffering and loss are part of the human experience • How hope and meaning can still emerge from painful moments This conversation isn’t about giving easy answers or pretending tragedy is simple. It’s about facing the hard realities of life with honesty, faith, and the kind of discussion that happens when friends sit down and talk about the things that actually matter. If you’ve ever struggled to understand suffering, wrestled with grief, or wondered how faith survives real-life tragedy, this episode is for you. Because sometimes the most honest conversations about faith begin in the darkest moments.