Strangers to Saints

Discernment in the Age of Platform Pastors | Ep. 15

Eric Bancroft is the pastor of Grace Church Miami in Miami Florida. He has been in the ministry for over 20 years. He served as Associate pastor at Grace Community Church under the late John MacArthur, Revitalized a church in Indiana called Castle View Church and has since planted Grace Church Miami 7 years ago. He has preached at conferences like Unorthodox, T4G, TGC, and Ligonier. Eric is also my pastor. In this episode, we tackle one of the most important and misunderstood questions in the modern church: What actually makes a pastor a pastor?In light of recent controversy surrounding Mike Todd and the broader rise of celebrity culture in Christianity, we sit down for an honest, biblical, and necessary conversation about the calling, character, and responsibility of pastoral leadership.Together, we walk through:- What Scripture actually says about the role of a pastor- The difference between influence and spiritual authority- How Christians should think about platforms, fame, and accountability- What it truly means for a pastor to be “above reproach”- And how the church can pursue discernment without drifting into cynicismThis episode is not about attacking individuals—it’s about recovering a biblical vision for the shepherd’s role and helping believers learn how to love pastors rightly, follow discernment wisely, and keep Christ at the center of the Church.Whether you’re a church leader, a young believer, or someone wrestling through what healthy leadership looks like, this conversation is for you.

The Bridge Between Heaven And Earth (John 1:43-51)

This video is part of my ongoing series through the Gospel of John, where we’re walking step by step through the life and ministry of Jesus. In John 1:43–51, we see Jesus call Philip and Nathanael. What starts with doubt and skepticism quickly turns into faith and confession as Nathanael declares, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”This passage reminds us that Jesus personally knows us, calls us, and promises that we will “see greater things.” As we continue this journey through John, we’ll explore how each encounter with Jesus reveals His glory and invites us to trust Him more deeply.

The Lamb Of God (John 1:19-42)

Welcome to Day 2 of our journey through the Gospel of John! Each day we’re walking verse by verse, pulling out rich truth in short, practical teachings to help you stay consistent in God’s Word. Today we’re diving deeper into John’s opening chapter, where John the Baptist points us toward Jesus and shows us what it really means to make Him known. Whether you’re a Christian looking to grow or just curious about what the Bible says, this series is for you. Stick with me daily — by the end of John, you’ll not only know the text better, but see Jesus more clearly.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangersto... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVI1aGdYRmsyVHdqTGxsbzFISFM3RzVid1RrQXxBQ3Jtc0tsR0g2MU5xZmJFRmVJcDFZVEx0SE1qeDNwX1BzcWwzYm5CdVNmNXYxaVBoNXNuNTJGaW9udThIUlBZWXNMNjFVRnJNaXJxUnpUYkRpTXFuekprSjVpTzlBZHBUZGJLbGc5eHlDQXc5WHcxdWlJY2pCSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fstrangerstosaints%3Figsh%3DZ2NzYm1wYWJ0ZXE1%26utm_source%3Dqr&v=hhdakAgB7LA]Website: https://www.strangerstosaints.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDRSZDRWMC1HTnNZYThYQTl3VlYxNDRTYmNEUXxBQ3Jtc0trZEpMY2pjMUR0ZTdCSHdvZG56LW5sNkcwNWU1S3FTaXo5UnRhMXE2OWF2TFIwSVVESGVPSjlVQjd2UDVjUmZIZ2pNbmVxd05sUjZkOUN5ZUF4TXpib0NMdEhjZWR0Mm5mWUlBUmNQemFDcFYxc3hkNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.strangerstosaints.com%2F&v=hhdakAgB7LA]

Hungry For The Word! (John 1:1-18) | Ep. 12

Welcome! While Strangers to Saints is still all about testimonies, interviews and giving biblical truths on difficult questions, I thought it would be helpful and fun to give you the bible in context! This is for those who want to learn more about the God of the bible! I’m starting a brand-new series where we’ll walk through the Book of John together — every single day until we finish! These are short, practical, and rich teachings designed to help you build consistency in God’s Word and discover the life-changing truth it holds. Whether you’re already a Christian or just curious about what the Bible actually says, this series is for you. My hope is that each video fuels your faith, stirs your curiosity, and gives you a daily push to stay rooted in truth. Let’s dive in and see how John’s gospel points us to Jesus in fresh and powerful ways!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strangersto... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1NvVFo4a3NZbEIyTmYtN0ktMGNuSU9rbWhaQXxBQ3Jtc0tscFhBajdNOHMwVUZERTlPbVpleTFxbVdyb0dHM0tpOXNPdXkzQ1FaQTU4MVQ4VXZhWjRocFF6dlFYWHNfRFNfYldXaUs1Z0pHd0Y1cEVGN19FWFQ4dkNqRF94a3VORVB5MDd5MW9zTnVOMUhPdGJDNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fstrangerstosaints%3Figsh%3DZ2NzYm1wYWJ0ZXE1%26utm_source%3Dqr&v=QW-_krYSGi8]Website: https://www.strangerstosaints.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTIxblFDU0t5a09SZGtMbFJJRk1UdEI3bkdXZ3xBQ3Jtc0trUjRrTlhib0VVd09MT3Y2Z1BpLVhxR3EyOUhoN2xXcS14aDBNYlBTeHV4Z2pkQVZCbzVhVzNMZ3NJTTd5SXMzX1ZVekE5MDhfblF5SGtabEJNU2JBajVEelpVYVhDdEhPd1pENDFOaXItNmh5Ty1lZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.strangerstosaints.com%2F&v=QW-_krYSGi8]Personal Youtube Channel: ‪@nateathompson‬ [https://www.youtube.com/@nateathompson]

What Erika Kirk Said Will Change Your Life, If You Do It!

Erika Kirk’s speech on the heartbreaking passing of her husband is more than just a testimony of loss — it’s a call for the church and for each of us to live differently. In this video, I reflect on her words and unpack why her perspective on faith, love, and hope in the middle of tragedy has the power to change our lives — and even strengthen the way we live out our calling together as the body of Christ — if we truly apply it. Her story is raw, emotional, and deeply challenging. It forces us to ask: what really matters? How do we handle pain when it comes? And what would our lives and our churches look like if we lived with the same faith and courage that Erika displayed? This isn’t just a review of her speech — it’s an invitation to lean in, to be changed, and to live with eternity in view as Christ’s church.