When God Tests Your Faith: Abraham, Isaac & Trusting God Completely | Shepnaz Podcast

When God Tests Your Faith: Abraham, Isaac & Trusting God Completely | Shepnaz Podcast

Welcome back to the Shepnaz Podcast! Today, Pastor Zack unpacks Pastor Rob’s powerful message from our summer series “Lessons from the Legends”, focusing on one of the most challenging and faith-stretching stories in Scripture—Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22). What does it mean when God tests our faith? How do we trust God when His instructions don’t make sense?In this episode, we explore: * The difference between testing and temptation * Why God tests us—even late in life * How Abraham responded with immediate and complete obedience * What it looks like to trust God’s provision before you see it * How to recognize God’s voice and follow it—even when it’s hard * Subscribe * Like this video * Comment your biggest takeaway * Share with someone who needs encouragement today Whether you’re facing a difficult decision or wondering what God is asking of you, this conversation will encourage you to take your next faithful step. 🙏 Need prayer or want to share your story? Email us at: podcast@shepnaz.org 👉 Learn more about Shepherd Church: https://shepnaz.org 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast https://shepnaz.org/media Chapters 0:00 – Welcome & Series Introduction 0:45 – Abraham: The Ultimate Test of Faith 2:10 – Reading Genesis 22 5:00 – God Tests Us (Not Tempts Us) 7:30 – Key Differences: Test vs Temptation 9:35 – You’re Never Done Growing (Even at 100!) 10:00 – How to Pass God’s Tests 10:05 – Recognizing God’s Voice 11:15 – No Arguments: Abraham’s Obedience 13:25 – Instant & Complete Obedience 15:15 – Trusting God’s Promises 18:55 – God Will Provide (Jehovah Jireh) 20:40 – Obey First, Let God Handle the Rest 21:40 – Submitting Fully to God 23:00 – Isaac’s Incredible Trust 25:00 – Doing the Hard Thing 26:30 – What Is God Asking You To Do? 27:00 – Closing & Prayer Invitation

Lives Changed in One Week? VBS Recap You Need to Hear

What happens when a church comes together for one week to invest in the next generation? 🌱In today’s episode of the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack sits down with Pastor Brett Dillinger to recap an incredible week of VBS at Shepherd Church. With 109 kids impacted and 44 volunteers serving, this week wasn’t just about numbers—it was about life change, relationships, and helping kids take their next step with Jesus. Hear powerful stories of: * Kids forming friendships that point them to Christ * Volunteers stepping up and finding joy in serving * Moments where faith, fun, and community came together * Subscribe to the channel * Like & share this episode * Comment with your favorite VBS moment or how God is working in your life Whether you served, had kids attend, or missed it entirely, this episode will encourage you and challenge you to get involved in what God is doing through kids ministry. 👉 Learn more about our church: https://shepnaz.org 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast 📺 Watch sermons & content: https://shepnaz.org/media Have a story or feedback? Email us: podcast@shepnaz.org ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction (Pastor Brett) 00:58 – VBS Recap: How Did It Go? 01:14 – Total Kids & What the Numbers Mean 02:06 – Why One Life Changed Matters Most 03:08 – The Team Behind the Scenes (44 Volunteers!) 04:27 – Measuring Success: Next Steps with Jesus 05:11 – Kids Inviting Friends & Building Relationships 06:15 – Why Community Matters for Kids’ Faith 07:19 – The Power of Time Together (More Than Sundays) 08:10 – Why Mixed-Age Groups Made a Difference 09:32 – Kids Leading Kids: A Huge Win 10:46 – Personal Story: Kids Feeling Seen & Valued 11:33 – Adults Had Fun Too! 13:13 – Community at Drop-Off: Parents Connecting 14:29 – A Window Into the Potential of Kids Ministry 15:35 – From Hard Work to Joyful Ministry 16:39 – Why Serving Kids Is So Impactful 17:32 – Invitation to Serve Next Year 18:18 – Behind the Scenes Roles That Matter 19:32 – The Heart of Serving (Snack Team Story) 21:12 – Creative & Faith-Filled Leadership Moments 23:41 – The Power of Ownership in Ministry 24:48 – Challenge: Get Involved in Kids Ministry 25:12 – Final Encouragement & Wrap-Up

A Dream Realized: Building a Life-Changing Camp for the Next Generation

Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack sits down with Pastor Rob Paugh to talk about an incredible story of faith, vision, and God’s provision happening right now at the Hocking Hills Retreat Center. Visit hockinghillretreatcenter.org [https://hockinghillsretreatcener.org] to learn more. What started as a dream—and a field—has become a thriving ministry space where kids are already encountering Jesus. With cabins built, a lake filled with laughter, and camps underway this very week, God is moving in powerful ways. 🙌Pastor Rob shares how volunteers, prayer, and obedience have turned vision into reality—and what’s next as the team steps out in faith to build a dining hall that will take this ministry to the next level. 🔥 In this episode: * The journey from raw land to active youth camps * Why camp experiences are so spiritually powerful * Stories of God’s faithfulness and provision * The future vision for a world-class Christian retreat center * How YOU can be part of what God is doing This is more than a project—it’s an investment in the next generation of world changers for the Kingdom. 👉 Learn more about Shepherd Church: https://shepnaz.org 🎧 Watch more episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast 📩 Send feedback or questions: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help spread what God is doing! Chapters 00:00 Welcome + Episode Intro 00:30 The Vision for Hocking Hills Retreat Center 02:00 First Camp Experience Happening Right Now 03:00 A Promise from God Comes to Life 04:30 Why Youth Camp Is So Powerful 06:00 From Soybean Field to Camp Lake 07:30 Activities, Partnerships & Camp Life 09:00 The Need for a Dining Hall 10:30 Inside the Future Dining Hall Vision 12:00 A Year-Round Ministry Opportunity 13:30 Community Impact & Partnerships 14:30 Funding the Dream (Faith + Giving) 16:00 Why This Matters for the Church 17:30 How You Can Get Involved 18:30 Final Encouragement + Call to Action

Worship Wednesday: Your Story Matters | Pastor Zach Carpenter (Freedom Naz, Sunbury, OH)

Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack sits down with Pastor Zach Carpenter from Freedom Naz in Sunbury, Ohio for a powerful Worship Wednesday conversation. This episode dives deep into: * The power of your personal testimony * Hearing and following God’s calling * Transitioning from worship pastor to lead pastor * Why “Jesus changes everything” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a lifestyle * Leading from overflow instead of emptiness Pastor Zach shares his journey of growing up in the church, stepping into ministry at a young age, and faithfully walking through seasons of growth, challenges, and calling. This episode is packed with wisdom for worship leaders, pastors, and anyone seeking to follow Jesus more fully in everyday life. 🙌 Key takeaway: Your story matters—and God can use it in powerful ways. 🔗 Learn more about Shepherd Church: 👉 https://shepnaz.org 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast 📩 Have questions or want to connect? Email us at: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay connected with daily encouragement from the Shepnaz Podcast! Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Worship Wednesday 00:40 Introducing Pastor Zach Carpenter 02:00 Why your testimony matters 03:00 Growing up in the church & early calling 06:00 Ministry journey across churches and states 08:30 “Jesus Changes Everything” – core belief 10:00 Marriage, family, and protecting relationships 12:30 When did God call you into ministry? 14:00 A defining calling moment at age 17 16:30 Encouragement for those who feel their story isn’t "powerful” 18:30 God’s vision for the next generation 21:00 Transitioning from worship pastor to lead pastor 24:30 Discernment and saying “yes” to God 28:30 Leadership lessons and humility in ministry 31:00 What would you tell your younger self? 33:00 Leading from overflow, not empty 36:30 Final encouragement: walk with Jesus daily

Jonah Part 2: The Fish Was Grace?! | God’s Mercy for Everyone (Even Them)

Today on the Shepnaz Podcast, Pastor Zack is joined by Kevin as they dive into Part 2 of Jonah’s story—and uncover a powerful truth many people miss. We often think Jonah is just about obedience… but what if it’s really about God’s overwhelming grace?From the storm… to the fish… to Nineveh’s repentance… and Jonah’s anger—this episode challenges us to rethink how we view God’s mercy, especially toward people we struggle to love. 👉 Key takeaway: God’s grace isn’t just for you—it’s for everyone. 💬 Who in your life have you written off that God still loves?🙏 About Shepherd Church: We’re all about helping people grow in faith, live with purpose, and experience the love of Jesus. 🌐 Learn more: https://shepnaz.org 🎧 More episodes: https://shepnaz.org/podcast 📩 Have questions or feedback? Email us: podcast@shepnaz.org 👍 If this episode encouraged you: * Subscribe to the channel * Share it with a friend * Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you! Chapters 00:00 Intro & “Dance Party” Start 00:25 Why Pastor Zack Needed a Co-Host 01:05 Jonah Recap: Thrown Overboard 01:45 God “Arranged” the Fish 03:30 Inside the Belly of the Fish (Not What You Think!) 04:55 Jonah’s Prayer & Realization 06:40 Gratitude in the Middle of the Mess 07:55 Jesus & the Sign of Jonah 08:40 The Long Journey to Nineveh 10:05 Jonah’s 5-Word Sermon 11:30 Why God Still Used That Message 12:00 Nineveh’s Massive Repentance 13:15 Even the Animals Fast?! 14:05 God Shows Mercy 14:25 Jonah Gets Angry at God 16:00 Waiting for Nineveh to Be Destroyed 16:45 God “Arranges” the Plant & the Worm 18:00 The REAL Lesson of Jonah 18:45 Grace for Jonah, Sailors, and Nineveh 21:00 The Hard Truth: God Loves “Those People” Too 24:30 Two Big Challenges for Us 27:00 Final Encouragement & Call to Action