afterWord with Pastor Kent

• Kevin Carson (Part 2): The Word at Work in Preaching and Counseling

  What does faithful ministry of the Word look like—both from the pulpit and across the counseling table? In this follow-up episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow continues his conversation with Jeremy Pray and Kevin Carson, pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, Missouri, and Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition.Together they explore how expository preaching and biblical counseling flow from the same conviction: God’s Word is sufficient and authoritative for all of life. Kevin shares his passion for teaching Scripture with precision and clarity, rooted in passages like 1 Timothy 4, and explains why understanding a text’s meaning, significance, and application is vital in both public and private ministry.From the “scratch-and-sniff” aroma of Scripture in everyday life to the careful bridge between truth and compassion, this conversation will strengthen your confidence in the transforming power of God’s Word—whether you’re preaching, counseling, or simply seeking to apply the Bible faithfully.Hosts: Pastor Kent Dresdow and Pastor Jeremy PrayGuest: Pastor Kevin Carson (Sonrise Baptist Church, Ozark, MO; Biblical Counseling Coalition)Themes: expository preaching · biblical counseling · sufficiency of Scripture · pastoral ministry · application and wisdom · local churchNorthCreek Church Dr. Kent DresdowIn glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.Sundays: 9:00AM & 10:45AM2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598https://www.northcreek.org/Church, Worship Service, All Ages Classes, Baptism, Membership, Discipleship, Children's Ministry, Students Ministry, College And Career Ministry, Adults Ministry, Outreach, Counseling, Food Pantry, Job Network, Church App, Sermons, Books And Cafe, Reading Plans, Giving, Prayer, Church Events, Men's Breakfast, Walnut Creek Church, Christian Community, Bay Area Church, northcreek church, walnut creek church, christian community, bay area church, faith based, bible study, community groups, worship music, serving others, Fellowship, Sunday School, Youth Group, Spiritual Growth, Faith Community, Volunteer Opportunities, Church Fellowship, Mission Trips, Family Ministry, Small Groups, Church Volunteering, Community Outreach, Church Gathering

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• Kevin Carson (Part 1): God’s Grace in Suffering and Ministry

  What shapes a pastor’s heart for people? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Jeremy Pray and longtime NCT guest Kevin Carson—pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, Missouri, and incoming Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition—to trace the Lord’s providence through Kevin’s life and ministry.From growing up in a pastor’s home to planting and pastoring in the heartland, Kevin shares how the loss of his first child and the mentorship of early biblical counseling leaders deepened his compassion and dependence on Christ (2 Cor. 1:3–4; James 1:2–4). Together they reflect on decades of ministry, the growth of biblical counseling, and why church-based, Word-saturated care remains essential for the health of Christ’s people.Whether you’re a pastor, counselor, or believer who wants to care well for others, this conversation will encourage you to trust God’s purposes in suffering and to serve with Christlike wisdom and grace.Hosts: Pastor Kent Dresdow and Pastor Jeremy PrayGuest: Pastor Kevin Carson (Sonrise Baptist Church, Ozark, MO; Biblical Counseling Coalition)Themes: biblical counseling · pastoral ministry · suffering and comfort · compassion · faith in trials · church leadership

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• Committed to the Local Church: The Case for Membership

  What is church membership, and why does it matter right now? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to consider the biblical foundations and practical blessings of committing to a local church. While the pulpit focuses on the public ministry of the Word, this conversation tackles a timely pastoral question many at NorthCreek are asking: Is membership in the Bible, and how does it shape the life of our church?Walking through passages like Acts 1:15; 2:41; 6:1–7, 1 Timothy 5:9, Hebrews 13:17, Ephesians 4:11–13, Colossians 1:28, and Hebrews 10:23–25, the team shows how Scripture assumes known lists, counted people, and accountable care. Membership clarifies who our elders will “give an account” for, equips saints for ministry, and anchors believers in mutual encouragement and loving accountability. You’ll hear practical counsel on moving from “you guys” to “we”—owning the life, mission, and witness of your church family.Whether you’re new to NorthCreek, a longtime attender, a traveling nurse or student here for a season, or a member needing refreshment, this episode invites you to go all in—to belong, be equipped, and build up the body of Christ. Keywords: church membership, local church, biblical accountability, pastoral care, spiritual growth, elder leadership, deacon service, expository ministry, Bay Area Christians, membership class.NorthCreek Church Dr. Kent DresdowIn glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.Sundays: 9:00AM & 10:45AM2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598https://www.northcreek.org/Church, Worship Service, All Ages Classes, Baptism, Membership, Discipleship, Children's Ministry, Students Ministry, College And Career Ministry, Adults Ministry, Outreach, Counseling, Food Pantry, Job Network, Church App, Sermons, Books And Cafe, Reading Plans, Giving, Prayer, Church Events, Men's Breakfast, Walnut Creek Church, Christian Community, Bay Area Church, northcreek church, walnut creek church, christian community, bay area church, faith based, bible study, community groups, worship music, serving others, Fellowship, Sunday School, Youth Group, Spiritual Growth, Faith Community, Volunteer Opportunities, Church Fellowship, Mission Trips, Family Ministry, Small Groups, Church Volunteering, Community Outreach, Church Gathering

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• Singing the Truth (Part 2): A Hymn in Every Home

  In this follow-up to our Sing! recap, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Dan Grassi, Minister of Music at NorthCreek Church, to unpack the vision behind the new Sing Hymnal—a collaboration from Getty Music and Crossway—and how curated hymnody can shape both our services and our homes. Dan traces a brief history of hymnals from the Reformation to the modern-hymn movement (think “In Christ Alone,” “Before the Throne of God Above”), then explains why a carefully chosen body of songs helps truth take root in our memories and discipleship.You’ll hear how the hymnal is organized—by the flow of gathered worship, the Christian life, and the life of Christ (Advent to Ascension and beyond)—and how that serves pastors, worship planners, and families alike. Dan also clarifies psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16): what each is aiming to do, how they overlap, and why a healthy church sings all three. Along the way, we talk practicals: using hymn stories and Scripture references at the dinner table, learning melodies from simple recordings, and cultivating singable truth for kids and adults.If you care about congregational singing, family worship, and passing the faith to the next generation, this episode will help you bring biblically rich, Christ-centered songs into weekly rhythms—on Sundays and around the table. Our hope: not just a hymnal in the pew, but a hymn in every home.

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• Singing the Truth (Part 1): Lessons from the Sing! Conference

  What happens to a church when it sings rich truth together? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to unpack highlights from the Sing! Conference in Nashville and why those days of Scripture-saturated worship were such a gift to our staff and church family. From the joy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with believers from around the world to the refreshment of unhurried fellowship, the conversation explores how corporate singing shapes unity, discipleship, and mission.Drawing from Revelation 5, Psalm 22, Psalm 47, Psalm 78, and Ephesians 4, the guys reflect on a biblical theology of singing—why we proclaim who God is (not merely how we feel), and how melody and poetry help lodge doctrine deep in our hearts for both ordinary days and suffering. They discuss the beauty of skillful musicianship paired with sound theology, the encouragement of robust congregational harmonies, and simple, singable hymns and songs (think CityAlight) that serve the whole body.You’ll also hear practical takeaways for corporate worship and family worship—from preparing our hearts on Sundays to filling our homes with singable truth throughout the week. The episode closes with a preview of the newly released Sing! Hymnal and why recovering hymn-singing in our homes could strengthen the next generation.If you care about congregational singing, biblical worship, and passing the faith “from one generation to another,” this conversation will encourage you to sing with understanding and joy.Stay tuned for Part 2, where we talk about using a hymnal in everyday family life.2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598https://www.northcreek.org/Church, Worship Service, All Ages Classes, Baptism, Membership, Discipleship, Children's Ministry, Students Ministry, College And Career Ministry, Adults Ministry, Outreach, Counseling, Food Pantry, Job Network, Church App, Sermons, Books And Cafe, Reading Plans, Giving, Prayer, Church Events, Men's Breakfast, Walnut Creek Church, Christian Community, Bay Area Church, northcreek church, walnut creek church, christian community, bay area church, faith based, bible study, community groups, worship music, serving others, Fellowship, Sunday School, Youth Group, Spiritual Growth, Faith Community, Volunteer Opportunities, Church Fellowship, Mission Trips, Family Ministry, Small Groups, Church Volunteering, Community Outreach, Church Gathering

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