The More and Better Disciples Podcast

Behind the Sermon: How Campus Pastors Prep for Sermons

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

What happens before a sermon is ever preached? In a more “behind-the-scenes” episode of the More and Better Disciples podcast, Tim, Jesse, Isaac, and Mat sit down to talk candidly about the sermon preparation process, the pressure of preaching, and the ways God often works on the preacher before the message ever reaches the congregation.

From the overlooked book of Obadiah to Psalm 34 and Exodus 34, the conversation explores pride, assumptions about God, loving your enemies, seeking the Lord, and learning to bless God even in difficult seasons. The team also discusses the challenge of narrowing down big biblical themes, the reality of rewriting sermons late in the process, and how pastors sharpen one another through feedback and collaboration before Sunday arrives.

Along the way, there are stories, movie references, sports analogies, and honest moments about faith, justice, discipleship, and what it really looks like to prepare a message week after week. Whether you’ve preached before or have never thought about what goes into a sermon, this episode offers a candid look behind the curtain at the work, prayer, and process involved in teaching God’s Word.

Submit your questions to podcast@gracefellowship.com

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To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
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Do Soulmates Exist?

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:09:04 GMT

Are soulmates actually biblical? Is there really “one person” out there for you or do Christians have more freedom than we think? In this episode, the conversation dives deep into dating, singleness, marriage, and the pressure many people feel to “find the one.”

The team unpacks the modern soulmate idea, what Scripture actually says about relationships, and how Christians can navigate dating in a culture shaped by apps, hookup culture, and unrealistic expectations. They also tackle practical questions about discerning God’s will, handling uncertainty, pursuing marriage without obsession, and learning to trust God even when life doesn’t unfold the way we hoped.

Whether you’re single, dating, divorced, widowed, married, or just trying to understand healthy Christian relationships, this episode offers honest conversation, biblical perspective, and encouragement to follow God faithfully in whatever season you’re in.

Submit your questions to podcast@gracefellowship.com

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny
To give online: https://gracefellowship.com/give/

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
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Rethinking Marriage and Singleness

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 05 May 2026 13:41:49 GMT

In this episode, we step into a deeper conversation about marriage and singleness through the lens of Scripture, history, and real-life tension. Looking at figures like John Wesley and George Whitefield, we wrestle with honest questions about whether marriage always leads to fulfillment, how we understand God’s calling in different seasons of life, and what it means to live with undivided devotion to Christ.

We also explore how the church has often emphasized marriage while unintentionally undervaluing singleness, and why both are meant to be lived with purpose under the lordship of Jesus. Whether married, single, or somewhere in between, this conversation challenges us to rethink what it means to follow Christ first—and let everything else flow from that.

Submit your questions to podcast@gracefellowship.com

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny
To give online: https://gracefellowship.com/give/

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
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Hard Questions About Marriage

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:47:22 GMT

Marriage sounds simple until you’re actually in it.
In this episode, we get into the real stuff like what happens when two people who love Jesus don’t see things the same way, when faith becomes a point of tension instead of unity, and when love feels more like a decision than a feeling. We talk about theological differences in marriage, what it looks like to stay committed when emotions aren’t there, and how to actually move toward each other instead of drifting apart.

We also tackle a tough but common question: what if you’re married to someone who doesn’t believe? What does the Bible really mean when it talks about being “sanctified” in that kind of relationship and what responsibility (or pressure) does that put on you?

Along the way, we get into communication, unmet expectations, why your spouse can’t be everything for you, and how to figure out what your marriage actually needs instead of trying to fit into someone else’s framework.

Grace, honesty, and a lot of real talk: this one's for every married person, every hurting person, and anyone who wants to understand what a God-honoring marriage can look like.

Submit your questions to podcast@gracefellowship.com

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny
To give online: https://gracefellowship.com/give/

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
Stay Connected
Website: https://gracefellowship.com
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Hope, Doubt, and the Resurrection

Grace Fellowship — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:51:49 GMT

Easter is over but how do we continue feeling hopeful? In this episode, we go deeper into the rich and mysterious account of Jesus and the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), unpacking the questions the Sunday message didn't have time to answer: Who were these disciples? Why couldn't they recognize Jesus? What did that three-and-a-half hour Bible study actually look like?

But the conversation doesn't stay in the first century. What do you do when you believe in Jesus but still feel completely hopeless about your life? When the circumstances haven't changed, the sadness is real, and Easter Sunday came and went without moving the needle? This episode speaks honestly to that experience, including a personal story of a faith crisis that nearly didn't resolve, and the three things that can bring someone back from the edge of walking away entirely.

Whether you're full of doubt, going through the motions, or just curious about some of the stranger details in the Easter story, this conversation is worth your time!

Watch the Easter sermon: https://youtu.be/FNbu05wtGUk

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To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
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What Are the Odds? - Setting Your Mind on What Matters

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:17:28 GMT

What are the odds… that two pastors preach almost the exact same message without planning it?

We are joined by Latham Campus Pastor Mat Saxon in this episode of the More and Better Disciples Podcast. we start with March Madness brackets (and questionable decision-making in building those brackets)… and end up in a deep conversation about the power of the mind in the Christian life. What you fix your mind on is shaping who you’re becoming.

We talk about:

Why your thoughts matter more than you think
How your habits are forming you
What Jesus really meant when He cried out on the cross
And why the cross is where God’s love and justice meet perfectly

Plus, we tackle a big question:
Did God actually forsake Jesus?

Whether you’re new to faith or have been following Jesus for years, this episode will challenge you to take a closer look at what’s shaping your mind and your life.

***Learn more about Alpha: https://gracefellowship.com/alpha ***

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Grace, Truth, and Spiritual Warfare

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Rex, Tim, and Jesse reflect on some of the major moments we've been exploring in the book of Acts, including the stories of Cornelius, Peter, Barnabas, and Paul. Along the way, they dive deeper into a challenging but important question: Does anyone actually deserve salvation? The conversation turns to the heart of the gospel and why understanding grace is so essential for the Christian life.

We also tackle listener questions about how Christians should respond when Scripture is misused or twisted online. Should believers spend their energy calling out false teaching or focus on faithfully proclaiming the truth?

Finally, the discussion moves into the topic of spiritual warfare. How do we distinguish between psychological struggles and possible spiritual attack? And how should followers of Jesus think about demons, influence, and freedom in Christ?

Through it all, the conversation points back to a simple but powerful promise from Jesus: when we hold to His teaching, the truth sets us free!

Resources Mentioned:
Spiritual Warfare: Christians, Demonization and Deliverance
Book by Dr. Karl I. Payne

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny
To give online: https://gracefellowship.com/give/

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
Stay Connected
Website: https://gracefellowship.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gracefellowshipny
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What If I Don’t Have a Dramatic Conversion Story?

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:15:07 GMT

In this episode, we wrestle with a question a lot of believers quietly carry: What if I don’t have a dramatic testimony? Is a steady, everyday faith somehow less meaningful than a radical conversion story? And what does obedience really look like outside of a big moment in normal life and routines?

Pastor Pastor Isaac Denton, our Saratoga Campus Pastor, joins us for this conversation! We also talk about the heart behind campus-specific sermons and how that approach helps shepherd people more personally and intentionally.

Along the way, we unpack pride vs. prayer, everyday and why God so often works through ordinary obedience. Your story may not feel dramatic — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful.

Submit your questions for a future episode:
podcast@gracefellowship.com

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Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
Stay Connected
Website: https://gracefellowship.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gracefellowshipny
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Missions, Obedience, and Everyday Evangelism

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:50:03 GMT

In this episode of the More and Better Disciples podcast, the conversation centers on short-term mission trips, Spirit-led obedience, and what it really means to trust God as the Lord of the harvest. Pastor Rex shares stories from his first mission trip to New Orleans—including street evangelism, bold encounters, and how stepping outside your comfort zone often creates space for spiritual breakthrough.

We explore Acts 8 and 9, reflecting on Philip’s immediate obedience, divine appointments, and the beautiful tension between God’s sovereignty and our responsibility. If God is already preparing hearts, does that remove the pressure from evangelism—or increase our urgency? We also discuss the gift of evangelism, how ordinary believers play different roles in God’s mission, and practical ways to grow in sharing your faith.

This episode is an invitation to eliminate hurry, listen for God’s voice, and step into the work He’s already doing.

Learn more about short-term mission trips at:
gracefellowship.com/missions

Submit your questions for a future episode:
podcast@gracefellowship.com

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Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
Stay Connected
Website: https://gracefellowship.com
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Calling, Comfort, and The Church

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:52:17 GMT

For info about classes at Grace: gracefellowship.com/classes/

In this episode, we dive into the challenge of moving beyond comfort zones and uncovering God’s calling for each of us. Let's explore why so many Christians settle for routine, how the early church empowered everyday believers, and the importance of asking hard questions about our motives and faith. From practical “gut checks” to understanding subtle forms of pride and simony, this conversation equips listeners to examine their lives, embrace humility, and engage fully in God’s work. Tune in to be inspired to step into your calling and help awaken the sleeping giant within the church.

To submit questions, email: podcast@gracefellowship.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
Stay Connected
Website: https://gracefellowship.com
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Integrity, Miracles, and a Word-Grounded Faith

Grace Fellowship — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:09:44 GMT

In this episode, the we explore the themes of integrity, miracles, and what it means to live a faithful, Scripture-rooted life beyond Sunday. Drawing from the book of Acts, they reflect on personal stories of God’s work, the role of miracles in the life of the church, and the tension between boldly praying for God to move while trusting His sovereignty when He doesn’t act as expected. Along the way, the conversation highlights why integrity matters so deeply in discipleship and how a steady, vibrant faith can be sustained through doubt, suffering, and unanswered questions.

To submit questions: podcast@gracefellowship.com

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
Stay Connected
Website: https://gracefellowship.com
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Divine Encounters, Spiritual Openness, and Good Citizenship

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:17:37 GMT

What kind of difference does a faithful life really make—and how do we know when God is at work in the ordinary moments of our day?

In the second episode of the More and Better Disciples podcast, Tim, Jesse, and Rex continue their journey through the Book of Acts, reflecting on discipleship after the “honeymoon phase” of the early church. They talk about the unseen ripple effect of faithfulness, the discouragement that can come with following Jesus, and why obedience often matters more than visible results.

The conversation moves into discerning divine appointments, the challenge of staying attentive to the Holy Spirit in a hurried world, and why many moments of God’s work are only clear in hindsight. Along the way, they wrestle with the supernatural nature of the gospel, the difference between the true gospel and a therapeutic version of faith, and what it means to live as a Christian under a “law above the law” in a complex cultural moment.

This episode invites listeners to slow down, think deeply, and lean into wisdom, humility, and love as we seek to follow Jesus faithfully—beyond Sunday mornings and into everyday life.

To submit questions: podcast@gracefellowship.com

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/gracefellowshipny

To glorify God by making more and better disciples. This is the vision of Grace Fellowship, led by Pastor Rex Keener and based in New York’s Capital Region.
——
Stay Connected
Website: https://gracefellowship.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gracefellowshipny
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Teaser - The More and Better Disciples Podcast

Grace Fellowship — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 13:30:00 GMT

🎙️ New Podcast Launching December 30

The More and Better Disciples Podcast is coming soon!

A conversation designed to help you take what you hear on Sunday and carry it into the rest of your week.

We’re going beyond the sermon—digging deeper into Scripture, asking the questions that didn’t get asked, and wrestling with what it really looks like to live out your faith Monday through Saturday.

🎧 First episode drops December 30th
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss it!

Where We’ve Been and a Look Ahead - The Book of Acts

Grace Fellowship — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In the first episode of the More and Better Disciples podcast, the team reflects on where Grace Fellowship has been in the Book of Acts and looks ahead to what’s coming next. Together, they revisit Acts chapters 1 and 2, exploring how the early church began, the central role of the Holy Spirit, and why understanding our spiritual roots matters today.

Along the way, the conversation opens up what often gets left on the cutting room floor of Sunday sermons—how messages are shaped, why not everything can fit into one teaching, and how to read the Book of Acts as both history and guidance for our lives. As the church prepares to move forward in Acts, this episode sets the stage for what it means to walk in the Spirit, grow as disciples, and remain open to what God wants to do next.

Be sure to like and subscribe to never miss a moment of our new podcast!