<![CDATA[Gather]]>Gather is the podcast of Wilmington First Church, hosted by Josh Smothers. Each episode is a space to slow down, lean in, and explore what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life.

Through thoughtful teaching and honest conversation, Gather covers everything related to the church and Christianity—faith, Scripture, discipleship, worship, leadership, culture, and what it looks like to live out the gospel in our homes, workplaces, and community.

Whether you’re part of Wilmington First or simply curious about faith, this podcast exists to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus and stay connected to what God is doing in and through the local church.

New episodes drop regularly. Come gather with us.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 01:48:25 GMTWed, 31 Dec 2025 00:54:30 GMT60Josh Smothers<p><b>Gather</b> is the podcast of <b>Wilmington First Church</b>, hosted by <b>Josh Smothers</b>. Each episode is a space to slow down, lean in, and explore what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life.</p><p>Through thoughtful teaching and honest conversation, <i>Gather</i> covers everything related to the church and Christianity—faith, Scripture, discipleship, worship, leadership, culture, and what it looks like to live out the gospel in our homes, workplaces, and community.</p><p>Whether you’re part of Wilmington First or simply curious about faith, this podcast exists to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus and stay connected to what God is doing in and through the local church.</p><p>New episodes drop regularly. Come gather with us.</p>episodicJosh Smothersjosh.smothers@wilmingtonfirst.orgno<![CDATA[Interview with Pastor Paul Evans]]>The conversation delves into Pastor Paul's call to ministry and his journey of cultural adaptation as he transitioned from England to the United States. It explores the formative experiences that shaped his early years in ministry and the challenges he faced in adapting to a new cultural context. The conversation covers the smooth pastoral transition, passing over leadership, healthy pastoral transition, reevaluating success in ministry, endurance and longevity in ministry, and excitement for the School of Ministry. Key takeaways include the importance of a smooth pastoral transition and the need to balance metrics and discipleship in ministry.

Takeaways

  • Call to ministry
  • Cultural adaptation Smooth pastoral transition
  • Balancing metrics and discipleship

Chapters

  • 00:00 Call to Ministry and Cultural Adaptation
  • 01:08:03 Excitement for School of Ministry
]]>d310952f-ecf4-4add-8e86-f8e10db62600Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation delves into Pastor Paul's call to ministry and his journey of cultural adaptation as he transitioned from England to the United States. It explores the formative experiences that shaped his early years in ministry and the challenges he faced in adapting to a new cultural context. The conversation covers the smooth pastoral transition, passing over leadership, healthy pastoral transition, reevaluating success in ministry, endurance and longevity in ministry, and excitement for the School of Ministry. Key takeaways include the importance of a smooth pastoral transition and the need to balance metrics and discipleship in ministry.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Call to ministry</li><li>Cultural adaptation Smooth pastoral transition</li><li>Balancing metrics and discipleship</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Call to Ministry and Cultural Adaptation</li><li>01:08:03 Excitement for School of Ministry</li></ul>no01:03:37Interview with Pastor Paul Evansfull<![CDATA[Interview with Pastor Jonathan Altman]]>The conversation covers Pastor Jonathan's current roles, personal backstory, reading interests, sense of God's calling, early ministry experiences, lessons from mentors, faithful leadership, shepherding people vs. leading systems, importance of the local church, current hopes and concerns for the church, staying rooted in Pentecostal Holiness doctrines, and words of encouragement for pastors and leaders. The chapters provide a comprehensive exploration of these themes, offering valuable insights and perspectives on pastoral leadership and ministry.

Takeaways

  • Life of service
  • Faithful leadership

Chapters

  • 00:00 Words of Encouragement for Pastors and Leaders
]]>3560207a-70ed-49f1-86fa-2a1e1e2fcefbSat, 21 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation covers Pastor Jonathan's current roles, personal backstory, reading interests, sense of God's calling, early ministry experiences, lessons from mentors, faithful leadership, shepherding people vs. leading systems, importance of the local church, current hopes and concerns for the church, staying rooted in Pentecostal Holiness doctrines, and words of encouragement for pastors and leaders. The chapters provide a comprehensive exploration of these themes, offering valuable insights and perspectives on pastoral leadership and ministry.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Life of service</li><li>Faithful leadership</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Words of Encouragement for Pastors and Leaders</li></ul>no00:28:56Interview with Pastor Jonathan Altmanfull<![CDATA[Episode Seven: Spiritual Formation Over Spiritual Performance]]>The episode explores the difference between spiritual formation and spiritual performance, emphasizing the need to shift from performance-based faith to formation-based faith. It delves into the impact of performance-based faith on individuals and the unintentional rewards it receives within the church. The conversation highlights the biblical vision of transformation, the practices that shape the soul over time, and the role of grace in spiritual growth.

Takeaways

  • Shift from performance-based faith to formation-based faith
  • God cares more about who you're becoming than how you're perceived

Chapters

  • 00:00 Grace as the Engine of Spiritual Growth
]]>e6dd910e-e420-40c3-9533-1fa059ffaa81Sat, 14 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT<p>The episode explores the difference between spiritual formation and spiritual performance, emphasizing the need to shift from performance-based faith to formation-based faith. It delves into the impact of performance-based faith on individuals and the unintentional rewards it receives within the church. The conversation highlights the biblical vision of transformation, the practices that shape the soul over time, and the role of grace in spiritual growth.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Shift from performance-based faith to formation-based faith</li><li>God cares more about who you're becoming than how you're perceived</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Grace as the Engine of Spiritual Growth</li></ul>no00:19:00Episode Seven: Spiritual Formation Over Spiritual Performancefull<![CDATA[Episode Six: Why Does Prayer Feel So Hard? ]]>The episode explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding prayer, emphasizing the importance of prayer as a relationship with God. It delves into the significance of silence, honesty, and perseverance in prayer, highlighting the value of faithfulness over frequency or eloquence.

Takeaways

  • Prayer is about relationship, not performance
  • Silence does not mean God's absence
  • Faithfulness in prayer matters more than frequency or eloquence

Chapters

  • 00:00 Reframing Faithfulness in Prayer
]]>aeccc8f9-a2c7-4f0b-9c9a-944b874c804eSat, 07 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>The episode explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding prayer, emphasizing the importance of prayer as a relationship with God. It delves into the significance of silence, honesty, and perseverance in prayer, highlighting the value of faithfulness over frequency or eloquence.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Prayer is about relationship, not performance</li><li>Silence does not mean God's absence</li><li>Faithfulness in prayer matters more than frequency or eloquence</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Reframing Faithfulness in Prayer</li></ul>no00:15:24Episode Six: Why Does Prayer Feel So Hard? full<![CDATA[Episode Five: Following Jesus in Ordinary Life]]>The podcast explores the concept of following Jesus in everyday life, emphasizing the integration of faith into all areas of life. It discusses the importance of faithfulness in work, family, and daily routines, as well as the significance of obedience when no one is watching. The episode highlights the value of setting up small practices for discipleship and recognizing everyday moments as opportunities for spiritual formation.

Takeaways

  • Following Jesus in everyday life
  • Bringing faith into every area of life

Chapters

  • 00:00 Following Jesus in Ordinary Life
  • 06:09 Faithfulness in Work, Family, and Daily Routines
  • 13:23 Setting Up Small Practices for Discipleship
]]>18b1e5f0-cbfe-490f-80e4-40f33886865dSun, 01 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT<p>The podcast explores the concept of following Jesus in everyday life, emphasizing the integration of faith into all areas of life. It discusses the importance of faithfulness in work, family, and daily routines, as well as the significance of obedience when no one is watching. The episode highlights the value of setting up small practices for discipleship and recognizing everyday moments as opportunities for spiritual formation.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Following Jesus in everyday life</li><li>Bringing faith into every area of life</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Following Jesus in Ordinary Life</li><li>06:09 Faithfulness in Work, Family, and Daily Routines</li><li>13:23 Setting Up Small Practices for Discipleship</li></ul>no00:15:32Episode Five: Following Jesus in Ordinary Lifefull<![CDATA[Episode Four: Faith, Feelings, and Following Jesus When God Feels Distant]]>The conversation explores the relationship between faith and feelings, emphasizing the importance of trusting God even when He feels distant. It also delves into the concept of lament as an act of trust and the significance of choosing faithfulness in the midst of spiritual dryness.

Takeaways

  • Faith and feelings
  • Lament as an act of trust

Chapters

  • 00:00 Faith and Feelings
  • 07:47 Lament as an Act of Trust
  • 13:32 Choosing Faithfulness
]]>a924967a-e45f-4a26-9313-9f41cbd08cd3Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation explores the relationship between faith and feelings, emphasizing the importance of trusting God even when He feels distant. It also delves into the concept of lament as an act of trust and the significance of choosing faithfulness in the midst of spiritual dryness.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Faith and feelings</li><li>Lament as an act of trust</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Faith and Feelings</li><li>07:47 Lament as an Act of Trust</li><li>13:32 Choosing Faithfulness</li></ul>no00:16:01Episode Four: Faith, Feelings, and Following Jesus When God Feels Distantfull<![CDATA[Episode Three: Can Doubt Be a Part of Real Faith? ]]>The conversation explores the normalcy of doubt in faith and the church's response to doubt. It delves into the distinction between doubt, unbelief, and cynicism, providing biblical examples of doubt and emphasizing the importance of healthy ways to wrestle with doubt and grow from it. The key takeaways are that doubt is a normal part of faith, and God welcomes our doubts and questions.

Takeaways

  • Doubt is a normal part of faith
  • God welcomes our doubts and questions

Chapters

  • 00:00 Growing from Doubt
]]>a11f03cb-1922-4911-b800-e13a9243d5a1Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>The conversation explores the normalcy of doubt in faith and the church's response to doubt. It delves into the distinction between doubt, unbelief, and cynicism, providing biblical examples of doubt and emphasizing the importance of healthy ways to wrestle with doubt and grow from it. The key takeaways are that doubt is a normal part of faith, and God welcomes our doubts and questions.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Doubt is a normal part of faith</li><li>God welcomes our doubts and questions</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Growing from Doubt</li></ul>no00:16:50Episode Three: Can Doubt Be a Part of Real Faith? full<![CDATA[Episode Two: What is the Gospel? ]]>The episode explores the concept of the gospel, emphasizing its definition, misconceptions, biblical significance, and its impact on identity and behavior. It highlights the transformative power of the gospel and the shift from earning to receiving grace.

Takeaways

  • The gospel is good news, not just good advice
  • Grace is received, not achieved

Chapters

  • 00:00 Living from the Gospel
]]>5a53309c-e302-4ab5-987c-0917f5dd8d5eSat, 10 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>The episode explores the concept of the gospel, emphasizing its definition, misconceptions, biblical significance, and its impact on identity and behavior. It highlights the transformative power of the gospel and the shift from earning to receiving grace.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>The gospel is good news, not just good advice</li><li>Grace is received, not achieved</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Living from the Gospel</li></ul>no00:15:24Episode Two: What is the Gospel? full<![CDATA[Episode One: The Importance of the Church]]>The podcast episode explores the relevance and challenges of the church in today's culture, addressing issues of disconnection, distrust, and church hurt. It emphasizes the importance of community, grace, and discernment in navigating these challenges and returning to the original vision of the church as a family.

Takeaways

  • The church faces challenges of disconnection, distrust, and church hurt in today's culture.
  • Community, grace, and discernment are essential in addressing these challenges and returning to the original vision of the church as a family.
]]>2f03f020-ab3e-4f3d-8cc5-a6e6dc4e6711Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:49:27 GMT<p>The podcast episode explores the relevance and challenges of the church in today's culture, addressing issues of disconnection, distrust, and church hurt. It emphasizes the importance of community, grace, and discernment in navigating these challenges and returning to the original vision of the church as a family.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>The church faces challenges of disconnection, distrust, and church hurt in today's culture.</li><li>Community, grace, and discernment are essential in addressing these challenges and returning to the original vision of the church as a family.</li></ul>no00:19:3311Episode One: The Importance of the Churchfull