We sit down with Jason Botbyl and Jamie Bartlett as we explore the powerful themes of grief and faith found in Genesis 48 and 49. As Jacob prepares to bless his sons and share his final words, we witness a profound journey of loss, remembrance, and hope. How did Jacob confront the sorrow of his life and the painful separation from his beloved son Joseph? How did his faith sustain him through these trials? Join us as we dive into the biblical narrative to reflect on how we can process grief and trust God’s faithfulness in the midst of life’s most challenging seasons. Whether you’re navigating your own grief or simply seeking deeper spiritual insight, this episode will offer you encouragement, wisdom, and hope for the journey ahead.

Preacher: Tryg Veker

Passage: Genesis 49:1-28

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

We sit down with pastor and author AJ Sherill to talk about Advent and his new book Rediscovering Christmas.

Are you tired of feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and empty during the holiday season? Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, are you ready to slow down, catch your breath, and rediscover the true beauty of Christmas?
This captivating collection of readings explores the intersection where the ancient context meets the present moment. Pastor AJ Sherrill invites you into an experience designed to renew your mind, reawaken your heart, rekindle your awe, and restore your body. Rediscovering Christmas is divided into two sections: Advent, which teaches the purpose of waiting, and Christmas, which reveals the joy of receiving. Through meaningful reflections, practices, and illustrations, you’ll see the diverse characters of the first Christmas in a new light—and comprehend just how their stories intertwine with your own.

We sit down with Crossroads Staff members Stephanie Teslaa, and Jason Botbyl to dive into Genesis 45 and explore one of the most powerful moments of reconciliation in the Bible—Joseph being reunited with his brothers after years of separation. After suffering betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph’s journey comes full circle as he forgives his brothers, revealing his identity to them in a dramatic, emotion-filled encounter.

We’ll reflect on the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and God's sovereignty in the midst of our struggles. How does Joseph's response to his brothers teach us about grace, mercy, and the possibility of healing broken relationships? Join us as we unpack the depths of this chapter, and what it means to be reconciled to one another.

Preacher: Jason Botbyl

Passage: Genesis 45-46

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

We sit down with longtime Crossroads member Ashlea Russ as we explore the powerful theme of repentance in Genesis 42-44. As Joseph’s brothers (more specifically Judah) face the fallout from their past actions, we watch their guilt turn into genuine remorse and a desire to make things right. From their first encounter with Joseph in Egypt to their emotional confessions, these chapters show us the messy but redemptive process of facing our mistakes and seeking forgiveness.

We’ll unpack what true repentance looks like, how God works in the midst of it, and how we can learn from their journey, as reflect on the power of turning back and finding grace.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Genesis 42-44

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

We sit down with Tracy Groot and RJ Alicea (Worship Pastor) as we dive into Genesis chapters 40 and 41, exploring the themes of disappointment and unmet expectations through the lens of Joseph’s journey. Joseph, once favored and dream-filled, finds himself in a pit of despair, forgotten in prison despite his hopes for liberation. We’ll unpack how Joseph’s resilience and faith in God shape his response to adversity, and how God humbles us to exalt us and raise us up. Join us as we reflect on the transformative power of patience, the importance of hope in the face of setbacks, and the ways God can work through our challenges to bring about unexpected blessings.

Preacher: Rod VanSolkema

Passage: Genesis 40-41

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

We sit down to unpack Genesis 39 and the themes of integrity, holiness, resilience, and the complexities of temptation. We'll discuss Joseph's rise to prominence despite his circumstances, the challenges he faces from Potiphar's wife, and the lessons about faith and character. Tune in for a deep dive into how Joseph's journey resonates with our own struggles and the importance of facing temptation with humility and wisdom.

Preacher: Brian Robinson

Passage: Genesis 39

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

We sit down with a couple of our young adults as we dive into the complex story of Judah and Tamar from Genesis 38. On the surface, it’s an account of deception, betrayal, and scandal, but beneath the surface, we uncover profound themes of justice, redemption, and God's sovereign plans working through flawed human lives. We'll explore Judah's moral failings, Tamar’s bold actions, and the surprising twists that lead to the continuation of the messianic line. We discuss how this ancient narrative speaks to our own struggles with identity, justice, and God's ability to bring good from even the most broken situations.

Preacher: Tim Bassett

Passage: Genesis 38

Sermon Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions for The Locker Room?

email: lockerroom@crossroads-bible.org

In this conversation, we sit down with Coach Mike Swider, former head coach of the Wheaton College Thunder football team, to discuss the powerful intersection of building a winning football culture and glorifying Jesus in the process. Coach Swider is a respected figure in college football, having spent over two decades as the head coach at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Serving from 1997 to 2021, he’s known not only for his success on the field but also for his unwavering commitment to character, faith, and leadership that extends beyond the game.

During his 35 years at Wheaton College, including 24 years as head coach, Swider amassed 209 career wins, maintaining an impressive win percentage of over 80%. But what truly set his coaching apart was his dedication to building a program rooted in integrity, humility, accountability, and servant leadership. These values were at the core of the Wheaton football culture, which was as much about spiritual growth as it was about athletic achievement.

Swider’s vision extended beyond winning games—his goal was to develop young men who would grow into leaders with the ability to positively impact their communities and the world. His legacy is a testament to the lasting influence of a Christ-centered program that shaped both the character and careers of countless student-athletes.