This week, Faith and Gary swap wedding and funeral stories. Faith shares about Chris officiating his first-ever wedding, Gary talks about reading the room when sharing the gospel, and they both reflect on what people actually remember from big life moments. There’s also a solid case made for bacon-wrapped dates and why the “Tanner Sandwich” deserves a spot in the hall of fame.

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

This week on What’s for Lunch and Other Spiritual Questions, we’re joined by Gary’s oldest daughter Grace, coming in hot from Austin, TX! We talk woo girls, Santa cowboy hats, special education, ministry outside the church, and what it's like to come home after you've moved out. Grace opens up about what it means to be called to something that doesn’t look like traditional ministry, growing up as a pastor’s kid, and the weird in-between of young adulthood, family, and faith.

We Mentioned:

• How I Met Your Mother, Season 4, Episode 8 ("Woooo!")

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

In this episode of What's for Lunch and Other Spiritual Questions, Gary and Faith welcome their friend Meghan Johnson — a recent Moody grad, barista, and part-time ministry worker with Decision Point. They dive into what happens to your faith after college, how deconstruction can be both faithful and painful, and what it’s like raising support while also serving coffee. Plus, Meghan brings a sandwich nomination that might change your lunch plans.

Support Meghan: https://decisionpoint.org/lead-coach-detail-page/meghan-johnson

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

In this episode, Gary, Faith, and returning guest Steve Neilson dive deep into calling, character, and what it really takes to step into ministry—whether you’re behind a pulpit or behind a camera.

We talk about:

• What it really takes to be an associate pastor
• Why your character matters more than your gifting
• Steve’s journey from the gutter to mentoring teens

We Mentioned:

Ephesians 2:10

Ignite Impactful Living Podcast

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

Check out Gary on Steve's podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oW5lzxNB4g

In this episode, Gary sits down with entrepreneur and communicator Steve Neilson to talk about business, burnout, redemption, and how walking with Jesus transforms everything... even your sense of humor. We also explore how community shapes our growth, why Biblical truth has to be practical, and what happens when you know you shouldn’t say the joke... but say it anyway.

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

Check out Gary on Steve's podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oW5lzxNB4g

This week, Gary and Faith wander into a wide-open conversation about the future...both earthly and eternal.

From the promise of flying cars to the mystery of what heaven actually looks like, we ask the big questions: Will we still learn and grow in heaven? Will we work, rest, explore, or mow the lawn? Also, yes, there’s an entire section on bagel regret and breakfast sandwich triumph.

Along the way, we share stories of baptism, testimonies that moved us, and the strange comfort of not knowing it all yet.

If you've ever wondered about the afterlife and the right way to store a farmer's market bagel… this one's for you.

We mentioned:

The Day Tripper by James Goodhand (book on nonlinear time and memory)

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

Defending Your Life (1991 film by Albert Brooks)

John Eldredge’s writing on imagination and heaven

Revelation 21 & the Wedding Feast of the Lamb

Starved Rock State Park (IL)

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

Join Gary, Faith, and Chris for a fascinating conversation about the historical credibility of the Bible — and why it matters. This episode dives deep into how we know the New Testament is one of the most well-preserved documents from the ancient world, how it compares to other historical texts like Caesar’s Wars, and why that might change the way you think about Jesus.

From Roman history to manuscript evidence, from ancient eyewitnesses to lobster Thermidor at Culver’s (yep, really) — this episode is part crash course, part conviction, and full of the big spiritual questions we’re all asking.

Resources Mentioned:

• William Lane Craig (ReasonableFaith.org)
• Josephus, Tacitus, and other extra-biblical sources
• The Masoretic scribes
• The Code of Hammurabi

Dive into a thought-provoking discussion with Gary and Faith this week! This episode explores the human tendency to follow the crowd, the search for meaning, and how Christians can discern truth.

• Recognizing "Five McChicken" moments in life.
• The human need to worship and follow.
• Testing truth against scripture, counsel, and life experience.
• God's unwavering love and the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• The importance of humility and submission in the Christian faith.

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.