Rise City Church Podcast

Rahab’s story is a powerful reminder that God can use anyone, no matter their past or brokenness, to advance His Kingdom. Though she was a sinner, her faith led her to be part of God’s redemptive plan, and her past mistakes didn't define her future. Rahab had heard the rumors of God’s power, and her faith was sparked. Join us as continue in the book of Joshua and explore how we are called to be fishers of people—sharing the gospel and pointing others to the Savior. Our job isn’t to clean people up, but to call them to Jesus, trusting Him to transform their lives. We remember that we are all sinners but by the blood of Jesus can be made saints.

Would you settle for God’s promises without His presence? Or, like Moses, would you boldly declare, “If You’re not with us, we’re not going?" God has always longed to be with His people. From walking in the garden with Adam and Eve, to dwelling in the tabernacle with the Israelites, to sending Jesus as Immanuel and then the Holy Spirit, all the way to the promise of His presence in the new creation—His desire is to be with us. God’s presence is the point. It’s what establishes His kingdom in and through His people. Join us as we see that His presence is what gives us the strength and courage to live out His purposes. When we are rooted in His presence, we are empowered by His Spirit to fulfill His calling.

God has a great calling upon His people—to establish His presence in the midst of darkness. The Promised Land wasn’t just a place for the Israelites to live—it was meant to be a space fully devoted to God’s Word, worship, and ways, reflecting His glory. And just as He planted them in a space marked out for His purposes, so is he establishing His Church today. Join us for our new series, Build This House, as we explore how to follow our victorious King Jesus, into the promises He has for His Church. Just as the Israelites followed Joshua into the Promised Land, we follow Jesus as He leads us to be a people completely devoted to His glory.

Financial stress is something many of us can relate to, with 73% of people in a recent survey citing it as their top source of anxiety. But in the Upside Down Kingdom, true generosity flows from a heart of gratitude toward Jesus, recognizing that all we have comes from Him. Our giving isn’t just to a church or pastor—it’s an offering to God, acknowledging that everything we own is already His. Tune in as we explore how Kingdom generosity calls us to give our first fruits, not our leftovers, and invites us into a life of abundant blessings. Instead of focusing on our own needs, we’re called to center our hearts on Jesus and trust in His faithfulness, just as Malachi 3:10 challenges us to test His promises. God desires not our money, but our hearts, and as we walk in stewardship and generosity, we discover the joy of partnering with Him.

Community should be a foretaste of the Kingdom of God, marked by deep friendship and unity. In Philippians 4:1-9, Paul calls us to build Kingdom friendships, where the hard moments are embraced as opportunities for growth. These relationships are foundational to transforming our city and our hearts. Listen in as Pastor Jason Clarke explores how Kingdom friendships reflect the love of Christ, reminding us that when conflict arises, that’s when the gospel matters most.

As Kingdom Citizens, we’re called to represent Jesus on earth, living with hope and purpose as we await our final destination—heaven. Paul reminds us that while we haven’t yet arrived, this truth frees us to keep running our race. Our past may shape us, but it doesn’t define our future. And the power of the gospel calls us to step into the present, living out God’s purpose today. As Kingdom Citizens, we live in eager anticipation of our King’s return. When He comes back, it won’t be in humility but in power, transforming us into His glorious likeness. Tune in as we explore living with humility, perseverance, and the hope of the King’s return.

People often place confidence in rituals, status, or their own achievements. Paul’s message in Philippians calls us to something radically different. He warns against those who add to the gospel, labeling such practices as dangerous distractions that lead us away from the true essence of our faith. Paul reminds us that our identity is rooted in Christ alone. We are saved by grace, not by our earthly status, nationality, or religious rituals—these things, Paul says, are rubbish compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. Our value is found in being in Christ, living out His teachings, and becoming more like Him each day. Listen in to this powerful message and discover how centering our lives on Jesus can bring true worth and unity in a divided world.

In a culture marked by tension and uncertainty, we are called to be shining stars, leading others to Jesus through our words, actions, and attitudes. This journey begins with humble obedience—bowing before God and surrendering completely to His will. As we navigate these challenging times, our mission remains clear: to reflect the love and character of Jesus in everything we do, offering hope, peace, and light to those around us. Join us as Nathan Pursley continues our "Upside Down Kingdom" series through the Book of Philippians. Together, we'll explore how living out this responsibility can transform not only our own lives but also the lives of those we encounter each day.

The world tells us that success is about wealth, fame, and self-promotion, but Christ teaches us something different. By choosing humility and putting others first, we can shed selfish ambitions and build a community of honor and support. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to serve others, even in suffering, knowing that true greatness comes through humility and sacrifice. Join us as Zach Landes explores how this Upside Down Kingdom offers hope—not just in the promise of future resurrection, but also in the transformative power of death and rebirth in our lives today.

Adopting a Kingdom mindset means doing everything with joy, excellence, and for God’s glory. Writing from prison, unsure if he would live or die, the Apostle Paul made it clear: living is about Jesus, and dying is about being with Him. Listen in as we explore how to rejoice in Jesus, rely on Him in every situation, and represent Him at all times. Whether in blessing or trial, Paul teaches us that living for Christ gives us the confidence to say, "Dying is gain."

Everyone experiences suffering—whether it’s relational, physical, emotional, or through loss. This suffering often leads to an identity crisis, making us feel lost and questioning our worth without the people or things we relied on. The good news is that our true identity is not based on our accomplishments or failures; it is anchored in Christ’s achievements, strength, and victory. Join us as we continue our series in Philippians and discover how Paul’s perspective shows that we can find joy in these trials by seeing how they advance the Gospel.

We live in a culture of picking sides and being on the right team, party, or allegiance. But what if there’s another way? What if there’s a third option that’s more life-giving and radically selfless than the others? Paul, through the book of Philippians, lays out a new way of living, a new citizenship, that is under God’s rule and reign. It not only conquers all the other ways, but it fills us with joy, hospitality, and unity — because it’s all about Jesus’ way of life. Join us for week one of Upside Down Kingdom to grasp a new citizenship in the Kingdom of God.

Have you ever made a promise? Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? With Jesus promises are different. When God makes a promise it's forever, permanent, unchanging. He never breaks a promise.  Through scripture, we read about the promise of the Holy Spirit—a helper who will come to be by our side, guide us, and empower us for His purpose. This week we survey scripture to learn that the promise of the Holy Spirit has already been fulfilled. If you are a believer in Jesus then you have the Holy Spirit. That means that you have the power to tackle impossible circumstances and experience radical life transformation because its the Holy Spirit working through you and in you. Listen in to learn how the promise of the Holy Spirit is ready for you to receive.

The Holy Spirit is a powerful figure in the New Testament who gave spiritual gifts, guidance, and a witness to God's miracles. That same power is available to us today. This week, we celebrate Next Gen Sunday, honoring the kids, youth, and 20-somethings in our church. Youth Pastor Jordan continues our series on the Holy Spirit to remind us that this power is for everyone, including the next generation, who are the church of today and our most important generation. We are called to guide and support them, helping them realize their God-given potential. Listen in as we explore the Power of the Holy Spirit.

If you are a believer in Jesus, you have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit—the helper that Jesus gave to us when He left this earth. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is that He is always present with us, abiding with us, comforting us, loving us, and strengthening us for His mission and purpose. Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of how you have access to the Holy Spirit’s presence and discover the transformative impact this truth can have on your life.

We love gathering in the heart of our city each summer for Church in the Park. Jesus is the reason we worship. Jesus is why we preach the Word of God. Jesus is why we baptize new believers. You are welcome in the family of God. No matter where you've been or what you've experienced, there's always a place for you with the Father, who offers radical goodness and grace. Following Jesus is a journey that begins with the step of coming home. Join us for this special outdoor service at Gresham Arts Plaza as we lift the name of Jesus high—because He is worthy of all praise.

It's easy to think that missionaries in exotic places are the ones that carry out the Great Commission. But that's not what Jesus teaches. We are all missionaries. Each one of us has been called and equipped to share the gospel, and through the Holy Spirit, we have the tools and the power we need to reach the unreached. Join us as guest speaker Nate Pursley reminds us that our mission field isn't just far-off lands—it's right here in our everyday lives. This is our Jerusalem, our Judea, and our Samaria.

Certain holidays like Father's Day can stir up a range of emotions. While this isn't meant to disregard the family you grew up with, God offers us a new, eternal family. God the Father is the dad we all need, providing protection, provision, and comfort. Tune in to "God's Eternal Family" to discover how Jesus, our older brother, has made a way for us to join this new, eternal family as children of God. Through Him, we are united as sons and daughters of the King.

In a season of singleness, it’s easy to feel like you’re waiting for your real life to start. However, the Bible says that singleness is a gift. The truth is, marriage is not a prerequisite for participation in ministry. Singles are a cornerstone of the church, and a picture of the sufficiency of the Gospel. Join us as special speaker Zach Landes reminds us that marrieds and singles belong together and encourages both groups to push and spur each other on for the benefit of the church and one another.

Have you ever heard the saying, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree”? This phrase speaks to the idea of generational cycles and patterns, which are not just mere coincidences. Since the beginning of time, family sin patterns and behaviors have wounded generations - a truth recognized by psychologists, scientists, and, most importantly, God’s Word. Listen in to “Breaking Generational Cycles” where Pastor Jason unpacks how we can bring about generational change through the hope, purpose, and power found in Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can break free from the chains of past generations and write a new story for a new legacy.