Anchored by the Word is the podcast ministry of Westlake Baptist Church on the shores of the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, VA. Hosted by Lead Pastor Justin Likens, we discuss areas of practical theology and making the scriptures both accessible and engaging for people everywhere, be they seekers looking to know more about the faith or long-time followers of Jesus.
Anchored by the Word is the podcast ministry of Westlake Baptist Church on the shores of the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, VA. Hosted by Lead Pastor Justin Likens, we discuss areas of practical theology and making the scriptures both accessible and engaging for people everywhere, be they seekers looking to know more about the faith or long-time followers of Jesus.

In the final episode of Anchored by the Word for 2025, Pastor Justin is joined by his three sons—Andrew, Noah, and Caleb—for a candid, warm, and thoughtful family conversation as they look ahead to a new year. Together, they reflect on transitions, changed plans, and the uncertainties that come with major life decisions, from graduating high school to rethinking long-held dreams. This unique episode blends humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom as the family invites listeners into an honest discussion about faith in real life.
Using the common struggle of New Year’s resolutions as a starting point, the conversation explores why most resolutions fail and how motivation matters more than the resolution itself. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and a quote from Paul Washer, the group challenges listeners to examine the “why” behind their goals, emphasizing that God is more concerned with who we are becoming than simply what we accomplish. Rather than striving for self-improvement alone, the episode calls believers to pursue lives shaped by surrender, humility, and a desire to grow more like Christ.
The episode concludes with a powerful reminder that God often changes our plans for our good and His glory. Through personal stories of interrupted dreams, unexpected paths, and learning to hold plans loosely, listeners are encouraged to trust God’s sovereignty, pray faithfully, stay grounded in the Word, and embrace life’s changes as invitations to deeper dependence on Him. As the podcast prepares to enter a new year, this episode offers a fitting close to 2025—calling listeners to step into what’s next with open hands, grateful hearts, and confident trust in the Lord.