Proverbs 4:23 says, ”Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Welcome to the “Issues Podcast” (formerly the Dear Church Podcast), where pastors Tom Brennan, Martin Wickens and Stephen Russ get to the heart of the real issues.
These pastors hope to stir your heart and challenge your thinking on key issues within the Independent, Fundamental Baptist movement. Are you ready to deal with your issues?
We love God, His Word, and His Church.
We love our heritage as independent Baptists and cherish the fundamentals of the faith.
We rest in our identity in Jesus Christ.
We desire, above all else, to glorify God.
We are humbled that God has called us to serve the local church.
As we watch the shifting sands of countries and cultures erode the foundations of many local fellowships we are troubled and want to help. While we hope that all believers will benefit from this podcast, we have a special burden for pastors and other church leaders.
We want to encourage pastors to continue to passionately look to Christ, hold steadfastly to the Word, prioritize their families, humbly lead their churches, graciously reach out to their communities, compassionately engage in debate, and faithfully encourage one another.
May God be glorified and His people blessed through this endeavor.
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Proverbs 4:23 says, ”Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Welcome to the “Issues Podcast” (formerly the Dear Church Podcast), where pastors Tom Brennan, Martin Wickens and Stephen Russ get to the heart of the real issues.
These pastors hope to stir your heart and challenge your thinking on key issues within the Independent, Fundamental Baptist movement. Are you ready to deal with your issues?
We love God, His Word, and His Church.
We love our heritage as independent Baptists and cherish the fundamentals of the faith.
We rest in our identity in Jesus Christ.
We desire, above all else, to glorify God.
We are humbled that God has called us to serve the local church.
As we watch the shifting sands of countries and cultures erode the foundations of many local fellowships we are troubled and want to help. While we hope that all believers will benefit from this podcast, we have a special burden for pastors and other church leaders.
We want to encourage pastors to continue to passionately look to Christ, hold steadfastly to the Word, prioritize their families, humbly lead their churches, graciously reach out to their communities, compassionately engage in debate, and faithfully encourage one another.
May God be glorified and His people blessed through this endeavor.
🎙️ Issues Podcast — “Dispensationalism: A Biblical Defense”
In this timely and engaging episode, Stephen Russ sits down with Martin Wickens and Joe Shakour to discuss one of the most debated theological subjects today: Dispensationalism—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters more than ever.
This episode speaks to:
What the Bible means by “dispensation” and how Scripture itself shows God dealing with humanity in distinct stewardships
Why hyper-dispensationalism is dangerous, especially when it alters the Gospel or invents multiple ways of salvation
How to think biblically about Israel today without collapsing into political reactionism or cultural pressure
Why covenant promises to Israel still matter—not because Israel is perfect, but because God is faithful
How a literal hermeneutic preserves clarity, consistency, and confidence in the Word of God
Where premillennial hope fits into the believer’s daily life, not as speculation, but as comfort and motivation
This episode cuts through noise and social-media theology, calling believers back to a simple, Scriptural, Christ-honoring framework for understanding God’s plan through the ages.
📖 “A dispensational view doesn’t complicate the Bible—it allows the Bible to say what it says.”
In this thought-provoking conversation, Pastor Stephen Russ and Martin Wickens sit down with Pastor Joe Shakour, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina. They discuss the Shakour’s remarkable journey from a Catholic-Charismatic background to his engagement with deep theological issues.
Pastor Shakour opens up about:
His parents’ conversion during the Jesus Movement and his own early faith journey
Wrestling with textual criticism, biblical languages, and why he holds to the King James Bible and the Textus Receptus
His perspective on staying biblically grounded without checking your brain at the door
Lessons learned through his battle with Calvinism and how returning to simple, contextual Bible study brought clarity
His heart for addiction recovery ministry and what it looks like to be light in dark and difficult places
This episode challenges young men in ministry to think deeply, live purely, and lead humbly—anchored in Scripture and driven by love for Christ.
📖 “The Bible wasn’t given to make you smart—it was given to make you holy.” – Pastor Joe Shakour
What is true revival? In this episode of The Issues Podcast, Pastor Stephen Russ and Pastor Martin Wickens continue the conversation on revival—what it is, what it isn’t, and how believers can steward the stirring we’re seeing in our nation today.
From the Welsh Revival to the Haystack Prayer Meeting, we explore Jonathan Edwards’ five marks of genuine revival:1️⃣ Exalting Christ2️⃣ Opposing Satan’s kingdom3️⃣ Loving God’s Word4️⃣ Pursuing truth5️⃣ Demonstrating love for God and man
This is a thoughtful, biblical, and balanced discussion on revival, awakening, and how Christians should respond to the current spiritual interest in our culture.
🎧 Listen now on The Issues Podcast — available wherever you get your podcasts, or visit theissuespod.com.
Busyness doesn’t equal godliness. In this episode, Martin and Stephen tackle the subtle but dangerous trap of equating a packed schedule with spiritual growth. They discuss practical ways to evaluate your schedule, set healthy boundaries, and keep your priorities aligned with what truly matters.
The word “revival” is being talked about everywhere—but what does it really mean? In today’s episode, we dig into the heart of the matter: What is true revival? Is it happening right now? And what role, if any, do we play in ushering it in?Join us for a thoughtful and timely conversation you won’t want to miss.
The Book of Acts records the birth of the New Testament church—a movement conceived in prayer, fueled by prayer, and sustained by prayer. In this episode, Stephen and Martin dive deeper into its powerful lessons for us today!
Charlie Kirk was not only a political figure—he stood as a bold witness for truth and faith in Christ, which makes his death both a political and spiritual martyrdom. In this conversation, we discuss:➡️ What this reveals about our culture➡️ How the church should respond in times of hostility➡️ Why courage and conviction are more vital than ever
🎙️ On this episode of the Issues Podcast, we sit down with two young men in their 20s who are faithfully serving the Lord in ministry. While their years of experience may be fewer, their perspective is fresh, their passion is contagious, and their insights are worth hearing. Join us for a thoughtful and encouraging conversation with Landon Street and Micah Still.
As social media grows increasingly toxic, Christians have a unique opportunity to shine as lights through gracious and Spirit-filled communication. In this episode, Martin and Stephen reflect on the future of the podcast while tackling how believers can use their words online to point others to Christ.
🎙️ It’s the season finale of the Issues podcast! Today, we dive deep into the challenge of responding to current events—not with knee-jerk emotion, but with wisdom that actually helps the people we serve. If you've ever wrestled with when to speak up and how to do it biblically, this episode is for you. Plus, stick around for a big announcement from Tom at the end!
We’ve loved every moment of this season—thank you for listening, sharing, and growing with us.
Welcome to ⚡️ Lightning Round — where bold questions meet blistering opinions.
In this episode, a provocative topic is thrown on the table, and the crew has just 3 minutes to dive in. Whether it’s theology, ministry, culture, or controversy, expect passionate debate, raw honesty, and a few holy jabs along the way!
No filters. No fluff. Just camp-meeting fire and fundamentalist fury. When the buzzer hits, it’s on to the next one!
In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Evangelist Alton Beal, President of Ambassador Baptist College. With decades of experience in ministry and a unique vantage point as a traveling preacher, Bro. Beal shares his insights on the spiritual health and direction of Independent Baptist churches across the country. Don’t miss this engaging and thoughtful conversation!
Unity is one of the clearest marks of a healthy church. In this episode, we reflect on listener feedback from previous episodes and dive into a conversation about why unity in the local church matters — and how we can actively protect and promote it.
🎙️Exciting things are happening! Yes, there are always issues to address—but in this episode, we’re choosing to celebrate. In our 60th episode, join us as we rejoice in the good things God is doing and share some of the victories and encouraging moments that have us excited for the future. Let’s focus on the blessings together!
In Part 2 of our study of the Book of Daniel, we turn our attention to the remarkable dreams and visions God revealed to him—prophecies that stretched across empires and history. These revelations aren’t just ancient records; they hold vital significance for us today. Join us as we unpack the meaning, the mystery, and the message behind Daniel’s prophetic insight.
In today’s live episode, we spend our time catching up as friends—talking church life, highlights from Stephen’s Israel trip, and Martin’s 3-year journey writing his new book, Heart & Scroll. Don’t miss this honest and encouraging episode!
Daniel stands as a powerful example of what it means to have an excellent spirit and a heart fully purposed for God. In this episode, we walk through the first six chapters of the Book of Daniel to explore his unwavering devotion while living in the midst of a heathen culture. His life challenges us to remain faithful, no matter the pressure.
As Bible college graduations approach, many students find themselves standing at the edge of a new season—where training ends and the work begins. The transition can be exciting, but it can also bring unexpected challenges. In this episode, we’ll discuss key insights to help you step confidently into your new role and avoid common pitfalls as you begin full-time ministry.
Today, we explored the value of the traditional Sunday school format and why it still matters in today’s ministry landscape. Join Martin, Stephen, and Tom as they dive into this important conversation—then let them know your thoughts and share your feedback!
In this season opener of The Issues Podcast, we dive into the complex and often polarizing issue of immigration. How have past and present policies shaped churches? What is the government’s role versus the church’s responsibility? And how should Christians balance law and compassion? With a biblical perspective on justice and mercy, we explore how believers can engage this issue with both truth and grace.
Proverbs 4:23 says, ”Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Welcome to the “Issues Podcast” (formerly the Dear Church Podcast), where pastors Tom Brennan, Martin Wickens and Stephen Russ get to the heart of the real issues.
These pastors hope to stir your heart and challenge your thinking on key issues within the Independent, Fundamental Baptist movement. Are you ready to deal with your issues?
We love God, His Word, and His Church.
We love our heritage as independent Baptists and cherish the fundamentals of the faith.
We rest in our identity in Jesus Christ.
We desire, above all else, to glorify God.
We are humbled that God has called us to serve the local church.
As we watch the shifting sands of countries and cultures erode the foundations of many local fellowships we are troubled and want to help. While we hope that all believers will benefit from this podcast, we have a special burden for pastors and other church leaders.
We want to encourage pastors to continue to passionately look to Christ, hold steadfastly to the Word, prioritize their families, humbly lead their churches, graciously reach out to their communities, compassionately engage in debate, and faithfully encourage one another.
May God be glorified and His people blessed through this endeavor.
