Best CFCWired Podcasts (2026)

1
Faith Forward #162 - Xmas Special - The Father's Heart 41:19

Play Pause

18d ago41:19

41:19

If God is speaking, how do we know what His voice sounds like? In this final conversation of the Encounter series, Brooke and Jon explore the heart behind the voice — the Father who longs for connection, gives direction through relationship, and brings correction that restores rather than shames. Scripture paints a consistent picture of a Father wh…

1
Faith Forward #161 - Xmas Special - Hearing God 44:17

25d ago44:17

44:17

If God really communicates with us, how do we recognize His voice? In this conversation, Brian and Jon walk through why hearing God matters — for direction, correction, and most importantly, connection. Scripture paints a picture of a God who speaks, guides, reveals, and leads His people into truth. We explore the many ways God communicates — visua…

1
Faith Forward #160 - Xmas Special - War of Words 29:37

1M ago29:37

29:37

If we live in a world at war, why don’t we feel it? In this episode, Brian and Jon uncover where the real conflict is happening — in the realm of words, thoughts, and truth. Scripture describes a spiritual battle not fought with physical weapons, but with ideas, voices, and agreements. God’s words create life; the enemy’s words distort reality. We …

1
Faith Forward #159 - Xmas Special - The Larger Story 32:37

1M ago32:37

32:37

Before we can understand who Jesus is, we need to understand the story He stepped into. In this episode, we explore the larger backdrop of Scripture — a world created in love, invaded by an enemy, and desperately in need of rescue. Genesis 3 reveals what humanity lost: connection with God, life in the Spirit, and the authority we were meant to exer…

1
Faith Forward #158 - Give Thanks Wk 4 52:01

2M ago52:01

52:01

In this final conversation of the Thankfulness series, Brian and Jon explore how gratitude becomes more than a moment or a holiday — it becomes a steady rhythm of life with God. Thankfulness begins by naming what is good and who is good, grounding gratitude in God’s character rather than our circumstances. It grows as we taste and see for ourselves…

1
Faith Forward #157 - Give Thanks Wk 3 51:09

2M ago51:09

51:09

In this Faith Forward conversation, Brian and Jon explore how thankfulness becomes more than a feeling — it becomes a way of living with God. Psalm 100 reveals that gratitude isn’t passive; it’s a rhythm that reshapes the heart. True thankfulness begins with honesty — naming what is good, what is hard, and what is not yet good. Gratitude invites us…

1
Faith Forward #156 - Give Thanks Wks 1 & 2 51:34

2M ago51:34

51:34

It’s easy to give thanks when life feels good — but what about when it doesn’t? Gratitude that only thrives in comfort isn’t gratitude at all; it’s relief. In this Faith Forward conversation, Brian and Jon explore what it means to give thanks because of who God is and what He has done, is doing, and will do — even while acknowledging pain and disap…

1
Faith Forward #155 - Fundamentals Wk 8 - Worship & Celebration 53:26

2M ago53:26

53:26

You don’t accidentally become more like Jesus. Spiritual formation isn’t automatic—it’s rhythmic. God built celebration and worship into the rhythm of life not just as events, but as anchors that reorient our hearts toward Him. In this episode, we explore Celebration and Worship as direction, rest, connection, and defiance—a rhythm that trains the …

1
Faith Forward #154 - Fundamentals Wk 7: Sharing Your Story 55:36

3M ago55:36

55:36

Sharing your story isn’t about efficiency or outcomes—it’s about connection and transformation. When we share what Jesus has done in our lives, we invite others to discover the same source of life and relationship that changed us. In this episode, Mike and Jon explore how sharing your story helps others encounter the transforming power of a shared …

1
Faith Forward #153 - Fundamentals Wk 6: Serving 53:46

3M ago53:46

53:46

Serving isn’t just about meeting needs—it’s about revealing the heart of God to the people around us. When we care for others, we reflect His nature and extend His presence into everyday spaces. In this episode, Brian and Jon unpack what it means to live out the call to serve while intentionally asking God who, how, when, and where to serve. They e…

1
Faith Forward #152 - Fundamentals Wk 5: Strongholds & Repentance 1:03:41

3M ago1:03:41

1:03:41

We all carry patterns, lies, or habits that keep us from living in the freedom Jesus offers. The Bible calls these strongholds—ways of thinking and living that weigh us down and hold us back from transformation. In this episode, Brian and Jon talk about how to identify strongholds in your own life and how God wants to bring healing and freedom. Bre…

1
Faith Forward #151 - Fundamentals Wk 4: Sacrificial Generosity 50:01

3M ago50:01

50:01

Sacrificial generosity is about more than money—but it’s not about less than money. At its core, generosity isn’t God’s way of solving a resource problem—it’s His way of reshaping our hearts, renewing our trust, and reminding us who we are in Him. So come join Brian and Jon as we explore why generosity matters more than we think. It’s not about wha…

1
Faith Forward #150 - Fundamentals Wk 3: Prayer 52:51

4M ago52:51

52:51

What if prayer is less about getting God to do what we want—and more about becoming who He’s shaping us to be? What if it’s less about persuasion and more about real connection with our Father—the place where our hearts are transformed as we learn to both speak and listen? Join Brian & Jon as they dive into the fundamentals of prayer and explore ho…

1
Faith Forward #149 - Fundamentals Wk 2: Daily Devotion 47:48

4M ago47:48

47:48

Want to grow closer to Jesus day by day? Daily devotion isn’t about checking off a reading plan—it’s about cultivating an ongoing conversation with God that shapes who you are becoming. Join Brian and Jon as they explore what it looks like to engage Scripture, reflect, and respond in ways that lead to real transformation—not just more information.…

1
Faith Forward #148 - The Fundamentals Wk 1 53:05

4M ago53:05

53:05

Ready to get back to the fundamentals of life with God? Spiritual growth requires intentional training -- not just trying. The goal is to become like Jesus -- not just learn about Him. And that transformation can only come through interactive connection with Him -- not just checklists for Him. We all need to go back to the fundamentals on a regular…

1
Faith Forward #147 - "Ask God": How do I do that? 49:47

4M ago49:47

49:47

There’s something in every one of us that longs to hear God’s voice… but how do we actually learn to listen? How can we know if it’s really Him—and grow in discernment so this becomes our everyday experience with God? Join Brian and Jon as the Faith Forward podcast returns from summer break and invites you into a lifestyle of “ask God.” This media …

1
Faith Forward #146 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 7 54:03

7M ago54:03

54:03

In our last episode before a summer pause, we wrap up Ecclesiastes with 2 final question -- How am I still trying to make life work on my own terms? And what does that reveal about my view God? Those can be uncomfortable questions to sit with, but if we never do nothing ever changes. So come join Brian and Jon as together we all take practical step…

1
Faith Forward #145 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 6 55:40

7M ago55:40

55:40

If life is "hevel," are we just supposed to muddle through a joyless existence as best we can? Or is real joy possible -- and not just the kind of joy we try to arrange for ourselves? What does it look like to have true joy in a life that doesn't always make sense? Come join Brian and Jon for a practical and encouraging conversation on finding joy …

1
Faith Forward #144 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 5 52:18

7M ago52:18

52:18

How many times have you said, "If I could just _____, then everything would be okay."? This week, our series on Ecclesiastes reminds us that there are no guarantees in this life. The fast and the strong don't always win; the wise and the talented don't always prosper. So, what can we rely on if there are no guarantees? Join Brian and Jon for a help…

1
Faith Forward #143 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 4 51:45

8M ago51:45

51:45

How does God feel about money, resources, and wealth? More importantly, what can they do for us - and what can they NOT do - in our life with God? As we continue this series on Ecclesiastes, join Brian and Jon for a practical and thoughtful conversation on the reality of "hevel" in our pursuit of resources, contentment, and deep relationship with J…

1
Faith Forward #142 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 3 52:57

8M ago52:57

52:57

How does God feel about pleasure? In short, our attempts to grasp at pleasure cannot ultimately satisfy us -- AND -- God has designed you for pleasure, delight, and joy. So how do we live in that tension? Join Brian and Jon for a thoroughly practical and helpfully disruptive conversation on experiencing pleasure in this life with God.…

1
Faith Forward #141 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 2 51:49

8M ago51:49

51:49

How do you want to be remembered? More specifically, how do you want to live in light of the reality that there is nothing new under the sun and that everyone will eventually be forgotten by the generations that come after? YIKES! And yet, what if there is actually an incredible feeling of hope and a clear sense of direction that emerges from this …

1
Faith Forward #140 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 1 49:39

9M ago49:39

49:39

The book of Ecclesiastes may look discouraging and hopeless on the surface -- "Life is meaningless!" -- but it also offers incredible guidance, hope, and encouragement for those that look beneath the surface. Most of all, it helps us to navigate the challenge of living this life when this life doesn't make sense, feels unfair, or brings incredible …

1
Faith Forward #139 - Redefining Expectations Wk 3 49:29

9M ago49:29

49:29

As we come to the topic of Good Friday, we're forced to confront a final set of expectations that must be redefined - namely that we can avoid death and still have new life. This is one of the most difficult truths to embrace in the life of a follower of Jesus, and we invite you to join Lee and Jon as they discuss how to practically and helpfully e…

1
Faith Forward #138 - Redefining Expectations Wk 2 51:07

9M ago51:07

51:07

One of Jesus' last prayers was that we would be one -- with each other and with Him. In other words, He was reminding us that we need "WE"...and not just sometimes. We need Him all the time! And we need to be in union with others all the time! To do that, however, we need to redefine our expectations around what "WE" is supposed to look like. So, p…

1
Faith Forward #137 - Redefining Expectations Wk 1 50:56

9M ago50:56

50:56

"We often don't realize we have wrong expectations until they are unmet." This is especially true in our relationship with Jesus. There are the things we know about God and then there are the things we believe in our heart about God. And when there is unresolved tension between those two, we will often miss out on the life to the full and the life …

1
Faith Forward #136 - Reaching the Next Generation 50:52

10M ago50:52

50:52

Every so often an age-old question gets a new, helpful answer. This week, Faith Forward is tackling "how to reach the next generation" -- and while the answer is probably not what you expect, it has the potential to profoundly shift the way you engage with the younger people around you. So, pull up a chair and join Mike and Jon as they share some i…

1
Faith Forward #135 - Jesus is Greater #9 53:13

10M ago53:13

53:13

It's the final episode of the series, and we're wrestling with the reality that the WAY we do something and WHY we do it matters more than WHAT we do. Being devoted to prayer is critical. Being wise in how we live among others is vital. Speaking graciously and attractively is essential. Yet, WHY we do those things and the WAY we do them matters eve…

1
Faith Forward #134 - Jesus is Greater Wk 8 55:09

10M ago55:09

55:09

There are many challenging sections of Scripture, and Colossians 3:18-25 is certainly one of them. How do we love Jesus more than ourselves when it comes to living as wives and husbands or children and parents? And how do we need to see both the context of that culture and the larger context of Scripture as a whole so as not to misuse Paul's words …

1
Faith Forward #133 - Jesus is Greater Wk 7 49:14

10M ago49:14

49:14

We agreed last week that the challenge is not so much "do I love Jesus?" but rather "do I love Jesus more than I love myself?". Paul says that, because of the work of Jesus, we are a new creation -- a new creation that needs to set aside some things and put on some others. This week, join Brian and Jon for a helpful and revealing conversation on wh…

1
Faith Forward #132 - Jesus is Greater Wk 6 48:02

11M ago48:02

48:02

The problem isn't so much "loving Jesus" as it is "loving Jesus more than we love ourselves." Often, the greatest barrier to experiencing the life to the full that Jesus died and rose to give us -- is us. But not in a performative way, and not in a way that focuses on shame or guilt or lack of effort. It's about compatibility. Jesus transformed you…

1
Faith Forward #131 - Jesus is Greater Wk 5 52:11

11M ago52:11

52:11

If Jesus is greater than everything else, then nothing else could possibly be needed in order to have a deeply satisfying life with God. Yet, throughout history and even today, we've often tried to supplement Jesus with things that seem offer more of what we want. Join Brian and Jon as they walk through the perceived allure of some classic "Jesus s…

1
Faith Forward #130 - Jesus is Greater Wk 4 56:38

11M ago56:38

56:38

You live in the midst of an epic story, and knowing your place in that story is more important than you may realize. It's important to know WHO the hero and the villain are in your story, but it's even more important to know HOW to interact with them. Join Lee and Jon for a helpful and practical discussion on experiencing Jesus as the center of you…

1
Faith Forward #129 - Jesus is Greater Wk 3 49:10

11M ago49:10

49:10

If Jesus is going to be the center of my life, I have to truly let Him be who He is. This week, Brian and Jon clarify what it means to let Jesus be the hero of my story -- not just one time for all time, but each and every day of my life. This media was produced by Christian Fellowship Church 44505 Atwater Drive Ashburn, VA 20147 1.703.729.3900 cfc…

1
Faith Forward #128 - Jesus is Greater Wk 2 47:52

12M ago47:52

47:52

If Jesus is going to be the absolute center of my life, it's important that I know the reason WHY He deserves to be there. Knowing the reason why, however, is only part of the process. The second part is ACCEPTING Him as the center of my life -- greater than anything else. Join Brian and Jon for a helpful and reflective conversation on the WHY of J…

1
Faith Forward #127 - Jesus is Greater Wk 1 43:32

12M ago43:32

43:32

Jesus is at the center of everything and is meant to be at the center of everything. But if we're being honest, is that truly the position He holds in my life? Is He at the center, or is one of several competing interests? Do I go to Him only when I need Him, or do I live a holistic life with Him? Join Brian and Jon for a practical and honest conve…

1
Faith Forward #126 - What Should Always Matter 48:46

12M ago48:46

48:46

The start of a new year is a wonderful time for reflection on the past and goal-setting for the days ahead. It's also an important time to remember and renew our commitment to the most important things. When it comes to the life of a Christian, the most important thing is this -- His presence. Nothing else comes close. As you start your new year, j…

1
Faith Forward #125 - Advent (Live!) 1:23:24

1y ago1:23:24

1:23:24

How do we not just practice the ritual of Advent, but experience the fullness of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love during this Christmas season? Join Brian, Lee, and Jon for the first-ever Faith Forward episode recorded with live audience interaction.By Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman, Lee Towns

1
Faith Forward #124 - Power of Thankfulness 54:02

1y ago54:02

54:02

As we approach the holiday season - and Thanksgiving in particular - Pastor Lee invites us to think differently about the power of thankfulness. Not only that, but we also need to think differently about both the depth of our neediness and our resistance to having our needs met by God. However familiar you are with the topic of thanksgiving, this e…

1
Faith Forward #123 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 10 51:06

1y ago51:06

51:06

In this final Off-brand Jesus episode, we look at what Jesus was focused on above all else -- the reconciliation of God's sons and daughters with Himself. More specifically, we're looking at HOW to live as shrewdly AND innocently as Jesus did while pursuing that ultimate goal. How do we go as sheep sent among wolves? Join Brian and Jon for the fina…

1
Faith Forward #122 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 9 54:17

1y ago54:17

54:17

The off-brand of "tribalism" has been particularly noteworthy in the 21st century, but it's been wreaking havoc in the lives of believers since Jesus walked the earth. It seems to offer comfort, connection, and rightness, but it actually stunts our spiritual growth and leaves us living an immature faith. Intrigued? Join Brian and Jon for an honest …

1
Faith Forward #121 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 8 51:10

1y ago51:10

51:10

This week's Off-brand topic is a recurring challenge for followers of Jesus - how to represent both grace AND truth. Whether situationally or in general, finding the balance of grace and truth has confounded all of us at one time or another. But what if balance isn't the goal -- what if it's being FULL of grace and truth? Intrigued? Join Brian and …

1
Faith Forward #120 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 7 48:39

1y ago48:39

48:39

This week's "off-brand" is one of the more obvious at first glance, but also one of the most insidious and unrecognized in our daily life. Materialism is not just the desire for money or "stuff" -- it's the insistence on providing for comfort, security, and safety on my own turns. It's the belief that I can arrange for the abundant life. So, whethe…

1
Faith Forward #119 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 6 55:42

1y ago55:42

55:42

This week's off-brand may be a new one for some people -- the off-brand of Universalism. It's hard enough to wrestle with the tension between God's desire for His children's salvation and the consequences for those who reject His invitation. But we can easily slip into an off-brand when we misunderstand the role God calls us to play in this process…

1
Faith Forward #118 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 5 49:18

1+ y ago49:18

49:18

The trap of self-sufficiency is an easy way to succumb to an off-brand version of life with God. Self-sufficiency can feel mature, considerate, efficient, and even somewhat noble -- but it's a trap nonetheless. it traps us into believing that we don't need God or can work around Him. It can also convince us that we're supposed to do things FOR God …

1
Faith Forward #117 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 4 50:45

1+ y ago50:45

50:45

Legalism is one of the most attractive and insidious off-brand versions of Jesus. Attractive because it seems to offer control over and safety from the unpredictability of God and other people. But it's insidious at its core because it attempts to recreate God as we would prefer Him and encourages us to view ourselves and others as we would like th…

1
Faith Forward #116 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 3 1:02:17

1+ y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

There are many ways to end up with an "off-brand" life with Jesus -- accepting less than life to the full in order to be more comfortable and less challenged. In this week's episode, Lee and Jon tackle one of the sneakiest and most common causes of the off-brand life: selfishness. How do we overcome our deep-seated desire to make our life -- and Go…

1
Faith Forward #115 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 2 51:53

1+ y ago51:53

51:53

We've accepted an "off-brand Jesus" when we accept less than life to the full in order to be more comfortable and less challenged. What does that look like when it comes to judging and judgementalism? Join Brian and Jon for a deeper look at why we often leap to critique or else avoid speaking truth at all. More importantly, listen in as we talk abo…

1
Faith Forward #114 - Off-brand Jesus Wk 1 51:40

1+ y ago51:40

51:40

Off-brand products have the appearance of the real thing but lack the true quality or benefit of the original. Similarly, we have often settled for less than the true quality and benefit of Jesus because the alternative promised to cost us less or be close enough. How do we discover the places in our life where we've accepted an off-brand substitut…

1
Faith Forward #113 - Jesus Stories Wk 3 56:01

1+ y ago56:01

56:01

Jesus taught about "forgiveness" on several occasions, and almost every time the teaching was accompanied by a story. As we've mentioned over several weeks, Jesus uses parables to help us understand that we don't understand as well as we think we do -- and this is especially true when it comes to forgiveness! Join Brian and Jon for the last episode…