In this episode of Tell Me More, host Katy Reed Hodges sits down with worship pastors Michael Glenn and first-time guest Aaron Tomes to explore the stories and convictions shaping worship at First Baptist Arlington. Aaron shares the powerful calling that led him into worship ministry, the unusual joy of leading a thriving classic service, and how God has used seasons of rebuilding in every church he has served.

The conversation also turns deeply personal as Aaron recounts meeting his wife Allison on a music mission trip, her call to international education, and their journey raising six children with intentional discipleship at home. Together, Katy, Michael, and Aaron reflect on prayer, spiritual protection, forgiveness in marriage, and what it means for families to model Christlike love so that children grow up wanting to follow Jesus for themselves.

Join hosts Katy Reed Hodges, Luke Stehr, and Dr. Dennis Wiles as they explore what it truly means to be "Pentecostal people" during the season of Eastertide. This episode tackles the big theological questions: What is Eastertide and why does it matter? How do we understand Pentecost as central to Christ's redemptive work? And how do we interpret the Book of Acts without falling into spiritual complacency? Dr. Wiles makes a compelling case that Pentecost represents far more than a historical event—it's the inauguration of the "new temple era" where the Holy Spirit empowers the church to advance God's kingdom globally. Whether you're wrestling with the role of spiritual gifts in today's church or wondering why Western Christianity feels spiritually flat, this conversation challenges you to expand your vision of what God is doing in the world.

The hosts dig deeper into a critical tension: How do we embrace the full reality of God's supernatural work without claiming that everything in Acts should happen today? Through personal stories of mission work and exposure to the global church, Dr. Wiles reveals how Western secularism has trapped us in a "two-dimensional" view of life, cutting us off from the spiritual reality that brothers and sisters around the world experience daily. This episode is an invitation to read Scripture with fresh eyes, recognize the cosmic salvation history unfolding around us, and step into the dynamic, Spirit-empowered life that Jesus promised. Listen in as the team discusses church announcements, including exciting camp opportunities for students, and discover why understanding Pentecost matters for your faith today.

In this special Easter episode of Tell Me More, hosts Dennis Wiles and Katy Reed Hodges reflect on a meaningful Holy Week at First Baptist Arlington, beginning with a lighthearted staff Easter egg hunt that becomes a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made Easter worship possible. From there, they journey through the week's spiritual highlights, Palm Sunday, the Arlington Prayer Breakfast, and a particularly moving Good Friday service where Dennis shifted communion to a more personal, individual experience. Standing alone in the sanctuary on Saturday morning, Dennis posted: "The cross is silent. The tomb is full, and we wait", capturing the profound significance of that liminal space before resurrection. As Dennis reflects on preaching his 43rd consecutive Easter sermon, he shares a haunting story about an elderly pastor who lost his voice: "Sadder still is to wake up with the voice and no desire." That captures the deep gratitude for both the privilege and calling to proclaim resurrection hope.

The conversation celebrates the vibrant Easter worship experiences across both services, with particular awe for how Aaron Toms and the music team have transformed the congregation's engagement with classical worship, making it alive, full of youth and energy, and decidedly not "just for old people." But the theological heart of Easter rests in one remarkable detail from John's gospel: Mary Magdalene, a woman once labeled as demon-possessed, becomes the first person to encounter the risen Jesus and the first carrier of the resurrection message to the world. This detail speaks volumes about God's upside-down kingdom and adds profound credibility to the account. Everyone must humble themselves and depend on grace working through unexpected vessels.

Rather than letting momentum fade after Easter Sunday, Dennis and Katy are intentionally embracing the liturgical season of Eastertide, the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost. Connected to the church's vision of intentional discipleship, this season will focus on being shaped by the Holy Spirit, something Dennis believes many Baptists have inadvertently neglected. The episode concludes with an invitation to listeners not to coast into summer, but to stay engaged with daily Bible readings, sermons, and resources as the church explores what it truly means to live in the power and presence of the Spirit, because He lives, not just in Scripture, but in everyday life.