This Week, Gary and Faith both return from weddings and are talking legacy, ending well, and conflict resolution. They talk deathbed confessions, owning up to your mistakes, and how to think about the 2nd coming in light of the decisions you're making now.

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

Join Gary and Faith for another fun episode of What's for Lunch and Other Spiritual Questions, where they unpack the difference between just wanting to receive help vs. being courageous enough to choose change. They also discuss questions like 'How do you train yourself to turn to God instead of your phone?', 'Is it our job to chase people in the church?' and 'Is the gospel just the salvation message or the message we're sending with our whole lives?'.

We mentioned:

• The 4 spiritual laws
• Romans Road

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

Why are 70% of teens turning to AI for companionship? Why is a mother holding AI responsible for her son taking his own life? Join Dean, Gary, and Faith as they unpack why AI might be more of a human problem than we think and why rising user levels indicate that people are searching for purpose, meaning, and connection. We also talk Brisket sandwiches and the upcoming season of the NFL!

We mentioned:

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business (1985) by Neil Postman.

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

This week on What’s for Lunch and Other Spiritual Questions, Gary returns from Mexico with stories that spark a bigger conversation: how do we recognize spiritual realities in our own lives, and why do younger generations seem more open about them than previous generations?

We talk about prayer (from the big miracles to the everyday weather ones), the reality of the gospel versus what’s just cultural habit, and how easy it is to miss God’s answers when they don’t look dramatic. We also touch on Gen Z’s openness to things like manifesting, crystals, and shifting—and what that says about our culture's longing for something deeper.

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

This week, Faith and Gary swap wedding and funeral stories. Faith shares about Chris officiating his first-ever wedding, Gary talks about reading the room when sharing the gospel, and they both reflect on what people actually remember from big life moments. There’s also a solid case made for bacon-wrapped dates and why the “Tanner Sandwich” deserves a spot in the hall of fame.

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

This week on What’s for Lunch and Other Spiritual Questions, we’re joined by Gary’s oldest daughter Grace, coming in hot from Austin, TX! We talk woo girls, Santa cowboy hats, special education, ministry outside the church, and what it's like to come home after you've moved out. Grace opens up about what it means to be called to something that doesn’t look like traditional ministry, growing up as a pastor’s kid, and the weird in-between of young adulthood, family, and faith.

We Mentioned:

• How I Met Your Mother, Season 4, Episode 8 ("Woooo!")

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

In this episode of What's for Lunch and Other Spiritual Questions, Gary and Faith welcome their friend Meghan Johnson — a recent Moody grad, barista, and part-time ministry worker with Decision Point. They dive into what happens to your faith after college, how deconstruction can be both faithful and painful, and what it’s like raising support while also serving coffee. Plus, Meghan brings a sandwich nomination that might change your lunch plans.

Support Meghan: https://decisionpoint.org/lead-coach-detail-page/meghan-johnson

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

In this episode, Gary, Faith, and returning guest Steve Neilson dive deep into calling, character, and what it really takes to step into ministry—whether you’re behind a pulpit or behind a camera.

We talk about:

• What it really takes to be an associate pastor
• Why your character matters more than your gifting
• Steve’s journey from the gutter to mentoring teens

We Mentioned:

Ephesians 2:10

Ignite Impactful Living Podcast

Questions for WFL or want to support the ministry? Visit www.newhoperoundlake.com/WFL or email WFL@newhoperoundlake.com

WFL is recorded and produced at New Hope Christian Community in Round Lake Heights, IL.

Check out Gary on Steve's podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oW5lzxNB4g