Shows
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow - How to Read the Bible - Part 2Ever wondered how to read the Bible—or even what it really is? Listen to the third session of our special three-part Gather & Grow series with Pastor Brandon on our podcast. As we prepare for a year of reading and engaging with Scripture together as a church, this episode explores what the Bible is, how to understand its big story, and how to read it well.
2025-11-1749 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow - How to Read the Bible - Part 1Ever wondered how to read the Bible—or even what it really is? Listen to the second session of our special three-part Gather & Grow series with Pastor Brandon on our podcast. As we prepare for a year of reading and engaging with Scripture together as a church, this episode explores what the Bible is, how to understand its big story, and how to read it well.
2025-11-1030 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow - What is the Bible? Brandon Haan (November 3, 2025)Ever wondered how to read the Bible—or even what it really is? Listen to the first session of our special three-part Gather & Grow series with Pastor Brandon on our podcast. As we prepare for a year of reading and engaging with Scripture together as a church, this episode explores what the Bible is, how to understand its big story, and how to read it well.
2025-11-0339 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipAugust 24, 2025: Sex, Hospitality, & Mission: Sexual Orientation Q&APastor Brandon Haan answers questions based on the sermon based on sexual orientation. As we continue our current sermon series on topics related to human sexuality, we’ll look at God’s intended context for human sexual activity (marriage between one man and one woman) and how the Bible protects the “pre-Fall” sexual ethic of Genesis 1 and 2.
2025-08-2545 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipAugust 17, 2025 After: Service Q&A: Sex, Hospitality, & Mission: GenderPastor Brandon Haan answers questions based on the sermon based on gender. As we continue our current sermon series on topics related to human sexuality, we’ll look at God’s intent for biological sex and gender and how it relates to some of the questions we’re facing in our culture today.
2025-08-1848 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipJuly 27, 2025 After Service Q&A: Sex, Hospitality, & Mission: SinglenessPastor Brandon Haan answers questions based on the sermon based on Singleness. As we continue our current sermon series on topics related to human sexuality, we’ll explore what it’s like to be single in the Church, as well as God’s design for singleness in the Christian life.
2025-07-2838 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipJuly 13, 2025 After Service Q&A: Sex, Hospitality, & Mission: The Best Sex Song Ever!Pastor Brandon HaanSong of Songs
2025-07-1438 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipAfter Service Q&A: Sex, Hospitality, & Mission: It Was GoodBrandon HaanJuly 6, 2025
2025-07-0742 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipSynod 2025 Recap Discussion with Jim Heyboer and Brandon HaanListen to Jim Heyboer's reflection from his time at Synod 2025.
2025-07-0153 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow - Rehoboth Service Trip with Ivanrest Members (November 17, 2024)Six Ivanrest couples traveled to New Mexico as our "Rehoboth Team" in early October. They attended Zuni CRC and toured the school there, and in Rehoboth, they completed a variety of work projects and experienced the Navaho culture while being part of their Indigenous persons celebration. Please listen to learn more about their time in Classis Red Mesa.
2024-11-1936 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow - Classis Red Mesa with Rev. Susan LaClear (November 10, 2024)Rev. Susan LaClear began her CRC ministry journey in 2005 when Classis Red Mesa ordained her to serve as the commissioned pastor of a Navajo church called Maranatha Fellowship CRC in Farmington, NM. It was an incredible joy to find herself continuing the work of her great-grandfather, L.P. Brink, who had planted this church in the early 1900's. Listen to learn more about Classis Red Mesa and how we can partner with them.
2024-11-1143 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow - Missionary Update with Josh & Mandy Shaarda (November 3, 2024)Josh and Mandy Shaarda and their five children are longtime missionaries in Uganda, where they serve with Freedom in Christ Ministries, partnering with Resonate Global Mission. Their work involves discipleship, equipping pastors, prison ministry, and much more. Listen to hear more about their work.
2024-11-0444 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow- "No Angels Here" I The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Part 2 with Pastor Brandon (November 12, 2023)With the renewed violence in Israel and Palestine in the news and on many of our minds, we will offer two special Adult Gather & Grow sessions on Sunday, November 5 and 12, where Pastor Brandon will talk about the history and religious implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the summer of 2011, Pastor Brandon spent four weeks in the Palestinian West Bank and Israel, studying the conflict and learning from people on all sides of it. As a result of that trip (one of the most formative experiences of his life), Pastor Brandon has a nuanced perspective on the conflict that hopefully...
2023-11-1352 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: "No Angels Here" I The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Part 1 with Pastor Brandon (November 5 , 2023)With the renewed violence in Israel and Palestine in the news and on many of our minds, we will offer two special Adult Gather & Grow sessions on Sunday, November 5 and 12, where Pastor Brandon will talk about the history and religious implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the summer of 2011, Pastor Brandon spent four weeks in the Palestinian West Bank and Israel, studying the conflict and learning from people on all sides of it. As a result of that trip (one of the most formative experiences of his life), Pastor Brandon has a nuanced perspective on the conflict that hopefully...
2023-11-0655 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipIvanrest Discipleship: Medicare Seminar with Dan Sarkipato (October 3, 2023)If you missed our seminar on navigating the Medicare system take some time today to listen to what our speaker had to share. Our speaker, Dan Sarkipato, a retired CRC Pastor from Kalamazoo, has a heart for helping people understand their options. This is a great seminar to learn not only for yourself but also for those helping their loved ones as they navigate the medicare system.
2023-10-0457 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Synod 2023 Reflections with Pastor Brandon and Jim Heyboer (July 16, 2023)Listen to Pastor Brandon and Jim Heyboer as they share and reflect on their experience at Synod.
2023-07-171h 00
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Human Sexuality Series Part Two I Relationship Abuse and Relationships in the Kingdom Part 2 with Tony Tendero (April 16, 2023)Tony Tendero is a Fellow in Residence at Safe Haven Ministries. Safe Haven Ministries aims to follow Christ's example and is motivated by our community needs, their mission is to prevent and end relationship abuse. Learn about ways to build healthy Kingdom relationships as well as understanding how they can turn unhealthy. This will be a two part series, over the two sessions we will learn about what is relationship abuse, how to support someone going through abuse or exploitation, and how Safe Haven Ministries works to end relational abuse.
Resources:
2023-04-1743 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Human Sexuality Series Part Two I Relationship Abuse Part 1 with Tony Tendero (March 19, 2023)Tony Tendero is a Fellow in Residence at Safe Haven Ministries. Safe Haven Ministries aims to follow Christ's example and is motivated by our community needs, their mission is to prevent and end relationship abuse. Learn about ways to build healthy Kingdom relationships as well as understanding how they can turn unhealthy. This will be a two part series, over the two sessions we will learn about what is relationship abuse, how to support someone going through abuse or exploitation, and how Safe Haven Ministries works to end relational abuse.
Resources:
Safe...
2023-03-2047 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Human Sexuality Series Part Two I Walking the Road of Healing that Abiding in Him Brings With Pastor Lisa Stonehouse (March 12, 2023)We’ve all experienced the unexpected, painful twists of life and Lisa is no different. Seven years ago, the precious world she held so dear unraveled overnight through finding out that her husband was living a life of unfaithfulness. The effects of unfaithfulness in marriage is devastating to both the spouse and the children. While life certainly holds the unexpected, it also holds the precious faithfulness of our heavenly Father. Surrender and trust is woven through Lisa's story as she learned to walk the road of healing that abiding in Him brings.
Semi Circle of Healing: https://i0...
2023-03-1349 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Human Sexuality Series Part Two I "Pornography: Protect Yourself and Your Family from Porn." With Pastor Noah Filipiak (March 5, 2023)Porn is everywhere today; it's no longer a stigma issue only a few men deal with. Men, women, teens, and children are faced with the possibility of porn and its many gateways every time they turn on their phones. Listen to pastor and author Noah Filipiak share his story and ways you can protect yourself and your family.
Noah's Resource Recommendations:
Technology Accountability:
Get a free month of Covenant Eyes screen accountability: www.covenanteyes.com promo code BEYOND
Get a free month of Accountable2You keyword accountability: a2u...
2023-03-0642 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Race Awareness Month I The CRC and Race Relations with Viviana Cornejo and Idella Winfield (February 19, 2023)Viviana and Idella both work for the Race Relations office of the CRCNA. They will share with us the history of the CRCNA and racism, what prompted the CRCNA to create an office to fight racism, and what we can do to improve the work of racial reconciliation both individually and as a church. Come and learn more about what the CRC has been doing to bring about more racial reconciliation and how you can partner in this work.
* Please note much of the history of the CRC was shared through an interactive activity and not recorded...
2023-02-2034 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Race Awareness Month I Lee Street CRC with Pastor Joel Van Dyke, Dominga, Kevin, and Catherine (February 12, 2023)In this episode we have Pastor Joel and members of his church share on their multicultural experience as a church and as people living in America. Lee Street CRC began in 1926 with a vision to provide a new community of faith for those living in the Godfrey/Lee neighborhood. They have the vision to be truly multicultural and multigenerational. Come and learn from Pastor Joel about the importance of being a multicultural church.
Pastor Joel will also have 3 members of Lee Street join him to share their stories of coming to the United States and their relationship...
2023-02-1555 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Race Awareness Month I God and Race Panel/ Our Journey in Understanding Race with Deann Wright, Lynn Vanoostveen, Linda Klein, Larry Klein, and Mary Westrate (February 5, 2023)Race has become a hot-button topic, which has divided not only our nation but our churches as well. This should not be the case. Hear from Ivanrest members on their experience with diversity awareness, why it should be important to Christians, and their experience going through the God and Race book study this past fall.
The Asks: As you listen we ask that you do the following:
- Be humble as you listen and respond to what you are hearing
- Ask questions to learn not prove a point
- Press...
2023-02-0651 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Human Sexuality I Caring for the LGBTQ+ Community with Pastor Mary Hulst (January 22, 2023)Come and learn about how Calvin University cares for LGBTQ+ students and how we can care for the LGBTQ+ community. Pastor Mary has served as the University Pastor at Calvin University since 2009, and has presented on this topic to Christian educators who teach in elementary, secondary, and higher education contexts, as well as to Boards and churches.
Pastor Mary's Recommended Resources:
Dr. Mark Yarhouse: Sexual & Gender Identity Institute at Wheaton College
Understanding Sexual Identity: A Resource for Youth Ministry (2013)
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture (2015)
Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Dive...
2023-01-231h 05
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Human Sexuality Series Part One I "This I know, for the Bible Tells Me So..." With Pastor Brandon (January 15, 2023)"This I know, for the Bible Tells Me So": Historically, Christians have focused on six Biblical passages when it comes to homosexuality. Listen and learn as we walk through those passages and look at how affirming scholars (those who would like to see gay marriage introduced into the Church) and traditional scholars (those who maintain marriage should be between a man and a woman) interpret and apply them. Pastor Brandon has spent the last fifteen years studying this topic from a variety of angles. His goal will be to present each side of the debate as fairly as possible...
2023-01-161h 20
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipInterview with Reverend Lorie JonkmanOn December 18, 2022 Pastor Brandon interviewed Reverend Lorie Jonkman, the candidate for our Pastor of Congregational Care, listen to her answer questions about her call to the ministry and why she would love to work here at Ivanrest.
2022-12-1937 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Mental Health and Faith I Grief and the Holidays with Jenny Gruppen (December 11, 2022)Jenny Gruppen is a grief counselor at Faith Hospice and has been helping families walk through grief and loss for the past 20 years. She will share some insights on traditions and memorable ways to remember your loved one during the holidays. Come and listen to her share some helpful suggestions for grieving intentionally during the holidays. Jenny holds on to the truth that we have a God who is with us in our pain and sorrow (Psalm 34:18).
Handouts mentioned in the podcast:
The Griever's Holiday Bill of Rights by Bruce H. Conley...
2022-12-1245 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Mental Health and Faith | The Signs and Symptoms of Depression with Dane VerMerris (December 4, 2022)Did you know that according to the National Institute of Mental Health 20% of American adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million adults). Did you know that younger American adults suffer from depression at a higher rate than older adults? In this weeks podcast Dr. Dane VerMerris, a Clinical Psychologist with the Hope Network, shared with us the signs and symptoms of depression, current treatment approaches, and ways that family and friends can best help. Additional resources recommended in the podcast can be found below:
Mental Health Resources:
The National Institute of Mental...
2022-12-0549 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: World Tour Month | Bible Translation Work with Ann Plantinga Kapteyn (November 13, 2022)Did you know the Bible has been translated fully into over 700 languages? Did you also know that the Bible has been translated, in part, into 2,846 languages in 157 different countries? However, the work to translate God's word into people's native languages is not done; there are many heart languages that are still waiting. Ann Plantinga Kapteyn serves with both SIL International and Wycliffe Bible Translators; she has served in Brazil, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic, helping translate scripture into local languages. Listen and learn about Ann's work translating the Bible and how this work is vital to spreading God's...
2022-11-1441 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: World Tour Month | A Brief History of the Church, the CRC, and American Indigenous People with Viviana Cornejo, Harry Descheene, and Darlene Silversmith (November 6, 2022)Did you know that November is Native American Heritage Month? Do you know about the history the Church and specifically the CRCNA has played in the lives of Indigenous Americans? Listen to Viviana Cornejo from the CRCNA, as well as Harry Descheene and Darlene Silversmith as they share a brief history of what has happened here in America as well as their own personal stories.
The Blanket Exercise Sign-ups (November 12, 2022)
https://my.displaychurch.events/e/k3nVkdnt/7k5637N2J9t
The CRCNA’s Response to the Doct...
2022-11-0759 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Living in Community | Listening Circles Panel: Why Listening is Important in a Healthy Community with Ruth Carr, Beth Legate, and Brent Maring (October 16, 2022)This week we will hear from Ivanrest members about their experience participating in a listening circle. Listen about their experiences with learning the importance of listening to each other and how this can bring unity in the church.
2022-10-1744 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Living in Community | Unity and Diversity Within the Church Community with Pastor Brandon (October 9, 2022)Does unity equal uniformity? Does distinction mean difference? Listen to Pastor Brandon talk about what it means to live with Unity and Diversity within the Church Community.
2022-10-1041 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Living in Community | Intentional Community with Mary Westrate (October 2, 2022)Mary Westrate, Director of Discipleship, shares on the importance of living in intentional community with one another. Though it can be difficult at times, the blessing of learning to be the Body of Christ together helps us build deeper connections with each other and God.
2022-10-0439 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Generosity Near & Far | Kenya Hope with Dave and Joy Mueller (September 18, 2022)Dave and Joy Mueller, Kenya Hope Executive Directors, share about the ministry work happening in Kenya.
2022-10-0443 min
Ivanrest Church DiscipleshipGather and Grow: Generosity Near & Far | Family Promise with Kelsy Vining (September 11, 2022)In this podcast you will be hearing from Kelsy Vining, Congregational Development Manager at Family Promise of Grand Rapids. Many of you are familiar with Family Promise's IHN family shelter program that Ivanrest has been invested in for many years. Mobile homeownership is also another part of the work they do through their Partners in Housing program! Listen to the history of this program, the successes of families becoming homeowners, and how you can get involved in ending homelessness, one family at a time through these homeownership opportunities for families in need!
2022-10-0439 min