Shows
West Hills Church"Holy War (Numbers 31)", Thad Yessa | 6/1/25"Holy War (Numbers 31)", Thad Yessa | 6/1/25 by West Hills Church2025-06-0243 minWest Hills Church"God’s Determination to Bless: The Story of the Foolish Prophet and the Wise Ass (Numbers 22)",Thad Yessa | 4/27/25"God’s Determination to Bless: The Story of the Foolish Prophet and the Wise Ass (Numbers 22)",Thad Yessa | 4/27/25 by West Hills Church2025-04-2848 min
West Hills Church"Jesus Changes Our Spiritual Warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18a)", Thad Yessa | 12/1/24"Jesus Changes Our Spiritual Warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18a)", Thad Yessa | 12/1/24 by West Hills Church2024-12-0244 min
West Hills Church"A Worthy Pursuit (Psalm 145:1-21)" | Thad Yessa | 1/7/24"A Worthy Pursuit (Psalm 145:1-21)" | Thad Yessa | 1/7/24 by West Hills Church2024-01-0842 min
IT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #36: Engaging in the SermonThe sermon likely seems like the most daunting piece of the service to help your child with. You’d be content if they just kept still and kept quiet (that’s IF you’re bringing them in the service with you)... so you get their favorite picture books, toys to fidget with, etc. We want to encourage to instead of being overwhelmed with think about the sermon and your children being quiet, to think about how vital the sermon piece of a Sunday morning is; the sermon is where our children will get to hear from God, be convicted of sin...2022-02-0720 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #35: Engaging our Kids in (Musical) WorshipEngaging with music at church seems easy. It seems easy to get our children to sing along, pay attention, or even raise their hands, but it takes more intentionality than bringing your children into the service. In today's episode, Thad and Ally discuss parents' role in teaching their children how to worship at church and in the home.2022-01-2719 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #34: A Fresh StartIn this episode Thad and Ally take a fresh start at the podcast, talk about life updates, parenting conferences, and where the podcast is headed!2022-01-2018 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #33: Sunday Morning Worship is a Saturday Night DecisionWhat we know about parenting is that things don’t always go the way we intend. Plans go awry - there are plenty a Sunday morning where it is a CHALLENGE to get out of the house and get to church. This is resonating with parents of tiny humans - lost shoes, missing socks, the fact that it takes forever to get dressed with independent toddlers. As our kids grow older, the struggle may come more with attitude - waking up on the wrong side of the bed - than it does physically getting ready for church. Or maybe the...2021-10-1221 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #32: "The Importance of a Church Family"As believers, we should be in the body of Christ, at church for a multitude of reasons.
Growth. Purpose. Fun and Enjoyment.
Church community challenges you to be more like Jesus.
“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:24-25
Church community is vital for Christian growth. As we follow Jesus, we need other believers - to encourage us, to p...2021-09-2821 min
West Hills Church08/01/21 | "Living in the Waiting." - Pastor Thad Yessa08/01/21 | "Living in the Waiting." - Pastor Thad Yessa by West Hills Church2021-08-0340 minWest Hills Church6/27/21 | "Tale Of Two Brothers" - Pastor Thad Yessa6/27/21 | "Tale Of Two Brothers" - Pastor Thad Yessa by West Hills Church2021-06-2942 minWest Hills Church05/30/21 | "Love and Lies" - Pastor Thad Yessa05/30/21 | "Love and Lies" - Pastor Thad Yessa by West Hills Church2021-05-3141 min
IT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #31: "Adolescence and Technology" (with Jeremiah Howze)It is easy to feel overwhelmed as parents by the current digital landscape for our teens. Cell phones, social media, and gaming. Oh my! In this episode, Ally and Thad interview special guest Jeremiah on how to help parents gain perspective, education, and tools for thinking proactively and redemptively on raising an adolescent in a digital world.2021-05-2552 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #30 - "Why is Summer Camp Important?"In this week's episode Thad and Ally continue talking about the joys of summer, one of those being Summer Camp.2021-05-1210 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #29: Vacation Bible SchoolIn these week's episode Thad and Ally talk about summer which means talking about Vacation Bible School, its history, its importance, and its role in the local church.2021-05-0410 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #28 - Pop Culture ParentingAs parents, we need to understand popular culture and parenting according to God’s Word. Only then can we avoid both (1) fearing popular culture and (2) embracing it with little discernment. And only then can we apply this truth to our parenting and to the entertainments our children love. That way, we can best glorify God as we fulfil our incredible and biblical calling as parents.2021-04-2833 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #27: Parenting in the PewSunday morning services are for the whole family…so how do I get my child to sit still and quietly when the pastor is preaching? Children are not only the future generation of the church, they are the church right now – and they need Sunday mornings for the same reason we do. In this breakout we’ll talk about attending church as a family, kids’ ministry vs. family worship and guiding our kids into worship on a Sunday morning!2021-04-2226 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #26 - Worshipping God and Celebrating His CreationThe Spring season brings about new life in our homes, in nature, in school activity. This week Ally and Thad want to encourage you that as the weather changes outside to use this as an opportunity to show your children and teens how great and awesome our God is.
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the han...2021-04-0613 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #25 - Holy WeekHoly Week is a great time to prepare for Easter Sunday as a family - It’s crucial to talk with your kids and teens about the meaning of Holy Week and about the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
So what does that look like? How can we celebrate or participate in Holy Week this year?2021-03-3020 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #24 - Finding Jesus in Chocolate Bunnies and Easter BasketsOur most important job is to point our children to Jesus. Our goal should be to build the faith of our children, not grow their love for worldly traditions. Is it wrong to take part in the secular traditions the holidays bring? Of course not. But, we should be careful about the fine line we walk….The point is to use the monumental celebration of Easter to show our children a different kind of joy--one that comes from knowing Christ and experiencing the “new life” he brings to each one of us who trust in Him.2021-03-2311 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #23: Do Not Grow Weary in Doing GoodAs parents, we are prone to weariness. You are tired of cleaning up every evening, you are exhausted of asking your teenagers to do the same chores, you are weary of having to have yet another conversation with a teacher because of your child’s disruption in class. On top of all of that you are trying to point your children back to Jesus.2021-03-1713 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #22: Foundations Conference RecapIn this week's episode Ally and Thad spend some time discussing the Foundations Parenting Conference, what they learned, and how we can find hope in parenting.2021-03-0912 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #21: Sticks and StonesParents have a huge influence in their child’s life! There are few things more influential and powerful than a parent’s words. Words have so much significance.2021-03-0213 min
West Hills Church02/21/21 | Threat #7: Complacency - Pastor Thad Yessa02/21/21 | Threat #7: Complacency - Pastor Thad Yessa by West Hills Church2021-02-2347 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #20: Obedience Because of Love.We show our children obedience is not about rules for rules’ sake; it’s about relationship. And as we forge that relationship with them in the context of joy and discipline, we pave the way for their relationship to God.2021-02-2319 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #19: Attachment Parenting & Temper Tantrums (with Marian Wandall)Today on the podcast, we interviewed Marian Wandell. Marian is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist. She currently works at Revision Christian Counseling where she is the primary child and family therapist. Marian has a passion to help children and their families connect and process trauma and behavioral concerns. She strongly believes that true healing in a child’s life begins with the family. She is a wife to Rusty and a mom to 4-year-old Corey.2021-02-1642 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #18: Behavior is communicationEverybody communications through behavior. A baby might cry when they are hungry or wet - an adult may yawn when they’re bored at work or in a meeting. All people are communicating something through their behavior every moment of the day, even if they’re unaware.
When we think about this in relation to parenting, the insight is really powerful. A child or teen’s problematic or inappropriate behavior is saying something to us as parents and caregivers. There is always a reason for a specific behavior.2021-02-0918 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #17: Loving, Enjoying & Communicating (with Taylor Keen)What do my kids/teens need from me? (with Taylor Keen)2021-02-021h 02IT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #16: "Active and Effective Listening"We’ve determined that communication is a two way street. We know that part of communication is being able to speak well - to be able to string together our thoughts and feelings in words that make sense; or in our parenting, the ability to give instructions or guidance well.
But we know the other piece of communication has to do with what happens when we stop speaking - it has to do with listening.2021-01-2613 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #15: "Love Languages and Love Tanks"We all have an emotional tank. Maybe you’ve heard how everyone has a bucket and that you should “be a bucket filler.” Coming from a set of children’s books, “Have you filled a bucket today?, How Full is your bucket? And Fill a Bucket” - the concept is that everyone walks around day after day with an invisible bucket above their heads. Throughout the day, their buckets can be filled or emptied based upon the things that have happened to them. Someone says nice words to them - that adds to their bucket. Mean words are bucket emptiers. As...2021-01-1926 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #14: "Talking to My Teen When They Don't Want To."We want to be the ones who help shape what our teens see and believe about the world around them and who God is. So it’s important that we are able to communicate well with our teens.
So what does it look like to have healthy communication with our teens? How do we talk to our teens when they don’t want to talk to us?2021-01-1214 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #13: "Communication in Parenting"God has placed us in an authority position over our kids and teens so that we may instruct them in His ways. In order for us to be able to fulfill that calling, good communication with our children is essential.2021-01-0515 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #12: "New Years Resolutions/Goals for your family"As we finish out 2020, a hard year for most of us, and we look to the future - many of us are spending time reflecting and thinking about the things to come. A common practice at the start of any new year is a “New Year’s Resolution” - it’s a tradition in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, set out to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life.2020-12-2915 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #11: "Cherishing a COVID Christmas"Maybe this year’s Christmas looks different than years past. Maybe you won’t be celebrating with the whole family - maybe some can’t travel or you want to be sure you don’t get anyone sick. Maybe the presents under the tree are fewer. Perhaps the traditions you’ve always done can’t happen this year. And while that’s hard and challenging (I won’t gloss over the fact that that is hard and something to grieve)... we know that, as followers of Christ, that all those extras don’t really matter - they aren’t the reason we celebra...2020-12-2214 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #10: "Christmas Generosity”Generosity is meant to be a hallmark of our faith.
The gospel is a story of God’s generosity to mankind (John 3:16). God gave His Only Son. We live in a world of consumerism, materialism, narcissism. When we are generous, we demonstrate a love that causes others to pause. Why would you do something like that for me? Through our generosity, we can prepare hearts to receive the good news.2020-12-1514 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #9: "Parenting, Resting, and COVID 19"Throughout these last 9 months, you’ve likely had a million emotions - anxiety, worry, depression, happiness, joy, frustration, impatience, the list goes on and on. Throughout all of that - you’ve been caring for and schooling your kids and teens constantly, likely without the same amount of support as pre-COVID. In today’s podcast, we want to urge you to take time to care for yourself during this season as well.2020-12-0819 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #8: "The Wonder of Christmas"“In a culture that uses this season to get children to dream about how their lives would be made better by possessing a certain material thing, where Christmas has been reduced to a shopper’s nightmare and a retailer’s dream, it is vital to draw the wonder of our children away from the next great toy and toward the wonder of the coming of our great Lord and Savior, Jesus.” - Paul David Tripp2020-12-0111 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #7: "Cultivating Gratitude & Celebrating Thanksgiving."Gratitude is a response to God’s goodness, our witness to the world, and a way to glorify God.2020-11-2413 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #6: "How to Read the Bible with Your Children/Teens."Your goal is not just to feed them from the Word of God, but to teach them how to feed themselves. You are training them not to need you, but recognizing how they will always desperately need God. One of the hard parts of being a parent is that you are raising your children to not need you.2020-11-1710 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #5: "What We Wish You Knew"This is an exciting episode. We’re going to share with you the things that we wish you knew. Parents, we’re talking directly to you. Here are the top 10 things we wish you knew coming from your children’s minister and youth pastor.2020-11-1010 min
West Hills Church10/25/20 | "'But I will Hope Continually': Hope for Finishing Well" - Pastor Thad Yessa10/25/20 | "'But I will Hope Continually': Hope for Finishing Well" - Pastor Thad Yessa by West Hills Church2020-10-2652 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #4: "Praying with My Kids"How do I teach my children to pray?
Teach prayer as a conversation with God – one that shows respect for who He is but that is spoken in our own words. God wants to be close to them and have an intimate relationship with them.
In conversations with people – we listen and talk. The same is true with prayer – we both listen to God and talk to Him.2020-10-1317 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #3: "Praying for our Children and Teens"With all the needs of children - physical, emotional, etc. it can be easy to wonder if prayer is actually their greatest need. This is a misunderstanding. As parents, we fall into the trap of believing that we are the ones providing food, clothing and shelter. We believe we are the ones giving them the love and care they need, helping them to build good character, teaching them spiritual truths. While God often chooses to use us as a vehicle for these needs, it is always God who provides these things for our children and it is God who...2020-10-0613 minWest Hills Church10/04/20 | "'Whom have I in Heaven': Hope in a Wicked World" - Pastor Thad Yessa10/04/20 | "'Whom have I in Heaven': Hope in a Wicked World" - Pastor Thad Yessa by West Hills Church2020-10-0541 minIT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #2: "Discipleship in the Everyday Moments"The best place for a kid to learn about God is with his or her parents. Discipleship in the everyday moments looks like capturing and leveraging opportunities in the course of everyday life for the purpose of conversations about truth. The time we spend with our children are unique and special opportunities that you will NOT get back. Moments in time are valuable because they are nonrenewable.2020-09-2914 min
IT STARTS AT HOMEEpisode #1: "What Starts at Home?"This week Ally and Thad take a dive into their passion behind this podcast.2020-09-2217 min
West Hills Church07/26/20 | "Just as Promised" - Pastor Thad Yessa07/26/20 | "Just as Promised" - Pastor Thad Yessa by West Hills Church2020-07-2839 min
West Hills Church1/26/20 | "Is Prayer Worth My Time?" -Pastor of Youth and Connections Thad Yessa1/26/20 | "Is Prayer Worth My Time?" -Pastor of Youth and Connections Thad Yessa by West Hills Church2020-01-2842 min
West Hills Church11/10/19 | "Two Great Loves" - Pastor of Youth and Connections Thad YessaMark 12:28-342019-11-1335 min