1 00:00:01,760 --> 00:00:06,500 What would it look like to start a community that was really 2 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:17,624 it's for the people like Jesus would be for welcome to Heaven Earth 3 00:00:17,672 --> 00:00:18,312 Church. 4 00:00:18,456 --> 00:00:22,120 I'm Ross Stackhouse, the founding pastor of Heaven Earth Church. 5 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:25,832 From the start, our heart has been to be a church for people who 6 00:00:25,856 --> 00:00:28,136 don't fit neatly into church. 7 00:00:28,328 --> 00:00:31,948 We want to meet people where they are and know their stories because 8 00:00:32,064 --> 00:00:35,172 in every story there is God's story. 9 00:00:35,356 --> 00:00:37,588 And this podcast is just about that. 10 00:00:37,644 --> 00:00:40,676 It's about inviting you into the stories of the people of Heaven 11 00:00:40,708 --> 00:00:41,640 Earth Church. 12 00:00:41,980 --> 00:00:44,160 So let's turn to the story. 13 00:00:47,980 --> 00:00:52,324 Hello good people and welcome to the Heaven Earth Church podcast. 14 00:00:52,372 --> 00:00:56,948 This is the podcast where we look to share a connection about 15 00:00:57,004 --> 00:01:01,166 a church whose vision is is to make a lasting impact in our community. 16 00:01:01,318 --> 00:01:04,478 And a part of what we do is get to know the folks who are part 17 00:01:04,614 --> 00:01:06,718 of the Heaven and Earth Church community. 18 00:01:06,854 --> 00:01:11,454 And we're really pleased to have as our guest today on the My 19 00:01:11,462 --> 00:01:13,758 name is Brad Miller, one of the producers of the podcast. 20 00:01:13,854 --> 00:01:17,950 But our guests today are Justin and Rachel Roebling, who come 21 00:01:17,990 --> 00:01:19,790 to us as a part of the church family here. 22 00:01:19,830 --> 00:01:23,390 Justin, it's awesome to have you have you with us here on the 23 00:01:23,430 --> 00:01:26,032 podcast and we just like to get to know you a little bit, what 24 00:01:26,056 --> 00:01:29,424 you're all about and your and a little bit about your connection 25 00:01:29,472 --> 00:01:30,944 to Heaven and Earth Church. 26 00:01:30,992 --> 00:01:32,960 And Justin, what's. 27 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:34,320 What's hometown for you? 28 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:36,544 Hometown is actually Whiteland, Indiana. 29 00:01:36,672 --> 00:01:37,056 Awesome. 30 00:01:37,088 --> 00:01:38,576 I am in hometown. 31 00:01:38,768 --> 00:01:42,832 I actually grew up right across the street from here. 32 00:01:43,016 --> 00:01:45,488 Well, tell, tell me about something in that home life. 33 00:01:45,544 --> 00:01:47,056 Tell me about a room in your house. 34 00:01:47,128 --> 00:01:51,024 Maybe that was not your bedroom but someplace else in the 35 00:01:51,032 --> 00:01:54,252 house that was a place that you enjoyed or do you place it was 36 00:01:54,276 --> 00:01:55,388 kind of a warm feeling for you. 37 00:01:55,444 --> 00:01:56,812 It's probably the backyard. 38 00:01:56,956 --> 00:01:58,636 I've always loved sports. 39 00:01:58,828 --> 00:02:00,860 I sort of had a basketball goal out there. 40 00:02:00,900 --> 00:02:04,860 I had a soccer goal, baseball, just anything and everything. 41 00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:08,188 I spent the entire day until my parents drove me in, just hanging 42 00:02:08,204 --> 00:02:09,868 out outside, playing sports. 43 00:02:09,964 --> 00:02:12,040 Rachel, let's chat with you for a second. 44 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:13,212 Tell us about you. 45 00:02:13,236 --> 00:02:14,252 What's hometown for you? 46 00:02:14,356 --> 00:02:17,852 Indy and then we lived in Greenwood for a while and then we 47 00:02:17,876 --> 00:02:19,020 moved back to Whiteland. 48 00:02:19,100 --> 00:02:21,020 Well, tell me about some member growing up. 49 00:02:21,060 --> 00:02:24,844 Some memorable either pet, some thinking about growing up in 50 00:02:24,932 --> 00:02:26,080 Bargersville. 51 00:02:26,420 --> 00:02:28,652 It was unique for, for you maybe you bet a pet or something 52 00:02:28,676 --> 00:02:28,940 like that. 53 00:02:28,980 --> 00:02:29,628 It's going to be a pet. 54 00:02:29,684 --> 00:02:30,924 It's going to be a pet. 55 00:02:31,092 --> 00:02:32,700 I had a dog, Corey. 56 00:02:32,780 --> 00:02:33,340 We had a. 57 00:02:33,380 --> 00:02:37,116 We had the dog and she had puppies and my mom told me I wasn't 58 00:02:37,148 --> 00:02:37,932 going to be able to keep it. 59 00:02:37,956 --> 00:02:38,716 I was probably. 60 00:02:38,828 --> 00:02:40,092 I was probably 10. 61 00:02:40,276 --> 00:02:42,012 Told me I wasn't going to be able to keep a dog. 62 00:02:42,076 --> 00:02:42,636 And she. 63 00:02:42,708 --> 00:02:44,524 I took her and let her sleep in bed with me. 64 00:02:44,532 --> 00:02:46,156 And so my mom caved and I kept that dog. 65 00:02:46,188 --> 00:02:48,482 She was 19 when she passed. 66 00:02:48,546 --> 00:02:48,978 Wow. 67 00:02:49,074 --> 00:02:49,490 Yeah. 68 00:02:49,570 --> 00:02:53,554 So she was through everything for me. 69 00:02:53,642 --> 00:02:53,986 So. 70 00:02:54,058 --> 00:02:54,498 Yeah. 71 00:02:54,594 --> 00:02:55,522 Part of your lucky. 72 00:02:55,586 --> 00:02:56,610 Part of your life growing up. 73 00:02:56,650 --> 00:02:57,154 Yeah. 74 00:02:57,282 --> 00:02:57,682 Yeah. 75 00:02:57,746 --> 00:02:58,914 You know, that's awesome. 76 00:02:58,962 --> 00:03:01,826 How did you two come to get to know each other and end up getting. 77 00:03:01,978 --> 00:03:04,210 Getting married and I think that was. 78 00:03:04,250 --> 00:03:08,482 Just from my sister's husband used to have, like, poker parties, 79 00:03:08,626 --> 00:03:10,978 and you started coming and I was there. 80 00:03:11,114 --> 00:03:12,034 Monday night poker. 81 00:03:12,082 --> 00:03:12,738 Every Monday night. 82 00:03:12,794 --> 00:03:18,024 Yeah, we met and that was 19 years ago. 83 00:03:18,192 --> 00:03:20,296 We've been together 19, married 11 years. 84 00:03:20,368 --> 00:03:21,416 Been together 19. 85 00:03:21,568 --> 00:03:24,872 Been about a week knowing each other and the narcissist. 86 00:03:24,936 --> 00:03:28,216 I understand pets are a big part of your life, your home life 87 00:03:28,288 --> 00:03:28,680 right now. 88 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:29,720 So it comes about. 89 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:31,896 I mean, tell me about the pets in your life. 90 00:03:32,048 --> 00:03:32,552 I. 91 00:03:32,656 --> 00:03:34,104 Oh, gosh, we've had. 92 00:03:34,272 --> 00:03:36,936 He never met Corey, but then I. 93 00:03:37,008 --> 00:03:40,382 After Corey passed, I got another little dog, Penelope, and 94 00:03:40,406 --> 00:03:41,934 she lived to be 18, too. 95 00:03:42,022 --> 00:03:43,790 So she was with us. 96 00:03:43,910 --> 00:03:44,494 Yes. 97 00:03:44,622 --> 00:03:46,110 She was like two when you met her. 98 00:03:46,150 --> 00:03:46,606 Yes. 99 00:03:46,718 --> 00:03:49,790 And so I had Chihuahuas for a very long time. 100 00:03:49,830 --> 00:03:51,086 And then he got a Chihuahua. 101 00:03:51,118 --> 00:03:52,542 So at one point we had three. 102 00:03:52,726 --> 00:03:53,742 Three Chihuahuas. 103 00:03:53,806 --> 00:03:54,526 Couple cats. 104 00:03:54,638 --> 00:03:56,942 Now we have a very large dog. 105 00:03:57,006 --> 00:04:00,030 He's over or he's right at £100 now. 106 00:04:00,070 --> 00:04:00,430 Yeah. 107 00:04:00,510 --> 00:04:01,582 Wow, that's a lot of dogs. 108 00:04:01,646 --> 00:04:02,718 That is a lot of dogs. 109 00:04:02,814 --> 00:04:05,854 Great Dane bloodhound, rig back. 110 00:04:05,942 --> 00:04:06,654 We don't exactly know. 111 00:04:06,662 --> 00:04:07,486 He's just a big mutt. 112 00:04:07,518 --> 00:04:09,250 It's a big, huge dog. 113 00:04:13,610 --> 00:04:16,530 She's like a Boston French bulldog kind of make. 114 00:04:16,570 --> 00:04:17,858 She's a muddy little dog, too. 115 00:04:17,914 --> 00:04:18,790 So that's. 116 00:04:19,130 --> 00:04:19,986 That's part of the joy. 117 00:04:20,018 --> 00:04:21,346 Your life sounds like the joy. 118 00:04:21,378 --> 00:04:21,538 Yeah. 119 00:04:21,554 --> 00:04:23,554 Hey, the big dog's name is Buddha. 120 00:04:23,602 --> 00:04:24,578 Just because he's just. 121 00:04:24,714 --> 00:04:25,634 He just lays. 122 00:04:25,682 --> 00:04:26,146 He just. 123 00:04:26,218 --> 00:04:27,390 He's very still. 124 00:04:27,770 --> 00:04:28,910 There you go. 125 00:04:29,210 --> 00:04:31,314 Well, tell me a little bit about what do you do, what you kind 126 00:04:31,322 --> 00:04:32,482 of career things you have. 127 00:04:32,506 --> 00:04:34,738 Justin, what kind of things you do? 128 00:04:34,794 --> 00:04:36,098 California closets. 129 00:04:36,274 --> 00:04:39,490 I am a programmer and a product manager. 130 00:04:39,570 --> 00:04:46,282 So I take the designs and that we get from the designers and I make 131 00:04:46,306 --> 00:04:50,650 it to where it's actually applicable so we can make it in shop. 132 00:04:50,730 --> 00:04:51,898 So I take like what they. 133 00:04:51,954 --> 00:04:55,594 I try to decipher, like what they give and create like a. 134 00:04:55,682 --> 00:04:56,138 Like a. 135 00:04:56,194 --> 00:04:59,930 Like a bomb or a cut sheet and just try to Figure out any sort of 136 00:04:59,970 --> 00:05:00,554 issues. 137 00:05:00,722 --> 00:05:01,322 So you're. 138 00:05:01,386 --> 00:05:04,970 You're not actually designing closets as such, but you are doing 139 00:05:05,010 --> 00:05:05,590 the. 140 00:05:05,890 --> 00:05:07,418 Yes, more just like the back end. 141 00:05:07,474 --> 00:05:07,882 The back end. 142 00:05:07,906 --> 00:05:08,798 I have to feed. 143 00:05:08,954 --> 00:05:10,998 Feed all the programs to the machines, make sure. 144 00:05:11,054 --> 00:05:11,382 Yeah. 145 00:05:11,446 --> 00:05:11,830 All right. 146 00:05:11,870 --> 00:05:12,118 Good. 147 00:05:12,174 --> 00:05:12,582 Good for you. 148 00:05:12,606 --> 00:05:13,542 Rachel, how about you? 149 00:05:13,566 --> 00:05:14,742 What kind of career do you have? 150 00:05:14,846 --> 00:05:15,382 Insurance? 151 00:05:15,446 --> 00:05:16,614 I work at home. 152 00:05:16,782 --> 00:05:21,254 I have been home 16 years, something like that. 153 00:05:21,342 --> 00:05:21,702 Yeah. 154 00:05:21,766 --> 00:05:25,254 So we had an office in Indy that closed, so they moved some of 155 00:05:25,262 --> 00:05:25,814 us home. 156 00:05:25,902 --> 00:05:28,166 So that's why I've worked from home for so long. 157 00:05:28,318 --> 00:05:31,622 But now our whole, you know, after 2020, our whole office is at 158 00:05:31,646 --> 00:05:31,926 home. 159 00:05:31,998 --> 00:05:33,014 So it's nice. 160 00:05:33,142 --> 00:05:36,326 You know, I have a lot of teams meeting, but I'm an onboarding 161 00:05:36,358 --> 00:05:39,670 rep, so I bring agents into our small business service center. 162 00:05:39,750 --> 00:05:42,022 I haven't seen you in any of the commercials for that. 163 00:05:42,206 --> 00:05:45,222 Tell me a little bit about any kind of, I don't know, church or 164 00:05:45,246 --> 00:05:48,150 religious background that you may have had before you started getting 165 00:05:48,190 --> 00:05:51,702 connected with heaven or church, but if at all, Rachel, start 166 00:05:51,726 --> 00:05:52,038 with you? 167 00:05:52,094 --> 00:05:53,990 Yeah, I actually grew up in church. 168 00:05:54,070 --> 00:05:58,054 My family still goes to the same church that I grew up in. 169 00:05:58,222 --> 00:05:59,302 Wonderful church. 170 00:05:59,446 --> 00:06:02,326 It just, you know, sometimes at different seasons, you just want 171 00:06:02,398 --> 00:06:03,290 something else. 172 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:09,344 And I probably stopped going in high school and then did not regularly 173 00:06:09,392 --> 00:06:12,112 pick it back up until probably 2015. 174 00:06:12,296 --> 00:06:17,040 And we've been to several different churches, I guess, through 175 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:18,016 that timeframe. 176 00:06:18,128 --> 00:06:20,912 And again, wonderful churches. 177 00:06:20,976 --> 00:06:24,208 Just for whatever reason, you know, we were just looking for something 178 00:06:24,264 --> 00:06:26,320 else and then landed here. 179 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,504 And he asked me earlier, and I want to say it was 2020. 180 00:06:29,592 --> 00:06:31,600 Well, we'll come to that part of the story in just a second. 181 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:33,616 Just a little bit of background on you, Justin, maybe 182 00:06:33,648 --> 00:06:37,120 any church background growing up or anything else along the line. 183 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:38,944 Yeah, we always went to church as well. 184 00:06:39,032 --> 00:06:41,968 We always went to Franklin Church of Christ. 185 00:06:42,024 --> 00:06:44,464 Growing up just right down the street on 31. 186 00:06:44,632 --> 00:06:50,880 My dad always sung probably a few times a month, and just a great 187 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:54,336 church always felt more of, like, an obligation. 188 00:06:54,448 --> 00:06:56,794 So to Rachel's point, we. 189 00:06:56,882 --> 00:06:59,242 I was kind of the same way, and I just always had a lot more 190 00:06:59,266 --> 00:07:02,554 questions, and everything was just a little bit more absolute in 191 00:07:02,562 --> 00:07:04,682 the way that I grew up with religion, so. 192 00:07:04,786 --> 00:07:06,762 Well, tell me how that came about then. 193 00:07:06,866 --> 00:07:07,386 Were you. 194 00:07:07,458 --> 00:07:09,786 It sounded like you were kind of actively searching for a church 195 00:07:09,818 --> 00:07:10,858 in many ways. 196 00:07:11,034 --> 00:07:14,330 So how'd you first hear about Heaven Earth Church? 197 00:07:14,490 --> 00:07:17,482 And then what led you to kind of come and check it out? 198 00:07:17,586 --> 00:07:23,310 Initially, it was Dave that, like, originally told us about. 199 00:07:23,430 --> 00:07:25,902 We'd seen him at, I think a funeral. 200 00:07:26,046 --> 00:07:29,662 David McMillan was one of my guidance counselors at Wyler High 201 00:07:29,686 --> 00:07:31,918 School and just a stellar guy. 202 00:07:32,094 --> 00:07:36,430 We saw him at a family member's funeral and he actually 203 00:07:36,470 --> 00:07:39,326 invited us to church here and told us that he was. 204 00:07:39,398 --> 00:07:42,830 He's been taking his mother in law and it's just a really great 205 00:07:42,870 --> 00:07:43,450 place. 206 00:07:43,750 --> 00:07:44,126 Yeah. 207 00:07:44,158 --> 00:07:47,470 So we checked it out online and David shot. 208 00:07:47,630 --> 00:07:50,808 So tell me then you checked it out and you gave it a shot. 209 00:07:50,904 --> 00:07:54,104 So tell me a little bit about some of those initial experiences. 210 00:07:54,152 --> 00:07:56,020 The first time or two you were here. 211 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,800 What, you know, what kind of experience did you have? 212 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:01,512 And then kind of around that. 213 00:08:01,536 --> 00:08:04,936 What kind of conversation did you two have after that? 214 00:08:05,088 --> 00:08:09,480 Yeah, well, we watched it online and at the time it was a lot 215 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:13,256 smaller and Ross was doing a lot of like the songs and everything 216 00:08:13,328 --> 00:08:13,704 himself. 217 00:08:13,752 --> 00:08:13,976 Remember? 218 00:08:14,008 --> 00:08:14,680 He was just up there. 219 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:17,064 It was like him and a garage or him and a guitar. 220 00:08:17,112 --> 00:08:17,630 Yes. 221 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:18,430 And. 222 00:08:18,970 --> 00:08:20,770 And I was like, I just want to check it out. 223 00:08:20,810 --> 00:08:25,426 And when we came in, Ashley, who used to be on staff here, I mean, 224 00:08:25,498 --> 00:08:27,842 immediately came up to us and welcomed us. 225 00:08:27,946 --> 00:08:31,010 Well, of course we saw Dave and I mean just the people were just 226 00:08:31,050 --> 00:08:31,890 really friendly. 227 00:08:31,970 --> 00:08:35,586 And we'd been to some churches before that were very small and close 228 00:08:35,658 --> 00:08:40,370 knit and it was a little hard to break in and you know, to kind 229 00:08:40,410 --> 00:08:43,330 of, you know, everyone had their clique that they would talk 230 00:08:43,370 --> 00:08:44,066 to each morning. 231 00:08:44,138 --> 00:08:47,470 So it was refreshing that there was a lot of people that were 232 00:08:47,510 --> 00:08:51,102 willing to speak to us and that made it a point to speak to 233 00:08:51,126 --> 00:08:51,406 us. 234 00:08:51,478 --> 00:08:52,510 Yeah, because we also went. 235 00:08:52,550 --> 00:08:55,294 I've been to a few big churches as well. 236 00:08:55,382 --> 00:08:57,454 And it's the opposite. 237 00:08:57,502 --> 00:08:58,334 Like we don't. 238 00:08:58,462 --> 00:09:01,342 You almost felt like you, you weren't even noticed. 239 00:09:01,406 --> 00:09:04,270 And not there's anything wrong with that, but we're just looking 240 00:09:04,310 --> 00:09:06,206 for somewhere right in the middle. 241 00:09:06,318 --> 00:09:09,570 So it sound like this, you were actively searching. 242 00:09:09,990 --> 00:09:13,370 So it sounds like you took a little bit of time to kind of get 243 00:09:13,690 --> 00:09:14,562 connected. 244 00:09:14,706 --> 00:09:15,410 You were. 245 00:09:15,530 --> 00:09:17,618 So tell me about that searching period. 246 00:09:17,674 --> 00:09:20,914 What I mean by that is I assume that maybe you, you came and 247 00:09:20,922 --> 00:09:22,962 you left, maybe you went to other churches, whatever. 248 00:09:23,106 --> 00:09:27,746 But what brought you back after that kind of that initial interest 249 00:09:27,818 --> 00:09:28,194 here? 250 00:09:28,282 --> 00:09:31,650 Well, I really like just the, the conversation really, you know 251 00:09:31,690 --> 00:09:35,010 that I'd never been to any place that, where you could just 252 00:09:35,050 --> 00:09:35,650 like speak. 253 00:09:35,730 --> 00:09:38,450 Like how Ross asked questions and you can just speak. 254 00:09:38,530 --> 00:09:40,826 So, um, that always brought me back. 255 00:09:40,898 --> 00:09:45,034 I don't think we went to any place else since we came here. 256 00:09:45,122 --> 00:09:47,770 No, we were just kind of more sporadic. 257 00:09:47,850 --> 00:09:51,818 And it wasn't just, you know, mission to Go to church on Sunday. 258 00:09:51,874 --> 00:09:54,970 Like, it just, you know, if we got up in time, we went, you know, 259 00:09:55,010 --> 00:09:56,666 so we were just a little bit more sporadic. 260 00:09:56,698 --> 00:10:00,362 And I think, like, last year is when we kind of really decided 261 00:10:00,426 --> 00:10:02,986 that we were gonna really make it a priority. 262 00:10:03,018 --> 00:10:04,536 Okay, well, let's go there. 263 00:10:04,618 --> 00:10:05,116 Yeah. 264 00:10:05,228 --> 00:10:06,716 What was that pivotal moment? 265 00:10:06,748 --> 00:10:10,972 What was that aha moment that kind of made it move from kind of 266 00:10:10,996 --> 00:10:14,280 a checking it out period or kind of a sporadic, as you said, 267 00:10:14,580 --> 00:10:17,148 Rachel, to being more committed? 268 00:10:17,324 --> 00:10:17,916 So what. 269 00:10:17,988 --> 00:10:18,380 What was. 270 00:10:18,420 --> 00:10:20,460 Was there a moment or was there kind of a. 271 00:10:20,580 --> 00:10:21,596 Tell me about that experience. 272 00:10:21,668 --> 00:10:22,668 What led you to that? 273 00:10:22,724 --> 00:10:26,300 I want to say we hadn't been in, like, two weeks, I remember, 274 00:10:26,380 --> 00:10:30,204 and it was right around Christmas or right before, and Ross 275 00:10:30,252 --> 00:10:34,468 Reese reached out and asked us if we wanted to light one of the 276 00:10:34,524 --> 00:10:35,320 candles. 277 00:10:35,740 --> 00:10:37,236 And so we did. 278 00:10:37,388 --> 00:10:40,660 And then, I mean, it was just that the church is really good about 279 00:10:40,700 --> 00:10:41,300 reaching out. 280 00:10:41,340 --> 00:10:45,012 And I just feel like that at that time, we weren't putting in 281 00:10:45,036 --> 00:10:46,596 the effort that we needed to. 282 00:10:46,748 --> 00:10:50,868 And Ross reaching out and kind of, you know, pulling us in really 283 00:10:50,924 --> 00:10:52,196 was a big. 284 00:10:52,348 --> 00:10:53,332 A big step. 285 00:10:53,436 --> 00:10:55,940 And Justin Cisa and I understand you've took a step forward 286 00:10:55,980 --> 00:10:57,172 in leadership in the church. 287 00:10:57,236 --> 00:10:59,780 So tell me about how that evolve for you. 288 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:00,904 Yes. 289 00:11:01,032 --> 00:11:01,752 So I've. 290 00:11:01,816 --> 00:11:08,232 I've always just really enjoyed learning, and I've been in 291 00:11:08,256 --> 00:11:09,704 leadership positions, and I. 292 00:11:09,792 --> 00:11:11,896 I really love John Maxwell. 293 00:11:11,928 --> 00:11:13,384 That's who I look up to the most, probably. 294 00:11:13,432 --> 00:11:16,552 And his whole big thing is just adding value to people. 295 00:11:16,656 --> 00:11:18,952 And that's kind of my mission. 296 00:11:19,016 --> 00:11:20,328 I just want to add value to people. 297 00:11:20,384 --> 00:11:24,546 A lot of people do not feel seen, heard, valued, or anything 298 00:11:24,578 --> 00:11:24,930 like that. 299 00:11:24,970 --> 00:11:25,842 They never have. 300 00:11:25,946 --> 00:11:26,962 So that's. 301 00:11:27,026 --> 00:11:27,842 That's my mission. 302 00:11:27,906 --> 00:11:31,586 And so someone nominated me for the board and a lot of discussion 303 00:11:31,618 --> 00:11:32,706 and prayer. 304 00:11:32,898 --> 00:11:35,250 I decided it was something that I wanted to take on. 305 00:11:35,370 --> 00:11:36,498 We now have got you. 306 00:11:36,554 --> 00:11:39,698 You've made a community part of the church, and you've stepped 307 00:11:39,714 --> 00:11:41,250 up in various areas of your. 308 00:11:41,370 --> 00:11:44,562 And what are some of the areas you're involved with, Rachel, that 309 00:11:44,586 --> 00:11:45,826 you involved with the church? 310 00:11:45,938 --> 00:11:46,450 I. 311 00:11:46,570 --> 00:11:50,502 I really like the hospitality portion of it. 312 00:11:50,526 --> 00:11:53,638 You know, I like greeting and, you know, bringing in the treats 313 00:11:53,654 --> 00:11:54,822 and getting the coffee ready. 314 00:11:54,886 --> 00:11:58,130 And we live so close, it's nice to get in early. 315 00:11:58,510 --> 00:11:59,142 So that's. 316 00:11:59,206 --> 00:12:00,166 That's really what I. 317 00:12:00,238 --> 00:12:00,694 I enjoy. 318 00:12:00,742 --> 00:12:03,142 I know that was a big thing for me, like with Ashley. 319 00:12:03,206 --> 00:12:07,030 And so when she left her position, I really just didn't want 320 00:12:07,070 --> 00:12:12,054 that to kind of fall away and, you know, we lose that connection. 321 00:12:12,182 --> 00:12:16,614 So not that I am anywhere near What Ashley was and how hospitable 322 00:12:16,662 --> 00:12:17,398 she always was. 323 00:12:17,454 --> 00:12:18,582 But I really try. 324 00:12:18,686 --> 00:12:19,158 Yeah. 325 00:12:19,254 --> 00:12:20,534 To greet everybody. 326 00:12:20,662 --> 00:12:22,182 Tell me about a time here at the. 327 00:12:22,206 --> 00:12:25,030 In the life of the church where you kind of had a. 328 00:12:25,150 --> 00:12:27,910 A God moment where you saw there's something that's going on 329 00:12:27,950 --> 00:12:32,374 here that's a little bigger than kind of connecting kind of interpersonally 330 00:12:32,422 --> 00:12:35,446 and things like that feel good about the people, you know, the welcoming 331 00:12:35,478 --> 00:12:38,086 and all that that people gave to you and that you give to others. 332 00:12:38,238 --> 00:12:40,822 But with time when you kind of think, you know, this is a little 333 00:12:40,846 --> 00:12:41,638 bigger than. 334 00:12:41,774 --> 00:12:43,542 Than that this is a God thing. 335 00:12:43,646 --> 00:12:45,078 I think it was probably. 336 00:12:45,254 --> 00:12:46,214 We did the. 337 00:12:46,302 --> 00:12:46,902 They did it. 338 00:12:46,926 --> 00:12:50,310 Ross did a class the Shaped by God through scripture last year. 339 00:12:50,350 --> 00:12:54,166 It was during Lent and it was right after we'd really committed 340 00:12:54,198 --> 00:12:55,970 to, you know, coming every Sunday. 341 00:12:56,270 --> 00:13:01,206 And that was probably our first time really getting to know 342 00:13:01,358 --> 00:13:02,294 everybody in the church. 343 00:13:02,342 --> 00:13:04,470 And I had done at the same time I was doing. 344 00:13:04,510 --> 00:13:07,638 They opened up a book club and I did that as well. 345 00:13:07,694 --> 00:13:10,860 So it was really like connecting, being around people that 346 00:13:10,900 --> 00:13:11,500 I felt like. 347 00:13:11,540 --> 00:13:13,404 Felt the same way I did. 348 00:13:13,492 --> 00:13:15,548 And it wasn't with church earlier. 349 00:13:15,604 --> 00:13:16,892 It wasn't so absolute. 350 00:13:16,956 --> 00:13:19,852 There was questions and it was okay to have questions. 351 00:13:19,996 --> 00:13:21,036 You know, it wasn't. 352 00:13:21,148 --> 00:13:24,140 You know, Ross doesn't claim to know everything, you know, so 353 00:13:24,180 --> 00:13:25,308 I like, how would you. 354 00:13:25,364 --> 00:13:27,996 Justin, do you have any kind of God moment that you've experienced 355 00:13:28,028 --> 00:13:28,364 here? 356 00:13:28,452 --> 00:13:32,892 I would say doing kids church and asking the kids questions about 357 00:13:33,076 --> 00:13:37,970 Jesus and God and then sometimes knowing more than you or 358 00:13:38,590 --> 00:13:41,050 having just a different perspective. 359 00:13:41,790 --> 00:13:43,830 I feel like I see God a lot when I met. 360 00:13:43,870 --> 00:13:45,382 When I'm back there with the kids. 361 00:13:45,526 --> 00:13:48,822 Let me kind of take a little different twist on this conversation 362 00:13:48,886 --> 00:13:50,130 here for a second. 363 00:13:50,430 --> 00:13:53,878 Made the journey, as it were, from checking out the church to getting 364 00:13:53,934 --> 00:13:57,702 committed to the church and having these God moments as getting 365 00:13:57,726 --> 00:13:58,646 to know other people. 366 00:13:58,718 --> 00:14:00,662 Kind of being part of the hospitality team now, part of the 367 00:14:00,686 --> 00:14:01,308 leadership. 368 00:14:01,454 --> 00:14:05,360 Why do you think people are not only connecting? 369 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:08,112 Why do people connect with heaven or church, but why are they 370 00:14:08,136 --> 00:14:08,688 staying? 371 00:14:08,784 --> 00:14:09,872 Why would people stay? 372 00:14:09,976 --> 00:14:11,264 I think it's the community. 373 00:14:11,432 --> 00:14:12,000 Community. 374 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:13,540 It's very inclusive. 375 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:17,488 I feel like you can come exactly as you are with all the questions 376 00:14:17,504 --> 00:14:24,688 that you have and be greeted with nothing but open arms. 377 00:14:24,864 --> 00:14:28,128 I also feel like it's a church and I haven't always felt like this 378 00:14:28,184 --> 00:14:31,392 in the other churches I've been to that I know I can invite 379 00:14:31,536 --> 00:14:32,400 anybody. 380 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:36,160 Doesn't matter what they believe, what I mean, just anything. 381 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:36,880 I mean, just. 382 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:37,600 It doesn't matter. 383 00:14:37,640 --> 00:14:40,528 I can invite them here and I know they are going to be greeted 384 00:14:40,544 --> 00:14:42,752 and welcomed like anybody else. 385 00:14:42,816 --> 00:14:43,940 Has that happened? 386 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:46,224 We haven't invited anyone. 387 00:14:46,352 --> 00:14:48,112 I mean, we've invited. 388 00:14:48,176 --> 00:14:49,568 Yeah, no one's taking us up. 389 00:14:49,624 --> 00:14:50,288 Yeah, yeah. 390 00:14:50,384 --> 00:14:51,200 So we're waiting. 391 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:51,696 That's cool. 392 00:14:51,728 --> 00:14:54,128 Because that's a part of what we're talking about here is being 393 00:14:54,184 --> 00:14:57,552 a church that is not only invitation, not only welcoming, but 394 00:14:57,576 --> 00:15:02,102 also invitational and to be welcome here because it's, you know, 395 00:15:02,126 --> 00:15:06,118 the mission statement of the church is to make a lasting impact 396 00:15:06,254 --> 00:15:07,810 on our community here. 397 00:15:08,510 --> 00:15:09,782 What does that mean to you? 398 00:15:09,886 --> 00:15:11,030 Let's just start with you. 399 00:15:11,070 --> 00:15:13,530 What does that mission statement mean to you, Rachel? 400 00:15:14,670 --> 00:15:16,134 I think it just means. 401 00:15:16,222 --> 00:15:17,958 I mean, and that's why we. 402 00:15:18,014 --> 00:15:21,970 We had never been to a church in our, like literally in our community. 403 00:15:22,270 --> 00:15:26,422 And so I think that was a big pull for us to want to check out 404 00:15:26,446 --> 00:15:31,120 this church that it was in Whiteland and we live here and just 405 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:34,864 to be a part of a church that, I mean, you know, they give away 406 00:15:34,952 --> 00:15:39,184 vegetables that they grow in the garden and just the community 407 00:15:39,272 --> 00:15:45,700 partners with the resources of hope and the one today, the upstream. 408 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:50,832 So I just like that it's so, just so inclusive and you know, they 409 00:15:50,856 --> 00:15:52,096 care about the. 410 00:15:52,248 --> 00:15:54,580 The bigger issues that are affecting. 411 00:15:55,130 --> 00:15:57,234 How would you add to that, Justin, or would you. 412 00:15:57,322 --> 00:16:00,946 We do have a heart for, for. 413 00:16:01,018 --> 00:16:03,950 For certain things, for recovery, for. 414 00:16:04,730 --> 00:16:09,826 For homeless children, for the upstream, which is the anti suicide 415 00:16:09,858 --> 00:16:10,498 prevention. 416 00:16:10,594 --> 00:16:13,778 It's just very meaningful and a lot of, A lot of people need it, 417 00:16:13,834 --> 00:16:17,538 especially in today's day and age with just all the hate that's 418 00:16:17,554 --> 00:16:18,034 out there. 419 00:16:18,122 --> 00:16:20,870 So I really love that we do that kind of stuff. 420 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:24,928 One of the taglines is we're a models of the church is something 421 00:16:24,984 --> 00:16:28,448 to the effect of if you think you don't fit in church, you fit 422 00:16:28,464 --> 00:16:29,260 in here. 423 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:31,620 Is that true? 424 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:34,900 And if so, how is that true? 425 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:40,416 I think, I mean, I think the churches I have been to, they've 426 00:16:40,448 --> 00:16:41,872 always been very. 427 00:16:42,056 --> 00:16:44,540 It's very structured, very. 428 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:47,008 And the people that I've met have. 429 00:16:47,064 --> 00:16:49,882 I mean, you know, they know a lot of scripture and you know, they 430 00:16:49,906 --> 00:16:50,602 can recite it. 431 00:16:50,626 --> 00:16:53,898 And that's always a little overwhelming to me because I'm not 432 00:16:53,954 --> 00:16:54,826 that type of person. 433 00:16:54,898 --> 00:16:57,658 Like I read the, the scriptures, I just. 434 00:16:57,714 --> 00:17:00,042 I'm just not good with the memorization and can pull them. 435 00:17:00,066 --> 00:17:03,258 You know, I can paraphrase, but not word for word. 436 00:17:03,354 --> 00:17:07,114 It doesn't matter what level you're at in your spiritual journey. 437 00:17:07,162 --> 00:17:11,002 I feel like here, like you can go deeper if you want to, but if 438 00:17:11,026 --> 00:17:12,922 you want to, you Know, kind of ease in. 439 00:17:13,026 --> 00:17:14,630 You can do it that way, too. 440 00:17:15,019 --> 00:17:17,587 Let me ask you the same question, Jessica, with this take. 441 00:17:17,643 --> 00:17:22,159 Have you seen situations where it appeared that people were here 442 00:17:22,619 --> 00:17:26,879 who may not have fit in other experiences you may have had? 443 00:17:27,659 --> 00:17:30,563 The model was, you know, if you think you don't fit insured, 444 00:17:30,611 --> 00:17:31,667 you fit in here. 445 00:17:31,803 --> 00:17:34,803 I'm just curious if you've seen that type of thing played out. 446 00:17:34,971 --> 00:17:36,707 Rachel says she thinks that's true. 447 00:17:36,803 --> 00:17:39,843 I want to see if you've seen that manifested here in some way 448 00:17:39,851 --> 00:17:40,261 or another. 449 00:17:40,355 --> 00:17:43,154 I believe it's true because I believe it's happened to me. 450 00:17:43,242 --> 00:17:46,370 I've always said, and this might be the most controversial thing 451 00:17:46,410 --> 00:17:50,194 maybe, but I've always thought that I followed a different Jesus 452 00:17:50,242 --> 00:17:51,282 than other people did. 453 00:17:51,386 --> 00:17:56,258 And I really believe it because I feel like the Jesus that 454 00:17:56,314 --> 00:18:00,274 we talk about here is different than the Jesus that's always 455 00:18:00,362 --> 00:18:01,470 blasted out. 456 00:18:02,090 --> 00:18:03,458 So I personally. 457 00:18:03,554 --> 00:18:05,070 I personally feel like that. 458 00:18:06,020 --> 00:18:08,364 So let's just talk about that for just a second. 459 00:18:08,532 --> 00:18:09,900 Different Jesus. 460 00:18:10,060 --> 00:18:14,076 Do you think that this different Jesus, that as you've experienced 461 00:18:14,108 --> 00:18:18,700 it and you've experienced your understanding of Jesus in this church, 462 00:18:18,860 --> 00:18:21,516 a little more so than maybe you've experienced in other experiences 463 00:18:21,548 --> 00:18:22,172 you've had in life? 464 00:18:22,196 --> 00:18:24,440 Is that a fair statement to make? 465 00:18:24,740 --> 00:18:29,660 So do you think this different Jesus is a Jesus who can be approachable 466 00:18:29,820 --> 00:18:33,094 to people who are, for lack of a better term, those who. 467 00:18:33,102 --> 00:18:34,550 People who feel like they don't fit in? 468 00:18:34,670 --> 00:18:35,158 I do. 469 00:18:35,214 --> 00:18:35,638 I do. 470 00:18:35,694 --> 00:18:37,558 I actually think that's a really great way to put it. 471 00:18:37,614 --> 00:18:39,526 You articulated a lot better than I could. 472 00:18:39,598 --> 00:18:41,622 I think saying a different cheese is a pretty darn good way 473 00:18:41,646 --> 00:18:42,550 of putting that there. 474 00:18:42,670 --> 00:18:42,966 Yeah. 475 00:18:42,998 --> 00:18:44,250 Yourself. 476 00:18:44,830 --> 00:18:50,102 So having said that, what would you say, Justin, speak to you 477 00:18:50,126 --> 00:18:50,310 first? 478 00:18:50,350 --> 00:18:54,102 What would you say to that person who may be kind of like you 479 00:18:54,126 --> 00:18:54,630 were going. 480 00:18:54,670 --> 00:18:58,046 Getting online and checking out Heaven Earth Church and maybe 481 00:18:58,078 --> 00:19:03,070 check seeing this, this podcast or this video of you and 482 00:19:03,190 --> 00:19:04,766 have you and Rachel here. 483 00:19:04,838 --> 00:19:08,190 What would you say to that person who may be just checking things 484 00:19:08,230 --> 00:19:08,526 out? 485 00:19:08,598 --> 00:19:09,950 I would say, come on by. 486 00:19:09,990 --> 00:19:11,370 We'd so. 487 00:19:11,670 --> 00:19:15,358 We'd so love to have you come by and get some coffee, some donuts, 488 00:19:15,534 --> 00:19:18,734 stick around for a great conversation, great music. 489 00:19:18,902 --> 00:19:20,046 You're very welcome. 490 00:19:20,158 --> 00:19:21,870 Let's bring it around to one more thing here. 491 00:19:21,910 --> 00:19:23,944 And Rachel asked you just. 492 00:19:24,062 --> 00:19:26,452 You've mentioned a couple times about the conversations being 493 00:19:26,476 --> 00:19:26,804 important. 494 00:19:26,892 --> 00:19:30,692 That's kind of the framework that the messages are done. 495 00:19:30,796 --> 00:19:33,460 How important is this ongoing conversation with you? 496 00:19:33,580 --> 00:19:37,684 Pastor Ross's way he does messages tell me about the importance 497 00:19:37,732 --> 00:19:39,000 of conversation. 498 00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:40,836 I like it. 499 00:19:40,908 --> 00:19:42,308 I mean, I don't. 500 00:19:42,484 --> 00:19:43,140 I'm not. 501 00:19:43,180 --> 00:19:46,244 And I've been coming here and I know that can be off putting to 502 00:19:46,252 --> 00:19:48,388 people to think that they have to answer a question. 503 00:19:48,444 --> 00:19:51,942 And I'm here to say I think I've maybe answered one time like 504 00:19:51,966 --> 00:19:56,198 I've answered, you know, so it is very still very new to me. 505 00:19:56,334 --> 00:19:59,850 But I do love to hear other people's perspectives. 506 00:20:00,510 --> 00:20:02,310 I just love to hear. 507 00:20:02,350 --> 00:20:06,050 And the kids some, I mean, sometimes when they speak up too, 508 00:20:06,350 --> 00:20:09,078 it's just, you know, it puts a spin on it. 509 00:20:09,134 --> 00:20:10,726 I think Brandon said something today. 510 00:20:10,798 --> 00:20:13,622 He always says something that I'm, you know, I never even thought 511 00:20:13,646 --> 00:20:14,210 about. 512 00:20:14,830 --> 00:20:19,094 So I just love, you know, not just hearing from one person, but 513 00:20:19,182 --> 00:20:21,542 hearing that and, you know, it's probably stirring the same thing 514 00:20:21,566 --> 00:20:21,958 in me. 515 00:20:22,014 --> 00:20:24,098 And I can hear it in other people too. 516 00:20:24,234 --> 00:20:24,866 Awesome. 517 00:20:24,978 --> 00:20:28,830 Even if we don't speak up necessarily during the service, though, 518 00:20:29,370 --> 00:20:30,754 it creates a space to. 519 00:20:30,842 --> 00:20:34,642 To unpack it on the way home or once we get home or later on that 520 00:20:34,666 --> 00:20:35,954 day or later on in the week. 521 00:20:36,042 --> 00:20:37,666 So I think, I think it's very important. 522 00:20:37,818 --> 00:20:40,242 But the conversations don't only have to be kind of during the 523 00:20:40,266 --> 00:20:40,930 message time. 524 00:20:40,970 --> 00:20:45,442 It could be what happens after the worship experience or on the 525 00:20:45,466 --> 00:20:48,482 way home between you two or your friends and neighbors or co 526 00:20:48,506 --> 00:20:50,680 workers, this type of thing that. 527 00:20:51,060 --> 00:20:53,852 That can be a part of that conversation. 528 00:20:53,996 --> 00:20:56,012 And I think that's part of what we're saying here is a part 529 00:20:56,036 --> 00:21:00,860 of this being a church that is for people who may not fit in church. 530 00:21:00,940 --> 00:21:02,940 They can be a part of an ongoing conversation. 531 00:21:03,020 --> 00:21:07,084 You don't have to jump in and be, you know, like a biblical scholar 532 00:21:07,132 --> 00:21:09,964 right off the bed or whatever, that kind of thing. 533 00:21:10,052 --> 00:21:11,868 So let's just leave it with this. 534 00:21:11,924 --> 00:21:13,516 I'll give you, both of you, just one more chance. 535 00:21:13,548 --> 00:21:14,092 What would you. 536 00:21:14,116 --> 00:21:14,860 Just any. 537 00:21:14,900 --> 00:21:18,846 Just thoughts you just want to share about your life in the church 538 00:21:18,878 --> 00:21:19,582 or anything else here. 539 00:21:19,606 --> 00:21:20,654 Rachel, we'll start with you. 540 00:21:20,742 --> 00:21:23,582 I think we're both introverts at heart. 541 00:21:23,686 --> 00:21:26,286 You know, we can be extroverted if we need to be. 542 00:21:26,358 --> 00:21:32,382 And so coming to a new church, it is very hard to make those connections, 543 00:21:32,446 --> 00:21:33,550 especially as adults. 544 00:21:33,630 --> 00:21:37,326 And I would encourage anyone who wants to make those connections 545 00:21:37,358 --> 00:21:41,710 or, you know, come to church and wants to feel that bond to just 546 00:21:41,830 --> 00:21:45,690 jumping and serving in any type of way, because that is how 547 00:21:45,990 --> 00:21:51,150 I really have felt grounded and connected with this church is 548 00:21:51,190 --> 00:21:54,526 just from serving and you know, it really especially greeting 549 00:21:54,638 --> 00:21:56,142 because you get to say hello to everybody. 550 00:21:56,206 --> 00:21:58,462 So you don't just have to walk up to people and say Hello. 551 00:21:58,526 --> 00:21:59,294 So that's been. 552 00:21:59,382 --> 00:22:01,662 Well, just will give you the final word here. 553 00:22:01,686 --> 00:22:04,654 What would comet Just any comments you want to make about your. 554 00:22:04,822 --> 00:22:07,444 The life of the church and your connection to it. 555 00:22:07,502 --> 00:22:09,848 I'm just saying that I'm just so grateful for this church. 556 00:22:09,944 --> 00:22:12,824 I really do feel like that it has just kind of turned up. 557 00:22:12,912 --> 00:22:13,880 Turned up my faith. 558 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:16,984 It's helped me be very intentional in us be very intentional 559 00:22:17,032 --> 00:22:20,296 about just our relationship with Jesus and just. 560 00:22:20,368 --> 00:22:21,672 Just a wonderful spot. 561 00:22:21,816 --> 00:22:25,320 Thank you for sharing from your heart, both of you, and for 562 00:22:25,360 --> 00:22:27,260 being a part of the Heaven Earth Church. 563 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:30,904 Heaven part of Heaven Earth Church and being our guest here on 564 00:22:30,912 --> 00:22:32,910 the Heaven and Earth Church podcast. 565 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:36,722 And we thank you for joining us here on the Heaven and Earth Church 566 00:22:36,786 --> 00:22:37,602 podcast. 567 00:22:37,746 --> 00:22:41,282 I'm one of the producers of the podcast, Brad Miller, and we 568 00:22:41,306 --> 00:22:44,402 hope that you'll connect up with us and continue the conversation 569 00:22:44,546 --> 00:22:48,466 at a church which engages in this and looks to make a lasting 570 00:22:48,498 --> 00:22:49,618 impact in our community. 571 00:22:49,754 --> 00:22:55,282 You can find the church@heaven earthchurch.org we. 572 00:22:55,306 --> 00:22:57,602 Want to thank you for spending time with us today. 573 00:22:57,706 --> 00:23:01,180 My name is Ross Stackhouse, the pastor to Heaven Earth Church. 574 00:23:01,340 --> 00:23:04,668 And you may think out there that your story is over, but in fact, 575 00:23:04,724 --> 00:23:07,964 your faith story may just be beginning. 576 00:23:08,092 --> 00:23:10,876 If you want more information about our church or you're interested 577 00:23:10,908 --> 00:23:14,940 in the next step, you can go to heavenorthchurch.org Otherwise, 578 00:23:15,020 --> 00:23:18,124 we look forward to being with you next time at the Heaven Earth 579 00:23:18,172 --> 00:23:19,360 Church podcast.