Welcome to Day 36 of the Pentecast on LOVECHURCH — The Podcast. Today, Tim is joined by Debi Matthews as they reflect on one of the Bible’s most courageous and Spirit-filled figures: Stephen, found in Acts chapters 6 through 8.

Stephen isn’t remembered for being a trained preacher or a theological heavyweight — he was appointed to oversee food distribution in the early church. Yet, he’s described as a man “full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” When opposition came, Stephen stood firm. His passionate and bold speech in Acts 7 tells the story of Israel and points unflinchingly to Jesus, even though he knew it would likely cost him his life.

And it did. Stephen became the first Christian martyr. But even as he was being stoned, his final words echoed those of Jesus himself: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Grace and forgiveness, even in death.

Debi and Tim point out how Stephen’s death is more than just a tragic ending — it plants a seed. At the edge of the crowd is Saul, giving his approval to the execution. It won’t be long before Saul has his own encounter with Jesus. Stephen’s legacy lives on.

Join them in praying for the courage to live with the same Spirit-filled faith, and for all those around the world today who still suffer for following Jesus. We’re nearing the final stretch — see you tomorrow for Day 37.

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Welcome to Day 35 of the Pentecast on LOVECHURCH — The Podcast. Today, Tim is joined by Clement Tracol for one of the most powerful moments in the entire Bible: the Day of Pentecost, from Acts 2.

This is it — the moment the Church was born in wind and fire. As the Holy Spirit fills the upper room, what looks like tongues of flame comes to rest on each of them. The disciples begin speaking in different languages, and miraculously, people from every nation hear God speaking in their own tongue. It's not chaos — it’s clarity. Not confusion — but communion.

Peter, once fearful, now stands up and preaches with fire in his bones. And from that message, 3,000 are added to their number. But it doesn't stop there. The Spirit-empowered church devotes itself to prayer, teaching, radical generosity, and awe-filled wonder. It’s not just a moment — it’s a movement.

Clement and Tim reflect on how the Holy Spirit empowers each person uniquely and personally, and how we are still invited into that same explosive vision today.

Join them in praying for a fresh Pentecost — for power to witness, boldness to speak, and a church shaped by Spirit-filled love. We’re nearly there — see you tomorrow for Day 36.

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Welcome to Day 34 of the Pentecast on LOVECHURCH — The Podcast. Today, Tim is joined by worship leader Lewis Parker as they reflect on Acts 1:1–11 — the powerful moment when Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving behind a stunned group of disciples and a world-changing commission.

As Jesus is taken up before their eyes, the disciples stand staring into the sky. But then two angels arrive with a gentle rebuke: “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?” It’s a heavenly interruption that prompts earthly action. Lewis notes how worship and vision must always lead to mission — our gaze toward heaven fuels our hands and feet for the work on earth.

The message is clear: don’t just admire Jesus, follow him. His parting command wasn’t just to worship but to go and make disciples — to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, empowered by the Spirit.

Let their conversation encourage you today: worship is the wellspring, but mission is the overflow.

Join them in praying for a worshipping Church that moves — fuelled by heaven, sent to the world. See you tomorrow for Day 35.

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Welcome to Day 33 of the Pentecast on LOVECHURCH — The Podcast. Today, Tim is joined by Abosede Oriolowo as they reflect on a familiar yet often misunderstood moment in John 20:24–30 — the story of “Doubting Thomas.”

Thomas is often remembered for his disbelief, but as Abosede and Tim discuss, he was perhaps the most honest of the disciples. He didn’t pretend to believe — he wanted to see for himself. And Jesus meets him there, not with rebuke, but with compassion and clarity.

Abosede draws out a powerful lesson: we are allowed to ask questions, to seek truth, to want our faith to be grounded in reality. Like the Berean Christians, we are called to examine, to wrestle, to search the Scriptures. And Jesus honours that search with his presence.

Thomas’s story reminds us that faith is not blind. It’s a personal, reasoned response to encountering the risen Christ. And when Thomas does see Jesus for himself, his declaration — “My Lord and my God!” — becomes one of the clearest confessions of faith in all the gospels.

Join them in praying for a personal encounter with Jesus that dispels doubt, strengthens faith, and leads others to belief. Just a few days left — see you tomorrow for Day 34.

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Welcome to Day 32 of the Pentecast on LOVECHURCH — The Podcast. Today, Tim is joined by Abi Andrews as they walk through one of the most loved resurrection accounts in the Bible: the Road to Emmaus, found in Luke 24:13–25.

Two disciples are travelling away from Jerusalem, hearts heavy with grief and confusion. But unbeknownst to them, the risen Jesus comes alongside and walks with them. As they pour out their sorrow and questions, he listens—and then begins to unpack the Scriptures in a way that sets their hearts ablaze.

Abi and Tim reflect on how this story mirrors our own experiences. There are times when God feels distant, and yet—looking back—we can see he was walking with us all along. Sometimes Jesus hides, not to avoid us, but to draw us closer.

The moment of recognition comes in the breaking of bread. And the disciples’ response? They run back to Jerusalem, filled with renewed faith and joy, exclaiming, “Were not our hearts burning within us?”

Join them in praying for that same kind of encounter: that as we open Scripture, our hearts would burn and our faith would deepen. We're nearly there—see you tomorrow for Day 33.

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Welcome to Day 31 of the Pentecast on LOVECHURCH — The Podcast. Today, Tim is joined by Festus Adedoyin as they reflect on one of the most joy-filled and foundational moments in the Christian story: the resurrection of Jesus, found in John 20:1–23.

Mary Magdalene is the first to discover the empty tomb. As she runs to tell the disciples, Peter and John race to see for themselves — and it’s John who first believes, not through seeing Jesus, but simply from the way the grave clothes were left behind.

It’s a passage charged with emotion, movement, and revelation. Mary lingers — and becomes the first to encounter the risen Christ. Her words, “I have seen the Lord”, become the heartbeat of Christian faith. Tim and Festus reflect on the joy, the urgency, and the commission that follows. Jesus doesn’t just rise — he sends. “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” The resurrection is both a gift and a calling.

Join them in praying for a fresh vision of the risen Jesus — and the courage to be sent. See you tomorrow for Day 32.

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Welcome to Day 30 of the Pentecast on LOVECHURCH — The Podcast. Today, Tim is joined by Lizzie Redman as they reflect on the defining moment of Christian faith: the crucifixion of Jesus, found in Luke 23:26–49.

As they read through the familiar yet still staggering story of Jesus' final moments, Lizzie is struck by the humility of the criminal beside Jesus—who, with just one plea, is told: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” It's a reminder that it’s never too late to turn to Jesus.

Together they marvel at the temple curtain tearing in two — a sign that through Jesus’ death, the barrier between humanity and God has been forever torn down. Access to the holy of holies is now open to all.

From the faith of the criminal to the centurion's sudden recognition of Jesus as Lord, this passage is full of repentance, redemption, and the overwhelming love of God on full display.

Join them in praying to receive that same mercy and access today. We’re drawing close now — see you tomorrow for Day 31.

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It’s Day 29 of our Pentecast on LOVECHURCH — The Podcast. Today’s guest is Steve Hynde, joining Tim Matthews as they sit with the heart of Christian faith: the Last Supper.

Looking at Mark 14:12–26 and Luke 22:24–46, they reflect on Jesus’ final meal with his disciples before the cross — the moment where he institutes the Eucharist. Jesus takes bread and wine, offering them as symbols of his broken body and poured-out blood, and invites his followers to remember him through this act. But the story doesn’t end there — in Gethsemane, Jesus prays in agony, surrendering with the powerful words: “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Steve reflects on how that moment of submission resonates throughout our lives as believers — from big life decisions to moments of quiet suffering. True discipleship is marked by choosing God’s will over our own, even when it costs us. Together, they remind us that the table of communion is both a place of grace and a call to costly love. See you tomorrow for Day 30.

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