Best Christ First Student Ministry Podcasts (2025)

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How to Recognize False Teaching 50:01

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18d ago50:01

50:01

Ephesians 4:14-16 One of the primary ways followers of Jesus must mature is in their ability to discern what is true from what is false, especially when it comes to the teachings they hear. Confidence doesn't come from being deeply familiar with the alternatives and imposters, but from intimate connection to the authentic. For more information abou…

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Andy Crouch - Relationships & Rhythms of Flourishing 38:24

24d ago38:24

38:24

Andy Crouch, author, speaker, and thought leader whose work explores the intersection of faith, culture, and the image of God in our modern world, joins us to discuss human flourishing. While visiting Baylor’s campus to lead seminars and workshops with students, faculty, and staff, Andy was kind enough to sit down with us to discuss human flourishi…

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The Cure for Your Apathy 43:58

25d ago43:58

43:58

Ephesians 5:14-16 Passion and zeal for God are not just admirable traits. They are commands — things we must cultivate. But where do we start when don't feel much of anything about what we say matters most? Well, if the cause of apathy is distance, the cure for it will include drawing near…regardless of what we feel. For more information about Brea…

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Sex, Alcohol, and True Satisfaction 35:38

1M ago35:38

35:38

Ephesians 5:1-21 If the Gospel changes everything, then everything must change...and our areas of greatest temptation will not be the exceptions. Although Paul has clear commands that affect every area of our lives, beneath them is an invitation -- to find true satisfaction in the only place it can be found. For more information about Breakaway, ch…

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Dr. Sara Barton - Mental & Spiritual Health 27:06

1M ago27:06

27:06

Dr. Sara Barton, Director of Pastoral Care at Baylor University, joins us to talk about mental and spiritual health. Mental health and spiritual health are deeply intertwined. Dr. Barton has some advice for you as you navigate your mental wellbeing as a college student. *** Follow Baylor Spiritual Life on Instagram and Facebook. Visit our website t…

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How To Live A Different Life 38:39

1M ago38:39

38:39

Ephesians 4:17-32 Most of us know growth is a divine command -- and even want to change -- but get discouraged when "putting off the old self and putting on the new" proves easier said than done. But for those who remember who they were, remember what they were taught, and start with forgiveness....there is ALWAYS hope. For more information about B…

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We All Need to Grow Up 47:02

2M ago47:02

47:02

Ephesians 4:11-16 The divine invitation to costly obedience is not just about unity -- it's about maturity. Discipleship calls us to a child-LIKE faith, not a child-ISH one. When we sell out to believing in Jesus, befriending Jesus, and becoming like Jesus, there is a cost...but on the other side of full devotion is fullness of joy. It will be wort…

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5 Ways A Christian Must Walk 36:48

2M ago36:48

36:48

Ephesians 4-5 Every devoted disciple must answer this question: How will I Walk? As Brian McCormack highlights the 5 times in Ephesians where Paul commands us to walk a particular way, we come face to face with a crucial truth -- to be fully free IN Christ, we must be fully submitted TO Christ. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.br…

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The 3 Calls of Revival 39:20

2M ago39:20

39:20

John 11 The word "revival" is being used more and more in this season. But what precedes it? And how will we recognize it when it arrives? Using the story of Lazarus in John 11, Brian McCormack presents the the 3 calls that many people will respond to when revival comes -- Come Alive, Come Awake, and Come Home. For more information about Breakaway,…

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Dr. Jimmy Dorrell - Outreach, Missions & First Steps 25:02

2M ago25:02

25:02

Dr. Jimmy Dorrell, Co-founder and President Emeritus of Mission Waco Mission World, joins us to talk about his lifetime of outreach ministry. For decades, Jimmy has helped students take the first step into reaching their surrounding communities and the world. He has a big heart for outreach, and he has some advice for you as you consider what it me…

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What Does God Call a Man to Be? 47:52

2M ago47:52

47:52

2 Timothy 2:1-7 Friend of Breakaway and NYT Bestseller, Jeff Bethke walks us through the 3 things God calls men to be -- soldiers who sacrifice, athletes with discipline, and farmers with patience. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaymin. If Breakaway has impacted your life and y…

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Love for the Loveless 37:57

3M ago37:57

37:57

Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul is committed to enlarging his readers' understanding of how BIG the Good News really is. In this prayer, he asks the Father -- to strengthen us with the Spirit -- so we might know how BIG the love of Christ is. Spoiler: it is much bigger than you think. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and fol…

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Grace for the Broken 44:47

3M ago44:47

44:47

Ephesians 2:1-10 The bad news is worse than you feared...but the Good News is better than you can imagine. In this message Brian shows us how Paul unpacks the heart of the Gospel...which is not about bad people becoming good, but dead people COMING ALIVE. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social medi…

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Dr. Charley Ramsey - Christ of the Baylor Road 24:13

3M ago24:13

24:13

Dr. Charley Ramsey, our new University Chaplain & Dean of Spiritual Life, joins us at the start of a new academic year and a new season of the podcast. Whether this is your first semester or you’ve been at Baylor for a while, this part of the year is always characterized by newness. Dr. Ramsey joins us to share his wisdom for you at the beginning o…

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Hope for the Hopeless 47:37

3M ago47:37

47:37

Ephesians 1:15-23 Paul's prayer for his readers is that the Father would give them the Spirit, so they might know the inheritance, power, and HOPE that comes from an ever-deepening knowledge of Him. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaymin. If Breakaway has impacted your life and …

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Peace for the Anxious 47:03

3M ago47:03

47:03

Ephesians 1:1-10 We've identified the top things Gen Z is looking for… and god is using Ephesians to give us everything we know we need, Gods gift to an anxious generation is a revival of PEACE…delivered through family, freedom, and forgiveness. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakaw…

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Mick Murray - The Personal Presence of the Holy Spirit (FM72) 29:28

7M ago29:28

29:28

In the final conversation of our FM72 series, Mick Murray, Equipping Pastor at Antioch Community Church, joins us to talk about the presence of the Holy Spirit. *** Follow Baylor Spiritual Life on Instagram and Facebook Visit our website to learn more about us Learn more about FM72 *** School Spirit: Faithful Conversations for College Students is h…

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Jesus Sends 50:32

7M ago50:32

50:32

Does my life have a purpose? Former Director, Timothy Ateek, now lead pastor of Watermark, walks us through 1 Chronicles 28 where David commissions Solomon. We finish an incredible school year by asking the Lord to grant us two crucial things: 1) an undivided heart, and 2) a clear calling. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaw…

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Tyler Self - God & Money (FM72) 32:10

8M ago32:10

32:10

In the second conversation of our FM72 series, Tyler Self, Clinical Assistant Professor for Baylor University's Hankamer School of Busniness, joins us to talk about God and Money. *** Follow Baylor Spiritual Life on Instagram and Facebook Visit our website to learn more about us Learn more about FM72 Dive deeper into Tyler's message with his new bo…

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Jesus Satisfies 47:34

8M ago47:34

47:34

We seem live in a world of perpetual stimulation, with no satisfaction. Is a truly fulfilled life even possible? If so, where is such a life found? Brian McCormack walks us through Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman in John 4, and makes a bold claim — that truly knowing Jesus is the most satisfying thing in the universe. For more information a…

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Lisa Koons - Communion & Communication with God (FM72) 29:00

8M ago29:00

29:00

In the first of our FM72 conversation series, Lisa Koons, the Missions and Justice Director at 24-7 Prayer, joins us to talk about developing your prayer life as communion and communication with God. *** Follow Baylor Spiritual Life on Instagram and Facebook Visit our website to learn more about us Learn more about FM72 Explore 24-7 Prayer at their…

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Jesus Sanctifies 43:58

8M ago43:58

43:58

Is real, lasting change even possible? If so, is it our own responsibility to make ourselves more like Jesus using our own resources and nothing more? Brian McCormack lays out the beauty of sanctification, and invites us to rest in God's promise to finish the work he has started in us. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.o…

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Jesus Sustains 47:27

8M ago47:27

47:27

Does your soul have an anchor? In the storms of life, what do you count on to see you through Brian McCormack (re)introduces us to the BIG Jesus of Colossians 1, and invites us to trust him — not only to save us for the life yet to come, but to sustain us in our lives here and now. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org a…

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The Father Calls You Home 45:03

8M ago45:03

45:03

What is God's heart toward those who are far from him? Is there really a place for people who have previously chosen distance from him over nearness to him? Brian McCormack walks us through Luke 15 to see what happens when the lost get found. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaym…

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Jesus Saves 50:57

8M ago50:57

50:57

Question: What does Jesus save us from? Answer: More than we think. And the best news of all time deserves a deep dive to see the glory of it all. Brian McCormack walks us through Romans 3 to see the depth of our problem, and the beauty of God's solution. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social medi…

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How Can I Know God's Plan For My Life? 52:43

9M ago52:43

52:43

Statistically, the vast majority of us are fearful about messing up God's plans for our lives. Brian McCormack uses a look at the life of Paul to build a list of principles to inform our understanding of God's plan, and provide a process for making big decisions as a follower of Jesus. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.o…

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Is my story too messy for God? 59:48

9M ago59:48

59:48

Brenna Blain takes us to the city of Corinth to see just how broken people were in the first century church…then uses her own story to show us how true freedom comes through an unexpected means — submission of one's entire life to Jesus… messy parts and all. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social m…

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Will Bowden - Prayer 39:25

9M ago39:25

39:25

Will Bowden, the Director of Baylor's BSM (Baptist Student Ministries), joins us to talk about prayer. Prayer is a foundational aspect of our faith and spiritual journeys. It’s how we communicate with God and tune our hearts to his will. Prayer is especially relevant to the spiritual life of college students, and Will is here to give his thoughts a…

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Does Prayer Really Change Anything? 44:27

9M ago44:27

44:27

Sometimes prayer changes our circumstances, but more often it changes US. Brian McCormack takes us for a walk through the conversion story of Saul in Acts 9, which provides an unexpected framework for the kind of prayer that changes people. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaymin…

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Q&A with Cliffe & Stuart Knechtle 46:50

10M ago46:50

46:50

Breakaway Director, Brian McCormack sits down with evangelists and apologists, Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle in front of an arena full of college students for an unscripted time featuring some of the biggest questions one can ask. What's so special about Christianity compared to other religions? Isn't the cross just a barbaric act of divine child abus…

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"Why the Bible?" with Cliffe Knechtle 15:18

10M ago15:18

15:18

An informal response to Richard Dawkins and his question about how anyone could ever trust the Bible, Clint Knechtle lays out his evidence for God's Word being worthy of our trust and devotion. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaymin. If Breakaway has impacted your life and you w…

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Does God Still Work Miracles? 47:59

10M ago47:59

47:59

By walking us through the story of Stephen in Acts 5-7, Brian McCormack challenges us to live in the tension with a God who CAN do any miracle, but often leaves our immediate hopes for the miraculous unfulfilled. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaymin. If Breakaway has impacted …

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Where is God in Suffering? 37:49

10M ago37:49

37:49

What if God was actually with us in our suffering? Passion City Church DC Pastor and Former Breakaway Director Ben Stuart challenges us to remember that we have a great comforter in Jesus as we walk through pain. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaymin If Breakaway has impacted y…

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Dr. Erin Moniz - Future Calling 30:46

10M ago30:46

30:46

Dr. Erin Moniz, Director for Chapel at Baylor University, joins us to talk about future calling. It’s common to hear students talk about their futures using language related to “calling”. Maybe you’ve heard someone say that they’re called to be a doctor, or called to be a lawyer, or called to go into ministry. Students use language like this becaus…

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What is My True Identity? 43:41

10M ago43:41

43:41

What if the truest thing about you, is who God says you are? Sadie Robertson Huff challenges us to remember that if we are in Christ, we are salt and light, we are the light of the world, and we are God's temple. For more information about Breakaway, check out http://www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaymin. If Breakaway has im…

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What Must a Christian Believe? 39:21

11M ago39:21

39:21

What are the essentials one must be devoted to in order to be a Christian, and to experience the fullness of the Christian life? Brian McCormack walks us through Peter's sermon in Acts 3 -- highlighting the core beliefs he proclaims -- and challenges us to believe what Peter believed, so we can live how Peter lived. For more information about Break…

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Dr. Burt Burleson - Big Tent Christianity 23:38

1y ago23:38

23:38

Dr. Burt Burleson, University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life at Baylor University, joins us to talk about what we like to call "Big Tent Christianity". Baylor is a place where people from all kinds of Christian denominations and traditions come together in a collegiate setting. Whether someone identifies as Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, non-de…

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Living The Abundant Life 36:19

1y ago36:19

36:19

This semester's study of Acts 1 and Acts 2 revealed our true identity and invited us into our purpose here on Earth. But sometimes, our best intentions to live this out don't always lead to our desired actions. Jack Thweatt helps us examine 3 areas of our life where we distort our purpose and identity, which can lead to a results-oriented faith whe…

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Look Longer 45:44

1y ago45:44

45:44

Don't let the enemy steal your wonder. Brian McCormack takes us on a biblical tour of AWE - from creation, to the cross, to very throne room of God himself - and challenges us to fight for the thing that inspires our worship more than any other. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakaw…

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Unity is Not Optional 38:00

1y ago38:00

38:00

A culture marked by division needs Christians who walk in unity…with God, and with one another. Brian McCormack makes a case for unity as central to the Bible's story, presents the path to unity, and passes along God's invitation into unity…also known as "the Gospel." For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us o…

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Myles Olenski - Making Your Faith Your Own 32:17

1y ago32:17

32:17

Myles Olenski, Executive Director of Vertical Ministries, joins us to talk about making your faith your own. Whether you grew up in a Christian home or not, college is a time where you encounter new ideas, styles, and communities when it comes to your faith. What does it look like to take ownership of your faith when you’re away from your parents o…

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Talking to God 48:25

1y ago48:25

48:25

Christians believe they can speak with God... any time. Yet most of us admit our prayer lives feel more like a growth area than an area of strength. Brian McCormack walks us through 3 simple questions as we seek to be a community devoted to prayer. What is prayer? Why should I want to pray? How do I pray? For more information about Breakaway, check…

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Broken Like Bread to Feed People 49:46

1y ago49:46

49:46

The table is dying. More and more young adults report not being able to recall the last time they had a real meal, at a real table, with real people. This is a problem, because we are called to devote ourselves to the breaking of bread. What if what we need most is waiting for us at the table? Brian McCormack reminds us what Christ did to bring us …

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The God Who IS Community 40:54

1y ago40:54

40:54

Do I really have to live in community to follow Jesus? Why can't it just be me, my bible, my coffee, and my God? What if I've been hurt in Christian environments in the past? Brian McCormack walks us through these questions ABOUT community, as he points us toward the God who IS community. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakawa…

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Dr. Kevin Villegas - Faith & Politics 29:28

1y ago29:28

29:28

Dr. Kevin Villegas, Dean of Intercultural Engagement and Division of Student Life Initiatives, joins us to talk about faith and politics. Throughout church history and into the current day, Christians have been attempting to engage in their communities in a faithful way. Is there a Christian way to do politics? How are we supposed to have civil dis…

1
God Wrote a Book 47:32

1y ago47:32

47:32

What is the Bible? Can I trust it? Why Should I read it? How should I read it? Brian McCormack walks us through these questions as we strive to be a community devoted to Scripture…and points us toward the God who is inviting us to feast with him. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breaka…

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You Are Welcome, You Have Purpose 47:01

1y ago47:01

47:01

Dr. Joel Muddamalle provides a theological fly-by of the book of Acts, reminding us of two simple, essential truths: you are welcome, and you have purpose. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.breakaway.org and follow us on social media @breakawaymin. If Breakaway has impacted your life and you want to generously give back, find info…

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When it's Time to Speak Up 43:57

1y ago43:57

43:57

All believers are called and empowered by the Spirit to share the Gospel — but what does that look like? In this message Brian McCormack takes us through the first sermon in the history of the church as we know it, and shows us the footsteps Peter leaves for those wanting to walk out their identity as witnesses. For more information about Breakaway…

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What Happens When the Holy Spirit Shows Up? 30:42

1+ y ago30:42

30:42

If God really has come to live WITHIN his people, this changes everything. In the 3rd message in our study of Acts, Brian McCormack walks us through the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and urges us to expect to hear, see, and speak things that are simply not possible in our own power. For more information about Breakaway, check out www.bre…

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Sharita Holder - New Beginnings 27:12

1+ y ago27:12

27:12

Sharita Holder, Senior Coordinator for Campus Ministries & Church Connections for Baylor Spiritual Life, joins us to talk about new beginnings. We're at the start of a brand new college semester, and Baylor University students have thoughts and questions on how they can start this academic year with their spiritual journeys in mind *** Follow Baylo…