Encounter Grace Podcast
Encounter Grace is a weekly podcast from Grace Fellowship Church in Kinston, NC, where hosts Jason McKnight and Justin Tilghman help Christians think clearly and biblically about faith, culture, relationships,a nd leadership. Each episode tackles topics with thoughtful, practical conversations that equip believers to live wisely and walk faithfully in today’s world. Join us as we explore how grace meets everyday life.
Episodes
Ever felt like your faith just isn’t working anymore? Like what used to bring you close to God now feels dry or confusing? You’re not alone.
In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin unpack “The Critical Journey” by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich — a powerful roadmap of the six stages of faith that every believer walks through on the journey toward maturity and love.
You’ll learn:
The six stages of faith and how to r...
It feels like we’re shouting past each other more than ever. Politics, social issues, even church debates — conversations turn into conflicts faster than ever before. But what if there was a way to disagree without destroying relationships?
In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin unpack how Christians can navigate polarization with wisdom, humility, and grace. They’ll explore why we’re so divided, what faithful dialogue...
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church—and the world changed forever. But this wasn’t the start of the Reformation—it was the tipping point. In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin trace the story behind the moment that reclaimed the gospel from corruption and confusion. Discover what led to Luther’s bold stand, why it spread like wildfire across Europe, and ...
What is Christian Universalism—and does the Bible support it? 👀
In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin tackle a listener question about whether God’s love could extend beyond death and eventually bring everyone into salvation through Christ.
We explore this in four parts:
1️⃣ Definitions – What’s the difference between Universalism, Inclusivism, and Christian Universalism?
2️⃣ The Case For – What Scriptural arguments se...
In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin explore how to move beyond simply reading the Bible for information or inspiration — toward experiencing spiritual formation and deep communion with God. Many Christians open their Bibles looking for a quick “spiritual boost,” but what if Scripture offers more than that? From learning facts about God to becoming more like Him, discover how your posture toward God’s Word can lead ...
In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin explore how to move your daily time with God from a checklist to a life-giving encounter. Discover the three timeless practices that keep your heart burning with love and purpose: Scripture, Prayer, and Meditation. Learn how each one draws you into deeper communion with God and transforms your inner life. Whether you’re just starting or want to rekindle your devotional life, this...
In part 2 of our discussion on forgiveness, Jason & Susan walk through step-by-step Christian forgiveness: meet with God, list people and specific offenses, name the emotions, confess bitterness, choose to forgive out loud, relinquish resentment, and pray to bless your offender. They unpack forgiveness vs. reconciliation vs. restored relationship/trust (forgiveness = unilateral decision of the will; reconciliation = two-way; re...
In light of Erika Kirk’s public decision to forgive her husband's killer, we’re revisiting this foundational conversation on biblical forgiveness. Jason and Susan unpack what forgiveness is (a willful choice to release the debt) and what it isn’t(not forgetting, not a feeling, not pretending it didn’t matter). Starting with God’s heart (Ex. 34; Ps. 51; Ps. 103; Mic. 7; 1 Jn. 1:9), they explore why forgiveness is the “currency o...
Revelation often feels like the intimidating “new kid in class”—mysterious, overwhelming, and maybe even a little scary. But what if it’s actually God’s personal invitation to communion with Him? In this episode, Jason breaks down the heart of Revelation into a simple bumper-sticker truth: God wins. We suffer. Don’t compromise. From throne scenes to suffering saints, from apocalyptic imagery to timeless encouragement, this conversa...
Why do we so often feel stuck in the same destructive patterns? In this episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin unpack the WLVS process—Wounds, Lies, Vows, and Strongholds—from Marcus Warner’s Understanding the Wounded Heart.We’ll explore how unhealed wounds can shape the lies we believe, the vows we make to protect ourselves, and the strongholds that keep us in bondage. More importantly, we’ll walk through a biblical process ...
God doesn’t just want to be known about—He wants to be known personally. In this episode, we explore the heart of conversational prayer: living in ongoing relationship with a God who reveals Himself as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Drawing from Scripture and insights from Dr. Todd Hall, Dr. Jim Wilder, and Dr. Karl Lehman, we’ll look at why secure attachment with God transforms us, the barriers...
Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips tells about the day his life changed, when he declined a request to create a cake for a same-sex wedding. He shares what happened right away, as well as all along the way to the Supreme Court 5 years later. Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Jake Warner sheds light on the national freedom of speech, freedom of religion outcomes of this special case. Throughout this conversation, Jack and Ja...
There are literally thousands of denominations within Protestant Christianity. Is this a sign of failure and sin, or could God be at work in the diversity of His people? In this episode of Encounter Grace, we scan the history of "agreeing to disagree" (and often "disagreeing with no agreement") from the early church through the Reformation to today. We look at what Scripture says about unity, and how believers t...
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step? In this episode of Encounter Grace, we explore the difference between Christian counseling, life coaching, and spiritual discipleship—and how these three powerful pathways overlap to bring healing, clarity, and growth.
Whether you're in a season of emotional pain, seeking direction for your calling, or desiring to grow in Christlikeness, we break down how to know which kin...
Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership isn't just about avoiding burnout or managing stress—it’s about confronting the internal dysfunctions that silently sabotage our influence. Every leader, whether in ministry, business, or the home, carries a shadow side—those unexamined compulsions and character flaws that emerge under pressure.
In this episode of Encounter Grace, we explore how leaders can identify, understand, and ove...
Can a Christian lose their salvation? Is it possible to fall away from faith, commit the unpardonable sin, or be cast out after once believing? In this powerful episode of Encounter Grace, Jason and Justin tackle one of the most debated questions in Christian theology: Can you lose your salvation?We explore the biblical truth behind eternal security, the assurance of salvation, and what it really means to be in Christ. From Ephesia...
What does healthy patriotism look like for a follower of Jesus?In this timely episode of Encounter Grace, we unpack the difference between biblical patriotism and nationalism, explore why equating America with God's people is a dangerous mistake, and challenge the growing trend of Christian apathy toward our cultural moment.Join Jason and Justin as they help thinking Christians think clearly about faith, freedom, and what it me...
10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health
How spiritually healthy are you—really?
In this episode, we walk through 10 heart-level questions to help you take inventory of your walk with God. These aren’t just devotional thoughts—they’re diagnostic tools meant to stir honest reflection and deeper faith.
You’ll be challenged to consider:
Do I thirst for God?
Am I increasingly governed by His Word?
Am I becoming more loving, more fo...
What is Artificial Intelligence—and how should Christians respond?
In this episode of the Encounter Grace Podcast, we dive into the rapidly expanding world of AI through a biblical lens. From Siri and ChatGPT to algorithms that shape your social feed, artificial intelligence is already shaping how we live, work, parent, and even pursue spiritual growth. But as thinking Christians, how do we navigate these technologies with wisdom, n...
How do you help kids actually fall in love with God’s Word? In this joyful and inspiring episode of the Encounter Grace Podcast, Jason sits down with Amy Gannett, founder of Tiny Theologians, and Kent Henderson, musical creator and voice of Mr. Truman, to talk about the incredible impact of the Tiny Theologians Podcast.
Amy shares the heart, theology, and imagination behind one of the fastest-growing children's discipleship podc...
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