Pastor Plek's Podcast

Pastor Plek's Podcast

Pastor Chris Plekenpol deals with Faith, Culture, and everything in between. Recording from Austin, TX, Pastor Plek deals with many of the issues that he faces pastoring in a post-Christian environment. He takes questions from his congregation and beyond to help Christians navigate culture from the Christian perspective.

Episodes

December 18, 2025 46 mins

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378: Matt Badgley's life began with unimaginable trauma - conceived through rape to a drug-addicted mother. His childhood was marked by poverty, abuse, and abandonment, leading to a suicide attempt at 14. However, God intervened through Young Life ministry, where Matt encountered the unconditional love of his Heavenly Father. Today, he's breakin...

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377: Discover how one man found hope after losing his wife, daughter, and son in just six years. This powerful testimony explores finding God in the midst of unimaginable grief and trauma. Kenneth Monroe's story addresses childhood abuse, military PTSD, sudden death, losing a child, grief counseling, and spiritual healing. Learn practical steps for p...

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December 4, 2025 78 mins

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376: A woman's powerful journey from religious extremism to authentic faith reveals the stark difference between controlling religion and true Christianity. Growing up in the Fraternal Society of St. Peter meant living under strict rules, complete isolation, and predetermined life paths. At 12 years old, she was told her only options were marriage or...

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375: What happens when a stay-at-home dad with a decade of youth outreach experience decides to run for the Texas House? We sit down with District 50 candidate John Hash to map the road from everyday life to the state Capitol, translating committee-speak, ballot rules, and campaign realities into plain English. If you’ve ever wondered how bills are crafte...

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November 13, 2025 69 mins

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374: A 15-minute walk into a Venezuelan church changed everything. Manny grew up in Iran with loving, educated parents, a strict culture, and a head full of questions no one would answer. Kickboxing and Muay Thai gave him structure; wrestling shaped his base; but joy in worship—clapping, singing, smiling—gave him a first taste of freedom. That brief encou...

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November 6, 2025 57 mins

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373: What if your most generous years aren’t behind you, but right in front of you? We sit down with Jake Ridley, a faith-driven wealth advisor and church board treasurer, to unpack how a clear plan and a grounded theology of money can turn fear into purposeful action. From estate strategies that nudge giving upward today to the surprising reality that mo...

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October 30, 2025 34 mins

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372: Pride shows up in strange outfits, and ours wore a white dress. We share how engagement exposed pride, how confession and forgiveness changed the room, and why gratitude lowers anxiety. Then we answer a listener’s question on the parable of the ten virgins and explain why oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit and readiness. If this resonates, follow the sho...

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371: A throwaway line about “mutual submission” sparked a storm—and a much-needed deep dive. We open the Bible, sit with the tension, and then walk into the real-life mess of engagement, decision-making, and what loving leadership actually looks like when two strong people share a future. No formulas, no clichés, just a honest look at Ephesians 5 and how ...

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October 16, 2025 28 mins

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A Supreme Court fight, a crisis of conscience, and a hard look at justice—this conversation moves fast and cuts deep. We open with Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors and why the 10th Circuit’s framing of “harmful professional conduct” raises alarms for counselors who practice faith-informed talk therapy. Where does protected speech end and re...

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October 3, 2025 31 mins

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369: A simple question about “priests before the Law” opens a door into one of Scripture’s most fascinating arcs. We trace the roles of prophet, priest, and king before Sinai, explore Jethro’s surprising faithfulness, and sit with the mystery of Melchizedek—king of Salem, priest of God Most High—who foreshadows Jesus as our eternal priest‑king. Along the ...

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October 2, 2025 44 mins

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368: A stadium filled with worship, national leaders in the room, and the gospel preached without flinching—some moments refuse to stay “cultural.” We unpack why Charlie Kirk's memorial became a spiritual inflection point and how it’s stirring unexpected courage, repentance, and renewed interest in church across the country. From claims of martyrdom ...

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Pastor Plek and guest co-host Ruben Campos from Lifeway navigate the challenging intersection of faith and politics in an increasingly polarized world. They explore how Christian leaders should respond to political violence, cultural controversies, and personal questions of faith in everyday life.

• Discussion of the Charlie Kirk assassination at...

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When is deception morally justified? It's a question that challenges our understanding of biblical ethics. In this thought-provoking episode, Holland and Chris tackle the fascinating case of Samuel in 1 Samuel 16, where God himself instructs his prophet to conceal his true mission of anointing David as king.

Ready to join the conversation? S...

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What if everything you thought you knew about angels, demons, and the spiritual realm was just scratching the surface? This episode dives deep into Michael Heiser's groundbreaking book "The Unseen Realm" and explores how it transforms our understanding of the Bible's supernatural worldview.

Ready to join the conversation? Send your ques...

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August 22, 2025 29 mins

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What happens when ritual replaces relationship? When a nation embraces death as a solution? When God is removed from governance? These profound questions drive our latest conversation about faith, culture, and the sanctity of life.

We begin by examining how easily Christians can fall into the trap of treating Scripture as a good-luck charm rather...

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August 14, 2025 39 mins

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In today's episode we explore the dangers of neglecting our salvation and how to navigate cultural tensions as Christians in today's complex world.

• How spiritual and material worlds converge in our daily lives
• When we neglect our salvation, we miss seeing God at work around us
• The challenge of navigating the Ten Commandmen...

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August 7, 2025 27 mins

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362: Dive into a fascinating biblical mystery as Pastor Plek and Pastor Holland unravel a perplexing passage from Hosea that seems to contradict God's earlier commands. Why would God punish Jehu for bloodshed in Jezreel when He had specifically ordered him to eliminate Ahab's descendants? The answer reveals a profound spiritual principle about f...

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361: When "Machine Gun Nick" Drummond drops his militant moniker, it signals a profound shift in his approach to life. Once quick to embrace violence as a first response, Nick now considers it "the very last option, and only if extremely applicable." What caused this transformation? This raw, honest conversation between Pastor Plek and...

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July 3, 2025 85 mins

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360: What happens when a devout Catholic begins exploring Protestant Christianity? In this illuminating conversation, guest Robbie Cruz—raised Catholic and a graduate of a Catholic university—shares his journey of attending Wells Branch Community Church while wrestling with questions about different Christian traditions. Pastor Plek and Holland navigate t...

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June 26, 2025 58 mins

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359: What does it truly mean to be saved? Is it through our good deeds, or is there something deeper at work? This question launches Pastors Chris and Holland into a profound theological exploration that spans from personal salvation to global politics. When listener Roman asks whether "good behavior is enough to save a man," the Chris & Hol...

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