afterWord with Pastor Kent - NorthCreek Church

Latest Episodes:

Special Episode: Loving God and Neighbor in a Time of Crisis Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow reflects on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, exploring how Christians are called to respond when political violence shakes our hearts. Rather than allowing anger, fear, or vengeance to dominate, Kent points us back to Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37–39: love God fully and love our neighbor as ourselves.Rooted in Leviticus 19 and illustrated through passages like the Good Samaritan and Jesus’ call to repentance in Luke 13, this conversation helps us discern what loving looks like—especially toward those we naturally struggle with. We are reminded that love begins in the heart, shapes our speech, and is expressed through our actions. Even in confusion, grief, and anger, the essentials remain clear: fix our gaze on Christ, resist hatred, speak truth with grace, and pray for justice, healing, and revival.If you’ve been unsettled by what’s happening in our country, you’re not alone. Whether you knew Charlie Kirk well or only by name, may this reflection bring clarity, hope, and a renewed commitment to walk in the footsteps of Jesus—in love, humility, and faith.NorthCreek Church Dr. Kent DresdowIn glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.Sundays: 9:00AM & 10:45AM2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598https://www.northcreek.org/

Andrew Rogers (Part 2): Biblical Counseling for the Nations Sep 12, 2025

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How does biblical counseling take root and flourish in churches around the world? In this second part of our conversation, Pastor Kent Dresdow and Executive Pastor Matt Rehrer continue with Andrew Rogers, Executive Director of Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide (BCMW), to explore the heart and vision of this global ministry.

Andrew unpacks how BCMW equips pastors and leaders internationally with training in biblical counseling that is grounded in the sufficiency of Scripture and deeply connected to the local church. From Ephesians 4 to the Great Commission, the discussion highlights how God’s Word transcends culture and equips believers everywhere to make disciples and build up the body of Christ.

Listeners will also hear how BCMW is currently training leaders in more than 30 countries, developing accredited biblical counseling programs, and even caring for missionaries on the field so they can remain faithful in their calling. The conversation points to the urgent need for both equipping and sending, and how churches can pray, give, and join in the work.

This is part two of a two-part conversation. If you missed part one, go back and hear Andrew’s testimony and the story of how God prepared him for this ministry.

To learn more about BCMW, visit:
https://bcmworldwide.org/

Andrew Rogers (Part 1): From California Roots to Global Biblical Counseling Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

What shapes a ministry leader with a passion for both the local church and the nations? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastor Matt Rehrer and special guest Andrew Rogers to trace Andrew’s journey of faith and ministry.

From his early years in central California, to coming to Christ as a teenager, to discovering a love for discipleship and biblical counseling, Andrew shares how the Lord redirected his path from corporate law to pastoral ministry. Along the way, he recounts how godly mentors, exposure to expository preaching, and experiences in both local and overseas ministry deepened his conviction in the sufficiency of Scripture for life and godliness.

Now serving as the Executive Director of Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide (BCMW), Andrew explains the background that shaped his burden for the global church—asking the pivotal question, “Who’s training them?” His story highlights how God faithfully prepares servants for the unique callings He entrusts to them.

This is part one of a two-part conversation that will help you see God’s hand in equipping leaders and expand your vision for how biblical counseling strengthens churches around the world.

To learn more about BCMW, visit:
https://bcmworldwide.org/

Brad Bigney (Part 2): Help for Parents in the Aftermath Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

What do you do in the painful aftermath of discovering your child has walked away from the Lord? In this second conversation of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow and Executive Pastor Jeremy Pray sit down again with guest speaker Brad Bigney Lead Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church to offer gospel-centered hope and practical help for parents of prodigals.Building on Part 1, Brad speaks candidly about the immediate temptations parents face—blaming themselves, isolating from the church, or scrambling to find a “formula” to fix their child. He and his wife, Vicki, know firsthand the grief and confusion of watching children rebel, and yet they’ve learned that true comfort comes not from control but from Christ.Drawing encouragement from the Psalms of lament, Luke 7, and 2 Corinthians 12, the discussion points parents back to God’s sovereignty, the importance of grieving honestly, the necessity of staying connected to the body of Christ, and the hope that only the gospel provides. They also speak directly to parents who aren’t walking through this trial—urging them to respond with humility, compassion, and grace toward those who are.If you’re a parent in the “blast zone” of prodigal pain, or simply want to better walk alongside others in your church, this episode offers biblical wisdom, pastoral encouragement, and the reminder that God alone saves—and He is faithful.

Brad Bigney (Part 1): Hope for Parents of Prodigals Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

What do you do when you’ve raised your children to know the Lord, only to watch them walk away from the faith? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastor Jeremy Pray and guest speaker Brad Bigney Lead Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church, a longtime teacher at NorthCreek’s Counseling Training Conference. Together, they open a heartfelt conversation on parenting wayward children—a subject often overlooked in the church but deeply felt by many families.Brad shares from his own family’s story of walking through years of prodigal rebellion, and the lessons God taught him and his wife, Vicki, through the pain. The discussion addresses the false idea that faithful parenting guarantees godly kids, the unique burdens mothers and fathers carry, and how compassion—not quick fixes—is often the most Christlike response. Passages like Luke 7, where Jesus sees and loves the brokenhearted, and 2 Corinthians 12, where God’s strength is made perfect in weakness, shape the hope and comfort offered in this episode.Whether you’re a parent grieving a prodigal, a pastor counseling families, or a believer seeking to understand God’s purposes in suffering, this conversation offers honesty, encouragement, and the reminder that Christ meets us in our weakness.

Biblical Counseling (Part 2): Body, Soul, and the Sufficiency of Scripture Aug 15, 2025

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What does the Bible have to say about caring for both body and soul? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow continues the conversation with Executive Pastors Jeremy Pray and Matt Rehrer on the foundations and distinctives of biblical counseling. Building on part one, they explore how Scripture’s sufficiency shapes our approach to life’s problems, the difference between biblical and Christian counseling, and how to navigate the interplay between physical health and spiritual care.Drawing from passages including 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter, John 9, and 2 Corinthians 4, they discuss why the Bible is not only sufficient for salvation but also for sanctification—helping believers respond faithfully to trials, whether rooted in spiritual struggle, medical diagnosis, or both. They address common misconceptions about biblical counseling, including the false notion that it ignores medicine, and emphasize the need to see physical and spiritual realities as intertwined rather than separate.Whether you are a pastor, counselor, or believer seeking clarity on how God’s Word meets us in suffering, this episode offers a biblically grounded, pastorally wise look at how to walk with others—and be counseled yourself—through the challenges of both outer-man ailments and inner-man struggles.

Biblical Counseling (Part 1): The Word at Work in Life’s Deepest Struggles Aug 08, 2025

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Why does NorthCreek Church practice biblical counseling—and what makes it different from Christian or secular therapy? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Jeremy Pray and Matt Rehrer to begin a two-part series on the private ministry of the Word, shifting from the pulpit to the counseling room. Together, they unpack what biblical counseling is, when it’s most helpful, and why it matters in the life of the church.Drawing from convictions about the sufficiency of Scripture and the transforming power of the gospel, they define biblical counseling as intentional, Word-centered discipleship for those who feel stuck—whether in grief, sin, anxiety, or suffering. They walk through practical distinctions between everyday encouragement, community care, and formal counseling, and offer examples of how the church can come alongside someone in crisis with both hope and help from God’s Word.You’ll also hear about the intake process, what a typical counseling meeting looks like, and how “homework” is rooted not in self-help but in sanctification. Whether you’re curious about getting help, giving help, or growing as a disciple, this conversation will encourage you to see biblical counseling not as a last resort, but as a vital expression of Christlike care.To explore more, visit nctconference.org for workshop audio on issues like depression, anger, and anxiety.

Behind the Sermon: How the Spirit Reorients the Preacher’s Heart Aug 01, 2025

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What happens in the pulpit when the preacher isn’t suffering—but the text is? In this unique episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to reflect on a recent sermon from Psalm 119:25–32. Together they explore the distinction between interpreting affliction versus personal sin, how that decision shaped the structure and tone of the message, and what it means to “get it right” in study and “get it across” in preaching.The conversation pulls back the curtain on what happened between services—a quiet moment of prayer in Kent’s office that shifted his focus from personal detachment to pastoral compassion. It’s a powerful look at how the Spirit can reorient a preacher’s heart in real time.They also tackle the tension between lamenting evil and longing for God’s justice, considering how we should respond when public figures fall into sin. Drawing from Psalm 35 and Proverbs 24:17, they offer a biblically faithful approach to mourning with humility, praying for repentance, and desiring God’s glory above all.Whether you’re a pastor, teacher, or faithful listener, this episode will deepen your understanding of preaching, spiritual formation, and how God uses His Word—even when the preacher isn’t feeling it.

How to Listen to a Sermon (Part 2): Putting the Word into Practice Jul 25, 2025

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How can we become not just hearers of the Word, but doers? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow continues the conversation with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray on expository listening—this time focusing on practical habits that help believers engage with sermons during and after the Sunday gathering. Building on the biblical foundation from Part 1, this episode dives into spiritual disciplines that transform listening into life change.

With heartfelt stories, pastoral wisdom, and insights from the Puritans, the team discusses how consistent presence, note-taking, family discussions, and follow-up meditation on Scripture can shape a life of ongoing sanctification. Whether you’re a seasoned note-taker or a quiet listener, you’ll discover new ways to treasure God’s Word and apply it throughout your week.

This part-two conversation reminds us that listening well is not just a Sunday task—it’s a spiritual rhythm that fuels faith, family, and the local church.

Topics Covered:

How faithfulness and weekly presence grow spiritual maturity
Different note-taking styles (and why they matter)
Why bringing your Bible is still essential
Fighting distractions through prayer and spiritual focus
How to engage the sermon afterward—alone or with your family
Practical application questions to revisit through the week
Using sermons as preparation for future seasons of trial
Why applying the Word matters more than remembering every detail

How to Listen to a Sermon (Part 1): Hearing God’s Word with Reverence Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

What does it mean to truly listen to a sermon? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to explore the biblical concept of expository listening—a vital spiritual discipline often overlooked in modern church life. This is part one of a two-part conversation equipping believers to hear the Word of God with reverence, attention, and transformation.

Drawing from passages like Acts 17:11 and Revelation 2–3, the discussion covers the difference between hearing and listening, why the posture of our hearts matters when we sit under preaching, and how sermon listening is part of our worship and sanctification. They also emphasize the importance of preparing to hear the Word—through prayer, minimizing distractions, and coming regularly to gather with the body of Christ.

Whether you’re a pastor, longtime believer, or new to church life, this episode will deepen your understanding of why God calls us to be hearers of His Word—and how doing so can shape our faith, families, and church community.

Topics Covered:

What is expository listening?
How to prepare your heart before a sermon
Why hearing Scripture is a spiritual act of worship
How regular Sunday attendance shapes your walk with Christ
Why live preaching matters more than passive content consumption
How the Holy Spirit works through faithful listening

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