In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman interview Matt Smethurst, a pastor of River City Baptist Church, on the importance of ecclesiology for a church plant.By 9Marks

Title: Battle and Live Beautifully Preacher: J.O. Passage: 1 Peter 2:11–12By Kenwood Baptist Church

Joanne Spitz is the co-chair of CHIP IN Batavia, a non-profit that works to ensure every child in our town has the opportunity to thrive - from basic necessities to prom dresses and college laptops. But Joanne's story isn't just about helping others belong. It's also about her own journey to find her place in Batavia over the past 32 years. In this…

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman talk about our newest Church Matters: Seasons in a Pastor's Life.By 9Marks

Title: Enjoy the Light in View of Judgment Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 11:7–10By Kenwood Baptist Church

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman interview Grant Borg, pastor of Church of the Risen King Jesus, about his spiritual journey and the state of Christianity in Australia.By 9Marks

Title: You Do Not Know, So Work and Invest Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 11:1–6By Kenwood Baptist Church

Logan Street Missionary Baptist Church, located just east of the river off of N. Washington Avenue and currently pastored by Rev. David J. Seymour, wasn't created in a vacuum - it was founded based on a need for black Batavians to have a place to go where they felt safe, comfortable, and accepted. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversati…

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman interviews Mark Feather and Alex Duke about how to lead youth group with the whole church in mind. Related resources: – Our Main Goals for Youth Ministry – Youth Ministry and the Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self – LGBTQ+ Policies: What Do We Do about Youth Group?…

Title: Present Yourself to God Preacher: Matt Damico Passage: Romans 12:1–2By Kenwood Baptist Church

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman interviews Dennis Boris, a pastor of Almaty Bible Church in Kazakhstan, about the state of Christianity and local churches.By 9Marks

Title: The Wise and Foolish Way Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 10:8–20By Kenwood Baptist Church

After receiving so much support from his community as a high school student, Dennis Piron felt obligated to succeed. But after trying his hand in the business world, he quickly realized that giving back to Batavia was the best way to find fulfillment. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, I spoke to the Batavia High School football and track and f…

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman interviews Aaron Menikoff, Greg Gilbert, Juan Sanchez, and Sebastian Traeger about a new network of like-minded churches: the ACME Fellowship. Check out ACMEfellowship.org for more information.By 9Marks

Title: I Have Seen Wisdom and Folly Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 9:13–10:7By Kenwood Baptist Church

Pastors Talk is back for season 9! In this episode, Jonathan Leeman interviews Phil Newton and Bob Johnson about pastoral transition and retirement. Related Resources: Articles: Preparing Pastors for Retirement by Brad Thayer, There’s No Such Thing as “Retiring” From Ministry by David Gough Journal: Seasons in a Pastor's Life…

Title: Making Himself Equal with God — Part II Preacher: Denny Burk Series: John Passage: John 5:19–23By Kenwood Baptist Church

On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a walking tour with local sculptor and art booster, Bill McGrath. As a board member of Water Street Studios and a former city administrator, Bill is the ideal person to lead us through downtown and walk us through the unique artistic landscape that makes up the downtown environment. Feel free to listen to this…

Title: Man Does Not Know His Life and Times Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 9:1–12By Kenwood Baptist Church

Title: Making Himself Equal with God Preacher: Denny Burk Series: John Passage: John 5:1–18By Kenwood Baptist Church

We might take the Batavia Creamery for granted now, but its fate wasn't always so cut and dry. After working as a Baskin Robbins franchisee, Kirk Jansons wanted to sell ice cream on his own terms. But challenges with the bridge and COVID threw the whole thing into question. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the owner of the…

Title: An Enigma: The Wicked Receive the Reward of the Righteous? Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 8:10–17By Kenwood Baptist Church

Title: Who Is Like the Wise? The One Who Keeps the Commandment Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 8:1–9By Kenwood Baptist Church

Bridget Johnson, a Cuban immigrant, and Thomas Freeman, a Chicago south-side native, shared a dream. But their perspectives on that dream have been drastically different. And complimentary collaboration is exactly what makes Red Hive Market work so well. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with Bridget and Tom about creating a div…

Title: A Prophet Not without Honor Preacher: Denny Burk Series: John Passage: John 4:43–54By Kenwood Baptist Church

Hey everybody. We're dropping into your feed on an off week to let you know about a new segment: "Settling In." On each installment of "Settling In," we'll be diving deeper into what it means to make Batavia home,  with insights and advice from our title sponsor, local real estate expert, Kristine Clemens of @Properties Christies International Real…

Title: What Solomon Found Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 7:25–29By Kenwood Baptist Church

Walk around Batavia's downtown and you'll see a host of women-led businesses, of all kinds. But it wasn't always this way. It happened because of people like Start Something Studio's Jamie Saam, who put collaboration and mutual support ahead of a solely competitive mindset. In addition to being the owner of Bulldog Plumbing and the co-founder of St…

Title: Fearing God and Finding Balance Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 7:15–24By Kenwood Baptist Church

Title: Can This Be the Christ? Preacher: Denny Burk Series: John Passage: John 4:27–42By Kenwood Baptist Church

As we continue to explore the significance of flags in the Batavia community, we talk about the origins and impact of the Batavia Community flag, and the Unity Pride flag, relatively new symbols in the town. Featured on this episode: Flag expert Marty Callahan, chair of the Batavia flag design contest committee High school student Rachel Agro, desi…

Title: A Confrontation with Jesus Preacher: Denny Burk Series: John Passage: John 4:16–26By Kenwood Baptist Church

Title: Better the End Than Its Beginning Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 7:7–14By Kenwood Baptist Church

The day this episode is released, June 14th, is Flag Day, and it's the first Flag Day to be observed at Batavia's brand new Flag Day Monument. Meanwhile, across the lawn of the Pegbond Center, a few other flags are flying. What is it about flags that instills such reverence in those whose community they represent?And what role do flags play in this…

Title: Better to Learn Wisdom at a Funeral Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 7:1–6By Kenwood Baptist Church

Title: Choose the Good Part Preacher: John Wilsey Passage: Luke 10:38-42By Kenwood Baptist Church

When Austin Dempsey had the opportunity to step into a long-term leadership role in the family business, he took it. But in the face of a global pandemic, he recognized how investing in Batavia's community would pay off for everyone in the long run. On this episode of Area Code: Batavia, a conversation with the CEO of BEI Commercial Real Estate abo…

Many pastors rightly desire to reach the next generation. But how should they? In this episode of Pastors Talk, Jonathan Leeman interviews Kevin DeYoung on his new book, The (Not-So-Secret) Secret to Reaching the Next GenerationBy 9Marks

Title: In Your Last Days, Love Preacher: J.O. Passage: 1 Peter 4:8–9By Kenwood Baptist Church

In this episode of Pastors Talk, Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman chat with Jeri Choi, Welton Bonner, and Bobby Jamieson about preparing to plant a church.By 9Marks

Title: Life, Gain, Judgement Preacher: Jim Hamilton Series: Ecclesiastes Passage: Ecclesiastes 6:10–12By Kenwood Baptist Church