The Aquila Institute

In this final episode before the summer break, David Martin sits down with his father, Paul Martin, to discuss being a generous church. Pastor Martin has been pastor of Laramie Valley Chapel for 42 years and in that time has seen the church grow from being a mostly self-focused church to one that disciples well, gives generously, and consistently sends their best people onto the mission field.

In this episode, David and Stephen sit down to share an important update from Aquila. 
Reach out to us at info@aquila-initiative.org to get involved!
 
 

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down with Pastor Erik Nielsen to discuss church planting partnerships, where two or more churches team up together to plant a new church. In this case, they discuss the partnership Erik's church in Denmark made with Stephen's church in Germany to plant a new English-speaking church in Spain.
 
You'll be encouraged to hear of God's faithfulness and provision to plant churches and equip pastors to mentor the next generation of leaders.

In this episode, Stephen sits down with Pastor Carsten Lotz to discuss the experience of becoming a planting church. 
Carsten has been in ministry since 2005 and the pastor of the International Christian Fellowship in Frankfurt since 2010. In 2019/2020, ICF had the joy of sending their best to launch River of Life in downtown Frankfurt. 
You'll be encouraged by the story of God's grace and goodness as he worked through one church to plant another and expand the spread of the Gospel in one of the world's most international cities.
 
Carsten's book recommendation:
Dever, Mark, and Paul Alexander. How to Build a Healthy Church. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2021. 

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down with Aquila apprentice Lucas dos Santos. Lucas began as a member of IBC Cologne and has grown into an essential part of the core church-planting team and lay elder at Aachen International Church. 
 
You'll be encouraged by Lucas's high view of God and the local church, and you'll be challenged by his wisdom and experience of church planting.

In this episode, Stephen sits down with church planter John Hugh Tate. You'll be encouraged by his heart for evangelism, mentoring, and helping disciples of Christ grow in faith and obedience.
 
Dr. Tate, together with his wife Linda and their boys went to Paris after 17 years of church planting & pastoring in his home state of Mississippi, USA. He has always had a global heart, growing ministry partnerships in Honduras, India, UAE & Italy. 
He has an earned DMin from Fuller Seminary and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School. He also has a Master’s in International Relations from University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. He did undergraduate studies in English and French at University of Mississippi. 
 
Recommended books:
Capill, Murray. The Elder-Led Church: How an Eldership Team Shepherds a Healthy Flock. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2024. 
Keller, Timothy. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012. 
Strauch, Alexander. Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership. Rev. ed. Littleton, CO: Lewis & Roth Publishers, 1995. 
Chan, Sam. Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2018. 

In this episode, David and Stephen sit down with Dr. Glenn Kreider to discuss the Last Things. You'll be blessed as they discuss the consummation of God's eternal plan of salvation and the hope of every believer. 
Dr. Kreider is Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and Editor in Chief of the Theological Journal Bibliotheca Sacra. He has a Th.M. and Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Prior to teaching at DTS, Dr. Kreider served as Director of Christian Education and then as pastor in Cedar Hill, TX. His research and writing interests include theological method, theology and popular culture, and our eschatological hope.  
 
Dr. Kreider's relevant books include:
Blount, Douglas K., Glenn R. Kreider, Michael J. Svigel, and Nathan D. Holsteen. Exploring Christian Theology: Creation, Fall, and Salvation. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2015.
Blount, Douglas K., Glenn R. Kreider, J. Lanier Burns, Michael J. Svigel, and Nathan D. Holsteen. Exploring Christian Theology: The Church, Spiritual Growth, and the End Times. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2014.
Kreider, Glenn R., Jeffrey Bingham, and Michael J. Svigel, eds. Dispensationalism and the History of Redemption: A Developing and Diverse Tradition. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2015.
Kreider, Glenn R., J. Scott Horrell, Michael J. Svigel, and Nathan D. Holsteen. Exploring Christian Theology: Revelation, Scripture, and the Triune God. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2014.
Rydelnik, Michael, and Michael Vanlaningham, eds. The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy: Studies and Expositions of the Messiah in the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2019. (Contains contributions by Glenn R. Kreider.)

In this episode, David and Stephen sit down with Dr. Juan Sánchez about the church. Many Christians try to downplay the importance of the local church in God's mission, but listeners will be enriched by Juan's clear biblical support and encouraged to love and participate in their local church.
Dr. Sanchez has an MDiv, ThM, and PhD from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as the senior pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, since 2005. He also serves as a Council member of The Gospel Coalition and is cofounder and president of The Gospel Coalition Spanish ministry. He has also served as president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. 
  
He is the author of numerous books, including  
Juan R. Sánchez, Jr. 1 Peter For You: Offering Real Joy on Our Journey Through This World, Epsom: The Good Book Company, 2016. 
Seven Dangers Facing Your Church. Epsom, UK: The Good Book Company, 2018. 
The Leadership Formula: Develop the Next Generation of Leaders in the Church. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2020. 
 
Recommended books: 
David Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship, Lisle: InterVarsity Press, 2002. 
Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. 4th ed. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021. 
Mark Dever and Paul Alexander, How to Build a Healthy Church: A Practical Guide for Deliberate Leadership. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021. 
Jonathan Leeman, Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012. 
Jonathan Leeman, Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012. 
 
Recommended podcasts: 
Pastors Talk Podcast 
Preachers Talk 

Stephen sits down with Dr. Lucas Stamps to discuss the doctrine of salvation. How does God save sinners? What is man's role in salvation? You'll be blessed to learn more about this essential and comforting doctrine of God's grace.
Dr. Lucas Stamps has a PhD is Systematic Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as Professor of Christian Theology and Director of the Master’s Programs at the Clamp Divinity School of Anderson  
 
Recommended books:
Bonaventure. Breviloquium. Translated by Dominic V. Monti. Works of St. Bonaventure 9. St. Bonaventure, NY: Franciscan Institute Publications, 2005. 
Bridges, Jerry. The Pursuit of Holiness. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2016. 
Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting On the Character of Christ. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2002. 
Packer, J. I. Knowing God. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 1993. 

In this episode, Stephen and David sit down with Dr. Graham Cole to discuss the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Cole's years of experience in the church and classroom mean that he's full of knowledge, wisdom, and practical insights. You'll be blessed as you grow to love God more and thank Him for the gift of His Spirit, who points us to Christ.
Graham A. Cole (ThD, Australian College of Theology) is dean emeritus and professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. An ordained Anglican minister, he has served in two parishes and was formerly the principal of Ridley College. Graham lives in Libertyville, Illinois, with his wife, Jules. He is the author of Engaging with the Holy Spirit: Real Questions, Practical Answers and He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. 
 
Graham Cole, Engaging with the Holy Spirit: Real Questions, Practical Answers. Wheaton: Crossway, 2008. 
 Graham Cole, He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Foundations of Evangelical Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007.