Gather is the podcast of Wilmington First Church, hosted by Josh Smothers. Each episode is a space to slow down, lean in, and explore what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life.
Through thoughtful teaching and honest conversation, Gather covers everything related to the church and Christianity—faith, Scripture, discipleship, worship, leadership, culture, and what it looks like to live out the gospel in our homes, workplaces, and community.
Whether you’re part of Wilmington First or simply curious about faith, this podcast exists to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus and stay connected to what God is doing in and through the local church.
New episodes drop regularly. Come gather with us.
The conversation delves into Pastor Paul's call to ministry and his journey of cultural adaptation as he transitioned from England to the United States. It explores the formative experiences that shaped his early years in ministry and the challenges he faced in adapting to a new cultural context. The conversation covers the smooth pastoral transition, passing over leadership, healthy pastoral transition, reevaluating success in ministry, endurance and longevity in ministry, and excitement for the School of Ministry. Key takeaways include the importance of a smooth pastoral transition and the need to balance metrics and discipleship in ministry.
Takeaways
Call to ministry
Cultural adaptation Smooth pastoral transition
Balancing metrics and discipleship
Chapters
00:00 Call to Ministry and Cultural Adaptation
01:08:03 Excitement for School of Ministry
21 Feb 2026
Interview with Pastor Jonathan Altman
The conversation covers Pastor Jonathan's current roles, personal backstory, reading interests, sense of God's calling, early ministry experiences, lessons from mentors, faithful leadership, shepherding people vs. leading systems, importance of the local church, current hopes and concerns for the church, staying rooted in Pentecostal Holiness doctrines, and words of encouragement for pastors and leaders. The chapters provide a comprehensive exploration of these themes, offering valuable insights and perspectives on pastoral leadership and ministry.
Takeaways
Life of service
Faithful leadership
Chapters
00:00 Words of Encouragement for Pastors and Leaders
14 Feb 2026
Episode Seven: Spiritual Formation Over Spiritual Performance
The episode explores the difference between spiritual formation and spiritual performance, emphasizing the need to shift from performance-based faith to formation-based faith. It delves into the impact of performance-based faith on individuals and the unintentional rewards it receives within the church. The conversation highlights the biblical vision of transformation, the practices that shape the soul over time, and the role of grace in spiritual growth.
Takeaways
Shift from performance-based faith to formation-based faith
God cares more about who you're becoming than how you're perceived
Chapters
00:00 Grace as the Engine of Spiritual Growth
7 Feb 2026
Episode Six: Why Does Prayer Feel So Hard?
The episode explores the challenges and misconceptions surrounding prayer, emphasizing the importance of prayer as a relationship with God. It delves into the significance of silence, honesty, and perseverance in prayer, highlighting the value of faithfulness over frequency or eloquence.
Takeaways
Prayer is about relationship, not performance
Silence does not mean God's absence
Faithfulness in prayer matters more than frequency or eloquence
Chapters
00:00 Reframing Faithfulness in Prayer
1 Feb 2026
Episode Five: Following Jesus in Ordinary Life
The podcast explores the concept of following Jesus in everyday life, emphasizing the integration of faith into all areas of life. It discusses the importance of faithfulness in work, family, and daily routines, as well as the significance of obedience when no one is watching. The episode highlights the value of setting up small practices for discipleship and recognizing everyday moments as opportunities for spiritual formation.
Takeaways
Following Jesus in everyday life
Bringing faith into every area of life
Chapters
00:00 Following Jesus in Ordinary Life
06:09 Faithfulness in Work, Family, and Daily Routines
13:23 Setting Up Small Practices for Discipleship
24 Jan 2026
Episode Four: Faith, Feelings, and Following Jesus When God Feels Distant
The conversation explores the relationship between faith and feelings, emphasizing the importance of trusting God even when He feels distant. It also delves into the concept of lament as an act of trust and the significance of choosing faithfulness in the midst of spiritual dryness.
Takeaways
Faith and feelings
Lament as an act of trust
Chapters
00:00 Faith and Feelings
07:47 Lament as an Act of Trust
13:32 Choosing Faithfulness
17 Jan 2026
Episode Three: Can Doubt Be a Part of Real Faith?
The conversation explores the normalcy of doubt in faith and the church's response to doubt. It delves into the distinction between doubt, unbelief, and cynicism, providing biblical examples of doubt and emphasizing the importance of healthy ways to wrestle with doubt and grow from it. The key takeaways are that doubt is a normal part of faith, and God welcomes our doubts and questions.
Takeaways
Doubt is a normal part of faith
God welcomes our doubts and questions
Chapters
00:00 Growing from Doubt
10 Jan 2026
Episode Two: What is the Gospel?
The episode explores the concept of the gospel, emphasizing its definition, misconceptions, biblical significance, and its impact on identity and behavior. It highlights the transformative power of the gospel and the shift from earning to receiving grace.
Takeaways
The gospel is good news, not just good advice
Grace is received, not achieved
Chapters
00:00 Living from the Gospel
2 Jan 2026
Episode One: The Importance of the Church
The podcast episode explores the relevance and challenges of the church in today's culture, addressing issues of disconnection, distrust, and church hurt. It emphasizes the importance of community, grace, and discernment in navigating these challenges and returning to the original vision of the church as a family.
Takeaways
The church faces challenges of disconnection, distrust, and church hurt in today's culture.
Community, grace, and discernment are essential in addressing these challenges and returning to the original vision of the church as a family.
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