Welcome to Holy Middle! Here on Holy Middle we combat extremes that twist Scripture by swinging too far one way or the other. The Christian life is lived best in the Holy Middle — requiring hard questions, Spirit-led self-examination, and cutting off anything that doesn’t align with Scripture. Welcome to the journey!
The Power of Presence in Prayer: A Guide for Believers
Chandler Petrak explores the challenges of maintaining a vibrant prayer life, emphasizing the importance of presence, faith, and community in prayer. He shares personal insights, biblical references, and practical tips to help believers deepen their connection with God.
The importance of being fully present with God in prayer
Biblical insights on God's omnipresence and our response
Practical ways to activate faith through the Word of God
The role of community and shared prayer in spiritual growth
Overcoming distractions and silence in prayer.
00:00 Reviving a Stagnant Prayer Life
10:55 The Role of Silence in Prayer
18:41 Integrating Prayer into Daily Life
30 Apr 2026
Why You Don’t Share Your Faith (And How to Start) w/ Nate Sink
Most Christians believe in sharing their faith… but almost no one actually does it.Why?In this conversation, we expose what’s really holding people back—from fear and awkwardness to the way evangelism has been modeled wrong for years. Nate shares his testimony and some crazy real-life stories, and we get honest about what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change.We also break down the tension between relational discipleship and bold evangelism—and give you a simple, practical way to start today without feeling fake or forced.If you’ve ever thought, “I know I should share my faith, but I don’t know how”—this is for you.
24 Apr 2026
4 Books That Will Transform Your Life (Read Them In ONE Day)...
In this episode, I’m sharing 4 short books that genuinely changed my walk with God, my mindset, and how I lead. These aren’t the typical recommendations—and you can get through them faster than you think.If you’ve ever wondered what actually helps someone grow spiritually and stay grounded, this is it!Which one surprised you the most? Subscribe for more on faith, leadership, and real growth!
20 Mar 2026
Unbiblical Ideas YOU Believe! | Pt. 2
Are these common Christian beliefs actually biblical… or just popular?In this video, we ask about tattoos, suicide, dispensational theology, and more!We look at why people believe these, what Scripture REALLY says, and why it matters for your faith.Truth over tradition! FOLLOW THE SHOW FOR MORE CONTENT!
4 Mar 2026
Should Christians Be In Politics?
Politics is discipling people every day.
The real question isn’t whether Christians should engage in politics.
The real question is: Will politics disciple you, or will Christ?
If Jesus is Lord — not a candidate, not a party, not a president — then our engagement must look different.
In this video, Chandler unpacks three convictions for faithful Christian political engagement:
• Formation Before Expression — Are you shaped more by prayer or by algorithms?
• Conviction with Humility — Confidence is cheap. Competence is rare.
• Scripture Over Tribe — If your party defines your theology, your theology is already compromised.
This isn’t about left vs. right.
It’s about lordship.
How should Christians engage politically without drifting into idolatry? Let’s talk.
21 Jan 2026
How to Ruin Your 2026...
What if the fastest way to grow spiritually… is to first learn how people lose their way?
In this episode of The Holy Middle, Chandler Petrak flips the script and walks through the surprisingly common habits that quietly sabotage our relationship with God. From replacing intimacy with routine, to comparing your calling to someone else’s highlight reel, to isolating yourself in seasons where you need community most — these patterns are more normal than we think… and more dangerous than we admit.
Chandler shares personal stories, pastoral insight, and practical resets to help you recognize where your spiritual life may be drifting — and how to realign before burnout, cynicism, or stagnation set in.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, dry, or quietly frustrated in your walk with God, this conversation will put language to what you’re experiencing — and point you toward a better way forward.
29 Dec 2025
Uncomfortable Truths: Women in Ministry, Politics & Faith with Allie Mendoza
A real, honest conversation on women in ministry, feminism, politics, immigration, Trump, and what the Bible actually says.Chandler Petrak sits down with Allie Mendoza to navigate the tension between culture, Scripture, and calling—right in the Holy Middle.If you’re committed to living faithfully in the Holy Middle, leave a review, subscribe and follow, and join the journey!
21 Dec 2025
From Atheist to Disciple— My Testimony of How Jesus Changed My Life
A personal testimony about an encounter that changed my life. Join me as I share some of the highlights of radical encounters with Jesus that transformed my life. I share the brokenness I walked through and how I overcame it.
10 Dec 2025
Addressing 3 Lies Every Family Battles — And the Redemption Story You Need with My Father In Law
In this eye-opening episode of The Holy Middle, Chandler Petrak sits down with his father-in-law, Mr. Almaraz, to share a story of faith, redemption, and transformation that will inspire anyone who feels trapped by their past.Together, they dive deep into three pervasive lies that many in today’s generation struggle with—lies that can shape our identity, limit our potential, and keep us from experiencing God’s fullness. From the belief that your past defines you, to the lies that steal hope and self-worth, Chandler and Mr. Almaraz tackle these misconceptions head-on, offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance for walking in freedom and faith.Whether you’re searching for hope, wrestling with regret, or simply looking for a reminder of God’s redeeming power, this conversation is packed with insight, vulnerability, and life-changing perspective.✨ Don’t forget to leave and review, and subscribe to The Holy Middle Podcast for more honest conversations about faith, life, and the journey toward purpose and restoration!
2 Dec 2025
The Hidden Story of Genesis: Dr. French Reveals What We Miss
In our quest to understand the Bible, we often find ourselves grappling with the ancient texts that form its foundation. In a recent episode of the Holy Middle Podcast, host Chandler Petrak engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Nathan French, a Bible scholar dedicated to unraveling the complexities of Genesis. Together, they explore the significance of reading Genesis not as a modern scientific account but through the lens of ancient Near Eastern culture. Can Genesis be trusted? Is it just a fairytale, is it literal?Dr. French's Background:Dr. Nathan French, an assistant professor at Oral Roberts University, holds a master's degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a PhD from the University of Aberdeen. With a passion for educating others about the Bible and its historical context, Dr. French emphasizes the importance of approaching ancient texts with respect and understanding. He believes our interpretations should honor the original authors and their cultural backgrounds.
Other Topics We Explore:-Genesis: An Ancient Near Eastern Text -The Translation Debate of Genesis passages -Symbolism vs. Literalism in Genesis -The Iconic Fruit
17 Nov 2025
Bible, Culture, and Calling — A Talk with Pastor Jonathan Rivers
What does it really look like to balance faith, culture, and calling in today’s world? In this episode of The Holy Middle, Chandler Petrak sits down with Pastor Jonathan Rivers to dig into the tough questions pastors and Christians face every day.
From navigating ministry when it gets heavy, to keeping theology practical and people-focused, to the “holy middle” in cultural debates — this conversation is full of insight, honesty, and a little coffee-fueled humor along the way.
Whether you’re called to ministry, leadership, or simply want to think deeply about faith in real life, this episode is for you.
0:00 — Intro
2:15 — Theology vs. Pastoral Compassion
10:30 — Structuring Time with God
18:45 — Coffee with a Biblical Character
27:00 — Faith & Culture: Finding the Middle
40:15 — Lessons from Early Ministry Mistakes
55:00 — Rapid-Fire Reflections
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that explore the Holy Middle!
31 Oct 2025
How to THINK on Halloween as a Christian
How to Think This Halloween as a Christian
Halloween sparks a lot of opinions—especially for Christians. In this episode, we dig into how to think critically and biblically about the holiday.
We cover:
Why some call it “just demonic” and what ex-satanists have to say
The difference between overt and hidden associations, and between celebration vs. engagement
How Jesus interacted these ideas?
Tradition vs. traditionalism—examples like women wearing pants, tattoos, and other cultural debates
Safety vs. theology: balancing conviction with wisdom
We close with a reminder from 2 Timothy 2:15: have convictions, but be teachable.
27 Oct 2025
"You Might Be Called... But Not Ready" w/ Pastor Sam Velez
Are you called—but not ready? In this episode of Holy Middle, Pastor Sam Velez from Laredo, Texas, joins Chandler Petrak to unpack what it really means to live out your calling.Together, they dive into:-The journey of answering God’s call to ministry-The real challenges and responsibilities of pastoring-How to build relationships and truly shepherd a congregation-Balancing compassion and correction, grace and truth-Encouragement for anyone feeling called to ministry or other vocationsIf you’re navigating your calling, ministry, or simply want a glimpse into the real-life challenges pastors face, this conversation will inspire, challenge, and equip you.🔹 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more conversations that bring you back to Scripture over assumption, and truth over tradition.
14 Oct 2025
Unbiblical Ideas YOU May Still Believe!
We’ve all heard popular Christian sayings that sound biblical… but aren’t.In this episode, I break down a few common phrases that many believers still repeat — and what Scripture actually says instead.From “The Holy Spirit is a gentleman” to “Christians can’t have demons,” we’re confronting ideas that sound spiritual but drift from truth. The goal isn’t to attack anyone — it’s to bring us back to the "Holy Middle", where we live by Scripture over assumption and truth over tradition.
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