Orchard Hill Church Blog
Explore. Grow. Engage.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 105 - Why Orchard Hill Uses the NIV Bible Translation
This episode, Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, sits down with Butler County Campus Pastor, Brady Randall, to have a conversation around Bible translations, what the differences are between the many translations, why Orchard Hill Church has decided to use the NIV, and more!
Upside Down Living #4 - Clarity in a Time of Indifference
Director of Young Adult Ministry, Josiah Leuenberger, looks at what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness, the struggle between hunger for things of the world and God, and how the Gospel orients our hearts correctly.
S.T.O.P - The Importance of Having Gospel Conversations
The primary thing on my heart during this time was praying and asking God to heal this individual so that I could stop and have one more conversation, that they could hear the Gospel and be asked the same question, “Do you believe this?”
Ask a Pastor Ep. 104 - Objections and the Abortion Debate
This episode, Senior Pastor, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund, sits down with Life Stage Pastors, Emily DeAngelo and Josiah Leuenberger, to have a conversation about the abortion debate in our country, personal stories in relation to abortion, how to answer specific objections to choosing life over abortion, and more!
Upside Down Living #3 - Meekness in a Time of Harshness
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in the Beatitudes with Matthew 5:5 looking at the idea of meekness, what meekness means, why someone would want to be meek, and how to cultivate meekness in our life.
Put God First in Your Life (Psalm 19 Devotional)
God cares not just about outward appearance, but about the heart. ‘For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance. The Lord looks for the heart.’ He sees the core of who we are. He knows us more deeply than we can ever know ourselves. God wants your hearts - all of it.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 103 - Current Events and End Time Prophecy
This episode, Life Stage Pastor, Mike Hatch, sits down with Life Stage Pastor, George Palombo, and Middle School Ministry Leader, Jenette Cline, sit down to have a conversation about the end times, how current events are setting the stage biblical prophecy to be fulfilled, how we as Christians can remain unafraid in the midst of these events, and more!
Upside Down Living #2 - Mourning in a Time of Brokenness
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in the Beatitudes with Matthew 5:4 looking at 2 responses we can have to brokenness and mourning that happens throughout life and the hope we have in Jesus.
Tips for Personal Bible Study
When we open God’s word, we give Him the opportunity to speak to us in a life-changing way as the Holy Spirit communicates God’s truth to our hearts and minds. In this blog, I’d like to share a general framework and a few tips that I have found helpful personally in my own times of Bible study.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 102 - Evangelism vs. Discipleship
This episode, Life Stage Pastor, Mike Hatch, sits down with Director of Student Ministry, Russ Brasher, and Director of Young Adult Ministry, Josiah Leuenberger, to have a conversation about the difference between evangelism and discipleship, how to balance pursing both as a christian in your personal life and as a church community, and more!
Upside Down Living #1 - Humility in a Time of Arrogance
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund begins a new series on the Sermon on the Mount and this week looks at Matthew 5:1-3 and the idea of humility when the world around us is filled with arrogance.
Mentoring Moments
Mentoring is all about investing in the lives of others. It is intentional discipleship. It was the way of Jesus. As I have spent time studying the life of Jesus in His gospels this summer, I am inspired to share with people what I have learned.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 101 - Christian Apostasy in Worship Music
This episode, Life Stage Pastor, Mike Hatch, sits down with Orchard Hill Church Worship Leaders, David Bowens and Chris Jamison to have a conversation about Christian worship leaders walking away from the faith, why it happens, how they have struggled with similar questions about God, and more!
Separation of Church and State
West Point Graduate and Vietnam War Veteran, Ken Carlson, gives a fourth of July message on the mythical wall of the separation of church and state, where it came from, and what it's impact is on religious freedom in America.
Meeting Life with Peace, Loving Kindness, and Compassion
Where can we find a peace that is powerful enough to quiet our hearts when life throws significant challenges our way? Let us start at the source - God. Peace, loving kindness, and compassion are all attributes of God.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 100 - Should Statues or Monuments Ever be Removed?
This episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund sits down with JoAnn Adams and Dr. Steve Jones to have a conversation about if statues or monuments should ever be removed, how we should approach making the decision, the difference between celebrating and remembering history, and more!
Unburdened #5 - Living Without Fear
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund concludes the Unburdened series on Romans 8 looking at the culmination of Paul's arguments on how we should respond as Christians and how we can live without fear as part of our daily life.
Empowered Manhood (Part 1)
I lived most of my life lost in the dark until I was eventually forced into the light. It was through this painful process of being exposed to the light, and learning to walk in it, that I discovered God's grace, gained freedom from the dark, and was empowered by the light.
Ask a Pastor Ep. 99 - Career Transitions After COVID-19
This episode, Dr. Kurt Bjorklund sits down with Valerie Johnson and Leslie Braksick to have a conversation about navigating life and career transitions specifically after the crisis of 2020, some of the trends occurring as a result, tips for people looking for jobs, and more!
Unburdened #4 - Living Without Pride
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund continues in Romans 8 looking at the seriousness of pride in our life and 3 assertions we can make to help us move towards humbleness.