In the captivating Season 4 finale of the Under the Hood podcast, Pastor Joe & Kirsten sit down with Josh and Sara Johnson, an inspiring couple called to an unexpected ministry as marriage missionaries in Northwest Arkansas. Seventeen years into their own marriage, they reached a turning point: Josh realized the "kingdom" he thought he was building was actually a prison, while Sara found herself trapped in the "captivity of comfort." But God had a different vision. Submitting their hearts to His call, they began taking blind steps of faith on a surprising, divine journey that made no sense to the world. As Pastor Joe points out in this episode, there is a reason God doesn't reveal His entire blueprint all at once—if He had told the Johnsons decades ago that they’d be raising their own support to minister to couples, they might have said no. Instead, hear how they stepped out in faith to change the world one home at a time, and learn how you can support their vital mission. Let’s pop the hood! Partner with Josh & Sara's ministry: give.cru.org/1342747 Connect via email: [email protected] | [email protected] Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

Buckle up as Pastor Joe and Kirsten "pop the hood" on an episode packed with milestones, memories, and deep reflections. After marveling at the impressive efficiency of Bentonville High School’s recent graduation, the duo takes a hilarious trip down memory lane to revisit their own ceremonies—including Pastor Joe’s, which was incredibly memorable for all the wrong reasons. The conversation then shifts into the scriptures as they dive into Acts chapters 5–8, featuring a custom, AI-assisted graphic Pastor Joe created that he puts on the line for Kirsten’s brutally honest review. Inspired by the powerful story of Stephen, Joe opens up about his personal desire to develop a more eternal perspective in daily life. Finally, they wrap things up with a fun run-down of Brock’s graduation party and the heartwarming, special surprise they pulled off just for him. Let's pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

In today's episode, we’re popping the hood on life’s biggest transitions and celebrations! We kick things off by putting our very own UTH producer, Abbey, in the hot seat as Pastor Joe and Kirsten grill her on the highs and lows of her five-year anniversary with NewLife. From there, the conversation turns personal as Joe and Kirsten navigate the bittersweet shift into the "Empty Nest" phase; Joe’s been doing his homework, and he's got notes to evaluate how gracefully they're entering this new season. They share a heartwarming (and messy!) moment when they surprise their son, Brock, on his final day of school. Finally, we wrap up with a celebratory shout-out to Pastor Sonny and Pastor Darrell for their powerful tag-team teaching on Acts chapter 5. Let's pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

We’re kicking things off with a dose of heart-warming nostalgia as Pastor Joe shares a special moment with his son, Brock—even if it does lead to one of those classic stories Kirsten has heard once or twice before! From there, Pastor Joe and Kirsten lean into the deep end, revisiting last week’s sermon to explore the radical truth that God consistently chooses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats for His Kingdom. You’ll want to lean in for the data, too; Pastor Joe reveals a startling statistic regarding the most influential decade for Jesus in a believer's journey that caught Kirsten completely off guard. We wrap the episode with a look at Pastor Joe’s recent DIY adventures, proving that while he’s a pro behind the pulpit, he might just be ready for a second career in the handyman business. Let's pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

Get ready for a mix of laughs and deep reflection as Pastor Joe and Kirsten recap the Pasta & Pie Auction. Pastor Joe defends the questionable smell of his "whipped cream beard" as a small price to pay for the students, prompting a nostalgic trip down memory lane about his own Christ in Youth (CIY) experiences—including a "crush" whose name is long lost to history. The conversation takes a serious turn during "Stump the Pastor," where Kirsten tackles a modern dilemma: how should Christians navigate mandatory pronouns in email signatures? It’s a nuanced discussion on workplace culture and personal conviction that ultimately anchors on the simple goal to "be like Jesus." They wrap up with a sneak preview of Acts 4 and the early church's first taste of opposition. Let's pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

Pastor Joe & Kirsten are quite literally airing some "dirty laundry" from the Williams’ household this past weekend. Between a mysterious disappearance of a favorite top and a rogue tube of lipstick, things got a little grumpy behind closed doors. The tension eases as Kirsten grills Joe on that "two novels" bombshell from last week, leading to a surprising reveal about a guilty pleasure they both secretly share. They’re also getting vulnerable about the fast-approaching reality of "Emptynestville," discovering they have polar opposite reactions to their last one launching. Let’s pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

Buckle up, because this week we’re kicking things off with a revelation no one saw coming! If the Williamses hadn’t answered the call to ministry, they wouldn’t be behind a pulpit—they’d be chasing...tornadoes?! Pastor Joe takes us back to his college days with a harrowing story involving a "doozy" of a storm. Next, Kirsten checks in on Pastor Joe’s transition to the new Thursday Night Service routine. Turns out, rewriting your internal clock and sermon prep rhythm is no small feat! To wrap things up, they put producer, Abbey, in the hot seat and ask what kind of preacher she'd be, and there's no shortage of opinions! Let's pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

Pastor Joe & Kirsten begin with an Easter recap! Pastor Joe points out what he believes is a fundamental difference between men and women when it comes to expecting company! Next, they pivot into a powerful shift, inspired by the Holy Spirit during Easter week. Pastor Joe then reviews the 3 critical questions from his Easter message. They also dive into key ideas from a conversation on The Sean Ryan Show with Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, touching on topics such as the Shroud of Turin and the intersection of faith, history, and evidence. They close by introducing a new series, HIS WORDS: UNLEASHED, a 21-week journey through the Book of Acts designed to challenge, equip, and ignite a bold, active faith. Let's pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

Pastor Joe and Kirsten are back from a "last hoorah" vacation with their graduating senior, Brock. They rehash some harrowing travel tales...if Diet Coke drama can be considered "harrowing!" The conversation then takes a global turn as the duo dives into a lively exploration of Easter traditions from around the world. Along the way, Joe recounts the nerves of preaching his very first Easter sermon, while Kirsten revisits a regrettable Easter fashion choice from the late 90s. To wrap it all up, they’re venting about the return of some very uninvited and highly irritating guests. Let's pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/

This week on Under the Hood, things get hilariously real as Pastor Joe and Kirsten dive into a marital spat sparked by Joe’s relentless optimism—and the clever gift Kirsten bought just to keep from crying. Once the dust settles, the duo pivots to the cutting room floor, sharing powerful insights on generosity that Joe couldn't fit into last Sunday’s sermon. Centered around the wisdom of Proverbs 3:9-10, they tackle the heavy-hitting question: "Do I truly trust the Lord in this area of my life?" We wrap things up with a heartfelt tribute to our incredible listeners and a warm send-off for Spring Break. Let’s pop the hood! Email: [email protected] Show Notes: https://www.newlifenwa.com/underthehood/