City Rev Life Podcast

Hell: Judgment, Mercy, and the Heart of God

In Part 1 of this new podcast series, Pastor Josh Slautterback sits down with Pastor Craig Stephens to tackle one of the most difficult and misunderstood topics in Christianity: hell. Rather than avoiding the tension, this conversation leans into the questions people are already asking—Is hell real? Is it eternal? How does it fit with a loving God? Drawing from Scripture and the teachings of Jesus, this episode explores what the Bible actually says about hell, why it matters, and how it shapes our understanding of justice, mercy, and eternity. This is an honest, thoughtful discussion meant to bring clarity, not fear, and to invite deeper reflection on the heart of God.

Healthy Boundaries for the New Year

The holidays are a time for joy, connection, and celebration—but they can also bring challenges when it comes to family dynamics and expectations. In this episode Pastor Josh Slautterback, Pastor Craig Stephens, and Angelica Barros explore how to set healthy boundaries with family and friends during the Christmas season. Whether it’s managing difficult conversations, balancing time commitments, or navigating traditions, this discussion provides practical and biblical insights to help you protect your peace while honoring your loved ones. Join us as we learn how to approach this season with grace, love, and intentional boundaries.

Special Throwback Episode: Who Really is Santa Claus?

In todays special throwback episode, Pastor Robey tells us a 5 minute story on who Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, really is.

Christmas: Finding Heaven in the Holidays

In this episode of the City Rev Life Podcast, Pastor Craig Stephens and Pastor Robey Barnes lean into the Christmas season with honesty, humor, and wisdom—starting with the timeless debate over when it’s acceptable to play Christmas music. As the conversation unfolds, they explore how the cultural hype surrounding Christmas often creates unrealistic expectations that leave us feeling disappointed instead of joyful. Connecting themes from the Heaven series to the holidays, they talk about family dynamics, materialism, and the pressure to make everything “perfect,” while pointing listeners toward a healthier, more meaningful way to enjoy the season. This episode offers a refreshing reminder to embrace Christmas for what it is—not what we expect it to be—and to find joy, peace, and perspective in the middle of the mess.

Heaven: Confidence in Christ’s Promise

In this episode of the City Rev Life Podcast, Pastor Robey Barnes and Pastor Craig Stephens wrap up our Heaven series with one essential question: How do we strengthen our faith in a future we can’t yet see—but deeply hope for?

Drawing from Jesus’ words in John 14, they unpack why believing in heaven can feel difficult at times, and how Jesus Himself anchors our confidence with His promise: “If it were not so, would I have told you…?” From the intimate bridal imagery of a groom preparing a place in His Father’s house to the unshakable evidence of the resurrection, this conversation offers clarity, comfort, and courage for anyone navigating doubts, fear, suffering, or big life transitions.

Whether you’re facing a diagnosis, approaching a milestone birthday, processing loss, or simply longing for something more—this episode reminds you that heaven is not sentimental wishful thinking. It’s a concrete promise from Jesus, one you can build your life on.

Heaven: The Truth About the Afterlife

In this fifth episode of the Heaven series on the City Rev Life Podcast, Pastor Robey Barnes and host Craig Stephens tackle some of the most common and misunderstood questions about what happens when we die. Drawing from passages like Philippians 1:23, Acts 7, and the words of Jesus to the thief on the cross, they unpack why Scripture teaches that believers enter immediately into the presence of Christ—not into soul sleep or purgatory. They explore what the Bible reveals about the intermediate state, the resurrected body, and how our identity endures in eternity. Along the way, they contrast cultural expectations of happiness with the deeper hope found in Christ, reminding listeners that this life is not heaven—it’s preparation for it. Ultimately, they call believers to live with an eternal mindset, anchored in joy, hope, and a missionary purpose.

Heaven: Feasts, Friends, and Forever

In this episode of the City Rev Life Podcast, Pastors Craig Stephens and Robey Barnes dive into what heaven might actually be like. Using imagery from Thanksgiving feasts, they explore the joy, celebration, and unity promised in Scripture. The hosts answer listener questions about heavenly feasts, the recognizability and physicality of resurrected bodies, and even fun speculation about abilities like movement or flying in eternity. They also discuss how relationships and identity are preserved, whether we can witness life on earth from heaven, and the promise of reunion with loved ones. Honest, biblical, and thought-provoking, this conversation helps listeners imagine the hope, joy, and fulfillment that await in the life to come.

Heaven: A City of Purpose

In Part 3 of our Heaven series on the City Rev Life Podcast, Jeremy Agosto and Pastor Robey Barnes explore one of the biggest misconceptions about eternity—that heaven will be boring. Drawing from Revelation 21, they unpack the Bible’s picture of the New Jerusalem as a physical, vibrant, and fully developed city where God’s people engage in meaningful, joy-filled activity. They discuss how worship is far more than singing, how work becomes creative partnership with God, and how understanding heaven shapes the way we live today. This episode challenges listeners to bring kingdom principles into their everyday lives and reflect the coming reality of heaven on earth.

Heaven: A Real Place for Real People

In Heaven, Part 2, hosts Jeremy Agosto and Pastor Robey Barnes continue the City Rev Life series by exploring what heaven is really like—beyond the clouds and halos. Drawing from Philippians 1:21, Romans 8, and Revelation 21, they discuss how Scripture paints heaven as a real, physical, and beautiful new creation where God dwells with His people. This episode challenges listeners to develop a robust view of heaven that gives meaning to suffering, motivates mission, and inspires hope. When we truly grasp the reality of heaven, it changes how we live on earth.

Heaven: Why Heaven Changes Everything

In Episode 1 of the new Heaven series on the City Rev Life Podcast, Jeremy Agosto and Pastor Robey Barnes dig into why a clear understanding of heaven is essential for every believer. Instead of treating heaven as a distant, abstract idea, they discuss how the Bible describes it as our true home and eternal destination — and how that reality should reshape how we live today. Drawing from Philippians 1, they explore Paul’s tension between longing to be with Christ and staying to bear fruit on earth, showing that a strong theology of heaven fuels purpose, joy, and courage in the present. This episode sets the foundation for the series as they continue to uncover what heaven is actually like and how it changes our everyday life.