ONE | A Potter’s House Church Podcast

Episode: 23andMe – Phil Munsey

Date: September 15, 2025
Host/Preacher: Pastor Torre Roberts and church leadership

Overview

This episode features Phil Munsey delivering an anniversary message called "23andMe," celebrating the 23rd year of ONE Church. Munsey draws parallels between the concept of DNA (as popularized by genetic testing companies like 23andMe) and the spiritual DNA of a church community. He explores how understanding the heritage, calling, and unique “spiritual DNA” of the church can unlock individual and collective destinies. Throughout, Munsey uses scripture, personal anecdotes, prophetic exhortation, and humor to encourage congregants to embrace the church’s legacy—and their role in its unfolding story.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning of Anniversaries vs. Birthdays (03:43 – 05:57)

• Munsey opens by framing the 23rd anniversary as more akin to a marriage than a birthday, emphasizing the ongoing work and mutual commitment required in both church and marital relationships.
  • Quote:

    "Anniversaries cost us something. Anniversaries are a deliberate celebration of dedication and getting through difficulties. A church and a relationship with our church is much like a marriage." (04:05)

2. 23andMe, DNA, and Spiritual Heritage (06:01 – 12:22)

• The theme "23andMe" references both the church’s 23 years and human DNA. By paralleling biological DNA (23 chromosomes) with the “DNA” of the church, Munsey highlights how spiritual traits, legacies, and callings are transmitted through generations.
  • Quote:

    "The more you can understand where you came from, the more you can understand where you are and where you can go from this place." (06:44)

    • He emphasizes that members' destinies are tied to the spiritual history and calling of the church.
    • Using Acts 17:27-28, he notes that our existence and placement ("when you would be born, where you would be born, and by whom you would be born through") are orchestrated by God, not accidents.

3. God-Orchestrated Connections: Church & Destiny (10:06 – 16:13)

• Munsey teaches that, just as we don’t choose our biological family, God also appoints us to local church families.
  • The unique calling and “sound” of a church becomes a signal that aligns with individual destinies.
  • Quote:

    "A lot of people think that you pick the church you go to, but you really don't. No more than you picked your parents… God has fitly framed you to be where you need to be." (10:13)

  • He uses musical imagery—a trumpet's note resonating with a piano string—to illustrate how finding the right spiritual home activates resonance, opportunity, and resources in one’s life.

4. Celebrating the Unique DNA of Every Church (12:00 – 14:38)

• Drawing from Revelation 2–3, Munsey observes that different churches have different mandates and strengths. The goal is unity in diversity, not uniformity.
  • Quote:

    "The church needs to become one, but not the same... He gave them their unique candlestick and said, 'You be you.'" (12:22)

• Emphasizes embracing difference, both personally and corporately.

5. From Independence to Interdependence (13:23 – 14:03)

• Contrasts cultural individualism with the biblical model of moving from dependence, to healthy independence, to spiritual interdependence (as in family or church).

6. The Distinctive Qualities of ONE Church’s DNA (14:03 – 21:29)

• Faith: A church “of faith” that lives, speaks, and imparts faith.
• Love: Unconditional acceptance at all stages, for all people.
• Unique assignment: A special “sound”, mission, and anointing that distinguishes ONE from other congregations.
• Royal and priestly calling:
  • Drawing from Revelation 1, Munsey proclaims,

    "He has made us to be kings and priests to the glory of God."

• Cultural Influence: The mandate to be "salt, light, and a city on a hill"—shaping education, entertainment, and economics for God’s purposes.

7. Influence, Culture, and Hollywood as Principality (22:45 – 24:30)

• Recognizes Hollywood as both a physical region and a spiritual force shaping global culture through media.
• Stresses the church’s place at the epicenter of cultural transformation, asserting that believers can and should have influence at all levels.

8. Psalm 23 as Prophetic Declaration (24:56 – 31:29)

• Munsey reads and expounds on Psalm 23, relating its promises (shepherding, provision, protection, table before enemies) to the church’s journey.

9. Handling Offense and Covenant Commitment (26:38 – 29:03)

• Uses a marriage analogy to teach that real love—and so lasting church connection—begins after offense is encountered and overcome.
• Quote:

  "Love begins where offense ends. The same way with the church." (27:42)

• Members are encouraged to remain, especially when challenged or offended, to access the fullness of spiritual inheritance (“23andMe”).

10. Embracing Correction, Anointing, and Destiny (34:33 – 39:22)

• To inherit the promised destiny, correction and direction must be accepted.
• Anointing “flows from the top” (leaders), and embracing the house’s DNA brings tangible favor, opportunities, and breakthroughs.
  • Quote:

    "When you come into covenant with a church and you embrace the DNA, the 23andMe principle, then God will give you all of the sacrifices… you begin where they end. You stand on the shoulders of champions." (34:10)

11. Prophetic Declarations: Babylon Will Fall, God’s People Will Rise (30:30 – 48:11)

• Munsey prophesies the imminent collapse of “Babylon” (worldly systems that oppose God) and the promotion of God’s people.
  • Quote:

    "Babylon is going to fall. And I believe it's going to fall in our lifetime… And God's people are going to step up and say, 'Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.'" (31:29)

• Urges listeners to build, marry, and expand even during “Babylonian captivity,” echoing Jeremiah 29:11.

12. Practical & Personal Application (43:42 – End)

• Challenges congregation to marry, build families, and prosper instead of waiting for perfect conditions.
• Prophetic encouragement for the impossible—home ownership, businesses, fertility, etc.—because “if it’s impossible, count God in.”
  • Quote:

    "I'm going to prophesy, in a year from now, somebody listening to me is going to be engraving their keys saying, 'I got a house, I got some equity, I got me a home.'" (49:41)

• Testimonies of practical favor (family starting businesses, overcoming infertility) affirm the “23andMe” inheritance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Church and Marriage:

  "A church and a relationship with our church is much like a marriage... Anniversaries cost us something."
  (04:05)

• On Finding Your Spiritual Home:

  "People would come... after three or four weeks...they come to membership. This is something we heard over and over: 'the minute we came into the parking lot...we knew we had found our home.' ...You heard a sound. That was the sound that you had found your shepherd."
  (15:11 – 15:45)

• On Prophetic Destiny:

  "What you meant for harm, God is turning into harmony."
  (17:39 – 17:52)

• On Influence in Culture:

  "Whoever has the gold, you know, the golden rule: whoever has the gold rules...God is lifting up a church that has financial favor to step into the arena of entertainment and education."
  (21:29)

• On Facing Offense and Staying Planted:

  "When you get offended, that's when you make a decision: The Lord is my shepherd...and I will stay true to the heart of a shepherd."
  (28:53)

• On the Coming Fall of Babylon:

  "Babylon is going to fall. And I believe it's going to fall in our lifetime... And God's people are going to step up and say, 'Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.'"
  (31:29)

• On Inheriting Spiritual Equity:

  "When you come into covenant with a church and you embrace the DNA...then God will give you all of the sacrifices that have been paid... You stand on the shoulders of champions."
  (34:10)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• 03:43–05:57: Church anniversaries as proofs of mutual commitment, not just longevity.
• 06:01–12:22: “23andMe” and DNA analogy unpacked; destiny rooted in spiritual lineage.
• 14:03–21:29: Unique attributes and mission of the church—faith, love, royal/priestly anointing, cultural mandate.
• 22:45–24:30: Discussion of Hollywood’s influence, church’s strategic placement to shape culture.
• 24:56–31:29: Psalm 23 as a prophetic banner for the house and its people.
• 26:38–29:03: Handling offense, the true test of covenant commitment.
• 34:33–39:22: Prophetic word regarding receiving spiritual equity and the importance of correction and direction.
• 43:42–47:13: Practical application—building, marrying, prospering even in adversity; “if it’s impossible, count God in.”
• 49:41–50:51: Prophecy about home ownership, new businesses, and supernatural provision.

Conclusion

“23andMe” is a call for the congregation to embrace the unique spiritual DNA, heritage, and destiny of ONE Church. Through vibrant metaphor, personal and biblical storytelling, and prophetic encouragement, Phil Munsey challenges listeners to move beyond superficial connection to deep, covenantal belonging. He promises that as each person aligns with and invests in the church’s calling, spiritual favor, breakthrough, and generational transformation will flow—not only to the church collectively, but into individual lives and families.