
Hosted by First Baptist Arlington · EN

Dr. Dennis Wiles is back in the studio after a study leave that turned out to be anything but restful. He and Luke catch up on a summer full of surprises, most notably, an unexpected partnership with the Jordanian government during the World Cup that brought thousands of people onto the church's property, connected them with royalty, The Chosen, and Muslim neighbors from across the region. What started as a simple party planning effort kept hitting walls, until God seemed to fling the doors wide open in ways no one could have planned.The conversation also turns to Sunday's sermon on Mary Magdalene, a woman whose faithful witness has too often been overshadowed by centuries of mistaken tradition. Dr. Wiles shares what inspired him about her story, why the role of women in Jesus' ministry matters more than many realize, and how all of from Jordan to Ruth to a teenager sharing the gospel on a mission trip, seems to be part of something the Spirit is weaving together this season.

This week on Tell Me More, host Katy sits down with Curt and Ashley Berryhill to unpack the fruit of the Spirit "Goodness"—the sixth stop in a nine-week series through Galatians 5:22-23. The conversation traces the word from the Hebrew tov in Genesis (where God calls His creation "good") to agathosune, a term the Apostle Paul appears to have coined by fusing the Greek word for "good" with a suffix meaning "intimately knit together." Using Barnabas—Scripture's "son of encouragement"—as a case study, Kurt explores how real goodness isn't about staying clean and uninvolved; it risks, protects, and proclaims, showing up in messy, no-win situations on behalf of other people. They also connect goodness to restoration, discipleship, and what it looks like to raise kids who bear good fruit rather than just "healthy" lives.Before diving into the theology, the team catches listeners up on a busy summer of ministry: 41 students serving at the Texas border with Texans on Mission, a small team encountering God's work among refugee communities in Southeast Asia, college students serving a church plant in Denver, and international partners visiting from Spain, Sierra Leone, and beyond. Ashley also shares an update on the church's growing pathway of student mission trips. The episode wraps with a teaser for next week's study on Faithfulness through the life of Mary Magdalene, plus details on Summer Clusters (women's Bible studies) starting soon. Learn more and get connected at fbca.org/summer.

This week, host Michael Glenn sits down with Luke Stehr and Ashley Berryhill to unpack an incredible whirlwind of a week at the church — hosting the Kingdom of Jordan's Visit Jordan Experience during the World Cup, welcoming Jordanian dignitaries and the Jordanian ambassador to the US, and celebrating the powerful hospitality shown to their new friends from the Middle East. Luke and Ashley share the behind-the-scenes story of how this partnership came together in just a matter of weeks, what the night looked like with worship, biblical history presentations, and a gift exchange, and why this moment feels like a spark for how the church is being called to engage with the Arab and broader Middle Eastern Christian community going forward.The conversation then turns to Luke's recent sermon on the book of Philemon and what it means to live out true kindness as a fruit of the Spirit — crossing cultural, national, and relational barriers the way Christ did. Ashley offers practical, everyday steps for building relationships across cultures (starting with curiosity, not judgment), and the team closes out by celebrating another highlight of the week: Kinder Bible School. It's a conversation about radical hospitality, kingdom citizenship, and what it looks like to be led by the Spirit in a divided world.

In this episode, hosts Katy and Luke welcome Connor Torrealba, First Baptist Arlington's College Minister, to the studio. Connor recently preached on the topic of patience (or "forbearance," as Dr. Wiles originally titled it), and the conversation digs into what it really looks like to wait well, on God, on circumstances, and on the people around us. Connor shares how he thinks about preaching practically, always asking himself what listeners will actually do with a message on a Tuesday, and reflects on the feedback he received from Sunday's sermon. The group also catches up on Connor's big year: buying his first home, welcoming baby daughter Phoebe in March, biking to work, and navigating the joys of wired smoke alarms going off at midnight.The heart of the conversation turns to what Connor shared with the church staff the morning after his sermon, that First Baptist Arlington is itself in a waiting season, with staff roles to fill and future direction to discern. Connor encourages everyone, staff and congregation alike, to resist cynicism in seasons of waiting, reminding listeners that cynicism is usually a sign we've taken our eyes off Jesus. Drawing from Abraham's story and his own experience between ministry positions, he challenges people to stop waiting for a specific outcome and instead ask what God might be doing in the waiting. The episode closes with prayer requests for multiple summer mission trips, the upcoming college ministry trip to Denver, the Government of Jordan's World Cup events hosted at FBCA, and a faith-filled goal of seeing 20 students come to Christ this fall.

This week, host Katy is joined by Ashley and Sarah from the engagement team for an all-female episode full of real conversation. They start by getting to know Sarah — her love story, her eight years as a missionary in Slovenia, and what it's been like returning stateside to join the team. From there, they dive into Send Sunday, a special day the church recently held to commission students heading out on summer mission trips. Ashley and Sarah share the heart behind it: building a generation of young people who are humble learners, gospel fluent, and ready to engage a global world.The conversation also unpacks the previous Sunday's sermon on God's shalom — what it means for our everyday lives, why worry and anxiety pull us away from it, and how personal peace with God is the foundation for anything else we do in the world. From the story of Abigail as an unexpected peacemaker to Jesus' words about seeking the kingdom first, this episode is a rich and honest look at what it means to live as a whole, sent people.

Camp has always been a special part of life at First Baptist Arlington, and this week’s episode celebrates the incredible ways God moved through Camp FBCA 2026. Chelsea Judkins joins the podcast to share powerful stories of life change, student leadership, and unforgettable moments from a week that impacted hundreds of students. From first-time decisions to follow Jesus to students sensing a call to ministry, the stories coming out of camp are nothing short of inspiring. You'll hear why this ministry continues to be one of the most significant investments our church makes every year. We also celebrate the volunteers, leaders, and families whose faithful service helps create space for God to work in extraordinary ways. If you've ever wondered why camp matters, this conversation offers a front-row seat to the lasting impact it can have on a student's faith journey. Be encouraged by stories of transformation, renewed faith, and the next generation stepping boldly into God's calling. Don't miss this joyful and hope-filled episode of Tell Me More.

In this special 200th episode of Tell Me More, Dr. Wiles and Luke celebrate the milestone by reflecting on God's faithfulness and sharing exciting updates from the life of First Baptist Arlington. They discuss a summer filled with ministry opportunities, including camps, mission trips, community events, and a unique World Cup outreach partnership with the nation of Jordan. The conversation also highlights ways church members can stay engaged, serve others, and make a spiritual impact both locally and globally. Looking ahead, Dr. Wiles shares vision for upcoming sermon series, a renewed focus on prayer and evangelism, and key initiatives planned for the fall. Join us as we celebrate where God has brought us and look forward to all He has in store for the months ahead.

Hosted by Katy Reed Hodges, Luke Stehr, and Dr. Dennis R. Wiles, this episode of Tell Me More explores the meaning and significance of Pentecost and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. The conversation traces Pentecost from its Old Testament roots as a festival of God’s provision to its fulfillment in Acts as the Spirit is poured out on believers. Along the way, the hosts reflect on the transformation of Peter, the global nature of the Church, and the tension between intellectual faith and openness to the Spirit’s leading. With thoughtful theology, personal stories, and practical encouragement, the episode invites listeners to consider what it means to live surrendered to the Spirit’s power in everyday life. It’s a rich and timely discussion about God’s presence, provision, and ongoing work through His people

On this episode of Tell Me More, hosts Luke Stehr and Dr. Dennis Wiles are joined by student minister Tanner Watson to reflect on recent student milestones at First Baptist Arlington, including prom weekend, senior recognition, and the church’s deep multigenerational roots. They share excitement and prayer needs for upcoming Connect Camp and Encounter Week at Riverbend, highlighting health, final preparations, safety, and good weather as key concerns. The conversation then turns to the importance of safe, well-run camps and the church’s long-term partnership with Riverbend, which provides a spiritually formative “holy ground” for children and youth. Building on Dr. Wiles’ recent sermon from Ephesians 4, the trio explore how the Holy Spirit gifts the church with apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers, emphasizing that spiritual gifts are discerned best in community rather than just by individual tests. Throughout the episode, stories from their own lives illustrate how others have recognized and affirmed their callings, encouraging listeners to pay attention to how the church community helps them discern their own spiritual giftedness.

In this episode of Tell Me More, hosts Katy Reed Hodges and Dr. Dennis R. Wiles recap a full Mother’s Day weekend at First Baptist Arlington, from baby dedications and baptisms to honoring Dr. Charles and Rosemary Wade’s 50 years of ministry. Katy shares real-life mom moments involving head bumps, ER visits, and missing car seats, while Dr. Wiles talks family traditions and grilling on the Big Green Egg. Together they unpack Ephesians 4:1–3, exploring what it means to “walk worthy” with humility, gentleness, and patience in a culture obsessed with self-promotion and online influence. They also highlight the importance of true Christian community, accountability, and summer opportunities at FBCA.