Podcast
The Stoop Sessions
Hosted by ONE HOPE · EN
Welcome to The Stoop Sessions. Join Stephanie, Joel, and Eric for candid conversations about life and ministry from the stoop in Baltimore, MD. All ministry is hard. Inner city work has its unique challenges. That's what this podcast is all about. ONE HOPE exists to build healthy churches in the inner city.
12episodes
Episodes
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Christian Celebrity with William "Duce" Branch
2w agoTap to summarizeAre Christian celebrities helping or hurting the Church? What are the dangers of platform, influence, and celebrity culture for pastors, Christian influencers, artists, and everyday believers? In this episode of The Stoop Sessions, Joel Kurz, Stephanie Greer, and William "Duce" Branch (founding member of Cross Movement) tackle one of the most important conversations facing the church today: Christian celebrity culture. Why do Christians gravitate toward celebrity pastors and influencers? How do public platforms shape our hearts? Can artists, content creators, and Christian leaders build influence without making themselves the center of attention? And what role should the local church play in keeping gifted believers grounded? Drawing from decades of ministry and leadership in Christian hip-hop, Duce shares how the movement developed, why many prominent Christian artists and influencers have drifted from Christ-centered ministry, and what the church can learn from that history. Together, the conversation explores the difference between ministry and industry, the temptation to build a personal brand, the importance of church membership and discipleship, and why the greatest platform any Christian can have is one that points people to Jesus—not themselves. Whether you're a pastor, worship leader, Christian artist, influencer, content creator, or simply a believer trying to faithfully follow Christ in a platform-driven world, this conversation will challenge you to examine your heart, treasure the local church, and pursue a ministry that exalts Christ above self. In this episode: What defines Christian celebrity? Why many Christian influencers and artists drift from the faith The rise of Christian hip-hop and what it teaches the church Ministry vs. industry The dangers of platform-building and personal branding Why the local church is God's plan for spiritual formation How to use influence without becoming the message Making disciples instead of building followers Featuring: William "Duce" Branch — Pastor, speaker, and founding member of Cross Movement. Joel Kurz — Lead Pastor of The Garden Church and Director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer — Staff Member at The Garden Church 🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: https://onehope.gives 🏡 Learn more about The Garden Church: https://thegardenbaltimore.com ❤️ Support the mission: https://onehope.gives/donate If this conversation encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with someone who is seeking to faithfully follow Jesus in a culture obsessed with platform and influence.
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CROSS Movement and Christian Hip Hop with William "Duce" Branch
4w agoTap to summarizeWelcome back to The Stoop Sessions—where we gather for honest, down-to-earth conversations about ministry and the life of the church, straight from a Baltimore stoop. In this episode, Joel Kurz sits down with Duce (William "Duce" Branch), founding member of the legendary Christian hip-hop group Cross Movement, to trace the remarkable story of how God used hip-hop to shape one of the most influential gospel ministries of the last three decades. Duce shares his testimony of growing up under the faithful evangelistic ministry of his father, wrestling with the pull of hip-hop culture, running from home, and eventually being drawn back to Christ through the gospel. Along the way, he reflects on the rise of hip-hop in New York City, the influence of Black evangelical leaders, and how God used Bible college to deepen his theological convictions and prepare him for ministry. Together, Joel and Duce explore the origins of Cross Movement—not simply as a rap group, but as an evangelistic ministry committed to proclaiming the gospel with theological depth. They discuss the unique challenges of engaging culture without compromising biblical truth, the tension between artistry and ministry, and why distinctly Christian hip-hop became a bridge between generations, introducing countless young people to sound doctrine and the beauty of the gospel. Whether you grew up listening to Cross Movement or are simply interested in the intersection of theology, culture, and urban ministry, this conversation offers an encouraging look at God's providence in raising up faithful gospel witnesses in unexpected places. Joel Kurz is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and Director of ONE HOPE. William "Duce" Branch is a founding member of Cross Movement, a Bible teacher, speaker, and one of the pioneers of distinctly Christian hip-hop. 🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives ❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate
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Ecclesiology in the Inner City: Doctrine
Dec 18Tap to summarizeWelcome back to The Stoop Sessions—where we gather for honest, down-to-earth conversations about ministry and the life of the church, straight from a Baltimore stoop. In this episode, Joel, Akin, and Stephanie sit on the stoop of the ONE HOPE Mission House in Baltimore, Maryland to talk about the importance of doctrine in the life of the church—especially in the inner city. In communities often shaped by a lack of theological training and constant exposure to shallow or false teaching, doctrine is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Why does doctrine matter for everyday believers? How does sound doctrine shape the health, worship, and mission of the church? And how do pastors and congregations alike receive, guard, and pass on good doctrine? Together, they discuss the real challenges facing this community, the danger of drifting from biblical truth, and the urgent call to combat false doctrine with the life-giving doctrine of Scripture. This conversation makes the case that doctrine is not cold or abstract—it is deeply pastoral, profoundly practical, and essential for faithfulness and endurance. Joel Kurz is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and Director of ONE HOPE. Akin Omisanmi serves as Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church. Stephanie serves alongside ONE HOPE, laboring for healthy churches and rooted discipleship in the city. 📍 Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com 📍 Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com 🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives ❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate
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Ecclesiology in the Inner City: Preaching
Nov 27Tap to summarizeWelcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. Each episode unpacks topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city. In this episode, Joel and Akin continue a conversation on ecclesiology in the inner city. They turn to the topic of preaching. In a culture of entertainment, where the task of preaching becomes nothing more than religious self-help, churches must maintain and grow in expositional preaching. Why does preaching matter? What is the difference between expositional preaching versus mere entertainment? How do pastors prepare to preach and how can church members be most ready for the Word? Together, they make the case that preaching is not an optional ornament in an otherwise successful ministry—it’s the fountain from which spiritual life flows through the church. Joel Kurz is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Akin Omisanmi serves as Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church. 📍 Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com 📍 Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com 🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives ❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate
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Finishing Well Without Ruining Your Life
Aug 13Tap to summarizeWelcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. Each episode unpacks topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city. In this episode, Joel and Akin are joined by Pastor Zach Schlegel of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro. Together, they open 1 Timothy 4:16 and explore a sobering and hopeful theme: You don’t want to ruin your life—stay faithful until the end. Zach unpacks what it means to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching,” and why this command is essential for every pastor and church member. The conversation moves from the role of the conscience in keeping us on track, to how watching your life and doctrine protects both you and your church. They discuss the devastating ripple effects when a pastor falls, and offer practical helps for guarding the soul, persevering in the faith, and finishing the race well. Together, they make the case that finishing well is not an accident—it’s the fruit of intentional watchfulness, gospel-centered endurance, and God’s sustaining grace. Joel is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Akin serves as Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church. Zach serves as Pastor at First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro. 📍 Learn more about FBC Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org 📍 Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com 📍 Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com 📍 Learn more about First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro: fbcum.org 🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives ❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate
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Ecclesiology in the Inner City
Jul 17, 2025Tap to summarizeWelcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. Each episode unpacks topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city. In this episode, we're joined by Pastor Akin Omisanmi of Southwest Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD—a faithful church that has experienced new life through revitalization. While many are drawn to the excitement of church planting, Akin shares why he chose the slower, harder, but deeply rewarding work of revitalizing an existing church in the inner city. The conversation turns toward ecclesiology—what the church is, how it functions, and why it matters deeply in places like Southwest Baltimore. Akin reflects on how a biblical vision of the local church shapes everything: from evangelism, to discipleship, to caring for the poor. He also addresses common questions: Can Biblical ecclesiology work in the inner city? Is it relevant to struggling neighborhoods? What does a healthy church actually do for the community? Together, they make the case that good ecclesiology is not just theological—it’s deeply practical, evangelistic, and essential to long-term neighborhood transformation. Joel is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Akin serves as pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church, where he’s leading a quiet but powerful work of renewal. 📍 Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com 📍 Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com 🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives ❤️ Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate
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How Your Pride is Exhausting You
Jun 8, 2025Tap to summarizeWelcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel Kurz, Stephanie Greer unpack topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city. In today’s culture, everything is on the move—always running, always grinding, always reaching for more. But where’s it all going? There’s no finish line, just an endless chase for greatness. Sadly, pastors, ministry leaders, and church members often get caught in the same cycle. Even in the midst of doing great things for God, many are running on empty—exhausted, burned out, and wondering if this is how it’s supposed to be. In this episode, we explore how pride can quietly fuel our exhaustion. Joel and Stephanie discuss how pride in place, planning, and purpose often leads to spiritual—and even physical—burnout. But there is a remedy: humility. In humility, we learn to rest—not by striving, but by trusting. This episode calls us to a deeper dependent trust in God, the only true source of rest. In addition to their work with ONE HOPE, Joel serves as lead pastor at The Garden Church, where Stephanie also serves on staff. Visit thegardenbaltimore.com to learn more. Learn more about ONE HOPE and how you can help build churches in the inner city: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate
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Work and Rest
May 14, 2025Tap to summarizeWelcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel Kurz, Stephanie Greer unpack topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city. In this episode, we explore a tension every one of us feels: the balance between work and rest. Our culture runs at a frantic pace, and “just one more thing” can often push us into overload. The result? A double-edged problem: we idolize rest, dreaming of a utopia of leisure, while also idolizing work, tying our identity to productivity. Neither extreme satisfies—both lead to burnout. Joel and Stephanie reflect on the cultural exhaustion we all feel and take a biblical look at why work is good, why rest is essential, and why both can become broken. Whether you’re a ministry leader feeling stretched thin or just someone trying to live faithfully in a demanding world, this conversation offers hope and a call back to rhythms rooted in creation and grace. In addition to their work with ONE HOPE, Joel serves as lead pastor at The Garden Church, where Stephanie also serves on staff. Visit thegardenbaltimore.com to learn more. Learn more about ONE HOPE and how you can help build churches in the inner city: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate
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The Working Church
May 2, 2025Tap to summarizeWelcome back to The Stoop Sessions, where we have casual, down-to-earth conversations about ministry—straight from a Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel Kurz, Stephanie Greer, and a guest unpack topics around healthy church ministry in the inner city. In this episode, we’re joined by James Choi, pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in Rockville, MD, and a PhD candidate at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, focusing on Charles Spurgeon’s theology of conversion. We dig into a critical issue facing churches today: ministry that’s become professionalized, leaving many congregations as passive spectators rather than active Gospel workers. James shares about his recent visit to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, offering a glimpse of Spurgeon’s legacy of a working church—a church where every member plays a part in the mission. Together we explore how pastors can equip their people not just to attend but to engage fully in the life-giving work of the local church. Learn more about James' ministry at newcovbap.church. In addition to their work with ONE HOPE, Joel serves as lead pastor at The Garden Church and where Stephanie also serves on staff. Visit thegardenbaltimore.com to learn more. Learn more about ONE HOPE and how you can help build churches in the inner city: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate
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We're Back on an (Actual) Stoop
Apr 30, 2025Tap to summarizeAfter a hiatus, The Stoop Sessions is back, coming to you from an (actual) stoop in Baltimore. Join Joel, Stephanie, and guests as we discuss all things related to healthy church ministry in the inner city. This episode is just a quick hello. New episodes to come soon. Like, subscribe, share, and do whatever you do. It helps!
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