Presence & Power - with Brenna Bullock | Wake-Up Call Conversations - The Wake-Up Call

Podcast Summary: The Wake-Up Call
Episode: Presence & Power - with Brenna Bullock | Wake-Up Call Conversations
Date: March 12, 2026
Host: J.D. (of Seedbed)
Guest: Brenna Bullock

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, host J.D. is joined by worship leader and songwriter Brenna Bullock for an expansive conversation about the mysterious interplay between the presence and power of Jesus, especially as experienced in communion and worship. They discuss the story and meaning behind the new Bristol House album "Presence and Power," personal experiences of suffering and healing, the transformative role of hymns in spiritual formation, and how encountering Jesus shapes all of life—including profound moments of loss. Throughout, they explore holy mystery, creativity, practical theology, and the enduring power of song to carry faith across generations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Story Behind "Presence and Power"

Opening Reflection: The episode begins with a snippet from the song "Presence and Power" (04:24), introducing the theme that communion is more than simple remembrance—it embodies divine love.
Brenna’s Creative Process:
- The song emerged over years of her journey deeper into communion’s meaning.
- “It feels like something that the Lord just gave us. And we are yet to fully understand what it is even that we're singing.” (01:56, Bullock)
- Emphasizes the ongoing, unfolding revelation in worship songwriting.

Personal Story: Suffering, Encounter, and Calling

Childhood Illness & Encounter with Jesus:
- Brenna shares about a pivotal encounter with Christ during serious childhood illness that set the course for her faith and worship calling.
- “All the ways of my childhood and the things that I endured... really began to weave my heart to Jesus and connect me to him in such a formative way.” (07:10, Bullock)
Encouragement for Young Listeners:
- She speaks directly to young people experiencing hardship:
  - “Jesus is. He's worth it. He's worth everything.... All those other things kind of start to fade away.... You are going to be okay.” (11:36, Bullock)

Communion: From Ritual to Movement

Communion as a Lived Encounter:
- Brenna recounts a transformative stretch in the hospital and at home marked by physical suffering, receiving communion as a sacramental act of healing.
  - “JD came to my house, served me communion. That was a moment on. I mean, that was more than a moment. That was one of those things where the Lord was like, take note of this.” (15:38, Bullock)
Role of the Table in Spiritual Life:
- Table imagery—operating room, Psalm 23 table, communion table—as ongoing places of healing encounter.
  - “What do you do in an operating room?... You let the physician do the work.” (17:56, Bullock)
Wesleyan Communion Theology:
- Communing as more than mere memorial, but participation in the eternal, material-spiritual mystery.
  - “It's not about activity... nor passivity. It's about receptivity.” (23:36, J.D.)
  - “If you sit out there... and you don't go forward, you're just passive. You get—you're getting nothing. But nothing you could do could make any of that happen. You're going with your hands open. And he is saying, my body given for you.” (24:30, J.D.)
  - “Anamnesis... The thing is happening again because it's like it never stopped happening... It's coming forward.” (27:59, J.D.)

Hymns & Worship: The Power of Song Across the Ages

The Weaving of Old and New:
- Bristol House’s mission is blending the ancient and contemporary in worship.
  - “They don’t blend them, they weave them. They do a weaving of the old and the new and it's tapestry like.” (05:44, J.D.)
Hymns as Cardio for the Soul:
- Hymns anchor, renew the mind, and give language to things “we don’t yet believe.”
  - “It gives you something to anchor to. It matters what we say, it matters what we sing...it has changed me as a worshipper.” (36:01, Bullock)
- J.D. shares the principle: “We were made to sing, because there’s something about singing that activates the fullness of human personhood.” (33:23, J.D.)
Continuity with the Church Universal:
- Not “just us here”—but the saints across the ages gather in worship.
  - “We're the communion of saints. And they are worshiping God.” (39:00, J.D.)
  - “It was about a story that I’ve written that is way beyond anything you could ever really comprehend. Humbling. So humbling.” (41:16, Bullock)
Songwriting Challenge & Legacy:
- Inspired by Charles Wesley’s output.
  - “Charles Wesley wrote over 6,000 songs… Are y’all up to that yet?” (42:38, J.D.)
  - “He wrote tons of hymns on Communion.” (43:37, J.D.)

Practicing and Participating in the Mystery

On Activity, Passivity, & Receptivity (23:17–24:30):
- J.D. distinguishes between striving, passivity, and true receptivity in spiritual life—a recurring motif for the entire conversation.
Communion as “The Kiss of God”:
- “It’s the kiss of God, isn’t it?” (29:24, J.D.)
Embodied Worship Transforms Community:
- Personal testimony about the power of worship leadership:
  - “You were just moving. And you know, sometimes... worship leaders can be distracting. And they're moving. I'm like, oh, no, she's drawing us in. She's going somewhere in those tennis shoes. You better believe I'm trying. Taking us with her. We're going to the throne of God.” (52:08–52:18, J.D. & Bullock)

Grief, Presence, and Hope

Loss and the Communion of Saints (45:58–49:39):
- Brenna reflects on the recent death of her father, sharing profound grief and comfort within the hope of Christian resurrection.
  - “My mom just took our hands and looked at us and said, this is why we believe... In my worst fear, I can tell you that fear became a reality and Jesus was there.” (47:31–49:19, Bullock)
- J.D. connects this to the need for songs anchoring believers not only in present faith, but ultimate hope:
  - “We need songs that lift that up. We need songs that cause for people to long for fullness of His presence. For heaven. For new creation.” (49:42–50:11, J.D.)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

On Communion’s Mystery:
- “It's not about activity... nor passivity. It's about receptivity.” (23:36, J.D.)
Worship Leadership Embodied:
- “She's drawing us in. She's going somewhere in those tennis shoes... Taking us with her. We're going to the throne of God.” (52:08–52:18, J.D. & Bullock)
Communion as "The Kiss of God":
- “That's kind of like... I'm not really going to kiss my spouse because it's such a special thing. We're just going to do it every now and then... Communion. Right. It's the kiss of God, isn't it?” (29:24, J.D.)
On the Communion of Saints:
- “We're the communion of saints. And they are worshiping God... I often ask this question about a worship service: Like, if St. Francis showed up here today, would he recognize anything we're doing? Would he feel at home here?” (39:00–39:19, J.D.)
Grief and Resurrection Hope:
- “This is why we believe... In my worst fear, I can tell you that fear became a reality and Jesus was there.” (47:31–49:19, Bullock)

Important Segments with Timestamps

00:44 – Introduction of “Presence and Power” lyric and devotion
03:33 – Brenna sings the chorus of “Presence and Power”
07:10 – Brenna’s personal story of childhood, faith, and calling
11:36 – Advice to young people facing suffering
14:50 – Hospital story & the power of communion during suffering
18:00–22:00 – Table/Communion imagery, personal story of worship, healing, and writing
23:17–24:30 – Activity vs. passivity vs. receptivity insight
25:35–27:57 – Communion: a concrete mystery; embodied spirituality
27:59–28:29 – Anamnesis: Eucharist as participation, not just memory
33:23 – “We were made to sing,” and discussion of hymns’ power
36:01 – The formative power of hymns in belief and worship
39:00–41:16 – Worship through the lens of the “communion of saints”; acknowledgement of songwriters across the centuries
45:58–49:39 – Grief, loss of Brenna’s father, and comfort of faith
52:08–52:18 – Story of seeing Brenna lead worship; “going to the throne of God”
53:10–end – Upcoming events, album release notes, and closing blessings

Episode Tone & Feel

The conversation is warm, vulnerable, hopeful, and rich in practical theology. Both speakers model spiritual authenticity—sharing their struggles, questions, and worshipful gratitude. The integration of storytelling, teaching, and music creates an immersive sense of participating in an ongoing spiritual journey of presence and power.

Further Resources

Bristol House “Presence and Power” Album: Available on Spotify, YouTube, and major platforms.
Featured Songs: “Presence and Power,” “Psalm 23,” “All Creatures of Our God and King,” “Come Thou Fount,” “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” and others.
Connect: Seedbed.com/wakeupcall

Summary crafted to reflect the detailed and contemplative nature of “The Wake-Up Call”; ideal for listeners seeking spiritual depth, worship renewal, and encouragement in life’s valleys and victories.