The Pioneer Assembly

You keep trying to fix your life—but what if the answer was never you… What if it was always the cross?
Why does the cross actually matter?Why did Jesus have to die?And what does that have to do with your life right now?
In this episode with Bethany Barr Phillips, we pause the Good Fight and go beyond the surface to step into the weight of what happened on the cross—and why it changes everything.
Because the truth is… Most of us want closeness with God,but we don’t realize that the cross is the only way back.
It's not just theology. This is personal. It’s about:
the distance you feel but can’t explain
the weight you’ve been carrying
the question of whether you’re too far gone
And the reality that Jesus already made a way.
The cross isn’t just a symbol or an archaic story. 
👉 It’s where your sin was paid for👉 It’s where love was proven👉 It’s where your way back to God began
If you’re doubting, wandering, or not even sure of what you believe, this conversation is an invitation not to have it all figured out, but to come closer.
🎧 Press play, and don’t rush past this.
If this speaks to you, share it with someone who needs hope today.
 
CHAPTERS: 
00:00 — Why Does the Cross Matter? (Start Here)A raw question that most people never fully ask—but changes everything.
01:10 — What Really Happened the Day Jesus DiedFrom praise to crucifixion—how everything shifted in days.
02:30 — Why This Isn’t Just History (It’s Personal)Why the cross isn’t just a story… and why it matters to you.
03:45 — The Real Problem: Separation from GodUnderstanding sin, distance, and why we feel disconnected.
05:30 — Why You Can’t Fix This on Your OwnThe truth about self-effort, control, and trying to “be enough.”
07:15 — The Weight of Sin (And Who Carries It)Why sin has a cost—and why we couldn’t pay it.
09:00 — What Jesus Actually Did on the CrossThe moment everything changed—past, present, and future.
11:00 — The Cross Is Proof of God’s LoveNot just words—this is love demonstrated.
12:30 — Without the Cross, There Is No HopeWhy everything hinges on this one moment.
14:00 — Why We Avoid the Cross (And Why We Shouldn’t)Facing the uncomfortable truth that leads to freedom.
15:30 — This Is Your Invitation Back to GodNot pressure—an open door.
17:00 — Why This Matters for You Right NowMaking it personal. Making it real.
 
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Not every fight is the good fight.
In a world filled with cultural tension, complicated issues, and loud opinions, many Christians are left asking:
When do I step into the conversation?When do I speak up?And how do I engage without losing the heart of Jesus?
In this episode of the Pioneer Assembly Podcast, Bethany Barr Phillips sits down with Pastor Ryan McDermott to explore what it truly means to fight the good fight of faith—not by winning arguments, but by having the courage to stay in the conversation.
Together, they unpack:
• How to engage difficult and “gray area” issues with both truth and humility• Why the real battle is not what you think• How to hold strong convictions without becoming combative• Why relationships—and sometimes even tacos—matter in hard conversations• What it looks like to stay at the table when it would be easier to walk away
With honesty, humor, and real-life stories, this conversation reminds us that the good fight isn’t about proving a point—it’s about loving people well while holding onto faith.
📖 Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12🎙 Guest: Ryan McDermott
Ryan also has some incredible resources and bible studies he's authored that the Pioneer Assembly recommends!
If you’ve ever struggled with how to navigate hard conversations in your faith, this episode will encourage you to lean in with courage, grace, and a pastoral heart.
Because sometimes, the good fight simply looks like this: Staying at the table. 
 
Follow along the journey: Pioneer Assembly Instagram
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What does it look like to follow God when He doesn’t give you the full plan?
If you’ve ever felt like God was calling you somewhere but you didn’t have clarity yet, this episode will encourage you to take the next step in the good fight of faith.
Continuing the The Good Fight series, Bethany Barr Phillips sits down with Emma O’Brien to talk about what it really means to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). Emma shares her powerful testimony of leaving everything familiar in Alabama to move to New York City—without a job, without a clear roadmap, and with nothing but trust in God’s voice.
From selling her car and stepping away from stability to navigating seasons of waiting, uncertainty, and complete dependence on God, Emma’s story offers a raw, honest look at obedience in real life.
This conversation dives into:
What it means to take a step of faith without having all the answers
The internal fight between fear and trust
How God provides in moments when there seems to be no way
The quiet but powerful “fight” of waiting on God
Learning to live day-by-day in dependence on Him
Now serving on staff with church plant, Spirit Church, in New York City, Emma reflects on how God was working in every step—even when it didn’t make sense at the time.
Because the good fight of faith isn’t about having the whole map— it’s about trusting the One who does.
 
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT EMMA:
Emma is a born-and-raised Alabamian turned New Yorker living on mission in the Big Apple. She moved to NYC in total leap-of-faith fashion in 2025 and now serves in a full-time role at Spirit Church NYC, a brand new church plant where she oversees operations and communications and leads worship.
Follow her journey at @emma.in.new.york on Instagram and learn about partnering with her at emmainnewyork.my.canva.site.
 
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Are Christians supposed to fight… or be peaceful?
The Bible mentions peacemakers, yet Paul commands Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith.”
So which is it?
In this episode of The Pioneer Assembly, we tackle one of the most misunderstood ideas in modern Christianity:
What does it actually mean to fight the good fight?
Is it:• arguing on social media• defending politics• fighting culture wars
Or is it something much deeper?
We explore:
• What Paul meant when he told Timothy to fight the good fight• The difference between fighting for Jesus vs. fighting like the world• Why many Christians are fighting the wrong battles• The dangerous line between religion and the gospel• Why faith will eventually require courage, sacrifice, and endurance
And most importantly:
How do we actually fight the good fight today?
If you're tired of shallow answers and want real conversations about faith, truth, and the Christian journey, you're in the right place.
Welcome back to a brand new season of The Pioneer Assembly hosted by Bethany Barr Phillips —The place to gather for those called to go.
 
 

What if there were 10 things you needed to know about the Holy Spirit? While there are certainly more, in this episode of the Pioneer Assembly, Bethany Barr Phillips explores ten essential things to know about the Holy Spirit. This is the episode to save, review, bookmark, whatever you have to do to have a place to look back and brush up when you need it.
We’d give the 10 to you in this description to give you a sneak peak, but then you might not get all of the explanation as to why we cover a few attributes we haven’t discussed in the Summer in the Spirit series. Did you catch that? There are a few twists.
We’ll give it to you like this: The discussion covers the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit's nature, His guidance in our lives, and the empowerment He provides for believers.
Let this episode serve as a comprehensive overview for those seeking to deepen their relationship with the Holy Spirit and understand His significance in their faith journey.
 
Takeaways
“Never think of the Holy Spirit, as an it, an attitude, or an influence. He is a person and has very definite ways.” - RT Kendall
Just because something is hard, doesn’t mean you misheard the Holy Spirit.
When someone claims that they are speaking by the Holy Spirit, but what they are speaking, does not line up with the word of God, disregard it.
Don’t discount that the Holy Spirit reveals the reality of Jesus.
The guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life will reveal so much more to you than your own search ever could.
When we display the fruits of the spirit in our life, we can be sure that the gifts of the spirit are operating where and how they’re supposed to be.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit Series
04:14 - Ten Key Insights About the Holy Spirit
17:06 - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives
30:55 - Conclusion and Reflection on the Holy Spirit
 
Links
Pioneer Assembly Substack (for extra resources on the Holy Spirit)
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
R.T. Kendall’s book Holy Fire
 

Can you really be “filled” or “receive” the Holy Spirit, or is it just a one time deal? In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores receiving and being filled with the Holy Spirit. She emphasizes that this experience is not merely a one-time event but a continuous journey of prayer, pursuit, and obedience. The conversation delves into the nature of the Holy Spirit, the importance of understanding indwelling, and practical steps to cultivate a Spirit-filled life. Bethany encourages listeners to embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives and to trust in God's faithfulness.
 
Takeaways
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit occurs at salvation.
Sanctification leads to greater empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
Obedience is crucial for being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is the foundation for a relationship with God.
Pursuing God helps us understand the Holy Spirit's guidance.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit
04:46 - Understanding the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
06:32 - Two Camps of Thought on Receiving the Holy Spirit
09:41 - Personal Experiences with the Holy Spirit
16:03 - Practical Steps to Receive the Holy Spirit
19:47 - The Importance of Obedience and Pursuit
22:04 - Conclusion and Encouragement
 
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram

Have you ever felt too intimidated to ask questions for fear that everyone will already know the answer? In this episode of Pioneer Assembly, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the foundational concepts of spiritual gifts, emphasizing their importance in the life of a believer. She discusses how to identify one's spiritual gifts, the purpose they serve within the church, and the significance of love in utilizing these gifts effectively. The conversation addresses common misconceptions and encourages listeners to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and trusted friends in their faith journey.
 
Asking the Holy Spirit for guidance is crucial in discovering gifts.
Spiritual gifts are meant to serve the church and community.
Public gifts are not more valuable than behind-the-scenes gifts.
Love is essential in the exercise of spiritual gifts.
Spiritual gifts are given for a purpose, not for personal gain.
Knowing your spiritual gifts won’t simply make you a better Christian. It will make you a more fruitful Christian.
“Some people have a warped idea of living the Christian life. Seeing talented, successful Christians, they attempt to imitate them. For them, the grass on the other side of the fence is always greener. But when they discover that their own gifts are different or their contributions are more modest (or even invisible), they collapse in discouragement and overlook genuine opportunities that are open to them. They have forgotten that they are here to serve Christ, not themselves.” - Billy Graham
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Instagram
 
Spiritual Gifts Assessment
Spiritual Gifts List 
 
 
Chapters
00:00  Introduction to Spiritual Gifts
01:38  Understanding Spiritual Gifts
05:20  Defining Spiritual Gifts
09:18  Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
15:42  The Importance of Spiritual Gifts
19:34  Misconceptions About Spiritual Gifts
24:05  Conclusion and Resources

Can you grieve or quench the Holy Spirit? Is it as trivial as the elderly lady in your home church telling you to hush or the Spirit “is quenched?” In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips explores the realities of grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of knowing the Holy Spirit personally. She breaks down what each means and how they effect the daily lives of believers.
The conversation is part of the 'Summer in the Spirit' series, aimed at helping believers understand the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Book mentioned: Sensitivity to the Spirit - R.T. Kendall
Takeaways
if our choice is to simply know about him and not grow in him, we will find ourselves grieving him because we’re not living for him.
“When we discover what grieves the HS, we learn more deeply what sin is.” - R.T. Kendall
If grieving is continuing to live with or in sin, to cause sorrow, then quenching is putting water on the fire that is offered by the Spirit.
“The fire of the Spirit is suppressed when he is rejected, when his convicting power, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8–11) are ignored. We douse the Spirit’s influence in our life through doubt, we drench him with anger, we drown his power with immorality.” - Knute Larson
Choosing sin can limit the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
To live without grieving or quenching the Spirit, we must adjust our lives to align with Him.
Chapters
00:00 - Understanding the Holy Spirit
03:47 - Summer in the Spirit Series
06:57 - Grieving the Holy Spirit
12:17 - Quenching the Holy Spirit
20:12 - Living in Alignment with the Spirit
 
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Contact Bethany
 

If the Holy Spirit is everywhere, then why do we "invite" Him? In this episode of the Pioneer Assembly, host Bethany Barr Phillips delves into the concepts of the omnipresence and invitation of the Holy Spirit. As part of the "Summer in the Spirit" series, Bethany explores how understanding these aspects can transform our spiritual journey. 
Through personal stories and insightful discussions, listeners are encouraged to invite the Holy Spirit into their lives, recognizing His constant presence and the power of His manifest presence. Whether you're familiar with these ideas or exploring them for the first time, this episode offers a thoughtful examination of faith and the Holy Spirit's role in our daily lives. Join us as we embark on a journey of spiritual growth and discovery.
 
Takeaways
People often avoid discussing the Holy Spirit due to uncertainty.
When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, we are inviting Him to do what He does… not what we can do.
Weakness and dependence are crucial pieces to the manfiest presence of God.
You can’t expect the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit in your attempts to do things on your own.
Invitation points to a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Bethany's Website
 

How many times have you prayed that God would give you an audible or visual sign that He wanted you to do something? If we're honest, we often want God to speak but aren't very quick to listen.
In this episode, Bethany Barr Phillips dives into how to know the Holy Spirit's voice. Is it some mystical moment? (Quick answer... no) It’s more about relationship than a neat and tidy formula. She gives practical ways to hear the Holy Spirit like being a willing vessel, and sobering truths such as: “The Holy Spirit doesn’t need you to agree with everything He wants to do in your life.”  Don’t miss this episode if you’re longing to hear the Spirit’s voice and wiling to adjust accordingly.
 
Takeaways
The Holy Spirit's voice aligns with the Word of God.
Familiarity with God's voice comes from spending time with Him.
The Holy Spirit will never lead you to error.
Hearing God’s voice is not about a formula. It’s a relationship.
Distractions and unresolved conflicts can hinder our ability to hear God.
"We often miss hearing God's voice simply because we aren't paying attention." - Rick Warren
Chapters
00:00 - The Quest for God's Voice
02:08 - Understanding the Holy Spirit's Guidance
03:53 - The Role of Scripture in Hearing God
06:30 - The Process of Being Shaped by the Holy Spirit
08:59 - Trusting the Leading of the Holy Spirit
11:37 - Finding Peace in God's Direction
14:03 - Practical Steps to Hear God's Voice
 
Pioneer Assembly Instagram
Pioneer Assembly Substack
Pioneer Assembly Book Club
Learn more about Bethany