One of the fruits of his recent sabbatical is that Pastor Brent strongly desires to regularly teach elective classes here at New Life. In this episode, he banters with Pastor Paul about five one-off elective classes coming up this school year on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Dome. Nov. 4: “The Last Days: Introduction to the End Times”; Dec. 2: “Wisdom in a Digital Age: Devices, Social Media, and AI”; Feb. 17: “The Spiritual Realm: Angels and Demons”; April 28: “Geography of the Bible: What It Matters”; and May 26: “Councils, Creeds, and Confessions: Are They Authoritative?” A long-term goal is to offer Sunday school for adults and youth in the current classroom wing, which is yet another reason we’re praying for a new classroom wing to be built as the Lord wills and provides! Meanwhile, these one-off electives (and more in the future) will help our local body to renew our minds (Rom. 12:2) and deepen our fellowship and whole-life discipleship.
Episode 126 - APPA
Reflecting on his recent commissioning on Sunday 10/12/25, Associate Pastor Paul Arneberg starts with an ABBA parody and then reviews three title changes since being hired on 10/1/23. This episode also includes lauding the plurality of leaders and teams at New Life EFC; Paul’s earnest prayers for the Lord’s direction regarding location, congregation and vocation starting in January 2020; endeavoring to live out Pastor Brent’s “prophecy” of fruitfulness (based on faithfulness) in addition to the dichotomous goal of being a catalyst and collaborator; and sharing how the Lord answered in times of desperate need and only by His strength. Pastor Paul interweaves several key Scripture passages that continue to be key in his calling and growing trust in the Lord, including Ps. 23:3; 118:5; Isa. 40:30-31; Mark 10:13-16; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:5; and Jas. 4:15.
Episode 125 - The State of Our Culture
Paul and Pastor Brent discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its deep affect on many among us. Key points in their dialogue include boasting only in the cross of Christ; increasing our boldness for the gospel; and prioritizing in-person relationships, especially rooted in fellow believers through the local church. Paul also reflects briefly on Charlie Kirk’s faith and his Sept. 21 memorial service where many eulogists openly shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. He also recaps five points as taught to our Youth Group who are processing the events of the past three weeks. Pastor Brent ends with a strong exhortation to curb the use of social media (even challenging some to consider a fast) before Paul closes with a benediction from 2 Tim. 3:12-17.
Episode 124 - Generations - A Poetic Tribute to the Late Audrey Arneberg
At 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, 1985, Paul witnessed his mom die after long battles with breast cancer and leukemia. This poem was written during the pandemic for Paul’s former monthly column for Jugheads Youth Juggling Co. As Audrey Arneberg’s death in the middle of Paul’s high school career is a major part of his testimony, he reads the poem along with brief commentary on death; how survivors should use death as an occasion to glean examples from the departed while also renewing one’s purpose to trust in and live for the Lord (see Eccl. 7:2); and look to Jesus and our blessed hope in Him, His return, and His promise that all the redeemed will live forever together in His kingdom (see 1 Thes. 4:13-18). The final four lines of Paul’s 92-line poem attempt to express Christ-centered stewardship of the years the Lord gives us (regardless of lifespan) and the highest aim for one’s life and death in Christ: “I want to live well and to die in the Son / When All told, I yet live for an Audience of One.”
Episode 123 - Romans Series - Faith in the OT and NT
Pastor Brent and Paul introduce the new sermon series on Romans by discussing faith in both the Old and New Testaments. Salvation by faith is traced to the very first chapters of the Bible, and the Apostle Paul grounds his argument in the OT prophet Habakkuk. Centering on Rom. 1:16-17 (the thesis statement of Romans), Pastor Brent and Paul also cover strong supportive passages for salvation by faith, including Heb. 11 and Eph. 2:1-10.
Episode 122 - Cohorts and Christ-Centered Camaraderie
On the brink of Labor Day and the start of a new school year and ministry season, Pastor Brent and Paul discuss ministry cohorts as life-giving and applicable to all Christ-followers. A key element in long-term ministry is consistent, intentional connections with other believers going through (and mentors who have gone through) similar experiences, challenges, and joys. Paul opens this episode recognizing the recent passing of Dr. James Dobson and the influence he’s had on many in the church since the 1970’s. He and Brent then share specific ministry cohorts with which they’re currently involved. When the word “resiliency” is used by the secular corporate world as compared with the Christian world, Pastor Brent asserts that the former uses it merely to apply to life management and burnout prevention while the latter uses it to grow in Christ-centeredness. A good thesis statement for this episode is a quote by one of Pastor Brent’s seminary professors, Dr. Donald Guthrie: “The secret sauce to resiliency is peer groups.”
Episode 121 - Welcome Back, Kompelien!
Five days back from his three-month sabbatical, Pastor Brent talks with Paul recapping the purpose of sabbatical and sharing stories of family and personal adventures. The two banter regarding how New Life functioned well in Brent’s absence and how our congregation can move forward with resolve for increased ministry “ownership” as well as appreciation for one another. Paul’s opener is a parody of the 1970’s TV sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter”, and his benediction from Psalm 121:7-8 (NKJV) points to the Lord who graciously preserves His people, in this case the Kompelien family specifically, in our “going out and (our) coming in from this time forth, even forevermore.”
Episode 120 - Eyes, Shoulders, Knees & Ears (Knees & Ears)
“Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.” —Deut. 34:7 (ESV) Keying off of this episode number and Moses’ remarkable lifespan and strong ending, Paul overviews three areas of physical challenges with which nearly all humans struggle: from birth (defects, etc.); from activities (injuries, etc.); and from aging (both predictable and unpredictable maladies). Using a few personal examples with an aim to challenge listeners in Christ to long for our resurrection bodies even while humbly adapting to our temporal issues, Paul draws on key passages from Phil. 4:6-7; 2 Cor. 4:16-17; and 1 Cor. 15. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” —2 Cor. 4:16 (ESV)
Episode 119 - Overcoming Addiction - Part 2
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” —Psalm 119:09 (ESV) In Part 2 of this interview with Carl & Becky Lewis, Paul asks the Lewises how they came to New Life as well as specific steps they’ve taken to restore trust and safeguard against returning to sinful addictive tendencies. Carl reviews his years in the Pure Desire ministry (with Becky in a group called Beyond Betrayal) which led Carl to start a ministry called Pure Men here in Hastings. Becky also shares her struggle of overcoming and managing anxiety, depression and bi-polar B. Phil. 4:13 and Heb. 11:1 are respective life verses for Carl & Becky, and Paul’s benediction from Phil. 4:8-9 emphasizes the purity and peace that comes from God alone.
Episode 118 - Overcoming Addiction - Part 1
Carl & Becky Lewis have been committed New Lifers since 2011. In this transparent-yet-discreet interview with Paul, the Lewises give their marriage journey, faith story, and overcoming sexual addiction by God’s grace, forgiveness, and accountability. Part 1 focuses on how Carl & Becky came together as a couple; how infidelity led to separation; and how the Lord used a Greg Laurie crusade to bring them both to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s opener and benediction were both drawn from Psalm 118, rejoicing in the days the Lord has appointed for us and praising Him for being rejected for us, bearing our sin, and giving us new life and acceptance by God the Father through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ the Son for our sins.
Episode 117 - Building His House - Part 2
“Only Jesus Lights the Way Home.” This is the living epitaph for Ben Myre, our guest in part 2 of “Building His House.” Ben struggled for 10 years exploring other religions to find God, but he realized at age 24 that Jesus is the ONLY way to God! The title for these two episodes has a three-fold meaning: 1) Ben is building his family with his wife, Kristi; 2) Jesus is building His spiritual house, the Church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-5); and 3) Lord willing, New Life will soon build a new classroom wing for the glory of God (physical space expansion; multiplying ministry options; and further developing Disciple-by-Doing). New Lifers interested in discussing and possibly leading D-by-D activities (with a few forming a leadership team led by Paul) are encouraged to attend a vision & brainstorm meeting on Sunday, Aug. 3 from 6-7:30 in the Dome.
Episode 116 - Building His House - Part 1
Paul sits down with his friend Ben Myre, New Life member and new chair of our Building Team. After swapping impersonations of one another, Part 1 focuses on Ben’s testimony and family, including how the Lord brought the Myres to New Life EFC in 2023 after living in five locations and having four kids along the way! Although highly active as a husband, father, project manager, and volunteer in several ministry areas at New Life, Ben’s testimony to his saving faith in Christ can be summarized in six words which he’d like as his epitaph: “Only Jesus Lights the Way Home.”
Episode 115 - Mid-Summer Ministry Meetings
In this mid-summer episode, Paul returns to “regularly scheduled church programming” by discussing a few summer meetings that vitally inform and empower ongoing ministry. Paul opens with short tributes to the iconic TV series “The Twilight Zone” (1959-1964) and the recent passing of long-time pastor and theologian John MacArthur (1939-2025). He then offers a preview and overview of New Life’s Annual Meeting on July 27 and discusses leadership teams for Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry. He ends by reviewing of our Disciple-by-Doing ministry strategy and plugs a vision & brainstorm meeting on Sun., Aug. 3 after which a leadership team will help drive Disciple-by-Doing across all affinity ministries at New Life.
Episode 114 - The Art of Film - Top 200 Movie List Overview
Paul walks through his life-long love of film by overviewing some origins and milestones for why movies (aka cinema, motion pictures, flicks, talkies) are an enduring favorite hobby. From gathering around the family TV in the 70’s to regularly hosting movie parties large and small, Paul continues to develop a Top 200 Movie list he began 40+ years ago. His criteria for ranking his favorite films include: standing up to/improving with repeated viewings; biblical worldview; writing/story; acting performances; directing/technical; design; entertainment value (notably the soundtrack/score); and cautions against offensive material (minimal innuendo/sinful sexual content, God’s name in vain/excessive profanity, or gratuitous violence devoid of redemptive/historical value). Ultimately, films should inspire and direct our hearts to the reality of the story of redemption being played out in our lives and in history until Jesus returns to renew all things!
Episode 113 - EFCA One - 2025 National Conference Recap
Paul Arneberg brings back a report from EFCA One, the biennial national conference for our denomination. This year’s location was Valley Church in West Des Moines, IA and marked the 75th anniversary of the EFCA Merger in 1950. Paul overviews the five worship service (plenary session) speakers; the six trainings (breakout sessions) he attended; opportunities to connect with vocational church staff and missionaries; and a special presentation and dinner honoring Rev. Dr. Kevin Kompelien as he retires as president of TEDS and formerly president of the EFCA. Paul also shares his personal highlights, including the message by Pastor Quintin Stieff, “We Are People Who Love Our Neighbors and Love Our Communities”, and our own Pastor Brent Kompelien’s training session, “Re-placing Discipleship in the Local Church: Hands-on Learning that Embodies, Embeds, and Enacts the Biblical Story.” Just today, the EFCA posted videos of the five worship service speakers and other helpful resources, including an inspiring reenactment of the 1950 merger photo with the 1,003 conference attenders in 2025!
Episode 112 - Admin Ministry - Part Too
Paul concludes his two-part interview with Administrative Coordinator Anne Van Kleek. After recapping her testimony, Paul asks Anne to describe how her church staff experience has been deeply enriched amidst her current two-year process of taking the Prepared class through the EFCA. The second half focuses on her and Glenn raising their special needs daughter, Mary. (Note: The intentional misspelling in the title is a nod to the MN State Fair’s “Admin Too” building by the Bandshell and a subtle tip-of-the-hat to the many proofreading needs required of those who regularly publish newsletters, emails, postings, and podcast descriptions. ;-)
Episode 111 - Admin Ministry - Part 1
Paul sits down with Anne Van Kleek, our faithful Administrative Coordinator who has been serving vocationally at New Life since October 2021. In Part 1, Anne shares her testimony, including how the Lord has guided both her and her husband of 35 years, Glenn, through many trials and joys: their initial pregnancy ending in a stillbirth at 7.5 months; a healthy boy; an early miscarriage; and a special needs daughter. Anne shares the Van Kleeks’ journey through three local churches and how the Lord has blessed them through each experience during specific seasons of life, including gaining a heart for missions. The last part of Part 1 covers Anne’s hiring at New Life; a typical day in her job role; and her recent freedom of seeing her Sunday morning role as an act of worship rather than merely a to-do list.
Episode 110 - Life Mission Statement - Part 2
Paul starts this second podcast on his life mission statement with a triple-shoutout to the number 110: the lifespan of Joseph (a type of Christ); the lifespan of Joshua (Heb.: Yeshua, another type of Christ); and the messianic Psalm 110. Paul then dives into his life mission statement using select Scriptures and commentary: “Bearing fruit for Jesus Christ, faithfully stewarding mentorship, teaching, leadership, writing, speaking, marriage, and hospitality, by God’s grace, through the Spirit’s power, for His glory.” The seven targeted words reflect a calling to influence, communicate, and life-share, all centered in our Triune God. Regardless of gifts, age, or spiritual maturity, all Christ-followers should examine priorities for purposeful living for the Lord!
Episode 109 - Life Mission Statement - Part 1
As Pastor Brent is still in the early weeks of his 3-month sabbatical, Paul recounts his own partial sabbatical back in 2016. Tying together his life-changing summer as a camp counselor in 1989 with a year of marriage restoration in 2007, Paul details how a challenging adventure to Philmont Scout Ranch prompted him to write a 25-word life mission statement. In so doing, Paul has seen the Lord’s grace and a continuity of calling from age 20 through today and as long as the Lord wills him to live. All listeners are challenged to make intentional choices and respond to unexpected trials in order to live more fruitfully and purposefully for the Lord our God.
Episode 108 - The Dichotomy of Humanity, Part 2
Paul offers “director’s commentary” for his Psalm 8 sermon on 5/25/25. The themes of our human weakness, the strength of the LORD (YHWH), and the grace of Jesus are found throughout Psalm 8. Key cross-references include Heb. 2:5-9; 4:14-16; Matt. 11:25-30; 21:16; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; and Rev. 22:3-5. God’s Name, God’s Glory, and God’s Will in Psalm 8 help us to make sense of the dichotomy of our sinful, broken state apart from Christ—and His offer for redemption and fulfillment to reign with Him forever in glory and honor on the New Earth!