Conversations with Jeff Bucknam

S15 | E7: Prison, Providence, and Pastoral Ministry

Everybody's got a story. And today's is one of the most compelling we've had. Pastor Jeff sits down with Dr. Jon Kelly — Lead Pastor of Chicago West Bible Church, husband to Danielle, and father of three sons. Jon was born in Chicago and raised in Philadelphia. He's a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and holds a doctorate in Global Missions from Southern Theological Seminary. But what makes Jon's story remarkable isn't just his credentials — it's the road he traveled to get here. As someone formerly incarcerated, Jon's journey is a testament to the redemptive power of God. God had other plans for Jon Kelly. And today, he tells us about them. Executive Producer and Host: Pastor Jeff Bucknam Co-host: Pastor Tommy CreutzGuest: Dr. Jon KellySound design, mixing, and editing: Louis GoGraphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S15 | E6: Multinationalism, Medicine, and Ministry

Everybody's got a story. And today's is a rich one. Pastor Jeff sits down with Dr. Lina Abujamra — a physician, an author, and a speaker who grew up in Lebanon, where she came to faith in Jesus Christ, before coming to the States to study medicine. The Lord has given her a platform that has encouraged countless people to follow Jesus — and today she shares some of that story with us. They also touch on a topic close to Lina's heart: women serving in ministry, and what that can look like in the local church. However you found this podcast today, we think you'll be glad you stayed for this one.
Executive Producer and Host: Pastor Jeff Bucknam Guest Co-host: Wesley CassfordGuest: Dr. Lina AbujamraSound design, mixing, and editing: Wesley CassfordGraphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S15 | E5: The Moore You Know

Everybody's got a story. Today's comes with a soundtrack — and possibly waffle fries. Pastor Jeff sits down with Eli Moore, a worship leader at Harvest's Elgin Campus and part of the Vertical Worship team. Eli's wife is also an owner-operator of a Chick-fil-A, which automatically makes this one of the most interesting conversations we've had. Don't miss it.Executive Producer and Host: Pastor Jeff Bucknam Guest Co-host: Wesley CassfordGuest: Eli MooreSound design, mixing, and editing: Louis Go Graphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S15 | E4: The Apologetics of Hospitality with Paul Haske

What if hospitality isn't a personality trait — it's a theological conviction? Today, Pastor Jeff is joined by Paul Haske, an elder from our Elgin Campus, and they're unpacking what the Bible actually says about opening our lives and our homes to others. It's more than being friendly. And I think this conversation might change how you see your front door.Executive Producer and Host: Pastor Jeff Bucknam Co-host: Pastor Tommy CreutzGuest: Paul HaskeSound design, mixing, and editing: Louis Go Graphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S15 | E3: Heresy Hunters with Tommy Creutz, Part 2

Everybody's got a story. Today's goes back to the early church — a time when big questions about Jesus and human nature were being fought over, sorted out, and sometimes gotten badly wrong. Pastor Jeff sits down with his co-host Pastor Tommy Creutz for Part 2 of Heresy Hunters, exploring Legalism and Gnosticism — where these ideas came from, why the church rejected them, and why they still matter to ordinary Christians today. It's theology, history, and a little bit of a detective story all in one. Listen now.
Executive Producer and Host: Pastor Jeff Bucknam Co-host and Guest: Pastor Tommy Creutz Sound design, mixing, and editing: Louis Go Graphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S15 | E2: Heresy Hunters with Tommy Creutz, Part 1

Everybody's got a story. Today's goes back to the early church — a time when big questions about Jesus and human nature were being fought over, sorted out, and sometimes gotten badly wrong. Pastor Jeff sits down with his co-host Pastor Tommy Creutz for Part 1 of Heresy Hunters, exploring Arianism and Pelagianism — where these ideas came from, why the church rejected them, and why they still matter to ordinary Christians today. It's theology, history, and a little bit of a detective story all in one. Listen now.
Executive Producer: Wesley Cassford Host: Pastor Jeff BucknamCo-host and Guest: Pastor Tommy CreutzSound design, mixing, and editing: Louis GoGraphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S15 | E1: Introduction to Sign Gifts with Stephanie Geisler

Everybody's got a story. And if you've spent any time in the church, you've probably encountered a conversation about spiritual gifts — maybe a great one, maybe an awkward one. Today, Pastor Jeff and Stephanie Geisler, Central Director of Women's Ministry at Harvest, open up 1 Corinthians 12–14 and dig into the sign gifts together. Honest, helpful, and maybe a little surprising.“Conversations with Jeff Bucknam” is a production of Harvest Bible Chapel. Executive Producer: Wesley Cassford Host: Pastor Jeff BucknamCo-host: Pastor Tommy CreutzGuest: Stephanie GeislerSound design, mixing, and editing: Louis GoGraphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S14 | E8: Church Planting 101 with Kent Shaw

Welcome to Conversations with Jeff Bucknam. Today, Pastor Jeff sits down with Kent Shaw—a ministry leader who has spent years in the trenches of church planting and training pastors—to talk about what it actually takes to start a church. What does it look like on the ground? What do you wish someone had told you before you started? And what keeps church planters going when it gets hard? Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair—this is a conversation worth having.“Conversations with Jeff Bucknam” is a production of Harvest Bible Chapel. Executive Producer: Wesley Cassford Host: Pastor Jeff BucknamCo-host: Pastor Tommy CreutzGuest: Pastor Kent ShawSound design, mixing, and editing: Louis GoGraphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S14 | E7: What Should Churches Sing? with Moses Chun

On this episode of the podcast, Pastor Jeff Bucknam tackles an important question for every church: What should churches sing? Music shapes the worship, theology, and even the spiritual formation of a congregation. But how should churches decide what belongs in a worship service? In this conversation, Pastor Jeff and Pastor Moses explore the biblical purpose of congregational singing, what Scripture says about worship, and how churches can choose songs that faithfully point people to Christ.“Conversations with Jeff Bucknam” is a production of Harvest Bible Chapel. Executive Producer: Wesley Cassford Host: Pastor Jeff BucknamCo-host: Pastor Tommy CreutzGuest: Pastor Moses ChunSound design, mixing, and editing: Louis GoGraphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith

S14 | E6: Why Should You Attend Church? with Jeff Thompson

We often hear people say, 'I love Jesus, but I don't need the church.' But can you really have the Head without the Body? Today, Pastor Jeff Bucknam and Pastor Jeff Thompson dive into the theology of gathering. We’re exploring why 'attending' church is about so much more than a service—it’s about a calling, a community, and a spiritual formation that simply can’t happen in isolation.“Conversations with Jeff Bucknam” is a production of Harvest Bible Chapel. Executive Producer: Wesley Cassford Host: Pastor Jeff BucknamGuest Co-host: Wesley CassfordGuest: Pastor Jeff ThompsonSound design, mixing, and editing: Louis GoGraphic Design: Wesley Cassford Social Media: Bryan Spahr Producer: Sherri Smith