Episodios

  • Identifying with Christ Conversation
    Aug 19 2025

    Welcome, you are listening to the Faith First podcast produced by us here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. Hello, I’m Jonathan Gouthier, the host and a pastor here at First Church. Today’s episode is one of those sit-down conversations. I’m having with our lead pastor, Steven Darr, on the topic of identifying with Christ. Hey Steve, glad you could be with us today

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • What is the identity of a believer?
    • Those who follow Christ are called a new creation. If we are new, at one time, what were we?
    • Why is holiness a characteristic of our new identity?
    • What are the privileges and responsibilities of our new identity in Christ?

    Our new identity is not something we earned, but it is a gift of grace. We are called to live out this identity daily, understanding that we are dead to sand and alive to God. As we grow in our faith, we will increasingly reflect the life of Christ in our words, our actions, and our relationships. Our identity in Christ is the foundation of our Christian walk.
    We trust that the Faith First podcast provides you with some encouragement to walk out your faith first in the world. If this is your first time with us, be sure to hit the subscribe button below and be alerted when a new episode launches. Until next time, recognize that your identity is in Christ faith first.

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    15 m
  • Making Connections for Life Conversation
    Dec 2 2025

    Hey there! You’re listening to the Faith First Podcast and I’m Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, CT. Let me ask you during these summer months, have you kept yourself hydrated? I am sure you have you lost the ability or desire to make connections? I am talking about true deep connections within the body of Christ and with Jesus Himself. Connecting with Christ for Life is what our Lead Pastor Steve Darr and myself will dive into today. Welcome Steve, glad you’re here.

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why is our connection with each part of the Trinity important for our spiritual growth and How does it shape our connection with others?
    • What does being made in the image of God signify to us in how we ought to live our lives?
    • The connection between all three persons of the Trinity to tightly knit together for they are three-in-one. How does this connection show us how to be as the Body of Christ?
    • What would you say to the person who doesn’t think they need a community, a church, a gathering of other Christians, what would you say about their connectedness with God and each other?

    Just as the Trinity consists of three distinct persons, the church is made up of diverse individuals with unique gifts, backgrounds, and callings. And, we are united by one Spirit and one purpose— to glorify God.

    If this is your first time with us here at the Faith First Podcast, we hope you enjoyed what you heard and will hit the subscribe button below and be notified to when a new episode will air. Until then, get connected to other Christians and to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, faith first.

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    12 m
  • Identifying with Christ Message
    Aug 12 2025

    Welcome! You are listening to the Faith First Podcast. I’m Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor and your host and a pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. Do you have any special people that you look up to and wish that you could be like them? I think we all have those individuals who we can identify with because we have commonalities with them. But let me ask you, have you ever thought about how you identify with Christ? If you haven’t then this message given by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr is just what you’re going to need, so let’s listen in…

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why the identity of a believer is one of the most profound aspects of the Christian faith
    • What happens when we come to Christ
    • How we are transformed when we walk in newness of life
    • When we get our new identity in Christ

    As followers of Christ, we are to embrace our identity in Christ wholeheartedly. Scripture tells us to embrace the fullness of our identity in Christ. It reminds us that we have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection, and as a result, we are called to walk in newness of life. If this is your first time listening to the Faith First Podcast, be sure to hit the notification bell below to be alerted to when a new episode will be launched. And until next time, remember that your identity is in Christ faith first.

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    20 m
  • Making Connections for Life Message
    Nov 25 2025

    Welcome! You are listening to the Faith First Podcast. I’m Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. In this episode, we will be listening to a message on the topic of making connections— connection with God and connection with one another. If you’re ready, then lest’s listen in on the message by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr…

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • How Scripture from Genesis to Revelation shows an interconnectedness within the Trinity
    • Why the Trinity shows the unity that is to be among believers
    • How the Trinity works together
    • What type of relationship are we to have with God and with one another

    In Scripture, we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working in perfect harmony. This divine connection is not just functional but relational. The triune God— three persons in one— exists in eternal love, unity and fellowship. If this is your first time listening to the Faith First Podcast, be sure to hit the notification bell below to be alerted to when a new episode will be launched. And until next time, step closer into relationship with God faith first.

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    24 m
  • Renewing Our Minds in God’s Word Conversation
    Aug 5 2025

    Hello and welcome to the first podcast where we bring your messages and conversations of just how to walk your faith out in this world. I am trying to go there a pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and in this episode, I sit down with our lead pastor, Steven Darr to discuss what it means to have a renewed mind through reading God‘s word hey Steve, good to have you in the studio

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why does the world seem to pull us away from God?
    • How ought we be taking in the word of God? What does it mean by writing it on our hearts and minds?
    • What does the word of God reveal in and for us?
    • Why is meditation on God‘s word really not enough? What ought it drive us to do?

    When we ignore or refuse to follow the word of God, we are forgetting whose we are and why we are created. We are designing God, and we will find ourselves. A drift, caught up in the lies and schemes of the enemy. God’s word was written for us to follow without it. We are lost in walking in darkness.

    We try to provide some very practical ways to step out in your faith and we pray it is beneficial to you who are listening. If you’re new to the Faith first podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button below to be notified when our next episode will launch. And until then, renew your mind in the word of God faith first.

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    13 m
  • All Things New Conversation
    Nov 18 2025

    Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast where we bring you messages and conversations of just how to walk your faith out in this world. I’m Jonathan Gouthier a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington CT and in this episode, I sit down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to dive into the topic of all things new. Welcome Steve!

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why does our perspective on having new things affect us in different ways?
    • How ought we view the coming of Christ?
    • What does it mean to be precious? And why does it matter?
    • Why should we as believers not be satisfied with our present condition? Why should we want all thing to be new in us?

    As we consider how much Jesus is worth to us and why He is so precious, we will have our own personal testimony that is personal and authentic. That is the message the world needs to hear.

    We try to provide some very practical ways to step out in your faith and we pray it is beneficial to you who are listening. If you are new to the Faith First Podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button to be notified when our next episode will launch. And until then, recognize that God is doing a new thing in you faith first.

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    10 m
  • Renewing Our Minds in God’s Word
    Jul 29 2025

    Hello and welcome! I’m Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and host of the Faith First Podcast. You and I think about many things throughout the day. What if our choices and thoughts came directly from God’s word? It would change the way we view our lives and how we walk out our faith in the world. In this episode we will be listening to a message our Lead Pastor Steve Darr has given on “Renewing our minds in God’s Word.

    In this episode you’ll discover:

    • Why God’s word is up against distractions and temptations
    • How we get back into alignment with God
    • What we can do to live according to God’s word
    • Why we must share the Good News

    The key to living according to God’s word is to seek him at all times and in all places. When we make God’s word only something to go to when we are in trouble, we are missing out on the true depth and power we can find in His word. If you’ve been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. And until next time, remember to get into God’s word and be renewed faith first.

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    22 m
  • All Things New Message
    Nov 11 2025

    "Hello and welcome! I’m Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and host of the Faith First Podcast. How do you feel when you get a new car? How about new a job? Or a new baby comes along? What’s you reaction to the newness that comes into your life? That’s what this episode is all about. So, sit back and listen in on a message from our Lead Pastor Steven Darr…

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why is Jesus’ birth seen as an intrusion to some
    • How Christ brings us new birth
    • What does it mean to be precious to God
    • How do we fulfill God’s call on our lives

    When we put our hope and faith in God’s Christ, then our souls are purified. Sins are forgiven and old desires that hindered love are replaced with new ones. That’s how God makes us new. If you’ve been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. And until next time, remember that God makes all things new faith first.

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    18 m