We’re back for part two of Matthew Stephen Brown’s conversation with Pastor John Martinez of Sandals Church Banning. After a powerful first episode, this debrief continues by turning to your questions — honest, practical, and rooted in everyday faith.
In this episode, Pastor Matthew and Pastor John respond to audience-submitted questions about what it really looks like to live out your faith in today’s culture. From navigating music and entertainment as a Christian, to understanding what “great faith” actually means and how it grows, to discerning the difference between genuine worship and performance, this conversation is thoughtful, biblical, and refreshingly real.

Show notes: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 NLT

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In this special episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown sits down with Pastor John Martinez, campus pastor of Sandals Church Banning, to discuss his journey into ministry and how he began working at Sandals Church. John shares the roles he’s held over the years and what those looked like in everyday ministry life. They explore the unseen realities of serving in a megachurch, including both the rewarding moments and the challenges. Pastor Matthew and Pastor John also talk about navigating creative blocks versus true spiritual dryness and how to practice faith authentically rather than performance. The episode touches on handling critique from both church communities and music circles, as well as advice for young Christian artists wrestling with the tension between traditional ministry and creative calling.

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown offers compassionate and biblical clarity on some of the most personal questions surrounding faith—what baptism means, how someone becomes a child of God, and how salvation works for people from different backgrounds and beliefs. With both honesty and hope, he explores how God meets us in our darkest moments, how grace covers our imperfect intentions, and how Scripture reveals a God who invites every person into redemption and life with Him. Tune in for a grounded and encouraging conversation that helps make sense of some of Christianity’s most challenging topics.

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, Pastor Matt and Tammy dive into some of the most common—and most misunderstood—topics surrounding Christian relationships. From navigating modern dating culture to discerning God’s guidance in choosing a spouse, we talk about biblical wisdom for anyone trying to honor God in a complicated world.

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast with Matthew Stephen Brown, we’re diving into the tension many Christians feel around Halloween, and connections to witchcraft. Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown unpacks what it means to live with both conviction and compassion—how to stay grounded in truth while navigating a world that often blurs the lines between light and darkness.
Join the conversation as we explore how faith speaks into fear, how to love people with different beliefs, and what it really looks like to follow Jesus with wisdom in today’s culture.

**Show notes: In this episode the passage of scripture that Pastor Matt is referring to is in Luke 16.

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Welcome to ANOTHER bonus episode of The Debrief Podcast. You asked — they answered. In this episode, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and Pastor Justin Kowalski tackle your questions about faith, calling, and creativity. From discovering purpose to staying faithful in the unknown, this honest conversation will encourage and challenge you to live out your calling with courage and authenticity.

💬 Use this link to drop your own questions in the comments for a chance to be featured in a future episode! : sandalschurch.com/thedebrief

Welcome to special bonus episode of The Debrief Podcast! Meet Pastor Justin Kowalski — Associate Pastor at Sandals Church Palm Avenue and longtime member of the Sandals team for over 20 years. In this episode, Pastor Matt sits down with Justin to share his story, his journey in ministry, and what it means to live out faith with authenticity and creativity. Get to know one of the voices helping shape the culture and community at Sandals Church.

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**Show Notes**

Sandals Church Renovates Home Article: CitynewsgroupLocal Church Rallies to Renovate Home for Single Mom (with Video)

This episode might not be suitable for younger audiences. In this deeply personal episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and Tammy Brown sit down to talk about the challenges that can come after choosing to follow Jesus more closely. Why does life sometimes feel harder when you're trying to do the right thing? What does it look like to fight through temptation, especially when the struggle feels constant? With raw honesty and biblical truth, this episode offers encouragement for anyone walking through spiritual growth, healing, and the real tension between our past and the lives we’re trying to build.

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