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.

🎧 Subscribe for more honest conversations about faith, life, and becoming real with yourself, God, and others.

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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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If you have questions, need prayer or want to get connected, please email us anytime at [email protected]!

In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matt and Tammy Brown dive into some of the most pressing and personal questions facing Christians today—from immigration and justice to protests, discernment, and the way we judge ourselves. With honesty, biblical insight, and real-life perspective, they unpack how to navigate complex cultural and spiritual issues with both compassion and conviction. Whether you’re feeling torn, confused, or just curious, this conversation offers thoughtful guidance and encouragement for your faith journey.

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 🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this episode resonates with you!

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Not all friendships last forever—even the ones that feel God-ordained. In this heartfelt episode of The Debrief, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and special guest Madison Moses address what to do when your relationships leave you feeling alone, hurt, or confused.

Is God calling you into a season of separation, or are your friendships revealing deeper emotional and spiritual truths? From ghosted texts to years-long friendships that suddenly break, we explore how to grieve well, set boundaries with wisdom, and move forward with grace.

If you’ve ever wondered whether to keep reaching out or finally let go, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Pastor Matthew Stephen Brown and special guest Madison Moses tackle tough questions about denominational differences, evolving church practices, and what it means to walk in the fullness of faith. From Orthodox traditions to women in church leadership, the conversation dives deep into whether Christian diversity reflects unity—or division.
Whether you’ve wondered who’s “right,” why churches interpret Scripture differently, or how to stay grounded when people you love take different paths, this episode will help you find clarity and compassion in your faith journey.

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Revision: In this episode, Pastor Matt mentions that China has more Christians than the US, this is a common misconception, and China is predicted to have more Christians than the US by 2030  

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If you have questions, need prayer or want to get connected, please email us anytime at [email protected]!