Sonrise Pastor's Podcast

EP 49: The Power of Prayer with Corey Russell

May 22, 2026 • Pastor John Hammer, Corey Russell

What if the key to spiritual breakthrough lies not in our eloquence, but in our tears? This profound conversation with Pastor John Hammer and Corey Russell explores the often-overlooked dimensions of corporate prayer—the unity found in praying together in tongues, the cleansing power of godly tears, and the militant intercession that shakes the heavens. We're challenged to rediscover prayer as the primary leadership strategy of Jesus Himself. After three and a half years of miracles and teachings, the disciples never asked Jesus to teach them to preach or heal—they asked Him to teach them to pray. This reveals something essential about spiritual formation: prayer is where our will transfers to God's will, where theology becomes personal, and where leaders are truly formed. We're invited to cultivate a prayer life that goes beyond words into groaning, travail, and desperate dependency. In an age obsessed with being seen, liked, and followed, there's a hidden generation emerging who will slip into rooms two weeks before revival breaks out, tarrying in secret until heaven opens. This is our invitation to join that company of intercessors who understand that Calvary was won in Gethsemane, and that the greatest victories happen on our knees before they manifest in our streets.

EP 48: Worship

May 1, 2026 • Pastor Jason Gibbons, Adalyn Tibbits, Pastors John & Grace Hammer

This podcast discussion explores the theology and practice of Pentecostal and charismatic worship, addressing common criticisms while emphasizing that worship is fundamentally about relationship with God rather than performance. The conversation highlights how biblical worship involves both physical expression (raising hands, dancing, shouting) and heart posture (obedience, surrender, thankfulness). The discussion also covers the creative process behind Sunrise Church's new live worship album "Exalt," which features both original songs and covers designed to be theologically rich and God-focused rather than self-centered.

EP 47: Understanding Bible Translations

April 10, 2026 • Pastor John Hammer, Pastor Craig Gorc

This conversation with Pastor John Hammer and Pastor Craig Gorc explores the reliability and diversity of Bible translations, addressing common questions about why multiple translations exist and whether they can be trusted. The discussion emphasizes that while the Bible was written in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, faithful translations preserve the core gospel message across all versions. The conversation also includes pastoral warnings about certain translations like the Passion Translation and Mirror Bible that impose theological interpretations onto the text rather than faithfully translating the original languages.

EP 46: Table Groups with Pastor Paul Martini & Pastor John Hammer

April 1, 2026 • Pastor John Hammer, Pastor Paul Martini

This conversation between Pastor Paul Martini of New Life City Church in Albuquerque and Pastor John Hammer explores the transformative power of Table Groups as a model for integrated evangelism, discipleship, and community building. The discussion emphasizes how small groups meeting in homes can effectively reach the lost while simultaneously discipling believers, creating a sustainable model for church multiplication. The conversation highlights the importance of relational evangelism over programmatic approaches, demonstrating that 82% of non-believers will attend church or groups when invited by someone with whom they have a relationship. The model integrates worship, Bible study, fellowship, prayer, and mission in a weekly rhythm that mirrors the Acts 2 pattern of temple gatherings and house-to-house fellowship, resulting in daily additions to the church through genuine conversions and sustained discipleship.

EP 45: Iran War & Reaching Muslims | Radical Conversion from Islam to Christ

March 25, 2026 • Pastor John Hammer, Pastor Grace Hammer, Ace Afshar

This powerful testimony chronicles Ace's dramatic conversion from Islam to Christianity and his subsequent calling to evangelize Muslims and others. The discussion explores the spiritual and political climate in Iran, the persecution of Christians, the differences between Islam and Christianity, and the urgent need for bold witness in America. Central themes include the transformative power of the blood of Jesus, the importance of obedience over cultural religion, the necessity of prayer and fasting, and the call to street evangelism. The conversation emphasizes that salvation comes through grace alone, not works, and that Christians must not fear offending others when proclaiming truth in love. The testimony demonstrates how God orchestrates circumstances to draw people to Himself and how former Muslims often become passionate witnesses for Christ once they understand the freedom found in the Gospel.

EP 44: AI- Artificial Intelligence & Christianity

March 19, 2026 • Pastor John Hammer, Pastor Craig Gorc, Pastor Jason Gibbons

As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, we're confronted with both extraordinary opportunities and legitimate concerns. This conversation explores how Christians can engage redemptively with AI technology rather than retreating in fear. We discover that AI functions as augmented intelligence—a powerful research assistant and creative tool that can accelerate our work and free us for deeper relationships with God and people. The key insight is that AI lacks a soul, conscience, and the image of God that defines our humanity. While it can process information at breathtaking speeds and generate content in minutes that would take humans weeks, it cannot replace the spiritual dimensions of our lives—prayer, discernment, genuine community, and Spirit-filled worship. We're challenged to be salt and light in the technological sphere, bringing Christian ethics and moral boundaries into AI development and use.

GEN Z

February 28, 2026 • Pastor John Hammer, Emma hammer, Justice Hammer

This podcast discussion explores the unique challenges and opportunities facing Generation Z through the lens of three young people navigating faith, culture, and identity. The conversation reveals a generation that has witnessed significant brokenness in the world, leading many to search for genuine goodness and hope. Unlike previous generations that critiqued authority, Gen Z appears more open to authentic leadership and moral clarity. The discussion emphasizes the importance of personal relationship with God over religious performance, the dangers of comparison in the age of social media, and the critical role of parental engagement in young people's spiritual development. Central to the message is that God's love is demonstrated through Christ's suffering alongside humanity, offering hope that transcends circumstances and purpose that comes from knowing Him personally.

Represent | Gen Z, Influence, & Voices

February 23, 2026 • Pastor Grace Hammer, Pastor Noma Hedman, Sean & Christa Smith

In a world saturated with counterfeits, how do we discern the authentic voice God has given us? This conversation explores the critical importance of calibrating our hearts with truth before we speak into our generation. Drawing from Jesus's words in Scripture—'As I hear, I judge'—we're reminded that our voices carry weight only when they're rooted in what we've first heard from God. We're challenged to exercise our voices like muscles, understanding that authenticity matters more than applause. The enemy wants to silence us through fear of rejection, but when we align our voices with heaven's nature—carrying the fruit of the Spirit—we become clarion examples of genuine kingdom expression. This isn't about conformity to cultural norms; it's about the individualized anointing God has placed on each of us while maintaining the likeness of Christ's character in everything we say and do.

Love & Marriage

February 12, 2026 • Pastor John Hammer, Pastor Grace Hammer

This pastoral conversation explores the biblical foundations of love, marriage, and relationships from a Christian perspective. The discussion emphasizes that marriage is God's design from creation, established in Genesis and reaffirmed throughout Scripture by Jesus and the apostles. Pastors John and Grace Hammer address practical concerns for singles seeking marriage, including the dangers of overthinking, the importance of community involvement, and avoiding "prophetic dating" paralysis. Throughout, they encourage singles to trust God's guidance while taking practical steps to meet people and build healthy relationships within Christian community.

Part 2: Prophetic Movement | Mike Winger, Sean Bolz, & Bethel

February 3, 2026 • Pastors John & Dan Hammer, Diane Fink, Pastor Herb Marks

This pastoral discussion addresses the current challenges and biblical foundations of prophetic ministry in light of recent controversies in the charismatic church. The conversation emphasizes the importance of maintaining scriptural integrity, humility, and proper accountability structures when operating in prophetic gifts. The pastors stress that prophetic ministry must flow from intimate relationship with God rather than performance or self-promotion, and that both those who prophesy and those who receive prophecy need biblical discernment. They discuss the difference between true and false prophets, the need for testing prophecy, and the importance of creating healthy church cultures that honor the Holy Spirit while maintaining biblical order. The discussion concludes with a call to die to self and allow Christ to live through prophetic ministry.

Part 1: Navigating Personal Prophecy | Mike Winger, Sean Bolz, and Bethel

February 2, 2026 • Pastors John & Dan Hammer, Diane Fink, Pastor Herb Marks

This pastoral discussion explores how to properly receive, test, and apply personal prophecy within the Christian life. The pastors address the balance between embracing the prophetic gift while maintaining biblical safeguards against deception and manipulation. Drawing from 1 John 4's instruction to "test the spirits," they emphasize that prophecy should always build up, encourage, and exhort believers while pointing them toward Christ. The conversation addresses contemporary concerns about prophetic ministry, including recent controversies, while providing practical wisdom for both those who prophesy and those who receive prophetic words. The core message is that prophecy must be processed through relationship with God, accountability to local church leadership, alignment with Scripture, and confirmation through multiple witnesses—never as a standalone guide for life decisions.

Health & Fasting with Dr. Fred Bisci

January 22, 2026 • Pastors John & Grace Hammer, Dr. Fred Bisci

What if the key to vibrant health and spiritual vitality isn't found in the latest diet trend, but in returning to God's original design? This conversation with Pastor John Hammer, Pastor Grace Hammer, and Dr. Fred Bisci explores the profound connection between our physical bodies and our spiritual lives, reminding us that we are stewards of the temples God has given us. The discussion challenges us to see that true healing doesn't come merely from treating symptoms, but from removing the causes of disease through obedience to natural laws God established. We learn that the cross of Christ remains central to everything, including our health journey—not as a license to abuse our bodies, but as the power source for the discipline and transformation we need. The testimony shared reveals how fasting, clean eating, and leaving out processed foods can reverse conditions doctors deem irreversible, pointing us to a God who designed our bodies with remarkable self-healing capabilities. This isn't about legalism or works-based salvation, but about honoring God with our bodies so we have the energy and clarity to fulfill our calling and share the Gospel effectively. Listen and enjoy!

Episode 38- Marriage Panel | Men's & Women's Conference

December 3, 2025 • Pastors John & Grace Hammer, Jim & Eva Johnson

This panel focuses on the foundational importance of marriage and family as God's primary institution for changing the world. Pastors John and Grace Hammer interview Jim and Eva Johnson, who have 51 years of marriage and 40 years of marriage ministry experience. The message emphasizes that as families go, so goes the church and nation. Key themes include the power of praying together as couples, seeing your spouse through God's eyes rather than critical lenses, breaking idolatry in marriage, and establishing family altars. The discussion challenges believers to prioritize their marriages, invest intentionally in their children, and stand against spiritual attacks on families. It concludes with a call to faith and breakthrough for marriages, families, and future generations.

Episode 37- Men's Panel | Men's & Women's Conference

November 21, 2025 • Pastor John Hammer, Pastor Herb Marks

This powerful men's conference session explores how God speaks to men through life's storms and challenges, using the book of Job as the primary framework. The panel discussion, led by Pastor John, addresses the greatest challenges facing men today—including lust, loneliness, identity crisis, purposelessness, and pride. The panel emphasizes that God often speaks most clearly during our darkest moments, not to inflict pain but to refine our character and deepen our relationship with Him. Through personal testimonies from men of different generations, the message reveals that storms are not just obstacles to overcome but opportunities to encounter God, learn obedience, and discover our true identity as sons of God. The discussion concludes with a call to maintain prayer as the central discipline that sustains men through suffering, and emphasizes the critical importance of male friendship and accountability in the journey of faith.

Episode 36- Women's Panel | Men's & Women's Conference

November 20, 2025 • Pastor Grace Hammer, Pastor Noma Hedman, Pastor Terry Hammer

This women's conference panel discussion features three generations of women sharing wisdom on cultivating God's presence in the home, combating radical feminism with biblical womanhood, and breaking free from comparison and lies. The speakers emphasize that true fulfillment comes through relationship with Jesus Christ, not through conforming to cultural expectations. They address the importance of being countercultural as Godly women, maintaining family altars, and understanding that each woman has a unique race to run for God. The message centers on finding identity in Christ rather than in cultural movements or comparison with others, while highlighting the vital role women play in raising Godly generations and building strong family units.

Sonrise Pastors and guests discuss current topics and spiritual disciplines