Media - Christian Fellowship Ashburn

Faith Forward #163 - Illuminate Wk 1

January 11, 2026 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • 1 John 1:1–4, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5

Join Brian and Jon as we explore the opening focus of 1 John — to illuminate the truth of who Jesus really is and to ground believers in reality, not opinion, outcomes, or labels. And since it’s Faith Forward, we’ll remind ourselves of the core rhythms that help us stay anchored in that truth: daily devotion, prayer, sacrificial generosity and service, freedom from strongholds, sharing our story, and celebration and worship. Not as checklists or quotas, but as relational practices that make it harder—though not impossible—to be misled in a confusing and noisy world. As John reminds us, knowing the truth isn’t just about information; it’s about relationship. And when truth is lived, not just learned, it brings freedom.

Faith Forward #162 - Xmas Special - The Father's Heart

December 21, 2025 • Brooke Ackerman, Jon Ackerman • Ephesians 1:4–5, John 3:16, Luke 15:11–32, Isaiah 38:17, Psalm 103:10–12

If God is speaking, how do we know what His voice sounds like? In this final conversation of the Encounter series, Brooke and Jon explore the heart behind the voice — the Father who longs for connection, gives direction through relationship, and brings correction that restores rather than shames. Scripture paints a consistent picture of a Father who adopts with delight, forgives with compassion, and removes our sins with a fullness that is almost unfathomable. Yet many of us struggle to hear God clearly because we’ve learned the Father wrongly — through wounded experiences, distorted teaching, or our own stories of fear, striving, or abandonment. Jesus’ story of the father with two sons becomes the central lens: a Father who runs toward the rebellious, pleads with the resentful, and invites both into relationship. Whether we’ve wandered, worked to earn what’s already ours, or held disappointment in our hearts, the invitation is the same: risk coming home. This episode closes the series by calling us to learn how to live as sons and daughters — not employees, not orphans — and to let the Father’s true heart redefine how we hear His voice.

Faith Forward #161 - Xmas Special - Hearing God

December 14, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Matthew 4:4, Galatians 5:22–23, Psalm 46:10, John 10:27, John 16:12–13

If God really communicates with us, how do we recognize His voice? In this conversation, Brian and Jon walk through why hearing God matters — for direction, correction, and most importantly, connection. Scripture paints a picture of a God who speaks, guides, reveals, and leads His people into truth. We explore the many ways God communicates — visually, auditorily, kinesthetically — and how each of us can grow in our capacity to hear. But hearing God also requires discernment: His voice always aligns with Scripture, reflects His character, produces spiritual fruit, and is confirmed in community. Finally, the episode addresses the barriers that make hearing difficult: hurry, self-sufficiency, pride, sin, unforgiveness, and fear. Learning to listen, obey, and rest becomes a way of life that opens us to deeper relationship with God and growing spiritual maturity.

Faith Forward #160 - Xmas Special - War of Words

December 7, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Genesis 3:1, John 10:10, Ephesians 6:12, Romans 6:16, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5

If we live in a world at war, why don’t we feel it? In this episode, Brian and Jon uncover where the real conflict is happening — in the realm of words, thoughts, and truth. Scripture describes a spiritual battle not fought with physical weapons, but with ideas, voices, and agreements. God’s words create life; the enemy’s words distort reality. We see this tension from Eden to the life of Peter to the everyday choices we make. Every voice we listen to shapes the life we live. This episode explores how to recognize the competing voices at work in our thoughts, how lies take root, and how the “rhema” word of God becomes both shield and sword in spiritual warfare. Ultimately, we become the servants of whatever voice we obey. Learning to discern — and choose — God’s voice is central to living in victory.

Faith Forward #159 - Xmas Special - The Larger Story

November 30, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Ezekiel 28:12–15, Revelation 12, Genesis 1—3, Revelation 21—22, John 1

Before we can understand who Jesus is, we need to understand the story He stepped into. In this episode, we explore the larger backdrop of Scripture — a world created in love, invaded by an enemy, and desperately in need of rescue. Genesis 3 reveals what humanity lost: connection with God, life in the Spirit, and the authority we were meant to exercise. But it also reveals why Jesus had to come — not to make bad people good, but to bring dead people back to life. Brian and Jon walk through how Jesus restores what was lost: reconciling us to the Father, restoring the presence of the Spirit within us, and reawakening our original calling to partner with God in a world at war. This episode sets the stage for our entire journey with God: understanding the story we’re in, the enemy we face, and the salvation Jesus offers.

Faith Forward #158 - Give Thanks Wk 4

November 23, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Psalm 136

In this final conversation of the Thankfulness series, Brian and Jon explore how gratitude becomes more than a moment or a holiday — it becomes a steady rhythm of life with God. Thankfulness begins by naming what is good and who is good, grounding gratitude in God’s character rather than our circumstances. It grows as we taste and see for ourselves, noticing how gratitude heightens our awareness of God’s presence. And it deepens into submission and surrender, where obedience flows naturally from a thankful heart. Ultimately, thankfulness becomes transformative when it remains honest, non-transactional, and attentive — bringing both what’s good and what’s not yet good to God, and learning to listen for His response.

Faith Forward #157 - Give Thanks Wk 3

November 16, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Psalm 100

In this Faith Forward conversation, Brian and Jon explore how thankfulness becomes more than a feeling — it becomes a way of living with God. Psalm 100 reveals that gratitude isn’t passive; it’s a rhythm that reshapes the heart. True thankfulness begins with honesty — naming what is good, what is hard, and what is not yet good. Gratitude invites us to bring both praise and pain into God’s presence without pretending or minimizing. From honesty, thankfulness moves us into connection. We enter God’s presence with joy and discover that serving others becomes a lived expression of gratitude, not just a sentiment. Ultimately, gratitude grows into submission. A thankful heart learns to trust God’s character enough to obey Him with confidence and delight, choosing life with Him rather than simply life for Him. At every stage, thankfulness anchors us deeper in who God is — shaping a life that is honest, connected, surrendered, and grounded in His goodness.

Faith Forward #156 - Give Thanks Wks 1 & 2

November 9, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Psalm 92, Psalm 34

It’s easy to give thanks when life feels good — but what about when it doesn’t? Gratitude that only thrives in comfort isn’t gratitude at all; it’s relief. In this Faith Forward conversation, Brian and Jon explore what it means to give thanks because of who God is and what He has done, is doing, and will do — even while acknowledging pain and disappointment. True thankfulness isn’t denial; it’s defiant trust. It grows from a heart grounded in God’s character, not in outcomes or circumstances. Gratitude, then, becomes both a declaration of trust and an act of resistance — a way of refusing to let fear or loss rewrite our understanding of God’s goodness.

Faith Forward #155 - Fundamentals Wk 8 - Worship & Celebration

October 26, 2025 • Lee Towns, Jon Ackerman

You don’t accidentally become more like Jesus. Spiritual formation isn’t automatic—it’s rhythmic. God built celebration and worship into the rhythm of life not just as events, but as anchors that reorient our hearts toward Him. In this episode, we explore Celebration and Worship as direction, rest, connection, and defiance—a rhythm that trains the soul to trust God daily, both individually and in community. * Direction: Worship aligns our focus on God alone—confessing and celebrating who He is and what He has done. * Rest: Celebration becomes an act of surrender in the face of busyness and striving. * Connection: True worship draws us into friendship and intimacy with God, not performance or ritual. * Defiance: Both celebration and worship stand as acts of spiritual rebellion against fear, loss, and despair. We don’t worship because everything is great—we worship because God is good, and because it’s going to be good, even when it’s not yet right.

Faith Forward #154 - Fundamentals Wk 7: Sharing Your Story

October 19, 2025 • Jon Ackerman, Mike Haynes • Galatians 1—3, John 6:44

Sharing your story isn’t about efficiency or outcomes—it’s about connection and transformation. When we share what Jesus has done in our lives, we invite others to discover the same source of life and relationship that changed us. In this episode, Mike and Jon explore how sharing your story helps others encounter the transforming power of a shared life with God and with each other. What does it mean to share with authenticity, vulnerability, and transparency—revealing where we’ve been wrong before talking about what’s right. Your story matters—not because it’s perfect, but because it reveals a perfect God who is still writing it with you.

Faith Forward #153 - Fundamentals Wk 6: Serving

October 12, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Acts 17:24–27, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Nehemiah 1, John 13:6–17

Serving isn’t just about meeting needs—it’s about revealing the heart of God to the people around us. When we care for others, we reflect His nature and extend His presence into everyday spaces. In this episode, Brian and Jon unpack what it means to live out the call to serve while intentionally asking God who, how, when, and where to serve. They explore the difference between fixing problems and loving people, between doing and being, and between serving from our own strength versus from the grace we’ve received. True service doesn’t start with effort—it starts with connection. As we learn to both give and receive grace, we begin to serve others the way Jesus serves us: personally, purposefully, and powerfully.

Faith Forward #152 - Fundamentals Wk 5: Strongholds & Repentance

October 5, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Romans 12:1–2, Matthew 19, Proverbs 23:7, Galatians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5

We all carry patterns, lies, or habits that keep us from living in the freedom Jesus offers. The Bible calls these strongholds—ways of thinking and living that weigh us down and hold us back from transformation. In this episode, Brian and Jon talk about how to identify strongholds in your own life and how God wants to bring healing and freedom. Breaking free isn’t just about trying harder—it’s about learning to trust God’s truth over the lies we’ve believed. As we surrender to Him, He renews our minds and leads us into the abundant life He promises.

Faith Forward #151 - Fundamentals Wk 4: Sacrificial Generosity

September 28, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Romans 12:1–2, Psalm 50:10, Exodus 16:35, Luke 15:31, Philippians 4:11–13

Sacrificial generosity is about more than money—but it’s not about less than money. At its core, generosity isn’t God’s way of solving a resource problem—it’s His way of reshaping our hearts, renewing our trust, and reminding us who we are in Him. So come join Brian and Jon as we explore why generosity matters more than we think. It’s not about what we have, but about who we are: sons and daughters who already belong to a generous Father. When we give sacrificially—our time, resources, forgiveness, and mercy—we confront the lies of self-sufficiency and learn to live in the freedom of trust and grace.

Faith Forward #150 - Fundamentals Wk 3: Prayer

September 21, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Luke 11:9–13, Luke 22:42, Matthew 6:9–13, 2 Kings 6:17–20, 1 Peter 5:8–9

What if prayer is less about getting God to do what we want—and more about becoming who He’s shaping us to be? What if it’s less about persuasion and more about real connection with our Father—the place where our hearts are transformed as we learn to both speak and listen? Join Brian & Jon as they dive into the fundamentals of prayer and explore how this rhythm can touch every part of life—bringing connection, understanding, guidance, and joy.

Faith Forward #149 - Fundamentals Wk 2: Daily Devotion

September 14, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • 2 Timothy 3:16–17, John 5:39–40, Matthew 13:10–15

Want to grow closer to Jesus day by day? Daily devotion isn’t about checking off a reading plan—it’s about cultivating an ongoing conversation with God that shapes who you are becoming. Join Brian and Jon as they explore what it looks like to engage Scripture, reflect, and respond in ways that lead to real transformation—not just more information.

Faith Forward #148 - The Fundamentals Wk 1

September 7, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • 1 Timothy 4:7–8, John 5:39–40, John 10:10

Ready to get back to the fundamentals of life with God? Spiritual growth requires intentional training -- not just trying. The goal is to become like Jesus -- not just learn about Him. And that transformation can only come through interactive connection with Him -- not just checklists for Him. We all need to go back to the fundamentals on a regular basis, so come join Brian and Jon for the kick-off of an 8-week journey that takes us back to the basics of living our life with God.

Faith Forward #147 - "Ask God": How do I do that?

August 31, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Joshua 6—8

There’s something in every one of us that longs to hear God’s voice… but how do we actually learn to listen? How can we know if it’s really Him—and grow in discernment so this becomes our everyday experience with God? Join Brian and Jon as the Faith Forward podcast returns from summer break and invites you into a lifestyle of “ask God.” This media was produced by Christian Fellowship Church 44505 Atwater Drive Ashburn, VA 20147 1.703.729.3900 mailto:cfc@cfcwired.org

Faith Forward #146 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 7

June 15, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Ecclesiastes 12:9–14

In our last episode before a summer pause, we wrap up Ecclesiastes with 2 final question -- How am I still trying to make life work on my own terms? And what does that reveal about my view God? Those can be uncomfortable questions to sit with, but if we never do nothing ever changes. So come join Brian and Jon as together we all take practical steps to learn to love God more deeply and trust Him more fully in the midst of the "hevel" of this life.

Faith Forward #145 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 6

June 8, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Proverbs 25:2, John 3:16–17, 1 Peter 5:7, Ecclesiastes 8:15–17, Matthew 7:7–8

If life is "hevel," are we just supposed to muddle through a joyless existence as best we can? Or is real joy possible -- and not just the kind of joy we try to arrange for ourselves? What does it look like to have true joy in a life that doesn't always make sense? Come join Brian and Jon for a practical and encouraging conversation on finding joy with God in the midst of hevel.

Faith Forward #144 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 5

June 1, 2025 • Brian Bales, Jon Ackerman • Ecclesiastes 9:11–17

How many times have you said, "If I could just _____, then everything would be okay."? This week, our series on Ecclesiastes reminds us that there are no guarantees in this life. The fast and the strong don't always win; the wise and the talented don't always prosper. So, what can we rely on if there are no guarantees? Join Brian and Jon for a helpful and practical look at how to live on God's guarantees and promises when life is "hevel."

Faith Forward #143 - How to Live No Matter What Wk 4

May 25, 2025 • Jon Ackerman, Brian Bales • Ecclesiastes 5:10–20

How does God feel about money, resources, and wealth? More importantly, what can they do for us - and what can they NOT do - in our life with God? As we continue this series on Ecclesiastes, join Brian and Jon for a practical and thoughtful conversation on the reality of "hevel" in our pursuit of resources, contentment, and deep relationship with Jesus.