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Mark is joined by his wife, Crystal, to talk about the “summer” season of life: young adulthood, marriage, and building a life marked by faithfulness. Through stories and wisdom, they reflect on navigating relationships, finances, work, and spiritual growth in the early years of adulthood. Episode Highlights 00:26 — Introducing Crystal and the focus on the “summer” season of life 01:00 — Transitioning from youth to adulthood and new responsibilities 02:49 — How God led their early adult decisions and direction 04:20 — Early marriage realities and learning to grow together 05:38 — Navigating uncertainty and figuring life out in real time 06:58 — Wrestling with unknowns and trusting God in the process 08:19 — Financial realities and learning how to live within limits 09:32 — Making practical decisions about lifestyle and affordability 10:54 — Advice for those entering adulthood and learning from others 12:10 — Early financial decisions and stewardship (saving, working, planning) 13:31 — Balancing work, life, and long-term direction 14:51 — How cultural expectations shape decisions about life and family 16:13 — The role of community and learning from others in similar stages 17:38 — Choosing faithfulness over drifting or “messing around” in this season 18:51 — Living intentionally for the Lord in everyday decisions 20:09 — The danger of lack of intentionality in early adulthood 21:16 — Trusting God’s timing and provision 22:33 — Recognizing God’s kindness and guidance along the way 23:43 — Final reflection: life as a gift from God to steward well Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online"How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him" by Ann Wilson Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

In this episode of the Equip Podcast, Mark is joined by high school seniors Brenna Van Cleave and his son Owen for a conversation about what it looks like to grow in wisdom during the “spring” season of life. As part of a broader series on the seasons of life, this episode focuses on youth and the unique challenges young people face today. Through an honest and practical conversation, they explore what it means to pursue godliness in a digital world shaped by smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity. With insight for both students and parents, this episode offers a window into how the next generation is learning to follow Jesus with wisdom and intentionality. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing Brenna and Owen 00:54 — The “seasons of life” series and youth as the springtime of life 01:49 — Giving parents a window into what it’s like to be a teenager today 02:53 — Where teenagers actually find godly wisdom 03:36 — Big questions, youth leaders, and the people who shaped their faith 04:49 — Why being invited into someone’s life matters as much as Bible study 06:57 — Choosing close friends who are growing in godliness 07:41 — Friendship and how peers shape the stories of your life 10:57 — Looking ahead to college and the challenge of finding the right people 14:40 — Social media, texting, and how digital communication can be harmful 16:41 — Why some teenagers are trying to step back from social media 18:25 — The dating scene in high school and how it feels different now 22:54 — How young people hear dating advice and future family wisdom 24:11 — The “anxious generation” and fear of failure 26:06 — Why young people need real community that pushes them toward growth 28:39 — What Brenna and Owen would say to younger students about choosing a path 30:48 — Final reflections on how to seek wisdom from Scripture, mentors, sermons, and podcasts Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

In this episode, Mark and Emily talk through how Christians should think about war in a world filled with conflict. Looking at Scripture and ideas like just war theory, they explore how believers can pursue peace while still understanding the role of justice and government. Episode Highlights 00:30 — Introducing the topic: how Christians should think about war 01:19 — Where war comes from: not part of God’s original design 02:25 — Sin’s effects: broken relationships that lead to conflict 03:38 — Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the restoration of all things 04:49 — Christians as peacemakers in a fallen world 05:19 — The role of government and authority in a broken world 07:39 — Romans 13: the government’s responsibility to wield authority 09:02 — Introduction to just war theory 13:42 — Just causes: protection, justice, and preventing evil 14:20 — Who can declare war? Why individuals cannot 15:09 — Considering long-term consequences before entering war 16:27 — Conduct in war: restraint, proportionality, and discrimination 17:21 — Is there a “loving” way to wage war? 21:05 — Evaluating modern conflicts through a biblical framework 24:34 — The dangers of distance in modern warfare 27:11 — A call to pray for peace, not just outcomes 29:51 — The ultimate hope: Christ will bring lasting peace 31:02 — Praying for revival, not just regime change Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen Online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

What does a godly marriage actually look like? In this episode of the Equip Podcast, Emily sits down with Steve Jones, Executive Director of Ministries and a licensed mental health counselor, to talk about God’s design for marriage. Drawing from both Scripture and real-life counseling experience, Steve reframes marriage not as a checklist of spiritual habits, but as a deep, lifelong partnership marked by friendship, formation, and intentional pursuit. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing Steve Jones and the focus on marriage 01:21 — The Marriage Experience and why this conversation matters 02:11 — Setting the vision: What is a “godly marriage”? 02:54 — Moving beyond surface-level answers (Bible reading, prayer, etc.) 03:10 — Returning to God’s design for marriage 03:19 — Genesis 2: God’s purpose—companionship, partnership, and friendship 03:45 — The meaning of “helper” (ezer): not assistant, but strong partner 04:02 — Marriage as a unique, one-flesh friendship 04:10 — A key question: What is the condition of your friendship? 04:54 — Marriage as a relationship that forms and shapes you over time 06:30 — The difference between living as roommates vs. intentional partners 09:15 — Why communication breakdowns often trace back to deeper issues 12:40 — Identifying common “pinch points” in marriage 16:20 — The role of self-awareness and humility in a healthy marriage 20:10 — Practical steps toward growth: pursuing one another intentionally 24:00 — Final encouragement: marriage as a lifelong process of formation Resources The Marriage Experience Session RecordingsCornerstone Sermons: Listen Online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

In this special Easter episode of the Equip Podcast, Mark walks through the historical and biblical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. He explores why the resurrection is not just a matter of faith, but a claim rooted in real events, eyewitness testimony, and early Christian conviction. Episode Highlights 00:30 — Setting the context: Easter week and the importance of the resurrection 00:59 — Why Christians revisit the evidence for the resurrection every year 01:45 — Turning to 1 Corinthians 15 as a foundational text 01:57 — The early creed: death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus 03:13 — The resurrection as the center of the Christian message 06:49 — Eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus 08:12 — The gospel accounts as historical sources 10:12 — The resurrection as a real historical event, not just a spiritual idea 12:24 — Early Christian belief grounded in real testimony 14:18 — The reliability of the New Testament documents 16:17 — The uniqueness of the resurrection story 20:44 — Could the resurrection have been made up? 22:52 — Why the resurrection still matters today Resources Cornerstone Sermons: Listen OnlineThe Reason for God by Tim Keller Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

In the final episode of the Men & Women series, Mark and Emily respond to questions submitted by listeners throughout the series. These questions explore how the biblical vision for men and women plays out in everyday life, the church, and broader society. Episode Highlights: 00:29 — Launching the final Q&A episode of the Men & Women series 00:56 — Theological triage: where debates about men and women fit in gospel importance 01:34 — When gender theology becomes a dividing line between churches 03:04 — Can a Christian attend a church with a woman pastor? 03:34 — How gender debates often reveal deeper views about Scripture 05:57 — Historical arguments about women in the early church 07:07 — Understanding the role women played in early Christianity 08:41 — Should biblical distinctions influence leadership outside the church? 09:10 — Authority structures in the home and church 10:44 — Questions about military service and physical standards 13:42 — Interpreting difficult passages like “women saved through childbearing” 17:40 — Questions about modesty and gender distinction in clothing 22:31 — What actually counts as a pastoral role in the church? 23:12 — Can women lead communion or baptize? 27:03 — Final reflections on honoring and encouraging women in the church Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

In Part 3 of the Men & Women series, Mark and Emily turn to the tensions and misunderstandings that often arise in conversations about gender. After exploring the biblical definitions and distinctions between men and women, this episode addresses the ways those ideas can be distorted both inside and outside the church. Episode Highlights: 00:27 — Entering Part 3 of the Men & Women series: addressing the dangers 00:37 — Why discussions about gender often become controversial 00:58 — A core principle: danger arises whenever we push against God’s created order 01:02 — Starting with the church: how these debates affect Christian communities 01:49 — The “slippery slope” fear that any flexibility leads to abandoning biblical teaching 02:40 — The risk of rigid or reactionary complementarian cultures 03:38 — A serious pastoral concern: when churches fail to protect women in harmful situations 04:36 — Cultural trends like “tradwife” conversations and their influence on Christian discussions 05:49 — How complementarian ideas can sometimes be misused or weaponized 07:26 — A different vision: cultivating a culture of pursuit rather than mere permission 08:18 — Encouraging men and women to actively use their gifts in the life of the church 16:00 — The cultural pressures shaping modern conversations about gender 19:48 — Holding biblical conviction while still loving people who disagree Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

In Part 2 of the Men & Women series, Mark and Emily move from definitions to distinctions. After establishing in the previous episode that men and women share equal dignity as image-bearers of God, this conversation explores how scripture describes meaningful differences between male and female. Episode Highlights: 00:27 — Returning to the Men & Women series and recapping the foundation from Part 1 00:43 — Moving from definitions to distinctions between men and women 00:59 — Genesis 1 recap: male and female created by God 01:05 — Genesis 2: the first distinction between man and woman in creation 02:30 — Opening Ephesians 5 to understand how the New Testament addresses gender roles 03:55 — Paul’s teaching about order and relationships within the church 06:20 — Why biblical distinctions are grounded in creation, not merely cultural context 08:40 — Avoiding stereotypes while still acknowledging real differences 11:15 — Women as vital partners in the gospel mission 13:00 — Biological and relational realities that shape how men and women engage the world 17:58 — Ephesians 5 and the vision for marriage and the household 22:45 — Final reminder: Christ is the ultimate authority over men and women alike Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

Mark and Emily begin a new series exploring what the Bible teaches about men and women. At a time when questions about gender, identity, and roles dominate cultural conversations, they return to the opening pages of scripture to establish a biblical foundation. Episode Highlights: 00:27 — Introducing a new series: Men & Women 00:46 — Why conversations about gender keep resurfacing in both culture and the church 01:27 — Gender as part of God’s created order, not merely a social construct 02:11 — Series roadmap: foundations, distinctions, dangers, and a Q&A episode 03:12 — “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus?” — where many gender conversations begin 03:18 — Starting point: men and women are more alike than we often assume 03:37 — Most commands in Scripture apply to all image-bearers, not just one gender 03:55 — Why Genesis 1 must shape our understanding of gender 05:00 — Equal dignity as image-bearers of God, with distinctions that follow 05:36 — The “pyramid” framework: creature vs. creator, human vs. animal, adult vs. child 07:38 — A biblical summary: masculinity as strength to serve, femininity as beauty that brings life 11:00 — Biological differences and why even secular science recognizes them 13:01 — How biological realities shape how men and women show up in relationships and society 17:00 — Why separating biology from identity pushes against God’s created order 21:40 — Final takeaway: the Bible consistently affirms that men and women are different by design Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

In this episode, Mark recaps his recent lecture at Iowa State University, reflecting on the growing problem of political tribalism in America and calling Christians to a distinctly different posture: rooted in conviction, civility, and faithful presence. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introduction and context: Recapping the Iowa State University lecture 01:52 — A flyover of the talk: Anxiety, anger, and political tribalism 02:06 — The central appeal: Learning how to disagree without dehumanizing 02:58 — A disturbing example: Political violence and the celebration of hatred 04:02 — Diagnosing the moment: Living in an “age of anxiety” 04:15 — Mark Sayers and the “gray zone”: Cultural transition and moral confusion 05:15 — The clash between post-Christian culture and the values of the Kingdom of God 13:01 — The university as a training ground for citizenship and civility 13:20 — The absence of viewpoint diversity and the danger of intellectual tribalism 21:00 — The call to Christian faithfulness: Being loyal first to Christ our King Resources: We Need to Disagree: The Importance of Honesty and Debate in an Age of Political Tribalism (Please note: This recording will remain live until March 2, 2026)Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

 Lent isn’t about giving something up, but about cultivating something deeper. In this episode, Mark casts vision for the Lenten season and explains why fasting is a historic and biblical rhythm for followers of Jesus. From churning up the soil of the heart to aligning ourselves with the ancient church, Mark walks through both the theology behind Lent and the plan Cornerstone will follow together. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing Lent and the vision for this season 01:14 — Jesus assumes his followers will fast 02:08 — “Break up the fallow ground” (Hosea 10:12) 02:48 — Lent connects us to the ancient church 03:21 — The 40-day rhythm of fasting & feasting 06:26 — Introducing the Lent Bookmark and weekly plan 08:00 — Overview of the seven weekly fasts 08:34 — Weekly communion throughout Lent 13:31 — Scripture memory: Philippians 2 14:51 — Final encouragement: Now is the time to seek the Lord Resources Text 'LENT' to 515-329-3343 to sign up for weekly reminders plus daily Holy Week readings and videos to guide you through this season.Cornerstone Church Lent ResourcesLent Bookmark & Weekly PlanCornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

What does faithfulness look like as artificial intelligence becomes a normal part of everyday life? In Part 3 of this series, Mark Vance and Emily Jensen focus on practical wisdom—how Christians can use AI responsibly without outsourcing discernment, formation, or trust to technology. This conversation centers on limits: why AI should remain a tool rather than a guide, how dependence subtly shapes our spiritual habits, and why Christian maturity requires presence, patience, and embodied wisdom in an increasingly automated world. Episode Highlights   00:46 — Framing the conversation: living faithfully as Christians amid rapid technological change 01:53 — Everyday AI usage and how quickly dependence can form 03:14 — The danger of outsourcing thinking, discernment, and wisdom 05:02 — Why AI can assist productivity but cannot shape character 07:18 — Formation happens through presence, not efficiency 09:41 — The spiritual cost of convenience we rarely notice 12:06 — Why Christian growth requires friction, struggle, and patience 14:38 — AI as a tool, not a teacher or authority 17:05 — Discernment as a learned habit, not a technological feature 19:44 — How embodied community resists technological isolation 22:31 — The church’s responsibility to form people, not compete with tools 25:06 — Holding a posture of confidence rather than fear 27:26 — Final encouragement: use technology wisely, know its limits, trust Christ Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

How should Christians think about the ethical limits of artificial intelligence, and where should wisdom, restraint, and responsibility come into play? In Part 2 of this series, Mark Vance and Emily Jensen move from foundations to application, exploring the moral, ethical, and spiritual questions AI raises for individuals, churches, and society. This episode focuses on discernment: how Christians can engage emerging technology without fear, cynicism, or blind optimism. Mark and Emily discuss limits, unintended consequences, and why Christian wisdom must be shaped by Scripture. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Why Christians need more than excitement or fear when talking about AI 01:04 — Recap of Part 1 and why ethics must follow theology 02:28 — The difference between technological capability and moral permission 04:11 — Why “we can” doesn’t mean “we should” 06:02 — Human limits as a gift, not a flaw 07:46 — How AI subtly reshapes our understanding of work, creativity, and value 10:03 — Convenience, automation, and the danger of moral laziness 12:21 — Loving your neighbor in an age of powerful technology 15:04 — Why wisdom requires slowing down rather than keeping up 17:36 — The church’s role in forming people, not just reacting to tools 20:11 — Discernment as a spiritual discipline, not a personality trait 22:48 — Where Christians should draw lines 25:14 — Hope rooted in Christ, not technological progress Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

How should Christians think about artificial intelligence—and what does faithfulness look like in a rapidly changing technological world? Mark Vance is joined by Emily Jensen to begin a thoughtful, theological conversation about artificial intelligence. Rather than reacting with fear or hype, they explore how Christians can approach AI with wisdom, discernment, and confidence in God’s design for humanity. Mark and Emily discuss why AI raises deeper questions about personhood, creativity, work, and trust, and why technology should be evaluated through a biblical lens rather than cultural panic. This first episode lays the groundwork for understanding AI as a tool—one that can shape society for good or ill depending on how it’s formed, governed, and used—and prepares listeners for a deeper ethical and theological discussion in Part 2. Episode Highlights 00:29 — Introduction to the conversation on artificial intelligence 01:11 — Why AI raises big questions for Christians 02:20 — Why the AI conversation isn’t just about technology, but about humanity 03:37 — Cultural anxiety around AI and where that fear comes from 04:38 — The theological heart of the issue: what makes humans unique 05:50 — Why the world AI is shaping isn’t the world Scripture describes 06:51 — Tracing where modern AI ideas come from historically 08:02 — Pulling back the curtain: what AI is (and isn’t) actually doing 21:42 — Everyday examples of AI already shaping our lives 22:54 — The real question AI forces us to ask about meaning and value 24:00 — Convenience, automation, and the tradeoffs we rarely notice 25:56 — Why efficiency alone can’t define what’s good 26:54 — Where Christians should anchor their hope amid technological change Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

In this bonus episode, Mark steps into a timely and emotionally charged topic surrounding immigration and ICE, not to offer political commentary, but to pastorally apply biblical truth to a complex cultural moment. Episode Highlights 00:39 — Referencing the Minneapolis clashes and ICE-related tensions 00:53 — Equip’s purpose: not political commentary, but pastoral discipleship 02:07 — Why the church must speak truth when culture fills the silence 03:10 — Applying biblical truth to emotionally charged public issues 04:32 — The danger of reacting purely from media narratives 06:05 — Government authority: what Scripture teaches about law and order 08:18 — Holding justice and compassion together biblically 10:44 — Why immigration conversations often oversimplify complex realities 13:27 — How Christians should think about protests, tensions, and public response 16:52 — Guarding our tone and witness in political conversations 19:34 — Loving neighbors without abandoning truth 22:11 — Avoiding partisan capture while remaining biblically faithful 24:58 — The church’s unique role: formation, prayer, and gospel clarity 27:40 — Final pastoral encouragement for humility and faithfulness 31:24 — A prayer for leaders and witnesses Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineThe Briefing with Albert Mohler Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!