Episode 1—Coming Home with Rich Villodas: Deep Formation, Diversity & Belonging скачать в хорошем качестве

Episode 1—Coming Home with Rich Villodas: Deep Formation, Diversity & Belonging

In this inaugural episode of The Coming Home Podcast by Gordon College, host Dr. Nathaniel Perez welcomes Rich Villodas, pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens and author of The Deeply Formed Life and The Narrow Path. Together, they explore the deeper meaning of “coming home”—not just as a physical space, but as a return to the heart of God. Rich reflects on spiritual formation, abiding in God, the power of community, and how diversity and reconciliation are essential aspects of Christian faith. Guest Bio Rich Villodas is the lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large, multiracial church in Queens, NY. He is the author of The Deeply Formed Life and The Narrow Path, and is a respected voice on spiritual formation and contemplative life in the modern church. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — What does “coming home” mean to Rich? 01:25 — The link between deep formation and finding identity in God 02:40 — Practices that ground us in anxious times: prayer, scripture, and community 05:05 — What true belonging in the church looks like 06:18 — Walking the narrow path in a culture of division 08:30 — Shame, vulnerability, and embracing God’s love 10:13 — Rich’s daily spiritual rhythm (and making breakfast for his kids!) 11:58 — Encouragement for those wrestling with doubt and distance from faith 13:15 — The gospel and its call to justice and reconciliation 15:03 — Diversity vs. reconciliation and the myth of colorblindness 17:39 — Racial justice as a core part of spiritual formation 19:01 — How to humbly step into diverse spaces 20:23 — A steeping tea metaphor for presence with God 21:29 — Fun questions: Knicks, Mets, Marvel movies, Jordan sneakers, and more! Notable Quotes “Repentance is not a word we should fear—it's a return to the arms of a loving Father.” “Prayer isn’t about escaping myself. It’s about integrating what’s really going on in my life and bringing it to God.” “God is not colorblind—He celebrates difference.” “The gospel determines the scope of our mission. Reconciliation starts with how we define the good news.” Resources & Mentions The Deeply Formed Life The Narrow Path New Life Fellowship: newlife.nyc Gordon College: gordon.edu Connect with Us 💬 Follow host Dr. Nathaniel Perez on LinkedIn 🏫 Learn more about Gordon College at gordon.edu/cominghome 🎧 Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app