Main Thing Podcast

We talk about raising kids with convictions instead of mere compliance, starting with Joshua’s call to choose whom we will serve and what that means for a home. We wrestle with cultural pressure, social media influence, and the hard reality that shaping the heart takes early, intentional parenting and a lot of prayer. 

• cultural pressure to fit in and achieve at the cost of Christian conviction 
• moral compromise and how the home becomes a child’s main compass 
• social media influences and why parental impact shrinks after puberty 
• faith loss moving earlier than high school and...

We pull back the curtain on the “Facebook family” image and talk about what actually builds a healthy home when real life feels messy. Pastor Steve connects Ephesians 4 to parenting and marriage, then shares hard-earned lessons about expectations, communication, and how Jesus can change generational patterns. 

• how Ephesians 4:29-32 shapes the way we speak to spouses and children
• how comparing siblings can quietly exasperate kids
• treating kids with the same values while adjusting to different personalities
• proactive parenting as guardrails rather than control
• why dads often struggle with patient communication
• the measurable benefi...

We talk about why families feel under attack and why a child’s identity in Christ often rises or falls with what we model at home. We anchor the conversation in Psalm 139 and challenge the culture of shifting truth, performance-driven parenting, and kids being placed in charge of the household.

• how parents’ identity shapes children’s identity
• gender confusion framed as an identity and worth crisis
• the “God-shaped void” and why people search for validation
• culture’s “my truth” mindset versus objective and biblical truth
• parents finding worth through kids’ achievements and experiences
• practical steps to reg...

We talk about how screens can shape our homes, and why technology must stay a tool instead of a master that disciples our kids. We share practical boundaries and hard truths about social media, pornography, and attention so our families can keep Jesus front and center. 

• recognizing doomscrolling and short attention spans as a real problem 
• spotting the “rush” of likes, notifications, and constant pings 
• naming pornography as accessible, addictive, and spiritually destructive 
• pursuing repentance that bears fruit and invites real accountability
• planning boundaries with our spouse and staying united as parents 
•...

We talk candidly about why discipleship has to start at home and why a crowded schedule can quietly push Jesus to the margins. We lean on Deuteronomy 6 and Psalm 78 to call parents back to everyday, lived faith that kids can see all week long. 

• the cost of busyness, travel sports, and the scholarship mindset 
• simple ways to start spiritual talks by asking good questions 
• consistency Monday through Saturday as the real test 
• financial pressure and making hard, values-based choices 
• practical ideas we use: one-on-one trips, ongoing talks, nightly prayer 
• encouragement for singles and single...

We talk through Chet’s path from student ministry and evangelism to leading a rural church in Virginia, and what that season taught him about trust, conflict, and growth. 

We also share the spiritual markers and practical habits that shape his preaching and his family life. 

• moving from evangelism dreams to weekly preaching and senior leadership 
• learning the small-church realities that shape long-term health 
• confronting head-on with a loving spirit instead of an angry one 
• being right but not blameless and choosing repentance quickly 
• leaving a legacy through leadership alignment and real...

We switch the microphone around and let Chet Bergeron tell the story behind why we started the podcast and why keeping Jesus at the center still matters in a loud culture. 

Chet also shares his journey from addiction and anger to salvation, discipleship, and the realities of serving in ministry today.

• Why a church’s website and online content function as its front door
• What Chet does at Covenant Church and the excitement around launching the Thibodaux campus
• How Chet came to church, heard the gospel clearly, and cried out to Jesus
• The long ro...

We sit down with Kat Ward to trace her journey from Katrina relocation and a strong church foundation to college drift, depression, and a desperate surrender that brings her back to Jesus. 

We also unpack how God turns that restored faith into a calling to lead, coach, and take the gospel outside the church walls through Living Water Ministry and Hope Fest. 

• Depression, toxic relationships, and trying to fill a God-sized hole 
• A surrender prayer, losing what she clung to, and finding restoration through Christ 
• A specific prayer answered through coaching at CCA as a m...

We sit down with our children’s pastor, Ashley Donnes, to talk about her family’s foster care and adoption story, the moment God met her in a hard season, and why she chose to start serving right away. We also share how we disciple kids with real worship and clear gospel teaching, and how that investment often reaches whole families. 

• Coming to faith through a crisis and getting baptized 
• Choosing to serve immediately and trusting God to equip 
• Kids revival services with worship, gospel clarity, and response time 
• Why children can grasp the gospel and l...

We talk with Nathaniel & Eden about how Jesus becomes real beyond upbringing, how worship leadership matures through obedience, and why the presence of God matters more than preference. We also share the story behind Journey Music Collective and the kind of freedom in Christ that breaks shame and fear.

• Moving from obligation to calling in ministry and worship leadership
• Journey Music Collective’s origin story and God’s provision for recording
• A producer encountering God through Christian worship music
• Leading worship across generations by setting preference aside
• Pursuing the presence of God and rejecting fear...

We talk with Tina Boquet about what life is like serving God and helping others during dark moments in life. We also find out God's hand of provision in Tina's life bringing her from a home without Christ to a soul set on fire for him. 

• Turning camping into safe solitude and real rest 
• Growing faith without a Christian home and finding discipleship through friends 
• Learning to pray in your own voice and pray Scripture when stuck 
• Counseling at Covenant Church and building groups like GriefShare and DivorceCare 
• Fighting isolation with community, action plans, a...

We sit down with our preschool minister, Jessica Authement, to talk about the quiet work that helps families thrive at church. We laugh, swap stories, and get serious about how safety, welcome, and steady love can open hearts to Jesus.

• Why childcare during worship is a ministry to parents, not a convenience
• How physical comfort helps preschoolers receive Bible stories
• Jessica’s testimony and how motherhood reshapes faith priorities
• The value of creating a church where young families feel wanted

Covenant Church Houma

We sit down with DeLane Taylor to talk about the real work of women’s ministry and why genuine friendships are often the bridge to deeper faith. Delane shares her story of church, calling, grief, and growth, and we walk through how God uses community to help women stay anchored to Christ. 

• The faith shift that came through tragedy and a deeper hunger for God’s Word 
• Favorite women’s ministry moments, especially when women open up and support each other 
• Hospitality as a gift and the challenge of teaching with accountability 
• Hopes for the future as...

We sit down with Sean, our director of Media Ministry, to talk about calling, craft, and how thoughtful AV can deepen worship without stealing focus.

• what the AV ministry covers across Sundays, livestreams and socials
• why visual choices should enhance worship rather than distract
• Sean’s path from TV station to church staff
• hiring people already living the ministry
• faith becoming personal beyond childhood belief
• mission work creating short films for local evangelism
• films echoing biblical story arcs and gospel themes

Covenant Church Houma

We sit down with Brent to trace his calling from a camp to decades at Covenant, and how God shaped him through family, work, and prayer. We unpack his role, our discipleship pathway, and why men’s ministry creates real, lasting change.

• turning a quiet call into lifelong ministry
• discipleship as knowledge maturing into wisdom
• Covenant Class as the foundation of growth
• parenting in ministry without performance pressure
• practical steps for men to build real brotherhood
• D-groups as the place where depth forms
• revival as sowing and reaping through prayer

Covenant Chu...

We share how a steady walk with Jesus becomes a bold witness, from Bourbon Street evangelism to leading students toward real encounters in worship and prayer. We talk practical guards against burnout, the power of mentors, and why “uncool” testimonies matter.

• childhood faith shaped by revival and healings
• boldness as a learned habit through prayer
• testimonies from quiet obedience, not just radical turnarounds
• rhythms that refill: prayer, mentors, research, honest community
• building trust with students through presence and relationship
• vision for Impact: worship, safety, discipleship, depth
• making prayer the first response, not the last
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We dive into Revelation’s claim that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega and apply it to how we live with humility and courage in a divided culture. We hold sovereignty and responsibility together, confront spiritual elitism, and show how trust drives out anxiety.

• sovereignty and human responsibility held in tension
• dangers of spiritual elitism and second-tier fights
• faith versus anxiety and the “yeah but” mindset
• assurance of Christ’s return and hope for the future

Covenant Church Houma 

We look at Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10 and the deep comfort of Psalm 23, then get practical about hearing his voice, counting the cost, and leading our families with balance in a busy world. We challenge the myth that busyness equals faithfulness.

• Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows our name
• Changed lives and the real cost of following Jesus
• Practical balance for families under schedule pressure
• Youth sports, finances and setting healthy limits
• Raising kids to know Jesus, not just church culture

Covenant Church Houma

We explore Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals, beginning with Isaiah 53 and moving through spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. We trade shallow why questions for better what and how questions, and share stories that show God’s sovereignty in both miracles and suffering.

• Forgiveness as obedience and freedom
• How unforgiveness hinders prayer and unity
• Asking for healing without shame or hype
• Purpose in pain and reframing our questions

Covenant Church Houma

We trace the name El Shaddai through Scripture and into daily life, asking how God’s all-sufficiency meets real weakness, grief, and unanswered prayer. 

• meaning of El Shaddai as all-sufficient God
• strength perfected in weakness from 2 Corinthians 12
• grief, depression, and learning to live theology
• reordered priorities after the valley
• examining belief versus control and surrender
• trusting God’s purpose when thorns remain

Covenant Church Houma

We explore Jehovah Jireh through Abraham and Isaac, connect God’s provision to the cross, and grapple with sovereignty, free will, and the shape of true needs. We push back on prosperity thinking, call for generous lives, and urge faithfulness where God has placed us.

• meaning of Jehovah Jireh and God’s timely provision
• honest look at the prosperity gospel across contexts
• generosity as worship and mission fuel in the local church
• how God’s no can be a loving yes
• faithfulness in small things before larger responsibility

Covenant Church Houma

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We trace the meaning of Yahweh from Exodus 3 to John 8 and ask what God’s holy name demands of our worship, language, and daily lives. We wrestle with suffering, the seeker-sensitive drift, and why awe must return to the center of the church.

• Yahweh as God’s covenant name and self-existence
• Reverence for the Name and careful speech
• Worship drift from holiness to approval seeking
• Suffering, sovereignty, and counting it joy
• Practical ways to recover awe in worship

Covenant Church Houma

We trace the recent history of Covenant Church through hurricanes, hard choices, and a renewed focus on Jesus. From housing hundreds after Katrina to launching a school  and changing our name, we share how mission led us to God's will. 

• Why real ministry thrives outside the walls
• Starting Covenant Christian Academy and growing to 500+ students
• Balancing academic excellence with spiritual formation
• Why we chose the name Covenant and what it means
• A future vision centered on Jesus, not titles

If you haven’t heard parts one and two of our church history series...

Two decades of revival, resistance, and resolve shaped our church from cautious tradition to mission-led freedom. We trace 2002’s quiet renewal, 2008’s evangelistic surge, and 2014’s inward deepening, and how bold moves, trust, and Scripture-first leadership changed our culture.

• the 2002 renewal that softened hearts and reset tone
• the 2008 three-day surge with seventy-five salvations
• anticipation and atmosphere as a sign of movement
• 2014’s inward decisions and daily-provision faith
• early leadership distrust, cultural fit, and hard battles
• choosing biblical direction over preference and control
• launching multiple services and remodeling for mission
• rebuilding reputation from legalism...

We trace how a banker’s Bible study in 1910 and a rented room above a gas station grew into a multi-generational church shaped by bridge-building, longevity, and decisive leadership. From near-collapse to renewed mission, we share the pivots that moved us from 350 to 1,500 and toward an added campus.

• Early hostility and learning to build bridges
• Dr. Leon Hyatt and Dr. Fred Dice’s 32-year foundation
• Oil bust fallout and years of holding on
• Culture shock, 1999 arrival, and 2001 call to lead
• The meeting that broke the “choke collar”
• Promoting from within and choosing to lead

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Jesus challenges us with the often-overlooked parable of the two sons, revealing how both empty promises and delayed obedience fall short of genuine faith. We explore the difference between religious performance and authentic heart transformation, examining how modern Christians often value image over true obedience.

• Words only have value when backed up by actions
• True repentance involves transformation, not merely compliance or empty words
• The gospel demands immediate response, as none of us knows how much time we have
• God has no grandchildren—each person must develop their own genuine relationship with Christ

Covena...

In this eye-opening exploration of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we discover profound truths about wealth, eternity, and our urgent responsibility to share the gospel with others.

• The rich man's blindness continued even in torment, showing how deeply ingrained our worldly mindsets can be
• Less than 2% of Christians ever share their faith with another human being
• You don't need theological training to share your faith - simply tell your story of transformation
• Start by sharing with those closest to you - your family and friends - for the most effective impact

Pastor Steve explores the parable of the wheat and weeds from Matthew 13:24-30, revealing crucial insights about God's kingdom and how we should respond to evil in our midst.

• Evil coexists with good because God gives everyone opportunity to choose Him and respond to His mercy
• Spiritual discipline in churches should be practiced with love, protecting both individuals and the congregation
• Christians should trust church leadership until given reason not to, rather than assuming the worst
• Satan always has representatives working within churches to cause division and destruction
• Until a person's final breath, opportunit...

Jesus challenges disciples about wealth management through the parable of the shrewd manager, highlighting the spiritual impossibility of serving both God and money while emphasizing that true stewardship demands integrity in all areas of life.

• Exploring the meaning of "shrewd" in Luke 16:1-13
• Contrasting worldly business practices with kingdom ethics
• Examining how compartmentalizing our ethics dishonors God
• Protecting yourself from worldly influences through biblical knowledge

The bottom line teaching of this parable is that God does not honor the mishandling of what He gives us to steward.

Covenant...

The parable of the Ten Virgins serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of genuine spiritual readiness for Christ's return, distinguishing between those who are merely religious and those who are truly transformed.

• True salvation produces evident fruit in a believer's life
• Many churchgoers may embrace religion without true transformation
• Many love the concept of Christianity without embracing its cost
• Authentic faith requires total commitment rather than partial religious observance

Covenant Church

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells a parable about vineyard workers who receive equal pay despite working different hours, revealing how God's grace transcends our human understanding of fairness.

• God's grace often offends our human sense of fairness, especially in reward-oriented cultures
• Our fallen human nature struggles to comprehend heavenly grace that treats all believers equally
• Churches should celebrate new believers with genuine excitement regardless of their background
• Salvation is purely God's gift of grace, not based on works, church membership, or human traditions

Covenant Church Houma

Discipleship requires complete surrender to Christ as both Savior and Lord, transforming belief into obedience and reproducing what God has placed inside us.

• Discipleship at its core means obedience and duplication of Christ's teachings
• Evangelism and discipleship function as two sides of the same coin
• Churches should balance winning the lost with developing believers
• Anything not growing spiritually is dying
• True salvation inherently includes lordship

Covenant Church 

"Love God, Love People, and Lead Others to Do the Same." Pastor Steve explains that serving is essential for spiritual growth, and the greatest blessings in Christian life come when we fulfill the servant role God created us for.

• God doesn't call people to ministries they hate—He gives a love for what He's called you to do
• Jesus modeled servant leadership by making everything about the Kingdom rather than himself
• Many churches have lost focus on biblical servitude by trying to look like the world
• When families prioritize serving, their decision-making changes to put God fi...

Community lies at the heart of Christian faith, providing essential support, encouragement, and accountability needed for spiritual growth and discipleship.

• The church was designed from inception to be a community dedicated to supporting and encouraging one another
• Jesus established the standard for love when He commanded us to love others as He loved us
• People who engage in church community are much more likely to remain committed to their faith journey
• Small groups or covenant groups become your spiritual family
• Coming to Christ puts us on a growth track where we move from being mini...

We explore our church's mission statement—love God, love people, and lead others to do the same—breaking down what it means to truly love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

• True worship means loving God with every aspect of our being
• What matters most in worship is not the style but the heart
• People are always our business—changing lives and eternal destinies
• Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
• Your entire life should be offered as worship to God

Covenant Church

Through the story of Jeremiah being thrown into a muddy cistern for speaking God's truth, we discover profound lessons about standing firm in faith despite rejection and suffering.

• Jeremiah was punished merely for speaking God's truth to Israel about their coming captivity
• Standing for truth often leads to rejection, but these moments reveal what we truly believe
• Christians in other parts of the world face severe persecution while many American Christians mistake minor inconveniences for persecution
• Depression following loss can be overcome through God's intervention and deliverance
• We each choose to become either "empowered...

God's discipline is always aimed at restoration, not punishment, as seen through Jeremiah's prophecy to Israel before their Babylonian captivity. The Lord's promise of a new covenant—one written on hearts rather than stone—points to Jesus and offers hope even in our darkest moments.

• Christians should expect to look "strange" to the world as we are aliens passing through
• Believers find strength through connectedness to the body of Christ during trials
• Praying for enemies is powerful and demonstrates the gospel's transformative work in us
• God answers prayers according to His will and timing, not always a...

Pastor Steve examines Jeremiah's powerful metaphor about abandoned fountains and broken cisterns, revealing how this warning perfectly mirrors our modern spiritual crisis.

• Ancient Judah's double sin: abandoning God (the living water) while creating their own spiritual solutions (broken cisterns)
• The danger of making the church building or religious activities a substitute for genuine relationship with God
• Modern idols we purchase and prioritize instead of God: cars, boats, possessions, comfort
• How our desire for control leads us to create substitutes for God's lordship in our lives
• The risk of placing political leaders in "messianic" positions...

We dig into the book of Jeremiah and discover striking parallels between ancient Judah's cultural decline and our modern world, exploring how God's truth speaks to divisive times.

• Understanding the historical context of Jeremiah as the "weeping prophet"
• Exploring the tension between God's righteousness and His grace in a world that rejects His truth
• Confronting how cultural pressure and comfort numb our hearts to sin and spiritual urgency
• Examining why crisis often brings spiritual awakening while revealing superficial faith
• Learning to balance truth-telling with genuine love when sharing faith in a hostile culture
• Reco...

Explore the theme of divine calling and how it intersects with fear and faith. Discover insights rooted in biblical examples, specifically focusing on Jeremiah’s life and how it relates to us. Gain encouragement in learning how to fulfill your purpose in alignment with God’s will. 

• Discussing God’s calling and sovereignty 
• Analyzing Jeremiah’s biblical testimony 
• Fear and insecurity in ministry and purpose 
• The relationship between general and specific callings 
• Emphasizing the importance of obedience and faith 
• Overcoming challenges in understanding one’s purpose 

Covenant Church