Outside the Sanctuary
William Merkh
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About This Podcast
Outside the Sanctuary is Immanuel Baptist Church's weekly invitation to step beyond Sunday morning and into conversations that feel real, warm, and wonderfully unscripted. The show blends humor, honest reflection, and thought‑provoking topics, all wrapped in a relaxed atmosphere that makes listeners feel like they've pulled up a chair among friends. Each episode leans into what matters most: genuine relationships with people, with community, and with Jesus. Guests join often, adding fresh stories and perspectives, and the topics range from everyday life to deeper questions of faith, always with a lightness that keeps things engaging.
After the heart of the show comes the heartbeat of the hosts. Bill Merkh brings easygoing charm and the occasional detour into The Beatles or Pearl Jam. Katrina McDonald offers a grounded, compassionate, motherly perspective that deepens every discussion. Pastor Vince McDonald might take listeners on a nostalgic trip through Maple Shade, NJ, weaving hometown memories into spiritual insights.
Dr. Marc McCleary adds a thoughtful blend of medical insight and the lived experience of a veteran, giving conversations a depth that's both practical and personal. Steve Entwistle shows up as the everyman, relatable, humble, and armed with a surprisingly deep knowledge of Scripture that sneaks up on you in the best way. Lisa Merkh brings a heart for women's ministries, offering wisdom and encouragement shaped by her passion for helping women grow in faith and community. And Pastor Greg Ginion rounds out the team with the perspective of a pastor who isn't afraid to talk honestly about ministry, calling, and the real-life challenges of shepherding people.
Together, they make Outside the Sanctuary a place where faith feels approachable, conversations feel alive, and listeners feel genuinely connected.
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Recent Episodes
S1E71 How To Deal With Failure
Outside the Sanctuary dives straight into the beautiful mess of being human in this unforgettable episode featuring Marc McCleary, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh. From the moment the mics warm up,…
S1E70 How To Escape the Grip of Toxic People
Katrina McDonald, Marc McCleary, and Bill Merkh sit down for a candid, unflinching conversation about toxic relationships. The subtle ones, the loud ones, the ones we justify, and the ones we don't…
S1E69 Why We Need Friends In Our Lives
Pastor Vince and Bill settle into the studio with the kind of ease that only comes from years of shared life, and their conversation opens with the simple truth that close friends shape who we…
S1E68 Why Gossip Is Harmful
There's a new episode of Outside the Sanctuary, hosted by Steve Entwistle, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh, and it leans into a topic everyone knows too well but rarely talks about honestly: gossip.…
S1E67 Is Modern Christian Music Worth Listening To
Hosts: Steve Entwistle, Marc McCleary, Lisa Merkh, and Bill Merkh The conversation opens with the crew diving into the world of Christian music, exploring why it resonates so deeply with some people…
S1E66 Are Screens Bad for You?
Batman Vs The Joker. Luke Vs Darth Vader. Harry Vs Voldemort. Bill Vs Katrina. This week on Outside the Sanctuary, the usual format gets tossed aside as Katrina McDonald and Bill Merkh go head to…
S1E65 Scripture Showdown: Determining the Best Bible Version
In this deep dive of an episode of Outside the Sanctuary, hosts Steve Entwistle, Marc McCleary, and Bill Merkh sit down for a thoughtful, wide ranging conversation about the many English versions of…
S1E64 From Scrubs to Strollers: Embracing Life as a Wife and Mom
In this warm and often hilarious episode of Outside the Sanctuary, hosts Katrina McDonald, Vince McDonald Jr., and Bill Merkh welcome a very special guest: Holly McCleary, wife of fellow host Marc…
S1E63 Spiritual Lessons from a Preschool Teacher Mom
This week on Outside the Sanctuary, hosts Marc McCleary, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh sit down with a beloved member of the Immanuel Baptist Church family, Theresa Suplee. Theresa brings a…
S1E62 What does Christian Accountability Look Like?
This week on Outside the Sanctuary, Steve Entwistle and Bill Merkh welcome Vince McDonald Jr. for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like pulling up a chair to listen to three…
S1E61 A Life Worth Following
Pastor Vince McDonald, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh welcome back a good friend of the show, Pastor Shane Colwell from Grace Bible Church of Barrington, who returns with his brand‑new book, A Life…
S1E60 Truly Living Outside the Sanctuary
In this episode of Outside the Sanctuary, hosts Marc McCleary, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh open up about what it really means to live a Christian life beyond the church walls. Their conversation…
S1E59 The Importance of Counseling
This week on Outside the Sanctuary, hosts Katrina McDonald, Steve Entwistle, and Bill Merkh welcome Dr. Matt Miller for an in‑depth and surprisingly personal conversation about his life, his…
S1E58 From Sermons to Lego Sets
In this episode of Outside the Sanctuary, host Bill Merkh sits down with Scott Warren, owner of Bricks and Mini Figs Cherry Hill in Maple Shade, New Jersey. Scott is a former pastor and currently…
S1E57 Wedding Bliss and Bloopers
In this laugh filled episode of Outside the Sanctuary, Pastor Vince McDonald, Steve Entwistle, and Bill Merkh dive deep into the unforgettable wedding memories that linger long after the last slice…
S1E56 Embracing Contentment as a Believer
In this joy filled episode of Outside the Sanctuary, Bill Merkh welcomes back a familiar and much loved guest: Keeley (Samson) Smith. The last time Keeley joined the podcast, she was navigating life…
S1E55 Foolish Feuds: Where Common Sense Takes a Punch!
Outside the Sanctuary takes a fun look at the world of dumb fighting as Bill Merkh and Steve Entwistle unpack the arguments that flare up fast, go nowhere, and leave everyone wondering why they got…
S1E54 What I Wish I Could Go Back and Tell My Teen Self
In this episode, friends and co-hosts Bill Merkh, Katrina McDonald, and Steve Entwistle look back at their teenage years and explore the guidance they wish they could offer their younger selves.…
S1E53 When Weather Affects You
In this episode of Outside the Sanctuary, Pastor Vince McDonald, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh dive into the wild, unpredictable world of weather and the ways it has shaped their lives and…
S1E52 What Motivates You?
Well, we did it! It's our one year anniversary! In this episode of Outside the Sanctuary, Steve Entwistle, Pastor Vince McDonald, Katrina McDonald, and Bill Merkh come together for a lively and…
Frequently Asked Questions
Outside the Sanctuary has published 71 episodes since January 2025, covering topics in Christianity, Comedy.
Outside the Sanctuary is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 57m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Outside the Sanctuary, including email and social media links.
