Promises of Christmas: Dean Woodward, Christ in the Fire
In this episode of A Woman’s Heart, we continue our Christmas series, The Promises of Christmas, by exploring “Christ in the Fire” with Pastor Dean Woodward, lead pastor of Eastside Church in Williamsburg.
Dean helps us revisit the powerful story of the three men in the fiery furnace from Daniel 3—and how Jesus met them in the fire. Their courage didn’t come from sheer willpower but from a deeper, truer worship. As Dean says,
“The reason they wouldn’t bow was because they already had something in that place. They were already worshipping something so much more wonderful.”
We talk about how these men lived in a world surrounded by idols, temptations, and cultural pressure—much like the world we live in today. And yet, their steadfast love for God preserved them.
Dean reminds us, “We live in the midst of a place where we need Jesus to preserve us.”
Together, we explore what it means to walk through our own “fiery trials” with Jesus right beside us:
“I remember when there used to be that fire… and Jesus, you walked with me then.”
And how God can redeem what feels destructive:
“He turns a fire that could destroy you, into a fire that could warm you.”
You’ll be encouraged to love Jesus above all else because, as Dean puts it,
“God is that good. He’s better than our life. He is the best, so we should love Him the most.”
“Jesus is so good. He’s worth dying for.”
We also discuss how God works uniquely within each of our lives—
“God deals with us all differently. The results should be similar… but not the experience.”
This conversation will strengthen your faith, deepen your love for Jesus, and remind you of the promise that He is always with us—even in the fire.
About Pastor Dean Woodward
Dean Woodward has been a pastor for 38 years and currently serves as the lead pastor of Eastside Church in Williamsburg. He and his wife, Lynn, have been married for 42 years and have three children and seven grandchildren.
Learn more or connect with Eastside Church at eastsidechurchwmbg.org.
