Ministry Focused
We are either focused on ourselves or we are focused on others. But when we start with the perspective of God’s mercy and reflect on …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
We are either focused on ourselves or we are focused on others. But when we start with the perspective of God’s mercy and reflect on …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Being prayerfully dependent locks every other Core Value into place and redirects our thoughts and hearts away from the world and towards God. While some …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
The challenge that we find in Paul’s words is that death is only gain if, as he says, to live is Christ. Life for Paul …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In the first chapter of 1 Samuel, we are faced with the story of Hannah’s confident trust in God and her courageous obedience. Where there …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In 1 Samuel 3, we are left in the wake of Eli’s sons’ wicked deeds as their family of priests does not faithfully stand in …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
While God warns the people through Samuel that if he gives them the king they want then they will beg him for relief, they don’t …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
When we allow our self-regard to consume us, becoming controlling and putting ourselves at the center, we put ourselves in opposition to what God is …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan’s loyalty to God and humble submission to what he is doing in David’s life is the undertone for everything that …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In 1 Samuel 24, David finds himself in a position of power with an opportunity to elevate himself to the position of king. However, he …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
On Palm Sunday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, publicly proclaiming that he is the Messiah. As our Savior makes his way through the …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As we consider the first Advent of Christ—the incarnation—we stand in awe of the powerful empathy of Jesus. The Son of God took on blood …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
After Jesus’ death and burial, Mary Magdalene is faced with loss and confusion over Jesus’ missing body. In the midst of this chaos, we see …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
A humble and capable man of God, Ezra journeys from exile back to Jerusalem, determined to teach the Law of the Lord to the people …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this deeply personal passage, we see Paul defending himself to the Corinthian church. As many have turned aside to false teachers, Paul reminds them …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Looking forward, Paul points us to a day when every believer will stand before Jesus. This day will be one of resurrection, judgment, honor, and …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, Paul cautions the Corinthians against over-identifying with the culture around them. He reminds them that as God’s chosen people, they are holy …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this challenging passage, Paul not only defends his authority, he also explains the power and nature of authority from God. Unlike worldly influence, godly …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, Paul addresses the issue of suffering. Our innate response—especially in our culture—is to avoid suffering if at all possible. However, Paul explains …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As created beings, we are limited by this world and dependent on God in every way. Furthermore, we must understand our corrupt nature and position …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
An important facet of being recreated by God—into his image—is being part of his family. As adopted members of the family of God, we have …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As the book of Nehemiah begins, many of God’s people remain in exile. Meanwhile, those who have returned to Jerusalem face trouble and disgrace, their …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Although this passage in Nehemiah may seem like a mere list of names, it has significance because the work God’s people were doing was significant. …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, the people of Jerusalem come together to hear God’s Word. As they hear the narrative, they help one another grow in understanding …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
For generations, a pattern of prosperity, pride, sin, discipline, humility, repentance, forgiveness, and obedience characterized Israel. In an effort to break the cycle and submit …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Jesus’ resurrection is the lynchpin of the Christian faith, and our response to it is indicative of the state of our souls. In Matthew 28, …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
The overarching narrative of Scripture paints a picture of God’s steadfast love for his people. This love culminates in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, his …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Even after witnessing Jesus’ miraculous power, the disciples fall into fear and panic while at sea in a raging storm. In the face of their …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light—preserving the world by pointing others to the light of the gospel through our …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, Paul begins his exposition of the gospel by first deconstructing the misplaced hopes of both the Gentiles and the Jews in his …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Paul continues undermining the overconfidence of the Jewish believers in Rome, showing them through Abraham’s example that saving grace comes through faith alone. Just as …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As Paul continues to explain how a believer is transformed by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, he unpacks the role of the law. …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
We often approach Romans 9 with a list of questions regarding God’s justice and sovereignty, but Paul’s goal for this passage is to highlight God’s …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Following through the end of chapter 12, Paul compellingly illustrates what our lives will look like when we genuinely offer them as holy sacrifices. In …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As Luke begins the book of Acts, he focuses on Jesus, the Risen King, who calls his disciples to move forward on his mission to …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Peter and John begin the work of the early Church—healing in Jesus’ name and preaching the gospel. Their actions draw the attention of many, and …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
The early church faces both corruption from within and opposition from without. However, God uses both of these challenges to build and purify his church, …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
After Stephen is stoned, the persecution of the church intensifies, and the gospel begins to spread throughout the world. Like Simon, some hear it, respond …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Through the obedience of both Cornelius and Peter, God advances his mission to bring people from all nations to himself through the power of the …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As Paul and Silas continue to travel and preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, they meet mixed responses. Some immediately receive the gospel …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this dramatic passage, Paul deals with tension with the Gentile believers as he goes to Jerusalem, where he will be beaten and arrested. However, …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
At the time of the early Church, Pentecost was a Jewish holiday—a harvest festival celebrating God’s faithfulness. While Jews gathered to celebrate Pentecost after Jesus' …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
The author of Ecclesiastes begins by introducing the writings of the Teacher, most likely Solomon. Solomon has all the time and resources in the world, …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Once again, Solomon brings us face-to-face with the brokenness and injustice inherent in the world. Even wisdom cannot insulate us from suffering and pain. However, …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Solomon continues his journey of despair, grieving the injustice of the world and the brevity of life. No amount of time, money, or effort can …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, Solomon explores the beauty and limitations of wisdom, how we should spend our time on this earth, and what must be endured …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
At the end of Ecclesiastes, both Solomon and the author bring us back to the foundational truths of this book. There is a God, and …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
When the wise men of Babylon cannot reveal Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, there are dire consequences for all. However, Daniel acts with wisdom and discretion. He is …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Power has passed from Nebuchadnezzar to Belshazzar; however, the new king does not learn from his predecessor, and he comes under God’s judgment. Daniel, who …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Daniel, famous for his interpretation of dreams, receives a troubling and confusing vision. In it, we see earthly kingdoms ravage the world, bringing chaos, terror, …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
God’s messenger reveals the future to Daniel, and it is full of suffering, injustice, and systemic evil at work. However, God will be with his …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Just as Jesus’ death and resurrection are inseparable in Christianity, so must our union with him in death and new life be part of our …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Being thankful for beauty and goodness is inherent to the human experience. As believers, our gratitude should flow naturally to the person of God, who …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, Jesus performs his first miracle. In doing so, he reveals his power and glory as he cares for both his mother and …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, Jesus has a conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who recognizes the work God is doing through Jesus. Instead of offering Nicodemus explanations …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
The crowd following Jesus grows; however, they seek his power to fulfill their own agenda. In contrast, the disciples simply want to be with Jesus, …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, John contrasts a man born blind with the Pharisees. Because the Pharisees refuse to entertain any view of the world other than …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus joins our lament—identifying with our grief and anger at the brokenness of the world. However, he embodies the truth that death …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
At the last supper, Jesus shows extraordinary grace to the man who will betray him. Judas has the opportunity to accept Jesus’ offering, but he …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
This passage challenges our tendency to politicize our faith as triumphant over the world. Instead, Jesus tells us to love one another, expect opposition, and …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
After revealing himself as the Son of God during his earthly ministry, Jesus enters a new era of functioning as our priest and advocate—he represents …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As Jesus resolutely steps forward into suffering, prepared to embrace the cross for us, Peter remains in the shadows, confused and afraid. However, we can …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As he concludes his account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, John tells his audience that he has written these things so they might believe. …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he demonstrates the vital importance of identity, vulnerability, and love in the Christian life. Being secure in our identity in …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Everything we have has been given to us in order to love God wholly and love our neighbors. To worship God and love others with …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As James begins his epistle to the early Church, he calls believers to act in faith. While he is clear that being a follower of …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, James calls us to test the authenticity of our faith by examining how we treat others. The notions of rank and position …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, James contrasts false, earthly wisdom with true wisdom as modeled by Jesus. As we consider what this wisdom may look like in …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As James addresses the issue of conflict in relationships, he digs down to the root issue, exposing our propensity towards scheming self-reliance. The prescribed solution …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
The events of Palm Sunday begin the arch of the Easter narrative. Jesus stakes his claim as King in a way that is unmistakable. And …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In the opening verses of Malachi, God reminds the Israelites of his faithful love for them. While they are stuck in a cultural moment of …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
God continues to reveal himself to the Israelites by responding to their rebuttals. Like children who pretend not to understand what they’ve been told, the …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In this passage, we see clear evidence of God’s connectedness to his people. They can both grieve and delight him, even when they are not …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Psalm 23 is familiar and comforting, yet the story of our Shepherd is far more gritty and robust than most of us realize. When we …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
As power transitions from David to Solomon, the psalmist pleads with God to give the king a heart for justice. For when a king embodies …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
In the opening chapter of Ruth, a scene of great tragedy unfolds—loss of homeland, a spouse, children. Yet even in the midst of her grief, …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
Chapter 3 brings us to a pivotal moment in the story. Ruth risks her reputation and her future in a courageous act of loyal love …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director
While our earthly nation is characterized by tribalism, polarization, and fear, we can hold out peace and freedom because our identity is rooted in the …
Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director