Crossing the River

In his message, “This Seems Impossible,” Pastor Sam launches a new series exploring our church’s core values, beginning with a challenge to step into the impossible through faith. Drawing from the accounts of Jesus walking on the water in John, Mark, and Matthew, he shows how faith calls us beyond fear, comfort, and complacency into courageous obedience. Just as Peter stepped out of the boat toward Jesus, we are invited to trust God in the unfamiliar, keep our eyes fixed on Him through the storms, and follow the Holy Spirit even when the way forward seems impossible. This message challenges us to leave the familiar behind, embrace the risks of faith, and believe God for what is beyond our own ability.

In this message, Pastor Jess explores the call to move beyond an emotional faith into spiritual maturity, allowing the truth of God’s Word to shape both our minds and our lives. Drawing from Titus and Philippians, she challenges believers to take personal responsibility for their spiritual growth, feeding daily on Scripture rather than relying solely on Sunday sermons. As we press toward the upward call of God, His grace trains us to reject ungodliness and pursue holiness in every area of life. Pastor Jess also challenges us to examine what we consume online, reminding us to spend more time in God’s Word than in the endless noise of internet opinions and controversies. True spiritual maturity is revealed not just in what we believe, but in how we live, love, and reflect the character of Christ in our everyday relationships.

In Sunday’s message, “One Body,” guest speaker David McGrew explores the importance of deep intimacy with Christ and the call for the Church to grow together as one body. Drawing from Ephesians 4 and 5, he emphasizes that being with Christ must come before doing for Christ, and that true spiritual maturity comes through a personal, unhurried relationship with Him. As believers grow into the likeness of Jesus, speak the truth in love, and become increasingly connected to one another, each person’s unique gifts, perspective, and calling contribute to the growth of the whole body. Rather than remaining passive observers or trying to fill someone else’s role, every believer is invited to participate, serving and strengthening one another in love. As each member supplies what God has placed within them, the Church grows in unity, maturity, and love, extending the kingdom of God into the world around us.

In this Thanksgiving message, Pastor Leah Robertson explores the importance of cultivating a lifestyle of gratitude and making thanksgiving an active expression of our faith. Through Scripture, we are challenged to give thanks in every circumstance, trust God before we see the breakthrough, and allow gratitude to transform our prayer lives. Discover how a heart of thanksgiving counters entitlement, cultivates peace, and positions us to recognize and respond to God's goodness in every season.

In this sermon, Pastor Sam McGrew continues an ongoing conversation about who we are as a church, what God has called us to, and where we believe He is leading us next. Drawing from Joshua 1 and 3, Sam uses Israel’s crossing of the Jordan River as a picture of stepping into a new season with faith, courage, and spiritual ownership. He explores the call to consecrate ourselves, follow God’s Word, move in God’s timing, and rely completely on His presence as we step beyond what is familiar. Just as Israel had to step into the overflowing Jordan before God opened the way, we are called to trust God and take ownership of the work He has placed before us. The message also explores the practical steps of pursuing this vision through deeper discipleship, stronger home groups, and a renewed commitment to prayer and fasting as we seek to become a house of prayer and see our community transformed.

In this message, Leah Robertson explores the heart of the Christian life: love. Drawing from Matthew 22, 1 John 4, and 1 Corinthians 13, Leah reminds us that every commandment flows from loving God and loving others—not through passive “lip service,” but through active, sacrificial “life service.” She challenges legalism and spiritual pride by pointing to Jesus’ willingness to draw near to sinners, emphasizing that God desires mercy over sacrifice and that we are called to extend the same grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love we have received. Ultimately, this message is an invitation to draw closer to God, release judgment and records of wrongs, and become people through whom His love is freely expressed to everyone we encounter.

In the final week of our Summer School series, Jess explores the profound meaning and significance of baptism. More than simply a ceremony or personal milestone, baptism is a powerful declaration of a new life in Christ—a passage from death to resurrection, slavery to freedom, and old identity to new. Drawing from the story of the Exodus, this message reveals how baptism not only marks our freedom from sin but also commissions us for a life of purpose and ministry, welcomes us into the family of God, and publicly declares where we belong. As we celebrate what God has done and look toward what He is calling us into, we are reminded of Jesus’ command to make disciples and baptize them. Baptism is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of a new way of living, belonging, and proclaiming the gospel together.

In Week 7 of our Summer School series, Sam McGrew explores generosity as sacrificial love that reflects the extravagant nature of God. Drawing from John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 8, and the book of Acts, this message challenges us to see generosity as far more than financial giving—it’s a supernatural act of grace that empowers us to give our time, love, friendship, resources, and ultimately ourselves. Through the example of the early church, we discover that devotion to God produces generosity, where love grows, generosity flows, and the kingdom is costly. Even when we feel like we have nothing left to give, there is always something we can offer when we choose to love others sacrificially and live generously like Jesus.

What does it really mean to be a disciple of Jesus?In this message, Michael Lim challenges us to move beyond simply believing in Jesus and embrace the costly, transformative lifestyle of actually following Him. Discipleship means taking up our cross, pursuing the things of Christ, and allowing God to shape the condition of our hearts—not just our outward appearance.Using the story of Tabitha in Acts 9, Michael introduces the picture of a gazelle as a model for healthy discipleship: swift to obey, alert to flee temptation, and adaptable in changing seasons. He challenges us to live with a “fullness of good works,” investing personally in the lives of others through restoration, empowerment, forgiveness, and practical love.Ultimately, a disciple isn't meant to simply receive from the church—they are meant to become a “donation” to their generation. And every second chance, breakthrough, and miracle God gives us is ultimately an opportunity to glorify Him and help others come to know Jesus.

Prayer was never meant to be a one-sided conversation.What if prayer is more than bringing God your list of needs? What if it is an invitation to encounter Him—to hear His voice, be changed by His presence, and discover what happens when a church learns to pray together?In this session of our Summer School series on foundations, we return to the early church in Acts and look at the prayer life of Jesus to rediscover what it means to truly commune with God. This message challenges us to move beyond empty words and routine requests and into a vibrant, two-way relationship with the Father.Together, we explore five truths about prayer:🔥 Prayer is born out of love. Our prayer life flows from our first love and our desire to build our lives around the presence of God.👨‍👧 Prayer is spoken from identity. When we know God as a good and loving Father, we approach Him not as strangers trying to earn His attention, but as beloved children who have His ear.🤝 Prayer creates unity. When the church prays in “one accord,” something powerful happens. Our hearts become aligned around one passion, one purpose, and one pursuit.⚡ Prayer has power to change things. Biblical prayer is not passive. “Earnest prayer” carries the idea of persistence, labour, and wholehearted pursuit—the kind of prayer that contends for breakthrough.❤️ Prayer has power to change us. Sometimes God changes the situation. Other times, He changes us. Prayer becomes like a scalpel, cutting away what doesn't belong and bringing our hearts into alignment with the Father's will.Whether your prayer life feels like a 1 or a 10, this message is an invitation to come back to the fire. To clear away the ash. To stir the flame. To linger in His presence long enough to hear His voice.Prayer isn't just about getting something from God. It's about getting closer to God.Join us as we rediscover the place of prayer—and learn what it means to stay there until we hear His voice.