Christ Community Church Podcast: Recent Episodes

Christ Community Church

The Christ Community Church Podcast features weekly teaching from Christ Community Church in Columbus, Georgia, where our mission is to awaken ordinary people to extraordinary life in Christ-centered community. CCC is part of the Free Methodist Church and shares that denomination’s vision of bringing wholeness to the world through healthy biblical communities of holy people multiplying disciples, leaders, groups and churches.

"Transformation begins when I stop focusing on what's wrong with them and confessing what is wrong with me."

This message takes us deep into Matthew 7:1-12, where Jesus addresses one of the most misunderstood teachings in the Bible. The distinction between judgment and discernment becomes crystal clear: judgment declares a verdict on someone's worth or destiny, while discernment evaluates behavior through the lens of God's truth.

In a world obsessed with being seen, liked, and followed, we're invited to rediscover the transformative power of the secret place.

Drawing from Matthew 6, this exploration of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount challenges us to examine our deepest motives: Are we performing our faith for applause, or are we pursuing genuine intimacy with God? The message unveils three essential spiritual practices: giving, praying, and fasting, not as religious obligations to showcase, but as sacred rhythms that reshape us from the inside out.

"The gate leading to the hard way is narrow. We have to actually look for it to find it. And in order to enter it, we must leave everything behind."

In her message, Pastor Kelli confronts us with one of Jesus' most challenging teachings from Matthew 7: the reality that following Christ requires choosing the narrow gate and difficult road rather than the easy path our culture constantly offers. Jesus teaches that the blessed life, the kingdom life, isn't found in easy choices but in counter-cultural surrender. The narrow gate requires leaving our baggage behind—our self-righteousness, pride, and sin—and entering one at a time through intentional decision. This isn't about mere moral behavior versus immoral behavior; it's about genuine heart transformation versus outward religious observance. This message calls us to absolute surrender, reminding us that God shows us the way, Jesus is the way, and His Spirit empowers us to walk that way.

"Jesus is saying here that our greatest witness to a watching world is not our doctrine. It's not our systems. It's definitely not our buildings. The greatest testimony to a watching world is that God could somehow bring together people who are radically different and make them one."

Bishop Keith Cowart was our guest speaker this Sunday, and he taught about the awesome distinctives that make us Free Methodists. His message centered on the profound concept of unity within the church, rooted in the very nature of the Trinity.

n this powerful message on Christ-compelled multiplication, we're challenged to embrace our role as disciples who make disciples. The key scripture comes from Matthew 9:35-38 and Matthew 10:1-7, where Jesus models compassion, prayer, and empowerment. We're reminded that multiplication was God's original design, seen in Genesis 1:22-28 with the command to 'be fruitful and multiply.' This isn't just about numbers, but about transforming lives through the power of Christ. The message draws an interesting parallel between physical and spiritual multiplication, comparing disciples to apple seeds that have the potential to grow into orchards. As we reflect on our own faith journey, we're challenged to ask: Who are we walking with? Are we holding tightly to our faith or actively passing it on? This call to multiplication isn't just for a select few – it's for all of us who follow Christ. Let's open our eyes to see the harvest around us, allow Christ's love to compel us, and step out in the authority He's given us to make disciples who make disciples.

"God-given revelation is the foundation on which all the other values stand."

In his message, Pastor Derrick reminds us of the paramount importance of God's Word in our lives. The sermon revolves around the concept of 'God-given revelation,' emphasizing that Scripture is our foundation, our plumb line, and our true home. We're challenged to become 'people of the book,' regularly engaging with the Bible not just for information, but for transformation. The message draws from 2 Timothy 3:14-17, highlighting that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. An intriguing parallel is drawn between the discipline athletes undergo for physical competition and the spiritual discipline we need through Scripture. This message is deeply relevant to our faith journey, urging us to make God's Word the atmosphere of our minds and the anchor of our souls, especially in times of uncertainty or cultural shifts.

n Derrick's message, we're challenged to embrace God's vision of a diverse, unified church. The sermon takes us on a journey through Revelation 7, where we see a breathtaking picture of heaven: people from every nation, tribe, and tongue worshipping together.

This isn't just a future reality; it's a call for us to start living it out now. The message urges us to break down barriers, cross cultural divides, and truly embrace one another in Christ. It's a reminder that our differences aren't meant to divide us, but to enrich our worship and community. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to examine our own lives. Are we actively seeking to build relationships with those who are different from us? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to break down walls in our hearts and communities? This message isn't just about church; it's about how we live out our faith every day, in every interaction.

"Justice refuses to walk by while mercy draws near. Humility sets aside prejudice and takes risk."

In this powerful message, Pastor Derrick challenged to embrace 'love-driven justice' as a core value of our faith. The sermon delves into Micah 6:8, reminding us that God requires us to 'act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.' This isn't just an ancient command, but a vital call for today's world. We're urged to consider how we respond to injustice and division, especially in light of recent events that have polarized our communities.

In our exploration of life-giving holiness, we're reminded that holiness isn't a burden, but a source of freedom and joy. The book of Hebrews provides a powerful pathway, urging us to 'fix our eyes on Jesus' as we run the race of faith. This imagery invites us to shed the weights that hold us back - be they sins, hurts, or unhealthy habits. We're challenged to view God's discipline not as punishment, but as loving preparation, much like a coach who sees potential in their athletes.

This perspective shift can transform how we approach life's trials, encouraging us to ask, 'Lord, what are you building in me through this?' As we pursue holiness, we're called to strengthen others, recognizing that our individual journeys impact our community. The message culminates in the beautiful reminder that true holiness is received by grace, not achieved by effort.

In this powerful message, Pastor Mason invited us to explore the transformative power of God's grace through the vivid imagery of Ezekiel 47. He unpacked the vision of a life-giving river flowing from the temple as a metaphor for God's ability and willingness to transform even the most desolate areas of our lives. Pastor Mason challenged us to consider why we might not be experiencing transformation and encouraged us to take an active role in our spiritual growth. He reminded us that God's grace is available to all, regardless of our past or current state, and that true transformation occurs when we fully immerse ourselves in God's presence.

The power of the Holy Spirit is not just a theological concept, but a transformative force that can ignite our lives and propel us to be witnesses for Christ. As we explore Acts 1:6-8, we're reminded that Jesus promised His disciples power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. This power wasn't for personal gain or comfort, but for a greater purpose - to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Guest Speaker, Gerald Coates invites us to ponder: "Are we clothed with power from on high? How can we open our homes and hearts to those who don't know Jesus? The call to be witnesses isn't just for a select few - it's for all of us who follow Christ."

"Worship is not about a moment. Worship is about a movement of the heart and our lives."

Worship isn’t just something we do on Sundays: it’s how we live every day. In this powerful message, Pastor Derrick unpacks the true nature of worship through Deuteronomy 6, Mark 12, and John 15. We’re reminded that worship begins with love and grows through pursuit. It’s not about performance, but a relational response to God’s presence that aligns our hearts, even in life’s storms. Catch this life-giving word and be challenged to make worship a constant, transformative rhythm in your life.

On Family Sunday, our very own Director of Children's ministry taught on the importance or listening and recognizing the Lord's voice.

This sermon explores the story of Samuel's calling, emphasizing the importance of listening to God's voice, being open to discipleship, and recognizing our purpose at any age. It highlights the significance of mentorship, passing on faith to the next generation, and being attentive to God's calling in our lives, whether big or small.

In this powerful message, Pastor Kelli unpacks the profound human need to belong and how it relates to our spiritual journey. Preaching from Ephesians 2:14–22, she shared how Christ has broken down the walls that divide us, making us all part of God’s family. Pastor Kelli reminded us that in the church, diversity should unite rather than divide us. She challenged us to find our place in the body of Christ, emphasizing that each of us is necessary and has a unique role to play.

In our journey of faith, we're called to embrace transformation not just for ourselves, but for the sake of others. This powerful message challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones and ask, 'What does Jesus want me to do?'

We're reminded of the Great Commission in Matthew 28, where Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. But this isn't just about traveling abroad; it's about recognizing the diverse cultures right in our own communities!

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the transformative power of Jesus' simple yet profound invitation: 'Come to me.' Drawing from Matthew 11:28-30, we're reminded that in a world filled with weariness, burdens, and chaos, Christ offers us rest - not just physical rest, but a deep, soul-renewing rest.

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the transformative concept of 'being with' Jesus. Drawing from Mark 3:13-19, we see Jesus calling His disciples not just to follow Him, but to be with Him. This idea of 'withness' goes beyond mere physical presence; it's about cultivating a continuous, conscious communion with Christ.

In this powerful exploration of Galatians 6:11-18, we're reminded that nothing matters more than our relationship with Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul's passionate plea echoes through time, urging us to focus on what truly counts - not external rituals or appearances, but the transformative power of the cross. Pastor Derrick challenged us to examine our own lives: Are we relying on empty religious practices, or are we embracing the life-changing grace of God? The message reminds us that in Christ, we are new creations, freed from the burden of legalism and empowered to live authentically for Him. As we reflect on Paul's words, let's consider what marks of Jesus we bear in our own lives and how we can more fully embody the gospel of grace in our daily walk.

From the Law to Life 🙌

"Rules cannot revive our soul. Rituals cannot renew our heart. It takes Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit to breathe life into dead things."

The law reveals our sins, but only Christ can redeem our souls. We can't rely on checklists or rituals to do what only the grace of Jesus can do. Pastor Derrick teaches from Galatians 3:19-29 to remind us that life is not found in the law but by the love of Christ!

"Freedom without transformation is disorienting. It can even be dangerous."

In this powerful message, we're challenged to embrace true freedom in Christ by walking in the Spirit. The central theme revolves around Galatians 5, where Paul contrasts the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. We're reminded that while we've been set free, many of us struggle to live in that freedom

This message encourages us to examine our lives: Are we using our freedom to serve or to indulge? What evidence of the Spirit's fruit do we see? It's a call to surrender our heavy yokes to Christ and embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our daily walk.

Faith brings freedom. We are justified - made right with God - by faith alone. Not by works, not by striving, not by earning approval.

In this powerful message, we're reminded of the transformative power of faith and the freedom it brings. The core of our discussion revolves around Galatians 3, where Paul challenges the Galatians' misguided attempt to add works of the law to their faith in Christ. We learn that our righteousness comes through faith alone, not by our own efforts or adherence to religious laws.

"We're called to unity, but we are not called to uniformity. In Christ, we are formed for freedom!"

In his sermon, rooted in Galatians 2:11–21, Pastor Mason challenged us to embrace our church’s core value of “Unity in Diversity," not as a reflection of modern politics, but as a gospel-centered reality established by Christ. . As believers, we’re called to embrace this unity with others across ethnic lines, celebrate diversity in worship and expression, and resist anything that challenges Christ’s ultimate authority.

This week’s message reminded us: Grace means you don’t have to perform for love. 🙌 Paul’s story in Galatians shows how God’s grace changes everything, freeing us from people-pleasing, transforming our past, and giving us bold purpose. When we walk in grace, we walk in truth, confidence, and testimony!

"What is the one thing we're clinging to closer than the cross? What is keeping us from full surrender to Him?"

Pastor Kelli unpacks Luke 18, challenging us to examine our hearts and let go of anything we value more than Christ—because true surrender leads to the fullness of life He offers.

"A cruciform life is one that sees the wounded, stops for the broken, and loves without limits."

Pastor Derrick walked us through Luke 10:25-37, reminding us that faith without compassion is empty. We are called to follow Jesus' example—the true Good Samaritan.

"If we want to follow Jesus, we must embrace our own death."

Pastor Mason opened our series "Cruciformed" using Luke 9:23, where Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. That means letting go of our own desires, our need for control, and our idea of success because we can’t save ourselves. Only He can.

Even in seasons of frustration and drought, God’s grace still flows. In Numbers 20, we see how God provided water in the wilderness — not because it was deserved, but because His grace is unmatched. 🌱

Guest Pastor Charles Latchison preached an incredible message on God's grace in dry places!

When the wilderness exposes your idols, will you choose to worship God instead?

In Week 2 of The Wilderness Experience, Teaching Pastor Derrick Shields walked us through Exodus 32, revealing the path of idolatry—impatience, compromise, rebellion—and the call to true worship.

The wilderness exposes our preferences for:

Familiarity over freedom
Complaining to others over crying out to God
Disobedience over dependance

Pastor Kelli kicks off our new series with a message from Exodus 16, exploring the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and God's faithful provision and kindness along the way.

"As children of God, we are reflecting something to the world... is it the light of Jesus? What kind of light are you reflecting?"

Pastor Derrick preached a powerful message from John 1:1-8 and encouraged us to reflect on what it means to live as image-bearers of Christ, strategically placed in our homes, workplaces, and communities to reflect His light.

We were reminded that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Let’s continue to reflect Christ’s light wherever we go!

We are designed for connection—with God and with others. Yet, our sinfulness often disrupts the loving community we were created to enjoy. Thankfully, God calls us back into that community through the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus.

In this message, Pastor Derrick explores Genesis 1 and 2, reminding us that we were never meant to navigate life alone. He identifies seven common barriers that hinder our relationships with others:

Pride

Selfishness

Unforgiveness

Fear & Insecurity

Sinful Nature & Fleshly Desires

Prejudice & Judgment

Lack of Love

Which of these challenges resonate most with you? How can you invite God to heal and transform those areas in your life?

"It is God's desire to restore intimacy in every one of our lives."

In this message, Pastor Derrick takes us through Genesis 1–2, revealing how God designed us for a close relationship with Him. Despite the separation caused by the fall, Jesus, through His sacrifice, makes a way for us to be restored into that intimate connection with our Creator.

Gabriel, God’s messenger, appeared to Mary, declaring her as one favored by God to bear His son, Jesus. The angel’s greeting led Mary to ponder why God would choose to bestow His favor, or grace, on her. Mary’s decided response was one of humility and anticipation, providing lessons for us today.

"Through Jesus, the true value of the undervalued is revealed."

God deeply values those whom the world often overlooks. As His followers, we’re called to reflect that same love by showing others their incredible worth. And don’t forget—we, too, are cherished as children of the King!

When there doesn’t seem to be enough… Eucharisteo

When things don’t go as we expected, or hoped for, or prayed for… Eucharisteo

When God calls you to do hard things… Eucharisteo

Pastor Kelli closes our series on Eucharisteo by reminding us to give thanks in ALL things.

"Peace with God comes through salvation. The peace of God comes through thankful prayer."

Pastor Kelli reminds us that gratitude is the key to overcoming preoccupying worry and embracing the peace of the Lord, which surpasses all understanding.

Check out her full message here!

Today marked the beginning of a new series on gratitude, recognizing our God as the good, generous giver and giving Him ultimate thanks for all we have!

Pastor Kelli teaches through 1 Chronicles 29:9-19, reminding us that "the foundation of Eucharisteo is believing that God is a good and generous God."

"The mouth speaks what the heart is full of..."

Pastor Kelli teaches through James 3, reminding us of the enormous power our words carry with them and the revelation of hearts through them

Our conflicts with others often stem from our own selfish desires, revealing our need to humble ourselves and surrender to God.

In the final message of our James series, Pastor Derrick walks us through James 4, urging us to embrace humility and show grace to others, just as the Lord graciously does with us.

“That which we do doesn’t save us. That which we do is in us!”

Pastor Derrick teaches through James 2:14-26, spurring us on to good works through faith!

Pastor Derrick kicks off our new sermon series, Sincerely, James, by encouraging us to shift our perspective on trials. Drawing from James 1:2-8, 12-15, he reminds us to see trials as opportunities for growth, seek God’s wisdom in the midst of challenges, and hold onto the promise of blessing for those who remain steadfast in their faith.

James' goal was to encourage his readers to reflect their faith in everyday actions—being doers of the Word, not just hearers (1:22). This includes gaining God’s perspective on wealth and responding accordingly.

Pastor Derrick reminds us of these key points:

✨ Riches are temporary, but the poor will be exalted.

✨ How you acquire and manage wealth matters.

✨ Showing favoritism is a sin that leads to ruin.

Do you need a fresh encounter with Jesus? Pastor Derrick preaches the last message in this series on the Book of John, reminding us that Jesus can restore us, provide direction and recommission us for His work if we will only draw near to Him.

We can be honest with our doubts, because Jesus is willing to meet us where we are with grace, patience and love.

Pastor Derrick preaches through John 20:24-31, reminding us that in times of doubt, Jesus welcomes our questions and meets us where we are.

How will you respond to the resurrected Christ?

Pastor Jason leads us through John 20, encouraging us that when understood correctly, we find that the resurrection of Jesus is not simply an historical event. There are ripple effects that impact us in ways that not only transform us, but compel us to share the facts of the story with others.

Pastor Mason leads us through John 18:28-19:16, reminding us of how Jesus' interaction with Pilate on His way to the cross demonstrates that governmental authority is legitimate, but ultimately subject to God’s authority.

Mason encourages us to remember that Jesus, not politics, should have the most influence on our lives and that...

"We do not allow those disagreements to divide us as God's people because that would betray that we have political loyalties above our allegiance to Jesus, who has united us. And our unity as God's people is a powerful witness that God is King of the cosmos!"

Suffering is to be expected as a follower of Christ. It is not a matter of if, but when. Yet Jesus reminds us that in the midst of our trials of hatred and persecution, we are not alone.

Pastor Jason leads us through John 15:18-16:4, drawing our attentions to the Holy Spirit as our help, strength and comforter in times of need.

Check out the message here!

Pastor Derrick leads us through John 17, encouraging us to pray as Jesus prayed before His crucifixion.

Check out the message here!

"There is only one way that we can truly abide in Jesus, and that is to make ourselves at home with Him."

In John 15, Jesus refers to Himself as "the vine," and we are "the branches," communicating that apart from His love, His spirit and His life, we can do nothing that produces true, lasting fruit.

Pastor Kelli leads us in a unique way through the passage, describing what it means to ABIDE in Him in our every day.

This week, Pastor Derrick led us through John 13, where Jesus humbly washes the feet of His disciples. But what does it really mean for Jesus to wash our feet? And how are we called to "wash" the feet of others?

Jesus wasn't only concerned with outward cleanliness; He was pointing to the deeper issues of our hearts and souls.

Are there areas in your life that need "washing"? Any sins or attitudes that require Christ’s cleansing touch? This week, take time to bring these before Jesus, asking for His forgiveness and renewal.

"Jesus' love for us is not positioned in our physical vibrancy. His love is as deep as it gets!"

Through John 11, Pastor Mason encourages us that though our physical bodies are in a state of death, Christ came to give us eternal life and vitality, and He loves us enough to comfort us even in the physical state of death.

“I hope we’re not guilty of looking to Jesus because of what He can do for us, rather than who He is to us."

In John 6, Jesus introduces us to Himself as the "Bread of Life," and sadly, many disciples departed from Him after hearing this. They wanted what Jesus had but were not as committed when they realized that the true bread was Christ Himself.

"Not only does Jesus offer living water, He offers the source of living water!"
Our interns led an incredible service at CCC, filled with Spirit-led worship, scripture, and a fresh word from John 4.

Check out the message here!

Incarnate means God in the flesh; in human form. Jesus, God incarnate, takes the initiative in pursuing a relationship with man by asking “What are you looking for?” followed by an invitation to “Come and see!” In turn, by following Jesus’ example, we initiate discipleship by bringing others to Jesus and inviting them to “Come and see!” The ultimate incarnation invitation is for the divine and human to meet and share life through Jesus

What does it mean to serve a God who was both fully God and fully man?

Pastor Derrick opens our new 13-week series on the Book of John by introducing us to one of the most profound, scandalous and loving mysteries of all: the incarnation of Jesus.

In order to walk with Jesus, silence and solitude are absolutely necessary! Pastor Derrick closes the "Be Like Jesus" series by teaching through Psalm 46, which urges us to be still and to trust in the Lord.

"We demonstrate the Kingdom of God by loving in such profound ways, that even those who disagree with us, we win their hearts, not to us but to Him!"

Bishop Keith Cowart closed our "Culture Shock" series with the most important call of all: to love! Check out his message here.

Throughout “The Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus immerses us into a culture that tends to be counterintuitive and disorienting for most people: the culture of the kingdom of the heavens. Verses 21-26 highlight the significance of the attitudes of the heart in relation to others.

"In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is confronting us with the culture of the Kingdom of Heaven."

In order to be sanctified, we must adapt to Jesus' call to wholeness. Pastor Mason teaches from Matthew 5:17-20 on what it looks like to be disciples of Christ, growing in the wholeness for which He created us!

Mercy is... the healing we receive when our sins are exposed to God's forgiveness."

Throughout “The Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus immerses us into a culture that tends to be counterintuitive and disorienting for most people: the culture of the kingdom of the heavens. Verses 3-5 laid out the progression of our awareness of and relationship to God. Verses 6-8 take the next logical step by highlighting characteristics we should strive to maintain in relationship to one another as members of this divine kingdom.

"Jesus says, 'The Kingdom that I have actually means detachment from everything you know and love and desire, and completely and fully attaching to me.'"

According to the culture of the kingdom, it is those who are powerless and marginalized who are in a good position— because they are prime to respond to and receive from God.

"Peace is not natural. The natural person has a spirit of self-preservation and self interest," which is countercultural to Jesus' call in the beatitudes.

Pastor Kelli teaches us, through Matthew 5:9-12, that we are to be "peacemakers," which means having: 1. a new view of self, 2: a new view of others, and 3: a new view of the world.

Pastor Derrick reminds us on Palm Sunday, that through Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, He ushered in peace and salvation once and for all!

While teaching in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2. These verses lay out His mission and, as His agents, it becomes our mission, too.

Jonah, a well-respected prophet in his home country, chooses to disobey God’s instruction, yet God doesn’t give up on Him. He serves as an example to us that while there are consequences for our disobedience, there is also an invitation to repentance and redemption.

The main ingredient for a generous life is coming to know the generosity of God.

The goal of this message is to facilitate a shift in our mentality from one of scarcity to one of abundance!

New Year’s resolutions tend to be futile when 1) we seek to accomplish them in our own strength and/or 2) they foster self-centeredness.

What we truly need is for God to give us a new life in the Christ, and for us to give ourselves to His clear mission to share about that Life with others.

Pastor Derrick gives the last message of 2023 here!

Pastor Derrick leads us in the second week of Advent by reminding us of the significance that God is "With Us" through His invitation to know Him.

Pastor Derrick introduces the first message in our Advent series, "With Us" by exploring the vital significance of Christian community and how Christ's birth has redeemed our chance at embracing it fully.

Pastor Kelli encourages us to "change our wardrobes," by replacing our old selves with Christ and His attributes!

Colossians 3:1-17

BODY BUILDING results from embracing the “problem-solution complex” of the

gospel as ultimate; FLESH BUILDING results from captivation via any alternative.

Check out Pastor Mason's latest message in the Book of Colossians!

Pastor Jason led an engaging time of teaching on Family Sunday from Colossians 1:13-23, knowing God as the head of the church is our salvation.

Christ is the builder!

Within a dependent relationship with God, knowing is foundational for walking. Pastor Mason opens our new series on the book of Colossians with a call to both the knowing and living of the Christian life.

Prayer that connects us with the heart of God is the key to overcoming challenges in our life that have seemed insurmountable.

Pastor Derrick reminds us of the A.C.T.S. model of prayer as we seek to align our hearts with His. Check out this special service of worship, testimony and communion.

Pastor Kelli concludes our series, "Stories that Change," with a message of deliverance, devotion and discipleship as we look at Mary Magdalene's story that dramatically changes as she encounters Jesus.

Jesus delivered a Gentile from the control of a “legion” of demons and sent him to his people as a witness to God’s power, goodness, and mercy.

Bishop Keith Cowart joined us Sunday to preach a message of deep, walking us through the entirety of

Psalm 23 and teaching us how to pray through scripture.

Sin does not cancel one’s call and purpose in life. God is not done. He doesn’t waste His callings.

We can learn what restoration looks like by looking at the life of Peter throughout the books of Matthew and 1 & 2 Peter.

Sin does not cancel one’s call and purpose in life. God is not done. He doesn’t waste His callings.

We can learn what restoration looks like by looking at the life of Peter throughout the books of Matthew and 1 & 2 Peter.

"Lost doesn't mean they're condemned... it just means they're not in the right place."

Zacchaeus— a traitor and extortionist to his people but valuable to Jesus— was saved through a revelation of Jesus (not self-reform), which led Jesus to affirm his identity within God’s people and Zacchaeus to become a righteous steward of his riches.

"Jesus is not satisfied for us to live a tame, stagnant life!"

Due to an encounter with Jesus, a broken outcast among the Samaritans of Sychar is transformed into a restored influencer.

Pastor Kelli beckons us into the abundant, living water to which Jesus calls us through her latest message in our series, "Stories that Change."

Your story with Jesus has the power to CHANGE… not only your heart but the hearts of others!
Saul’s encounter with Jesus transformed him from a persecutor of Christ (according to the will of Saul), to an apostle of Christ (according to the will of Christ).

Josiah becomes King of Judah at a young age. Though the two kings who preceded him did evil in the sight of the LORD, Josiah did right and followed the example of King David. Upon hearing the words from the lost book of the law that had been found, Josiah, along with the people of Judah, turn from their evil ways and make a covenant before the LORD to be keepers of the law.

As opposed to refusing or abusing authority, Paul casts an anti-oppressive, redemptive vision of authority for the new humanity in Christ: those under authority are to embrace it— in view of Christ as their motivator— and those in authority are to leverage it for the sake of those under their authority— in view of Christ as their model.

Our summer interns led us in a powerful time of worship and teaching.

Since only God can empower us to defeat our real Enemy— whose mission is to separate us from God and from one another, let’s— together— utilize God’s resources to withstand the attacks of Satan and his demons.

We are called to “put off” the old humanity of sin, be renewed in mind, and “put on” the new humanity of righteousness and holiness— created in Christ— which Paul describes as love, light, and wisdom (instead of malice, darkness, and foolishness).

A foundational way that we— the body of the Christ— are called to participate in God’s plan to head up all creation in the Christ is to guard our unity.

God has revealed His original plan to unite (and thereby renew) creation under the headship of Christ, which is even now being realized through the church— Christ’s “body.”

Pastor Mason preached an incredible word yesterday on God’s view of our physical bodies, teaching from 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.

"Overlooking the value and significance of the physical body leads to deep spiritual brokenness, so value and care for the body as worship and witness to God."

Pastor Mason leads us into Week 3 on our study of Malachi by reminding us that in our accountability to God, we have two options: condemnation or surrendering to God’s way of salvation in Jesus.

Bishop Keith Cowart continued our series in Malachi by teaching on the subject of "true worship," while tying in his latest experiences of pure, true worship from the Asbury revival.

We're excited to kick off our new series on Malachi by exploring the foundation of our faith: God's unfailing love for us.

Join us as we journey through this powerful book together! Check out the first message in this new series here.

Two elements of our “strategy”— how we interact with each other to accomplish our mission — are 1) to WORSHIP God with our whole heart and 2) to BELONG to the family of God.

Sunday, we experienced spirit-filled worship and breakthrough during our service as Pastor Derrick and Pastor Kelli preached on two core values: Unity in Diversity and Living Sent.

Check it out here!

Pastor Derrick and Pastor Jason kicked off "Core Work" with a team-teaching on two of our core values at CCC: Pursuing God and Extending Grace.

As we head into this new series, we will learn what it means to build our "core," as a church body, strengthening our unity so that we can fulfill the mission that God has for His church!

The covenants that God made with Abraham’s family (e.g., the Mosaic and Davidic Covenants) anticipate the New Covenant— mediated by Jesus, the Son of God.

Whereas contracts exist to support transactions, covenants exist to support relationships. Pastor Derrick shares with us the beautiful ways in which God loves His creation through covenant, starting with the Noaic covenant found in Genesis!

"What might God be saying to YOU through the 2023 theme, Body Building?"

Check out the first message of the new year here!

"Do you recognize that true life is lying in the manger?" Pastor Mason teaches through Matthew 1:18-2:18, reminding us of the shepherd's great invitation to us.

Pastor Jason teaches through Luke 2:1-14, reminding us of the significance of the birth of Christ and how it moves us from fear to glory!

Through 1 John 4:1-6, Pastor Jason teaches us how to distinguish the discipleship of the godly and ungodly and to know Jesus intimately for ourselves.

Pastor Kelli teaches from 1 John 2:18-3:10, reminding us that the antidote for false teaching and ungodliness is our anointing from the Holy Spirit.

Through 1 John 2:7-17, Pastor Derrick reminds us that we can have assurance in our salvation through asking ourselves three key questions:

Do you love God and His people?
Are you growing in your faith?
How much do you love the things of this world?

Pastor Derrick opened our new series, “Awakened to Love” teaching us what it means to have and to be an expert witness of The Gospel

What does conflict reveal about you?

"Self-centeredness is the essence of spiritual immaturity." Pastor Mason dives deep into James 3 & 4 to reveal and teach what Christ-like conflict should look like, taking us from self-centered combatants to God-centered peacemakers.

Pastor Anja Staten taught on the topic of "Incarnational Listening" this week, showing love to others through listening, a model that Jesus demonstrated perfectly during His ministry.

"The activity of your family does not have to determine your future. God determines your future."
Pastor Derrick leads us through the principle of understanding our family genograms to recognize our generational sin so that we can move forward and break patterns of unhealthy strongholds, with God's grace.

"When we have hidden assumptions, we create a counterfeit world. When we do this, we exclude God from our lives, because God does not exist outside of reality and truth."

Pastor Derrick teaches through several passages in the bible to illustrate the importance of always believing the best about our brothers and sisters and pursuing whole and healthy relationships with them.

"The greatest leaders are the greatest servants.”
The Summer Intern team lead us through Mark 10:32-52, teaching on the unique nature of Jesus' "upside down" leadership style.

"The root of wholeness is the life that only God can give to us."
Pastor Mason teaches through Mark 8, that the only way to wholeness is through true, wholehearted submission to Christ. Check out his message here!

"The key to holiness and wholeness is to surrender ourselves completely to Him, over and over again."

Our new mission statement reads, "We Exist to Awaken the Broken to a Life of Wholeness Found in Jesus." Pastor Kelli, teaching from Mark 6 and 7, helps us define "the broken," and those definitions may surprise you! Check out her full message here.

Special guest Rev. Dr. Venter Fraser serves in the Free Methodist Church as the “Strategic Catalyst for Justice." Through his work in our denomination, Venter seeks out ways to "catalyze the implementation of the Love-Driven Justice value throughout the FMCUSA."

Teaching through the book of Mark, Dr. Fraser encourages us to see others the way Jesus sees them, to love them in their brokenness, but to also point them to wholeness!

Pastor Derrick reminds us through the story of Lazarus in John 11 that...

Jesus sees the whole picture when we can't.
Jesus is not afraid of your feelings.
Jesus brings dead things to life!

Pastor Derrick introduces our new series, "A Life of Wholeness" by illustrating, through the life of Saul, the signs of unhealthy spirituality.

2022 is the year for us to allow God to rebuild what the enemy has destroyed in our lives. We can take action through confession, prayer and fasting!

On Sunday, Pastor Derrick opened a new series on The Book of Nehemiah that kicked off a 21-day period of prayer and fasting for our church.

Click here to listen!

A special Christmas Eve message

"The word HOPE is active... it means LEAN IN!"

Pastor Mike leads us through Luke 2:25-38 to remind us that we are to be a people filled with expectation because God is still who He has always been:

A God who keeps His promises
A God who is sovereign
A God who is generous

Click here to watch the full message!

The Advent season is a celebration that Christ has come but also that He will come
again. That means that we are not done preparing. We have a responsibility of
preparedness as Christ-followers.

"Waiting on the Lord is a way of life that goes against having our own way right now."

In this season of Advent, Pastor Kelli teaches a dynamic message on HOW to wait obediently, patiently, and actively on the Lord! Check it out here.

Pastor Derrick leads us in our second week of studying the biblical principles of generosity by illustrating the four fruits of a generous life:

A greater contentment with what we have
An increased love for The Kingdom
A clarity about our purpose
A more loving heart for others

Check out his message here!

"The foundation of a generous life is believing that our God is a generous God!"

Pastor Kelli Wommack introduces our new series on generosity by pointing us to the essence of all generosity, found in God's gifts of creation, relationship, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Check out her full message here!

"Love does not run when things get hard or uncomfortable. Love says, 'I'm willing to bear the burden of discomfort in order to be ONE with you."

Preaching from Paul's example in 1 Timothy, Bishop Keith Cowart shares a profound word for our church and a call to unity in the midst of our current climate.

1 Timothy 1:3-7

“We can’t force discernment. But we can find ways to make ourselves open to it.”

Pastor Derrick teaches us 3 beliefs that are crucial for discernment:
- Belief in the goodness of God- if we don’t believe Gods goodness is for me, we begin to be suspicious
- Love is our primary calling - what would the love of God do in this situation? How does it fit?
- Belief that God communicates w with us through the Holy Spirit who is given to help us know the demand of love in our situation.

Key Scripture: Numbers 9:17-18

Intercession can be defined as "carrying people into the presence of God, to cry out on their behalf, and to listen to God for their next steps."

Pastor Derrick continues in our Soul Food series by teaching on intercessory prayer in the life of Moses.

Pastor Derrick continues our Soul Food series by sharing the importance of living an attentive life. He uses Moses' example from Exodus 3:1-4 to remind us that "busyness and distractions are enemies of the soul."

Pastor Derrick continues our series Soul Food by introducing us to the life of Moses in Exodus 2:11-15. Through Moses' story, we explore what lies beneath the surfaces of our own lives.

Matthew 16:26 — “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” –

This verse isn’t about a destination... it’s a diagnosis. You can lose your soul right here, right now.

Check out Pastor Derrick's introduction to our Soul Food series here!

"The peace of God is not the absence of problems, but the presence of God. It’s the fruit of believing that God is in control."

Pastor Kelli leads us through Paul's plea for the anxious heart in Philippians 4.

Pastor Derrick takes us through Philippians 3:2-11

Pastor Nick Cash leads us in discussing Philippians 2 and its implications for our Christian lives.

"If He's in control, it's liberating, because I don't have to be!"

Pastor Derrick kicks off our new series by teaching from chapter 1 of the Book of Philippians

"Even today, in 2021, in Columbus, GA... God is still speaking!"

Teaching from 1 Timothy 3:16-17, Mike reminds us how the scripture was designed to MOVE us to action.

Scripture references, 1 Tim. 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12

"A redeemed person can forget the reality of their own condition." Special guest, Superintendent McAvoy concludes our series on Jonah by teaching from chapter 4.

"We all have a little Jonah in us." Pastor Derrick leads us through The Book of Jonah, starting with Jonah's rebellion.

"God wants to rain fire in our hearts and souls to purify us!"

Pastor Derrick preaches a Palm Sunday message on WHY Jesus was sent to Jerusalem and how He is at work in our hearts today!

If you're alive, you have a passion inside of you! Check out Pastor Mike's full message here.

Pastor Kelli Wommack introduces our new series on Calling by sharing that we have all been created by God for a unique and specific purpose! Check out her full message here!

Pastor Derrick launches us into our theme for 2021, Live Sent, through the scripture of Isaiah 6.

CCC members share their stories on how our 21 Days of Deeper Prayer, fasting journey and current series have changed their lives!

In his message, Pastor Derrick shares the attributes of healthy humility and a few scriptural observations about pride.

Key scriptures: 1 Peter 5:-7, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 6:25, Psalm 55:22

"Many people are unwilling to experience the new things God is doing because of the baggage that keeps them longing for the past."

Pastor Derrick teaches from Isaiah 43:18&19, reminding us that even in this season, God is with us, and He is doing a new thing.

2020 has been a LONG year...

And while we look forward to all that comes with 2021, we know that there was a lot worth celebrating this year.

So, we invite you to join us as we celebrate all that the Lord has done through our church this year!

We celebrate a very special Christmas Eve service with the answer to our prayers: The Light in the Darkness, Jesus!

"What's gonna be different in 2021?... The only thing that will be different is our relationship with God and belief that God is FOR US and has gone before us."

As we move into 2021, Pastor Derrick teaches from Joshua, providing steps to "cross the uncrossable."

"I have to find a way to disrupt my life by bringing Jesus into my life through prayer." Pastor Nick sheds some light on the Inn Keeper's perspective while also encouraging us to find time to be interrupted by prayer!

From Sunday's morning services, Pastor Mike brings an insightful message on the obedience of both Mary and Joseph's prayers in Matthew 1:18-56.

"We pray to a God who both listens and speaks.
We pray to a God who is both personal and big picture. We pray to a God who both answers and acts. We respond to God with both praise and worship."

Pastor Kelli Wommack teaches from Luke 1:5-25 and 57-80 on the prayers of longing from Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist.

Pastor Derrick ends our series, Lord Teach Us to Pray, by reflecting on Matthew 6:14: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

Pastor Derrick kicks off our advent series by reflecting upon the prophetic prayer in the book of Isaiah, 700 years before Jesus' birth. Isaiah 64:1-9

Pastor Nick Cash continues our series on The Lord's Prayer by teaching what it means to practice listening prayer.

Pastor Derrick continues to lead us through The Lord's Pray by reflecting on Matthew 6:13, "Lead us now into temptation but deliver us from the evil one."

As we continue in our series Lord, Teach us to Pray, we focus on Matthew 6:11: "Give us this day our daily bread," learning what it means to petition appropriately to our God.

Check out his full message here!

Pastor Kelli Wommack preaches a passionate message on the first line of The Lord's Prayer: "Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name," illustrating the importance of adoration in prayer.

She teaches us both the WHY and HOW in learning to adore our father.

"Prayer never forces God to do what is not His will; rather, it releases from God to us what is His will." Pastor Derrick preaches the second message in our new series from Ephesians 6 and Matthew 4.

Pastor Derrick teaches on Ephesians 6, reminding us to put on the full armor of God and to STAND firm in His Word.

"Life is stronger than death. Grace is stronger than sin. Light is stronger than darkness. God is stronger than the devil. We are on the winning side. Hallelujah!"

Pastor Derrick continues our series on the Parables of Jesus by teaching from Matthew 13.

"God wants to be found!"
Pastor Mike teaches from the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl. (Matthew 13:44–46 )

Pastor Kelli teaches from Matthew 13:31-35 on the Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast, reminding us that no matter how insignificant we feel, the Holy Spirit can and will do mighty things through

As we continue on our new series on The Kingdom, Pastor Derrick teaches on The Parable of the Sower, reminding us that we are to sow seed wherever we go. You can find this parable in Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23

"The Kingdom of Heaven is wherever the reign or dominion of God is displayed." Heaven is NOW. Pastor Derrick kicks off our new series on the Parables of Jesus and what our role is in bringing Heaven to Earth in the present day.

Bishop Keith Cowart reminds us that the church's purpose, even in these times, is to love people, love God and make disciples.

He challenges us to think about the following questions:

Am I spending as much time in the Word as I am watching my favorite news outlet?
Am I as angry at Satan for trying to divide us as I am at those who have a different view on COVID, race or politics?
Am I praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ as much as I am talking about them?
Am I as passionate about reaching the lost as I am about my view of wearing masks?

On Intern Sunday, Senior interns Ellie Lamb and Riley Higgins preached our message on Wholehearted Service. Check out their sermons here!

After sixteen years on staff at CCC, Billy Gross gives his final message on what he has about surrendering to the love of God.

Because God unites us in the essentials, we can celebrate diversity in the non-essentials.
Demonstrated by … maintaining a shared loyalty to Jesus Christ, our mission, and our core beliefs, while promoting a diversity of spiritual gifts, and racial, social, and spiritual backgrounds. (John 17:20-23; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; Gal. 3:28; Titus 3:9)

Pastor Nick Cash teaches on our core value of intentional outreach, using 3 testimonies from members of our congregation.

Pastor Mike Hofer teaches on the core value of Passionate Spirituality and how it begins in the home

On Father's Day, Pastor Derrick continues to teach about the story of The Prodigal Son as it pertains to our core value of "Authentic Relationshi

As we review our church's identity, mission statement and core values, Pastor Derrick reminds us that we are called to be an environment of grace.

"Because God accepts us and wants to make us whole, we freely extend His grace to everyone. Demonstrated by... modeling mutual acceptance in a way that welcomes the broken, promotes forgiveness, allows freedom to fail, and brings out God's best in everyone."

Pastor Derrick introduces a new series by reminding us of our mission statement: "Christ Community Church exists to awaken ordinary people to extraordinary life in Christ-centered community."

He asks the question, "Have you made yourself available to God's call on our church... on your life?"

Reflecting on Joshua 4, Pastor Kelli reminds us to do perform three essential functions so that we do not forget this time:

Contemplate – what Has God been doing? What is He doing now? What have you learned during this time? About God? About yourself?
Celebrate – Give God praise and glory for how He has been at work, how He is at work now. Praise Him for who He is and for His goodness and faithfulness.
Commemorate – Take the time as an individual or as a family to find something to use as a memorial of this time – a stone, a scrapbook, a journal; a photo; something you have created or built. Tell His Story!

Scriptures: Psalm 13:5-6, Lamentations 3:20-21, Joshua 4: 22-24

"Sometimes God stops you in order to do a work in you before he can do a work through you."

Pastor Mike preaches from Philippians 2 to remind us that God is still at work even in the midst of uncertainty.

Check out his full message here!

Pastor Derrick encourages us to look forward to what God is doing, not backward by referencing Isaiah 43: 16-19

Pastor Derrick reminds us through Romans 11:33-34 and Luke 12:56-57 of four key ways in which God is working through this pandemic.

Pastor Derrick reminds us how to pray effectively using the Lord's Prayer, presenting it as an intimate invitation for a relationship with Him.

"God speaks, and dead things come to life!"

Pastor Nick reminds us that through Jesus' death and resurrection, He has given us the power of resurrection in our own lives.

"If you've never failed God, this message is not for you."
Pastor Derrick brings an Easter Sunday message focused on Peter's denial of Jesus and Jesus' response.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled."
Guest speaker, Bishop Keith Cowart teaches from John 14:1-14 on Palm Sunday, providing comfort five ways to choose to walk in a place of victory even in times like these.

"The foundation is poured before or after the rain comes."

Pastor Derrick teaches from Matthew 7, urging believers to be like the wise man who "built his house on the rock."

"We live out our faith through love and mercy."
In case you missed it, check out Pastor Mike's message here!

"Our anxieties reveal our priorities."

Pastor Derrick offers a message of hope in the midst of troubling times.

Check out his full message here!

We continue our mini-series Journey to Freedom by celebrating the wonder of God’s deliverance of his people as He made a path for them on dry ground THROUGH the parted waters of the Red Sea.

Pastor Kelli Wommack continues our series on Journey to Freedom by teaching from Exodus 3.

Through the scripture, Kelli teaches that:
- God is intimately acquainted with us.
- God desires to communicate with us.
- God with us changes everything.
- God came down to be with us.

Check out her full message here!

"We are limited people serving an unlimited God!"
Pastor Derrick continues our series, Journey to Freedom, by examining the plans and promises of God as they unfolded in the lives of the Hebrew people enslaved in Egypt.

Check out his full message here!

You weren't created to live in bondage... you were created FREE!

Pastor Derrick kicks off our new series, Journey to Freedom, by teaching from Genesis 2:4-25. Check out his full message here.

"The point of spending time with God is not to spend it with Him the 'right way.' It's just to spend it with Him... period."

Through his own experiences and the experiences of others, Pastor Nick Cash provides practical ways to spend time with God during your busy day. He teaches from Matthew 9:35 and Mark 6:30.

With the help of a few guest speakers, Pastor Derrick concludes our series on Knowing God as Holy Spirit by teaching 3 key aspects of baptism. He teaches from Acts 2:37-39, 8:12, 14-17 and 19:1-7.

Pastor Derrick teaches from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 to show us how we are to use spiritual gifts. "Spiritual gifts are the instantaneous enablement of Holy Spirit in any believer to exercise a gift for the edification of others."

Check out his full message here!

"Holy Spirit is not His name, it's His function. His name is God."\

Pastor Derrick expounds upon last week's message by revealing key characteristics of Holy Spirit: His mind, will and emotions.
(Ephesians 4:25-32; Acts 8:18-23)

Pastor Derrick kicks off our new series on Knowing God as Holy Spirit by teaching us 3 essential truths about Him. Check out his full message here!

Pastor Nick gives a special conclusion to our Advent series on Christmas Eve as he teaches us the true meaning of Emmanuel, God with us.

During this special service, we rejoiced as a church body as we celebrated testimonies of God's faithfulness and fruitfulness in our church.

We also look forward at what is to come in the New Year as we kick off Prayer Week and 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting on Sunday, January 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Derrick preaches the fourth message of Advent, asking us the question, "We have Jesus, but why don't we have peace?" He provides three reasons why we do not live peaceful lives and encourages us to take on the yoke of Christ, which is easy and light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Hear his full message here.

Pastor Mike leads us into the third week of the Advent season by teaching us what it means to have true, biblical joy, "Chara."

He assures us that joy can be found... in God's presence, in the fruit of a Spirit-filled life, and in the choices we make to focus on what is to come.

"Agape love says, 'I also see where you're weak, and I love you anyway.'"
Guest speaker, Rose Brewer reminds us of what Agape love truly means through 1 John and through the stories of ministry partners around the world. (Please note: there were some parts of this message that could not be recorded due to their sensitive nature.)

"Hope is believing that there is a person on which our foundation stands." As we begin the Season of Advent, Pastor Kelli dives into what it means to have "hope," through an in-depth look at the hope that the Messiah would bring to the people of the Old Testament and to us.

Check out her full message here!

"Everybody tithes to something. Something gets our first and our best." Pastor Derrick closes our series on "Fresh Faith" by reminding us that we are to give to God our first and our best.

Check out Derrick's full message here!

"Being a covenant-keeping community is essential to our relationship with a covenant-keeping God."

Check out Pastor Derrick's full message here!

Pastor Derrick continues this series on The Book of Malachi by diving into chapter 1:6-14. In these verses, The Lord is examining the hearts of His people, who are offering Him "left over" sacrifices and offerings. Pastor Derrick reminds us why it is important to give God our best. Check out the entire message here!

Pastor Derrick opens a new series on The Book of Malachi, beginning in chapter 1. He reminds us that God's overwhelming love is always present even if our circumstances don't appear that way. Watch his full message here.

Pastor Kelli Wommack shows us that our neighbors include anyone who is not "us." Preaching from Luke 10, she reminds us of how important it is not to "step over" our neighbors and to have a genuine love for one another by allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our minds.

Brandon Branigan explains the impact that his community had on his decision to follow Christ and teaches from Acts 10 to illustrate the importance of loving your community outside of the church.

Check out his full message here!

Pastor Mike Hofer continues our series by uncovering the church's "weakest link" when it comes to sharing the gospel: loving our enemies. Mike reminds us that the words of Jesus are often HARD and call us “to do more” – more than religion, more than the status quo, more than keeping “the Law.” Check out his full message here.

Pastor Derrick kicks off a new sermon series surrounding the parable of "The Good Samaritan." In his message, Derrick focuses on three key elements that encompass how we are to love our neighbors: "who," "when," and "how much?" Check out his full message here!

Pastor Nick concluded his series on Christ-Centered Homes by showing practical ways that families can work together to follow God's leading to "make disciples of all nations."

Pastor Nick continues to teach us, through Joshua 24:15, that we are responsible for making our homes holy, safe places for our families, roommates and for ourselves.

Pastor Nick begins a new mini-series, "The Christ-Centered Home" by showing us what it means for our household to have purpose. Check out more here!

Pastor Derrick ends our series on Identity by addressing how forgiveness allows us to step fully into the purposes that God has for our lives.

Pastor Derrick continues our series on identity by taking a deeper look at who we are in Christ. He describes what it means to be beings who are comprised of a body, soul and spirit.

Check out his full message here!

Pastor Nick Cash preaches to both our minds and souls by prefacing his message with the accuracy of scripture and explaining the lens through which we see the world around us. He provides us with practical ways that we can fix our eyes on Jesus even when we cannot physically see Him.

Pastor Derrick takes us on a 4-week journey through the path to unlocking our true identity in Christ.

Check out his message to see where the first identity crisis in our world began...

Pastor Derrick continues our series on our identity in Christ by breaking down the reasons why threats to our safety, connection and empowerment often lead to the emotion of anger.

Pastor Derrick ends our series "Live by the Book" by walking us through the implications of Revelation 3:14-20 and what it means when Jesus calls the church in Laodicea "luke warm." How do we avoid that reality in our own lives?

Check out his full message here!

Pastor Kelli dives with us into the Book of Colossians and reflects on what it means to live a life worthy to the Lord and how to please Him in every way. Check out her full message here!

Pastor Derrick reminds us through Acts 1:7-8 that the church is not meant to simply be a place of attendance-- the church is meant to be a movement! Check out his full message and a special guest appearance from The Galloway family, missionaries in Bulgaria, here!

Pastor Mike Hofer leads us through the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4 and reminds us that our job as a church is to cultivate good soil. Check out his full message here!

Pastor Nick Cash reveals to us through the Book of Habakkuk that while our experiences are real and valid, they are often based on our limited understandings. However, God makes decisions based upon His omniscience and eternal perspective

Check out his full message here!

CCC Summer Interns led us through the Psalms during the Family Sunday service. All interns played a vital part in the services, from planning, to video production, worship and teaching!

Check out audio of the full service here!

Pastor Derrick uses 2 Chronicles to encourage us that with these 5 principles, we can break the cycles of despair in our lives.

Check out his full message here!

Pastor Mike Hofer encourages us through Isaiah 9 to remember that we can take heart in dark times because:

* The light is here!
Freedom is here!
Salvation is here!

Check out his full message here!

Pastor Kelli Wommack continues our series on "Live by the Book" by teaching from the book of Joshua, reminding us that God is full of faithfulness-- He has been faithful; He is faithful, and He will be faithful!

Pastor Derrick Shields teaches from the book of Genesis 2. Check out the full message here.

Pastor Derrick reminds us through the book of James that prayer is an essential piece to our walk with the Lord, but it's not always easy. Check out the full message here.

Pastor Nick cash teaches from James 2 to remind us that our faith is marked by our obedience. He uses creative illustrations to show us that we must not only receive our salvation, but we must put it into practice to experience abundant life!

Pastor Mike continues our sermon series on The Book of James and reminds us that through our tongues, we can speak death or life; build or destroy relationships, and it is only through the Holy Spirit that the tongue can truly be tamed.

Check out his full message here!

As we continue our journey through the Book of James, Pastor Derrick teaches through verses 2-5 and 12-18, encouraging us to seek the Lord in all circumstances.

Pastor Derrick begins a new series on the Book of James. He uses James 3:13-18 to explain the differences between Godly and earthly wisdom.

Check out his full message here!

As we came together to celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Christ, Pastor Derrick reminded us that the resurrection cleanses our sins, brings us into a new identity as children of God and provides us with power to face life's challenges.

As Holy Week kicks off, we celebrate how, through Jesus’ sacrifice, we come alive!
Alive to His cross, His resurrection, His grace, His power, His transformation in our lives today.

In his message, Pastor Derrick reminds us of three key focal points about the Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem that reflect who we are and can often be as followers of Christ.

Pastor Nick Cash reminds us that Jesus says that we are the light of the world, the hope for the lost, and His image-bearers here in this life.

Check out Nick's full message here!

During a very special and interactive Family Sunday message, Pastor Derrick reminds us of the most important rule: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

"Who are you discipling, and who is discipling you?" Pastor Mike uses his own life experience to remind us that nothing is impossible for God and that no one is beyond His ability to save. Check out his message here!

Pastor Kelli Wommack reminds us that we are saved to be a "sent people" in our workplaces, homes, schools and beyond through John 20 and Acts 13.

In this new subseries, Pastor Derrick reminds us through Ephesians 3:20 that our God is a god who is able to do "exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or imagine." He challenges us through the Parable of the Hidden Treasure to trust God with all that we have and to abandon the things of this earth for His love. May we become a people who can say, "No Rivals," "No Refusals," and "No Regrets."

Pastor Derrick and special guest, Superintendent Keith Cowart, dive into what it means to become The Church that God has called us to be. They use Ephesians 3:20 to remind us that our God is a God who can do infinitely more than we could ever ask or imagine!

Pastor Mike Hofer continues to teach on living by vision by inviting us to look at Joshua 24 to get a picture of what a Godly household vision looks like. He reminded us that God always keeps His covenants and expects us to keep ours to Him; however, he is able and willing to help us along the way!

Pastor Kelli Wommack uses the story of Moses in Exodus 3 to remind us that God hears us, calls us by name and invites us in to a personal relationship with Himself. Also, Pastor Jae Lesley makes a surprise return to give an updated on Village Church and to share the story of God's calling on his family's life.

Pastor Derrick encourages us to be a people who live by God's vision and teaches from Proverbs 29:18

Pastor Derrick Shields ends our time in Ephesians with Paul's 5 points to keep us in unity with the Spirit.

Pastor Kelli Wommack challenges us to live our lives out of the overflow of our identity and inheritance in Christ, recognizing the "reckless love" that our God has for us.

Pastor Derrick Shields reminds us of the stark contrast that Paul paints in Ephesians between the death we once experienced in our sin and transgressions versus the light, sonship and inheritance we now have because of Christ.

Pastor Derrick teaches from Ephesians 1:3-14 to remind us of our identity in Christ.

Pastor Derrick casts his vision for Christ Community Church in 2019 by teaching four focal ways that the Lord is calling us to live out our mission in 2019.

Pastor Mike Hofer continues our Advent series by reminding us that waiting is a part of life that can have profound, spiritual impact. Our waiting is not meant to be passive but engaging!

As 2019 begins, Christ Community Church is being called into a season of fasting and prayer. Listen to hear how Pastor Derrick and Pastor Nick break down the true meaning of fasting and use the truth of God's word to explain its purpose and benefits.

Pastor Nick Cash uses Isaiah 40 to reveal the Lord's preparation in the waiting.

Pastor Kelli Wommack uses 2 Peter to remind us that God's timing is not our timing and that there is meaningful purpose behind "the waiting" that the Lord uses for our good!

Pastor Derrick kicked off the Advent season with a message of hopeful expectation. Referencing Isaiah 64:1-9, he reminded us of four major prayers to pray during a season of waiting: action, remembrance, repentance and trust

Pastor Derrick concluded the series, "Detours on the Road to Your Destiny" on Sunday by posing the question: "What would your confidence look like if you really believed that God was always with you?" e!

Pastor Derrick continues to teach from the life of Joseph from the book of Genesis. "The path to our destiny is seldom straightforward." Listen as he reminds us of the purpose in our detours.

Pastor Derrick uses the story of Joseph's journey in Genesis to provide us with four signs that the Lord is with you and working in the midst of your detour.

Yesterday, Pastor Derrick introduced a new series entitled "Detours: On the Road to Your Destiny" by summarizing Joseph's relationship with his brothers and his father and foreshadowing the detours ahead of him. Listen and see if you can relate to Derrick's own detours and the construction that the Lord did on his heart during those moments.

Pastor Keith's gave his final message to Christ Community Church yesterday, and reminded us that the Lord's presence is greater and more abundant than anything this world has to offer. Listen as he uses Moses' life and leadership as an example of a man who understood this principle to be true.

In one of his final messages to the church, Pastor Keith reminds us through Luke 19 that though God is all sufficient and sovereign, He invites us to give of ourselves and to participate in His story of redemption.

During this very special service, Pastor Keith and Pam Cowart share their hearts and describe the joy, gratitude and love they feel toward the CCC congregation as the move to their next phase of life: stepping out of Christ Community Church and into a new season! Watch and listen as they share what CCC has meant to them over the last 20 years.

Pastor Kelli Womack reminds us through 2 Corinthians of the transformative power we have within us through the Holy Spirit and how we can position ourselves for His transformation!

Pastor Nick Cash preaches from John 9 on Family Sunday, reminding us that we don't have to have all of the answers to be effective for God's kingdom.

During yesterday's message, Pastor Mike taught from 2 Kings, drawing a parallel from the lepers, who found a great feast at no cost, to those of us who have found our gift in Christ: We cannot keep it to ourselves, but instead, we must share the good news with our world!

During Sunday's message, Pastor Derrick Shields encouraged us to become people of fervent prayer, reminding us of the power that resides in our prayer life. Derrick referenced the book of Daniel in light of Daniel's persistence and faith in God.

Special guest speaker, Andrew Chalmers, founder of Take the City, joined CCC on Missions Sunday to remind us of our true identity in Christ. Listen as Andrew reinforces the freedom and abundant life that we can find in Jesus!

Pastor Derrick Shields reminds us of the potential impact to a lost world when we open up and share our testimonies, revealing to others what Christ has done in our own lives.

Pastor Derrick Shields shares with us what it means to be team players in God's Kingdom, to execute His plan here in our world.

Pastors Keith Cowart and Derrick Shields open a new series by sharing their hearts on the subject of racial reconciliation.

Pastors Derrick Shields and Billy Gross share with us what it means to be a Christ-centered community of believers.

Pastor Keith Cowart and Pastor Derrick Shields show us what it means to be spirit-filled people, allowing The Holy Spirit into every part of our lives.

Pastor Keith and Pastor Derrick remind us what it means to be people with "plowable hearts," referencing the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13.

Pastor Derrick and Pastor Keith revisit our 2006 message series in which we studied the life of King David, to learn from his journey with God what it means to “be a people after God’s own heart.”

Our Core Value #4, Unity in Diversity, says: “Because God unites us in the essentials, we can celebrate our diversity in the non-essentials … promoting a diversity of spiritual gifts, and racial, social and spiritual backgrounds.” This is Us – united in Jesus and enriched by diversity. Racial “unity in diversity” has been a meaningful part of our journey. God has been steadily teaching us to live out His life in loving color!

When we connect to notions of giving and helping, it is because we are made in the image of God. He is a giver and His nature echoes in our souls.

Pastor Keith and Pastor Derrick revisit our corporate “theme” for the year 2013, when we focused our attention on the five-fold work of Christ: Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension and Return. This captures the heart of our faith as a church – that Jesus is supreme!

Pastor Keith digs into Jeremiah 2:5-13, another passage that God has used often to speak to the CCC body over the years. The message always: Trust in God as our one true source of life.

Pastor Keith revisits Ezekiel 47:1-12, the passage that has provided the foundation of Christ Community’s ministry since its early existence, and Pastor Derrick challenges us with this question: Are we willing to not only step into the River, but to go in over our heads?

Pastor Derrick explains Christ Community's heart for outwardly focused love over our 20-year history, and with the help of outreach director Pam Bone, details how we can put our faith into action this summer.

In this new message series, titled “This Is Us” and co-taught by Keith and Derrick, we’ll look back over the past 20 years, talk about defining moments and be reminded of things God has lead us to/through that have helped shaped who we are as a community. We'll also look forward and talk about how to continue building on the foundations that have been established the past 20 years.

Does religion negate the findings of science? Or vice versa? Watch as Pastor Derrick explores this intriguing topic, the one that earned the most votes in our poll to determine the final installment of our #FakeNews series.

At its worst, the prosperity gospel is a fraud. Even at its best, it’s still a twisted Christian principle that puts us at the center of the universe and reduces God to a “genie in a bottle” kind of god. Pastor Keith sets the record straight in the latest message from our #FakeNews series.

Pastor Nick Cash addresses the misconception that Christ-followers are "just" sinners saved by grace. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we are much, much more.

Jesus told us to expect trouble in this world, refuting any misconceptions to the contrary that would follow. Certainly we suffer, but God is with us - and has purpose - in it.

Although it’s convenient and sometimes humorous to say "the devil made me do it," it is an outright lie. The devil does not make us do anything. We are born with sin – you can see this by simply watching a 2-year old. We don’t have to be taught to be mean to steal or to lie.

Pastor Nick Cash discusses the misconception that eternal life begins only when a Christ follower’s time on earth ends.

Pastor Derrick Shields addresses the notion that associating with and loving someone is equivalent to affirming sin in their life.

What does the Bible really say about judgment and when we should or shouldn't engage in it? Pastor Keith looks at a pair of key passages from Jesus and Paul on the topic.

Pastor Keith Cowart walks us through God's redemptive work, beginning at the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, and taking us through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Our magnificent Creator is a missionary God. He is ever in pursuit of His mission – to fill all the earth with His glory! This is not some arrogant display; it is actually for us. We see this when we truly understand His glory.

This week our Harvest series turns to strangers, or “neighbors yet to meet,” which may be a more accurate term. Pastor Keith looks at three biblical harvest stories – three “divine appointments – and shares the stage with one of our members, who has his own outreach story to tell.

Pastor Keith cites Paul's teaching from the third chapter of 1 Corinthians to illustrate how God has done a work of sowing, watering and developing at Christ Community over the years, preparing the way for a new Lead Pastor to take over later this year.

Pastor Derrick Shields teaches on how to demonstrate and tell others about our faith in the places where we have the freedom to walk, talk and interact with others - the places where we spend the majority of our time.

Galatians 5:25 says, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit …" Here, in the context of celebrating 20 years of Christ Community Church, Pastor Keith shares how keeping in step with the Spirit sometimes means looking back; at other times, staying in place; and still others, moving forward.

To whom is God calling us to share the His love and gospel? We all have three concentric circles of influence: Family and friends; neighbors and associates; and strangers we encounter. In today's message, Youth Pastor Mike Hofer addresses the family and friends circle - perhaps the most diffi-cult of the three.

The love and compassion Jesus felt for the shepherd-less multitudes was not an end in itself. It moved him to action - to call his disciples to prayer and then to send them out.

When Jesus saw people who were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:35), he had compassion on them. He was stirred by love. This is the fuel for harvest as we obey his call to go and share the good news of eternal life in him.

Our view of the world is critical in the call to Harvest, for how we see the world at large has a huge impact on how we see people.

Pastor Keith presents a look at Isaiah, who was overcome by the glory of God and subsequently responded to His call to "go" with a response of complete obedience: "Here am I. Send me!"

Pastor Keith shares his beginning-of-the-year “State of the Church” message and looks ahead to a renewed call on us, as a church and as individuals, to go into Jesus’ harvest field and tell others about Him.

We are on the cusp of a new year! It’s a fresh start. We are motivated to make changes, to commit to new things, to make a difference in our lives and in the world. Pastor Mike Hofer explores how these ideas, drives and sentiments boil down to one focal word: Hope.

The expectancy we feel at Christmas echoes the longing of our souls for Christ’s return. Pastor Nick Cash’s Christmas Eve message calls us to connect the miracle of the Savior-who-came with His promise to come again in full and final triumph!

In this Advent series, we have considered how we prepare for His arrival, doing so with faith-filled anticipation, and we have pondered the meaning of it all in the story of the shepherds. Today we reflect, through the story of the Magi, on the appropriate response. How shall we respond to this good news, this Savior born to us who is Christ the Lord?

Pastor Mike Hofer leads us through Luke’s account of the Christmas story, which reveals not only the arrival of the Christ child, but also the arrival of the presence and prophecy of God, and the common to the uncommon.

Advent is a season of anticipation. We all are waiting for God to come, for Jesus to be born in our lives. In our story today, Simeon and Anna set great examples for how we can live well in anticipation.

We end this year with a focus on Advent, the season of the Christian year in which we celebrate the earthly arrival of Jesus our Savior King. Week 1 of this five-week message series addresses the extensive preparation God the Father made in sending us His Son.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 makes clear when we should give thanks: In ALL circumstances. When we do so, even in hardship, we experience God's presence, which is what we need above all else.

With a look at all four Gospel accounts of Jesus feeding the five thousand, Nick Cash explores how to be thankful when circumstances suggest otherwise.

Over the next three weeks, we will examine three different contexts for thanksgiving: In the ordinary moments of life, in lacking – those moments when it seems there is not enough – and in the hard moments of pain and struggle. Today we explore the first of these.

The final message in our “Acts Awakenings” series focuses on the story of Paul and Silas, who while imprisoned modeled for us the power of praise in the face of adversity. May we take their example to heart.

Continuing our Acts study of the Holy Spirit’s awakening moves in and through the early followers of Jesus, we examine here how they were awakened to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and how we may be awakened to Him as well.

This week's "Acts Awakenings" message looks at Acts 10, in which Peter comes to realize Gentiles are welcome in God's Kingdom. Also, Pastor Keith leads us in a powerful expression of commitment to our planned student ministry center.

This week's message addresses God’s heart for all the world and his grace in involving us in the work of introducing others to him: “And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Youth Pastor Mike Hofer brings this week's "Acts Awakenings" message from Acts chapter 6, a look at how Jesus commissions and equips us to take His good news to the world.

Like the Old Testament servant whose eyes were opened and he "saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire," we are surrounded by the supernatural. Here's Nick Cash's insightful teaching on what the supernatural really is and what it means for us as followers of Jesus.

When God’s people cry out, the Holy Spirit moves, the enemy brings opposition, and Kingdom results follow. Opposition, therefore, can actually unleash our strength and impact in the world.

This week and next week we will explore how the powerful moves of God in the early church were always met with opposition from the world and Satan.

We are walking through the Book of Acts to celebrate the many awakening moves of the Holy Spirit in and through the followers of Jesus. This week's message focuses on the disciples' dramatic transformation from fearful scattered sheep to bold apostles for the kingdom.

In Acts 2:41-47, Luke tells the story of the Church’s birth. These verses give us a glimpse into the rich, transforming life the early Christ-followers shared as a community. They were not perfect, but God’s Spirit stirred among them in powerful ways, and the Kingdom of God grew and spread.

This week we look at Acts chapter 2, the account of the Church being born – not a church building or a place, but a community, a people.

Pastor Keith spends some time addressing the tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12, then begins a new message series in which we'll study some of the awakening moves of the Holy Spirit recorded in the Book of Acts.

Elijah experienced God's presence in a victorious mountaintop moment - and in a lonely, dark time as well. As we learn from these stories in 1 Kings, God is with His people wherever they go.

Teaching from Ezekiel 37, Mike Hofer points to the power of the Holy Spirit to bring dead things to life and leave no doubt about the only one who is so able: "'Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it,' declares the Lord."

God’s Word, though it was written in ancient times, always has applications today. This week’s teaching is on Deborah, a story of obedience from the book of Judges – and an example of the kind of obedient heart God seeks when He calls us to do something.

In this Old Testament story of sibling rivalry, Leah was frequently mistreated by those around her, but God made it clear He saw her and loved her.

Samson is well-known for his physical strength. But the story of this intriguing Old Testament figure offers plenty of spiritual lessons, including this: It's never too late to cry out to God.

Student Ministries Pastor Mike Hofer draws from the book of Ruth for this challenging message on how Christ-followers should live as an unbelieving world looks on.

Continuing our Retro Faith summer series on Old Testament figures, Pastor of Leadership Development Kelli Wommack shares four important lessons we can glean from Joshua and his journey of faith.

There are plenty of lessons for all of us in the story of Abraham, a man who "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6).

Our summer "Retro Faith" series begins with a look at Hosea and Gomer, a real-life representation of God's pursuit and redeeming love of His people.

As we continue to hear the Lord and respond to His awakening, there is a clear call to look outward. Awakening is never just for our sakes alone; the Holy Spirit’s stirring always leads us into the world to take His gospel and grace to the lost and broken. As Jesus promised, “And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." (1 Cor. 12:12)

Worship pastor Jae Lesley shares his testimony of hearing and obeying God's call to leave Columbus and plant a church in Angel Fire, New Mexico.

God is still calling us to awakening – to a new surrender to His Spirit, to a deeper yearning for His fullness, to a fresh vision for His kingdom to “come” among us and through us. We have had several expressions and images of this awakening: wind, fire, a river, the unclogging of a spring, the filling of the “middle room” (i.e., soul). Today we focus on a new image – the contrast between fallow ground and plowed ground.

Many Christians stop at salvation, only allowing Holy Spirit into “the back room" of their lives. They are basically choosing to manage their soul themselves, but this is not the abundant life God intends for us. We were created to be in full surrender to the love and lordship of our Maker.

Guest speaker Mark Nyeswander connected CCC’s foundational text – Ezekiel 47, that powerful representation of the transforming life of God as a river – to Jesus’ statement that “Whoever believes in me … out of his inmost being will flow rivers of living water.” The life of God, through the Holy Spirit, is meant not simply to be in us, but to fill us and flow from us.

Now that we have finished our Growing in Wholeness series, we look to the One who is central to our wholeness, the One Jesus told us he would send to “be with us forever – the Spirit of truth.” We will spend the next month or so exploring and celebrating the nature and work of the Holy Spirit.

"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory? Where, O death, is your victory Where, O death, is your sting?’” (1 Corinthians 15:53-55)

Our Growing in Wholeness series concludes with the message that wholeness is an ongoing journey – revelations, insights, releases and healings bring joyous breakthroughs, but these are not the end; we must continue to walk out our faith.

Prior to this week's message, worship pastor Jae Lesley and his wife, Kaci, shared about God’s call on them to plant a church in New Mexico. Pastor Keith's sermon focuses on the need to be aware and alert, for the devil “roams about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

This message is closely related to last week’s message about lies and deceptions. If we come to accept the lies and distortions of our enemy or the world, we often take the next enslaving step of making agreements or even vows that align our minds and hearts with the voice of our enemy, thus giving him a stronghold in our lives.

Deception is at the very heart of Satan’s strategy to “steal, kill, and destroy.” So much of our brokenness is rooted in deception, but God wants to free us from these lies – this is an essential part of our growing in wholeness.

Nobody likes suffering (and rightly so), but it is an inescapable part of life. So how do we deal with it? Here Pastor Keith discusses how God can strengthen us to walk through suffering, and how we can bear with it in a way that does not lead to brokenness.

We have examined our own sin, and the need to forgive the sins of others against us. Now we shift to “generational sins” – the brokenness in our family tree that produces patterns of dysfunction and unhealthy behavior.

Forgiveness is one of the essential aspects of wholeness. Last week we explored why we need to forgive. This week we will examine what forgiveness really is and how to forgive.

This week we begin with the changed-life testimony of one of our missionaries, Chance Galloway, then continue our Growing in Wholeness series with a look at the brokenness that results from the sins of others against us.

Growing in wholeness begins with understanding the nature of sin, for all brokenness is rooted in sin. We began last week with an honest look at our own sin; the focus today is on habitual sin in our lives.

We can be quick to blame other people or other circumstances for our condition. While it's true that people or circumstances may have played a role, it is essential to understand that our own sin is our most fundamental problem. We are 100 percent responsible for our sinful choices.

Salvation is much more than a ticket for getting into heaven after we die. The fullness of salvation is captured in the Greek word sozo – “to save, deliver and make whole.” In other words, salvation and wholeness are inextricably connected.

Paul wrote that we have the treasure of God’s redeeming grace in “jars of clay.” We are earthen, fragile, broken vessels, but many of us ignore or hide this truth. God wants wholeness for us, and that begins with acknowledging our brokenness and bringing it to Him.

In the wake of our January 8-11 “Call the Awaken” gatherings, Pastor Keith challenges us to keep pursuing God and trust Him for “more than we can ask or imagine.”

Pastor Keith’s first message of 2017 includes a discussion of the call to spiritual awakening that God has placed on us, and a significant announcement regarding leadership at CCC and in our denomination, the Free Methodist Church.

Student Ministries Pastor Mike Hofer brings a New Year's Day message on love and apathy, and a challenge to choose the former over the latter.

Pastor Keith teaches from Luke 2:25-35, in which the righteous and devout Simeon "took [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'"

Teaching on Luke 1:48-55, Pastor Derrick Shields explores Mary's journey from uneasy expectant mother to exultant worshipper.

This week Pastor Derrick Shields leads us through Luke's story of the angels and the shepherds on the night of Jesus' birth.

The week we break from our Advent series for an honest discussion of our financial needs and 2017 budget.

Before Jesus could come to earth in human form, John the Baptist had to prepare the way. Thus John and his father, Zechariah, are an integral part of the Christmas story, and Zechariah’s words as recorded in Luke 1:67-79 are a spirit-filled song of praise to God for bringing it all about.

We close our "Give Them Jesus" series, a nearly year-long walk through the Gospel of John, with this look into chapter 21, in which God moved on John’s heart to tell the story of Peter’s restoration from his denial failure.

In last week's message, we walked through the agony of the cross, the horror of sin, the depth of our lostness. This week we look at John 20:1-18 and celebrate! The resurrection changes everything – He is risen; He is risen indeed!

Examining the cross in the context of our year-long study of John gives it even fuller meaning. Here Pastor Keith explores the significance of the crucifixion based on the apostle's brief but rich account.

Continuing our study of John, we reach a significant turning point in the story: The betrayal, arrest and trial of Jesus.

Pastor Keith teaches on what Jesus prayed for His followers, and what it means, as John recorded it in the 17th chapter of his gospel account.

Pastor Keith shares a report from his recent trip to Iraq and describes some powerful ways God is moving in that part of the world.

Guest speaker Norman Dunlap, teaching from John chapters 14, 15 and 16, offers a unique and vivid perspective on the Holy Spirit through a comparison with various forms of oil.

Persecution generally is not a favorite topic of discussion, but clearly Jesus felt it was important to inform and prepare his disciples for the reality that “the world” will hate them when they (truly) follow him. Pastor Keith teaches here on what persecution is, what it is not, and what it means to us in the church today.

The world is broken and evil is rampant in it. The devil and his servants are wreaking havoc. The horrible events of hatred, violence, and death are more than the effects of “radicalized” people; there are demonic forces fueling such thoughts, actions, and destruction. Guest speaker Robert Morgan teaches from Ephesians 6:10-18 to show we stand firm, and even gain ground, against these forces of darkness.

These weeks, we have been with Jesus and his disciples in the “upper room. In this John 15 passage, Jesus shifts his teaching to the most profound analogy of our life as followers of Jesus: The Vine and the Branches.

Pastor Keith shares a followup report on our June 19 "family meeting," then teaches from John 14, in which Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Even today, on the 15th anniversary of America's darkest hour, our Lord's words ring true.

As Jesus discussed His impending departure, He promised His disciples they would never be left alone – the Holy Spirit would come and be their counselor, comforter and much, much more.

New student pastor Mike Hofer shares his testimony. It's a powerful story of God's grace and a fitting lead-in to Pastor Keith's message on two notable disciples of Jesus, one of whom also found grace when he thought all was lost.

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

In this discussion of John chapter 12, Pastor Keith discusses the meaning and implications of dying to self. There is a cost, but when we do so, we are most alive and free to be who God made us to be.

We could examine this familiar Palm Sunday story from many different angles: Jesus as king, for example, or the nature of worship, but in this message Pastor Keith explores it from the angle of the donkey and its owners.

A look at Mary’s humble, love-fueled, extravagant act of worship of Jesus during a dinner given in his honor following her brother Lazarus’s resurrection.

Last week we discovered how Jesus is the one true shepherd who gives us freedom and “life to the full.” But we will only follow one we trust, and Jesus is not only the true shepherd, he is also the trustworthy, good shepherd.

Jesus is ever trying to reveal to the people who he is. In John 10:1-10, he uses a familiar analogy: sheep and shepherds, appealing to a profession that was central to the economy and life of the people of that region.

This morning’s message time was comprised of two parts: A period of corporate and small-group prayer for America and teaching on chapter 9 of John, the story of Jesus’ healing of a man blind since birth.

CCC members Dianna and Nick Cash talk about their work on the m/v Africa Mercy and how God calls each of us to be a missionary wherever we live.

Jesus came to set us free. In Him, we are freed from sin and freed to righteousness; freed from our flesh and freed to His Spirit; freed from the things that bring destruction and freed to the things that give life. Listen as Pastor Keith teaches on John 8:31-36.

On Father’s Day, we continued our study of John chapter 8 with a look at Jesus’ relationship with His heavenly father.

After a testimony from Jonathan and Jessica Taylor, leaders of our Phenix City campus, we look at Jesus' second "I Am" statement as recorded in John's Gospel: "I am the light of the world.” This metaphor for Jesus is meaningful at face value, but it is even more meaningful when we understand the context of the Jewish “Feast of Tabernacles."

These words to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) are the powerful message of a gospel that shatters the darkness of sin, Satan and death. Jesus offers redemption, hope, and eternal life to all.

C.S. Lewis said Jesus either “was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” This week, a look at John 6:53-70 and a question each of us must consider when following Jesus gets tough.

To understand the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ feeding 5,000, as recounted by John in chapter 6, verses 1-15, we need to also read verses 25-40. The people come to him seeking more “signs,” but Jesus beckons them to look beyond the signs to the One behind them.

Pastor Derrick Shields teaches from John 5:16-47, with a look at four witnesses that testify to Jesus’ authenticity and authority.

Dr. John M. Perkins’ book “Let Justice Roll Down” planted the seed for what would become one of CCC’s core values, Unity in Diversity. Dr. Perkins himself spoke at CCC’s May 6-7 Converge 2:14 conference and returned the next day for this Sunday conversation with Pastors Keith Cowart and Derrick Shields.

Today we look at two healings. John is intentional in putting these two stories together – their contrasts reveal important truth and also, in each encounter, Jesus speaks something surprising, almost troubling – until we look more closely.

Continuing on last week’s teaching from John 4, Pastor Keith presents an in-depth look at verses 21-24, Jesus’ explanation of worship as something done both “in spirit and in truth.”

This week’s teaching is from John 4:3-42, the story of “the woman at the well,” to whom Jesus revealed Himself, the living water of heaven that quenches the longing thirst of the human soul.

In Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, the curious Pharisee who came to visit Him by night, we find the familiar words of John 3:16 and a challenge to each of us to know Him - some for the first time, others in a deeper way than ever before.

The resurrection story of Lazarus highlights the cosmic resurrection story of Jesus. In the Lazarus story, Jesus declares that He is the resurrection and the life (and his raising of Lazarus validates this claim); in the Easter resurrection story, He achieves and fulfills this eternal identity.

As we continue in The Gospel of John, today we examine Jesus’ first recorded miracle, at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11).

We continue our study of the Gospel of John with a look at John 1:35-51 and Jesus’ call of his first disciples, which affords us a great model for discipleship.

Continuing our study of the Gospel of John, we examine John “the Baptist.” While this John got his nickname because he baptized people, his true role was to “prepare the way of the Lord,” to bear witness to Jesus the Messiah. More accurately he could be known as John the Witness.

Of the four gospels, John’s is the most unique – he goes beyond what happened to delve more into the meaning of things Jesus said and did. Here Pastor Keith introduces a new series on John with a look at the first 14 verses, which serve as a prologue for the whole book.

Pastor Keith wraps up our “River of Life” review with this look at the fifth point LIVE. As “empowered witnesses in our world,” we are called to live out Jesus’ Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Pastor Derrick Shields teaches on Ezekiel 47:1-12, which includes our “River of Life” theme verse, “Where the river flows, everything will live” (v. 9).

The greatest pull on us toward institutionalization is that we would become passive consumers of spiritual provisions, coming to simply be fed and nurtured personally. Instead, God calls us to be actively engaged in the life and mission of His kingdom through joyful service and generous stewardship.

This week’s message focuses on the third point in our “River of Life,” Connect, with a look at the community of faith portrayed in Acts 2:42-47.

This week we look at the second point in our "River of Life" strategy, Grow. Here Pastor Keith calls us to a renewed commitment to discipleship.

We are beginning this new year by renewing our vision for the basics of who God has called us to be as a church. Today we focus on the first point in our “River of Life” strategy, worship.

As we begin a new year, the tendency is to think forward, but effective change begins with looking backward. This is the posture we want to begin with as a church – examining our past to see if we have shifted off course in any unhealthy ways.

In his last act as CCC's Administrative Pastor, Brad Wilcox shares his journey through full-time ministry and challenges us to be like the believer described in Jeremiah 17:7-8 - "the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him ... [who will] be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream."

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them ..." Pastor Keith discusses what it means to speak of God's glory.

This week Pastor of Leadership Development Kelli Wommack teaches from Luke 1:26-49. Here Mary is called "highly favored," and today, we who follow Christ likewise are favored. In light of that truth, what is God calling each of us to do?

Jesus came to show us what God the Father is like and how we are meant to live. In this abbreviated message (which followed a presentation of CCC’s 2016 budget), Pastor Keith speaks on the central truth, practice, mission and motive of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

As we begin the Advent season, Pastor Derrick offers an insightful look into the story of Elizabeth, Zechariah and the birth of a son - a story that only God could have written.

The pastor concludes his inspiring sermon to his small, remote congregation by elaborating on his declaration at the end of chapter 12, “ … and so worship God with reverence and awe.” How do we practically do this? It goes well beyond Sunday services and much deeper than songs of praise.

This message focuses on the latter part of Hebrews 12, in which we are assured of "a kingdom that cannot be shaken" and exhorted to stand in awe of God, "a consuming fire.”

This week we look at chapter 12 of Hebrews, which presents the analogy of life as a race, exhorts the readers to run it well, and explains the reality of God’s discipline as a benefit for His people.

Faith is not neat and tidy; it presents a number of quandaries, which we look at here as we continue examining chapter 11 of Hebrews.

The new covenant of grace through Jesus, our great High Priest, is worth their holding onto, even in the face of hardship and persecution. How do we hold on? By faith. This week we will examine what that means, as taught in Hebrews 11:1-19.

To this point, the Hebrews writer has been working to convince his audience of the superior covenant of grace through the finished work of Jesus. Now, beginning in verse 19 of chapter 10, he shifts to what their response should be, moving from argument to application – or from talk to walk.

Hebrews 9:24-26 and 10:5-14 contain two key themes: “Once for All” and “One Sacrifice.” Jesus’ perfect, freely offered sacrifice was for all time – backward and forward – and for anyone who will believe. There is nothing more to be done, nothing that can be added to His work. It is finished and all we can do is receive it.

Today’s worship services focused on local and world missions, with a special guest speaker from an organization that takes the Gospel to some of the world’s most unreached places and people groups. For security reasons, his name cannot be shared here.

Chapters 8-10 of Hebrews express the superior priesthood of Jesus: A superior covenant, a superior sacrifice and a finished work. In this message, Pastor Keith leads us in a detailed examination of the superior sacrifice, as discussed by the writer in chapter 9.

With our summer series completed, we now return to our study of Hebrews. We pick up with chapter 8, in which the author expresses the superior priesthood (i.e., ministry) of Jesus: A superior covenant, a superior sacrifice and a finished work.

Our Culture Wars series has convicted, challenged and, at times, stirred discomfort. But these messages also have generated hope and expectation, for our God is alive and active. As we conclude the series, we must continue to live out His gospel and kingdom in our culture with confidence and compassion.

A great way to engage in honest, caring, face-to-face conversations about difficult issues is to do so over a meal. Here Pastor Derrick discusses Biblical examples of what it means to “come to the table."

In this message our two lead pastors – one white, one black – sat together before us as brothers, engaged in honest, loving dialogue as they shared their hearts and stories around the hot-button topic of race and racism.

Race relations continues to be a significant issue in our culture. Today’s message is a roundtable discusssion between Pastor Keith, and Brel and Meylon Clark. Their dialogue sheds fresh light on the challenges and opportunities of living out our “unity in diversity.”

God calls us to go beyond simply declaring His truth to actually living His ways. He calls us to be a holy people – to be different from the world. Our goal is not to get people to adopt our Christian values (right and good as they are), but rather to win them to our Lord, that they would come to know Him, His gospel and His life.

Immigration is another hot-button topic among politicians and in the media. Rather than letting our political leanings color our viewpoints, let us consider how God’s Word speaks into this issue, and how it should guide our response.

Pastor Keith presents a frank discussion of homosexuality, including arguments for it (both outside and inside the Church), what the Bible says about it, and how Christians can cut through the angry rhetoric while standing firm and showing the love of Christ to everyone, homosexuals included.

Homosexuality and same-sex marriage are much-discussed topics in the “culture wars,” and we will address them in next week’s message. But first we must deal with the broader area of sexual sin. Here, Pastor Keith discusses God’s purposes in human sexuality, and the consequences of going our own way.

God has called us to think beyond ourselves and invest our resources and even our people to advance His kingdom to the “uttermost parts of the earth.” Today we break from our Culture Wars series to hear reports from several missionaries serving in India and Bulgaria.

For more than four decades, a woman’s right to an abortion has been both the law of the land and a deeply divisive cultural issue. How are we as Christians to respond to this issue while shining the truth and light of Christ into the world?

On Independence Day Weekend, we addressed not a specific cultural concern, but a principle that underpins and drives all of the issues we will be looking at over the next several weeks. At the heart of every cultural debate we find the word “freedom.” But what does “being free” really mean?

What is the Church's role, and the Christian's role, in politics? What is my role? And have I been more influenced in my beliefs and views by my party than by the word of God? Pastor Keith looks at these and other challenging questions as we continue our summer message series.

Guest speaker Norman Dunlap delivers a fresh and unique telling of Zacchaeus’ life-changing encounter with Jesus in Luke 19:1-10.

In this summer series, we will look at the “culture wars” and how to find the conviction and courage to truly be the people God intends us to be in the midst of it all – people who shine the truth and love of His kingdom in our world, in a way that draws people to Him for salvation, healing and life.

Each of Jesus’ followers is a temple for the Holy Spirit and is thus commanded to honor the Lord with his or her body. Here Pastor Derrick discusses how to keep this holy temple cleansed from things that would rob us of life, joy and fruitfulness.

In a crisis of belief, our tendency is to focus on the crisis more than the belief. God, however, wants us to focus on Him – His presence, love and goodness, no matter what our circumstances.

This week’s message focuses on the reference to Jesus as a “high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrew 6:20). Here we see how the Lord is both like and superior to this curious Old Testament character.

This week we look into Hebrews chapter 6, in which the pastor continues his loving charge to his distant flock to grow up and mature in the faith, lest they slip into the danger of falling away from Jesus and His gospel.

God desires us to know Him ever more deeply, and He wants to lead us into greater fullness of His kingdom and purpose … but He can only give such as we have capacity to receive it. Continuing our study of Hebrews, this week we look at the writer/pastor’s challenge to move toward spiritual maturity.

This week we looked at Hebrews 4:14-5:10, in which the writer/pastor encourages his audience – including us today – that Jesus is trustworthy because He is the great and perfect high priest who intercedes on His people’s behalf.

This week we look at Hebrews 4:1-13, in which the writer now turns to the idea of God’s “rest,” representative of our eternal destiny in heaven. He draws on two analogies as he discusses this gift worth persevering for: The rest of the Promised Land (referring back to 3:16-19) and the Sabbath rest that God modeled for us in creation.

The writer of Hebrews emphasized to his audience the importance of responding to God’s call without delay - an urgency that is just as relevant in our own lives today.

The words of the Hebrews writer/pastor give us a profound summary of the glorious (mysterious) dual nature of Jesus. He was both fully God and fully man. Chapter 1 accented His divinity; now chapter 2 emphasizes His humanity.

On Resurrection Sunday, we focused in joyous worship on Jesus, our glorious Savior and King, and continued our study of Hebrews, which reminds us of Jesus’ superiority over all created beings.

Jesus Christ: Creator, sustainer and heir of all things … radiance of God’s glory … the exact representation of God … and so much more – this is the picture of our Lord painted by the writer of Hebrews in the opening verses of Hebrews. What beautiful words to ponder on Palm Sunday, the day in which we celebrate His humble but triumphant entry into God’s Holy City.

This week Pastor Keith introduces a new series on the book of Hebrews with a look at how God has made Himself known to us through His Son, and how we are called to make Christ known to those around us in word and dee

As we conclude our study of Esther, we focus on Purim, a feast of remembrance, and consider how we can remember and celebrate the faithfulness of God in our own lives

All of the seeming coincidences that lead to the deliverance of the Hebrew people in Esther reveal the hand of God quietly at work behind what we can see. Through God’s prevenient grace, in times of suffering and even in the ordinary, we too can experience “God behind the seen.”

On this day, our study of Esther merged with “Freedom Sunday,” a focused look at God’s heart to end modern-day slavery. Guest speaker Kevin Austin of the Free Methodist Church’s Set Free Movement pointed us to ways that we, like Esther in her time, can work to bring justice to our world.

This week we look at Mordecai’s request to Esther, and the difficult question she must face: What would be worth dying for? As Christians, it’s a question, we should consider as well.

A pervasive element in the story of Esther is the influences of others. Many offer advice about courses of action – some good, but most not so good. Similarly, many voices speak to us today, and we must be discerning about which ones we should heed.

As we walk through the book of Esther, we are focusing on broad themes revealed in this story. Today’s focus is on the “back story” behind the immediate events, not only of this story, but of any story – including yours.

This message focuses on the dramatic change depicted in the book of Esther, and encourages us to consider how we can deal with the rapid changes we see in culture, as well as change in our personal lives.

We begin digging into our “For Such a Time as Now” theme with a study of the book of Esther. Today, Pastor Keith simply tells the story – a story of courage, devotion and redemption.

Our teaching theme for 2015 is rooted in a call to have a sense of urgency, be attentive and be obedient. Here Pastor Keith introduces the theme and shares some steps we can take to be God’s people “for such a time as now.”

God has built rhythms into the very fabric of creation – day and night, monthly cycles, seasons, years. These give us natural opportunities to reflect, evaluate, re-focus and envision and this message encourages us to take time for these meaningful considerations.

Christmas has come and gone, but the story is not over. As John wrote, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14), and today Jesus, the Word, is still with us.

CCC missionaries Keri and Britton Robbins shared the miraculous story of their infant son, Phinehas, a fitting lead-in to Pastor Derrick’s encouraging message on the promise of Advent - you WILL have joy!

Advent teaches us about waiting with faith and hope. We do so because the One we wait for is faithful. The joyous truth of Advent transforms our groaning “How long O Lord?” into a hopeful “Come Lord Jesus!”

Pastor Derrick teaches on Isaiah’s prophesy that “a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1) – a prophesy that was fulfilled when Jesus “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

Free Methodist Bishop David Roller eloquently recounts God’s magnificent story, from before His creation of all things to the entrance of His Son into human history.

Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as unto the Lord …” This week’s message explored how we can do this and be “salt and light” in our places of work and other secular spheres of influence.

Pastor Keith teaches from Deuteronomy 6 as we look at ways to create and maintain a Godly household and family life.

The concept of abounding in good works has many personal applications. But before we can truly abound, we must have a proper understanding of who God, our kind and compassionate Father, is and how He sees us, His beloved children.

On the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, we lifted up our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and North Africa, and Pastor Keith taught on how to stand in faith as we face of trials in our own lives.

Indian missionary John Gollapalli taught from 1 Thessalonians 1: 2-10 on the facets of faith that comprise our calling and hope.

In today’s special worship service, part of our day-long GO Mission Conference, Pastor Derrick teaches on our final core value, Intentional Outreach: “Because God loves lost people, we love lost people.”

Pastor Keith teaches on our core value of Wholehearted Service, which says: Because God is worthy, we give Him the best of what He has given us.

This week we looked at our core value of “Environment of Grace:” Because God accepts us and wants to make us whole, we freely extend His grace to everyone.

This CCC core value means we are committed to maintaining a shared loyalty to Jesus Christ while promoting a diversity of spiritual gifts and racial, social and spiritual backgrounds.

Pastor Derrick continues our series on CCC core values by teaching on the invitation of community to come into the light, where we are vulnerable, yet where healing can happen.

Pastor Keith reminds us of CCC’s No. 1 Core Value, Passionate Spirituality ("Because God is our source of life, we pursue Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength”) and challenges us to listen and respond to what God is speaking and calling each of us to.

As a community, we are called to abound in every good work. In doing so, we must be courageous … even bold. We must dream … even risk. We must step out and trust in the abounding grace of our loving God.

Submission is the last discipline in our summer “Cross Fitness” series. In a sense, all the other disciplines are rooted in this one, because all the disciplines reflect the intentional denial of our flesh to submit to the grace of our loving Lord.

Confession is a means of grace that orients our hearts rightly before our Holy and gracious God, and opens us up to His cleansing and restoration.

We were made for community. God created man in His image, and He, by nature, is the community of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hear how the discipline of community enriches our lives.

Pastor Keith presents a fresh and detailed look at Matthew 6:19-34, which concludes with Jesus’ assurance that if we "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,” all of our needs will be met.

Stewardship is more than the giving of money. It is the whole-life posture that everything we have is from God, and the proper response is to use all of these gifts to honor God and bring Him glory.