Sermons | FBC Boerne: Recent Episodes
First Baptist Church Boerne
Sea of Galilee to rescue his disciples in a storm. Two miracles, back-to-back, and in this message from our study of the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Jason Smith shows us why Mark tells them together.
The disciples watched Jesus provide more than enough when the task was impossible. But hours later, in the middle of a storm, they missed him completely. Jason walks through what they should have remembered and what it means for us when obedience leads us somewhere we cannot handle on our own.
Scripture: Mark 6:33-52
Series: Gospel of Mark
Speaker: Pastor Jason Smith
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Every one of us wants our life to count. But how do you know if it will?
In this message from our study through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Jason Smith looks at Mark 6:7-30, where the disciples return from their first mission trip, celebrating healings and changed lives, right as Mark interrupts the story to tell us how John the Baptist died in a prison cell.
Two endings that could not look more different. Jason unpacks why Mark places them side by side and what it teaches us about measuring a life, not by results, not by applause, but by faithfulness.
Scripture: Mark 6:7-30
Series: Gospel of Mark
Speaker: Pastor Jason Smith
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Mark 6:1-6 | Pastor Daniel Justice
In the Gospels, Jesus marvels at something only twice: once at great faith, and once at complete unbelief. In this message from Mark 6:1-6, Pastor Daniel Justice takes us to Nazareth, where Jesus returns home and the people who watched him grow up, his neighbors, his own family, take offense at him instead of believing.
Pastor Daniel unpacks four questions the hometown crowd asked about Jesus and shows how each one still lives in our own hearts today. The application lands close to home: proximity to Jesus is not the same thing as surrender to him. You can know the songs, the language, and the routines of church and still miss him completely.
Part of our ongoing study through the Gospel of Mark.
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Two people. Two impossible situations. One King who has authority over both.
In this message from Mark 5:21-43, Pastor Jason Smith continues the Gospel of Mark series by walking through the healing of a woman who had suffered for twelve years and the raising of Jairus's twelve-year-old daughter. Both stories point to the same truth: the wind knows him, the demons know him, disease knows him, and even death knows who he is.
If you're facing something that feels beyond help today, this message is for you.
Scripture: Mark 5:21-43
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In this message from the Gospel of Mark series, Pastor Jason Smith takes us to the shores of the Gerasenes, where Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. Through this account, we see that sin never stays where we put it, that Jesus's authority reaches into the darkest places, and that no one is too far gone for the hope of the Gospel. Whether you're walking with Jesus or wondering if He could ever reach you, this message speaks directly to that question.
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Chad Mason preaches Mark 4:35–41 — the story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. In this message, Chad explores the contrast between how the disciples and Jesus each interpreted the same storm, unpacks why the disciples were more terrified after Jesus stilled the waves than during them, and addresses the hard theological question: if God can calm storms, why doesn't he stop all of them? This sermon lands in real grief — the first anniversary of the July 4th Guadalupe River flood that devastated families in our own community, and this week's earthquakes in Venezuela — and offers a word that isn't easy but is true: peace is not found when storms cease. It's found when you know Jesus, who is with you in the storm. Part of FBC Boerne's ongoing series in the Gospel of Mark.
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Mark 4:21–34 | Pastor Jason Smith
FBC Boerne — Gospel of Mark Series
Corrie ten Boom was furious about the fleas. Imprisoned at Ravensbruck, assigned to a barracks crawling with them, it felt like the final evidence that God had abandoned her. Her sister Betsy quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — give thanks in all circumstances — and eventually, reluctantly, Corrie did.
Months later she learned the guards had refused to enter Barracks 28 because of the fleas. The very thing she'd raged against had been shielding hundreds of women as they read Scripture together, worshipped, and came to faith in Jesus.
At the beginning, all she could see were the fleas. At the end, she saw the hand of God.
In this Father's Day message, Pastor Jason Smith opens Mark 4:21–34 — the lamp on the lampstand, the growing seed, and the mustard seed — and works through the question the disciples were quietly carrying: if the kingdom of God is here, why doesn't it look like it? The crowds are shrinking. The opposition is growing. This is not what they expected.
Jesus answers with parables that reframe everything. The kingdom isn't hidden — but it requires ears to hear. It grows even when no one can see it. And what looks impossibly small today will one day be the place of refuge for people from every tribe, tongue, and nation on earth.
A message for anyone in a season where faithfulness feels fruitless and the harvest seems a long way off.
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Continuing our series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Daniel Justice unpacks the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20) and a question every believer eventually faces: how do we make sense of the mixed responses we see to Jesus around us? Through four soils and one sower, Jesus prepares His disciples, and us, to sow faithfully no matter the soil, because the harvest is certain.
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Mark 3:7–19 | Pastor Jason Smith FBC Boerne — Gospel of Mark Series
"I would like three dollars worth of Gospel, please. Not too much. Just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I become weird."
D.A. Carson wrote that. And it names something most of us carry but rarely say — the quiet desire for the benefits of Jesus without the cost of surrender.
In this message from Mark 3:7–19, Pastor Jason Smith traces the moment Mark draws a line between the crowd and true disciples. Thousands have flooded in from across the region — all with real needs, all pressing toward Jesus. And he welcomes them. But in verse 13, the scene shifts. Jesus walks up a mountain. He calls to himself the ones he wanted. And he makes twelve — not just gathers them, makes them — into a new covenant people.
The first thing he calls them to is simply this: to be with him. Before preaching. Before authority. Before mission. With him.
That order matters. And the sermon unpacks what it means that discipleship is not primarily about obeying rules or accumulating doctrine — it's about knowing Jesus himself, walking with him long enough to begin to look like him, and then being sent as he was sent.
The message closes with the remarkable fact that the Gospel traveled from that mountaintop, through ordinary fishermen and zealots and tax collectors, through persecution and migration and kitchen table conversations — all the way to you.
"Everywhere you go, you are a sent one."
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Your Thoughts Are Loud. God’s Word Is Louder.Eleven percent of kids between the ages of 3 and 17 currently have a clinical anxiety diagnosis. Among adolescents 12–17, that number jumps to 16 percent. And those are just the ones who’ve been diagnosed.
If you’re a parent right now, none of that surprises you.
On a recent episode of the 226 NextGen Podcast, Youth Pastor Garrett McCord sat down with Executive Pastor Daniel Justice and Kids Ministry Director Teresa Moen to talk honestly about something most of us feel but don’t always have language for — the way anxiety has quietly become the water our kids (and we) are swimming in.
This isn’t a clinical conversation. It’s a pastoral one. And it starts with something Daniel said early in the episode that’s worth sitting with:
“Being anxious is not failure. Feeling distracted is not failure. Feeling stressed is not failure. Those are actually the kindness of God raising a flag — there’s something here we need to address.”
We Live in the Anxious Age
The numbers are real, but the experience is more real. Teresa has been in kids ministry for nearly 20 years. She’s seeing anxiety in first graders now in ways she never did before. Daniel works with adults and watches smart, faithful people get paralyzed by decisions they once would have made without a second thought. Garrett sees it in students every week — kids who know what they’re supposed to believe but whose anxious thoughts feel louder than the voice of God.
Daniel doesn’t blame the pandemic for everything. His read: the pandemic didn’t cause much of anything. It exposed and accelerated what was already there. Isolation made fears bigger. Social media poured fuel on it. And now we’re raising a generation — and living as adults — in a culture where everything feels urgent, every decision feels high-stakes, and the least little thing can make you crumble.
One thing worth naming clearly: feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re a bad Christian. Teresa put it simply — people are already struggling with anxiety, then add a second layer of guilt, wondering why Jesus isn’t making it go away. That compounding of anxiety plus spiritual shame is its own trap. The goal of this conversation is to help dismantle it.
So What Do You Actually Do?
Daniel offered a three-part framework — not a formula, but a direction. A way of actually using God’s Word to do what we say it does.
1. Slow down.
This one’s first because nothing else works without it. When we say “go to God’s Word and it’ll quiet the noise,” we don’t mean open your Bible app during a 90-second gap in your morning. We mean actually carving out time, removing distractions, and being present.
Daniel’s practical advice: get a physical Bible. Not your phone. The thing you use to read your Bible is also the thing your notifications live on, and you will lose that battle. Garrett mentioned an app called Brick — a tool that physically turns off your phone for a set window of time. Teresa turns hers off. The method doesn’t matter. The point is: you cannot quiet the noise if you never actually get quiet.
This isn’t legalism about Bible-reading habits. It’s an honest acknowledgment that quick fixes don’t address heart issues. A verse-of-the-day habit isn’t going to do what we’re asking Scripture to do. We have to actually change our rhythms.
2. Ask better questions of the text.
Reading Scripture to check a box is different from reading Scripture to be shaped by it. Daniel’s framework for getting more out of any passage — not just the obvious anxiety verses, but any passage:
- What does this tell me about who God is?
- What does this reveal about my own heart?
- Is there a truth here I’m not currently believing or applying?
Garrett shared something from his own sermon prep that landed: when he was studying Jesus appearing first to the women at the tomb, he just started asking questions. Why the women? What does that say about God’s heart? And out of a passage he could have read and moved past in thirty seconds, a whole theology of God’s care for the overlooked opened up.
That’s the move. The Bible was never meant to be skimmed. It’s meant to shape you. And nothing shapes you that you don’t spend time in.
3. Talk back to your thoughts with Scripture.
This is where it gets practical in a specific way. You cannot use Scripture to combat anxiety if you don’t know Scripture. But knowing random verses isn’t quite the point either — the goal is knowing the lies you’re prone to believe and having Scripture ready to answer them.
Garrett brought up a 4th-century monk named Evagrius who went into the desert, cataloged every lie he felt the enemy whisper at him, and then searched Scripture for an answer to each one. He called it a handbook for combating demons. Garrett calls it the most practical spiritual warfare resource most people have never heard of. His suggestion for students — and honestly, for all of us: make your own version. When you notice anxiety rising, ask why. Is it a need for control? Fear of failure? Misplaced hope? Name the lie underneath it, then find the Scripture that answers it directly.
If you’re new to Scripture and don’t know where to start, openbible.info lets you search by topic and returns a list of relevant verses. Start there, then work to understand those verses in context.
What Scripture Doesn’t Do
Daniel closed the conversation with something that might be the most important thing in the whole episode: Scripture won’t make anxiety disappear.
We live in a fallen world. There are things worth being afraid of. Things that are genuinely uncertain. Scripture doesn’t erase any of that. What it does is give you a quiet confidence — a settled awareness that there is something bigger than what you’re facing — so that you can navigate the hard things in healthy ways rather than being crushed by them.
And it only works if it’s a habit. Not a one-time thing. Not a crisis resource you pull out when things get bad—a consistent, practiced, daily returning to the voice of God over your own thoughts.
Garrett ended with Paul’s thorn. We don’t know what it was. We know Paul asked God to take it away, and God said no, not to be cruel, but to build dependence and humility. If you’ve prayed for the anxiety to lift and haven’t gotten a yes yet, hear this: God is not distant. He is not ignoring you. If your struggle is pushing you back to him, it is working exactly as he intends. As Garrett put it, borrowing from Spurgeon: “I’ve learned to kiss the wave that crashes me against the Rock of Ages.”
Listen to the Full Conversation
Episode 014 of the 226 NextGen Podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts.
If something in this episode connects and you want to talk it through — how to actually use Scripture this way, where to start, what this looks like in community — reach out. Garrett, Daniel, and Teresa are here and would love to sit down with you.
Share This EpisodeKnow a parent in the thick of early childhood? Send them this episode. Small decisions made early often shape the long road ahead.
Let’s raise the next generation with wisdom and courage.
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Listen on Apple PodcastListen on SpotifyThe post Teen Anxiety and Faith | 226 NextGen Podcast Season 2, Episode 4 first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
Three FBC Boerne members traveled to the Middle East with one purpose: to strengthen believers who had almost nothing — and came back changed by what they found.
In part two of this conversation, Kris Campbell, Lori Rogers, and Heather Austin share the moments that stayed with them. Lori sat with new believers who had traveled 12 hours to reach an airport — people who had never owned a Bible and were writing down everything they heard. Kris worked alongside young men living in metal shipping containers in the desert, men who face daily persecution and still show up with open hands. Heather found herself in a refugee camp with hundreds of Yazidi children, five team members, and no shared language — and watched God close the distance anyway.
What strikes you when listening to all three accounts isn’t the hardship. It’s the contrast.
These believers have almost nothing by any Western measure — no furniture, limited water, no heat in the winter, metal walls, floor gaps, and cold air coming through. And yet, as Lori put it, they’re ready. They’re willing. And it convicts me. What the American church often treats as optional — prayer, sacrifice, surrender — these believers treat as air. They traveled across borders for the first time in their lives. They came with nothing but a hunger to know Jesus and bring him back to their families.
That’s not a story about the mission field. That’s a mirror.
The team also reflected on what it means to participate in a mission without getting on a plane. Heather laid out the five habits of a global Christian: give, go, send, pray, and mobilize — and the FBC Missions team is actively building infrastructure for all five. Perspectives classes launch in January. Ten mission trips are available in 2026. Sending teams exist for every one of them.
The question the episode keeps circling back to is the one Lori named most directly: We have it so easy. And yet — are we willing?
Sacrifice, it turns out, isn’t the cost of following Jesus. It might be the point.
Listen to the full conversation on the SO THAT Missions Podcast, Episode 85, Part 2: available below, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.
Go, Pray, Give, Welcome
These stories are one expression of what it looks like to take the Great Commission seriously — not just as a concept, but as a way of living. At FBC Boerne, we believe every follower of Christ is called to play a part: to go, to pray, to give, to welcome those who’ve been brought close. Faith is doing all of it.
If her story is stirring something in you — questions, curiosity, maybe even a little fear — that might be worth paying attention to.
Interested in learning more about missions at FBC Boerne? Visit fbcboerne.org/missions to learn about upcoming trips and the Perspectives class.
Subscribe to the SO THAT Missions Podcast | FBC BoerneNever miss an episode. Subscribe on your favorite platform:
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Share This EpisodeIf this conversation stirred your heart for the nations, share it with a friend, your small group, or someone exploring global missions. Let’s pray and move together — so that the world would know Him.
We’re excited you’re here to follow along on what God is doing through FBC Boerne and our missions partners!
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Subscribe to FBCMissions UpdatesRead Other StoriesThe post What If Sacrifice Is the Point? | SO THAT Missions Podcast Episode 85 first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
There are parts of the world where saying the name of Jesus out loud can cost you your family. Your freedom. Your life.
Chris Campbell, Lori, and Heather knew that before they went. They went anyway.
This fall, fourteen people from FBC Boerne and partner churches across the country traveled on a Middle East mission trip with the mission organization To Every People. They didn’t go as a group. They split into three teams and spread out across three locations, each team with a different assignment, working alongside local partners who have been quietly, faithfully, and at great personal risk carrying the Gospel into some of the darkest places on earth.
This is Part 1 of their story.
Lori: Equipping the Brand-New Believer
Lori’s team of three worked with a local couple who do something extraordinary. They gather new believers — people who have come to trust Jesus from Muslim backgrounds, from atheism, from no background at all — and spend a week in intensive discipleship. No Bibles. It’s illegal to have one where they live. These are people who believe Jesus died for their sins but have never read a single chapter of Scripture.
The training is called Foundations, and it does exactly what it sounds like: it gives new believers the whole story of the Bible in one arc, from creation to fall to redemption, showing them that God has been working to bring people back to himself from the very beginning. Lori’s team came alongside that couple and co-taught the material with them, pouring into a fresh cohort of brand-new believers over four intensive days.
The deeper goal isn’t just discipleship. It’s church planting. The couple trains believers to go back home and start something — a house church, a growth group, a car church. Lori describes the Gospel spreading across the region “like wildfire.”
“Our partner told us,” Lori said, “‘You have Jesus in your heart and you brought him to this place, this dark place. You can’t discount the importance of just being here.'”
Heather: The Ministry of Presence in the Refugee Camps
Heather’s team of five went to refugee camps. Their assignment was focused on children — a population the local partners haven’t yet had the resources or access to serve. Over three days, across four camps, they interacted with more than 400 kids.
There were significant restrictions. They couldn’t use Jesus’ name. They couldn’t preach. What they could do was show up with the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, a few relay games, some crafts, and a bracelet-making activity — and love kids who have grown up in a desert with no home to go back to and very little hope of one.
“Camp life there is just dry,” Heather said. “Their physical surroundings are dry. And it’s spiritually dry. They’ve lived through persecution, through ISIS, through losing everything. There’s no hope. So just for us to come in with the light of Christ, we just prayed that they felt the love of God while we were there.”
They couldn’t say everything they wanted to say. But they carried Jesus with them into that place. As Lori put it from across the table: “I know those kids felt the love of God.”
Chris: Walking Young Men Through the Life of David
Chris Campbell is a fifteen-year FBC Boerne member who spent years on the sidelines of missions before taking Perspectives in 2024. Since then, he’s been on three trips in eighteen months.
For this trip, Chris and a team of four men worked with a group of young male believers — brand-new followers of Jesus with minimal training. Over two days, they walked through the life of David: the victories, the failures, the grief, the worship. They built the curriculum themselves.
They expected a quiet room. They got the opposite. The men opened up, shared stories, and talked about miracles they had personally experienced. One man described waking up one morning — still a Muslim at the time — and feeling led to go to church. He found one, attended, and came home to find that something catastrophic had happened while he was away. Had he stayed, he would not have survived.
Dreams, visions, miraculous protection. Chris said it plainly: “While these countries may want Jesus out of there, Jesus is not going to be thwarted.”
Why This Matters
The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing regions for the Gospel on the planet. Not because Western missionaries flooded in, but because God has been showing up in the dreams of Muslims, in the courage of local partners, and in the quiet multiplication of house churches, car churches, and underground gatherings of people who have given up everything to follow Jesus.
FBC Boerne gets to be a small part of that. Fourteen people. Three teams. A handful of days. Thousands of years of kingdom work woven together in a million decisions that brought everyone to the same room.
Chris, Lori, and Heather came home changed. Part 2 of their conversation — with more personal highlights and a closer look at what God is doing in the region — is coming soon.
In the meantime, if something in this story has stirred something in you, that’s worth paying attention to. Reach out to anyone on the FBC Missions team, or consider signing up for the next Perspectives course. The harvest is real, and there is room for you in it.
Listen to the full conversation on the SO THAT Missions Podcast, Episode 84, Part 1: available below, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.
Go, Pray, Give, Welcome
These stories are one expression of what it looks like to take the Great Commission seriously — not just as a concept, but as a way of living. At FBC Boerne, we believe every follower of Christ is called to play a part: to go, to pray, to give, to welcome those who’ve been brought close. Faith is doing all of it.
If her story is stirring something in you — questions, curiosity, maybe even a little fear — that might be worth paying attention to.
Interested in learning more about missions at FBC Boerne? Visit fbcboerne.org/missions to learn about upcoming trips and the Perspectives class.
Subscribe to the SO THAT Missions Podcast | FBC BoerneNever miss an episode. Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Listen on Apple PodcastListen on Spotify
Share This EpisodeIf this conversation stirred your heart for the nations, share it with a friend, your small group, or someone exploring global missions. Let’s pray and move together — so that the world would know Him.
We’re excited you’re here to follow along on what God is doing through FBC Boerne and our missions partners!
SUBSCRIBE below to receive updates in your inbox from FBC Boerne Missions.
Subscribe to FBCMissions UpdatesRead Other StoriesThe post Three FBC Members Return from Middle East Mission Trip | SO THAT Missions Podcast Episode 84 first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
When Faith got on a bus headed to the airport for her trip to the Middle East, she wasn’t sure she was ready. Fear had been building for days — not the kind you dismiss, but the kind that makes you look for an exit.
She found one thing that helped: Philippians 4:6-7. Peace that passes understanding isn’t a phrase to her. It’s a testimony.
That’s where Part 3 of Faith’s story on the So That Missions Podcast begins.
Joy as a Compass
Before she left, a friend told her she felt like God wanted Faith to experience joy on that trip. Faith didn’t know what to make of it — until she got on the bus and felt it before they’d even left the parking lot.
That theme runs through the entire conversation. Brittany walks Faith through a simple exercise: ask God to bring to mind a moment from childhood when He was present. For Faith, it was racing her brothers down a hill — winning — and the pure, uncomplicated joy of it. What she heard from that memory: He wants me to have joy from now on.
She had just been sharing with another group that morning about anxiety over her future. The timing wasn’t coincidental.
Scripture as a First Response
Faith describes a season of anxiety, driving to a job she didn’t love — 30-minute commutes where dread of being late felt unbearable even when she left early. Her response wasn’t a playlist or a podcast. She memorized Psalm 23 and recited it until the fear left.
She still knows it by heart. Brittany asks her to share it in the episode. It’s worth the listen.
Open Hands
The most grounded moment in the conversation comes near the end. Faith talks about holding plans with an open hand — not because mission work is unpredictable (though it is), but because she’s learned that God’s plan is better than hers.
“If I can go, why wouldn’t I?” she says. It’s not bravado. It’s just honest math.
For Parents
One of the most practical threads in this episode is a conversation about raising children who love Scripture. Faith’s answer is disarmingly simple: find them a mentor who isn’t you. Not because parents don’t matter — they do — but because kids hear things differently from someone outside the home.
She also names what got her into the Bible: a color-coding system for her highlighters, a book of Revelation now full of cross-references in a pink she didn’t think she’d need, and a Psalm she’s carried into anxiety and come out the other side.
Listen
Episode 83: From Fear to Peace — Faith, Identity, and Calling (Part 3) is available now on the So That Missions Podcast wherever you listen. Start with Part 1 if you haven’t — you won’t regret it.
Go, Pray, Give, Welcome
Faith’s story is one expression of what it looks like to take the Great Commission seriously — not just as a concept, but as a way of living. At FBC Boerne, we believe every follower of Christ is called to play a part: to go, to pray, to give, to welcome those who’ve been brought close. Faith is doing all of it.
If her story is stirring something in you — questions, curiosity, maybe even a little fear — that might be worth paying attention to.
Interested in learning more about missions at FBC Boerne? Visit fbcboerne.org/missions to learn about upcoming trips and the Perspectives class.
Subscribe to the SO THAT Missions Podcast | FBC BoerneNever miss an episode. Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Listen on Apple PodcastListen on Spotify
Share This EpisodeIf this conversation stirred your heart for the nations, share it with a friend, your small group, or someone exploring global missions. Let’s pray and move together — so that the world would know Him.
We’re excited you’re here to follow along on what God is doing through FBC Boerne and our missions partners!
SUBSCRIBE below to receive updates in your inbox from FBC Boerne Missions.
Subscribe to FBCMissions UpdatesRead Other StoriesThe post From Fear to Peace — Faith, Identity, and Calling | SO THAT Missions Podcast Episode 83 first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
She Prayed for Boldness at 13. Now She’s Going to the Ends of the Earth.A young woman from FBC Boerne is learning that her identity as a person of prayer and her calling to the nations aren’t two separate things — they’re the same thing.
She didn’t want to pray out loud. Not even close.
A year ago, Faith — a high schooler at FBC Boerne — would have told you that praying in front of other people was one of her biggest fears. Now she’s the one saying, “Yeah, I’ll pray.” Out loud. With people she’s just met.
That shift didn’t happen overnight. It started with a prayer she prayed when she was 13, a desperate, honest ask: God, give me the boldness to accept you, because I can’t do it on my own. He answered it. And He’s still answering it — one mission trip at a time.
From Mexico to the Middle East
In the past year, Faith has gone to Mexico twice on mission with FBC Boerne’s youth team and returned just weeks ago from a trip to a refugee camp in the Middle East — a region most people her age only know from news headlines or history class.
She almost didn’t go. Someone told her it wasn’t a good idea. Her family made nervous jokes about war zones. And honestly? She understood why. But somewhere in a Perspectives class at FBC Boerne, she heard a missionary describe a trip that was “a little out of the normal,” and something in her stirred. She walked up to a team leader and said, Hey — if you’re ever going somewhere like that, can you let me know?
A week later, she got the call.
What She Found There
The team arrived in a large Middle Eastern city and made their way to a refugee camp — tarps draped to form makeshift homes, dry ground, no jobs, few fathers. Mostly mothers and children who had fled a violent government and were now living in a place where, as one local described it, “there is no hope, there is no life.”
They came prepared for 40 to 100 kids. Two hundred and fifty showed up.
“I just had this overwhelming peace,” Faith said. She later connected it to Philippians 4:6–7 — the peace that surpasses understanding, the kind that guards your heart when everything around you is uncertain.
The team ran what amounted to a VBS — coloring pages, bracelets with the gospel woven into each color, a simple retelling of Jesus feeding the 5,000 using a folded paper that opened into a crowd. When the kids unfolded it, their eyes lit up. Many of them had never seen a coloring page before.
They had to be careful. Camp leadership was watching. The bracelets’ colors — including one representing the blood of Christ — had to be explained softly, quietly, in ways that didn’t set off alarms. The people they were serving believed Jesus was a prophet, not the Son of God. Every word mattered.
And yet.
When the team left on their final day, camp leadership — the people controlling access to the camp — pulled them aside. Are you Christians? they asked.
Yes.
You are welcome to come back. Any time.
On the spot, a team member asked: Can we come back for Christmas?
Yes.
“We still saw God move,” Faith said. “Even when everything was restricted. Even when we thought there was no way.”
Prayer as Identity
Through a Bible study she’s been doing with friends, Faith has been sitting with the idea that God gives each person not just a shared identity as His child, but a particular calling — something placed in them specifically for His purposes.
For Faith, that thing has to do with prayer.
She didn’t like that answer at first. You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t even like praying. But she’s been leaning into it anyway. And what she’s found is that the more she prays, the more she sees — in Mexico, in the Middle East, in a refugee camp with 250 kids and a bracelet in each hand.
She’s now signed up for her fourth mission trip. South America, if they’ll have her.
She’s not done.
Hear Faith tell her story in her own words on the Sew That Missions Podcast — Episode 82, Part 2. Listen below or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen to the Full Episode:
Go, Pray, Give, Welcome
Faith’s story is one expression of what it looks like to take the Great Commission seriously — not just as a concept, but as a way of living. At FBC Boerne, we believe every follower of Christ is called to play a part: to go, to pray, to give, to welcome those who’ve been brought close. Faith is doing all of it.
If her story is stirring something in you — questions, curiosity, maybe even a little fear — that might be worth paying attention to.
Interested in learning more about missions at FBC Boerne? Visit fbcboerne.org/missions to learn about upcoming trips and the Perspectives class.
Subscribe to the SO THAT Missions Podcast | FBC BoerneNever miss an episode. Subscribe on your favorite platform:
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Share This EpisodeIf this conversation stirred your heart for the nations, share it with a friend, your small group, or someone exploring global missions. Let’s pray and move together — so that the world would know Him.
We’re excited you’re here to follow along on what God is doing through FBC Boerne and our missions partners!
SUBSCRIBE below to receive updates in your inbox from FBC Boerne Missions.
Subscribe to FBCMissions UpdatesRead Other StoriesThe post High Schooler Finds Calling in Missions | SO THAT Missions Podcast Episode 82 first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
Sometimes the most important thing a pastor can do is step away.Our Pastor’s Heart is a new video reflection series from First Baptist Church Boerne featuring Pastor Jason Smith in honest, unscripted conversation — not from the pulpit, not in the middle of a sermon, but just the pastor’s voice when God is laying something on his heart.
In this first episode, Pastor Jason Smith sits down with Dan Gorham to share what God did in him during a few days alone in Wyoming — and what happened when he came home to a totaled car, a flooded house, and a full week of ministry waiting for him.
This is a conversation about solitude, the weight of leading a large church, and why King Jesus — not a vacation, not financial security, not perfect circumstances — is our truest rest.
“His yoke is easy and his burden is light. King Jesus is our rest above it all.”
Share This EpisodeIf this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone who needs it — a friend, someone in your Growth Group, or anyone carrying more than they should right now. That’s why Pastor Jason is doing this.
Read Other StoriesThe post Our Pastor’s Heart: Rest for the Weary first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
She Kept Saying, “Not Yet.” God Showed Up Anyway.Faith knew something was missing.
She grew up in a Christian home. She heard the Gospel. She sat in church. She knew, somewhere deep down, what the empty feeling meant. And for years, she made the same quiet bargain a lot of people make: I’ll get there eventually. Just not yet.
She wanted to be in the world first. She was afraid of missing out.
It’s an honest thing to admit — and more common than most people say out loud.
A Dream She Couldn’t Shake
When Faith was 13, she had a dream. In it, Jesus was returning — coming through the clouds, just as Scripture describes. And she saw herself on her knees, desperate, too late.
She woke up and understood something she hadn’t let herself face before: you don’t get to choose the timing. You can’t decide you’ll follow Jesus after you’ve had your run at the world. The moment isn’t yours to schedule.
The dream planted something. But it didn’t change everything immediately. She carried it with her — and kept finding reasons to wait.
God Uses People Before They’re Ready
Here’s the part of Faith’s story that’s hard to explain and impossible to ignore.
Before she had surrendered her life to Christ, she signed up for a youth mission trip to Mexico. She pulled a few strings to get on the roster. She went. And while she was there — not yet saved, not yet sure — God moved through her anyway.
She gave away a Gospel booklet half-reluctantly, wanting to be done with the moment. Instead, someone started reading it aloud. A crowd gathered. People leaned in to listen.
She turned the corner and saw it happening without her.
“Even when I was like, I don’t want to do this,” she said, “God was still using it.”
That’s not a story about Faith. That’s a story about God — His patience, His pursuit, His refusal to be limited by our hesitation.
The Surrender She Almost Missed
Later that same summer, Faith went to camp. Every night, she sat in tears. She knew it was time. Every night, she didn’t move.
On the last morning, she broke down in the lunchroom — in front of a lot of people, exactly the thing she’d been afraid of. A leader found her. They talked. And finally, after years of bargaining, waiting, and running out of excuses, Faith surrendered.
She described it simply: believing that God’s got it, and then letting go.
Knowing something and believing it are two different things. She knew the Gospel for years. Believing it — trusting it enough to let go of everything she’d been holding onto — that took longer. And it happened not in a quiet, private moment, but in a crowded lunchroom, in tears, surrounded by people.
God isn’t particular about the setting.
What Happens After Surrender
Since that summer, Faith has been on two more mission trips — including a recent trip to the Middle East. She took a 15-week class called Perspectives that introduced her to the 10/40 Window: a geographic band stretching across North Africa and Asia where more than three billion people live with little to no access to the Gospel.
Three billion people who may live and die without ever hearing the name of Jesus.
That reality undoes something in you, if you let it. Faith let it. And it changed what she’s doing with her life.
“The reason we’re still here on earth, once you’re saved,” she said, “is to go and make more disciples and bring people to Christ. And if I can do that, why wouldn’t I?”
Her Story Is Still Being Written
Faith is in her last year of high school. She’s already been on three mission trips. She’s already seen God use her in ways she didn’t expect and couldn’t take credit for.
And she’s the first to say: none of this is about her.
“It’s not my story. It’s God’s story — just using me.”
That’s the most honest thing anyone can say about a life on mission. You don’t have to be impressive. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to stop saying “not yet.”
Hear Faith tell her story in her own words on the Sew That Missions Podcast — Episode 81, Part 1. Listen below or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen to the Full Episode:
Subscribe to the SO THAT Missions Podcast | FBC BoerneNever miss an episode. Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Listen on Apple PodcastListen on Spotify
Share This EpisodeIf this conversation stirred your heart for the nations, share it with a friend, your small group, or someone exploring global missions. Let’s pray and move together — so that the world would know Him.
We’re excited you’re here to follow along on what God is doing through FBC Boerne and our missions partners!
SUBSCRIBE below to receive updates in your inbox from FBC Boerne Missions.
Subscribe to FBCMissions UpdatesRead Other StoriesThe post Bold Obedience in Missions — A High Schooler’s Story | SO THAT Missions Podcast Episode 81 first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
missions India gospel
Sent to the Hard Places: A Missions India Gospel StoryBy Heather Austin
In February 2026, I traveled to India on a missions trip — and what I witnessed of the Gospel at work there changed me.
Poverty is real, and it is heavy. Slums. Chronic illness with no access to care. Families who can’t afford enough food. Social structures that escape feel impossible. You can read those words, but being there is different. The weight of it doesn’t lift when you leave.
But here’s what also doesn’t lift: what I saw God doing through Leena.
Missions India Gospel Work in the Hardest PlacesLeena doesn’t minister from a distance. She steps into the hardest places — the places most people walk past —, and she meets people there. Physically. Spiritually. Personally. God’s calling on her life is not theoretical; it’s visible in every interaction. She relies on His strength, she moves with the Spirit, and she brings her whole family along for the work. Together, they offer food, medicine, education, and the Gospel to people who need all of it.
She also cares for the pastors under her oversight — making sure they are supported and grounded in sound, biblical teaching. This isn’t a personality-driven ministry built around one person. However, it’s a network of faithful people being equipped and sent.
One Story I’ll Carry for the Rest of My LifeA woman stood in front of me singing praises with tears running down her face. A former Hindu woman who had been trapped in prostitution. Now a sister in Christ. Now earning an honest living. Now free. Her face showed exactly what she’d been rescued from — and who had rescued her.
That’s what faithful obedience looks like over years and years. That’s what it means to leave the ninety-nine and go after the one.
At FBC Boerne, we talk about being sent — not just gathered. Because of that, we walk alongside missions work like Leena’s in India. We are grateful to stand with her.
We’re excited you’re here to follow along on what God is doing through FBC Boerne and our missions partners!
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Subscribe to FBCMissions UpdatesRead Other StoriesThe post Sent to the Hard Places: Missions India Gospel Story | FBC Boerne Stories first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
There Is a Historical Movement of the Gospel Taking Place Among the Iranian PeopleWhat God is doing in Iran right now is unlike anything in modern church history.
We are witnessing a pivotal moment in Iran, shaped by God’s purpose for King Jesus.
Amidst war and widespread displacement, God is working in unexpected ways — turning people’s hearts into fertile ground for the Gospel. The underground church is not retreating. It is advancing.
Despite pressure and persecution, believers are stepping forward with courage and faith. FBC Boerne’s ministry partner, To Every People (TEP), recently hosted a live briefing where church and ministry leaders heard directly from Iranian believers — firsthand accounts of lives transformed and a church growing stronger in one of the most hostile environments on earth.
Two Million Believers. The Fastest-Growing Church in the World.
Iran now has an estimated two million believers — confirmed, practicing, baptized Christians. Through TEP’s ministry alone, 16,000 people have been brought to Christ. The Iranian Christian Church is widely recognized as the world’s fastest-growing church.
Praise God.
One Man. Nineteen People Groups.
Among those who shared at the briefing was Ali — his name changed for his security. Originally from Kurdistan with Islamic roots, Ali was expected by his father to become an Imam. But Ali wrestled with Christ’s message, finding that what he read in the Qur’an conflicted with what God was doing inside him.
He left Islam. He found a house church in Kurdistan, Iraq. He learned to speak about Jesus.
Then he started bringing people to house churches, teaching them to share Jesus, and sending them out to disciple others. Every month, they reconvene for ongoing training. Over eight years, this ministry has been growing and multiplying — reaching 19 people groups so far.
This is what Deploy looks like on the other side of the world.
Getting the Word In.
Getting Bibles into Iran is no small accomplishment. TEP has found a way: 3D-printed devices that conceal audio Bibles, allowing thousands — including those who cannot read — to hear the Word of God. Romans 10:17 says it plainly: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
The Cost Is Real.
God’s work in Iran has come at a price. Workers have given up physical comfort, family, and in some cases, their lives.
Iranian Christian leaders, speaking in their own words, expressed gratitude for the international pressure being applied to a regime that has suppressed the Iranian people in the name of Islam for nearly 50 years. They are praying for regime change, long-term religious freedom, and the freedom to worship King Jesus without threat.
A Hotel Room. Palm Sunday. The Resurrection.
Amid all of this, something holy happened.
In a small hotel room in Iraq, 15 Iranians, 10 Syrians, a couple from Baghdad, and a few Americans gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday and the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. They were sad and weary — grieving for those who don’t know Jesus and for those who have lost their lives. And at the same time, rejoicing. Rejoicing for all those who have come to know Jesus as their King, Lord, and Savior, and for all that He is doing in Iran and Iraq.
This is a historical movement of the Gospel among the Iranian people. And we are alive to see it.
Thank You, Jesus.
Pray for the liberation of the Iranian people and for the mobilization of resources, both physical and otherwise. Pray for the workers. Pray for the underground church to keep advancing.
FBC Boerne partners with To Every People as part of our commitment to taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Learn more at ToEveryPeople.org.
— FBC Boerne Missions Story Team
We’re excited you’re here to follow along on what God is doing through FBC Boerne and our missions partners!
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Subscribe to FBCMissions UpdatesRead Other StoriesThe post Iran’s Gospel Movement & the Church | FBC Boerne Stories first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
When Teresa Moen shared the church mission trip opportunity to the Yucatán, Brittany Whitworth felt two things at once: excitement and hesitation.
She and her husband had been on mission trips before. But this was different. This time, it meant going as a family.
“We’ve long desired to help our children grow in their Christlike identity and understand who they are in His Kingdom,” Brittany shares. “Still, saying yes felt like a sacrifice.”
Her husband was in the middle of building his business. The timing wasn’t convenient. But their oldest, Libby, is two years from graduating high school — and they didn’t want to miss the window. With kids ages 15, 10, and 8, they recognized the moment for what it was.
So they said yes.
What they found there.
The team served alongside a new church plant in the Yucatán — running VBS, making home visits, and doing practical work around the school campus. Brittany’s husband hung ceiling fans. She connected with the moms of school children. Their kids showed up in ways that surprised everyone, including their parents.
Their youngest, Niyah (8), joyfully welcomed kids to VBS. Their oldest, Libby (15), made deep connections during home visits — at one point holding a sweet baby in a family’s home. And their son Zeke (10) stepped forward and led the devotional their family had prepared — more boldly than anyone expected.
“Watching our kids step out of their comfort zones was unforgettable,” Brittany says.
What God did in them.
They served families who had far less than they did. And those same families were full of peace and joy — a kind of contentment that was impossible to miss and hard to explain.
The Whitworths came home closer to each other. Closer to the families they traveled with. And with a clearer picture of what it means to live in the Kingdom — not just know about it.
Oh, and the business? It kept going just fine while they were away.
“God was so faithful,” Brittany says simply. “He gave us some wonderful memories.”
That’s the thing about saying yes when it’s inconvenient. You find out that God was already there, already working — and He was just waiting for you to show up.
Maybe you’ve felt that pull. An opportunity that excited you and scared you at the same time. A moment you didn’t want to miss but weren’t sure you could afford — in time, in money, in risk.
The Whitworth family knows that feeling. They went anyway.
If you’ve been considering a church mission trip for your family, ask about upcoming mission opportunities at FBC Boerne — we’d love to help you take the next step.
— Brittany Whitworth, FBC Boerne Church Family
We’re excited you’re here to follow along on what God is doing through FBC Boerne and our missions partners!
SUBSCRIBE below to receive updates in your inbox from FBC Boerne Missions.
Subscribe to FBCMissions UpdatesRead Other StoriesThe post A Church Mission Trip Changed Our Family | FBC Boerne Stories first appeared on FBC Boerne. At FBC Boerne, we help people Discover their Kingdom Identity in Christ, Develop their unique Kingdom Gifts, and Deploy them for Kingdom Adventure. To find out more, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
Pastor Jason Smith unpacks the cultural pull to “lord it over” others—chasing power, image, and control—and contrasts it with the basin-and-towel leadership of Jesus. Foot washing is not a sentimental detail; it’s a disruptive definition of authority. From there, we explore the heart of the Gospel: ransom. In a world where debt meant bondage, Jesus paid the price we could never cover, nailing our record to the cross and freeing us to serve from fullness rather than fear. That freedom turns everyday moments into holy ground: doubling back to run with a tired friend, praying through the real details of someone’s life, trading scoreboard thinking for small, faithful acts of love.
We also lift our eyes to a staggering promise: the Servant-King continues to serve his people, unfolding grace and joy into eternity. If that’s the shape of God’s greatness, we don’t need to clutch at status to matter. We can pour out, knowing the verdict over us is secure. Whether you carry spiritual fatigue, nagging comparison, or a quiet ache to matter, you’ll find clarity, conviction, and hope for a different way to live—strong and low, bold and gentle, grounded in the finished work of Jesus.
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The Holy Spirit is not a feeling. He is a person who keeps his promises, whether our hearts are on fire or barely flickering.
Together, we explore how Scripture reframes the inner life: faith over feelings, truth over impressions, and formation over fleeting moments. Drawing from Romans 8 and Galatians 5, we unpack the Spirit’s central aim—to conform us to the image of Jesus—and why that work often progresses through trials, rather than around them. We share practical ways to preach to your own soul, to root hope in God’s word when sleep, sickness, conflict, or even a lost game tilts your emotions. Along the way, quotes from trusted teachers highlight a hard but freeing reality: God is doing 10,000 things in your life, and you likely see three.
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“Why did Jesus come?”
Many people remember the familiar moments of Christmas, the nativity story, or favorite verses — but miss the deeper purpose behind the coming of Christ. In this message, Pastor Jason Smith shares from Romans 15:7-13 that Jesus came to glorify the Father — by revealing God’s character, fulfilling His ancient promises, and extending unimaginable grace and mercy to undeserving people.
Through vivid stories, biblical theology, and powerful Gospel clarity, you’ll discover:
- Why God’s glory is meant to be seen and savored, not just studied
- How Jesus displays God’s faithfulness to Israel and His mercy toward all nations
- Why the Gospel is the ultimate picture of undeserved acceptance and transforming grace
- How beholding God’s glory fills believers with joy, peace, and hope
- What it means to accept one another just as Christ accepted us
This message will deepen your awe of God, strengthen your assurance in the Gospel, and call you to reflect Jesus’ heart to a culture that is desperate for genuine acceptance.
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We trace a line from the fiery furnace to our own trials and show how the Holy Spirit meets us in suffering with real presence, comfort and strength. Scripture leads the way, and a personal story of infertility, adoption and loss brings the promise close.
• Daniel’s furnace as a model of faithful courage
• The Spirit’s promised presence in trials
• Paul’s witness to strength in abandonment and weakness
• Comfort that grows with suffering through Christ
• Isaiah 43 promises for God’s people today
• Formation through refining fire and endurance
• A raw testimony of infertility and adoption
• Grief, peace and the companionship of Jesus
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Special guest preacher Dr. Richard Taylor joins us this Sunday as we explore how to see people the way God sees them, moving beyond labels and conditions to the image of God in every person. You’ll hear a clear, practical call to use what you already have—faith, presence, a listening ear, a willing hand—instead of waiting for more silver and gold. We discuss missed opportunities at the threshold of our churches, how security and schedules can dull compassion, and why renewing a community often begins outside the building. As daily mission fields open—at work, at school, in the neighborhood—we show how simple obedience can spark wonder that reshapes corporate worship.
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Pastor Jason Smith opens with a personal story that shows how ordinary faithfulness can lead to extraordinary grace. From there, we dig deep into the promise of Acts 1:8 and the surprising comfort of 1 Corinthians 2, where Paul admits fear and trembling yet chooses plain words about Christ and him crucified.
Pastor Jason discusses what real evangelism looks like on a typical week: praying for specific people by name, asking God for divine appointments, and engaging in conversations with clarity rather than cleverness. No pressure to perform. No need to win arguments. The Spirit’s power is not a spotlight on us; it’s the unseen work of opening hearts to the beauty of Jesus. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not gifted” or “What if I don’t know the answer,” you’ll find a freeing path forward: keep the Gospel simple, say “I don’t know” when needed, follow up with care, and trust the One who saves.
By the end, you’ll see weakness as a doorway, not a dead end. Your neighborhood, workplace, and friendships can become holy ground when you believe God’s promise to meet you as you witness. Join us as we pray for the lost, ask for revival, and prepare to invite others to hear good news.
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Revival rarely starts on a stage. It begins in kitchens, in quiet prayers, and in everyday courage that crosses lines we once avoided. We share how a “graveyard of missions” like Bihar has become a field alive with faith, and why that matters for anyone who wonders if their prayers still move mountains. We talk honestly about loving enemies through the lens of Naaman’s servant girl, then follow Philip from serving overlooked widows to preaching in Samaria to running alongside an Ethiopian official on a desert road—all led by the Spirit, all grounded in simple obedience.
Guest speaker Andy Swanson joins us from a bustling Middle Eastern city where East meets West. He paints a vivid picture: earthquake relief that turned into a public testimony, a viral post meant to discredit Christians that instead highlighted their humility, and an Antioch‑shaped identity where believers are known as doers of good. We explore what it looks like to bring the church into unlikely spaces—a spoken word night in a bar, conversations with seekers from Muslim and atheist backgrounds, and stories of dreams, healing, and new faith. Through it all, a theme emerges: when we carry the name of Jesus with gentle courage, doors open in the most unlikely places.
You’ll walk away with a clear pattern for mission drawn from Acts: ask God for a heart to love your enemies, serve the person in front of you, cross cultural lines with humility, and stay attentive to the Spirit’s promptings. Whether you’re praying for a neighbor, considering a trip, or simply longing for renewal in your family, this conversation offers practical steps and fresh hope. If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find these stories of faith in action.
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The Old Testament saints had to approach God through animal sacrifices, Levitical priests, and a specific temple in Jerusalem, yet they longed for what we have today. Through Jesus Christ, God's Spirit dwells within us directly, and we are the dwelling place of God. While God is always with us individually, there's something uniquely powerful about experiencing the Holy Spirit when believers gather together as the church. We encounter God's Spirit in three distinct ways when we come together.
First, through corporate gathering and worship, where something supernatural happens as we pray in unity, sing God's promises together, hear His Word, and participate in communion and baptism. God literally inhabits the praises of His people, creating a more palpable sense of His presence than we often experience alone.
Second, through other people's spiritual gifts, as every Christian has been gifted by the Holy Spirit with natural abilities, life experiences, and passions that God uses for His purposes. Like a physical body where different parts serve one another, we're designed to minister through our various gifts - sharing wisdom, offering comfort, demonstrating hospitality, teaching, and providing counsel.
Third, we experience the Holy Spirit through practicing the 'one another' commands found throughout the New Testament, such as loving one another, praying for one another, encouraging one another, being patient with one another, and bearing one another's burdens.
These aren't just acts of kindness but supernatural manifestations of God's Spirit working through His people. God never intended for us to be 'Lone Ranger' Christians, isolated and unable to properly discern truth. Instead, He has placed us in a body of believers where His Spirit moves uniquely and powerfully through community, creating opportunities for both giving and receiving through the gifts He has distributed among His people.
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What if the future of your faith begins at your kitchen table? We bring a clear, urgent message about the courage it takes to let God search our relationships and the freedom that follows when we finally face what we’ve been avoiding. Starting with Samuel’s remarkable moment of public integrity at Gilgal, we set a high bar for honesty and humility. Then we turn to the wreckage inside David’s home—Tamar’s trauma, Amnon’s sin, and Absalom’s bitter path—to show how passivity at home can ripple through an entire community and derail a calling.
Across the conversation, we keep the focus practical and hopeful. We talk about how to start hard conversations without having perfect words, why asking for help is a strength, and how biblical counseling and trusted friends can guide you through conflict. We draw a straight line between household health and spiritual impact: you cannot love the God you do not see while refusing to love the people you do see. Mission begins where you live, and revival doesn’t skip the living room.
The heart of the episode lands on forgiveness. We share a vulnerable counseling story that traces the long, imperfect road toward forgiving a grievous wrong and the real freedom that followed. Forgiveness never excuses evil; it says, I trust God’s justice more than my own. If you sense the Spirit nudging you toward action—making a call, confessing to your spouse, or seeking help—this is your invitation to move. Subscribe for more honest, hope-filled messages, share this with someone who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find the path toward healing and freedom.
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Fear of “doing prayer wrong” keeps so many of us quiet. We challenge that fear head-on by looking at how the Holy Spirit meets us in prayer, confirms our identity as adopted children, and intercedes when our words fall short. No courtly etiquette. No perfect script. Just real access to a Father who wants all of you—joy, pain, doubts, and daily needs.
We start with Romans 8:15–16 to ground prayer in adoption, not anxiety. That shift changes when and how we pray: children don’t schedule appointments to be heard, they come. From late-night worries to small wins worth celebrating, we bring everything because our Father is always available. Then we lean into Romans 8:26–27, where the Spirit searches our hearts and aligns our messy prayers with the will of God. If you’ve ever felt your prayers bounce off the ceiling, this is a practical relief: the Spirit translates groans into grace and stumbles into strength.
Throughout the conversation, we offer concrete encouragement to pray simply and often—on a walk, in the car, or in a five-minute window between tasks. We speak candidly about falling out of routines, feeling numb, and starting again. The goal is not performance but presence: show up, be honest, and ask the Spirit to remind you that you are God’s child. As we step into a 21-day focus on prayer, we begin with repentance and the humble request, “Search me.” That posture opens space for growth, maturity, and a deeper experience of God’s nearness.
If this resonates, commit a few minutes today to pray—however clumsy it feels. Subscribe for more teachings like this, share with a friend who needs courage to pray, and leave a review to help others find the show.
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The journey of spiritual growth must begin with genuine repentance, which goes far beyond feeling remorseful about our failures. True repentance involves a complete transformation of our thinking and desires, actively choosing to walk away from destructive patterns and toward the beauty of God's holiness. This isn't about shame or self-condemnation, but rather a sincere change of heart that redirects our lives toward divine purpose. Even committed Christians continue to battle sin because salvation doesn't instantly perfect us - we remain works in progress. The apostle Paul acknowledges this reality when he commands believers not to walk in spiritual darkness like unbelievers do. Recognizing our ongoing need for transformation is actually a sign of spiritual maturity, not weakness. We can identify spiritual callousness through warning signs like losing sensitivity to God's Word, resisting correction, declining gratitude, becoming hypercritical, and experiencing empty worship routines. Our culture's emphasis on positive feelings and quick fixes often leads us to avoid the necessary discomfort of spiritual conviction. However, the Holy Spirit's conviction serves a vital purpose - like a skilled surgeon removing cancer or ants removing parasites from a bird. We must resist the temptation to numb ourselves with distractions and instead invite God to search our hearts. True renewal doesn't come from self-help affirmations but from meditating on Gospel truths about our identity in Christ, our spiritual blessings, and our eternal inheritance. God's work in our lives resembles renovating a fixer-upper home - patiently transforming one room at a time until His beauty shines through every area of our hearts.
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We trace a single thread from the cleft of the rock to the cross. Moses begs, Show me your glory, and God answers by proclaiming his name—compassionate and just, merciful and holy. Paul says we now behold that same glory with unveiled faces as the Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. We unpack why spiritual experience is never severed from revelation, how Ephesians 3 calls us to grasp the vast dimensions of Christ’s love, and why Galatians 3 warns us not to swap grace for grit. Along the way, we break down the difference between a mediator and an advocate, and we let that word reshape how we fight shame, face hardship, and return to joy.
This is a practical path, not a vague vibe. We talk about beholding Jesus where Scripture shows him: in the gospel that reveals God’s heart, justice, mercy, and holiness meeting at the cross. We offer simple ways to plumb the depths—slow reading, focused prayer, honest repentance, and trusted resources like Gentle and Lowly and Everyday Gospel—to turn moments of insight into a steady life with God. If you’ve been chasing a spiritual high, consider a better pursuit: a clear sight of Christ that the Spirit loves to bless.
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What if prayer isn’t symbolic comfort but real work that God uses to change lives, families, and cities? Pastor Jason Smith opens with a story from a house church he recently visited in India, where a new believer—the first in his village—hosts eighty worshipers in two concrete rooms and radiates a dignity the world can’t explain. From that picture of courage and purpose, we move into James 5 and the deep logic of intercessory prayer: confess honestly, pray earnestly, and expect God to act. Along the way, we revisit Abraham pleading for Sodom and Moses standing in the breach for Israel, moments that anticipate Jesus, the great high priest who lives to intercede and invites us into his work.
We get practical without getting gimmicky. You’ll hear simple habits that actually help: journaling, answered prayer, walking as you pray, praying the promises of God, and using short, focused prayers with a partner or group. We also confront the hesitations most of us carry: fear of “nothing happening,” feeling unqualified, or getting stuck in outcome control. The answer isn’t hype—it’s access. If you belong to Christ, you have the Father’s ear. And when we pray the way Paul prayed—prioritizing knowing God, walking worthy, perseverance, unity, and bold witness—we align our requests with God’s revealed aims while still asking for good things, including healing.
You’ll hear vivid accounts that ground these truths: unseen strength sustaining Adoniram Judson during imprisonment while believers interceded across an ocean; testimonies of healing and unusual breakthrough from Guatemala to India; and a vision for a church where confession is safe, lists become labor, and courage rises like Acts 4. The thread through it all is simple and demanding: stand in the gap, bear one another’s burdens, and ask. If God often chooses to work through intercession, what might he do through yours today?
If this conversation stirred your faith, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review with one person you’ll intercede for this week. Who are you standing in the gap for?
If you’ve ever confused goosebumps for God or assumed the Spirit only moves when everything fits your framework, this one will reset your compass. We open with a wry studio story—reverb mistaken for revival—and then build a sturdy set of guardrails to help you recognize the Holy Spirit without chasing vibes or boxing Him into neat logic. The message is honest, hopeful, and laser-focused on one test: the Spirit glorifies Jesus.
We walk through the two big ditches: treating emotions as final authority and treating systematized logic as a cage for God. Drawing from Acts, we explore how guidance often comes through Spirit-shaped wisdom, shared discernment, deep peace, and collective agreement—while still making room for rare, unexpected moments like dreams and revelations. Along the way, John 16 reframes our expectations: the Spirit shines the floodlight on Christ, not on our adrenaline or our cleverness.
From there, we get practical with promised meeting places where the Spirit commits to meet us: Scripture that He illuminates, prayer where He strengthens the weak, the gathered church where gifts build up and unity forms, and witness where fear becomes courage and Jesus is proclaimed with clarity. You’ll hear why this matters on the ground—ordinary days, uncertain choices, weary hearts—and how to step into these spaces with faith even when you don’t feel much at all. Expect a clear, Scripture-soaked path that blends discernment, humility, and bold obedience.
What if prayer isn’t about persuading God, but about being transformed by Him? We step into the Garden of Gethsemane and sit with Jesus in His most vulnerable hour—sorrowful, weighed down, and yet willing to yield, “Not my will, but yours be done.” As we read Matthew 26:36–46, we unpack the tension between desire and obedience, the beauty of honest lament, and the courage that rises when we trust the Father’s heart.
We talk about the cup of wrath, why Jesus asks three times, and how repetition in prayer is not weakness but faithful persistence. Then we trace a powerful thread from Eden to Gethsemane—Adam grasping for control, Jesus surrendering in trust—and explore how the second Adam reverses the curse. Along the way, we name the character of God that makes surrender possible: He is compassionate, wise, present, and strong. We also wrestle with our own limits: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” That’s not a rebuke to shame us; it’s an invitation to rely on the Spirit’s provision when our strength is gone.
What if the most important work God wants to do isn’t through your talent but within your character? We open Galatians 5 and follow Paul’s bold contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, moving from activity and achievement to identity and transformation. No spiritual shortcuts, no legalism—just the strange, freeing path of surrender that lets the Spirit grow what our willpower can’t.
We start with the nine qualities that form one unified fruit: love that gives itself away, joy that isn’t held hostage by circumstances, peace that steadies a troubled heart, and patience that’s forged in real community with real people. From kindness and goodness to faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we explore how each quality reflects the life of Jesus taking root in us. Along the way, we talk honestly about the friction of church life and how God uses proximity to imperfect people to sand off our rough edges.
What if confession didn’t start with your guilt, but with God’s character? We walk through Psalm 51 and a simple, memorable framework—appeal, admit, ask, act—that turns confession from a vague ritual into a life-giving practice. Drawing from Exodus 34, Pastor Garrett McCord unpacks the Hebrew layers of God’s heart: rahum, the gut-level parental compassion that refuses to let go, and hesed, the steady covenant loyalty that shows up in action. When you begin there, honesty feels possible, and you can finally say what God says about your sin without bargaining, minimizing, or hiding.
Have you ever wondered why you seem drawn to certain aspects of ministry while others feel like a struggle? The answer might lie in understanding how the Holy Spirit has uniquely gifted you.
Drawing a powerful contrast between the ill-fated British Light Brigade of 1854 and God's provision for believers, Pastor Daniel Justice illuminates how God has strategically equipped every Christian for meaningful service. Unlike those soldiers who rode into certain defeat without proper resources, followers of Jesus have been given everything needed to thrive in their spiritual mission through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The spiritual gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit aren't random talents or arbitrary abilities. They represent God's wisdom in action—His perfect understanding of what each local church needs to fulfill its unique calling. When Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 that these gifts are given "for the common good," he's highlighting their practical purpose in building up the body of Christ. Your gifts aren't trophies to display but tools to deploy in service to others.
What makes this truth particularly beautiful is its source: God's lavish grace. The same unmerited favor that brought salvation continues to operate as God enables us to participate in His kingdom work. Every gift comes "according to the measure of Christ's gift" (Ephesians 4:7), reflecting God's intentional design for each believer's life and ministry.
For those wondering how to start using their spiritual gifts, the pathway is refreshingly practical: discover, develop, and deploy. Through prayer, spiritual gift assessments, and feedback from others, you can begin identifying your unique contribution. Then, with practice and persistence, these gifts can be developed and deployed where they're most needed. The goal isn't perfection but participation—stepping out of the spectator's seat and into God's mission with the confidence that He has equipped you for the journey.
What spiritual gift might God be calling you to use today? Your contribution matters more than you know. The church needs your unique giftedness, and the world needs to see Christ magnified through His diverse and unified body.
Prayer transcends mere physical posture—it's a disposition of the heart, a learned desperation that connects us with eternity. When our anxious thoughts threaten to overwhelm us, God offers not just comfort, but a complete prescription for peace through His Word.
Pastor Jason Smith delivers a powerful and practical guide to praying through anxiety using Philippians 4:4-9 as a divine roadmap. Rather than simply commanding us to "stop worrying," Scripture provides a step-by-step process: rejoice in the Lord always, acknowledge your anxious thoughts honestly, bring your requests to God with thanksgiving, receive His peace that surpasses understanding, and commit to focusing on what is true and good.
Have you ever looked back at something from the past—like asbestos snow in The Wizard of Oz or radioactive children's toys—and wondered, "What were they thinking?" This moment of clarity about past mistakes perfectly illustrates how the Holy Spirit works in our lives as believers.
The Holy Spirit's role in conviction stands as one of the most misunderstood yet vital aspects of the Christian walk. When Tim Keller said, "If your God never disagrees with you, you might be worshiping an idolized version of yourself," he captured a profound truth about spiritual growth. The Spirit functions as both a warning system before sin and a restorer after we fall. Before temptation leads to action, He creates uneasiness and provides escape routes. After we stumble, He brings conviction—not to condemn but to heal.
Unlike Satan, who minimizes sin before we commit it then maximizes our shame afterward, the Holy Spirit maintains consistency. He brings necessary guilt without destructive shame. What many believers eventually discover is that this conviction, though uncomfortable, actually confirms our status as God's children. As Hebrews suggests, discipline isn't punishment but proof of sonship—evidence that God loves us too much to leave us wandering down destructive paths. The most frightening form of divine wrath isn't fiery judgment but simply being handed over to our own desires. When we feel that conviction stirring within, we're experiencing the voice of a Father who cares enough to correct us and the whisper of the Spirit confirming we belong to Him.
Have you recognized God's loving discipline in your own life? How might understanding the difference between conviction and shame transform your response to spiritual correction?
Prayer is not a passive suggestion box where we drop our requests and walk away. It's a dynamic, personal interaction with God that requires perseverance and engagement. When we look at Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32, we see a powerful image of what prayer should be - a determined, passionate striving with God until He blesses us.
Why did God condescend to wrestle with Jacob? To teach us that He has given us agency and desires for us to strive with Him. Prayer is wrestling with God to see Him break through in our lives, to take hold of His promises, and to be changed by Him.
Description 2
The planned message on the Holy Spirit transforms into a time of corporate prayer as we respond to breaking news of national tragedies, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk and another school shooting. Pastor Jason Smith leads the congregation in forming prayer circles to seek God together during this difficult season of loss within our church and political unrest in our country.
Drawing from Matthew 6:9-10, Pastor Jason unpacks Jesus' teaching on prayer, revealing how "hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done" forms a unified call for believers to passionately seek revival and God's movement in our world. Through a compelling contrast of Peter's prayer life before and after following Jesus, we see how our prayers naturally expand from self-focused requests to kingdom advancement when we truly understand our role in God's mission.
Have you ever questioned your faith or wondered if your salvation is secure? That nagging doubt is something many believers wrestle with, but the answer lies not in our feelings or theological knowledge.
Pastor Jason Smith shares the Holy Spirit's critical role as both seal and guarantee in the believer's life. Drawing from Ephesians 1:13-14, we discover how God marks us as authentically His own through the indwelling Spirit. Like a king's signet ring on a royal document, the Spirit's presence authenticates our status as God's children while simultaneously securing our salvation.
Pastor Jason starts a new series looking at prayer. This week, we explore prayer as a learned desperation rather than just a discipline, examining how Jesus teaches us to approach God as our Father rather than with empty repetitions.
• Prayer isn't just a position of our knees but a disposition of our hearts
• Jesus modeled prayer throughout his ministry, often slipping away to pray for extended periods
• Writing prayer requests in a journal helps us recognize God's specific answers
• Approaching God as "Our Father" gives us complete access to His throne
• Children bring everything to their parents – from problems to celebrations
• We can come to God with our full range of emotions, just as we see in the Psalms
• Meditating on God's greatness lifts our eyes above our circumstances
• Our access to God is based entirely on Jesus' finished work, not our performance
• On our best days and worst days, God's love for us remains unchanged
This week, take time to approach God as your Father, bringing Him your whole self without fear or formality, knowing He loves you completely.
The question haunts many believers: "How do I know when God is speaking to me?" This fundamental uncertainty about experiencing the Holy Spirit's presence forms the foundation of our exploration into what it means to be filled with God's Spirit.
Drawing from Jesus' surprising statement in John 16:7, we discover a profound truth that challenges our assumptions. Christ told His disciples—those who walked with Him physically—that they would be better off when He departed because they would receive the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This paradigm-shifting perspective reveals how the Spirit's presence within us surpasses even the experience of physically walking alongside Jesus.
Scripture repeatedly affirms that everyone who genuinely trusts in Christ has been "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1). This indwelling isn't dependent on your spiritual maturity, emotional state, or perfect behavior. Even when correcting the morally compromised Corinthian church, Paul didn't question whether they possessed the Spirit but reminded them their bodies were temples of the Holy Spirit who was already in them. This truth provides tremendous comfort for believers struggling with doubt or inconsistency.
The apparent paradox of Scripture is resolved as we understand both the permanent indwelling of the Spirit and the command to be "continually filled" (Ephesians 5:18). Like a Tesla that needs regular charging despite having a permanent battery, believers need ongoing spiritual filling. Using this analogy, we identify spiritual disciplines as "charging stations" while emphasizing that the actual connection happens through active belief in the gospel. Romans 15:13 reveals this mechanism: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace by believing."
Whether you're feeling spiritually empty or seeking greater awareness of God's presence, remember that your confidence isn't built on feelings but on the unchangeable truth of Christ's work and the Spirit's presence. Take time today to reconnect with these foundational truths and experience the freedom that comes from knowing you are permanently indwelt by God's Spirit.
In a detour from our normal Sundays, the pastoral leaders discuss all that God has done over the past few years at FBC.
When it takes root in a community of believers, the Gospel naturally produces growth, unity, and transformation. This fruit manifests through good works, growing knowledge of God, love for one another, unity, and hope. In church life, Gospel fruit appears in tangible growth like baptisms and giving, but also transforms worship by creating unity across preferences and generations.
It builds authentic community through small groups and mentoring relationships, reaches the vulnerable through special needs and foster care ministries, and extends beyond church walls through local and global mission engagement. The Gospel is dynamic, constantly bearing fruit and increasing in our lives and communities.
The journey of faith begins with a profound mystery - how does a spiritually dead person come to life in Christ? During this Wednesday night Recharge service, we tackle a question that troubles many believers: "How do I know if I've heard God speak to me?"
The answer begins by understanding the Holy Spirit's foundational role in our salvation. Scripture paints a stark picture of our pre-salvation state - "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). This isn't metaphorical language but spiritual reality. A dead person cannot respond, cannot breathe, cannot make any effort toward life. Similarly, we did not come to faith through our own decision-making prowess or spiritual insight.
Jesus himself declared, "No one comes to Me unless the Father draws him." The Holy Spirit meets us in our deadness and, through various means - conscience, Scripture, nature, an innate sense of God - begins to kindle spiritual life. He convicts of sin and creates a hunger that wasn't previously there. When the gospel message arrives, those whom the Spirit is drawing respond with faith - a faith that itself is described as a gift, not a self-generated virtue.
The story of Cody Clausen, a lost Boy Scout rescued by Harrison Ford's helicopter, provides a powerful parallel. Like Cody - cold, helpless, and utterly lost - we were spiritually stranded until the Spirit of God searched for and found us. The profound comfort in this truth is captured in Philippians 1:6: "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Our spiritual life doesn't depend on our grip on God but on His unrelenting hold on us.
Take heart in knowing that if you've placed your trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit has already been speaking to you, drawing you, and working in you. And He promises to continue that work until the end. That's not just good news - it's the best news.
In a world increasingly defined by digital connections and isolation, the biblical concept of community has never been more vital. This message dives deep into Acts 2:42-47, revealing the revolutionary nature of gospel-shaped community that emerged in the church's earliest days.
What does authentic Christian community look like? Pastor Daniel Justice examines four powerful distinctives that transformed the first believers and continue to shape disciples today. First, true community is built on devotion to Scripture—not casual engagement but steadfast commitment to God's Word as our ultimate authority. Second, it involves genuinely shared lives—breaking bread together, supporting one another's needs, and doing life beyond Sunday gatherings.
The third distinctive reveals how worship and prayer sustain authentic community, keeping Christ at the center of all interactions.
Finally, we see how a healthy community naturally multiplies as outsiders are drawn to Christ through the compelling witness of believers doing life together.
This challenging message asks penetrating questions: Does your schedule reflect that you truly believe we're better together? Is Christ genuinely at the center of your closest relationships? Are the people you do life with regularly pushing you toward deeper faith? The good news is that First Baptist offers multiple pathways to find and foster meaningful community—growth groups, mentoring relationships, Bible studies, and serving opportunities. But finding time for these connections requires intentionality. As the pastor pointedly observes, "If our schedules are too busy for community, then our schedules are too busy."
Whether you're feeling isolated in your faith journey or seeking to deepen existing relationships, this message offers both biblical wisdom and practical next steps toward experiencing the life changing power of gospel-shaped community. Because when we embrace God's design for relationships within the body of Christ, we discover we truly are better together.
Where is God when tragedy strikes? This question haunts us when we hear about the pilot who recklessly crashed his plane killing 70 passengers, the Christians murdered during prayer in Congo, or the young campers swept away by sudden floods. These aren't abstract theological puzzles—they're the gut-wrenching realities that shake our faith and demand answers.
Pastor Jason Smith's message provides a comprehensive Christian framework for understanding suffering without minimizing its reality. Rather than offering trite platitudes, we explore five theological pillars that give us solid ground to stand on when facing life's darkest moments. From understanding the cosmic consequences of humanity's rebellion to recognizing that our story isn't finished yet, these biblical foundations help us make sense of a broken world.
The most powerful insight comes in realizing we worship a God who doesn't observe our suffering from a distance—He entered into it through Jesus Christ. As Oxford mathematician John Lennox asks: since suffering exists in every worldview, which God best understands and addresses this problem? Christianity uniquely offers a Savior who experienced human suffering firsthand, transforming history's most evil event into our salvation.
Through Paul's testimony in 2 Corinthians, we discover practical applications that transform how we view our pain. Our suffering connects us to Christ's sufferings. God's comfort proves greater than our circumstances. Our experiences prepare us to minister to others. Trials reduce our self-dependence and point us to resurrection hope. Suffering provides opportunities for the church to demonstrate an authentic community.
Whether you're wrestling with global tragedies or personal pain, this message offers this life-changing truth: not one ounce of your suffering is wasted. God has given His Son for you, and He has promised that He is writing your story—even through the chapters that feel unbearable. His love isn't measured by your circumstances but by the cross.
What does it take to get into heaven? The startling truth is that 84% of Americans believe they're going to heaven, but most think it's because they're "good people." Yet when pressed about how this salvation system works—what percentage of church attendance is required or how many good deeds outweigh the bad—most people have no idea.
Drawing from Daniel's final prophecies, we journey through an eye-opening exploration of judgment day that will change how you understand salvation forever. Like the Titanic's missing binoculars that could have prevented disaster, Daniel's prophecies give us a crucial view of what lies ahead: a final judgment where every person will stand before God's throne.
The sobering reality revealed in Scripture is that judgment works through two books—the Book of Life and the book of your deeds. Those judged by their deeds face condemnation because God's standard isn't a passing grade of 70%; it's absolute perfection. Even one sin disqualifies a person from heaven.
But the gospel offers a divine solution that's both shocking and beautiful. Through faith in Christ, we can "switch accounts"—our sin credited to Jesus, His perfect righteousness credited to us. This spiritual transaction is the only way one's name is written in the Book of Life.
A powerful illustration about a wedding singer denied entrance because her name wasn't in the guest book drives home the urgency of this message. She missed the greatest banquet she'd ever been invited to because she never RSVP'd, assuming her performance earned her a place at the table.
Don't make the same eternal mistake. Discover how your name can be written in the Lamb's Book of Life through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
What if God gave you a detailed preview of the next 400 years of human history? That's exactly what happened to Daniel in one of Scripture's most remarkable prophetic passages.
Against the backdrop of Jewish exile and temple-rebuilding delays, an elderly Daniel receives a divine message unlike any other in Scripture. Instead of symbolic visions, an angel delivers astonishingly precise predictions about kingdoms, wars, alliances, and betrayals that would unfold over the centuries to come. The accuracy is so remarkable that skeptics have tried (and failed) to date the book after these events occurred.
Pastor Jason walks us through this fascinating chapter, explaining how God revealed specific historical events—from royal marriages gone wrong to military campaigns—with pinpoint accuracy centuries before they happened. We see the movements of the Persian and Greek empires, and how Israel would be caught in the middle of warring kingdoms, culminating in the desecration of the temple by Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 BC.
But this isn't just a history lesson. Through this extraordinary passage, we discover profound truths about God's sovereignty that directly impact our lives today. When we can't see past our current trials, we need to fix our eyes on the God who stands outside of time, seeing the end from the beginning. Nothing—not evil rulers, devastating illness, or personal tragedy—takes Him by surprise.
Drawing from personal experiences including the recent loss of his niece and attending three memorial services in one week, Pastor Jason reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God's light continues to shine. As Sophie Scholl and Corrie ten Boom demonstrated in Nazi Germany, God's kingdom advances even in the midst of oppression and chaos.
Whether you're facing uncertainty, suffering, or simply trying to make sense of a chaotic world, this message will lift your eyes to see the God who reigns above it all—the same God who sent His Son to enter our suffering and walk with us through it.
God intentionally places believers as exiles in this world for a purpose, just as He did with the Israelites in Babylon. As spiritual exiles, we face three key challenges: the temptation to withdraw from culture, the risk of rejecting God during hardship, and the pressure to conform to worldly values. Instead, we're called to engage with our surroundings while maintaining our distinct identity in Christ. This exile status actually offers freedom—we're liberated from the need to find ultimate comfort here because our true citizenship is heavenly. Understanding this perspective transforms how we approach our possessions, priorities, and purpose in a world that often feels foreign.
Daniel 10 offers a remarkable glimpse into the unseen spiritual realm operating behind human history, revealing that believers are engaged in warfare whether we recognize it or not.
• Daniel mourns and fasts for three weeks after receiving a troubling vision
• Our hearts should break for the things that break God's heart
• We must remain unhindered by earthly pleasures and comforts
• Being overwhelmed by God's glory helps put our anxieties in perspective
• Daniel is reminded he is "greatly loved" - a truth we can claim through Christ
• God chooses to work in response to the prayers of His people
• Spiritual forces of evil can delay but never stop God's ultimate plans
• Victory is certain for believers because Christ has already won
• God patiently continues His sanctification work in us despite our weaknesses
• Six characteristics prepare us for spiritual battle: brokenness for what breaks God's heart, freedom from earthly pleasures, being overwhelmed by God's glory, abiding in Christ, confidence in victory, and strength through sanctification
We invite you to examine your life in light of Daniel's example and apply these six characteristics to whatever spiritual battles you're facing today.
Pastor Jason continues our walkthrough of the Book of Daniel, looking at how Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 demonstrates how to stand firm in faith amid a hostile world. Though righteous, Daniel approached God with deep humility, identifying with his people's sins through fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. His prayer reveals three elements of genuine repentance: honest confession without excuses, acknowledging God's justice in judgment, and appealing solely to God's mercy rather than personal merit. Like Daniel, we're called to approach God with humility, confess sin honestly, and trust His bigger plan even when we can't see it clearly.
Daniel chapter 8 explores how Christians can maintain their faith in an increasingly antagonistic culture. This powerful message unpacks Daniel's apocalyptic vision that accurately predicted the rise and fall of ancient empires centuries before they occurred. Learn how the Medo-Persian Empire, Alexander the Great's Greece, and the tyrannical Antiochus Epiphanes IV were all foretold with remarkable precision around 550 BC. Discover why these fulfilled prophecies matter for your faith today and how they validate the divine inspiration of Scripture. Unlike failed modern prophecies, Daniel's visions came true exactly as predicted, confirming God's sovereign control over history. This message reveals the spiritual warfare behind cultural and political movements, showing how Satan continues to work through human pride to attack God's people and truth.
Most importantly, understand the contrast between worldly kingdoms built on power and force versus God's kingdom that advances through humility, sacrifice, and love. Suppose you're feeling pressured to compromise your beliefs, struggling to understand suffering, or wondering how to live faithfully in a hostile environment. In that case, this biblical teaching provides practical guidance for standing firm like Daniel. Learn to trust God's sovereignty, embrace His counter-cultural values, and find hope that the same God who orchestrated ancient history is writing your story for His glory.
Daniel 7 marks a shift to apocalyptic literature, using symbolic imagery to reveal truths about the cosmic battle between God and evil. The vision shows four beasts representing corrupt kingdoms (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome) emerging from a chaotic sea. In contrast, the heavenly court reveals the Ancient of Days (God) and the Son of Man (Jesus) who receives an everlasting kingdom. Despite the disturbing little horn that persecutes believers, the ultimate message is hope - when God's court sits for judgment, evil powers are immediately ended and Christ's kingdom prevails.
Throughout Scripture, God reveals His salvation plan through patterns of righteous sufferers who foreshadow Jesus Christ. These patterns include righteous individuals facing opposition, experiencing a form of death, and emerging victorious to save others. From Abel to Joseph to David to Daniel, these biblical figures establish a consistent template that culminates in Christ. Isaiah 53 explicitly prophesies the suffering servant who would be pierced for our transgressions. Understanding these divine patterns builds confidence in God's Word, reveals His loving character, and prepares believers for their own suffering as followers of Christ.
As an elderly exile who had outlived the Babylonian empire, Daniel distinguished himself through his extraordinary integrity and faithfulness to God. When officials jealous of his success tricked King Darius into forbidding prayer to anyone but himself, Daniel continued his regular prayer practice despite the death penalty. His miraculous deliverance from the lions not only vindicated his faith but also foreshadowed Christ's victory over death, challenging believers today to stand firm in their convictions even when facing social, professional, or personal consequences.
The story of King Belshazzar in Daniel 5 shows how pride can blind us and lead to rebellion against God. Belshazzar willfully disrespected God by using sacred temple items for a wild party, even though he knew how God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar. God responded by writing a message on the wall, which Daniel interpreted as the end of Belshazzar's reign. This ancient tale reminds us that just having knowledge isn’t enough—it's rebellion if we don’t act on it. Our time is limited, and we all fail in front of God, but through Jesus Christ, we can find forgiveness instead of judgment.
King Nebuchadnezzar's journey from pride to humility demonstrates how God changes even the most arrogant hearts. His story reveals that pride is the root of sin, creating an illusion of self-sufficiency and masking our true selves. After experiencing seven years of humiliation, Nebuchadnezzar finally acknowledged God's sovereignty, praising Him instead of himself. This transformation teaches us to identify pride in our lives, respond with humility, and follow Daniel's example of showing compassion and speaking truth with love to others who haven't yet embraced faith.
Three young men faced a life-threatening choice when commanded to worship a golden statue in ancient Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to stand firm in their faith despite the threat of death in a fiery furnace. Their unwavering trust in God's sovereignty, even without the guarantee of rescue, demonstrated remarkable spiritual courage. Their story teaches us about maintaining convictions under pressure, trusting God in trials, and experiencing divine presence in our most challenging moments.
This week, Pastor Jason Smith explains the profound meaning behind Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2 and its relevance for today's world. We see how God revealed His divine plan through history, showing the rise and fall of major empires. This ancient prophecy reminds us that our current trials can become opportunities to demonstrate God's power and truth.
True happiness and lasting joy are found through a deeper relationship with God, which includes confession and repentance. While sin offers temporary pleasure through immediate gratification, it creates separation from God and leads to diminishing returns, requiring more to achieve the same satisfaction. Like a parent's rules, God's instructions are designed for our well-being and ultimate happiness. Regular confession and repentance aren't burdens but pathways to freedom, maintaining closer fellowship with God, and experiencing greater joy.
In a culture increasingly hostile to faith, Daniel's life in Babylon provides a powerful blueprint for maintaining spiritual integrity. As a teenager forced into a foreign culture, Daniel faced immense pressure to conform yet remained faithful to God. His success came through remembering God's sovereignty, choosing battles wisely, and standing firm on core convictions. Through personal spiritual disciplines and a clear understanding of his identity in God, Daniel not only survived but thrived, demonstrating how believers can maintain their faith while positively influencing the surrounding culture.
This week's sermon, delivered by Missions Pastor Chad Mason on Missions Sunday, centered around the importance of church involvement with local mission partners. Pastor Chad emphasized the critical role each individual plays in spreading the message of Jesus and engaging with the community.
Key Points:
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Call to Action: Pastor Chad encouraged everyone to take the Easter message of hope and resurrection beyond the walls of the church. It's crucial that believers actively share their faith and demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways.
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Local Mission Partners: He highlighted various local mission partners that the church collaborates with, urging congregants to get involved. These partnerships provide opportunities to serve and make a difference in the community, showcasing the church's commitment to outreach.
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Transformation through Service: Pastor Chad described how serving others benefits those in need and transforms the hearts and minds of the volunteers. Engaging in mission work fosters personal growth and a deeper connection to God.
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Community Impact: The sermon underscored the church's role in the community, illustrating how small acts of kindness can lead to significant change. By working together, church members can create a ripple effect of love and hope.
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Invitation to Participate: The message concluded with an invitation for everyone to participate, whether through prayer, volunteering, or financial support. Pastor Chad emphasized that everyone has something to contribute, encouraging attendees to find their place in the mission.
This week's Recharge Sermon from Pastor Jason continued the mid-week series "Joy," focusing on the theme of thankfulness and gratitude as vital sources of happiness. Pastor Jason emphasized that every person longs for happiness, which the Bible connects to our relationship with the Creator. Key insights from the sermon include:
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God's Command for Happiness: The Bible outlines that God's commands are intended for our happiness, as seen in celebrations outlined in the Jewish calendar.
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Scriptural Basis for Thanksgiving: Pastor Jason highlighted several scripture passages, including 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which encourages giving thanks in all circumstances, and Psalm 50, where God expresses His desire for a heart of thanksgiving rather than mere rituals.
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Psychological Benefits of Gratitude: Research indicates that expressing gratitude can enhance mental health by boosting dopamine and serotonin levels, improving relationships, and alleviating symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
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The Dangers of Complaining: Pastor Jason warned against the pitfalls of complaining, which stems from pride and ungratefulness. Such attitudes manifest a lack of trust in God's plan.
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Definition of Gratitude: He provided a workable definition of gratitude: acknowledging the receipt of a gift with humility and recognizing that we are undeserving.
Overall, the sermon reinforced the significance of cultivating a grateful heart to experience true joy and happiness, aligning with God's purpose for our lives.
Everyone must ultimately decide who Jesus truly is—a good teacher, a lunatic, or the Lord of the universe. Historical evidence, fulfilled prophecies, and documented miracles prove Jesus' divine claims. Like Pilate, many avoid this crucial decision through casual dismissal, passive distraction, or attempted compromise. Yet the evidence demands a verdict, and this decision carries eternal significance. While following Jesus requires sacrifice, the rewards of knowing God personally and receiving eternal life far outweigh any cost.
The crucifixion of Jesus, as detailed in John 19, represents the ultimate intersection of divine love and justice. Despite Pilate finding no fault in Him, Jesus was crucified due to political pressure and religious hatred. Throughout His trial and execution, Jesus displayed remarkable composure, understanding it was part of God's sovereign plan. His death, marked by supernatural signs and fulfilled prophecies, opened the way for humanity's reconciliation with God. This sacrificial act continues to call believers to renewed devotion and transformative action in their daily lives.
Though seemingly cruel, Jesus' deliberate delay in going to Lazarus served a greater purpose in demonstrating His divine power and glory. Through this miraculous event, Jesus revealed Himself as the source of all resurrection and eternal life. His emotional response to death, including weeping with the grieving and displaying righteous anger, showed His deep compassion, while His power was ultimately displayed in raising Lazarus from the dead. This final and greatest sign before His own death proved His authority over death and strengthened the faith of His followers.
In John 9, Jesus heals a man blind from birth, demonstrating His power as the light of the world. This physical healing serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual sight and blindness. While the healed man grows in faith and eventually worships Jesus as Lord, the Pharisees remain spiritually blind due to their pride. The story challenges us to examine our own spiritual sight and recognize our complete dependence on Jesus, reminding us that true spiritual vision begins with humility.
Pastor Daniel Justice continues our series from the Book of John called "The Miracles of Jesus" by looking at how to find true satisfaction in life through complete surrender to Jesus Christ. This sermon is perfect for those seeking spiritual growth, understanding biblical narratives, or wrestling with questions about faith, purpose, and satisfaction in life
In this sermon, you can:
- Discover profound insights from the feeding of 5,000 about authentic faith, spiritual nourishment, and the transformative power of genuine belief.
- Learn why thousands followed Jesus across the Sea of Galilee and how this miraculous event reveals essential truths about God's provision, spiritual hunger, and the nature of true discipleship.
- Explore the deeper meaning behind Jesus's identity as the bread of life and why many struggled with His call for complete dependence.
God designed biblical festivals to be joyful celebrations, not just solemn obligations. These gatherings, which occupied about three months of the Jewish calendar year, were meant for rest, feasting, and communal fellowship. The festivals included sharing meals, expressing gratitude, and enjoying God's presence while maintaining moral boundaries. Unlike pagan festivities, these celebrations focused on thanking God, caring for the vulnerable, and strengthening community bonds.
At the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus heals a man who had been ill for 38 years, sparking controversy by performing this miracle on the Sabbath. When challenged, Jesus declares His unique relationship with God the Father, claiming divine authority and equality. Through this encounter, Jesus demonstrates He is not merely a teacher or prophet but the divine Son of God who has life in Himself. His claims are validated through John the Baptist's testimony, miraculous signs, and Scripture, establishing His authority as the final judge before whom all will stand.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our look at biblical joy by looking at the profound connection between genuine happiness and spiritual well-being. Learn how the original biblical languages reveal surprising truths about joy, blessing, and contentment.
Through a powerful encounter in John 4, we explore the difference between seeking God for miracles versus seeking Him for who He is. A royal official's journey from desperately seeking healing for his son to developing genuine faith illustrates this transformation. True faith means trusting God's character even when circumstances are difficult rather than treating Him like a cosmic vending machine. The progression from sign-seeking to authentic belief challenges us to examine our own motivations in approaching God.
Jesus' cleansing of the temple reveals powerful truths about authentic worship and genuine faith. The temple courts had become a chaotic marketplace, distracting from its true purpose as God's dwelling place. Jesus' dramatic response demonstrates His passion for preserving proper worship and establishing Himself as the new temple - the direct connection between humanity and God. This teaches us to examine our own lives for distractions that prevent genuine worship and to pursue a transformative relationship with Jesus based on who He is rather than just what He can do for us.
True joy in Christianity goes beyond fleeting happiness, rooted in understanding God's own nature of joy and Jesus's teachings. Eight key factors, validated by modern research, align perfectly with biblical principles for finding lasting happiness. These include avoiding resentment, letting go of past mistakes, accepting unchangeable circumstances, and maintaining strong community connections. Christianity uniquely grounds these principles in reality through Jesus Christ, offering a path to genuine, sustainable joy through the practical application of biblical teachings.
At a wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine when the celebration's supply ran out. Using six stone water pots meant for ceremonial washing, He produced 180 gallons of the finest wine. This miraculous transformation symbolized Jesus's power to replace religious rituals with true spiritual cleansing, demonstrating that salvation comes through Him alone, not through human efforts. The abundance and quality of wine also revealed Jesus's character as one who brings joy and celebrates with His people.
True joy cannot be found in temporary earthly pleasures, as they leave us with an unfulfilled longing. God promises eternal happiness that surpasses human comprehension, as described in 1 Corinthians 2:9. Heaven will be a place without tears, death, mourning, or pain, where believers will experience the direct presence of God. The grace experienced now is merely a fraction of the endless joy that awaits in eternity, where God will continuously reveal new dimensions of His grace.
The message discusses how different people can see the same situation but come to different conclusions based on who they trust and emphasizes that our perspective on life's challenges depends on whether we measure them against our own strength or God's power.
God's holiness and joy work together in perfect harmony, though many believers struggle to reconcile these concepts. While His holiness may initially produce godly sorrow, it's designed to lead us into deeper joy. The story from Nehemiah 8 demonstrates how the Israelites moved from mourning to celebration upon hearing God's law. This transformation teaches us that while conviction of sin is important, we're not meant to remain in grief but to find refuge in the joy of the Lord, which becomes our stronghold.
In a powerful display of devotion, a woman enters Simon the Leper's house with an alabaster vial of expensive perfume worth a year's wages. Despite criticism from others who saw it as wasteful, she breaks the vial and pours the contents over Jesus' head. Jesus defends her actions, declaring it a beautiful act of worship. This story teaches that true worship comes from pure love, involves sacrifice, follows the Spirit's leading, and is unique to each person's ability and resources.
God meets us in our doubts and fears, as demonstrated through Gideon's transformation from a fearful man hiding in a winepress to a mighty warrior. Through patient guidance and strategic challenges, God grew Gideon's faith by reducing his army to just 300 men and giving unusual battle instructions. This journey illustrates how God develops both personal faith - believing in His love and salvation - and active faith - stepping out in obedience to advance His kingdom. God's primary concern is growing our trust in Him, even as He works through our brokenness and doubts.
Jesus was far from the stoic figure many imagine, displaying a full spectrum of human emotions including profound joy. Biblical accounts reveal Him as someone who celebrated life, enjoyed social gatherings, and maintained joy even in difficult circumstances. He was known as a friend to sinners and outcasts, suggesting an approachable and warm personality. His joy was so evident that He was criticized for being too celebratory compared to John the Baptist, yet this joy remained steadfast even as He faced His greatest challenges.
Discover the transformative power of radical generosity and how it can revolutionize your life and impact others. Learn about the ultimate example of generosity through God's sacrifice and how this divine model applies to modern living. Explore practical ways to overcome common barriers to generosity, including fear, control issues, and perceived lack of resources. Understanding generosity goes beyond financial giving - it's about affirming human dignity and worth through our actions.
Every human heart yearns for happiness, which can only be truly fulfilled through a connection with God. God not only possesses complete happiness within Himself but takes great delight in saving and blessing His people. Through Jesus's suffering and sacrifice, He demonstrated the depths of His love and understanding of human pain. The parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates God's overwhelming joy in welcoming back His children, showing us that true joy comes from understanding and embracing God's delight in us.
Kingdom investment extends beyond financial giving to encompass our time, talents, and resources dedicated to God's work. The Macedonian Christians exemplified this through their sacrificial giving despite poverty and persecution, viewing it as a privilege rather than an obligation. Their generosity flowed from understanding God's grace and recognizing that everything belongs to Him. This approach to giving becomes an act of worship when we first give ourselves fully to God, acknowledging His ownership and our role as stewards of His resources.
God's inherent happiness and self-sufficiency stands in stark contrast to our constant search for fulfillment. True joy comes from being in God's presence, where we experience awe, peace, and overwhelming delight.
Prayer stands as a cornerstone of effective Christian ministry, requiring intentional effort and kingdom-focused partnership. Through Paul's example in Romans, we learn the importance of praying beyond personal needs to embrace God's greater mission. This teaching challenges believers to mature into active participants in God's work while remaining flexible to His sovereign direction.
The universal human quest for happiness reveals a deeper spiritual longing that transcends material pursuits. While people often seek fulfillment through achievements, relationships, possessions, and success, these temporary satisfactions ultimately leave us wanting more. This perpetual dissatisfaction points to our inherent need for something greater - a relationship with God. Through understanding this divine connection, we can discover that our search for happiness is actually a spiritual homesickness that only God can fulfill.
Life's spiritual journey is like a marathon, requiring endurance and focus rather than speed. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses - faithful saints throughout history who cheer us on. To run effectively, we must shed hindrances and sins that slow us down while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Success comes through perseverance, maintaining spiritual disciplines, and staying focused on the ultimate goal of our faith journey.
Spiritual growth requires intentional self-examination of our faith journey. This examination should focus on three key areas: our foundation in God's Word, internal evidence of the Holy Spirit's work, and external evidence through visible fruit in our lives. Regular assessment within a church community helps ensure we're truly growing in Christ rather than merely going through religious motions. The ultimate goal isn't to create doubt but to strengthen our confidence in Christ and help us live more authentically in our faith.
Maintaining one's faith can be challenging in a rapidly changing, post-Christian society. The Book of Daniel teaches us the importance of standing firm in our convictions and living with excellence. Daniel's refusal to conform to Babylonian culture and his commitment to his faith serve as powerful examples for Christians today. By excelling in our environments and living differently, we can positively influence those around us and glorify God.
Discover the indescribable nature of God and the profound significance of His incarnation this Christmas. God, more magnificent than 10,000 sunrises and more powerful than the forces of nature, became human in Jesus Christ. Explore the awe-inspiring attributes of God, the worthiness of the Lamb, and the hope brought by the birth of Jesus. Learn about Jesus' divine names—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace—and His humble birth. Reflect on Jesus' sacrifice, which brings us peace and forgiveness. Embrace the true gift of Christmas by focusing on Jesus' birth, life, and sacrifice, and share His hope and light with others.
In this message from Isaiah 9, discover the hope and freedom that Jesus Christ brings by breaking the yoke of bondage. Lola's powerful testimony of transformation highlights God's ability to change lives. Isaiah 9:1-7 prophesies the coming of Jesus, bringing light and joy to those in darkness. The Battle of Midian symbolizes God's deliverance, emphasizing that true victory comes from His power. Jesus' sacrifice breaks the oppression of sin, offering freedom to all. Learn to recognize spiritual oppression and distinguish God's voice from the enemy's to experience true freedom in Christ.
Isaiah 9:1-7 reveals a message of hope and joy amidst judgment. Despite Israel's rebellion, God promises a Savior who will bring light and joy. God's uncompromising approach to sin, through the new covenant and ultimate sacrifice of His Son, is the foundation of true joy. Being in God's presence brings profound joy, and understanding His love and delight in us helps us regain joy even in trials. This Christmas, find joy in God's presence and His promises.
Explore the profound message of The Hope of Christmas, where we delve into the spiritual darkness that plagues humanity and the transformative light that Jesus brings. Despite technological and medical advancements, many people today are more anxious and restless than ever. This message examines the concept of spiritual darkness, as described in John 1:1-14, and how Jesus, the light of the world, came to shine in this darkness. Through Peter's journey, from his denial of Jesus to his restoration, we see a powerful example of how Jesus' light can overcome even the deepest darkness within us. This Christmas, reflect on your own spiritual darkness, acknowledge your sins, and embrace the light of Jesus for true peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose.
In a world filled with diverse belief systems, it can be challenging to stand firm in our Christian faith. Pastor Daniel Justice equips us to think biblically, helping us discern truth from lies. Key points include the sufficiency of the Gospel, the reality of suppressing truth, and understanding idolatry. Practical applications encourage living out our faith boldly and engaging with others compassionately, recognizing that many issues are rooted in misplaced worship rather than mere intellectual differences.
Isaiah 9 speaks of a time when gloom and anguish will be replaced by glory and light. The regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, once in darkness due to Assyrian captivity, are promised a great light symbolizing hope and restoration. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who brings life and light to humanity. As we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded to turn away from modern-day idols and embrace the true light of Christ, allowing His hope and joy to transform our lives.
Paul’s final chapter in 1 Timothy calls us to recognize the urgency of our spiritual battle and embrace our kingdom purpose. We are urged to flee from sinful influences, pursue godliness, fight the fight of faith, and take hold of eternal life. By keeping our eyes on Jesus and remembering the temporary nature of our struggles, we can live with purpose and focus. Reflect on how you can align your life with these imperatives and make a tangible change this week.
Slavery in the Bible is a complex issue that requires understanding historical contexts. In ancient Israel, slavery was akin to indentured servitude, offering economic relief rather than lifelong bondage. The New Testament era's Greco-Roman slavery was not based on race and allowed for social mobility. Biblical teachings on slavery aimed to gradually transform society, promoting equality and justice. Modern Christians are called to address social injustices, inspired by the Gospel's transformative power.
1 Timothy 6:3-10 warns against false teachers who twist God's Word for their own gain, likening them to fool's gold. True godliness requires full surrender to the Bible, allowing it to shape our beliefs and actions. Paul emphasizes contentment in Christ as a mark of genuine faith, urging us to let God's Word scrutinize and transform us. Reflect on areas where you may struggle with contentment and seek peace in Christ.
Through the story of King Josiah and other biblical examples, we learned how pride prevents us from hearing God's voice. The call to humility and listening is essential for receiving God's wisdom and guidance. Let's challenge ourselves to confront and repent of our pride, making a conscious effort to listen to God's voice in our daily lives.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17In November 2024, three travelers from FBC found themselves in a nondescript, unmarked, and unremarkable warehouse on the other side of the world. There was nothing about the small warehouse that would impress you, nothing to draw attention. But tucked In the very back corner, in unmarked boxes, we found the very remarkable reason for our visit…boxes and boxes of New Testaments written in Farsi, awaiting their perilous journey to new believers in Persia. We were awestruck as we listened to how these books are printed and transported to this warehouse and how they will make their way into the hands of people who have never seen a Bible before. In a country where owning a Bible is illegal, where sharing the Gospel can lead to imprisonment, expulsion, or even death, the demand for Bibles is growing exponentially. New believers, in secret house churches and even in cars, are willing to risk their lives to spread the good news of Jesus. And many people, at great peril to their own lives, have been involved in getting those Bibles to those waiting hands. Indeed, four members of our mission team have supported this effort for the glory of God since 2002. We listened intently as Allen (not his real name) told us about the networks that he uses to transport about 75,000 New Testaments across the border and into the hands of pastors and brand new believers, at great risk to himself and greater risk to those who do the transporting and delivering. Despite the risks, God’s precious Word is worth every sacrifice!
We are praising the Lord for allowing FBC to support this effort and providing Bibles to the unreached locally and internationally. The Mission and Evangelism Committee recently approved a $5000 donation to this Persian Bible Project. In addition, $3000 was approved to purchase Bibles for Jose Luis Jimenez, our E3 missionary partner in Mexico, to be distributed to three different indigenous, unreached people groups in Chiapas, Mexico. FBC also contributed $ 4,000 to a North Korean Bible Project and recently donated $ 6,500 for Gideon Bibles to be distributed during Boerne Bright. We are so thankful that $18,500 has been dedicated this year for His glory in providing Bibles to those who need to hear the good news! “As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15b
Read Other StoriesThe post Bringing Hope: FBC’s Mission Efforts Deliver Bibles to Those Willing to Risk It All first appeared on FBC Boerne. FBC Boerne is a church for all ages to learn and grow in faith in Jesus and live that faith out every day of our lives. To find out more info, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
Have you ever needed a warm hug and someone to tell you everything will be okay? That’s what the Sew Faithful Quilters provide with each quilt they make and distribute. Barbara Conley and her group of quilters meet every Wednesday and put the love of Jesus into each quilt that gets created. They’re always searching for someone who needs to know that God cares about them. Last week, it was the Hurricane Helene victims. Barbara reached out to Pastor Chad to find out how they could get quilts to people from that area. Immediately, Chad put victims in touch with one of our FBC Boerne members, Paula Hill, who was headed to Louisiana to volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse. Forty-seven quilts, along with some personal items, were loaded up into Paula’s car, prayed over, and she headed out.
As the 100+ mile per hour winds hit parts of Louisiana, many stayed in their homes because they didn’t have the funds to evacuate. Most of the people Paula visited with the team from Samaritan’s Purse live in mobile homes. Flooding was not a problem in this area, but wind damage was. Mobile homes were destroyed, leaving many homeless and in despair with no funds to make repairs or to start over. Samaritan’s Purse was there to help with cleanup, clothes, food, rebuilding, and most of all, with love and prayers.
“People appreciated the generosity and courtesy and being made to feel important.” “The quilts we gave these people told them, you are God’s creation, and You Matter!” said Paula. She said these quilts symbolized the church going to a place in need and sharing Christ’s love. “We all go through trials at times, and its humbling to be able to share the load. We’re the carriers of the Holy Spirit on this earth and its our privilege to be His steward.”
Along with the quilts, Samaritans Purse distributed Billy Graham Bibles to those they assisted. These Bibles aren’t available to just anyone; they’re only given to those impacted by some type of disaster. Each volunteer signs the inside cover of the Bibles, and the team prays over them before presenting them and then again with the recipient when presenting them.
Paula said this experience changes people. It causes you to think about what else you can do to help God’s people. If you would like to see how you can get involved, reach out to Pastor Chad from our FBC Boerne missions team at cmason@fbcboerne.org or missions@fbcboerne.org. If you know of someone who is going through a rough time and needs a quilt to help them know they are loved, reach out to the FBC Boerne office at 830.249.2527.
Read Other StoriesThe post Sharing Christ’s Love Through Prayers, Work, and Quilts first appeared on FBC Boerne. FBC Boerne is a church for all ages to learn and grow in faith in Jesus and live that faith out every day of our lives. To find out more info, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
Several from the FBC Boerne Missions team were registered to attend a conference in Asheville, NC beginning Monday, September 30th. God had other plans for them though because on September 26th, Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, North Carolina and was of record-breaking size. Needless to say the conference was cancelled. As the missions team sat safely at home watching the devastation occur in the news, the Holy Spirit told Chris and Betty Campbell that God wanted them to be helping in Asheville. Immediately they sought ways to volunteer with the restoration work.
The enormous size of hurricane Helene coupled with the storm surge, winds, and rainfall, together turned Helene into an unimaginable disaster. Asheville, North Carolina, a fast-growing city of about 95,000 residents, is located in a bowl in mountainous terrain that left it and other nearby cities highly susceptible to high river runoff and extreme flooding. To make matters worse, the area was already saturated from a storm that hit just ahead of Helene. The French Broad River crested at Asheville at 24.67 feet, shattering the previous 1916 record of 22 feet, also caused by remnants of a hurricane. The full extent of this event will take years to document, not to mention, to recover from. But God is in this story.
Chris reached out to Samaritan’s Purse and then teamed up with volunteers in Asheville; a first-time experience working disaster relief with Samaritan’s Purse. There were about 500 first-timers in their particular orientation session alone. Approximately 30 people are assigned to a team leader and they are sent out in teams for the week to locations as needed. Everything is so organized, not an ounce of any precious resource is wasted. Some homeowners say that the workers are like an ant hill of orange ants. Samaritan’s Purse says we’re the hands and feet of Jesus. Working with Samaritan’s Purse on the ground in Asheville has been an indescribable blessing.
Every day is difficult seeing the heartbreak on residents faces. One day the team mudded (removed drywall, flooring etc) the home of a young couple with two young daughters. Another day they work at the home of a couple in their late 70’s whose basement was flooded and their property had so many huge trees down that they couldn’t get out. During the storm, the couple sat on their basement stairs for nine hours watching the water rise in the basement while fearing going upstairs because so many trees were crashing around them in their yard. The stairs were their safe zone but they endured hours of being trapped with no place to go. Fortunately no trees fell on their home and they were eventually rescued. Through all the cleanup, the homeowners constantly expressed gratitude for the help and kindness they so desperately needed.
Heading to the jobsite to assist in a neighborhood along a creek with many flooded homes, lots of cars are blocked everywhere. This, coupled with trees down, is an all too common site in this area. Days are spent helping people clean up debris and trying to put pieces of lives back together. Stories are shared and tears are shed. Prayers and hugs are given to people looking for signs of hope. God has a plan for this land though and His people are helping make a way. Any way you look at it, Jesus’ Name is spreading in the storm.
If you would like to donate or volunteer to assist those in need from Hurricane Helene, please contact the FBC Boerne church office at 830-249-2527.
Read Other StoriesThe post Hurricane Helene (God is in this Story) first appeared on FBC Boerne. FBC Boerne is a church for all ages to learn and grow in faith in Jesus and live that faith out every day of our lives. To find out more info, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
In times of crisis, how can we find strength and hope? Join us as we pray for Israel's peace and revival, and support those affected by Hurricane Helene. Let's be the hands and feet of Christ in our community.
1 Timothy 3 outlines the essential qualities of godly leadership in the church. Paul emphasizes that the health and stability of the church are tied to the character and integrity of its leaders. Key qualifications include being above reproach, faithful in marriage, self-controlled, hospitable, and free from the love of money. Leaders must also manage their households well, demonstrating their ability to lead the church. The church must appoint leaders who exhibit godly character to avoid the dangers of ungodly leadership.
Pride is a significant barrier to accepting the Gospel, fostering a sense of independence from God. Through parables like the Wedding Feast and the Vineyard, we see how pride leads us to reject God's authority and His ultimate sacrifice. Despite our prideful tendencies, God's relentless pursuit and goodness remain unwavering. Understanding this should lead us to humility, recognizing our salvation is due to God's grace alone.
“Hello. Do you remember me?” a sweet voice asked.
Turning toward the young woman to whom the voice belonged, Greg answered, “Why, yes, yes, I do remember you. I remember seeing you many times here in Moldova.”
The voice’s owner, Sasha, responded, “I just want to thank you for what you did for me and my family.” She continued to tell Greg Hilgemeier this story.
In the summer of 2014, Greg found himself in Moldova with his wife, Lisa, and a mission team from their former church in Midland, Texas. The team hosted a sports camp for the youth in Chisinau, Moldova, in cooperation with the local church, KBC. (Our FBC mission teams have also been doing this sort of camp since the Hilgemeiers introduced this mission partner to FBC.) At that time, Sasha was 12 years old. She and her little sister, Vlada, came to that camp located at School 37, a public school that allowed KBC to use their fields. Sasha and Vlada came from a broken family life; their mother was an alcoholic whose addiction resulted in poverty and neglect.
That day, Greg and the mission team passed out new t-shirts and candy to the children and teens at the camp. That day, Sasha received a new t-shirt, which made a lasting impression on her since she could not remember ever having a NEW article of clothing. She was also introduced to Sergei and Alina that day, leaders at KBC, and invited to come to the church on Saturday for a celebration and a TEXAS SALSA party. She and her sister came and heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ that day.
Sasha said she loved the special attention she received, the kindness and generosity she saw in the people at KBC and the Texans, and she LOVED the salsa! Sasha told Greg that this was the beginning of a life change for her and her family. She began attending KBC youth activities and learned her identity in Christ. Eventually, she accepted Jesus as her Savior. As she heard more and more about God’s love for her, she was emboldened to pray for her mother. She prayed that her mother would stop drinking!
One month after she started praying, her mother announced that she was giving up alcohol and trying to change her life. Sasha was amazed at God’s faithfulness in answering her prayer! Sasha eventually became very active in the church, helping to lead youth activities. She met a pastor’s son, and they married last year. They are seeking ways to serve in the church.
“Thank you for coming in 2014 and continuing to come to Moldova all these years. Your kindness and generosity changed my life that day at School 37.
I know God is always working!” Sasha relayed this story to Greg this summer at the 2024 KBC/FBC Texas Salsa party in Chisinau, Moldova.
You just never know how Jesus will use YOU in your mission field to spread His love and light to the world! Join us as we go on mission for Christ!
Read Other StoriesThe post From Moldova with Love first appeared on FBC Boerne. FBC Boerne is a church for all ages to learn and grow in faith in Jesus and live that faith out every day of our lives. To find out more info, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
FBC Boerne Missions & Evangelism Pastor Chad Mason and primary contact for the Uganda missionary ministries, John Nipp, traveled to Uganda on September 5 to visit with workers at the Africa Renewal Ministry (ARM).
The first stop in Uganda was a tour of ARM’s Gabba Church, headquarters, and school there on the shore of Lake Victoria. One of the Children’s Choirs was rehearsing for an upcoming event, and precious voices were ringing out. Steven (ARM’s executive director), Pastor Moses (church planting pastor), Carol (oversees the women’s ministry in the church plant network), and a powerhouse group of women (Pastor Peter’s wife, Dr. Martin’s wife, and several others) were all there to welcome Pastor Chad and John. This was just a short stop on the route to the city of Gulu, where the Gabba Community Church launched a church plant almost ten years ago and has now planted 47 others in Northern Uganda.
Gulu is a growing city and is starting to thrive. God has brought it from the epicenter of the Ugandan war in the early 2000s with burnt-out, bullet-ridden vehicles on the sides of the roads, massive poverty, and many people missing limbs to a somewhat modern city today thanks to the work of many aid organizations. Praise God for the peace of the last 15 years that has brought healing to this former war zone.
While in Gulu, Pastor Chad met with two men from the Texans on Missions (TXM) group (formerly Texas Baptist Men) who were digging wells in Northern Uganda. Over the last three years, they have dug 70+ wells in the Amora district of North Uganda. They have a large staff and an extremely cost-effective process in place there, and they hope to eventually place a hand pump well within 1.5 km of every person in Uganda or one well for every 250 people. Each of their projects includes a commitment from the community that they will participate in a Bible study/church plant for at least three years, and the community agrees to a long-term sustainment plan for the care, upkeep, and distribution of the water.
Mitch from TXM shared that every place they put a well, they see a 50% decrease in deaths of children under the age of two, a 125% decrease in deaths of children under the age of five, and health in the community is improved in every way they can measure. He said they are swimming in data that speaks to the incredible impact of clean water in every community where they work.
Our FBC Boerne Business as Missions team is researching opportunities for a water project here, so Pastor Chad and John had many questions for the TXM team. One thrilling by-product is that ARM’s leaders were also excited and may work alongside TXM in the future to provide long-term coaching and care for the Bible studies and church plants that emerge from these projects.
From Gulu, the next stop was Adjumani. This leg of the trip was a 150 km drive on treacherous roads in the rain and dark of night. Praise God, Pastor Chad and John made it safely! During the journey, they reflected on God’s protection over them, His providence, and how He was at work all around. Adjumani is a city in the far north and west of Uganda. Since around 2016, it has hosted 39 refugee camps made up of mostly refugees from South Sudan’s 62 tribes.
This country has been locked in a bitter war between the two largest tribes, the Dinka and the Nuer. Some estimate the number of refugees in the area to be in the 2 million people range. Several Ugandans said that Uganda has the most refugees of all the countries in Africa.
While in Adjumani, they met an ARM church planter who planted a church among the two million refugees in Northern Uganda. Many of these people have fled the violence in Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Congo, Chad, Eritrea, and other places. Steven (ARM’s executive director) believes that God has prepared Uganda and its leadership for this moment in time. He said that God is going to use these immigrants as a great mission force to North and Central Africa when they return home equipped as followers of Jesus.
Pastor Chad and John conducted a worship service at the refugee church in Adjumani. They also visited refugee families in their homes (huts) and had the opportunity to hear their stories and pray with them. Pray that their visit will encourage these hurting families and that God is near them!
Next, the team drove 56 Kilometers down a rough and dusty road to arrive at the Mungula camp. This camp is made up of almost entirely Dinka tribesmen. Pastor Chad and John visited a Dinka Church there led by Pastor Moses, and it was quite an experience. You can hear more about this camp by going to this link and listening to the So That… podcast (So That… podcast with John Nipp and Pastor Stephen). In short, the people are extremely resilient but are struggling to survive with small plots of land that cannot provide enough crops to survive on. They learned that the food rations the people are given by the World Food Bank are very small, and most of the families are very large. They were told they were given three kilos of beans and three kilos of corn for one month. Pastor Chad and John prayed for the people, preached a sermon, and watched their worship style with fascination. The children had prepared a worship presentation and were blown away by it. There were hundreds of kids singing, jumping, and dancing. The raw power of the energy on display was amazing. To see these parents working so hard to train up their children in the Lord was inspiring. It was a powerful experience for them.
The Agojo Camp was the next stop after driving back from Adjumani. This camp is made up of Madi tribesmen. They are one of the smaller tribes from South Sudan. When the Dinka and Nuer tribes went to war, all the other tribes were caught up in the conflict. The majority of tribes persecuted the smaller tribes because they feared they were supporting their enemies. The Pastor that Pastor Chad and John met with, named Jacob, said they were going house to house in villages, killing anyone they suspected of supporting the opposition. The Agojo Camp Pastor’s family is made up of his parents and siblings, along with their spouses and children. Altogether, their family has around 15 people living on their plot. It was very small. Every inch was covered in sweet potato mounds.
While at the Agojo camp, Pastor Chad and John also visited many people, prayed for their healing, and provided small bags of groceries to them. Lastly, they visited with a large group of leaders and youth under a shade tree. There were close to 70 people there. John spoke to the young men about developing a godly reputation. Pastor Chad trained them on disciple-making and gave a compelling summary of God’s heart for all nations. The day ended by surrounding the group and praying over them as they seek to be faithful to God during this time of refuge.
The next stop is Iganga to attend multiple events with the Tree Life Ministry. Pastor Chad and John started by touring Tree Life’s headquarters in Iganga, where they met the current class of female students in the Bible School.
They were excited to see such vitality and youth in one place. There were almost 25 women in the current class.
While in Iganga, they also visited a blind village. This was a tough place for them to see because their needs are overwhelming. The people there were very kind. They worshiped loudly, grasped their hands, and smiled broadly. The village leader was brought over to John, and he immediately gave him a big hug and said, “Brother John”! He knew it was John before John even said anything. They were blessed to share from God’s Word and pray over several of those who were ill. The time was sweet but unfortunately short. The community wanted to present them with a gift for their visit, so they ceremonially presented Pastor Chad with his very own, quite large, live rooster.
From the blind village, they traveled to the Church of Namayingo. Pastor Chad and John shared God’s command to go forth and make disciples of all the nations. The day ended with a meeting of the Tree Life Board of Directors. These amazing men have faithfully served God in this ministry since it began with Pastor Bubba in 1996.
After a full day in Iganga, they returned to their hotel and praised God for His work among these people. In both camps, they met amazing believers who live out their faith in obvious and sincere manners. They do this in the face of extreme hardship. We are so blessed by ARM and their willingness to serve this community. ARM leaders, in partnership with Gabba Community Church, have planted over 47 churches in Northern Uganda and are discipling pastors from other denominations and networks within the camps.
The following three days were spent training Pastor Fred’s team. Pray that these men will catch a vision for saturation of the Gospel in this region that houses close to 600,000 people.
Pastor Chad and John had a great day with Tree Life and its leadership team. It was easy for them to see why so many of our FBC Boerne leaders are passionate about their work and ministry. It was encouraging to see much fruit from years of partnership with FBC. They saw schools and water systems built by FBC Boerne members, heard that over 500 pastors have been trained since 2010 by the donations of FBC Boerne members, and again saw so much of the fruit of those labors. Pray that God will help us know how to partner well in the future.
Read Other StoriesThe post Transformative Outreach in Uganda’s Heartlands first appeared on FBC Boerne. FBC Boerne is a church for all ages to learn and grow in faith in Jesus and live that faith out every day of our lives. To find out more info, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
Discover the faithful journeys of Kayla Cardwell, Linda Phillips, and Melissa Watson, who dedicated years of their lives to the Yucatan mission trip. This inspiring endeavor not only changed the lives of those they served but deeply impacted their own. From first-time mission travelers to seasoned volunteers, their stories of faith, service, and community illuminate the profound effect of communal religious endeavors on individual growth and global fellowship.
Kayla Cardwell – Yucatan Mission Trip, 2018-2024One Sunday at church in 2018, Stephanie Hines made a suggestion that would impact Kayla Cardwell’s life changed significantly. She encouraged Kayla and her daughter, Baylee to go on the Yucatan mission trip. Her son, Brandon, had gone for several years and also encouraged the girls to go. Kayla had never been on a mission trip before. This was the summer before her sophomore year of high school and she had just given her life to Christ the summer before at Chi-Rho, the youth camp. Kayla had been attending FBC Boerne with Baylee and the Hines family for about a year and she had been loving the church family that she found at FBC.
“Everyone was so encouraging of my faith and that was something I had never experienced from my own family before. I wanted to be able to serve together with this new family in that capacity. When you have a group of Christians who are all striving after the same thing, and you all have the same goal, the same focus, it is such a different kind of support. It is wonderful and I wanted to serve together with them.”
Kayla went on the Yucatan mission trip that summer – and continued to go for the next 6 years. The only year she has missed throughout high school and college was 2020 when the church was not able to send a team due to the pandemic. It was not easy to make the mission trip a priority every summer. She had to raise her own financial support and even had to work on college summer courses during two of her trips, which she said was really hard! She also had to convince her parents, who do not attend church, to let her go each year. “Struggling to help my parents understand why I wanted to keep going back after that first year was difficult.” It was challenging to explain to them the joy she received from serving alongside other Christians and seeing the impact of the ministries they helped to build and grow.
Kayla has seen many changes in the communities in just the 6 years she has been going and can’t imagine the incredible changes James Smith and others have seen in the 21 years that FBC Boerne has been sending mission teams to partner with Vida Life. Kayla said it was such a blessing to help the Kingdom School celebrate their first graduates two years ago and looks forward to continuing to pour into those ministries and seeing the fruit that comes from them. She was especially excited this year because their team got to help plant a new church in the jungle where there had never been one.
Kayla said the relationships formed with the pastors and their wives, and the people they serve, are a big reason that she keeps coming back to work with Vida Life each year. She is inspired by the passion the pastors and their wives have for their ministries and it fuels her desire to continue to support the pastors and the people they serve. “We go down for a week and come back exhausted, but that is their life and they do this ministry work with such joy and serve tirelessly.”
“When I’m down there, I feel like I hear the Lord so clearly. I think being focused on mission, serving with other believers, and isolated from the world contributes to that. Some people are meant to serve for a season, not everyone is called to serve full-time. But I do believe that everyone is called to serve in some capacity.”
Linda Phillips – Yucatan 2003-2024“It felt like Christmas in June to those of us giving the gifts and those receiving the gifts. Every child was overwhelmed with gratitude for the small gift they received. Their joy is abundant!” Linda Phillips shared what a blessing it was to participate in this experience from the most recent Yucatan mission trip in June 2024. Every child received a small backpack containing something special they had put on a wish list several months before. They received some necessary items for school, but also some things just for fun. “Our students and adults are touched by their love and the joy they have in learning,” she added.
Linda explained how FBC’s Yucatan mission team helps provide support to children in Cuna Maya so they can attend the *Kingdom School there. These children do not have the opportunity to attend public school due to overcrowding. If they are not chosen via the public school’s lottery system, they don’t get to attend school at all. Kingdom School was started as a way to provide a quality education for these children with the long-term goal of giving them the means to lift themselves out of poverty. The children learn English as they read from the Bible every day, as well as learning about God and his Word. When they graduate from Kingdom School they will have the equivalent of a high school education from America, which would enable them to get better paying jobs or even to attend college in America or elsewhere.
Linda has been serving with the Yucatan mission team for 21 years – ever since FBC’s very first trip there in 2003** with her son, Danny, who was one of the youth pastors at the time. She said it has always been a student trip but looked a bit different those first few years than it does now. In the beginning, while they still evangelized and did work projects, FBC had not established any churches, yet, and so the wonderful relationships with the 7 pastors and their wives did not exist. She emphasized that the deep relationships that have developed over the years are part of what makes these trips so valuable. Linda said a big focus of the trips now is to provide help to the pastors and their wives in order to encourage them in their ministry work they do every day. She loves to share “about our deep love with the people of Mexico!”
Melissa Watson – Yucatan 2021-2024My family has been a part of the Yucatan mission trip for 4 years. It began with just my daughter, Avery, going, and then the following year my younger daughter, Jenna, and I joined the team. I was hesitant at first to go to a new place with new people where I did not speak the language. I was not sure what I could do to be of any help but felt led to go, so we went. I cannot describe the pure joy that I feel when I’m down there. We create relationships with the pastors, their families, and the children at the school. We do home visits and pray with families that ave so much less than we are accustomed to but are so giving and excited to spend time with us. We do work that many of us have never done such as build concrete roofs, sidewalks, rock walls, playgrounds, and carry heavy things up and down stairs, over and over and over. We help expand meeting spaces so that more children can come to the school and more families can attend church comfortably and safely. We come into this not knowing many of the others on the team, but very quickly we become a true team working together to fill a need. We encourage each other and our personal needs become the last thing on our minds. It is hot and it is exhausting at times! It is completely out of our comfort zones, and yet it is the best experience. I cannot really put my finger on a BIG moment that keeps me coming back.
There are so many little things that all add up to feeling God move. Some of my favorite things about this past year are singing and dancing in the park at Pastor Alex’s church in El Esfuerzo. Families came from the neighborhood and the children played games, danced, and laughed together. We were able to share Bible stories with the children and just spend time worshiping together. Some of our team had the opportunity to visit the Ranchita, the jungle area, and partner with a new team that began the very first church in that area in April. Watching the families come on motorcycle from areas where we could not even see houses, drop off a few children and then go back for more, made me realize just how hungry these people are to learn about God. They may not have a lot but they dress their children in their best clothes, fix their hair, and send them off to learn about Jesus from these people they have never met. Their efforts touch my heart because it is important to them and it shows in the way they come so eager to learn and worship.
There is nothing like serving alongside my own children. Watching them serve, go outside their comfort zones, meet new people with giant smiles on their faces and seeing their hearts grow and be touched by the love of Christ is priceless. Not just my own children but also the youth amaze me with how eager they are to serve others. I watched kids jump in to do hard physical work, wash dishes, share testimonies and just befriend those around them. One sweet time was watching them begin to play a game together even though no one really understood each other. But, evidentially, hide and seek is pretty universal. The giggles by our youth and the students at *Kingdom Academy were evidence of that. Some of our youth are bilingual and jumped in to translate and share Bible stories on the spot. This year in particular, we all felt God move in mighty ways. It was not something we can really explain, but it was something that was felt by all of us. Each night when we debriefed as a team, many tears were shed as we were overwhelmed with what we had seen, done, and felt throughout the day. On the last day, as we prepared to say goodbye to the friends we had made, we hugged and prayed with and for each other and promised to try to return the next year. This is a life-changing week and I am so glad that we stepped out in faith. I’m still not sure that what I do down there matters in the grand scheme of things, but the change in my life and the change in my children’s lives is something I will always be grateful for. I hope to continue to serve in the Yucatan for many years.
Read Other StoriesThe post Faithful Journeys: From First Steps to Lasting Impact in the Yucatan Mission Trips first appeared on FBC Boerne. FBC Boerne is a church for all ages to learn and grow in faith in Jesus and live that faith out every day of our lives. To find out more info, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
In the heart of Cuna Maya, Mexico, a group of youth from FBC Boerne embarked on a journey that would forever alter their perspective on faith, service, and the power of community. Among them is Hannah Dufresne, a young woman whose encounter with God amidst the vibrant and resilient people of Cuna Maya sparked a profound transformation in her life and faith. This Yucatan mission trip became more than a voyage of aid and evangelism; it evolved into a powerful narrative of personal growth, spiritual gifts, and the unyielding strength of the human spirit in facing adversity. Through experiences ranging from heartwarming interactions to confronting life’s stark realities, each participant returned with stories that testify to the transformative power of serving others and illuminated their path to deeper devotion and purpose.
Hannah Dufresne:
Hannah Dufresne’s life changed this year after experiencing God in the people of Cuna Maya, Mexico, and the youth and leaders of FBC Boerne during the Yucatan mission trip.
Hannah grew up in the church but was changed by the experiences she felt God calling her to this year. “This time was different, and I feel like it made lasting changes in me and all the students that attended,” Hannah said. It caused her to question what her life is about and what God really wants her to do with her life. But God has the answers, and He showed Hannah the way. As a result, she decided to dedicate her life to Christ and got baptized this summer. Hannah says that God moved in unique ways that she never experienced before, and she has experienced lasting impacts as a result. She’s done with busy work, is fired up for Christ, and has a new passion to serve Him.
God provides spiritual gifts for each of us and gifted Hannah with the gift of speaking Spanish. He used that language gift in amazing ways this summer. She didn’t know what to expect from the trip and was a bit fearful at first until God eased her fears and showed her the love of people like Elaina.
Elaina is from Cuna Maya and grew up on a farm there. She got married very young and had a daughter, but her husband was abusive to her. They eventually separated, leaving Elaina to care for herself and her daughter. God prepared Elaina with carpentry and sewing skills, so she now has a tailoring business in the town that provides their support. Using an old sewing machine, she sews and mends people’s clothing in the town to provide the money needed to provide food and shelter for her and her daughter. At one point, Elaina’s sewing machine broke, leaving her without any means of making an income. But she didn’t let that stop her; she persevered and gained support from organizations like YWAM and FBC Boerne that allowed her to purchase a new sewing machine and once again begin sewing and mending and providing for her family. Many of the youth contributed their own personal spending money to help pay for the new sewing machine. They realized that God had put Elaina in their path for this very reason.
Life hasn’t been easy for Elaina and her daughter. They live in a small house that she built out of plywood. She slowly improved their home using concrete and metal to help protect them from the hurricanes that often ravage small wood homes in the area. At one point, she had a motorcycle accident, leaving her somewhat handicapped and walking with a limp that made it difficult to get her daily work done. No matter what the handicap was, though, Elaina persevered and finished building her house.
Elaina’s daughter is grown now and has a daughter of her own who has been a blessing to the family. During the COVID season, Elaina and her daughter got sick with COVID-19. Neither went to the hospital during this time because, in her words, “if you go to the hospitals, you don’t come back.” Elaina’s granddaughter, thanks to God, didn’t get sick, so she cared for her mother and grandmother and was an enormous blessing to them.
God never tells us life will be easy, and Elaina is proof of that. She never complains about life, though. She maintains a contagious smile, is never negative, and always gives God the credit.
God moves in mysterious and life-changing ways. The team originally planned to work at the church, but a storm left them without power. Praying for another plan, the team decided to take it to the streets and do some street evangelism. Going in pairs, they set out to share God’s Word with the people in town. They talked to people in businesses and on the streets, anyone who would listen. God’s plans are always better than ours, and as a result of this “Plan B,” six people decided to ask Christ to come into their lives and were saved.
Sawyer Werab is another Spanish-speaking student who went on this year’s Yucatan mission trip. He wasn’t supposed to go because the trip was full by the time he decided to register. God provided a way, though. Three days before the group was to depart to Mexico, another student who had registered needed to cancel, so this left an open spot for Sawyer. With only three days to decide and a need to purchase flights, check passports, and a list of other things, God worked out a way. Wrestling with dedicating his life to service to ministry, Sawyer hoped to gain clarity. After experiencing God in the people and places of Cuna Maya, Sawyer found the clarity he sought and has decided that he wants to become a pastor.
Hannah says that no one who went on this summer’s trip wanted it to end. On the last night, everyone gathered around the campfire, sang, prayed, and talked about their experiences and how they had changed them. Even those who had been on many prior mission trips agreed that this time was different. God is working in the youth of our church and around the world.Brian and Savannah Austin:Brian and Savannah Austin are a dad-daughter duo that went on the Yucatan mission trip this summer. Savannah’s mom, Heather, has gone with them in the past but decided to divide up and go on the Turkey/Moldova mission trip this year. The Yucatan group was under the discipleship of FBC Boerne youth pastor Garrett McCord. Garrett’s leadership and discipleship of the youth stood out in the minds of Brian and Savannah. “He wasn’t there to just lead the youth, he guided them, ministered to them, and worked alongside them. Garrett helped them understand how to share their testimony, which gave seniors Landon Wade, Hannah Dufresne, and Sawyer Werab the knowledge and confidence they needed to step up and lead the rest of the students. They are fluent in Spanish and took the lead on this trip to teach the others. God is so much bigger than language barriers, isn’t He! They had never been on a plane, out of the country, or on a mission trip before.” They placed faith over fears and stepped up to lead and help. Brian and Savannah saw the relationships of the team as a major reason this year was so special.
Evangelism is part of the normal practice of mission trips, but the experience was different this year. As with others from the group, the street evangelism experience stood out in Brian and Savannah’s minds. “This activity wasn’t supposed to take place. The original plan was to have a clothes drive where the church brings people in, and then the team can evangelize. The youth also create a piece of artwork to share, and the “customers” can pick a piece of art along with their clothes purchase. The students then share what the artwork means to them, like the extravagance of God, immensity of God, or other characteristics of God, etc., and they pray with them and ask them if they know Jesus. This is all done through translators.” But God had other plans for them and His plan is always better.
A storm occurred that knocked out the power in the Vida Life church. After praying about what to do, Pastor Noe decided to do street evangelism and said their artwork was the answer to how to reach the people. So, everyone took their artwork, prayed over them, and set out in six teams to hit the streets. Brian Austin, Laine, Eyan, and Eli Smith were in a team together. They had handed out everyone’s artwork except for Eyan’s but had yet to have a lot of success in getting people to listen. The team prayed over Eyan’s artwork for the right person to receive it and to have the ability to talk to someone about Jesus. The next person they saw was a man in a park, down on his luck.
Everything he owned was in a small shoe shine box. He was robbed the week before, but someone was kind enough to purchase a new shoe shine box for him so he could try to earn a living. He had no place to live and faced many challenges. The team talked with him as he shared his struggles and finally gave him Eyan’s piece of art. The picture particularly moved this man. Their translator helped them share the Gospel with the man, they all prayed with him, and he decided he wanted to accept Christ into his life. Right there in the street, this man accepted Christ and was saved! They also discovered the man had no money to purchase food or anything. Eyan had brought some money on the trip that he planned to give to someone. He decided this was the man who needed it. This encounter touched and changed not only the life of the poor man on the street but also Eyan’s life. Out of the six groups that went into the streets that day, they were able to witness five people who gave their lives to Christ.
The Kingdom Academy School is an amazing school for underprivileged children in the area. Poverty-stricken children are provided an education where Jesus is placed first. They also get a meal each day so the kids are nourished mind, body, and soul. The school provides for the youth’s homes as well and ensures each family has at least a concrete floor and ceiling to help reduce disease and weather from entering the home. “The Kingdom Academy is an oasis in the middle of a lot of despair and poverty,” said Brian Austin. The school uses the Bible as a textbook for the kids to learn about Jesus. They worship and start their day with prayer and then follow a regular school curriculum. “These kids would never have been able to attend school without the Kingdom Academy.” The Austin’s sponsor children from the Kingdom Academy so that the kids can attend the school and learn and thrive. Youth With A Mission (YWAM) works with the Kingdom Academy, where the women minister to the mothers of the children attending the school. Mothers are encouraged to participate in the program so the YWAM ladies can disciple them. This, in turn, gets fathers more involved in their children’s lives as well.
Hardship abounds in Cuna Maya, and the FBC teams ministered to some of the families the Kingdom Academy is attempting to reach. The Austins visited several homes and distributed food and home goods to help with their daily needs. One family they visited with had no parents home because they were both out working. The kids didn’t go to school that day because they had to help with household chores. The oldest child in this family is 10 years old and he was helping to care for the family. He had to find a job to help purchase food, and he also helped care for his sisters. The second home they visited had three generations of family living there. They had very little but knew the Austins were coming and provided snacks and treats for their visit. The family gave all they had, and the Austins were able to minister to them.
Benny is a pastor who was with the team. He originally encountered FBC Boerne mission teams as a vendor at market 28 17 years ago. The team had shared Christ with him and prayed with him, and it changed his life so much that he included several from the FBC team in his wedding a few years ago. Today Benny is a pastor to the people in the Yucatan. He went with the team that Savannah and others were on to the Milagros, which are outskirt neighborhoods, to share and pray with people. There is always construction work at the Milagros to do. The church there needed a concrete floor and help working on a playground.
Our FBC team has been going to the Yucatan for several years and has formed personal relationships that allow them to go beyond the normal experience. Brian and Savannah have also been going on mission trips for several years now and have ongoing personal relationships with the mission partners in the Yucatan.
Others who partnered with the FBC Boerne team included Art, a missionary living in Israel. Art is Russian. He was in the leadership of the Vida Life Church in Mexico and was an interim pastor there a few years ago. He and his family were in Cancun on vacation and discovered the FBC Boerne team there, so they decided to spend their time alongside our team, assisting with the mission work. He preached and spoke of the protection of God over Jerusalem and the peace in Israel, even during the war. He said you can hear the rockets, but the people don’t worry because they know they are protected by God. The youth were able to see that this Yucatan trip was much larger than just Mexico and that God is working in the whole world.
Read Other StoriesThe post Transformative Journey: How a Mission Trip to Yucatan Changed Lives and Inspired Service first appeared on FBC Boerne. FBC Boerne is a church for all ages to learn and grow in faith in Jesus and live that faith out every day of our lives. To find out more info, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
Jim and Alina Mason and their three children, Lydia, Liam, and Theo, joined the Yucatan Family Mission Trip during Spring Break of 2024. They enthusiastically recommend the experience to other families and individuals who might be considering a mission trip. Alina was hesitant at first to take her three young children to a foreign country. After prayerfully considering the obstacles, God led Jim and Alina to Matthew 28:19-20: Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Their desire to follow Jesus’ Great Commission, along with HIS promise and reassurance that He would be with them always, prompted the Masons to dive in!
“Really getting to know the Cuna Maya families and feeling such a connection with them was our favorite part. The language barrier was not a barrier at all – the love, warmth and hospitality of the people and families broke through our uncertainty and hesitation. It is easy to share the love and hope of Christ in these family settings.” Liam, age 8, said, “It was a great trip and so fun. I can make friends even though we don’t speak the same language.” Theo, 6 years old, said that he loved sharing food with the families, helping people, and learning how to build things. He is looking forward to going back to see his friends and make some more! Lydia, age 10, shared this insight: “We are all the same, even though we speak different languages.” All three of the children wish for more time to spend with the kids and families in Cuna Maya. Alina was especially touched by her experience with the grandmother of one of the Kingdom Academy students named Joshua. Joshua needs a walker to get around, and so his grandmother brings him to school everyday in an adapted bicycle with a large basket. The roads are so bumpy and hard to maneuver, but she faithfully brings him and picks him up everyday. Though she has very little, she gave Alina a small plant and taught her how to make tortillas in her home. “She will always be part of my heart.”
Cuna Maya is a village in the state of Quintana Roo, in the jungle area outside of Cancun, Mexico. Many of the families in the community struggle economically, and many of the children cannot attend school. Our mission partners were led through the prompting of the Lord to transform Cuna Maya through education. With the provision and faithfulness of God, they opened Kingdom Academy in 2019. It is a non-profit Christian school, kindergarten through 12th grade, with the focus on “teaching Biblical truth through education, and discipleship of student and family.” Students complete an education plan with the financial assistance of sponsors who pay for their curriculum. In addition to Kingdom Academy, our mission partners also offer a Saturday school, called Kingdom Kids, to disciple other students who cannot attend Kingdom Academy. Other community outreaches include medical brigades, building roofs and floors in village houses to improve health and safety for families, and food share drives. FBC family mission trip participants will serve alongside our partners in the school, Kingdom Academy, and in the community of Cuna Maya. There is a place for everyone, no matter your age or ability, to serve the Lord and spread His love and gospel to the nations.
Asked if they would consider going on a mission trip again, the Masons gave a resounding “YES!” Jim and Alina have this advice for anyone who is considering a short term mission trip: “Set your fears aside. We are called to be fishers of men. You go expecting to bless others and end up being so blessed yourself.”
Read Other StoriesThe post Hearts Without Borders: The Mason Family’s Journey in Cuna Maya first appeared on FBC Boerne. FBC Boerne is a church for all ages to learn and grow in faith in Jesus and live that faith out every day of our lives. To find out more info, visit https://www.fbcboerne.org.
Discover the transformative power of discipleship and explore what it means to lead others to Jesus and walk alongside them in faith. Learn about the importance of intentional relationships, creating a thirst for the Gospel, and speaking life-changing truths.
This message delves into the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, illustrating the impact of intentional discipleship. Find out how to effectively disciple others by fostering deeper connections, engaging in meaningful conversations, and mentoring.
Equip yourself with practical steps for applying the Gospel to everyday life and join a community of believers committed to growth. Whether you're seeking guidance on how to be a disciple or how to disciple others, this video offers valuable insights and actionable advice. Don't miss out on the keys to becoming a disciple-maker and transforming lives through the power of the Gospel.
As we reflect on Joseph's ability to forgive and the joy it brought him, we are reminded of the lavish grace God offers us through Christ. Pondering this grace, we are encouraged to embrace it wholly, allowing the transformative power of the Gospel to permeate every aspect of our lives.
Despite being sold into slavery, Joseph's journey through dreams, betrayal, and providence leads to a pivotal moment of reconciliation. His willingness to forgive, seeing God's hand in his trials, teaches us the importance of letting go of bitterness and embracing grace in our own lives.
Exploring the story of Joseph and his brothers, this message highlights the essence of genuine repentance. It's not just about feeling sorry but also deep sorrow for breaking fellowship with God. Joseph's tests for his brothers reveal their true character, and Judah's self-sacrifice exemplifies true repentance. We are encouraged to examine our hearts and turn away from sin, seeking a restored relationship with God.
Exploring Genesis 42, we delve into Joseph's tumultuous life, from being sold into slavery to rising as Egypt's second-in-command.
This week, Pastor Jason talks about faith, forgiveness, and confronting family issues. We see Joseph's brothers grappling with honesty as they return to Canaan and Jacob's struggle with pessimism. The narrative encourages us to overcome negativity, face our challenges with faith, and strive to leave a positive legacy.
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we delve into the inspiring story of Pastor Fred from Uganda. His journey from a childhood marked by poverty and war to becoming a beacon of hope and transformation in his community is nothing short of miraculous. This post will explore how Pastor Fred’s faith and innovative thinking have led to the creation of Celebrate Hope, a ministry that is changing lives through coffee farming and community development. You can listen to the full interview with Pastor Fred below:
Early Life and Challenges
Growing Up in UgandaPastor Fred Sachewa was born on June 6, 1964, in the southern part of Uganda, near the border with Tanzania. His early years were marked by extreme poverty, disease, and the horrors of war under Idi Amin’s regime. The community was the first to experience the scourge of HIV and AIDS, which ravaged through without any medical explanation, leading many to believe they were bewitched.
Finding FaithIn 1986, amidst the chaos and suffering, Pastor Fred found salvation. He accepted the gospel and decided to dedicate his life to preaching in his home village. Despite being excommunicated from his church, he started a new congregation in his father’s living room, igniting a fire of faith that would later transform his entire community.
The Birth of Celebrate HopeA Vision for TransformationIn 2009, after years of serving in various capacities, Pastor Fred felt a calling to return to his home village in Rakai. He prayed for a new idea that could bring about lasting change. The answer came in the form of coffee farming. Recognizing the potential of coffee as a cash crop, he began training local pastors and farmers in modern agricultural techniques.
Coffee EvangelismCelebrate Hope integrates coffee farming with biblical teachings through a program called “Coffee Evangelism.” This six-week Bible study uses the process of growing coffee as a metaphor for spiritual growth, culminating in an invitation to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. This approach has not only improved the economic conditions of the community but also strengthened their faith.
Impact and GrowthTransforming CommunitiesCelebrate Hope has grown to include over 300 pastors and 4,000 families, each with at least an acre of coffee. The ministry has transformed more than 10,000 acres of land, producing around 1,000 tons of coffee annually. The income generated from coffee farming has significantly improved the living conditions of these families, providing them with better housing, education, and healthcare.
Water ProjectsRecognizing the critical need for clean water, Celebrate Hope has also initiated water projects. These include solar-powered pumps and gravity-fed systems that provide clean water to entire villages, schools, and health facilities. This has drastically reduced waterborne diseases and improved the overall health of the community.
Life ApplicationApplying the LessonsPastor Fred’s story is a powerful reminder of how faith and innovation can bring about transformative change. Here are some questions to ponder and actions to take this week:
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How can you use your skills and resources to make a positive impact in your community?
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What steps can you take to integrate your faith into your daily activities and work?
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Are there local or global initiatives you can support that align with your values and beliefs?
Challenge for the WeekIdentify one area in your life where you can make a difference, whether it’s through volunteering, donating, or simply offering support to someone in need. Take action and see how your efforts, no matter how small, can contribute to a larger transformation.
ConclusionPastor Fred’s journey from a war-torn village to leading a transformative ministry is a testament to the power of faith and perseverance. Celebrate Hope is not just about coffee; it’s about creating sustainable change and spreading the gospel. As you reflect on his story, consider how you can be a part of this incredible mission or start your own journey of transformation.
For more information on how to get involved or support Celebrate Hope, visit their website. Let’s continue to pray for Pastor Fred, his family, and the countless lives being changed through this remarkable ministry.
Read Other StoriesThe post Transforming Lives Through Faith and Coffee: Pastor Fred’s Journey in Uganda appeared first on FBC Boerne.
In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jason Smith continues Joseph's journey toward reconciliation, emphasizing the profound moment when he, now a ruler in Egypt, encounters his brothers who had sold him into slavery years ago. This story from Genesis highlights the themes of forgiveness and divine providence and the critical steps towards reconciliation, requiring repentance and a willingness to forgive, mirroring God's forgiveness towards us.
Pastor Jason continued our new sermon series on Joseph's life, looking at how Joseph remained faithful to God's promises by forgiving those who wronged him.
Joseph has now spent 13 years of his life in captivity, waiting, not being able to see God’s plans. Like Joseph, we must still trust no matter how dark and confusing the waiting gets; the truth is God has not forgotten, and God will not forget his own.if you are going to look more like Christ, God is going to have to refine you like gold… and that will involve the heat of trials and difficulties, waiting, and trust when you can’t see. But remember, God's plans are transformative, and His timing is perfect.
Once God has accomplished what He desired in the refining process…God exalts Joseph beyond his wildest imagination.
Pastor Jason continued our new sermon series on Joseph's life, examining the afflictions Joseph endured and the patience it took for God to fulfill His promise to him.
As we continue our look into the life of Joseph, we see that God delighted to give Joseph wisdom, prosperity, success, and good gifts as a sign of His presence, despite all the trials he endured. We also learn about how the favor and presence of God rests upon our lives as believers as well because we are covered with the righteousness of Christ.
Over the summer, we will look in-depth at the life of the Old Testament figure Joseph. Character studies are incredibly beneficial for our walk with Christ. They inspire, instruct, warn, and give us hope.
As Joseph is introduced into the story, we immediately see that there is something different about him: He's not caught up in his brother’s evil. He is the most loved son of his father, Jacob. In the rest of Genesis 37, we will see three major developments that lay a foundation and set in motion the incredible events we will see in Joseph's life.
Jesus points out that though the gate is narrow and the road is hard, the narrow path is THE way that leads to life. There is no other way.
The broad path offers death through fake freedom.
The narrow path offers true freedom through narrowness and true life through dying to yourself. Youth Pastor Garrett McCord talks today about the two paths and other teachings Jesus gave at the Sermon on the Mount.
In a recent letter to Hope for Heroes, Monica Jones wrote about what an impact the ministry had on her and her husband, Heath:
We’re back in the swing of normal life and I just wanted to take a minute to attempt to put into words how wonderful this past weekend was. I’m going to use a lot of words over and over like “incredible” and “amazing” and, well, I don’t really feel like they do my feelings of amazement and appreciation justice but maybe repeating them will help.
Heath isn’t one to be comfortable with attention and recognition, but he absolutely deserves it, and he needed it. What impressed me the most was the little touches you included. The autographed sign, having the Kendall County Sheriff’s and BPD welcome us, the prayer, the card and basket, the gift card. It was all so generous and so incredibly thoughtful. Not only was it amazing to have him recognized, but to feel the immense appreciation for the spouses at home who do ALL the things to keep the house and family running with the overtime assignments that come up, missed holidays and activities, family dinners, and all. Thank you so much for the love and support. It means more than you can possibly imagine.
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Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center is all about FAMILY! Last fall, we met Will and his partner Mia. They had their 6-year-old son in tow.
Will was excited to be a new resident in Boerne and a bit surprised to find out that he and Mia were expecting a new baby. Mia started prenatal classes with her advocate, Karen, but was very sick in her first months of pregnancy and had a difficult time. As she began to feel better, she resumed additional classes, including a Bible study. As Karen and Mia studied together, it was evident Mia’s knowledge of the Bible began to grow as did her excitement to learn more of God’s plan.
Even though this was their 2nd baby, Will also enrolled in our Dr. Dad classes (typically aimed at new fathers). Despite his very busy work schedule, he faithfully completed his Dr. Dad sessions and reached out to inquire if there were additional classes he could take. Kirk Riggs, Fatherhood Program Coordinator, had this to share:
“Asking me if I have more classes is like asking me if I want dessert. ‘Yes!’ I told him we have parenting, marriage, and life skills classes and asked what would most help him currently. Will discovered our classes on personal finance, budgeting, and good money management. He continues to engage in those classes and meets weekly with his advocate, Don, to discuss the material. Will often brings his son, and while Will is meeting for class, his son has explored the center’s grounds and spent time drawing superheroes. My drawing skills are abysmal, but a 6-year-old just likes sharing their lives with you and he doesn’t care what the picture looks like.”
We are excited to see Mia and Will grow, and we are privileged to walk with them as they diligently seek God’s best for the family.
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As we close our Misinformed Identity series, we are going to be looking at not only the tendency within culture to embrace victimhood,
but the tendency to allow our sufferings to define us, to become our Identity.
This week, we continue with the Misinformed sermon series by looking at how we tend to look for our identity in other people rather than Christ.
Pastor Jason addresses misinformed identity from a Biblical perspective… Christ came to redeem, and He is your identity… not your desires; your desires do not define you.
Pastor Jason details the five reasons given to us through the scriptures, why we must be courageous to speak truth plainly, and what that means.
Missions Pastor Chad Mason emphasizes the crucial role we all play in the mission work. He discusses the many local mission partners and Christian organizations that are making a difference, as well as the international missions that have been spreading the Gospel for years. Jesus told his disciples He would make them fishers of men, and ever since, Christians have been doing this. However, there are still many unreached people groups as well as those right here who don't know Jesus. Pastor Chad challenges us to consider how we can be fishers of men at home or abroad, and the need for our involvement and action in this mission.
Perspectives has been very eye-opening for me! Even though I have done short-term missions for ten years, I still had a lot to learn!
Do you know that God’s purpose is to have people from every single tongue and tribe on earth worshiping Him and bringing Him glory? For that to happen, we must reach every single group of people and teach them about Jesus. That is Jesus’ Great Commission, and our purpose is to complete that mandate.
I have enjoyed learning about how the church and missionaries have spread the gospel in the past and how organizations are currently working to translate the Bible into all the many dialects. The task ahead is daunting, but the verifiable progress is encouraging!! This class has helped me see what is being done and what still needs to be done!
In addition, I understand more clearly how God is at work to overcome every kind of evil in the world, and how He is marshaling His people to fight alongside Him. Jesus taught us to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done, ON EARTH, as it is in heaven.” So many times I have prayed that prayer without realizing that God intends for His purposes and His goodness to be manifested right NOW on earth (not only when Jesus comes again) and that his abundant blessings, promised through Abraham, will be brought forth when His people rise up in worship and praise in every tongue!
Perspectives has given me a whole new perspective (imagine that!) on my faith and purpose! I highly recommend this course for every believer. With a God who loves us so completely, and a Savior who redeemed us so willingly, and a Spirit who guides us so gently, how can we not want to do our part to complete the work of our Lord?
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Living near the border of Texas and Mexico, we hear a lot about migrants coming from all over and waiting to get into our country. Knowing what to do or where to help in this overwhelming situation is challenging. Did you know we have a new missions partner that fights that question every day but has taken it head on? They’re called the 13:2 initiative, and they are a charitable organization driven by the mission to respond to urgent humanitarian needs at the US/Mexico border. They do this by receiving and purchasing humanitarian supplies and distributing them to direct-care partners on both sides of the border.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. -Hebrews 13:2
God’s voice is not silent when it comes to the cause of the refugee, the immigrant, the outsider. He identifies with them and enters into their distress. Migration, often used and directed by God for His own purposes, is a significant part of His command to reach all peoples. This is the heart of the 13:2 Initiative’s mission, a mission that resonates with our shared values and calls us to action.
This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ Zechariah 7:9-10.
There are many ways to get involved! Click here to learn how you can pray, give, and go. thirteentwo.org or Kevin McNamara at kevin@thirteentwo.org
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In a world where inclusivity is increasingly becoming the norm, certain events stand out for their exemplary commitment to creating spaces where everyone truly belongs. The Starlight Ball, hosted by the First Baptist Church Boerne, is one such event that not only celebrates but empowers individuals with special needs and their families. Through the voices of participants and organizers, we get an inside look at what makes the Starlight Ball not just an event, but a cherished community tradition.
Angie Scheiss, a parent of a special needs child, beams with pride when talking about the Starlight Ball. “It’s an exciting opportunity for my daughter. We look forward to it all year because it’s so much fun,” Scheiss shares. The event is more than just a night out; it’s a moment of pure joy and a testament to the support the community and the First Baptist Church provide. This sense of gratitude is echoed by FBC Member Shawna Verrett, another parent, who highlights the inclusivity and welcoming nature of the event. “You look around and we have all of our special friends here, and the community just comes together… It makes you feel so seen, welcomed, and just loved.”
The Starlight Ball is not only significant for the families it serves but also for the volunteers who help make it happen. Molly Miller, a Boerne High School student and Starlight Ball volunteer, finds joy in making the kids feel special. “It’s a very inclusive event… everyone just gets to have a good time without any anxiety or worries,” Miller notes. This sentiment of unconditional acceptance and fun is at the core of the Starlight Ball’s purpose.
Behind the scenes, the event is a monumental effort of coordination and love. First Baptist Pastor Jason Smith and Cathy Smith, the Special Needs Ministry Coordinator, share insights into the organizational aspect. With more than 80 special needs guests and over 200 volunteers, the event is a testament to the power of community and divine intervention. “There’s a lot of details and only God could be the one to put it all together… there’s just no other explanation,” Cathy Smith remarks on pulling off such an event with many moving parts.
The Starlight Ball goes beyond a single night of celebration; it’s a catalyst for ongoing support and service within the special needs community. Pastor Jason Smith looks forward to future initiatives, including a new space dedicated to serving special needs families, demonstrating the church’s commitment to sharing God’s love with everyone.
In essence, the Starlight Ball serves as a beacon of hope in a community that often feels left out. It shows that when people come together under the banner of love and grace, incredible things can happen. Through the combined efforts of families, volunteers, and the FBC church family, the Starlight Ball not only celebrates individuals with special needs but champions a world where everyone belongs.
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There is a common desire among people to be recognized or acknowledged for their achievements. Many believe that their worth is defined by their accomplishments and success. However, in this sermon, we will expose how this perception of the 'god of achievement' is a misinformed identity.
Pastor Jason walks us through biblical passages, including things Jesus said to his disciples about being God-fearing, as well as the punishment of Hell for those who turn away from God. We are also reminded that it was God Himself who removed His wrath upon all who believe through His son.
In the Misinformed series, we aim to see and understand the truth of what the Bible says about who we are versus the lies our culture tries to feed us about our identity.
There are all kinds of messages in our culture about money. Today, we examine how our identity has been misinformed about money and possessions. We look at Mark 10:17 and Jesus' interaction with the rich young ruler.
Pastor Jason continues our RECHARGE series, "What Jesus Demands from the World." This week, Jason led us through the act of Prayer to the Lord.
We are starting a new series titled Misinformed, where we are going to look at who the Bible says we are vs how the world tries to define us.
Further, we are incessantly misinformed by the surrounding culture and lied to by our enemy, Satan, who wishes for us to have any other Identity than our true one.
This morning, our aim is to lay the firm foundation, as we begin in Genesis 3.
We will see who God created us to be and how that identity was lost in the fall. And how Satan's tactics haven't changed.
Pastor Jason Smith shares an Easter message by examining Mary Magdalen's experience meeting the risen Jesus.
As we head into Good Friday, we examine Isaiah 53 and how it aligns with the events that would take place more than 700 years later.
Pastor Jason Smith wraps up our sermon series, The Cross Has Spoken, looking at Luke 23 and Jesus' final statement from the cross, "Into Your hands, I commit my spirit."
Pastor Jason continued our RECHARGE series, "What Jesus Demands from the World." This week, Jason led us through the act of "loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength."
'It is finished.' These are the last words spoken by Jesus on the cross. This week, Pastor Jason explains just what was finished, what exactly was accomplished by Jesus from the cross, and why it had to be this way.
When Jesus said these words from the cross, shortly before taking his last breath, He was completely isolated from God. How could this be? And why? Pastor Jason explains this often misunderstood and serious topic, and why it has to be fulfilled this way.
Pastor Chad walks through the contents of the Witness Box and gives examples of how to pray for others.
This week, Missions Pastor Chad Mason continues our walk through Jesus' last hours on Earth and his final spoken words. This week, we are reminded of the humanity of Jesus and, once again, how his words were written more than a thousand years before.
Pastor Jason continued our RECHARGE series, "What Jesus Demands from the World." This week, Jason led us through the principle of "Abide in Jesus."
On this special Sunday, FBC welcomes Pastor Nick Person, our guest for Discipleship Now weekend.
Pastor Jason continued our RECHARGE series, "What Jesus Demands from the World." This week, Jason led us through the principle of "Listen to Jesus."
The Son of God is crucified and bears the curse of sin upon His Shoulders.
He is mocked, insulted, writhing in pain.
And in a moment of tenderness, Jesus, seeing his mother, looks to John and says, "Here is my only earthly inheritance; treat my mother as if she were your own."
He was thinking of her. Caring for her. Providing for her.
This week, we examine this moment between Jesus and His mother, and also look closer into Mary's life in relation to her son and the rest of Jesus' family.
Pastor Jason continues our Recharge series, What God Demands of the World, looking at what Jesus meant when He said, 'Take up the Cross and Follow Me.'
As we move towards Easter, we look at the 7 pronouncements of Christ from the cross. This week looks at the words spoken by the other two men who were crucified along with Jesus, the words spoken by Jesus to one of them, and why they are so beautifully profound.
Pastor Jason continues our Recharge series, What God Demands of the World, looking at the principle "Believe in Me!"
There is something significant about one's last words as they come face to face with death.
This morning, we are starting a new series, titled “The Cross Has Spoken", as we move towards Easter, looking at the seven pronouncements of Christ from the cross.
This week, Pastor Jason talks about Jesus' command for us to come to Him in times of need and suffering.
Wrapping up our series, Outsiders, Pastor Jason and Garrett McCord lead us in a conversation on the lies the world tells us about sexuality, the impact of porn on our culture, and how we can put safeguards to protect ourselves and our families from the epidemic of pornography.
Pastor Chad continued our new RECHARGE series, "What Jesus Demands from the World." This week, Chad led us through the principle of repentance.
As Christians, we know the wickedness and deception of the Prosperity Gospel. It directly contradicts the teachings of Jesus. The question many of us have, though… Is God 'anti-rich?' Today, Pastor Jason talks about the Prosperity Gospel and poses a question for us to ask ourselves: How do we know if our character is free from the love of money?
We kick off a new year with a new Recharge! series called 'What Jesus Demands of the World.' This week, Pastor Jason talks about what Jesus meant when He told Nicodemus in John 3 that he must be born again to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
Pastor Daniel Justice continues our series, The Outsiders, looking at the high value God and the Scriptures place on marriages.
This is the first of a four-part series that details what it means to live outside the norms of our current culture and why it's important to do so.
Daniel Justice, Discipleship Pastor, wraps up our series, Emmanuel Revealed, by looking at Revelation 19 and how Jesus has overcome fear and death.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our Christmas series, Emmanuel Revealed, looking at Revelation 19 and the return of the Church's Bridegroom, Jesus.
In Revelation chapter 12, John describes the battle and relationship between The Child and the Dragon.
In Revelation chapter 5, John describes God's immeasurable glory on His throne, the scroll with seven seals, the slain lamb, and what it means for us.
Powerful men try to throw off God's authority and rule the world as kings, but He laughs at them. He has set up His own king. The King of kings, Lord of lords, to rule forever. Do you know Him as your savior?
In our first week of the Emmanuel Revealed series, we focus on what was revealed to John during his exile on Patmos. John saw Jesus as the Heavenly high priest that He is. He also has a vision of seven lampstands, representing the churches he is writing to and in which Jesus has words of encouragement and rebuke. We are reminded that Jesus is in our midst as a church. Emmanuel means God with us. We must not see Jesus as we want to see Him, but as He is, the Divine High Priest.
Paul finally reaches his promised destination of Rome. There, though under house arrest, his presence in Rome will wield heavy influence, both in Rome and throughout the empire, thus spreading to the end of the Earth as Jesus promised.
In the ongoing RECHARGE! series, Pastor Jason highlights the significance of the names of God. In his recent sermon, he teaches on Yahweh Emmanuel, which means God with us.
Nearing the end of the Book of Acts series, Paul is destined by God to arrive safely in Rome to spread the Gospel after a brief stay in Malta. He is slandered by the Jewish leaders in Rome, but after everything he has been through, he has no other identity but Christ alone. Slander and hate are what we as Christians must deal with today, but we must not look for the approval of others but from He alone.
In the ongoing RECHARGE! series, Pastor Jason highlights the significance of the names of God. In his recent sermon, he teaches on Yahweh Rapha, which means the Lord who heals.
In Acts 27, we will read of Paul's journey by ship to Rome.
In the midst of a very difficult journey, the ship gets caught in a storm and goes adrift in the middle of the sea.
In the darkest hour, when every other leader lost hope, 1 remained – Paul…
God's light shone through Paul.
God wanted to bring 273 other people to the end of themselves
So that he could raise up His servant Paul so that He could show them ANCHORED FAITH.
In the ongoing RECHARGE! series, Pastor Jason looks at the name of God, Yahweh Mekoddishkem, which means the Lord who sanctifies and first appears in Leviticus 20:7-8.
Paul stands before Agrippa and his court to plead and appeal to their hearts rather than his release. Paul has been imprisoned now for over two years and facing the possibility of several more, yet he is content in his present season of life (Phil 4:12-13).
Are we content with where God has us in this season of life?
Do we know God's purpose for us right now?
Pastor Chad also talks about upcoming missions and classes available to teach us how we can serve.
Yahweh Rohi means 'The Lord is my shepherd.' Pastor Daniel continues our look into the many names of God by taking a deeper look into that name from Psalms 23.
In our passage today, Paul finds himself in a season of quiet and prolonged waiting… the complete opposite of when he was blazing the missionary trail.
Given his circumstances, we will ask ourselves about the seasons of life and our contentment in Christ.
Yahweh Nissi means 'The Lord is my banner.' Pastor Jason continues our look into the many names of God by summarizing Israel's struggle in the desert, from Exodus 17, and the defeat of the Amalekites at Rephidim.
This week, we deviate from the Book of Acts series as Pastor Garrett talks about Galatians 6: 7-10 and Paul's warning to the church about sewing to the flesh rather than the Holy Spirit, a deeper look, and how we apply this to our lives.
Yahweh Shalom means 'The Lord is Peace.' Pastor Jason continues our look into the many names of God by summarizing the story of Gideon from Judges 6.
While Paul is in protective custody in Caesarea under Governor Felix, the two frequently converse, and Paul talks to him about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. Pastor Jason talks about this coming judgment in more detail for believers and unbelievers.
Yahweh Tsaba means 'Lord of Hosts or Armies.' Pastor Jason continues our look into the many names of God by summarizing the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17. We look at how David called upon the name of God, Yahweh Tsaba, before facing a seemingly unbeatable foe.
In Acts 24, Paul goes to Caesarea and Governor Felix to defend himself against unjust lies by Jewish leaders. This illustrates how we have faced injustice and what we can learn from Paul to deal with these situations as Christians.
Yahweh Yireh means 'God Provides.' Pastor Jason continues our look into the many names of God by summarizing the story of Abraham and Isaac and the similarities between that story of faith and sacrifice and the relationship between God and Jesus.
Paul's life comes full circle as he stands before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Pastor Jason recaps the events leading to this moment and reminds us that God wrote the story of Paul's life, God orchestrated the timing and circumstances, and we have just read the beauty of it coming full circle.
The same Jesus who wrote Paul's life story is writing yours.
Missions Pastor Chad Mason continues our series, looking at the many names of God, this week with El Shaddai, which means Lord God Almighty. First appearing in Genesis 17:1-2 where God makes His covenant with Abram to greatly increase his family line despite his old age.
This week, Pastor Jason Smith interviewed 2 families from the church and encouraged the church family to live out their faith with intentionality and surrender to the Lord.
In the ongoing RECHARGE! series, Pastor Jason looks at the name of God, Adonai, which means king, owner, or master, and first appears in Genesis 15.
In our journey through the Book of Acts, Pastor Jason dives into Paul's unflinching dedication to following the Spirit's guidance, even in the midst of opposition. As Paul recounts his own story to an enraged crowd, the struggle between the unrelenting progress of the Gospel and the forces of resistance becomes increasingly tense.
In the ongoing RECHARGE! series, Pastor Jason highlights the significance of the names of God. In this sermon, he talks about the name He is known by when interacting with man: YHWH. This is the name He proclaims to Moses, which means 'He who exists,' and 'I am that I am.'
In this message, Pastor Daniel delves into Paul's time in Jerusalem. Despite being one of the most respected figures in the early church, Paul is treated poorly by the people in Jerusalem. However, what's truly remarkable is Paul's willingness to lay down his preferences and pride for the sake of the gospel.
Through this message, we learn that true Christian unity comes from having our identity rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. By immersing ourselves in what the gospel is and what it does in our lives, we can let go of our false sense of entitlement and live generously towards others. This message is a reminder that the ability to lay aside our preferences and pride is not found in a program but in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Each of us struggles with anxiety, anger, unforgiveness, depression, grief, trauma, and other challenges. During this class, you will learn biblical truth to help you navigate these challenges in your own life
and how you can encourage others who are struggling with their own soul care.
Join us as we trace the handing down of the essential, unchanging truths of our faith from the early church to the present day. What is our responsibility in this moment? How do we prepare the next generation? Taught by FBC Executive Director Gary Cook.
Join us as we trace the handing down of the essential, unchanging truths of our faith from the early church to the present day. What is our responsibility in this moment? How do we prepare the next generation? Taught by FBC Executive Director Gary Cook.
Today, Pastor Jason talks about how Paul's plan to travel to Jerusalem for Passover was thwarted by word of assassins plotting to strike him while at sea. However, this diversion led him to bump into Luke, who authored his account of the Gospel and the Book of Acts. God perfectly directed all of this. How has God changed your plans? How often have you been let down because of a failed or changed plan, only to see how this change to your goal was to your great benefit? Proverbs 16:9 In his heart man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
We begin our Fall Recharge series by looking into how one's character is known through their name. Just like we want to be known for our good character, so does God. Pastor Jason gives us examples demonstrating God's passion for the glory of His name.
In Acts chapter 20, Paul goes to the church in Ephesus to meet with the elders the for the last time. There, he gives advice on how to lead and teach the people, mainly to teach God's word with theological purity and to be on alert for 'savage wolves' from outside and within.
Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of the pastor to teach the whole Word of God, and every sermon should permeate the gospel.
In Acts chapter 20, Paul goes to the church in Ephesus to meet with the elders the for the last time. There, he gives advice on how to lead and teach the people, mainly to teach God's word with theological purity and to be on alert for 'savage wolves' from outside and within. Pastor Jason emphasizes the importance of the pastor to teach the whole Word of God, and every sermon should permeate the gospel.
This week we continue our journey through the Book of Acts,
Chapter 19:18-27, where Paul faces intense spiritual warfare amidst a powerful revival in Ephesus, highlighting the unseen struggle against dark forces while the gospel transforms lives.
As believers, we are called to stand strong in the midst of spiritual warfare, relying on God's armor to protect us against the schemes of the devil.
We continue our look into The Book of Acts, Chapter 19, with Pastor Chad Mason. During Pau's two-year stay in Ephesus, all the Jews and Greeks in Asia Minor heard the Word of the Lord. Many people became followers of Jesus, and many miracles took place, as this was an area of over 10 million people, most of whom did not know God. Although we may not see many, if any, miracles here today, they still happen often in places where many people don't know the Lord.
This week, Pastor Jason delves into the encounter of Paul with the 12 disciples he meets in Ephesus in Acts 19, emphasizing the need for a genuine relationship with Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for salvation. It contrasts mere repentance or religious rituals with the life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.
Pastor Jason continues the study of the Book of Acts, focusing on Apostle Paul's time in Athens and his subsequent journey to Corinth. The sermon emphasizes the transformation of Paul's character and hope despite the challenges faced by the church in Corinth.
In the sermon on Acts 17:16-34, Discipleship Pastor Daniel Justice explores Paul's time in Athens, emphasizing the challenges of waiting and remaining effective ambassadors of the Gospel in everyday life.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy head to Thessalonica after leaving Philippi, and details to Jewish leaders and others how Jesus is the promised messiah and all has gone according to God's plan. Paul answers many questions and encourages them to read the scriptures to prove his answers and find their own. Finding the solutions in the bible to confirm and answer questions builds upon a reasoned faith that is important today.
Today we explore the concept of "Ebenezer moments," those experiences when we encounter God's undeniable presence and calling in our lives. Pastor Chad Mason takes us through Acts 16:11-40. We uncover the stories of Lydia, a woman of faith and a slave girl liberated from darkness. These encounters showcase God's measures to reach His people and remind us of the incredible impact we can make when we faithfully respond to His calling.
This week, Pastor Jason explores Acts 16:1-10, where we find the remarkable story of Paul, Silas, and Timothy and their pursuit of God's guidance. In this sermon, we dive into their experiences of discerning God's will amidst uncertainty and closed doors. Pastor Jason reveals practical insights on surrendering to the Holy Spirit's leading, making wise decisions, and stepping out in faith.
This week Pastor Jason goes through a character study of Barnabas and the importance of his relationship with Paul.
- The question of how the Old Covenant Law transfers into the New Covenant
- Addressing misconceptions and finding balance between legalism and lawlessness
Part 1: Guarding against Legalism
- Personal experience of growing up in a legalistic household
- Examples of legalistic rules and restrictions
- Exploring the historical context of Sabbath observance
- Understanding the freedom of worship in Christ
Part 2: Guarding against Lawlessness
- Different perspective of believing there is no law, only grace
- Real-life scenario of addressing homosexuality in the church
- The common argument of disregarding the Old Testament
- Exploring the concept of fulfilling the Law rather than abolishing it
Part 3: The Law of Christ and Biblical Freedom
- Exploring Paul's approach to different cultures and contexts
- The importance of understanding the Law of Christ in the New Covenant
- The misconceptions of cultural freedom and authentic self-expression
- Contrasting cultural freedom with the biblical concept of freedom
- Emphasizing the freedom to choose what is right and walk in the Spirit
Conclusion:
- Highlighting the difference between cultural freedom and biblical freedom
- Understanding the transformational power of the Spirit in believers' lives
- Encouragement to choose intimacy with God and embrace the freedom found in Christ
After Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch from their journey, the entire church meets in a large home for a meal and to hear the stories of what God had done on their amazing adventure. Peter was among the diverse crowd of Christians gathered there.
When Christian Pharisees showed up, they were appalled by the mixing of Jew and Gentile and rebuked Peter for participating in such an 'unclean act.' Peter and even Barnabas take a step back and stop eating with Gentiles, drawing a public rebuke from Paul to Peter at the next Agape Meal.
Paul reminds Peter that only Jesus makes one clean. Through Jesus, GOD fulfilled ALL cleansing required in the Law of Moses. Peter then repents and asks for forgiveness from the church.
After preaching in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to strengthen the disciples and encourage them to remain true to the faith. True discipleship requires true investment. We need to be pouring into other believers.
Today, we look into chapter 19 in 1 Kings. Having confronted the evil king Ahab and putting the prophets of Baal to the sword after having God prove to all the people His absolute power, Elijah goes into hiding from the evil queen Jezebel, whom he was terrified of. Elijah still needs encouragement of God's provisions despite all this.
When Paul heals a lame man in the pagan city of Lystra, both he and Barnabas are proclaimed by the people there to be Greek gods; chaos ensues. Pastor Jason expounds upon the importance of this story.
The presence of shepherds is a major thread in the biblical narrative, particularly the awaiting the arrival of the one true, good shepherd. What is the true nature of sheep? What is the true nature of shepherds, and what is their job description?
Pastor Jason talks about several questions many of us ponder: what will heaven be like? What will WE be like within it? Why do bad things happen?
Paul and Barnabus embark from Cyprus to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul is invited to speak at a synagogue there. Thousands heard his message, but the Pharisees who invited him became jealous and drove the two of them out of town.
This week we look at the theology of rest woven throughout the scriptures. Important questions posed are whether to keep the Sabbath day, festivals, etc...
Download the Course Materials Below
On this Missions Sunday, Pastor Chad Mason talks about the importance of mission work and the missions FBC has planned, and we hear the testimony of mission work from our FBC family. We also look into Acts 13 and see how the first missions started.
This is the Pilot episode! Pastor Chad Mason and Co-Host Sadie Smith discuss why producing this podcast is important! Jump in to the why's and who's of FBC Boerne's "So That" missions podcast! Get to know our hosts and learn how we arrived at this amazing name!
Psalms 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us --
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
Be blessed SO THAT you will be a blessing to the world around you!
This week, Pastor Daniel covers the topic of marriage as it relates to God's words and various threads throughout the bible: Jesus attributes these words to the Creator and shows that marriage between the first man and woman has implications for all people in all places at all times. Moses extends the significance of marriage from its concrete origin into metaphorical applications to speak figuratively about the relationship between Yahweh and His people. In the Torah, the use of marital language and imagery mainly concerns calls to faithfulness for Israel.
Pastor Chad reads from 2 Timothy 2:2 and demonstrates how discipleship spreads from those you disciple to.
This week we continue our look into the Book of Acts, chapter 12. Herod Agrippa had just ordered the execution of the Apostle James. When he saw this was met with approval among the Jews, he seized Peter to have him executed. Under heavy security, Peter was freed by an angel of the Lord and went to the house of Mary. Despite praying desperately for Peter, they were nonetheless astonished to see him at the door. From this account, Pastor Jason talks about our relationship with God concerning our prayers.
This week's Threads class examines the ties between the 'righteous sufferers' throughout the bible. We look at David's suffering at the hands of his own son, Job's misery by Satan, and the suffering of Daniel, Joseph, and Jesus.
After Stephen's persecution, Christ followers are dispersed from Jerusalem and spread throughout the region. In the depraved city of Antioch, some of those disciples began telling the gospel to Greeks and other Gentiles. A revival breaks out there, and followers of Christ first become known as Christians. Barnabus is sent from the church in Jerusalem to encourage the young church in Antioch. He later remembers Paul and travels to Tarsus to get him.
Pastor Jason talks about the kings that were put in place by God, from Adam to Jesus. 'If God's promises of an endless succession of Davidic Kings is not the answer, because Israel and the Davidic King are so repeatedly sinful, then how could we ever have a forever Kingdom from the descendants of David?'
Class notes can be downloaded below.
Pastor Jason continues reflecting on Jesus' crucifixion and how, despite all He had done to prove to the disciples that He was the Messiah, they still believed He was forever dead. Just as then, we continue to underestimate God's plan.
This Easter Sunday, Pastor Jason tells us about Peter's three denials of Jesus before his crucifixion and how he was forgiven by him after Jesus' resurrection. Pastor Jason shows us how this relates to the story of the prodigal son and also how it threads back to Peter's very first encounter with Jesus.
Pastors Jason and Daniel discuss the many threads and patterns in the Book of Exodus: Abraham and Israel, Jacob and Israel, Jesus as the New Moses and the True Israel in Matthew's Gospel, and the spiritual patterns comparing the Egypt and Babylon Exodus'.
*Class Notes are Available to Download Below
As Good Friday approaches, Pastor Jason recounts Jesus' final hours and why he was silent amid false accusations and illegal trials.
As we reflect on Palm Sunday, Pastor Jason talks about the details following Jesus' arrest and the lives that were changed during the brutal march to His crucifixion.
A look at what a prophet is, who they were, what they did, and how this topic threads throughout the bible.
A pdf of the class notes can be downloaded below.
Pastor Jason continues our look at the meeting between Peter and Cornelius, covering Acts chapter 11 and the importance of the home as a place to Witness to others. This meeting is crucial because it shows God's intention for the Gospel to spread to gentiles and the entire world.
Pastor Daniel continues our look into Acts 10 from last week. Peter goes to Caesarea to meet with Cornelius at his home. Despite his misgivings about his mission, he listens as Cornelius explains his vision, and Peter clarifies Jesus' message that EVERYONE who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
A Roman soldier named Cornelius, a devout follower of God, was told by an angel to meet with the Apostle Peter. He was chosen because of his closeness and loyalty to God, showing that status and cultural background have nothing to do with spiritual health.
Pastors Jason and Daniel go over the various festivals, their importance, history, and meaning.
This week, Pastor Jason discusses the question many have wondered; are animals, particularly our pets, in Heaven?
As Paul leaves for Tarsus, the focus now is shifted to Peter. The Gospel starts spreading outside of Jerusalem, and God works miracles through Peter.
We look at What defines a priest,
Priest and King;
Adam: the prototype priest/king in the cosmic temple (creation);
Melchizedek: prototype of the perfect and forever priest/king;
David: prototype priest/king of the united tribes of Israel.
And much more!
Class notes can be downloaded.
This week Pastor Jason continues our look into the topic of Heaven and whether or not people will continue to learn in God's Kingdom.
Pastor Jason continues the story of Saul of Tarsus in our look into the Book of Acts and what followed his conversion in Damascus.
This week Pastor Chad talks about the prophet Jeremiah's letter to the exiled Jews, which corrects a false prophecy of hope.
Pastor Daniel covers various threads, including: Creation of the Cosmic Temple, Beginning Previews The End, Relationship Between Eden and Tabernacle/Temple, Tabernacle and Temple as Microcosms, Christ the Fulfillment of the Temple.
Pastor Jason continues our study into the Book of Acts, today looking at Paul, the hunter and persecutor of Christians, who is confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus, beginning a total transformation within him.
In this week's RECHARGE!, Pastor Jason continues his theology on the New Jerusalem and whether or not humans will be capable of sin there.
Pastors Jason and Daniel discuss the "New Adam" and the promised seed through Abraham. The fulfillment of God's mission.
Special guest Pastor Thomas who leads a congregation in Wahington, DC visits for the FBC Student event DNow and delivers the message for this Sunday.
Pastor Jason and Pastor Daniel continue a new bible study series called Threads, exploring how Old Testament themes are connected and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, looking at the Creation Thread in scripture. This week we look at Genesis 3 and the fall of man and how Adam and Eve's decision affects us to this day.
Pastor Jason tells us the story from Acts 8:26-40 about Philip being called by an angel to go south. He comes across an Ethiopian eunuch reading the words of Isiah in his chariot but needs guidance with understanding it.
Pastor Jason talks about the belief by some requiring a second baptism of the spirit to be to experience the power of the Holy Spirit and be saved.
Pastor Jason talks about Philip's move to Samaria and preaching the gospel. He talks about Philip's interaction with Simon, the deceiver.
This is the introduction to the 15-week series in which Pastor Daniel goes over each week and what to expect. Next, Pastor Jason gives us a 'teaser' by reflecting on the story of Abraham and Isaac and how elements of the story relate to, or 'thread' to, the Gospel.
Pastor Chad Mason tells the story of a missionary named John, who died while attempting to spread God's word, and the Apostle Stephen, who was persecuted by the Sanhedrin for speaking truth against them, making him the first believer to die for his faith.
Pastor Jason picks up where we left off before Advent in the Book of Acts, Chapter 6. As the congregation grows, divisions form between the Hellenistic Jews and the native Hebrews. The Apostles have the congregation select deacons to help bring unity and deal with conflict.
Discipleship Pastor, Daniel Justice, kicks off the New Year with a sermon called "Streams of Life" as we look at the life of the woman at the well in John 4.
Pastor Jason wraps up our Advent series by looking at Luke 2 to find the hope that Anna and Simeon had in the birth of our savior, Jesus.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our Advent series by looking at the hope of meeting the Savior that Simeon had in Luke 2.
Pastor Jason continues our Advent sermon series exploring God's love which has been given to us. God shows His love for the world by giving us His one and only Son, Jesus.
Pastor Jason continues our Advent sermon series exploring God's joy which has been given to us. God is the source of all joy. Jesus saw joy even as He suffered. God's wrath is forever removed from you.
Pastor Jason continues our Advent sermon series exploring ultimate, true, and lasting peace that can only be found in Jesus.
Pastors Jason and Pastor Daniel are leading a 3-week Apologetics Bible study, looking at how the Bible answers the tough questions in our lives.
Pastor Daniel Justice starts the Christmas Advent series by discussing the biblical definition of hope, its implications, and its application in our lives.
Pastor Jason talks about being an example to others and being grateful for God's provision.
Pastor Jason talks about the apostles teaching God's word and proclaiming the name of Jesus.
Pastor Jason continues our series on The Book of Acts, looking at the story of Ananias & Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11.
Discipleship Pastor Daniel Justice continues our Wednesday night discipleship class, Everyday Gospel.
Pastor Jason, continuing our building a correct theology of Heaven at RECHARGE! mid-week worship service explores what it will be like to worship God endlessly.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our Wednesday Discipleship class, Everyday Gospel, wrapping up our look at the four movements of God's story in the Gospels.
Pastor Jason continues our walk through the Book of Acts and talks about the beginning of the first persecution of the early church and how they responded as they were called before the Sanhedrin, put on trial, and threatened.
Pastor Jason, continuing our building a correct theology of Heaven at RECHARGE! mid-week worship service explores what the resurrection of the New Earth will look like in Heaven.
Discipleship Pastor Daniel Justice continues our Wednesday Night Discipleship class called Everyday Gospel, looking the four movements of God's story int eh Gospels.
Pastor Jason interviews church members, Mike Kinchen and Rachel Russo, as they share about God’s faithfulness in equipping them when God has called them to step out in faith to do new ministry.
Pastor Jason continues our building a correct theology of Heaven at RECHARGE! mid-week worship service by explaining what our resurrection bodies will be like.
Discipleship Pastor Daniel Justice starts a new Wednesday discipleship class called Everyday Gospel.
Garrett McCord, Youth Pastor, continues our walk through the Book of Acts, looking at Acts 3 and the healing of the lame beggar.
Bubba Stahl concludes our Wednesday night class, Spiritual Disciplines, by looking at how we can pray through the books of Psalms and Proverbs.
Pastor Jason continues our building a correct theology of Heaven at RECHARGE! mid-week worship service by anticipating the Resurrection.
Chad Mason, Missions & Evangelism Pastor, looks at the local church's blessing in Acts 2:41-47.
Pastor Jason continues our journey through the Book of Acts, looking at the impact of Pentecost on the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem from Acts 2:22-47.
Pastor Jason continues our journey through the Book of Acts, looking at the impact of Pentecost on the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem from Acts 2:22-47.
Pastor Daniel Justice looks at the story of Ruth from the Old Testament to demonstrate the steadfast hope we have in heaven in the midst of all of the world's chaos.
Bubba Stahl continues our Wednesday night class, Spiritual Disciplines, looking at the impact from the practice of praying in our daily lives.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our walkthrough of The Book of Acts, looking at the Pentecost sermon preached by the Apostle Peter.
Pastor Jason continues our building a correct theology of Heaven at RECHARGE! mid-week worship service by answering, "What is Heaven like right now?"
Pastor Jason continues our Wednesday night class, Spiritual Disciplines, looking at using the Sword of the Spirit in our lives by practicing of scripture memory.
Pastor Jason continues our walk through the Book of Acts, looking at Acts 2 and how God used Pentecost to illustrate the undoing – the restoring of unity – from the Tower of Babel in the Old Testament.
Pastor Jason continues building our theology on heaven at RECHARGE mid-week worship service by explaining what "soul sleep" is and asking, "Is soul sleep a biblical concept or not?"
Pastor Jason continues our Wednesday night class, Spiritual Disciplines, looking at the how we should see, savor, and be transformed by meeting God when reading the Bible.
Discipleship Pastor Daniel Justice teaches from Exodus 6 about the importance of the four Passover cups.
Pastor Jason continues our Wednesday Night Spiritual Discipline class, connecting at the typology present in the Story of Worship from the Old Testament to our lives today.
Pastor Jason conitnues our RECHARGE mid-week worship series on Heaven, looking at Colossians 2:13-15 and the work Jesus completed on the cross and with His ascension into Heaven.
Pastor Jason continues our walk through the Book of Acts, looking at how the Holy Spirit guided the disciples to have Judas replaced.
Pastor Jason Smith kicks off our Fall 2022 RECHARGE mid-week worship service by asking, "How can I know if I'll go to Heaven?"
Pastor Jason Smith continues our walk through the Book of Acts, looking at Acts 1:1-11 and the ascension of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jason Smith opens our series on the Book of Acts with a dramatic introduction, showing the importance of the relationship between the Apostle Paul and Luke, the Gospel writer.
Discipleship Pastor Daniel Justice preaches from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 to help us understand how the "Shema" still applies today for us as believers.
Pastor Jason Smith wraps up our sermon series, Fruition, looking at self-control fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
Pastor Jason continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, looking at the Biblical definition of gentleness and how we can apply it in our lives.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, looking at the fruit of faithfulness in a Christian's life.
Guest preacher David Shivers continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 to see what biblical goodness looks like in our lives.
Dr. Gary Cook, Executive Director, continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, looking at the characteristic of kindness.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, looking at the patience we can have from God.
Pastor Jason continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 as we look at the Peace that comes from knowing God.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit looking at the joy we have when we follow Jesus every day.
Discipleship Pastor Daniel Justice starts a new series exploring the fruit of the Spirit as we read Galatians 5:22-23 and explore the fruit of love.
Pastor Jason wraps up our series Greater Things by looking at Galatians 3:1-5, challenging us to not return to the Law when we have ultimate freedom in following Jesus every day.
Pastor Jason continues our series, Greater Things, looking at where God is leading First Baptist toward future ministry opportunities.
Garrett McCord, Interim Pastor to Students, continues our series Greater Things by looking at John 14:16-17 showing us how the Holy Spirit is still our personal spiritual helper.
Pastor Jason continues our series Greater Things by looking at Ephesians 5:15-21 to encourage us to be filled with the Spirit of God.
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Pastor Jason Smith continues our series Greater Things by looking at 1 Corinthians 12 and the purpose of having spiritual gifts in our lives today.
Daniel Justice, Discipleship Pastor, starts a new series called Greater Things challenging us to live for the greater things that God has planned for his church.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, The Coming King, looking at how Jesus is the crucified king spoken of in Psalm 22.
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Pastor Jason Smith continues our sermon series, The Coming King: Finding Jesus in the Psalms, looking at King David Psalm 2 as the prototype of God's King found in Jesus.
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Pastor Jason Smith continues our sermon series, The Coming King: Finding Jesus in the Psalms, looking at Psalm 118 to see how Jesus Christ is cornerstone of faith and how we should rejoice in the return of Jesus the King.
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Pastor Jason Smith continues our sermon series, The Coming King: Finding Jesus in the Psalms, looking at Psalm 110 to see how Jesus Christ is the coming king told of in Psalm 110 and challenging us to make Jesus the king over every area of our lives.
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Pastor Jason Smith starts a new series, The Coming King: Finding Jesus in the Psalms, looking at Psalm 89 challenging us to sing of the steadfast love of the Lord even during trials.
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Executive Director Gary Cook wraps up our series, Psalms, looking at Psalm 50 and how we should prepare our hearts to live a life of worship because God's court is in session.
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Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, Psalms, looking at Psalm 3 and how we can overcome shame through God.
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Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, Psalms, looking at Psalm 142 and King David's life as a picture of the ultimate hero to come, Jesus Christ.
Zac Workun wraps up DNow 2022: Unashamed by challenging to share our faith with one another, passing it on faith to faith to the next generation.
Pastor Jason Smith, continues our series, Psalms, looking at Psalm 130 challenging us to wait on the Lord.
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Daniel Justice, Discipleship Pastor, continues our series, Psalms, looking at Psalm 73 to see how God is our shepherd and our portion every day of our lives.
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Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, Psalms, looking at Psalm 27 to see how we can overcome fear in our lives.
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Pastor Jason Smith starts a new series, Psalms, looking today at Psalm 139 and how God knows me and you.
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Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, I AM, looking at John 15 and what Jesus means when he says, "I am the true vine."
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Garrett McCord, Interim Minister to Students and their Families, continues the sermon series, I AM, looking at what it means when Jesus proclaimed that he is the way, the truth, and the life in John 14.
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Dr. Gary Cook, Executive Director, continues our series on the I AM statements from the Book of John. This week, we look to understand what Jesus meant when he said, "I am the good shepherd" in John 10.
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Pastor Jason teaches from Philippians 2, looking at the humility of God in coming as a baby in a manger to save our world.
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Pastor Jason teaches from John 11 on the significance of Jesus, saying, "I am the Resurrection and the Light." Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Daniel Justice, Discipleship Pastor, continues our series on the I AM statements in the Book of John, looking at what Jesus means when he said, "I am the Door." Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason teaches from John 8 on the significance of Jesus, saying, "I am the light of the world." Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith starts a new sermon series on Jesus' "I AM" statements from the Gospel of John. This week, we look at the "I am the bread of life" statement in John 6, as we are challenged to not love Jesus for the gifts and good things He offers us but for who He truly is: Life. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith, teaching from Matthew 20:1-16, presses us to rely on God as our portion and not fall victim to the thief of comparison. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith explores the state of the church in the U.S. and around the globe using Revelation chapters 6 and 7 as our guide. Watch previous sermons. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Garrett McCord, Associate Student Minister, looks at Revelation 2:1-7 encouraging us to remember your first love as Jesus Christ. Watch previous sermons. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith finished our series on the Armor of God challenging us to pray in the Spirit each and every day. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith continues the series, Armor of God, imploring us to not hide behind Shield of Faith but take up the Sword of the Spirit to combat the temptations we face each day. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series Armor of God, looking at Ephesians 6:17 to see how we are assured of our salvation when we wear the Helmet of Salvation each day. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor of Discipleship Daniel Justice continues our series Armor of God, looking at Ephesians 6:16 and how we can use the Shield of Faith in our everyday lives. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason continues our series The Armor of God challenging us to take the Gospel of peace wherever we are, whether at home, in our schools, or at the office. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, The Armor of God, looking at how we should wear the Breastplate of Righteousness every day of our lives. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series on the Armor of God as we look at Ephesians 6:14 and what it means to wear the Belt of Truth in our everyday lives. Watch previous messages from this series. Follow FBC Boerne on Facebook.
Pastor Jason Smith starts a new series from Ephesians 6:10-13 looking at how we need the Armor of God to survive the spiritual battle we live in every day.
Garrett McCord, Associate Minister to Students, continues our walk through Ephesians, looking at how we should be good employers and employees.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our walk through Ephesians encouraging parents to instruct their children in the ways of God.
Discipleship Pastor Candidate Daniel Justice teaches from Hebrews 10:19-25 on the call of discipleship in our everyday lives.
This week, Pastor Jason continues our walk through the book of Ephesians to see how Family Matters in a Gospel-centered home for children to obey their parents.
This week, Pastor Jason continues our walk through the book of Ephesians to see how Family Matters in a Gospel-centered home challenging husbands to love their families well.
This week, Pastor Jason continues our walk through the book of Ephesians to see how Family Matters in a Gospel-centered home where husbands and wives submit to one another.
Pastor Jason Smith, in looking at Ephesians 5:15-21, shares how our lives are changed if we will only be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Looking at Ephesians 5:1-7, Pastor Jason Smith tells how we, as Christ-followers, should walk in love in our lives every day.
Dr. Gary Cook, FBC Boerne Executive Director, continues our series in the book of Ephesians. As we look at Ephesians 4:25-5:2, the Apostle Paul encourages us to foster unity between one another.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our walk through Ephesians as we look at Ephesians 4:17-24 and what it looks like for us to put on new clothes in Christ.
Pastor Jason Smith teaches from Colossians 1:3-8 what it looks like for us to have a Gospel Home.
Pastor Jason Smith teaches from Acts 6:1-7 on what it means to be a deacon in the local church.
Pastor Jason Smith teaches from John 11 what it means for us today when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
Pastor to Students Will Crum preaches from John 17:6-18 on what it means for us to be anchored in Christ.
Pastor Jason Smith wraps up our series, Church Matters, as we look at what Covenant Membership looks like at First Baptist Church Boerne.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, Church Matters, looking at Ephesians 4:7-16 and what spiritual maturity looks like.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, Church Matters, looking at Ephesians 4:1-6 and what it means for the Church to care for and love one another.
Guest speaker Tim Skaggs, Legacy Adults and Pastoral Care Minister at Central Baptist Church in College Station, continues our series, Church Matters, looking at Ephesians 3:14-21. This week, we look at how important the love of God is in our lives. For more info about FBC Boerne, check out www.fbcboerne.org.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our series, Church Matters, looking at Ephesians 3:1-13. This week, we look at the manifold wisdom of God to make the local church the spiritual authority in our lives. For more info about FBC Boerne, check out www.fbcboerne.org.
Pastor Jason Smith starts a new sermon series, Church Matters, looking at Ephesians 2:11-22 to see the absolute necessity for us as Christians of being the most compelling community in the world, The Church. For more info about First Baptist Church, visit www.fbcboerne.org.
Pastor Jason teaches from Ephesians 2:1-10 on what it means for us to pass from death to life by following Jesus every day of our lives.
Pastor Jason Smith teaches on 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, looking at James's reaction to hearing and seeing the Resurrection of Jesus.
Pastor Jason Smith continues our eight-part series looking at Ephesians 1:3-14 as we explore what it means for us to gave Obtained an Inheritance in Jesus Christ.