Eastview Students: High School: Recent Episodes
Eastview Students: High School
The official podcast of Eastview Christian Church's High School ministry in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. Discover bi-weekly "Counterculture" discussions, where pastors Zach Thompson and Cooper Smith tackle relevant and cultural issues that high schoolers are dealing with. In addition, discover weekly sermons from our Sunday morning services from pastors Zach, Matt McClane, and more! For more information about Eastview Students, visit eastview.church.
In the final week of our Storyteller series, former Eastview HSM student and small group leader John Tofte walks us through Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving debtor in Matthew 18. Through this story, we’re reminded of the incredible forgiveness we’ve received from God—and challenged to extend that same forgiveness to others.
Zach continues our Storyteller series by unpacking Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18. Discover how this powerful story challenges us to let go of pride, stop judging others, and come before God with humble hearts that recognize our need for His grace.
This week, guest preacher Nicki Green continues our Storyteller series by teaching through Jesus' parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matthew. Instead of judging others, Jesus calls us to love them and trust God to be the one who ultimately makes all things right.
This week, Zach continues our Storyteller series by exploring two of Jesus' parables from Luke 15: the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. Through these stories, he unpacks the depth of the Father's love for us and challenges us to consider how we respond to a God and His love.
This week, Zach talked about the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus from Luke 16, showing how Jesus contrasts two very different lives and their eternal outcomes. Using stories from El Salvador, Zach reminded students that our hope in Christ is enough and that eternity with God makes the struggles of this life worth enduring. He emphasized that Jesus came not to scare people into faith, but to rescue them through His grace and offer salvation to everyone. Zach concluded by challenging students to love and care for others, reminding them that the choices they make have both present and eternal consequences.
This week, Zach Calvert continues our series, "The Storyteller," by exploring Jesus' Parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14. Through this powerful story, Zach reminds us that everyone is invited to God's table, challenges us to consider the ways we can place God on the back-burner, and encourages us to invite others into the life-changing hope of the Gospel. Join us as we discover the open invitation Jesus extends to all.
As we continue our “Teach Us to Pray” series, guest preacher and former student T.J. Scott walks through the Lord’s Prayer and what it means to pray the way Jesus taught us. Through this powerful and familiar passage, we’ll discover how prayer shapes our relationship with God and changes the way we live every day.
Zach is back as we continue our Don’t Fall For It series. The world is constantly trying to shape us with lies about who we are, but God is the one who truly forms us.This week, we’ll learn how to recognize those lies and choose God’s truth instead!
Guest speaker Matt Fogle continues the series by asking a foundational question: what is truth? In a world full of opinions and confusion, this message challenges us to ask honest questions, understand the bigger story of the Bible, and anchor our lives in what is true. We’ll close our time together with communion as we reflect on the truth of Jesus.
Guest speaker Josh Jacobs kicks off our new series by challenging us to think about what’s shaping our lives. In a world full of competing voices, are we following Jesus closely, or are the things we give our attention to slowly pulling us away from Him? This message invites us to grow in discernment and be intentional about what is forming us.
As we wrap up our "Tension and Triumph" series through the book of James, Zach reminds us of one simple but powerful truth: bring everything to God. Too often, our natural instinct is to carry life on our own—but James points us toward a faith that trusts God in every season. Whether you’re walking through something difficult or celebrating something good, this message is an invitation to bring it all to the One who cares for you and holds everything in His hands.
This week, Zach unpacks what it means to have patience in our waiting. We all go through seasons of waiting. Waiting on Gods movement, waiting on people in our lives, and waiting for our circumstances to change. This week is an encouragement that we have a God worth trusting, knowing his timing and plan is better than ours.
Continuing our series through the book of James, Zach challenges us to examine our hearts and the importance of choosing Jesus in our inner lives. The message encourages us to rely on Jesus Christ throughout the week and concludes with a guided Prayer of Examen.
Continuing our series through the book of James, this message explores the power of our words and why learning to tame the tongue matters so much for followers of Jesus Christ. James reminds us that our speech has the power to either build others up or cause real harm, challenging us to let God shape not only our actions but also the way we speak.
Continuing our series through the book of James, Zach teaches from James 2:1–13 about the danger of showing favoritism. This message challenges us to see people the way Jesus Christ does and to live out a faith marked by mercy, humility, and love for everyone.
In week three of Tension and Triumph, Matt McClane teaches from James 1:22, challenging us to confront a common struggle in our faith: forgetting. We often hear God’s Word, show up to church, and even agree with what He says—yet walk away unchanged. This message calls us to remember who God is and what He’s doing in our lives, moving beyond passive belief into active obedience. Real faith isn’t just something we hear; it’s something we live out every day in the world around us.
Week 2 of Tension and Triumph continues through the book of James as Zach talks honestly about sin, its dangers, and how it slowly finds its way into our lives. This message challenges students not to ignore sin, but to deal with it directly. Zach also encourages taking a step toward freedom by talking with someone you trust and not fighting sin alone.
We’re kicking off our new series "Tension and Triumph" with an introduction to the book of James. In this message, Pastor Zach walks through James 1 and talks about the trials and hard things we face in life. Instead of avoiding them, we’re challenged to reframe these moments as opportunities for our faith to grow and mature, trusting that God is at work even in the tension.
// Unplugged - Fasting From the Noise // Week 2 of "Less of Me" takes a focused look at our phones and the digital world. Zach challenges students to examine their phone usage and how it can impact their relationship with God. This message encourages creating healthier boundaries with technology and making intentional space for God in a distracted world.
// Hungry for God - Discovering the Power of Fasting // In week one of our Less of Me series, Pastor Zach kicks things off by teaching on fasting and why it matters for our relationship with God. Teaching from Deuteronomy, he unpacks our need for God, what fasting looks like, and why it’s important. He also helps students understand what fasting can look like in a practical, healthy way for high schoolers as they learn to depend more on God.
We started the year with combined student services as Matt shared a message on God’s grace and intercession, reminding us that there is new life available to those who belong to Christ. Matt challenged us to stop living in the old and step into the new life we have in Jesus—not tending a grave, but walking in freedom and transformation through Christ.
// When God shows up in uncomfortable ways //In week 2 of our "When God Shows Up" Christmas series, Zach looks at the Christmas story and how God often shows up in ways that are unexpected—and uncomfortable. Zach challenges us to embrace moments of discomfort in our faith and shares practical ways we can be bold for God’s Kingdom, step outside our comfort zones, and trust God when He calls us to do hard things.
// When God Shows Up in Unlikely Ways //In the kickoff to our series “When God Shows Up,” Pastor Zach teaches from Luke 1, where the angel announces Jesus’ birth in a completely unexpected way. This message reminds us that God often shows up in our own lives in the unexpected, the unlikely, and the moments we’d never predict.Zach invites students to look for God’s presence in places they might normally overlook and encourages them to trust that God is at work, even when it doesn’t look the way they imagined.
// Prioritizing Jesus with My Time //In the final week of our “Prioritize” series, Cooper closes things out by inviting us to take an honest look at how we use our time—especially the hours we lose to social media. He challenges us to consider what it would look like to give more of our attention to Jesus instead, and unpacks practical steps for building rhythms of solitude and intentional time with God.Learn how prioritizing Jesus with your time can reshape your day—and your life.
// Prioritizing Jesus in How I Think //This week, Zach talks about what it means to prioritize Jesus in our thoughts. What we think about most is who we eventually will become. When we seek to think about the right things, we find that God can transform our lives. Give this is a listen on practical ways to seek God first in how we think!
// Prioritizing Jesus in How I Talk //In the second week of our "Prioritize" series, Pastor Zach unpacks what it looks like to put Jesus first in the way we speak. He challenges us to be people who consistently encourage others, shut down gossip instead of spreading it, and use language that reflects God’s goodness and glory. It’s a practical, honest look at how our words can either point people to Jesus—or pull them away.
// Prioritizing Jesus In How I Act //This week we kicked off our new series "Prioritize," born out of real conversations with our high school students about what’s actually happening in their lives and what’s pulling at their attention. We’re asking a big question: What does it look like to put Jesus first in everything?In Week 1, Pastor Zach talks about prioritizing Jesus in how we act—not just what we believe or say, but the choices we make every day.
// Choosing Forgiveness //In the final week of our "Are We Fighting" series, Pastor Zach closes things out by talking about one of the hardest — but most freeing — parts of conflict: forgiveness. What does it really mean to forgive someone who’s hurt you? Zach unpacks what Scripture says about forgiveness and how we can navigate it in a healthy, Christlike way — finding healing, freedom, and peace along the way.
// Handling Drama the Jesus Way //This week, our high school pastor Zach unpacks how to handle drama like Jesus did. Conflict is a part of life—but how we approach it makes all the difference. Looking at Matthew 18, Zach talks about what it means to confront someone with honesty, humility, and love, and how following Jesus’ example can turn drama into reconciliation.
// RESPONDING, NOT REACTING //When conflict hits, our first instinct is often to react — to defend, to snap, to fight back. But what if there’s a better way? Guest speaker Jason Sniff unpacks what Scripture says about responding instead of reacting, and how we can prepare our hearts before conflict even starts. He’ll also share practical steps for when we’ve already messed up, or when the other person just won’t meet us halfway.
// Why Do We Fight? //We all experience conflict—but what’s really going on beneath the surface? In the first message of our new series Are We Fighting, we explore why conflict happens, what’s stirring in our hearts when it does, and why we need to bring it to God before bringing it to others.
// WHEN VISION BECOMES REALITY //In the final week of our "Becoming Our Vision" series, Zach talks about the importance of living out our vision and bringing hope and healing to those around us. What would it look like for you to do this in your everyday life?
// IN JESUS //This week, Zach talks about what it looks like to bring hope and healing to those around us in Jesus. Jesus is our fuel, and as we spend time with Him and make Him our priority, we are then able to go out into the community and live for Him. Where in your life can you bring love, life, hope, and healing in Jesus?Note: Week 3 is unavailable due to recording issues. We apologize for the inconvenience!
// LOVING + LIFE-GIVING PEOPLE // In week 2 of our “Becoming our Vision” series, Zach unpacks the first part of our statement, “Loving, Life-Giving People.” In a culture where love is reduced to a feeling and life giving people are sometimes hard to come by, we want our students to love regardless of feelings and bring life to every place they go. This sermon invites our students to take inventory of their people and places and encourages them to love and bring life to all of them.
// OUR NEW CHURCH VISION //This week kicks off our brand-new series, “Becoming Our Vision.” Pastor Zach unpacks the heart behind our new church vision: “We are a church of loving, life-giving people bringing hope + healing in Jesus.” Together, we’ll look at what this means for us as high school students and how we can live it out—sharing the hope of Jesus and being part of His healing work in our community.
// LOVE OTHERS //In week two of our series, Love God, Love Others, Zach looks at the story of the Good Samaritan to show what it means to truly love our neighbor. This week, how can you step in and be a bringer?
// LOVE GOD //In this quick two-week series on loving God and others, Zach unpacks what it means to love God and how we can live that out in our everyday lives.
In the final week of our Gospel Made Simple series, Pastor Zach brings Junior High and High School students together for a powerful conversation about worldviews. He unpacks several popular worldviews and contrasts them with the truth of the Christian Gospel, urging students to move beyond simply hearing the message — and to believe it for themselves.
This week’s message features a special combined service with our Junior High and High School students as we continue our series, The Gospel Made Simple. Junior High Pastor Matt McClane teaches from Exodus 34, where God reveals His character to Moses. Through this powerful passage, we’re reminded of who God truly is—compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving—but also just. Don’t miss this deep dive into the heart of God.
// RESTORATION // The Gospel story: 1) Creation 2) Fall 3) Rescue 4) RestorationThis week, Zach talks about heaven, and how we can experience heaven now while we're living on earth!
// RESCUE //This week, after talking about Creation and the Fall last Sunday, Zach continues the Gospel story by talking about Jesus rescuing us from our sin. We couldn't fix our sin problem, but Jesus did. Praise God for His love for us!
// CREATION & THE FALL //This week, we start a new series called "The Gospel Made Simple." How many of us would be able to answer the question, "What is the Gospel?" This series is meant to equip us to share the Good News, and to be a reminder of the Gospel story and its importance and relevance in our lives. This week, Zach focuses on the creation of the world, and Adam & Eve's sin that caused the world to fall into brokenness.
// The Gifts of the Holy Spirit //This week, we close out our "Watch the Wind" series as guest preacher Zach Calvert dives into Spiritual Gifts. What are Spiritual Gifts, and how do we discover and utilize them? What are some examples of people utilizing these Spiritual Gifts? Zach answers these questions & more!
// The Fruit of the Holy Spirit // This week, Zach encourages our ministry as we transition back to normal life after a week of CIY. Now that we are back to regular routines and rhythms, we need to check the fruit of our life regularly and relentlessly pursue the Spirit's presence. What does it look like to keep in step with the Spirit on a daily basis?
// The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus //This week, Zach explores the powerful connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit, walking through key passages that reveal how Jesus was led, empowered, and guided by the Spirit. More than a historical lesson, this episode invites us to follow Jesus’ example of surrender and obedience. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead now lives in us—giving us confidence to walk in that same power today.
// What the Spirit Wants (Pentecost Sunday) //This week, Zach talks about what the Holy Spirit wants, how the Holy Spirit seals us for salvation, and the importance of cooperating with the Spirit.
// The Spirit Through the Scriptures // In the first week of our new series on the Holy Spirit, Zach highlights who the Holy Spirit is, taking us through the scriptures and showing how the Holy Spirit has always been present and working throughout history. The Holy Spirit has always been working, and He continues to work today in our lives!
This week, we have a special guest preacher - Graduated Senior T.J. Scott!In this message, T.J. hits on 1) why we can logically follow Christ, 2) how to interpret and understand biblical commands, and 3) the amazing love that God has for us.
This week, Zach preaches about prayer. Why does it sometimes feel like God doesn’t answer our prayers? How do we pray and trust that God will answer? Does prayer make a difference? Zach touches on these questions, and more!
// Jonah 4:5-11 //This week, guest preacher Jason Sniff (Pastor of Small Groups) closes out our Jonah series by focusing on some key questions found at the end of Jonah.
// Jonah 4:1-4 //This week, Zach talked about what is beneath the surface of the hard emotions and feelings we experience on the outside. Ultimately, there is a lot to learn from Jonah’s interaction with God, but the good reminder that God's Grace is big enough to transform any circumstance or feeling.
// Jonah 2:1-10 //Continuing with our Jonah series, this week's focus is on Jonah being swallowed by a big fish. Jonah's sin led to a pretty significant consequence, just like our sin does in our own lives. Jonah, however, repents, and praises God for being with him, even in the midst of suffering. How can we respond in a similar way to the sin and suffering in our own lives?
// Jonah 1:4-17 // As Jonah was running from God, he found himself on a boat in the middle of a huge storm that God had sent his way. Jonah was face-to-face with his sin, and he needed to own it. As Christ followers, we also have sin in our lives that we need to own. We can't hide our sin, run from it, numb it, or ignore it - we need to face it head-on. We also can be encouraged by the reminder that God will make all things good, even in the midst of our battle with sin.(Note: Week 1 unavailable due to recording issues)
// Rod and Staff - Psalm 23:4 //"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and staff protect and comfort me." Eastview's Junior High pastor (Matt McClane) talks to us this week about the fears, valleys, and darkness we may experience in our lives, and how God is always with us, even in the midst of our hard seasons.
// Pastures and Waters - Psalm 23:1-3 //"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name."In the first week of our mini-series on Psalm 23, Zach dives into the first 3 verses of this encouraging Psalm. May you be reminded today that the Lord is your Shepherd, and that He is with you in whatever season you are in!
// EMPOWER THE WORKER - Matthew 9:35-38 // In the last week of our "Attitudes" series, Zach preaches from Matthew 9, where Jesus says "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." As Christians, how can we approach this problem and become more invitational? What does it look like for us to be the workers that Jesus is talking about in this passage? Zach approaches these topics, and more!
// SAY THANK YOU - Luke 17:11-19 //How often do we thank God for the blessings in our lives? Or thank Him for saving us? If you're like most of us, we probably don't thank God as much as we should. This week, Zach preaches from the Gospel of Luke about the leper who came back and thanked Jesus for healing him, and how we can apply that story to our own lives.
// EMPTY THE JAR - Mark 14:1-11 // This week, Zach preaches from Mark 14 about the woman who emptied her alabaster jar of expensive perfume to anoint and worship Jesus. What does it look like to give our best to God and "empty the jar" in our own lives? What things do we need to be surrendering to God? Zach covers these topics, and more!
// GRAB A TOWEL - February 9th, 2025 //This week, Zach preaches about Jesus washing the disciples feet, and what it looks like to "grab a towel" and serve those around us.
// RIP THE ROOF - Mark 2:1-12 //This week, guest preacher and former HSM student Polina Kreuz preaches from Mark 2 about going above and beyond to show others Jesus. As Christians, what does it look like to go outside of our comfort zones to encourage others in their faith? What does it look like for us to show Christ to our non-believing friends? Polina answers these questions, and more!
// PASS THE SALT - Matthew 5:13-16 // This week, Zach is joined by Ratasha as they talk about "passing the salt." Salt is best known for bringing preservation and flavor to everything it comes into contact with. As Christians, how can we be "salty" and preserve our faith while also showing others Christ? What does it look like for us to be IN the world, but not OF the world?
// WATCH THE WIND - John 3:7-8 //This week is all about the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit, and how does he work in our lives? How do we know when we're hearing the Holy Spirit speak to us?
// CHOOSE THE BETTER - Luke 10:38-42 //In the first week of our new series "Attitudes," where we dive into the behaviors that we want our church to embody, Zach dives into the FIRST attitude: "Choose the Better."
// Fear of What Others Think About Me // - December 22nd, 2024This week, guest preacher Casey Heimer talks about fear, Mary & Joseph's story, and the incredible love of God.
// Fear of what God wants me to do // December 15th, 2024In the first week of our Christmastime mini-series "Fear Not," Zach preaches from Luke 1, where Mary learned that she was going to give birth to Jesus. Mary was called to do something that likely was extremely scary, yet she still was obedient to God. How can we apply that level of obedience & trust in our own lives?
// Witness // - December 8th, 2024 //This week, Zach ends our "Practicing Jesus" series by talking about sharing our faith, and witnessing to those around us.
This week, Zach & Cooper talk about being generous, why giving your money back to God is important, and how a High School student can practice generosity.
// Generosity // - December 1st, 2024Money is something that Jesus makes a point to talk about often in the Bible. As High School students, what does it look like to be generous with our money? Why should we be generous? Is giving our money more important than giving our time, energy, and talents? In this week's sermon, Zach covers these issues, and more!
Special guest Bri Heimer (Pastor of Students with Special-Needs) joins Zach to talk about serving others. What does it look like to serve those around you? How can a High School student practicing serving in their daily lives? Check out this episode to hear Zach & Bri's conversation about serving!
// Service // - November 24th, 2024This week, guest preacher Josh Jacobs (Pastor of Young Adults) talks about serving and how to love those around us like Jesus did. How can we follow the example of Jesus, and serve & love others this week?
Sabbath is a command in scripture, but how do we practice it? Special guest Kami Cecchetti joins us this week as we do a deeper dive into the topic of Sabbath. Cooper & Kami talk through what Sabbath is, how they practice it, and how a High School student can practice Sabbath in their daily lives.
// Sabbath // - November 17th, 2024This week, Zach talks all about Sabbath. What is Sabbath, why do we practice the Sabbath, and what does it look like to practice it in our everyday lives?
This week, Cooper & Dusty Sargent dive into the topic of Scripture! How do we read the Bible? Where do we start? How do we practice reading scripture in our daily lives? Dusty & Cooper approach these questions & also talk through their own perspectives on how they study the Bible.
// Scripture // - November 10th, 2024This Sunday, Zach talks about the practice of reading scripture. Why should we read the Bible? How does it benefit our lives? What are some practical ways a high school student can read their Bible everyday? These questions and more addressed in this week's sermon. Check it out!
Fasting is one of the most neglected spiritual disciplines, but the Bible commands us to do it. What does it look like for High School students to practice fasting? Does it need to be food, or can we fast in other ways? We hope this episode is an encouragement on what it looks like to start implementing this spiritual habit in our lives as we follow Jesus.
// Fasting // - October 27th, 2024"Fasting is one of the most essential and powerful of all the practices of Jesus and, arguably, the single most neglected in the modern Western church." - John Mark ComerWhat is fasting? Why do we fast? How do we fast? Zach spends time covering all of these questions about what it looks like to practice fasting in our everyday lives.
Solitude is SO important. How can a High School student practice solitude? What does it look like to get away from the noise & let our souls rest? High School students are some of the busiest people we know, and we hope this short episode is an encouragement for you to follow Jesus' example and practice spending time alone with God.
// Solitude // - October 20th, 2024A quote from author & priest, Henri Nouwen, says: "Without solitude, it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life." As believers, we often really struggle to spend time alone with God, away from the distractions of this world. What does it look like for us to start prioritizing spending time with God consistently and to escape from the busyness & hurry that plagues us? Zach spends time talking about these issues and more as we dive into the topic of solitude this week.
In WEEK 2 of our COUNTERCULTURE mini-podcast series, Zach and Cooper dive into the topic of prayer, and how a High School student can practice prayer in their daily lives.
// Prayer // - October 13th, 2024After attending Big Church with the adults on October 6th, we're back this week with our Practicing Jesus series in the normal HS space. Our topic this week is prayer, and what it looks like to prayer as a Christ-follower. We oftentimes overcomplicate prayer, and we hope that this week's message provides practical encouragement on what prayer is, how to pray, and the power of prayer.
COUNTERCULTURE is back!!During our "Practicing Jesus" series, Zach & Cooper sit down weekly and dive into each week's topic. These mini-episodes are meant to give insight into the question: "how does a High School student practice (topic) in their daily lives?" This week, Zach & Cooper discuss "community", and how a student can practice community and approach friendships in their Christ-following journey.
// I Will Make You // - September 22nd, 2024Who are we becoming? Who do you want to be? This week, Zach preaches from 2 Peter 1, and focuses on our Spiritual Formation, and how God wants to make us more like Him. Our daily decisions, habits, spiritual disciplines, etc affect our growth, and Zach encourages us to be intentional about these decisions, in order to let Jesus make us more and more like Him.
// Come, Follow Me // - September 15th, 2024This week, Zach preaches from John 1 & Matthew 4 about Jesus' call to follow Him. What does it look like to "Practice" Jesus? As a ministry, we are going on a journey to discover what it looks like to become more like Jesus, and this week helps set the stage for what the next few months will look like.
// VISION SUNDAY 2024 //This Sunday, Zach talks about the identity of our High School ministry, and what our vision is for who we're becoming as a ministry.
// September 1st, 2024 //In the last week of our "God & Mental Health" series, Zach spends time focusing on our individual battles with our worth, self-image/worth, and identity. In a world that's constantly changing, and in a culture that seems to be more insecure than ever, Zach reminds us that we can find our identity in Christ, even in the midst of our insecurities & the things we don't like about ourselves. This is a battle for each of us, and it's a difficult one, but God promises hope, love, and truth in the midst of our fight against the lies we often believe about ourselves.
// August 25th, 2024 // In the third week of our Mental Health series, Zach talks about addiction. How does the Bible address addiction? What do we do about shame? What does it look like to seek help in the midst of addictive behavior? We know that addiction is prevalent in our culture (whether it's substances, pornography, or even our cell phones), and we hope that this week's message can be a source of encouragement in the midst of those struggles.
// August 18th, 2024 //This week, Zach talks all about anxiety. What is anxiety? Where is it found in scripture? What do we do if we struggle with anxiety? Where is God in the midst of our anxiety? We hope that this week is an encouragement to those who struggle with anxiety, or have loved ones that experience anxiety.
// August 11th, 2024 // In any given year, about 1 in 4 adults suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder. In today's world, teens mental health is maybe at an all-time low. It can be so hard to find God in all of our struggles with mental health, so we wanted to spend a series talking about mental health, and how God meets us in the midst of our battles. Week 1 is about depression, and Zach talks about what depression is, where it's found in scripture, and where God is in the midst of depression.If you are struggling with depression, there is help available. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our staff, we can walk alongside you and help you find the resources you need (zthompson@eastview.church, ksmith@eastview.church). If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call 988 (Suicide Hotline).
This week, as we take a break between two sermon series', Allison spends time encouraging us to seek Christian community and talks about the importance and beauty of having friends & mentors that point you to Christ.
// NAMES OF THE FAITH // - July 28th, 2024This week, Zach finishes up our Colossians series by encouraging us to reflect on those who have had an impact on our faith journey.NOTE - July 21st's sermon is unavailable due to recording issues
// SET YOUR MIND PART 2 // - July 14th, 2024This week, after returning from an impactful CIY MOVE conference, Zach encourages us on how to continue following Jesus and live for Him!
// SET YOUR MIND (PART 1) // - Colossians 3:1-11This week, Zach preaches from Colossians 3 about the sin in our lives, and how God calls us to rid ourselves of these behaviors. God hates our sin because it hurts us. What sin in our lives do we need to put to death?Note: Week 3 unavailable due to recording issues
This week, Zach preaches from Colossians 1:24-2:15 about following Jesus, and what it looks like to commit your lives to Christ. What does it mean to have a relationship with Christ & to make Him Lord in your life? If we're already followers of Jesus, what do we do with that faith?
// DARKNESS TO LIGHT // - June 16th, 2024This week, guest preacher Austin Jones kicks off a new series based off of the book of Colossians. Preaching from Colossians 1, Austin encourages us to live in the Kingdom of Christ, reflect Christ, and to surround ourselves with those who can point us towards Christ.
// IMITATING CHRIST // - June 9th, 2024In the last week of our Philippians series, Zach continues in Philippians 3 and encourages us in our discipleship. We are called to disciple others and encourage others in our faith, but we also need to make sure that we are imitating Christ. Are we the type of people that are worth imitating? What kind of legacy can we leave behind that points people to Jesus?
// THE VALUE OF CHIRST // - June 2nd, 2024This week, guest preacher Jason Smith preaches from Philippians 3, with a great encouragement about following Christ in today's world, and how God loves us in the midst of our sin.
// THE POSTURE OF CHRIST // May 19th, 2024What does it look like for us to do away with pride, and to instead practice humility? This week, Zach preaches from Philippians 2 about the humility of Christ. Preaching from the well known humility poem found in chapter 2, Zach encourages us to fight against our prideful nature and embrace humility like Jesus did.
// Honoring Christ // - Philippians 1:18b-30; 2:12-18What does it look like to live less for "me," and more for Christ? Can we live a life without complaining? This week, we continue in our new church-wide Philippians series. Preaching out of Philippians 1 & 2, Zach encourages us to take every moment as an opportunity to honor Christ.
This week, Zach is back from paternity leave to talk about His experience as a new Father, and to talk about how God is a loving, caring Father towards us. (April 28th, 2024)
How do we approach mental health as a Christian? How can I support those in my life who are struggling? Am I failing God if I'm struggling with mental health? (Spoiler alert: no). During this message, Cooper dives into the topic of mental health, and provides scriptural insight and practical tips on how to approach the mental health crisis. Do you struggle with your own mental health? If so, you're not alone. We are hopeful that this message provides necessary encouragement and gives some helpful next steps that you can take if you're struggling.
// DO YOU WANT BREAKFAST? // - April 14th, 2024This week, guest preacher Matt McClane preaches from John 21 about Jesus interacting with the disciples and Peter after His resurrection. Matt specifically highlights how we can response to shame in our lives, and how oftentimes we neglect to remember the love that Jesus has for us.
// PEACE BE WITH YOU // - April 7th, 2024This week, Matt preaches from John 20, which tells the story of Jesus appearing to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead. Jesus' key response to His disciples when He appears is "peace be with you." What does it look like in our lives to have peace? Especially in the midst of doubt? Check out this message to be encouraged in your faith, especially if you are in a season of doubt.
// JESUS' BURIAL // - March 24th, 2024This week, Zach preaches from John 19 about the burial of Jesus. We know that this burial is not the end of the story, because just 3 days later, Jesus rose from the grave. Sin does not win, it stays buried, and we can have hope in knowing that Jesus has the ultimate victory, and that we get to share in that victory!
This week, we take a break from our John series to focus on the reality of Jesus' crucifixion. Our students had the opportunity to walk through different stations that contained different elements of what Jesus endured (crown of thorns, hammer/nails, and more), in order to have space to reflect on what Jesus' went through during his crucifixion. Zach spoke from Luke 23 about Jesus' encounter with the 2 criminals on the cross, before having everyone walk around to each of the stations and reflect on Jesus' sacrifice.
// JESUS' CRUCIFIXION// - March 3rd, 2024This week, Zach continues in John 19, and talks about Jesus' crucifixion. Crucifixion was a horrendous form of torture and execution, yet Jesus endured it for us. For those who don't believe in Christ and are headed for destruction, they see the cross as foolishness. Yet for those of us who believe in Christ, we see the power of the cross, and how it sets us free from sin and darkness.
// JESUS SENTENCED TO DEATH // - February 25th, 2024This week, Zach preaches from John 19, where Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified. In this story, we see how Jesus frees us from sin & shame, and how He is faithful. In addition - we see how Pilate gives into social pressure and wrongfully sentences Jesus to death.
// JESUS AND PILATE // - February 18th, 2024In the second week of our "Journey to the Cross" series, Zach preaches about Jesus' interaction with Pilate, who sentenced Jesus to death. Pilate asks the question - "What is truth?" How does that apply to us today in our current culture? How can we pursue Jesus' truth, instead of the "truth" of the culture around us?
// PETER'S DENIAL // - February 11th, 2024This week, Zach preaches from John 18 about Peter's denial of Jesus. In our lives, do we sometimes deny Jesus? How can we go all-in for Jesus in our daily lives?
// THE POWER OF SURRENDER //This week, guest preacher Jason Smith talks about how we are created ON purpose, and FOR a purpose.
// GROWING SMALLER // This week, Zach reminds us of the incredible importance of being in community, and being in small groups.
// THE POWER OF TOGETHER //In the 3rd week of our "Refocus" series, Zach preaches from Ephesians 1 about what it looks like to be apart of a body of Christ.
// GOD'S GRACE //This week, Zach preaches about the importance of remembering God's grace. When we know God's grace, we know our worth, and God's grace is crucial in our lives as Christ followers!
// GOD'S GREATNESS //To kick off our new series, "Refocus," guest preacher Connor Wood preaches from Ephesians 1 about God's greatness, and how His greatness informs our value as His creation. How can we call on the greatness of God throughout our daily lives?
// Behold, the Lamb of God //This week, Zach preaches from John 1 and Isaiah 53 about how Jesus's birth was the beginning of the life of Christ, which led to him being crucified for the sins of the world. With Jesus' resurrection, the story ends in victory, but Zach specifically focuses us on how Christ is the Lamb of God, and the sacrifice He made for us. How can we focus on that truth this Christmas season?
// The Word became flesh and dwelt among us //This week, Zach preaches from John 1:14-18, and reminds us that Jesus (the Word) is with us. In the midst of our hardship, the difficulties of the holidays, and even the joy of the Christmas season, Jesus never leaves us.
// The True Light was Coming into the World //This week, Zach preaches from John 1 and encourages us to remember the Light. Christ is our light in the darkness, even when we are going through hard and difficult seasons. How can we remember the Light this Christmas season?
// JESUS' PRAYER FOR UNITY // This week, Zach continues with Jesus' prayer from John 17, this time focusing on Jesus' plea for unity amongst His followers. How can we be better unified as Christians? How can we show the world our love for Jesus, and for each other? What would it look like for our ministry to be a place of love and unity?
// JESUS' PRAYER FOR PROTECTION // This week, Zach preaches again from John 17, this time focusing on Jesus' section of the prayer that focuses on His disciples and future followers. This morning's message centers around Jesus' prayer for protection and holiness.
// JESUS' PRAYER TO THE FATHER //This week, Zach preaches from John 17, where Jesus prays a prayer to the Father about glory. What are we seeking to glorify in our day-to-day lives? God is worthy of all the glory, yet oftentimes we can glorify other things that this world offers. Zach challenges us with the question: "who/what are you going to glorify this week?"(Note: Sermon from November 5th is unavailable due to recording malfunction)
// JESUS - AND THE WORLD'S HATRED //This week, Zach preaches from John 15 & 16 about how Jesus and His followers are hated by the world. We can't please the world while being a follower of Jesus, and Zach talks about how to navigate living in the world as a Jesus follower!
// JESUS, THE TRUE VINE // This week, guest preacher Connor Wood (online pastor at Eastview Christian Church) preaches from John 15 about how Jesus is the Vine, and what it looks like to remain in Him.
// JESUS SHARES ABOUT THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT // This week, Zach preaches out of John chapters 14 & 16 about the Holy Spirit, who He is, and what Jesus says about Him.
// JESUS, THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE //This week, Zach preaches from John 14 about how Jesus is the only way to salvation. In our darkness, in our pain, and in our struggles, Jesus is with us, and He is the One that remains true in the midst of the darkness.
// JESUS' NEW COMMANDMENT //This week, Zach preaches from John 13 about love, and how God's love for us compels us to love others!
This week, Zach highlights the amazing interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus, found in John chapter 3 (5/21/23).
What bitterness and anger do you need to release to God today? This week, Zach tells the story of Jesus clearing the temple in John 2. In this story we see Jesus' righteous anger towards oppression and unrighteousness. God cares about us, and He wants us to give our anger over to Him, instead of letting it continuously damage us (5/7/23).
What requests do you need to bring to God? How often do we refrain from asking God for things that we think are too small? This week, Zach preaches from John 2, where Jesus turns water into wine. Jesus deeply cares about us, as shown in the seemingly simple miracle performed at the wedding ceremony described in John 2. What miracle do you need Jesus to perform in your life? (4/30/23)
This week, Zach continues with John 1, hitting on different interactions that Jesus had with his first disciples. These interactions left the disciples changed them forever. In a similar way, how has Jesus impacted you? How can you continue to let Jesus change you? (4/23/23)
In the first week of our study of the Gospel of John, Zach sets up the purpose of the book of John (John 20:30-31), and sets up three prayers for us to pray as we continue to grow in our faith in Christ. Jesus doesn't just offer us life, but He offers as ABUNDANT life. How can we live in that today? (4/16/23)
Easter Sunday is a day where we remember the amazing truth that Jesus' has raised from the dead! To celebrate Jesus' resurrection, Zach preaches from Ezekiel 37 and the valley of dry bones. In the same way that Jesus resurrected from the dead, He offers us resurrection in our lives too. Praise the Lord! (4/9/23)
This week, Zach preaches from Ezekiel 34 and John 10 about how Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Our Father cares about us, and He wants to guide us and lead us. He is our firm foundation, and our true hope! (4/2/23)
This week, Zach preaches from Ezekiel 36 about how God changes our hearts. So often we feel the pressure to change ourselves, to try harder, and to do better. But God is the one that does that work for us. As we repent of our sin, He will make us more like Jesus, and will change us! (3/19/23)
This week, Zach preaches from Ezekiel 18 about how God offers us eternal life with Him. Our sin is heavy and destructive, but Jesus offers us everlasting life with Him! What a powerful truth. Note: Following this message, we celebrated 13 baptisms, where students publicly declared their decision to choose life with Christ. Praise the Lord! If you are interested in baptism, shoot us a message on our Instagram - @eastviewhsm, and we'd love to chat with you!
Are you feeling hopeless? Are you experiencing difficult battles and struggles? Are you walking through pain and/or loss? This week, Zach preaches about our trials, and how we can have hope in the midst of them. Because of Jesus, we can have hope that our mourning will not last, and that God will redeem our brokenness. He will turn our mourning into joy! (3/5/23)
This week, Zach preaches from Jeremiah 29 about God's plan for our lives. We can have HOPE, because our future is secure in Christ! (2/26/23)
This week, Zach takes us back to the basics of our Christian faith. What do we believe about heaven, hell, the trinity, and baptism? How do we view the scriptures? What does salvation look like? Zach answers all of these questions, and more! (2/19/23)
To kick off our new HOPE series, guest preacher Jason Smith preaches about how we can have hope in the midst of brokenness, sin, and the storms we go through. If you are struggling with a difficult storm or circumstance in your life, this sermon will be an encouragement! (2/12/23)
In the final week of our Daniel series, Zach preaches from the passage of Daniel and the Lion's Den. As believers, how can we be like Daniel and have the courage to live for Christ, even in a culture that seems to be against Him? How can we live in a way that points others to Christ, even when life is oftentimes not fair? We can live courageously knowing that Jesus is on our side, and that nothing can separate us from His grace and love (2/5/23).
This Sunday, Zach preaches out of Daniel 5 about patiently enduring. In the midst of living in a broken world, we can have patience and hope knowing that there is hope coming. We can follow the example of Jesus, who patiently endured the cross in order to bring us close to Him (1/29/23).
This week, Zach preaches from Daniel 3 about the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's deliverance from the fiery furnace. Be encouraged this week, knowing that God is WITH you in the midst of the hard things you go through in life. No matter what we go through, we are never alone (1/22/23).
Pray. Pray more. Pray often. Pray for the impossible things.This week's focus is on prayer. As we see in the book of Daniel, prayer is powerful and important, and God cares about the requests we bring to Him. We hope you are encouraged to run to our Father and bring your needs to Him! (1/15/23)
In our first HS service of 2023, Zach preaches out of Daniel 1 about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and how they found resolve in the midst of living in Babylon. As Christians, what does it look like to follow Jesus in the midst of a world that oftentimes opposes Him? (1/8/23)
In a culture that tells us we should be moving constantly, what does it look like to prioritize rest in our lives? What does it look like to get true rest over Christmas break? What does the Bible say about the Sabbath? In this episode, Zach and Cooper dive into the topic of rest, and how it is very important in the life of a Christ-follower.
Is drinking alcohol a sin? What does the Bible say about drinking? Is it wrong to drink alcohol under the age of 21? In this episode, Zach and Cooper answer these questions, and discuss how Christians should approach drinking alcohol.
In the last week of our "Influencers" series, Zach preaches about the importance of how we see God and the world around us.
According to A.W. Tozer, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."
(11/27/22)
This week, guest preacher Brian Lowery dives into the important topic of friendships, and how followers of Jesus should approach their relationships with others (11/20/22).
In this part 2 episode, we answer questions from High School students about dating & relationships! Want more dating resources? Here are a couple books we recommend checking out: - "Sacred Search" by Gary Thomas - "Meaning of Marriage" by Tim Keller
How does the digital world influence us? How can we respond to its influence, and honor God by the way we engage in the digital world? This week, to kick-off our new "Influencers series," Zach talks all about media, phones, social media, etc, and how we can approach these things as Christ followers (11/6/22).
What does it look like to be in a dating relationship as a Christian? How do you know if you're ready to date? What does the world say about dating, and how can we date wisely as followers of Jesus? In this episode, Zach's wife Ratasha Thompson joins Zach and Cooper in the first part of a 2-part series on dating as they discuss these questions, and more!
In the final week of our Identity series, Zach preaches out of 1 Peter 2 about how we are meant to live differently than the world around us. We are extremely valuable sons and daughters of the King, and we are tasked with being a light, even though the world will likely oppose us. How can we live IN the world, but not be OF the world? (10/30/22)
Have you ever thought about how your friends have an impact on you? This can be a great thing, or it can be a harmful thing. Also, how do we deal with exclusivity and cliques? In this short episode, Zach and Cooper talk about the importance of friendships, as well as how to balance having close friends without being exclusive.
Have you ever doubted your salvation? Have you ever felt like you have to earn God's love and favor? If so, you're not alone. In the third week of our Identity series, worship pastor Cooper Smith preaches from 1 Peter about how our Identity is in Christ, and that we have a priceless inheritance in heaven to look forward to (10/16/22).
**Note: Weeks 1-2 are unavailable due to recording issues
Is social media helpful? Is it harmful? As followers of Jesus, how should we approach it? In this episode, Zach and Cooper dive into the effects of social media, and the impact it has on high school students.
In the last week of our ALL IN series, Zach calls us to spread the Gospel throughout McLean County. As believers, God calls us to be light in our individual worlds, and Zach encourages us about the importance of leading others to Christ (9/25/22).
COUNTERCULTURE is back! In this episode, Zach and Cooper highlight what to expect in upcoming episodes.
In our fourth week talking about being All In, Zach dives into being generous givers for the Kingdom (9/18/22).
Due to audio issues, we unfortunately were unable to post week 3
As Christians, we are called to make disciples. In the second week of our "All In" study, Pastor Zach dives into making disciples, and loving people around us. Who are the people that you are feeling called to witness to? How can we pray for God to open up doors for them to hear the Good News? (9/4/22)
In the first week of our all-church study "All In," Zach dives into sharing your faith and how we are called to be witnesses in the different places that we find ourselves. Where are you uniquely located that you can help share the Gospel? Maybe it's your school, your club, or your sports team? This week, our hope is that you are better equipped and encouraged to go and show these people the love of Jesus (8/28/22).
This week, pastor Zach explores the difference between religion and relationship, and answers the question: "Isn't Christianity just another religion?" (6/19/22)
This week, four senior students answer questions about following Jesus in High School (5/22/22).
This Sunday, guest preacher Ben Miller (ISU Encounter) talks about faith, miracles & signs, and the importance of seeking God (5/15/22).
This week, Zach encourages us with a message about faith, belief, and wrestling with doubt.
This week, Zach delivers an encouraging message about maintaining faith, hope, and trust in Jesus, even when life is really difficult (5/1/22).
What does it look like to follow Jesus everyday? How many of us (wrongly) assume that we have to earn our salvation? This week, pastors Rich, Kim, and Cooper tackle these topics, as well as other questions regarding having a relationship with Jesus (4/24/22).
This Sunday, Zach delivers a powerful message about the crucifixion of Christ (4/3/22).
This week, Zach talks about the beating and mocking that Jesus endured before the cross. It is in this brutal punishment meant only for the worst of criminals that we find the incredible love of Jesus. That he would take our punishment so that we might walk in the freedom of life forever with Him. It’s the kind of love that changes everything for us (3/27/22).
This week, Regan preaches out of Mark 15 on the story of Jesus being handed over by Pilate to be crucified. In the midst of His trial, Jesus' shows His love, peace, and humility, especially when a murderer named Barabbas was released instead of Him. Jesus endured His torturous death out of his immense love for all sinners, and we can live with hope knowing that, no matter what we've done, His love covers all of our sins (3/20/22).
This week, Zach talks about the trial of Jesus before the Jewish council. This trial was unfair, full of insane accusations, and hard to read. And yet, we must come to understand that this should be our trial. And unlike Jesus, we are guilty. This week, Zach talks about how Jesus took our place and proved his love for us by defending us and forgiving us of our wrongs. (3/13/22)
In life, we go through hard and scary things. The truth is, this world is messed up, and we can sometimes feel betrayed, hurt, and overwhelmed. Jesus understands what this is like, because of what he went through when he was willingly arrested, as recorded in Mark 14. Zach encourages us this week to stick with Jesus in the midst of hard things, and that His power is with us as we walk through these difficult seasons in life. We have hope that when life is hard, Jesus wants us to stay close to Him. (3/6/22)
This week, Zach looks at Jesus’ prayer in the garden the night before he heads to the cross. This moment changes everything for us because it shows that Jesus went through the deepest emotions and pain we face today. We take comfort in knowing he understands how we feel, and we get to see just how much he loves us. He was willing to be in this much agony so that we wouldn’t have to. If you looking for some encouragement in your struggles, give this message a listen. (2/27/22)
This week, our friend Annie Brzezinski kicks off our new series "This Changes Everything." We'll be diving into the stories surrounding the cross and the resurrection, and how they drastically change our stories. In this week's sermon, Annie kicks off the series with an encouraging message about love, forgiveness, and the act of taking communion. (2/20/22)
This week, Zach unpacks the church-wide vision, called "Love McClean County." What does it look like to love every person, every business, and every school in McLean county? As High School students, we have the opportunity to love people in our schools, clubs, and sports teams, and Zach encourages us to follow the commandments found in Mark 12 (Love God, Love People).
We, like Peter, all have a tendency to deny Jesus. Whether with our silence or with our lifestyle. As those with the good news of Jesus, what does it look like to show others we follow Him? In this sermon, we will learn to show that we are followers of Jesus. But more important, know we can be because all of our failures are gone and done with. (2/6/22)
Join us for a special Counterculture episode where we sit down with Taylor Brown (CIY, Rough Terrain Studios) and talk about following Jesus.
This week, Zach talks about Peters response to Jesus being arrested. Instead of looking to Jesus and following his plan, he pulls out a sword and start swinging. In the moments where we feel prone to temptation/sin, instead of lashing out, we should look to Jesus. (1/30/22)
Life is hard. So many of us face really difficult challenges, and it can be easy to feel discouraged and overwhelmed. This week, Matt encourages us to stop facing these things alone! God is ready to meet us in the midst of our hardships in life. As we navigate the hard things in life, let's turn to God in prayer. He's listening, and He loves us so much. (1/23/22)
This week, Zach talks about Peter’s failure to make a promise he can’t keep. So often we approach following Jesus with an “I got it” attitude. But, when we rely on ourselves, instead of Jesus, we get a greater failure because of myself. We need more of a “Jesus help me approach.” Zach talks about how we can do that and how we can also find hope that even when we do fail, Jesus is there to meet us on the other side. (1/16/22)
How often do we make assumptions about Jesus that aren't true? How often do we follow man-made ideas of Jesus, instead of following who Jesus actually is? As we kick off the new year, we also are kicking off a new series called "Failing Fearlessly," where we'll dive into the different redemptive failures of the apostle Peter. This week, Zach tackles these questions above, while encouraging us that Jesus is EVERYTHING that we want Him to be, and so much more. What does it look like to follow Jesus this year as we start 2022? (1/2/22)
This week, Matt preaches from the perspective of the paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12. Do you feel stuck in your sin? This is a story of redemption, restoration, and forgiveness, and we hope that it is encouraging for you this week! (12/12/21)
Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe that miracles still happen? This week, to kick off our new “Christmas Miracles” series, Zach preaches from Mark 6 about the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. In our lives, we often think that miracles like this don’t happen anymore, but what if they did? What if God could work miraculously in your life during this Christmas season? This week, Zach challenges us to ask God for a miracle that we need in our life, and to have faith that our God is a miraculous God. (12/5/21)
This week, Zach talks about the good news of Jesus. In just 2 simple verses, Jesus reveals his character and his mission. To fulfill a promise, to bring God close, to defeat sin, and to believe in him. When you think about your life up until this point, who is Jesus to you? That’s the question to ponder this week… (11/28/21)
Temptation is all around us and is something that we all experience. This week, guest preacher Joy Thompson talks about the temptation of Jesus in Mark chapter 1, and how Jesus withstood against Satan's futile attempts against Him. In our lives, we also encounter temptation, yet we can have hope and strength in the midst of it! (11/21/21)
Do you struggle with anxiety? Have you had a tough time adjusting back to normal life after the pandemic? Are you oftentimes stressed and anxious, and aren't sure how to deal with it? Maybe you're depressed, and perhaps even struggle with suicidal thoughts? If you resonate with any of those questions, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Zach and Cooper sit down with former counselor and current pastor Sara Thompson and talk all about anxiety, why we're facing it, and how to deal with it. This conversation will give you practical advice on how to battle anxiety and depression, insight into anxiety/depression from a professional, as well as just a chance to feel seen & heard if you struggle with these feelings.
Why should we get baptized? What is baptism? Why did Jesus get baptized? This Sunday, guest preacher Connor Wood talks about baptism, and encourages us about why it's important to take that step. Considering baptism? If so, reach out to our staff, or DM us on Instagram if you want to learn more about baptism! (11/14/21)
When you wake up, is your goal to make your name great, or to make Jesus' name great? Are our lives focused on building our own kingdoms, or the Kingdom of God? This week, Zach dives into the story of John the Baptist, and how we can learn from His example of proclaiming Jesus. Jesus has rescued us, and He has set the ultimate example of love and humility found in Philippians 2. As His children, how can we respond to that example? By making ourselves less, and making Jesus's name greater. (11/7/21)
How often do we hesitate to follow Jesus? What would it look like to respond immediately to Jesus, instead of telling Him "I'll get to that in a little bit?" This week, Zach preaches about how Jesus is always worth it, and how following Him means responding "at once." A relationship with Jesus is wonderful, but this world is also full of people that need to know the Gospel. We are called to say "yes" to Jesus and "fish for people." (10/31/21)
The world desperately needs to know about Jesus. How can God use us to tell the world about Him? What God might be calling us to do in order to help more people hear the good news? Why should we care about missions? In Episode 15 of Counterculture, Zach and Cooper talk to Tommy Nika and Paul Beeghly, two pastors of Eastview Global, about what "Missons" is, and how High School students can live more missional-focused lives. Tune in to this conversation to hear ultra-convicting stats, as well as encouragement on how to become more like Jesus in area of global missions.
This week, we're starting a NEW SERIES called "Beginnings," where we'll be diving into the New Testament stories of Peter and Mark. This week, Matt takes us through the life of Mark in the scriptures, and shows how we can be encouraged by looking at his story. Mark's journey was full of ups and downs, yet God still used him for His kingdom. In the same way, we can be encouraged that our journey is important, and that God wants to use us too. (10.24.21)
God has a purpose for each of us. Wrapping up our study from Exodus, Zach challenges us to identify our purpose, while also encouraging us that we can have peace knowing God is on our side. Instead of going through the motions, what would happen if we chased after the purpose God has given us, while trusting that He is with us every step of the way? (10/17/21).
This week, Zach talks about the importance of doing life TOGETHER. As we follow Jesus, we need to be evaluating the people that we are influenced by. Similarly to how God sent Moses a helper in Aaron (Exodus 3), God gives us a Christian community to surround and support each other as we live on purpose. May we be encouraged to lean into our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as we seek after Jesus every day. (10/10/21)
Are you tired? Are you feeling the stress of a new school year? Is your schedule so full that you don't have room to breathe? We think this is a problem that spans across all ages, but is very prevalent in the lives of high school students. So, we brought in former Eastview High School pastor Matt Fogle to discuss what it looks like to practice margin in our everyday lives. After working at Eastview for 5 years, Matt is working as a pastor in Arizona, and we really think you'll be encouraged by our conversation with him as we dive into the topic of margin!
We likely all feel insecure and inadequate at some level when it comes to serving Jesus. We feel like we’re not popular enough, not smart enough, not athletic enough, etc. This week, Zach reminds us from Exodus 3 that God is not limited by our own limitations, and that He desires for us to say “yes” to serving Him. We can serve Christ because, even in the midst of our own insecurities, sins, and doubts, we are not alone. God loves us, and He is with us. (10/3/21)
We are loved, accepted, and cared for. We are children of God. This week, Matt talks about how God gives us purpose, identity, and calling. God offers us a love and confidence that is much GREATER than the insecurities, troubles, hurtful opinions, and other difficult things that we face. We hope you are encouraged by this week's message! (9/26/21)
This week, Zach talks about the importance distinction between knowing God, and simply knowing about Him. In our second week of our ON PURPOSE series, we talk all about who God is, and how he wants to have a personal, intimate relationship with us. This is such an encouraging truth, and we hope you are reminded and encouraged to pursue your relationship with Jesus everyday. (9/19/21)
Welcome to the Week 1 of our all-church study "ON PURPOSE!" Are you looking for purpose in your life? Are you tired of going through the motions and living life without meaning or direction? This week, Zach preaches about how God is present with us everyday, and how He can speak to us when we seek Him. He is present and with us, and He gives us purpose. Everywhere we go is holy ground, because God is always present. (9/12/21)
Are you thirsty? Are you in need of living water? This week, Junior High small groups pastor (and Young Adult pastor) Josh Jacobs preaches from John 7 about how Jesus satisfies us with living water. We have a God-shaped hole in our hearts that can only be filled by Jesus, and Josh encourages us how to find this living water in Jesus. (9/5/21)
You DON'T want to miss this week's sermon! This Sunday, Zach outlined his vision for the High School ministry at Eastview, and about the importance of following Jesus EVERY DAY. If you're apart of our Eastview Students: High School family, make sure to check this out to see what God is doing! (8/29/21)
This week, Zach talks about peace. In this world, peace is often hard to come by, and Zach encourages us to look to Jesus in order to find peace. In the midst of a pandemic, mental health crisis, and intense global situations, Jesus provides the peace that we seek. (8/22/21)
This week, Zach talks about the seriousness of our sin. Everyone sins, it affects everyone, it hurts our influence, and it hurts me. Yet, there is hope because God offers forgiveness when we bring our sins before him and confess. Even in our sin, there is hope and salvation because of Jesus. (8/15/21)
We're back with an AWESOME conversation with Sports Outreach Pastor, ESPN commentator, and Zach's fiancé Ratasha Garbes about what it looks like to share your faith with non-believers! Join us as we discuss how to pour into relationships with non-believers, how to approach having faith conversations, and how to live in the world as a follower of Christ. And, of course, stick with us to the end for some laughs!
How do we share the Good News? This week, Zach dives into Acts 2 and talks about how to "Show and Tell" about Jesus. We don't want to keep this amazing truth to ourselves, and we've been pushing this idea called "Choose Your One," where you choose one person that you want to witness to. We hope you're encouraged to take the next step with your "one" and to spread the Good News about Jesus! (7/11/21)
In the first week of our "Show and Tell" series, Zach starts unpacking what it looks like to share our faith! He reminds us that Jesus has defeated the darkness in our lives, and that we are now the light of the world because of Jesus' victory. We're excited to journey through this series together as we discuss what it looks like to know and love Jesus more, which then leads to us telling others about Him (7/4/21). Disclaimer (Recording starts several minutes into sermon).
Join us for Part 2 of our conversation on how social media! In this episode, we offer some challenging questions about our social media use. We specifically talk about how to keep social media from dominating our lives, and how to post and consume social media in a positive way. And, as always, we talk about the funniest thing that happened to us this week.
For the sermon this week, we answer YOUR questions about faith! Join Zach, Kim, Rich, and Aleska as they answer the questions that were given to us by students last week in our 11:00a service. (6/27/21) Disclaimer - (The recording starts about 12 minutes into the interview).
This week, Eastview's associate global pastor Paul Beeghly talks all about following Jesus. If you're looking for a challenging, detailed, and entertaining breakdown about following Jesus, look no further. Paul drops some truth on us, and we hope you're challenged and encouraged by his words! (6/20/21)
Social media is such a crucial aspect of our culture. Join Zach and Cooper in part one of a TWO PART episode on social media! We talk about the positives and dangers of social media, our thoughts on each social media platform, and how to respond to the overall influence that social media has in our culture. Join us for part two coming up on July 1st!
This week, Zach talks about the importance of keeping our focus on Jesus every day. This is such an important part of our faith, and Zach dives into what it looks like to focus on Jesus' resurrection and promise of eternal life in the midst of everything else the world tries to offer. Check out this encouraging message to learn more! (6/13/21)
This week, Zach talked about what it means to find your Every Day worth in Jesus. Looking to the world for your worth will never be enough, so what does it look like to instead pursue an every day confidence in being a child of God? Listen in to find out! (6/6/21)
How can we make our faith a priority this summer? While summer is exciting, it also poses unique challenges to growing in your faith, so we sat down with ministry partner and elder Jim Karch to talk about how to grow spiritually over the summer. We discuss what spiritual formation looks like, how to grow in your faith, and what practices are best to grow closer to God. And, of course, we have a good laugh about the funniest things that happened in the past week.
This Sunday, check out a panel discussion with several senior students about what they learned from their high school experience! (5/30/21)
What step do you need to take to draw closer to God? Do you feel like there are too many barriers to experience a relationship with Him? This week, Ben Miller joins us and talks about how God has broken barriers in order to be with us, and that he wants to meet with us. We hope this is an encouraging reminder that God is closer than you might think! (5/23/21)
Graduation is just around the corner! Join us for this conversation as Zach and Cooper speak specifically to graduating seniors and about transitioning out of high school. They discuss how to stay strong in your faith after high school, advice for college, what it's like to graduate, and major pieces of advice for this next season of life. And, of course, they also talk about the funniest thing that happened to them this past week.
This week, Zach talks about LIGHT. In the midst of everything the world tries to give us, Jesus is the only true light in this world. Jesus is the answer. As followers of Jesus, we are then called to be a light in our everyday lives, even when we are opposed by those around us. We hope you are encouraged to be a light in your schools, homes, and communities! (5/9/21)
Smoking, drinking, and partying is a big temptation during high school. How should Christian high schoolers respond? In this episode, we're joined by Eastview's Junior High Pastor Matt McClane as we discuss the Christian approach to parties, whether alcohol is a sin, and how a Christ-follower should respond to the legalization of marijuana.
This week, Marissa talks about how Christians are called to live in community. In Exodus 25, we see how the priest was the only person allowed at the table with God, but Jesus coming to Earth broke that mold. Jesus was inclusive to all but limited to one physical body, so with the presence of the Holy Spirit, the early church was able to be inclusive to all in all places. We, too, have the same call as the early church (5/2/21).
This week, Zach talks about the cleansing power of Jesus. When we struggle with sin or difficult life circumstances, God promises that he can make you clean. The wash basin in the Tabernacle points to Jesus washing away our sin, and also show the importance of taking the next step of baptism (4/25/21).
We're back! Join us for this conversation with a dear friend of ours, Dale Avery, as we discuss how we can respond to the racial injustices in our nation. In this conversation, we talk about how to respond to racial injustice as Christ-followers, the Black Lives Matter movement, and how to approach social media.
This week, Matt talks about living in repentance. Drawing from the imagery of the Altar of Burnt Offering in Exodus 27, Matt reminds us that Jesus is our ultimate sacrifice. As a result, we get to follow Jesus and repent every single day, just like the Israelites used the altar to make themselves right with God. (4/18/21).
In the FIRST week of our new series "Vintage Blueprint," Matt encourages us to remember that God is ALWAYS with us. He talks about the Tabernacle (Exodus 26), which indicated the presence of God in the Old Testament, and how God is now present through the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives (as seen in Acts 2). We hope you are encouraged and uplifted by this reminder of God's presence! (4.11.21)
In the last week of our "Passover" series, Zach reminds us that God is a Way Maker. He reminds us that God keeps his promises, performs miracles, and lights up our darkness, even when we don't see it or feel it. In whatever season of life you're in, we hope you are encouraged to run to the Lord and lean into His love and deliverance. (3/28/21)
As a Christian, have you ever struggled with doubt? If so, you're not alone. In this episode, Zach and Cooper and joined by fellow Eastview staff member Annie Brzezinski to talk about how to handle doubts. They talk about the fact that doubting is normal, how to approach your doubts, and how to maintain hope in the midst of a doubt-filled season. We hope you are encouraged and lifted up by this conversation!
This week, Zach preached about the importance of remembering. Just as the OT people of God remembered the Passover through a meal, we need to find ways to remember what Jesus has done for us. One of the best ways to do this is by asking questions. Find out more by listening to this week’s message! (3/21/21)
This week, Zach talks about the fact that our sin is incredibly serious. BUT - Jesus sacrificed Himself for us and has saved us from this sin, and we are free from its power. This is such a beautiful truth, and we hope you are encouraged by this message! (3.14.21)
Join Zach and Cooper as they tell their stories and touch on questions sent in by you! Stay tuned for later episodes where we'll dive deeper into your questions. For now, enjoy this fun conversation as Zach and Cooper talk about their testimonies, God as a solid Rock, and about an eventful ski trip.
This week, Matt talks about the body and blood of Jesus. Because His body was broken and His blood was spilled, we are separated from death. His blood was poured out for all, and as a result, we are saved! (3/7/21)
In the first week of our Passover series, Zach talks about how Jesus died in our place. Out of love for us, Jesus went to the cross, saving us from sin and death. This incredible and foundational truth is what we will be focusing on throughout this series.
The issue of prnography is becoming worse and worse in our culture. Chances are, this has affected you or someone you know. In this episode, Zach and Cooper sit down with pastor Stuart Blade and talk all about the problem of prn, and how to deal with its presence in our culture. They talk about why it's destructive, how to fight against it, and how there is HOPE in the battle.
This week, Zach shares about the preparation that Jesus has already done for us. In the same way, the priests in the OT were prepared to serve God’s people, Jesus has prepared us for a good work. What will you do with that? How about serve?
Why do you serve? This week, Matt talks all about serving and how Jesus is the focus behind what we do. He also talks about trusting God and allowing the Spirit to move you to serve. We hope that you're able to increase your understanding of what Christ-centered, Spirit-led service is (2/14/21).
How do you date well in high school? Should you date at all? Is it bad to be single? In our third Counterculture episode, Cooper and Zach are joined by high school sweethearts and former Eastview-ers Tess and Keegan Majer as they discuss how to date well in high school and how to approach singleness as a high school student. Whether you're in a relationship, hoping to be in a relationship, or content being single, this conversation has some great content, and we hope it's encouraging to you in whatever season you're in!
What are you a slave to? In the first week of our "Serve" series, Zach talks about the FREEDOM that we have in Christ. Through the cross, He has freed us from our sin. As a result, we SERVE Him and His kingdom. We hope you are encouraged and reminded of your freedom in Christ this week!
In the LAST week of our "Everyday Worship" series, Matt talks all about serving, giving, and contributing to the Kingdom of God. What does it look like for us to move past selfish ambition and live with generous hearts? (1/31/21)
This week's episode is all about mental health, and how to navigate depression, anxiety, and other mental and emotional difficulties. Zach and Cooper are joined by mental health professional Jen Woodrum, who also serves in Eastview's high school ministry as a small group leader. This conversation provides encouraging insight and practical steps on how to deal with these issues, how to follow Jesus while experiencing them, and how/when to ask for help.
This week, Zach talks about worshiping God every day by something called "practicing the presence." In Exodus, God’s presence comes and dwells in the camp. Just as the people of God followed his presence, we are called to do the same. God gave us his Holy Spirit to live inside of us, guide us, teach us, and lead us towards Jesus’ plan for our life. We can then worship him by becoming more aware of his presence in our life. Want to know how to do that? Check out this week's sermon! (1/24/21)
This week, Zach talks all about prayer. He discusses how to pray, why so many people struggle with praying, and how God answers our prayers. We hope that you're encouraged by this refreshing reminder that God hears us when we pray and that He desires to talk to us (1/17/21).
In the first episode of our NEW segment, Zach and Cooper introduce the Counterculture podcast and discuss multiple topics, including how COVID-19 has affected high school students and what it looks like to pursue an "everyday" faith.
This week, Cooper talks all about worshipping the Lord through music. He challenges us to reframe our understanding of how to musically worship, discusses different false idols in our lives, and talks about how to incorporate musical worship into our everyday walk with Christ (1/10/21).
In the first week of our new series, Zach talks all about the importance of reading the Bible, and how to practically do so throughout the week (1/3/21).
What is the cost of your life? Have you been trapped by some sort of struggle this year? What if we knew that a baby in a manger meant your life is now redeemed? This week, Zach dives into the idea of redemption, and how Jesus counted the cost and found us worth coming to earth for.
In 2020, joy has been hard to come by. But - there is hope. This week, Matt talks about the importance of finding our joy in Jesus instead of the things of this world. This is especially relevant during the Christmas season as we continue our series focused on the Year of Jubilee (12/13/20).
Is sin weighing you down? Are you desperate for someone to rescue you? In the first week of our new sermon series about the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus), Zach teaches about the freedom that we have through Jesus, and how He has rescued us from our sins (12/6/20).
In the last week of our "Great I AM" series, Marissa preaches out of Exodus 3. Join us as she encourages us to fuel our lifelong service and worship of God by inviting us to remember who God WAS, in order to help us remember who He IS and WILL BE (11/29/20).
Matt is back! Join us as Matt talks about God's constant presence in our lives, our deliverance from sin through Christ, and how to pursue God every day (11/22/20).
This week, Zach talks about identity. If you've been wrestling with your identity during this crazy year, you're not alone. Take some time and listen as Zach encourages us to remember that God is the true source of who we are.
In the second week of our series “The Great I Am,” Zach preaches out of Exodus 3 about the importance of seeking God’s presence every day, and how God is aware and working in our world.
In the first week of our new series “The Great I AM,” Aleska preaches out of Exodus 3, discussing the importance of choosing to listen to God's voice and understanding our identity in Christ (11/1/20).
In the last week of our "The Fam" series, Zach teaches about how God has adopted us into his family (10/25/20).
In the first week of our series "The Fam," Matt preaches out of Exodus 1 about our heritage, and how it matters (10/11/20).
In our last week of the "Big Ideas" series, Zach teaches out of Exodus 20 about the Ten Commandments, and how they command us to "Love God and Love People" (10/4/20).
In our first sermon episode (!!) Zach teaches out of Exodus 16 about how God cares for us, and how we can approach Him with our needs (9/27/20).