By Pastor Ellis WhiteSenior Pastor As we step into the heart of summer, many of us are still carrying the joy of the Fourth of July—family gathered around the grill, kids waving sparklers, stories and laughter shared across generations. There’s something sacred about holidays like this. They remind us that part of our calling is […]
Navigating a Wild World with Jesus
By Paul HargreavesSenior Director of Family Ministries In the late ‘90s, Christian artist Twila Paris sang a song called “True North.” Some of the lyrics go: “We lost our bearings,Following our own mindWe left conviction behind…How did we ever wander so far?And where do we go from here?How will we know where it is?” “True […]
Looking Back Before Moving Forward
By Jenna ArnoldDirector of Digital Outreach When I was a little girl, Old Testament stories used to frustrate me. The Israelites just seemed so stupid. God would part the sea, rain down manna, or show up in some other miraculous way—and then, just a few verses later, they’d forget all about it and start complaining […]
What a “Yes” Can Lead to
By Judson TaylorSenior Director of Marketing & Communications I never imagined I’d find myself standing in a Thai prison, let alone sharing my personal testimony with a roomful of incarcerated men. But there I was, asking God to give me words that could offer even a flicker of hope. I came to share how God […]
One Church, One Service, One Summer
By Pastor Ellis WhiteSenior Pastor There’s something about our one-service Sundays. The room is full. The singing is louder. There’s laughter in the lobby, kids darting between grown-ups, and people from different generations and worship preferences coming together. It’s electric—but not just because it’s crowded. It’s meaningful. It’s unifying. Over the past couple of years, […]
When God Whispers “Go”
By Carie GordyCommunications Coordinator In July 2022, I got an email from our Outreach Director, Cara Taylor. She’d been in touch with Jacksonville Presbyterian Church (one of our sister churches in Oregon) about a one-day visitor event at their family camp: Camp Levi, a retreat for families affected by disability. Just 40 minutes south of […]
The Power of a Life Laid Down
by Pastor Ellis WhiteSenior Pastor This week, I stood at the foot of the National World War I Monument in Kansas City—a towering tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in one of the most devastating conflicts the world has ever seen. It’s a sobering place. As I looked out over the […]
How the Spirit Connects Us All
By Cara Taylor, Director of Outreach At this time of year, I look back on all the ways God has moved in my LifeGroup, and I am so thankful. We have walked together through significant challenges of work, family, and health. We also celebrated many joys…especially our kids getting baptized and growing in their faith. […]
Faith Blooms Here
By Pastor Rachel White, Pastor of Alpha & LifeGroups I look up to my Mum (Mom for all you Americans!). She is creative, hard-working, cares deeply for her family, and has been a steady rock for our family. In my teen years she was a single Mum and it was in that time that I […]
One Invitation Can Change Everything
By Pastor Ellis WhiteSenior Pastor I was working on a project recently. Honestly, I could have finished it faster on my own. But I saw an opportunity to spend time with my son, so I invited him to help. We worked side by side. It took longer. I had to undo a few things he […]