C3 NYC is a church for the people of New York City led by Pastors Josh and Georgie Kelsey. Our vision is Jesus Christ, our mission is people, and our cause is love. Join us this Sunday for church at one of our 5 locations across NYC, find out more at c3.nyc
The C3 NYC podcast is an incredible find that I stumbled upon thanks to a recommendation on TikTok. Since discovering this podcast, I have been hooked and eagerly listening to multiple episodes each night. One particular episode from 2018 titled "Beautiful Story" left a lasting impact on me with its powerful message. Another highlight was the episode about the cave, which had me in awe. The storytelling and delivery of the sermons are simply remarkable.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the way it spreads God's love and serves as a platform for sharing powerful stories and messages. The sermons are delivered by Pastor Josh Kelsey, who possesses divine wisdom and revelation. His teachings inspire and challenge listeners in their journey with God, providing fresh insights into life and the word of God. Pastor Josh brings a level of authenticity that resonates deeply with his audience, making it easy to connect with his messages.
A standout feature of The C3 NYC podcast is its willingness to tackle difficult topics that many lukewarm Christian churches often shy away from addressing. This church stands firm in their beliefs and openly discusses challenging subjects, which is refreshing and necessary in today's world. They provide a safe space where members can be themselves, expressing their thoughts freely without fear of judgment or rejection.
While it may not be feasible for everyone to physically visit this church in New York City, the podcast allows individuals from all over to experience the welcoming community and love that C3 NYC offers. There is a strong sense of belonging within this church, especially important in a city like NYC where loneliness can be pervasive. The connections made within this community extend beyond Sunday services, fostering genuine relationships outside of church as well.
As with any podcast, there may be some areas for improvement. One potential drawback could be that certain episodes or sermons may not resonate with every listener due to personal preferences or individual spiritual journeys. However, given the wide variety of topics covered and the diverse range of speakers, there is always something for everyone to connect with. It's important to approach each episode with an open mind and heart, recognizing that not every message will speak directly to every individual.
In conclusion, The C3 NYC podcast is a gift to listeners seeking a deep connection with God and a community that challenges them to grow in their faith. The sermons delivered by Pastor Josh Kelsey are full of divine wisdom and revelation, leaving a lasting impact on those who listen. This podcast offers a safe space where individuals can be themselves, express their thoughts freely, and find genuine connections within the C3 NYC community. Whether attending in person or listening from afar, this podcast is truly an uplifting and transformative experience.
In todays Leadership Lessons Pastor James Murray shows us shows that maturity in Christ requires self-devotion. A healthy church happens when believers take responsibility to worship, serve, and give without being told. In Acts 2:42–47 hospitality was central to the early church. It wasn't entertaining, it was including. Open tables, open homes, and open hearts made the Gospel visible. As leaders, we must ask: Do we live as Jesus lived? True hospitality transforms, reminding people they are worthy of God's love.
Every human knows the sting of brokenness, but the root is sin, shalom disturbed. Pastor James Murray reminds us tha the answer isn't masking or ignoring it but Jesus, who carried our brokenness to the cross, rose in victory, and now redeems what was lost. He transforms us from the inside out, unbreaking what was broken. The “more” your soul longs for is Him.
1 Samuel 14. While Saul sat under a pomegranate tree, Jonathan chose risk over comfort. With only an armor-bearer beside him, he stepped out on a “perhaps the Lord will act” kind of faith. God didn't guarantee an outcome, but He guaranteed His character. The climb was steep, but trust in God's nature was enough. The message reminds us: true faith isn't certainty in circumstances, but courage rooted in who God is. Pastor Josh Kelsey shows us how Jonathan's “perhaps” echoes Jesus in Gethsemane, obedience wrestled through the unknown, yet surrendered.
Many of us approach Scripture as a task to check off, rather than the nourishment our souls desperately need. In this week's reflection, we see in Ezekiel 3:1–3 a powerful image of the prophet being told to eat the scroll of God's Word. When we internalize Scripture not just read or hear it, but let it sink into the depths of who we are it changes everything. Pastor Josh Kelsey reminds us that even words of lament can become sweet as honey when digested in faith. God's Word, taken in fully, becomes life-giving truth that reshapes us from the inside out. Spiritual growth happens when we embrace all of God's Word, even the hard parts, trusting His truth to transform us. Scripture isn't duty, it's nourishment.
Pastor Josh Kelsey reminds us that every human asks, “Is there more to life than this?” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Solomon had wealth, wisdom, and power, yet concluded it was all vapor without God. The ache of the human heart is eternity written within us, but we try to fill it with career, romance, wealth, or freedom idols that promise life but leave us restless. Jesus doesn't just offer more life; He is life. The Good Shepherd lays down His life so our emptiness can be filled with His abundance. The “more” your soul longs for isn't in you, it's through Him.
Pastor Kevin Myers reminds us that every human asks, “Is there more to life than this?” Ecclesiastes 3:11. Solomon had wisdom, wealth, and power yet still found it all empty without God. The problem isn't lack of success but a broken relationship. Spiritual amnesia makes us forget who we are, so we chase possessions, pleasure, and even religion like grasping vapor. The answer isn't in grasping but in knowing. Jesus redeems relationship and invites us into the eternal love we were made for. The “more” your soul longs for is Him.
Avoiding conflict out of fear, lack of skill or misapplied theology robs us of growth, freedom and untity. In this week's Leadership Lesson Pastor Amy Perez explores how scripture shows us that healthy confrontation, when done in humility and love become a tool for restoration. Leaders go first before God, owning their fears and motives so they can speak truth that brings life, not shame. Conflict God's way isn't destruction it's discipleship.
Pastor Jon Tyson reminds us that surrender is the true test of trust. Like Saul, we often rationalize partial obedience or try to control outcomes, but God asks for the final 2%. Control robs us of love, freedom, and intimacy with Him, while surrender roots us in trust just as Jesus trusted His Father with His life and future. God doesn't punish us by asking for surrender; He sees everything and knows what's best. True freedom isn't found in control, but in yielding fully to Him.
In this weeks Leadership Lessons Pastor Josh Kelsey guides us through Habakkuk's raw wrestle with God and what it means for leaders today. Surrounded by injustice and silence, Habakkuk didn't suppress his doubts, he brought them to God. That's where true leadership starts: in prayer, not the flesh. God's response still speaks today: “I am doing something you would not believe.” Even when life feels confusing, He's working behind the scenes. The promise remains—“the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord” (Hab. 2:14). This knowledge isn't just information, but intimacy that grows in the secret place. As leaders, we're not called to build monuments, but to carry His glory. Our reality is freedom. Our mission is people. Our cause is love. Leaders set the atmosphere, the culture you carry will shape those you lead.
This Sunday Pastor Josh Kelsey shows us how complaining is more than words, it's poison that delays the promise. Israel's grumbling in the wilderness revealed unbelief, but God's response was both strange and beautiful: look and live. Healing didn't come from striving harder but from fixing their eyes on the serpent lifted on the pole. Centuries later, Jesus fulfills this moment on the cross becoming the curse so we could be free. True freedom isn't the absence of snakes, it's the presence of a Savior who breaks their power. Stop fighting the snakes. Stop striving. Lift your eyes to Jesus, the One who heals.
In this week's Leadership Lessons, we reflect on fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Momentum in your life doesn't guarantee you're in the right place we must fix our eyes on Him. Pastor Josh Kelsey reminds us that Jesus isn't one of many priorities, He's the center. Every action, word, and decision must be filtered through this: Does this reveal more of Christ? Our reality is freedom. Our mission is people. Our cause is love. Leaders set the atmosphere. The culture you carry will shape those you lead.
This Sunday Pastor Josh Kelsey reminds us that while change is inevitable, Christ never changes. Seasons shift, cities move, life turns but Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We often try to freeze the good or fast-forward the hard, yet God uses both to form us. Change is the classroom, and His character is the curriculum. Stop clinging. Stop rushing. Trust the One who anchors you through every season.
In this week's Leadership Lessons, we reflect on Matthew 5:5: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Meekness is not weakness, it's inner confidence in God that produces humility, security, and true strength. The world tells us to build our own confidence to get ahead; Jesus calls us to lay down self-reliance so He can form unshakable trust in Him. Pastor Kevin Myers reminds us that when our confidence is rooted in Christ, we don't have to grasp for recognition, push for influence, or cling to resources. We lead from rest, stewarding our gifts in step with the Spirit because the Holy Spirit is drawn to meekness.
This Sunday Pastor Josh Kelsey reminds us that our own goodness will never meet God's standard. In Matthew 5:20 and 5:48, Jesus raises the bar to perfection not to discourage us, but to show that only His righteousness can save. The Pharisees measured themselves against people. Jesus says the measure is God Himself. At the cross, He took our imperfection and gave us His perfection. In His resurrection, He gave us new hearts so we live from love, not performance. Stop comparing. Stop striving. Receive the righteousness only Jesus can give.
Matthew 15:21–28. While others begged Jesus to send the Canaanite woman away, she refused to back down, revealing a desperation that moved heaven. Jesus' silence wasn't rejection, but invitation. Her faith pressed past offense, and her response gave her access to covenant promises she wasn't even “qualified” for. Pastor Ryan Schlachter reminds us: breakthrough often comes when we let Jesus offend our expectations. Even the crumbs of His presence are more than enough. Desperation that draws near is the door to divine encounter.
In this week's Leadership Lessons, we reflect on Jesus' words in Matthew 7:6: “Do not cast your pearls before swine.” This powerful call to discernment urges us to steward what's holy with wisdom. Our time, counsel, and spiritual authority are precious meant to be sown into receptive hearts, not wasted on those who mock or reject truth. Pastor Ryan Schlachter reminds us this isn't about giving up on people, but about honoring what God is doing by protecting Kingdom resources and setting healthy boundaries. As we lead, may we guard the culture of honor, invest wisely, and grow in spiritual maturity becoming more effective in building God's Kingdom.
This Sunday Dr. Michael Maiden reminds us that God can turn even our darkest moments into something beautiful. The story of Joseph from Genesis serves as a profound example of how God works all things for good. Despite betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph's unwavering faith and forgiveness led to his ultimate triumph. While people can steal our possessions, they can never take away our God-given destiny. This is our invitation for us to examine our own lives, urging us to forgive those who have wronged us and to keep dreaming, knowing that God's timing is perfect and He can restore what was lost.
In this week's Leadership Lessons, our Production Director David Walker calls us to rediscover our identity as masterpieces formed by the hands of the divine Craftsman. Through Isaiah 64:8 and Psalm 139:13–14, we're reminded that we are not mass-produced beings, but uniquely and intentionally shaped by God—the Potter who knows every detail of our design. This truth reframes how we see ourselves and others: not as broken or unfinished, but as raw materials full of purpose, awaiting refinement. The Potter doesn't discard what's imperfect. He molds it with care. As we submit to the shaping process through prayer, Scripture, and Christ-centered community, we begin to reflect the beauty and function we were always meant to carry. Let this be a call to stop striving for manufactured perfection and instead surrender to the One who sees masterpiece potential in every part of us. In His hands, we're not just formed we're purposed to participate in His creative work in the world.
Sin doesn't just want a piece of you it wants all of you. In Matthew 5:29–30, Jesus uses intense language to show how seriously we should treat sin. He's not asking us to self-mutilate, but to cut off anything that keeps us bound. It's a call to action, not passivity to flee from what entices us, before it devours us. Pastor Amy Perez reminds us that inaction is just as dangerous as wrong action. Like David with Bathsheba, it often starts with small compromises. But God's grace isn't just to forgive it's to train us. Discipline isn't legalism; it's the path to freedom. What we surrender may feel costly, but what we gain in Christ is worth far more.
In this week's Leadership Lessons, Pastor Ryan Schlachter rediscovers the transformative power of the secret place in our spiritual lives. Matthew 6:5–8, shows us that true intimacy with God isn't found in public displays of piety but in private, uninterrupted communion with Him. This reminds us that the secret place isn't just a physical location but a posture of presence where distractions fade and identity is formed. It's there that hypocrisy is stripped away, resilience is built, and real relationship with our Creator takes root. As we prioritize time alone with God even when it costs us comfort, sleep, or convenience, we tap into a strength that sustains us in every storm. Let this be a call to rebuild and remain in the secret place, knowing that what happens there empowers everything we do in the open.
Discipleship isn't about what we lose, it's about what we gain. This Sunday Pastor Amy Perez dived into Jesus' challenging words from Luke 14, where He calls us to prioritize Him above all else. It's not about "hating" our families, but about examining our misplaced loves and hidden influences that may shape us contrary to the gospel. Through personal stories and biblical examples, we are challenged to break free from generational patterns and align our lives with God's Kingdom. Discipleship is costly, but it's also transformative. In losing our old selves, we gain membership in heaven's family. This is the way of the Kingdom. The way of radical surrender.
Discipleship isn't about casual commitment, it's about radical surrender. In Luke 14:25–33, we are confronted with the cost of truly following Jesus. Discipleship calls us to more than just a surface-level decision; it's a radical reordering of priorities. Jesus challenges us to “hate” our family and even our own lives, not as a call to self-hatred, but to choose God's will over our own, even when it's hard. Pastor Ryan Sclachter reminds us that true discipleship requires us to examine our hearts, ambitions, and desires in light of our commitment to Christ. It's about daily surrender bearing our cross, not suppressing our personality or self-worth, but choosing God's plan over our own. While the cost of following Jesus is high, the cost of not following Him is infinitely higher. As we count the cost, we discover that what we gain in Christ far outweighs what we give up.
In this week's Leadership Lessons, we're invited to consider what it means to build altars to the Lord in our everyday lives. Drawing from 1 Kings 18, Pastor Layla Nahavandi challenges us to become modern-day Elijahs people marked by both public demonstrations of faith and private intimacy with God. This message reminds us that true spiritual authority is forged not only on platforms but in prayer closets. It's in the quiet places through consistent prayer, faith, and obedience that we build the kind of altars that attract heaven's fire. As we cultivate a lifestyle rooted in seeking God's presence, we prepare the ground for revival in our hearts and communities. Let this be a call to rebuild the secret place, knowing that what happens there empowers everything we do in the open.
Faith doesn't ignore reality, it speaks to it. Layla Nahavandi unpacks the charge of Mark 11:22–24, where Jesus calls us to mountain-moving faith not rooted in hype, but in His Word. Believing isn't passive. It's active trust. Speaking what God said, standing when nothing looks like it's shifting. Faith is obedience. It seeks the Word, speaks the Word, and prays like it's already done. This is the way of the Kingdom. The way Jesus taught. The way mountains move.
In this week's Leadership Lessons, we're invited into a deeper examination of our integrity through the lens of Matthew 5:33–37. Pastor Ryan Schlachter challenges us to consider what it means to be people whose words carry the weight of truth. Jesus calls us beyond legalistic oath-making into a life where our “yes” is yes and our “no” is no where honesty is not conditional but foundational. This message confronts the subtle ways we compromise truth through half-truths, exaggeration, or fear-driven silence. We're reminded that deception, no matter how small, echoes the voice of the enemy, not the heart of Christ. As disciples, we're called to reflect God's character through our speech, walking in a trustworthiness that needs no embellishment. When we align our hearts with our words, we cultivate a life of authenticity one that testifies to the truth-telling nature of our Savior.
Retaliation isn't something we resist in our own strength, it's something we surrender to Jesus. Brittany Smigielski unpacks the radical call of Matthew 5:38–42, where Jesus confronts our instinct for revenge and invites us into a higher way, the way of peacemaking. Turning the other cheek, giving more than what's asked, walking the second mile are not passive responses. They are powerful acts of love rooted in Heaven's logic. Peacemaking is not weakness, it's courage clothed in grace. IHumility that confronts hurt, generosity that disrupts greed, and service that silences oppression. This is the way of the cross. The way Jesus lived. The way we're called to follow.
Confront isn't about conflict for conflict's sake, it's about transformation. In this message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter opens up Matthew 5:38–41, where Jesus confronts our desire for retaliation and control. The law said, “eye for eye,” but Jesus invites us into something deeper: a life where grace disarms offense and love silences revenge. This isn't weakness it's courage. The courage to name our pain, resist passive silence, and choose dignity over dominance. Jesus doesn't ask us to ignore injustice or absorb abuse. He shows us how to confront with clarity, restraint, and Spirit-empowered peace. As we step into this new series, we're reminded: confrontation in the Kingdom isn't about proving a point it's about pointing to a Savior. Turn the other cheek. Walk the second mile. Let go without losing yourself. These are revelations of a Kingdom heart.
In this week's Leadership Lessons, we're challenged to see conflict not as something to avoid, but as a sacred opportunity for growth. Drawing from Psalm 133 and James 1:19–20, we're reminded that unity isn't something we manufacture, it flows from God. Pastor Josh Kelsey encourages us to shift from judgment to curiosity, especially in tense moments, and to practice a “holy pause” before reacting. By validating emotions both ours and others', we create space for God to move in our relationships. It's in these challenging interactions that our faith is tested, refined, and matured. Just as Christ prayed for unity in John 17, we're called to stay at the table, even when it's uncomfortable, believing that tension can become a pathway to deeper understanding and spiritual transformation.
Unity isn't something we manufacture, it's something we join. Pastor Josh Kelsey unpacks the profound mystery of unity through Psalm 133, showing us that unity is spiritual, sacrificial, and supernatural. It begins with Jesus, our Anointed Head, and flows down through His Body. When we come under His authority, we receive His fullness. Grace upon grace. Unity isn't loud or flashy it's gentle, hidden, yet deeply life-giving. Unity is the soil where eternal life grows. Jesus prayed for it. The Spirit empowers it. And the world sees Him through it. As we close our Ascent series, we see that the climb was never just about reaching a destination, it was about becoming a people marked by obedience. Every step, every surrender, every “yes” has shaped us into a dwelling place for God. Obedience is the path. Unity is the fruit. And God's presence is the reward.
God's strategy has always been multiplication, not accumulation. In this weeks Leadership Lesson, Pastor Josh Kelsey unpacks Numbers 11 and the moment when God took the Spirit that was on Moses and placed it on the seventy elders, showing us that leadership was never meant to be carried alone. Impartation happens when the burden outweighs our capacity, and it's in those moments we learn this was never about us, it's always been God. If you've been carrying the weight of leadership, ministry, or vision alone, this episode is a prophetic reminder that multiplication requires unity, surrender, and supernatural trust. Pastor Josh challenges us to ask: Who are you gathering? Are you creating space for others? Are you submitted before you're leading?
The journey of discipleship demands more than belief it requires a daily “yes.” A yes that's rooted in God's Word, anchored in His promises, and willing to pay the cost. Obedience isn't optional; it's essential. Pastor Steph Rivas walks us through Psalm 132, showing how obedience has a history, will cost us daily, and leads us to hope. Obedience isn't just about rules, it's about relationship and when we say yes to Jesus, we're aligning with Him for a lifetime. This isn't about behavior modification. It's about heart transformation. God isn't asking for part of your life, He wants all of it. And He's worthy of it.
Obedience isn't optional in the life of a disciple. It's the very evidence that we're walking with Jesus. The journey of faith isn't just about hearing it's about doing. It's in our daily surrender, not just the big decisions, that our discipleship is revealed. In this Sunday's message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter walks us through Psalm 132 to show us that obedience is costly, personal, and communal. But it's also worth it. Obedience may stretch us, but it also forms us and blesses those around us. You don't obey to earn God's love, you obey because you have it.
The life of a leader is defined not by charisma, but by obedience. Obedience isn't about creativity it's about clarity. God's commands are not suggestions, and partial obedience is still disobedience. This Sunday, Pastor Ryan challenged us to examine the posture of our hearts: Are we obeying fully, or are we crafting spiritual excuses to justify our resistance? From King Saul's downfall to our own daily decisions, we see this truth: obedience reveals trust. And trust is tested most when the cost is high, when consequences are delayed, or when people might be disappointed. But obedience to God will always lead to a life that's blessed, even if it's misunderstood. This is the invitation: to fear God more than people, to obey Him in the small things, and to finish well. Because obedience now builds a legacy of faithfulness later. And it's the soft, unseen “yes” behind closed doors that keeps our hearts tender toward God.
The life of a disciple is marked not by ease, but by endurance. Psalm 129 reminds us that perseverance isn't just necessary it's sacred. From Egypt to exile, Israel's survival was a testimony of God's faithfulness, not their strength. This Sunday, Pastor Ryan painted a vivid picture of the pilgrim's journey: one scarred by pain, but held together by hope. Through affliction, we're shaped and reminded that victory often looks like survival. Our perseverance is rooted in trusting the Lord's justice, not taking matters into our own hands. This is the invitation: to endure with joy, to let scars speak of triumph, and to live as people deeply rooted in Christ.
The journey of faith is often uphill, marked by pressure, pain, perseverance. But pain doesn't mean the Father is absent. You're not being punished; you're being formed. In this Sundays message Pastor Luis Guerrero dives into how faith isn't a solo journey. It's more communal than we realize. God moves through His people and He walks with us though every valley and fire.
In this weeks Leadership Lessons we're challenged to embrace new thinking as we walk through the doors God opens for us. Basing off of Romans 12:2, Pastor Kevin Myers encourages us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation isn't about our performance, but about staying connected to God - the true vine. This teaching encourages us to base our decisions on God's Word rather than our emotions, emphasizing that God wants us to discern His will through our renewed thinking. It's a call to see our trials, relationships, and uncertain situations as gifts from God, shifting our perspective from earning to receiving.
What does it really mean to build your life, your ministry, or your future with God not just for Him? In this Pentecost message, we dive deep into Psalm 127 to unpack the futility of self-building, the restful posture of trust, and the gospel promise of family. From Babel to the Upper Room, Pastor Josh Kelsey explores how the Spirit builds what striving never could. Jesus is not only the cornerstone. He's the builder. Unless the Lord builds the house, our labor is in vain.
The Doors the Holy Spirit leads us to are the sacred paths God opens to shape us into who we're meant to be. Rooted in Philippians 1:6 and Ephesians 2:10, Pastor Mark Kelsey walks us through four key doors: The Door of Jesus, The Door of New Thinking, The Door of Expansion and The Door of Calling. Each door is part of God's reconstruction plan for our lives. What door is in front of you now?
In our spiritual journey, we're called to bring an encounter with God to others.In todays Leadership Lesson we explore three key elements of fruitful leadership: encounter, experience, and equipping. The encounter stems from our own spiritual formation and leadership development. This process shapes us into the image of God (Imago Dei), preparing us to minister effectively. Pastor Mark Kelsey challenges us to cultivate daily disciplines of intimate connection with God, embrace the transformative power of suffering, and integrate our whole being - spirit, soul, and body. As we grow in these areas, we become vessels through which others can encounter God's presence.
The Psalms of Ascent remind us that faith moves upward even when life feels like it's falling apart. Jesus' journey from Palm Sunday to Gethsemane shows us the reality of both joy and sorrow on the road of obedience. Pastor Mark Kelsey highlights that our direction matters more than our condition. Jesus stayed oriented toward the Father, anchored in identity, not emotion. His surrender “Not my will, but yours be done” wasn't weakness, but strength. We're invited into the same posture. In every season, God is present. Nothing can separate us from His love.
God restores our fortunes, turning our mourning into laughter. When we're challenged to see our pain through a new lens - not as something to be avoided, we sow seeds for a future harvest of joy. Pastor Amy Perez encourages us to bring our honest laments to God, acknowledging our pain while trusting in His transformative power. As we learn to sow our tears, we're promised a harvest of joy that not only changes us but also becomes a powerful witness to the world of God's faithfulness.
Psalm 126 paints a vivid picture of joy rising out of sorrow. It recalls the Israelites' return from exile, a moment of divine restoration that reflects our own journey with God. As they remembered what He had done, their mouths were filled with laughter, and hope was reignited. This act of remembering is not just nostalgic; it's a spiritual practice that fuels endurance. We're called to sow in tears, remaining faithful in seasons of struggle, trusting that God is cultivating something deeper. Pastor Kevin Myers points out that the life of faith is a steady ascent one that shapes us through every high and low. As we walk this path in community, we learn to ask boldly, trust deeply, and anticipate the harvest of joy that God promises.
The life of a disciple is not an individual pursuit but a shared journey rooted in community. Just as the Israelites journeyed together toward Jerusalem, relying on God through both trials and triumphs, we too are called to a steady ascent toward Him. Psalm 126 reminds us that joy isn't a fleeting emotion tied to circumstances, it's the deep, enduring fruit of a life rooted in God's faithfulness. This Sunday Pastor Stephanie Rivas paints a picture of the life of faith as a pilgrimage. One where tears are sown in trust, and God brings forth a harvest of joy. Along this path, we are shaped by generosity, worship, and shared spiritual growth. This is the invitation: to live lives as living testimonies, spreading the light of God's joy through our communities and daily interactions. Together, we learn to see joy as a divine promise, cultivating resilience that testifies to God's unwavering goodness.
Worship isn't just a song it's a lifestyle that anchors us in the middle of uncertainty, pain and pressure. In this weeks Leadership Lesson, our Worship Director Tameeka Walker unpacks the power of worship when life doesn't make sense. Drawing from Acts 16, Tameeka shows how Paul and Silas didn't wait for breakthrough to worship, they were already prepared. Worship shifts atmospheres, builds spiritual endurance and keeps our hearts aligned with God even when we're pressed but not yet delivered. In the middle of the process, the tension and the unknown, worship creates space for God to move.
Worship isn't rooted in preference it's anchored in presence. Pastor Banning continues our journey through the Psalms of Ascent with a call to reorient our hearts around the One who's worthy. Singing together isn't about what we feel, but what we bring: unified adoration. It's not performance, it's offering. As we reflect, we're invited to ask: is our worship shaped by convenience or by reverence? Discipleship begins not with what moves us but with what we surrender.
Exile isn't always a place, it's a condition of the soul. Pastor Josh begin this journey of ascent by exploring the restleness that awakens when we realize we no longer belong where we are. The way of Jesus isn't about conveinece it's about courage to return. As we reflect, we're invited to examine whether we're drifting or truly walking with God. Discipleship begins not with arrival but with the ache to come home.
Drawing from Hebrews 10, Pastor Ryan Schlachter unpacks the powerful truth of being seated with Christ. Reminding us that while Old Testament priests stood daily offering repeated sacrifices, Jesus made one final sacrifice and is now seated at the right hand of God. Because of this, we no longer strive for God's approval but serve from a place of rest. This shift frees us from guilt and shame, inviting us to live in the fullness of Christ's forgiveness and approach life's struggles from a place of already-won victory.
Prayer is not just a religious ritual—it's the lifeblood of our spiritual journey. In this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Ryan Schlachter shares why prayer is essential to true spiritual leadership. Through prayer, we align our hearts with God's will, receive spiritual authority, and gain the capacity to genuinely love and serve others.
The Songs of Ascent illustrates how discipleship is a lifelong journey of walking with God. As we reflect, we're invited to examine whether we're truly committed to the way of Jesus-or settling for something more comfortable. In returning to the heart of discipleship, we rediscover the joy and purpose we were made for. Pastor Ryan explores the essence of true discipleship through the lens of Acts 2 reminding us that following Jesus isn't about convenience, but deep devotion.
The life of a disciple is not an individual pursuit but a shared journey rooted in community. This isn't about religious routine it's about a transformative, life-on-life walk with Jesus and others. Pastor Kevin Myers draws a powerful parallel to the Israelites' pilgrimage to Jerusalem, reminding us that the life of faith is one of steady ascent toward God. As we follow this path, we're invited to let God shape us through generosity, worship, and shared spiritual growth.
In this week's Leadership Lesson, Pastor Ryan Schlachter shares 5 practical tips to help define success and wins in leadership.