East Bay Calvary Church is a nondenominational church in Traverse City, Michigan, whose mission is to make more and better disciples of Jesus Christ.
How can so many people be so different at defining something so important as LOVE? In the end, the Author of life is the Author of love. He calls us to surrender our definitions and expectations about love so that we can accept His. We're looking forward to digging into 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 together!
Our next short series of messages in 1 Corinthians 13 anchors us in the essential need for love in the Christian life. Have you noticed when church people get caught up in religious “stuff,” we often veer away from the Spirit-filled, Jesus-following lives God wants us to live? Let's break the idea that anything we do as a church (and anywhere else in life, for that matter), matters one bit without living by love.
What do you do when ongoing struggles make you doubt whether you want to press on in following Jesus? Remember that endurance you had when you first came to Jesus–remember it, reclaim it, and press on in it! We're excited for you to join us for our last message in Hebrews (10:32-39)!
Wanna know what breaks a Christian mother's heart? When those they love walk away from Jesus: whether it's to please other people around them, to avoid hardship, or deliberately rejecting Him to follow another way. We're moving forward in Hebrews 10:26-31 this Sunday, from the right response to all God planned for us to the danger of rejecting His plan to save us. Don't keep anyone––including moms––worrying about your eternal destiny! We have got to accept God's plan! That's the big picture this Sunday morning.
We're pressing on in Hebrews together this Sunday, especially thinking about how many people have abandoned religion out of frustration, too tired of keep trying to make up for their sins to God on their own. But Jesus broke that frustrating cycle that we could never get ourselves out of to finally, fully, truly take away our sin! We hope you'll join us for a once-for-all message of hope in Jesus from Hebrews 9:23–10:18!
Jesus' death and resurrection change everything – and on this Easter Sunday we look at how His sacrifice set a new and better plan for our lives into motion. Pastor Kit looks at Hebrews 9:11-22.
Hebrews 9:1-12
What's so special about a covenant? And what does it mean that Jesus mediates a new one between us and God? Was there anything wrong with the old one? Pastor Kit tackles these questions and more in his sermon on Hebrews 8.
The law given to the Israelites in the Old Testament was a good thing, in its time – but when Jesus came, He instituted a systemic change to the priesthood that we'd be wise to grab hold of. We continue our study in Hebrews as Pastor Kit looks at Hebrews 7:11-28.
This week we take a deep dive into the mysterious character Melchizedek, how he relates to Abraham, what that has to do with Jesus, and, most importantly, what it all means for our faith. Pastor Kit looks at Hebrews 7:1-10 as we continue our study in Hebrews.
We all make and receive promises. Unfortunately, we are prone to break them – but God is not. And today, we discover how His biggest and best promise to us is fulfilled in Jesus. Pastor Kit looks at Hebrews 6:13-20 as we continue our series, "Even Better."
As we continue to study the book of Hebrews, our passage of Scripture today contains an important warning – one we won't want to miss or take lightly. Pastor Kit looks at Hebrews 6:4-12.
We all start out as "baby" Christians in our faith – but we have absolutely no excuse for staying there. So what does it look like to "grow up" in our walk with God? Pastor Kit opens the Bible to Hebrews 5:11-6:3 as we read an exhortation to mature as believers in Christ.
To be able to approach God's throne with boldness and confidence – this is the privilege we have because of Jesus, our High Priest. What should that mean for our daily lives? Our prayer lives? Pastor Kit looks at Hebrews 4:14-5:10 as we discover that Jesus is the ultimate and best High Priest.
Rest can be hard to find. The Bible tells us to rest, but what does that look like amidst all the obligations of our daily lives? Pastor Kit looks at Hebrews 4:1-13 to discuss what it means to enter the rest that Jesus offers.
It's incredibly easy to slip into the habit of unbelief – wondering if God really is able to do this, if He really is who He says He is. So how can we prevent this? Pastor Kit looks at Hebrews 3:7-19 as we discover the importance of encouraging and exhorting one another in our faith.
When we look at the "heroes" of Scripture, Moses stands out as an incredibly faithful servant of God. But we see in Hebrews that Jesus was an even greater hero than Moses – one whose example we ought to follow closely. Pastor Kit heads to Hebrews 3:1-6 as we continue our study in Hebrews.
Having a game plan is one of the best ways to keep motivated and keep on mission! Pastor Kit calls us to 4 key pursuits in 2025 as we look forward to seeing God work both at East Bay and in Traverse City this year.
As we continue our series in Hebrews, we find over and over that Jesus is better – a better savior, a better priest, a better brother – than we could ever have hoped for. Pastor Reist opens the Bible to Hebrews 2:10-18 to dig deeper into what this means.
As we struggle with sin and our own imperfections, it's encouraging to remember that God has had a plan to redeem us from the beginning of time – a plan that was fulfilled in Jesus, and not our own attempts to redeem ourselves. Pastor Kit continues our series in Hebrews with a look at Hebrews 2:5-9.
At this time of year, we often make plans and set goals to ensure the coming year will be a great one. But what plans are you making to stay close to Jesus – to make sure you're not slowly drifting away from Him and what He's called you to? Pastor Kit continues our study in Hebrews with a look at Hebrews 2:1-4.
Pastor Kit begins a new series in the book of Hebrews, where we'll look at how Jesus is better than prophets, angels, and every other way we might try to reach God – and how our lives should change because of it.
Pastor Kit wraps up our series "You Belong Here" with a look at Mary's song of praise in Luke 1:46-55, asking what it might look like in our own lives to have a grateful humility and hunger for God like Mary did so many years ago.
Sometimes, God asks us to take a step of faith and simply trust Him – and when we take Him at His Word, we find that His plans and ways are greater than we could have imagined. Pastor Kit looks at a fantastic example of this in the account of Mary receiving the news that she would give birth to God's Son, found in Luke 1:26-38.
In Luke 18:18-30, a wealthy young man asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life, and Jesus' response was shocking. Pastor Kit discusses why Jesus asks us to give up everything for Him – and why it's the best decision we can ever make.
Jesus said that the kingdom of God belongs to kids, not just adults. What does living out this truth look like? We learn that helping kids to know Jesus shows how well we understand the kingdom of God as Pastor Kit looks at Luke 18:15-17.
We don't tend to relate ourselves to the character Scrooge, but does how we actually use our wealth incriminate us? Do we pinch pennies instead of giving to those around us who truly need it? Pastor Kit looks at the story of the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16:19-31 as we discover what the Bible says about giving of what we have, and whether it shows your faith to be dead or living.
Our guest speaker this week is Sean Patrick, president of Finish Line Ministries International, who we're proud to partner with in advancing the gospel in Southeast Africa. Sean shares a brief missions update, then continues our current sermon series with a look at Luke 18:35-43.
Have you ever had "testimony envy"? Just a tinge – or more – of jealousy for all the attention someone else gets for their radical turn from sin, when you've always obeyed God? Pastor Kit looks at a story we all know, but from another character's perspective in Luke 15:25-32, as we see how deep the Father's love goes for all His children.
How far is too far? When does a case become hopeless – so far gone that God doesn't welcome you back? Pastor Kit looks at Luke 15:11-24, where we find that no one is ever "too far gone" for our God.
In this special Installation Service, Knute Larson – a mentor to Pastor Kit – reminds us of the centrality of the gospel to church life, as we officially welcome Pastor Kit to ministry here at East Bay.
We all have stories about losing something precious and the lengths we went to in finding it. God also seeks the lost – and great is His rejoicing when He finds them! Pastor Kit opens the Word to Luke 15:1-10 to examine Jesus' parables about lost things, and what this means in our own lives.
Is Jesus on your "maybe later" list? Perhaps you'll check out what He's all about when you have a little more time, or you're hoping maybe you're already on His good list. Pastor Kit looks at a parable Jesus tells in Luke 14:12-24 that reminds us of the urgency – and beauty – of accepting His invite today.
If you're born to generations of Christians, is that enough to get into heaven? What if you attend church and check off all the religious boxes? Pastor Kit looks at Jesus' words in Luke 13:22-30 and what it means to "strive" for the kingdom of God.
We say we're ready to follow Jesus, "no turning back." But when that comes up against our deeply-seated devotions to family, work, and other aspects of our life, what does it look like to really follow Jesus without looking back? Pastor Kit takes us to Luke 9:57-62 to explore how Jesus' call to total devotion to Himself may just be the most satisfying decision we can make.
Can Jesus forgive me despite my messed-up past? Am I too far gone for His love? This week we meet another character that interacted with Jesus, this time in Luke 7:36-50, who reminds us that Jesus' forgiveness reaches far beyond the bounds of what we expect or deserve.
We grumble about people a lot – and convince ourselves we have a good reason. But do we? Pastor Kit looks at Luke 5:27-32 as we remember how desperately all of us need Jesus' love and forgiveness, and how that should impact our view of those around us.
Pastor Kit begins a sermon series based on a familiar phrase – "You Belong Here." It sounds nice, but what does it look like to live it out? Pastor Kit will explore Jesus' interactions in the book of Luke to discover how we can welcome who Jesus welcomes into God's family, beginning with Luke 5:1-11.
Philippians 2:25-30
Our candidate for the role of lead pastor, Kit Bogan, shares from Colossians 1:9-12.
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