EC Speaks

"Whenever I step out, I see that as a success; and any kind of response is a bonus."

"If you were looking for a sign not to not give up, this is it."

“If obedience isn’t based on knowledge, what is it?”

The truest thing about you.

"Faithfulness stewards godliness."To kick off our very first EC Speaks podcast of the 2017-2018 school year, Kevin Perry of Halkirk Circle Square Ranch delivers a powerful message at the first of two Opening Services. As an alumni of Eston College, he recalls what it is like to start out in what can be unfamiliar. He encourages the students, both freshman and returning that God is faithful.He challenges us about reflecting on the soil of our hearts, is it fertile for good seed to grow? With vigor and passion, he goes through the life of John the Baptist, and prophetically speaks destiny over this generation. If you are in a place of uncertainty or challenge in your walk with the Lord, allow this message to encourage you to rely on God's faithfulness. 

Who is the good Samaritan? We look at the story of the good Samaritan and think that we are supposed to be the hero of the story. But, is this really true in our lives? What if there was a different way to look at the story? Andrew lays out a common story in a different perspective, which radically changes the way we interpret the story.  Jesus is the good Samaritan. We're the one's who need saving. It's not about us. It's about Jesus. Andrew Switzer, pastor of Kipling People's Church in Kipling, SK, was our guest speaker for the 2017 Sr. High Encounter. He spent the weekend speaking out of Ephesians 1:18, talking about "opening our eyes." The theme of the weekend was promises, and this series of sermons is sure to open your heart towards the presence, promises, power, and people of God. This is part 4 0f 4.

"I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe."(Ephesians 1:18-19)Are you ready for the upgrade? Andrew discusses the different spiritual gifts, and how it is His promise to move in power on earth. When we surrender to Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us, and he never leaves us. He dwells within us. We are identified as His by giving us His Holy Spirit. We believe in the finished work of the cross. As we walk out our Christian life, we need to learn how to use the gifts and power that he has given us.Andrew Switzer, pastor of Kipling People's Church in Kipling, SK, was our guest speaker for the 2017 Sr. High Encounter. He spent the weekend speaking out of Ephesians 1:18, talking about "opening our eyes." The theme of the weekend was promises, and this series of sermons is sure to open your heart towards the presence, promises, power, and people of God. This is part 3 0f 4.

"...in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you..."God will take you, wherever you are, and He will work with you. Andrew takes this time to declare the promises of God over our lives, using 2 Corinthians 1:20. "For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory." If you need hope, if you need freedom - this is a sermon that exposes the lies we believe and replaces them with truth of God's word. Andrew Switzer, pastor of Kipling People's Church in Kipling, SK, was our guest speaker for the 2017 Sr. High Encounter. He spent the weekend speaking out of Ephesians 1:18, talking about "opening our eyes." The theme of the weekend was promises, and this series of sermons is sure to open your heart towards the presence, promises, power, and people of God. This is part 2 of 4.

"Promises make hope feel real."Engagement rings, pinky promises, and cheques are all symbols we use today as promises. But what about in the Old Testament? How do we know God's promises are true? God doesn't just fulfill his side of the covenant, but he upholds both sides. Josh uses the story of Abraham to bring a whole new perspective on what it means to have hope in Christ.Josh Chalmers was a guest speaker for Sr. High Encounter weekend. The theme of the weekend was promises, and this sermon goes along with a series of sermons by Andrew Switzer, where he talks about opening your heart towards the presence, promises, power, and people of God. This sermon is on the promise of the covenant of God.

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..." (Ephesians 1:18) Even in our deepest sorrow, and in our darkest times - God is there. We can look, and not see. The cry of our heart should be, 'God, open my eyes to see you." It's time that we stopped looking, and start to see. Time to stop hearing, and start to listen. Andrew highlights 4 types of people who seek his presence: "Desperate, Hiding, Reluctant, More." Where do you fall on this list? Andrew Switzer, pastor of Kipling People's Church in Kipling, SK, was our guest speaker for the 2017 Sr. High Encounter. He spent the weekend speaking out of Ephesians 1:18, talking about "opening our eyes." The theme of the weekend was promises, and this series of sermons is sure to open your heart towards the presence, promises, power, and people of God. This is part 1 of 4.

"You try to tell me there's not a God who does impossible things. I know there is." Our God doesn't leave things half done. He is a God who finishes what He starts. Breakthrough comes with persistent pursuit of Christ, trusting that He is faithful to us. Elsie teaches about how to become a breakthrough people. "For each one of us, there is breakthrough to new levels in intimacy. Nobody has arrived." We had the privilege and pleasure of having Elsie Welch join us as the featured speaker for the Refresh Conference in February 2017. She delivered passionate and convicting messages of hope, God’s goodness, firebrands,  and walking out His call on our lives. This is part 4 of 4.

"You can't be a fighter, until you're a lover."If you want to be a firebrand, you need to get close to the fire. Elsie explains the meaning of firebrands, which is someone who has intimate relationship with God. The power is in the gospel, you just have to preach it! With great passion, Elsie describes how her journey to where she is now includes being hungry for the things of God. Surrounding yourself with other lovers of God. How do you never lack in zeal? Stay in love with Jesus, feed the fire that you already have, give him 100% with no compromises, and stay under the tap. "You can't be a fighter, until you're a lover." In other words, you cannot become a ground winner for the Kingdom until you have stoked the fire in your heart.We had the privilege and pleasure of having Elsie Welch join us as the featured speaker for the Refresh Conference in February 2017. She delivered passionate and convicting messages of hope, God’s goodness, firebrands, and walking out His call on our lives. This is part 3 of 4.

How thirsty are you for a move of God?When we carry burdens around with us, they become too heavy for us to carry. Our burdens actually withhold us from the pursuit of everything that we are called to, because they cause us to stumble and fall. Elsie talks about personal examples from her life, about how letting go of these things can free you to a lifestyle of repentance and joy. When we draw from old wells that we are not pouring fresh water into, we run dry. In Isaiah 44 it talks about pouring water over thirsty land, and then pouring out His Spirit. We must toil the rocky, dry, hard soil in our hearts, to allow water to trickle in."Are you thirsty enough for your immediate family? Your community? For your province? For nations? How thirsty are you for God, How thirsty are you for a move of God?"We had the privilege and pleasure of having Elsie Welch join us as the featured speaker for the Refresh Conference in February 2017. She delivered passionate and convicting messages of hope, God’s goodness, firebrands, and walking out His call on our lives. This is part 2 of 4.

God has a relentless pursuit for our full hearts. "Sometimes human love is fickle, but let me tell you, Jesus keeps his marriage vows." Using personal testimony, story, and prayer, Elsie delivers a message of passion. This message focuses specifically about 2017, God's love, and how this year is a year marked by God. Elsie invites us on the journey to God's heart, to explore His love. She exposes the lies we believe about His voice, about His character, and as a result, brings a space for us to respond to his relentless pursuit for our full hearts. "He doesn't want us striving, He doesn't want us competing. He's on a quest." He is our Shepherd, and the God of the universe, is looking for us. Not only should we be on pursuit for God, but He is in pursuit of us. We had the privilege and pleasure of having Elsie Welch join us as the featured speaker for the Refresh Conference in February 2017. She delivered passionate and convicting messages of hope, God's goodness, firebrands,  and walking out His call on our lives. This is part 1 of 4.

Keep running the race, don't get distracted. Kevin Perry closed Camp Week with a passionate message about living a life worthy of your calling, based on Ephesians 4:1-6. If you are lacking in passion or vision for your life, this is a message that will strike fire to your dry bones. Kevin preaches a breakthrough message of zeal, and fixing your eyes on Jesus. He challenges us to keep running the race, rather than getting distracted by other things. "We need to start completing instead of competing." Kevin reminds us that God is faithful, and He gives us the determination to keep pushing on towards the goal. "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called..." (Ephesians 4:1)

Rhythm shares a passionate word about not wasting your life on your own agenda, but coming into the light with vulnerability. She challenges us to lay down our own selfishness before the throne of God, and ask Him to help us walk in freedom. "What we hide we keep, and what we reveal we heal." What we hold onto restrains us from walking in the fullness that He has prepared for us. Allow God to expose the lies and the sin that you've been believing, in order to come fully into the light. Coming into the light allows forgiveness, breakthrough, freedom, and healing to come into your life. She challenges us to ask God where we are holding onto things that are hindering us from fully pursuing intimacy with Him.

If the whole ocean was made of ink, and the sky of parchment paper; even if all the people were skillful scribes, still we would not have enough to tell of God's love! Aaron shares a powerful message of personal testimony and revelation about God's love. He tells personal stories of moments where God met with him, which changed his spiritual walk forever. Whether in the valley or on the mountain top, He remains. Abide in Him! What a radical idea to preach the simple gospel to Christians. Yet so often we forget about the power it holds! While it seems like a basic principle, we all need a revelation of this love - and what it has done for us. The greatest sacrifice of all, Jesus, was poured out for us - as "everything about the cross screams, "I love you." Listening to this sermon will refresh you in His promises, and bring you a new perspective to the gospel.

Anita delivers an incredible, passionate message on destiny. She used 'C' words like cost and conviction, to describe how important is is to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly. Our attachments to comfort, worldly possessions, and sinful nature drags us down from pursuing Christ. Our convictions reveal the position of our souls, where we are willing to go, and willing to do, for Christ. Chasing destiny is chasing Jesus, we must cry out "Who are you, Lord?" (Acts 26:31) We must count the cost of pursuing a life with Jesus, and listen to our convictions to bring change to our hearts. She challenges us to "get a grip!" and reflect on the cost we are willing to pay to follow our destiny in Jesus.

Josh Chalmers spoke about our theology of mockery. Why does our society mock others? Going back to the death of Jesus, when he was being mocked and scorned, Josh taught about why this portion of the death of Jesus is important. "Why were they taunting him? Why were they humiliating who he was? Because if Jesus was right, they're wrong. So why are Christians mocked? Because if you're right, than they're all wrong. And so they must mock the one idea that condemns all of their other ideas. If Jesus is truth, all other ideas are a lie." In connection to mockery, we discussed the gift of tongues and how this is our language of resistance.

Deb McNabb shared a great word about mercy. What is it, and what does it look like? It is to love being kind. It's a simple explanation, but a difficult application. With relevant examples, she exemplified what showing kindness looks like, despite the difficulties we face in the midst of trials. Other people's hurts should not be an inconvenience to us, but rather a joy to find an opportunity to show Christ's love. "When you hear 'mercy,' it should call you to respond." Deb challenges all of us to show kindness, in order to open our eyes to how we are shown mercy by Christ. (Lamentations 3:22-23) #ecspeaks