Grace Chapel Wilsonville

We find ourselves in a season where the darkness feels particularly heavy—where gloom creates fog in our decision-making, fractures in our relationships, fear about the future, and fragility in our souls. This message draws us into Isaiah 9, a prophecy written hundreds of years before Christ's birth, speaking directly into a divided kingdom experiencing distress and despair. The people were walking in deep darkness, yet the prophet proclaimed that a great light would dawn. What makes this passage so powerful is its relevance to our modern chaos: divided nations, broken families, anxiety that buzzes in our bones like an alarm that never stops ringing. But here's the transformative truth—Christ in us is greater than the chaos around us. The four names of Jesus revealed in Isaiah 9:6—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—aren't just ancient titles; they're present realities addressing our specific struggles today. When we feel lost in the fog, Jesus reveals what chaos conceals. When relationships fracture, He brings awe-inspiring restoration. When fear grips us, His might steadies us. When we feel fragile, His everlasting arms hold us together. The sermon beautifully illustrates this through the image of sunflowers planted in radioactive soil near Fukushima—plants that absorb toxins and bring beauty to contaminated ground. This is precisely what Jesus does: He absorbed our sin, our pain, our chaos on the cross so we could absorb His peace, hope, and joy. Our hardship isn't a tomb; it's a womb where God is birthing something new.Discussion Questions:-Pull up the ‘What a season of gloom feels like' lists and identify with your group which feels most familiar - now, or in the past. -Which of the four names of Jesus—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, or Prince of Peace—do you need to experience most deeply in your life right now, and why?-When have you mistaken God's peace and rest for Him 'sleeping on the job' during a storm in your life, and how might that perspective shift change your faith?-How can you cultivate the ability to experience Christ's peace internally even when the chaos around you remains unchanged?

This powerful message centers on 1 Peter 3:15, challenging us to examine a fundamental question: How's our Jesus? Where does He rank in our lives? The sermon unpacks Peter's instruction to revere Christ as Lord in our hearts and always be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have—with gentleness and respect. We're reminded that hope isn't just wishful thinking; it's a confident assurance rooted in Christ that becomes visible especially during seasons of suffering. The message illustrates how our faith becomes most compelling when people watch us navigate difficulties with unexplainable peace. Through vivid stories from baseball ministry—including a divine appointment where God prepared the way for a gospel presentation to hostile listeners, and a beautiful baptism where one player baptized another—we see what happens when Christ truly becomes Lord. The relay race metaphor captures discipleship perfectly: we're called to carry both a Bible and a baton, running our race while passing faith to the next generation. This isn't about perfection but progress, taking one giant step closer to making Jesus truly number one, not just 'also receiving votes' in our priority rankings.Questions:-If you were to honestly rank where Jesus falls in your life's priorities right now, what number would He be, and what specific steps could move Him closer to number one?-What does it mean practically for Christ to be 'Lord of your heart' rather than just occupying space in your mind, and how does that distinction affect your daily decisions?-When was the last time someone asked you about the hope you have, and were you prepared to give an answer that pointed them to Jesus rather than to your own strength?-In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's approval through performance rather than resting in the free gift of salvation He's already given you?

You're doing the right things. Church, small group, Bible reading. But something still feels off.It's possible to be around Jesus without actually being close to Him.In Mark 2, a man is carried to Jesus but ends up stuck on the roof. So near, yet still not face to face. That's where many of us find ourselves. Surrounded by faith activity but still longing for real connection.Jesus isn't asking for perfection. He's inviting you to come closer.Don't settle for almost. There's more.-In what ways have you mistaken activity for intimacy with Jesus, and how can you identify when you're experiencing that 'low-grade ache' in your faith?-Which of the eight false forms of discipleship (consumer, individualistic, performance, intellectual, institutional, self-powered, comfort-driven, or selective) resonates most with your current spiritual journey, and why?-In what ways have you settled for 'roof living' rather than being lowered directly into the presence of Jesus, and what would it take to change that?

We all feel the tug-of-war between who we want to be and what keeps pulling us off course. Mike names it plainly: the cycle of sin, shame, and striving that leaves us worn out and wondering if real change is even possible. But what if freedom isn't about fixing ourselves, but learning how to walk with the Spirit? This isn't about sin management. It's about coming home to love that disarms fear and reshapes desire, from the inside out.

Imagine your life like a sailboat. You have two options: keep the sails down and row endlessly in your own strength, or raise the sail of surrender and let the wind of the Spirit move you forward.We all do it. We hide behind the veils of effort, performance, or spiritual perfectionism. We put on a brave face, act like we've got it together, and manage our image like it's part of our faith. But deep down, many of us are exhausted.Spiritually speaking, it's like we're in a boat, rowing hard in our own strength to get where only God can take us. And it's not working.But what if the very thing you've been using, your striving, your perfectionism, your need to look strong, could become the way the Spirit moves you forward?That's the invitation. Turn the veil into a sail.

We've become experts at image, but strangers to intimacy.And so, the Spirit comes, not to decorate our dysfunction, but to shatter the mirror of self, and replace it with His own reflection.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn the world upside down? Mike shares how the early church wasn't just a holy huddle, but a holy force that transformed their culture through bold faith and genuine community. Drawing from Acts 17, he reveals how authentic Christian fellowship isn't an optional add-on but the very anatomy of Christ's body—where we grow, encourage, and empower each other to share Jesus wherever we go. From classrooms to living rooms, this message inspires us to move beyond spectating to active participation in God's movement, challenging us to invite, invest, and inspire others through shared life, learning, and mission. Ready to be part of something bigger? Watch now to discover how community becomes the catalyst for kingdom impact.

Some promises are like mirages, glimmering with hope, only to leave you empty. But when Jesus speaks, the promises hold. Mike unfolds the difference between living for God's favor and living from God's favor. When God's approval rests on you, striving gives way to rest. In a world flooded with noise, fear, and false hope, this message dares you to anchor your life in what doesn't shake: God's favor, God's presence, God's promises.

On Sunday, Pastor Mike shared how he was asking a simple question: “Lord, how do I respond as a pastor to everything happening right now?” What followed was a clear word from the Lord that led him to Exodus 17—a moment where God's people were under pressure, under attack, and spiritually dry. In that passage, Moses lifted his hands toward heaven as the battle raged, and victory came when hands were lifted—not in striving, but in surrender. From that passage, Mike heard God say, “The time for striking rocks is over. The time for touching thrones has begun.” This message is an invitation to shift our posture. To stop reacting and start abiding. To respond not with outrage, but with trust. And to step into a rhythm of prayer that brings renewal, unity, and life. Below is a prayer guide you can use as you respond this week:Prayer Guide:1. Praise: Honoring God's Faithfulness and Outpouring of His SpiritHeavenly Father, we lift our hands to You in awe and gratitude. You are faithful, and Your Spirit continues to move in our lives and in our generation. We praise You for Your presence, Your provision, and Your power that sustains us.Pray for:• Thank God for His faithfulness in every season, acknowledging that nothing in heaven or earth can thwart His plans.• Praise God for the outpouring of His Spirit, awakening hearts to new hunger and deeper intimacy with Him.• Declare God's victory over every Amalek attack, trusting His authority to protect, restore, and advance His Kingdom.• Celebrate the ways God has revealed Himself in past battles, remembering His power and mercy.• Invite God's presence to fill every room, heart, and community, allowing His life to flow freely.2. Confession: Surrendering Striving, Distrust, and ConflictLord, we confess the times we have not abided in You, striving in our own strength, doubting Your provision, and wrestling with anger or contention toward others. We recognize where we have partnered with thoughts that oppose Your will and disrupt Your peace.Pray for:• Confess personal striving instead of resting in God's timing and authority.• Confess distrust, doubt, or anxiety that limits our faith and hinders intimacy with You.• Ask for forgiveness for anger, quarreling, or holding bitterness toward others.• Renounce any agreements with pride, ego, or grumbling.• Pray for healing, humility, and restored alignment with God, so we walk fully in His presence and purpose.3. Intercession: Lifted Hands for Each Other and Our Broken WorldFather, we lift our hands in intercession, covering one another's vulnerabilities, lifting the burdens of our families, communities, and the world. We declare Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.Pray for:• Pray for those around you, asking God to meet their deepest needs and protect their hearts.• Pray for comfort and hope in our relationships, families, communities, and country.• Ask God to pour out His presence in communities, awakening hunger for His presence and truth.• Pray for the defeat of the Amalek spirit and every force that seeks to steal joy, kill hope, or destroy destiny.• Declare healing, restoration, and unity, trusting God's authority and power to transform brokenness into new life.

What if the foundation we've built our faith on isn't the one Jesus had in mind? Mike traces the ache of a generation worn down by performance, shame, and spiritual striving—and reveals a deeper invitation. Jesus didn't just promise a better life, but his life. The kind that flows from the inside out. Not hollow, not heavy—just real, renewing, and alive. This is where discipleship begins: not with doing more, but being made new.

When life presses hard and fast, we tend to reach for control, distraction, or performance. But what if the pressure is an invitation—not a punishment? Mike explores the deep, often-overlooked heartbeat of the whole Bible: abiding. Not a task list or a time slot, but a rooted way of being that produces lasting fruit—sometimes through crushing. Because in Jesus, even the pressure can pour out new wine.

We chase clarity, progress, and fruit—but what if the thing we've been reaching for was already within reach? Mike spent the summer drinking deeply from one passage, one truth: apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. Abiding slows the soul. It roots us in presence. In stillness. And from that place, something begins to grow—not from effort, but from union.

There's something unique about being in a room with people who understand what you're going through—because they've lived it too.On Sunday Andy shared his story about when his life was turned upside down in 2016 when his spouse asked for a divorce. He did what many of us might do—tried to fix it, control it, hold it together. When it became clear that the relationship couldn't be salvaged, his whole life shattered. Career, identity, routines, even how often he could see his kids—it all shifted. He was left staring at what he called “broken glass.”And at first, he resisted help. Even after finding a divorce support group at a nearby church, he said no. But then a friend—who was also navigating a divorce—invited him to join. Reluctantly, he said yes. And that “yes” changed everything.“It was the most impactful thing I've ever done,” he shared. “Counseling is great, but there's nothing like sitting in a circle with people who understand your pain, who will cry with you, laugh with you, journey with you. Nothing replaces it.”Today, he leads others through the same care group that helped him heal.Care isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it's just showing up. It's delivering a meal to someone recovering from surgery. Giving a ride to a doctor's appointment when someone's in a cast. Sitting silently next to someone in grief. It's not about having all the answers—it's about being present.That's the heart behind the Ministry of Presence, a training offered to equip people to simply show up with God's heart. No clever words needed. Just presence. Just love.Care looks like this.So, what's your next step?You may be in a season where you need to receive. Or you may be ready to give. Maybe both. But no matter where you are, you're not meant to walk alone.And remember this: nothing you bring to the altar is wasted. Not your grief. Not your story. Not your healing. Not your gifts.When you bring it to God, it becomes worship. And it becomes a doorway to life for someone else.Ready to take a step toward healing or connection? Explore the full list of available Care Groups by clicking the button below.

A pause where the story isn't over. James ends his letter in that holy space, urging patience that endures, prayer that breathes life, and love that chases the wanderer. In the space between heartbreak and healing, frustration and fulfillment, he shows us what it means to live the next line in God's unfinished sentence.

A pause where the story isn't over. James ends his letter in that holy space, urging patience that endures, prayer that breathes life, and love that chases the wanderer. In the space between heartbreak and healing, frustration and fulfillment, he shows us what it means to live the next line in God's unfinished sentence.

What does a wrong turn on a hiking trail have to do with your spiritual life and your bank account? In this message, Skyler unpacks James 4 and 5 with a powerful blend of personal story, biblical truth, and real-life challenge. From planning without God to hoarding what was meant to be given, this talk confronts the subtle ways we drift from dependence on God. It's about getting honest, living submitted, and stewarding what He's entrusted to us. If you've ever tried to control the path or hold on to what God asked you to release this one's for you.

What does a wrong turn on a hiking trail have to do with your spiritual life and your bank account? In this message, Skyler unpacks James 4 and 5 with a powerful blend of personal story, biblical truth, and real-life challenge. From planning without God to hoarding what was meant to be given, this talk confronts the subtle ways we drift from dependence on God. It's about getting honest, living submitted, and stewarding what He's entrusted to us. If you've ever tried to control the path or hold on to what God asked you to release this one's for you.

Wisdom isn't about what you know—it's how you live. Jen traces the thread from envy to chaos, from selfish ambition to rupture, and asks where our choices are really coming from. Are we reacting to protect ourselves, or responding from a deeper place? The wisdom from above is quiet, steady, and sincere—but it won't chase us. It waits to be chosen, again and again. Even in conflict. Even when it costs us pride.

Wisdom isn't about what you know—it's how you live. Jen traces the thread from envy to chaos, from selfish ambition to rupture, and asks where our choices are really coming from. Are we reacting to protect ourselves, or responding from a deeper place? The wisdom from above is quiet, steady, and sincere—but it won't chase us. It waits to be chosen, again and again. Even in conflict. Even when it costs us pride.

A single spark can torch a forest—and a single word can fracture a soul. Jake traces the quiet, explosive power of language, showing how every text, every joke, every offhand comment carries the weight of our inner life. Our words don't just communicate; they create, shape, and reveal. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture makes it clear: the tongue doesn't just talk—it steers the entire ship. So…what story are your words telling?

A single spark can torch a forest—and a single word can fracture a soul. Jake traces the quiet, explosive power of language, showing how every text, every joke, every offhand comment carries the weight of our inner life. Our words don't just communicate; they create, shape, and reveal. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture makes it clear: the tongue doesn't just talk—it steers the entire ship. So…what story are your words telling?

Emma unpacks what James really means by a “faith that works”—not faith and works, but a kind of belief so alive it moves. Not stagnant. Not private. But the kind that flows outward—into love, sacrifice, and radical trust. Because real faith doesn't just nod its head. It walks. It carries. It builds. It lives.

Emma unpacks what James really means by a “faith that works”—not faith and works, but a kind of belief so alive it moves. Not stagnant. Not private. But the kind that flows outward—into love, sacrifice, and radical trust. Because real faith doesn't just nod its head. It walks. It carries. It builds. It lives.

Skyler traces James's sharp call to reject favoritism—not just in theory, but in how we treat others, especially when it's inconvenient or uncomfortable. In a world obsessed with influence, James reminds us: mercy—not status—is the true measure of faith. The question isn't who's worthy of our attention. It's who needs our mercy.

Skyler traces James's sharp call to reject favoritism—not just in theory, but in how we treat others, especially when it's inconvenient or uncomfortable. In a world obsessed with influence, James reminds us: mercy—not status—is the true measure of faith. The question isn't who's worthy of our attention. It's who needs our mercy.

Storms will come—Jesus promised that. But what if they don't have to leave us wrecked? Jeff explores how our understanding of God and ourselves shapes whether we collapse or endure when trials hit. With clarity and tenderness, he asks: What if the deepest truths—God is good, and you are loved—are not just comforting ideas but the foundation that holds when everything else shakes?

Storms will come—Jesus promised that. But what if they don't have to leave us wrecked? Jeff explores how our understanding of God and ourselves shapes whether we collapse or endure when trials hit. With clarity and tenderness, he asks: What if the deepest truths—God is good, and you are loved—are not just comforting ideas but the foundation that holds when everything else shakes?

Trials aren't side notes in life; they're the crucible where faith gets its edge. If our beliefs never show up in traffic, conflict, or compassion, are they really alive? With urgency and grace, Jake unpacks a faith that's not theoretical but earthy and enduring. What if maturity isn't about knowing more, but staying when it's hard? Real faith doesn't escape the fire. It's shaped by it.

Trials aren't side notes in life; they're the crucible where faith gets its edge. If our beliefs never show up in traffic, conflict, or compassion, are they really alive? With urgency and grace, Jake unpacks a faith that's not theoretical but earthy and enduring. What if maturity isn't about knowing more, but staying when it's hard? Real faith doesn't escape the fire. It's shaped by it.

We chase clarity, crave calling, and long to belong—but what if it all starts with being seen by God, just as we are? Jen peels back the noise to reveal a quieter, steadier path: identity that doesn't shift with our season, and calling that emerges not from spectacle, but from fruit. From playgrounds to parking lots, from small yeses to sacred conversations—this is about carrying beauty into the broken, and letting others carry us when we can't.

We chase clarity, crave calling, and long to belong—but what if it all starts with being seen by God, just as we are? Jen peels back the noise to reveal a quieter, steadier path: identity that doesn't shift with our season, and calling that emerges not from spectacle, but from fruit. From playgrounds to parking lots, from small yeses to sacred conversations—this is about carrying beauty into the broken, and letting others carry us when we can't.

In his sermon, Pastor Charles discusses the transformative journey of Rwanda after the genocide, emphasizing the importance of faith and compassion in rebuilding lives, particularly for children in poverty. He highlights the work of African New Life Ministries, which serves thousands of children through education, health care, and spiritual guidance. Pastor Charles calls for a balanced understanding of the supernatural in the lives of believers, encouraging them to embrace both spiritual and practical dimensions in their Christian walk. He invites the congregation to support the ministry and children's sponsorship as a way to engage in the transformative work God is doing in Rwanda.

In his sermon, Pastor Charles discusses the transformative journey of Rwanda after the genocide, emphasizing the importance of faith and compassion in rebuilding lives, particularly for children in poverty. He highlights the work of African New Life Ministries, which serves thousands of children through education, health care, and spiritual guidance. Pastor Charles calls for a balanced understanding of the supernatural in the lives of believers, encouraging them to embrace both spiritual and practical dimensions in their Christian walk. He invites the congregation to support the ministry and children's sponsorship as a way to engage in the transformative work God is doing in Rwanda.

Mike delivered a powerful message on discovering the core beliefs that shape our identity. He explored how the voices we choose to listen to, and the beliefs we allow to define us, can either ground us in truth or pull us away from our true purpose. Pointing to the life of Jesus as a model of someone deeply connected to God, Mike challenged us to consider: What voices are shaping who you believe you are? He invited everyone to reflect honestly on what defines their identity and whether it truly aligns with who they are in Christ. By encouraging the community to speak life, blessing, and truth over one another, Mike revealed just how transformative it can be when we embrace God's voice above all others and begin to live as the beloved sons and daughters we were created to be.

Mike delivered a powerful message on discovering the core beliefs that shape our identity. He explored how the voices we choose to listen to, and the beliefs we allow to define us, can either ground us in truth or pull us away from our true purpose. Pointing to the life of Jesus as a model of someone deeply connected to God, Mike challenged us to consider: What voices are shaping who you believe you are? He invited everyone to reflect honestly on what defines their identity and whether it truly aligns with who they are in Christ. By encouraging the community to speak life, blessing, and truth over one another, Mike revealed just how transformative it can be when we embrace God's voice above all others and begin to live as the beloved sons and daughters we were created to be.

A broken net. A fractured bone. A cargo ship, a fighter, a home. In the ancient world, all these images pointed to one surprising word: catartizo. It doesn't just mean “equip”—it means to restore what's torn, strengthen what's weak, supply what's needed. Mike unpacks how true equipping always aims toward something: maturity, unity, and deep connection with Jesus. And in a culture overflowing with opinions, conviction isn't just what you believe—it's what holds you when everything else breaks.

A broken net. A fractured bone. A cargo ship, a fighter, a home. In the ancient world, all these images pointed to one surprising word: catartizo. It doesn't just mean “equip”—it means to restore what's torn, strengthen what's weak, supply what's needed. Mike unpacks how true equipping always aims toward something: maturity, unity, and deep connection with Jesus. And in a culture overflowing with opinions, conviction isn't just what you believe—it's what holds you when everything else breaks.

You're already a disciple of something. Every scroll, every habit, every influence is shaping you—but to what end? Mike unpacks the radical invitation of Jesus: not to be more religious, but to tether your whole life to Him. It's a call that feels like surrender, but leads to a kind of freedom culture can't offer. The more you're tethered, the more you're unleashed.

You're already a disciple of something. Every scroll, every habit, every influence is shaping you—but to what end? Mike unpacks the radical invitation of Jesus: not to be more religious, but to tether your whole life to Him. It's a call that feels like surrender, but leads to a kind of freedom culture can't offer. The more you're tethered, the more you're unleashed.

Cameron and Annie shared their personal stories of suffering and vulnerability, highlighting how God's heart is close to those in pain. They emphasized the importance of empathy, especially in a world marked by meanness, drawing on biblical examples to illustrate the transformative power of kindness and acceptance. Through a discussion of Luke 7, they encouraged attendees to embrace their own struggles and to recognize the value of the vulnerable in our communities. Ultimately, they called for a deeper understanding of God's compassionate character and challenged the audience to reflect on how to embody that empathy in their lives.

Cameron and Annie shared their personal stories of suffering and vulnerability, highlighting how God's heart is close to those in pain. They emphasized the importance of empathy, especially in a world marked by meanness, drawing on biblical examples to illustrate the transformative power of kindness and acceptance. Through a discussion of Luke 7, they encouraged attendees to embrace their own struggles and to recognize the value of the vulnerable in our communities. Ultimately, they called for a deeper understanding of God's compassionate character and challenged the audience to reflect on how to embody that empathy in their lives.