Lakewood Vineyard (OH)

What kind of impact will your life leave behind?In this message from our Becoming a River Church series, we explore how God's life is meant to flow through us—not stop with us. Drawing from Matthew 28:16–20 and 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT), we look at Jesus' Great Commission and discover that He gave it to ordinary, imperfect people—some who were still doubting.The call to “make disciples” isn't about having all the answers or being spiritually impressive. It's about passing on what we've received. Just like a river brings life wherever it flows, God invites us to invest in others in simple, relational ways that multiply over time.If you've ever felt unqualified to share your faith, this message is for you. Jesus' promise still stands: “I am with you always.”Let's become a river—together.

What if real impact doesn't come from big, impressive moments—but from ordinary faithfulness? In The Power of Small, part of our Becoming a River Church series, we explore how God's life flows through everyday practices like prayer, listening, shared meals, and simple acts of service—and how showing up right where you are can bring real, lasting change.

What if following God isn't about striving harder, but about learning to pay closer attention?In Part 4 of our Becoming a River Church series, we explore how God invites us to live in step with Him—not by forcing outcomes, but by noticing where He is already at work and joining Him there. Drawing from Ezekiel's vision of a life-giving river and the example of Jesus, this message unpacks how God still guides His people today through relationship.We look at how Jesus modeled dependence on the Father, why God often speaks more quietly than we expect, and the everyday ways the Holy Spirit leads—through Scripture, gentle promptings, trusted community, and attentiveness to God's presence.This episode is an invitation to slow down, listen, and rediscover the freedom of doing what we see the Father doing.

Join us as we explore the  call to spiritual depth, drawing  metaphors from the simple, yet profound lessons of learning to swim and navigating deep waters. Discover how deep waters are not just a cause for caution but also a space for safety and greater capacity in the journey of faith.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:13 - Becoming a River Church00:00:41 - The Importance of Deep Water For Swimming00:06:34 - Ezekiel: A River of Life00:09:38 - Ezekiel and Second Peter: Growth Is Possible00:13:19 - His Divine Power Has Given Us Everything We Need for a godly00:19:07 - Slow Growth in the Kingdom00:24:03 - Ezekiel 3: Stay in the River00:29:29 - 2 Peter: Invest in Me00:34:23 - Brotherly Love: When Things Get Hard, We Invest in It00:38:30 - Peter: Growth is Beautiful00:41:42 - ConclusionAs you listen, consider where you are in your own spiritual journey—are you treading water at the surface or are you ready to dive into deeper waters?

Please join us as Pastor Matt discusses becoming a River Church

Please join us as Pastor Matt discusses becoming a River Church

Join us as Pastor Matt talks about a season of prayer and fasting

Join us as Pastor Matt wraps up our Advent Series

Join us as Pastor Wendy continues our Advent series "All Things New"

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our Advent series, "All Things New"

Please join us as Pastor Wendy kicks off our Advent series

Please join us as Pastor Matt wraps up our series, Open Hands

Join us as Pastor Matt leads a panel with Catherine Golladay and Tom Wadsworth

Join us as Pastor Matt begins our new series, 'Open Hands'

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, 'Rooted'

Join us as Pastor Wendy continues our current series, "Rooted"

Join us as Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, "Rooted"

Join us as we hear a guest preacher, Pastor Christan Root of Grove City Vineyard, continue our series "Hunger & Thirst".

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Please join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Join us as Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Join us as Pastor Wendy wraps up our series, "Jesus is Greater".

Pastor Matt continues our series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Matt continues our new series, "Jesus is Greater"

Luke Nickel continues our series, "Jesus is Greater"

Dave Purvis continues our series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Wendy continues our sermon series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Matt continues our sermon series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Wendy continues our series, "Jesus is Greater"

Tom Wadsworth continues our series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Wendy continues our series Unsung Women of the Bible with Lydia

Tom Wadsworth delivers a special Father's Day message

Pastor Matt continues our series Unsung Women of the Bible with Phoebe.

Pastor Wendy continues our series Unsung Women of the Bible with Rizpah

Pastor Matt kicks off our new series Unsung Women of the Bible with Deborah

Cyd Holsclaw joins us for a special episode where she guides us through a practice that can help us wire our brains for joy, and return to feeling seen, known, and understood by God:  Immanuel Journaling.  Episode Resources:Book on Immanuel Journaling:  Joyful JourneySample Immanuel Journaling SheetImmanuel Journaling Group Sharing ProcessYou can find more about Cyd at:www.cydholsclaw.comThe Center for Embodied Faith Check out her podcast along with her husband, Dr. Geoff Holsclaw: Attaching to God 

Special guest speaker Cyd Holsclaw completes our series on Joy.

Pastor Wendy helps us understand what joy really is, and how we can experience it in the midst of other emotions.

Pastor Matt kicks off our new series about joy.

Pastor Matt preaches the Gospel for our Easter Sunday celebration.

Today, Kaylyn Lloyd reads from John 19:38-42 and Luke 23:54-56 as we sit with Jesus at the tomb in waiting and wonder at what has taken place.Join us each day of Holy Week as different members of our church family lead us through Scripture and reflection, journeying with Jesus to the cross. To follow along with our Lent Series, Vice & Virtue check out lakewoodvineyard.com/vice-virtueTo find out more about our Easter gathering, check out lakewoodvineyard.com/easter

Today is Good Friday.  Liz Kannel reads from Mark 15:21-41 as we join Jesus at the cross.Join us each day of Holy Week as different members of our church family lead us through Scripture and reflection, journeying with Jesus to the cross. To follow along with our Lent Series, Vice & Virtue check out lakewoodvineyard.com/vice-virtueTo find out more about our Easter gathering, check out lakewoodvineyard.com/easter

Today, Erin Shetler reads from Luke 22:47-53 and Mark 14:66-72 as Jesus is arrested and Peter denies him. Join us each day of Holy Week as different members of our church family lead us through Scripture and reflection, journeying with Jesus to the cross. To follow along with our Lent Series, Vice & Virtue check out lakewoodvineyard.com/vice-virtueTo find out more about our Easter gathering, check out lakewoodvineyard.com/easter

Today, Catherine Golladay reads from Mark 14:32-42 as we join Jesus as he prays in the garden.Join us each day of Holy Week as different members of our church family lead us through Scripture and reflection, journeying with Jesus to the cross. To follow along with our Lent Series, Vice & Virtue check out lakewoodvineyard.com/vice-virtueTo find out more about our Easter gathering, check out lakewoodvineyard.com/easter

Today, Josh Allen reads from John 13:1-17 as Jesus washes the disciples' feet.Join us each day of Holy Week as different members of our church family lead us through Scripture and reflection, journeying with Jesus to the cross. To follow along with our Lent Series, Vice & Virtue check out lakewoodvineyard.com/vice-virtueTo find out more about our Easter gathering, check out lakewoodvineyard.com/easter

Pastor Matt finishes our teaching series on the Seven Deadly Sins & their requisite virtues on a bold topic: gluttony.  Check it out.

Today Mike Gierhart reads from Luke 22:7-23 as we join Jesus at the Last Supper.Join us each day of Holy Week as different members of our church family lead us through Scripture and reflection, journeying with Jesus to the cross. To follow along with our Lent Series, Vice & Virtue check out lakewoodvineyard.com/vice-virtueTo find out more about our Easter gathering, check out lakewoodvineyard.com/easter

Today Diane Smith reads from Mark 14:3-9 as Jesus is anointed. Join us each day of Holy Week as different members of our church family lead us through Scripture and reflection, journeying with Jesus to the cross. To follow along with our Lent Series, Vice & Virtue check out lakewoodvineyard.com/vice-virtueTo find out more about our Easter gathering, check out lakewoodvineyard.com/easter