Pastor Lonnie

This message invites us to see stewardship in a different light, not just as a financial duty but as a spiritual opportunity. In Luke 12:15, we're reminded that life isn't about possessions but about purpose. The "dinosaur" symbolizes anything we cling to out of fear, pride, or the illusion of control, things we think we need to survive but that actually hold us back from living freely in God's purpose. Everything we have, our money, time, relationships, and abilities, is a gift from God, and we are called to steward it, not hoard it. This sermon challenges us to release what weighs us down and trust that God can do more with our surrender than we could ever do with our grip. It's not just about giving to a church; it's about becoming a church that reflects Jesus, boldly loving, freely giving, and fully trusting the One who gave everything for us.

Konstantin Efimov was born in 1958 in St. Petersburg, Russia, the elder (by 10 years) of two sons born to Igor Efimov, well-established movie actor, and his wife, Irina, whom he met while attending Moscow's prestigious Maly Theater School.  Irina performed on stage until a few days before Kostia's birth.  "That must be why I enjoy being on stage so much," says Kostia, who goes by his childhood nickname.  His parents chose to live in St. Petersburg to be close to Igor's elderly mother.  In 1961, they signed a five-year contract with the Theater Group of the Soviet Army Force, performing in East Berlin.  KGB regulations, however, did not allow them to bring Kostia, then age 2-½ with them.  He stayed, as an "insurance policy," with his grandmother, Valya, living in a communal apartment that housed nine families (33 people) in 11 rooms, all sharing the same hallway, kitchen and bathroom.  "The bathtub was always filled with laundry," Kostia recalls.  "We took our baths twice a week in the community bathhouse."  As a child, Kostia displayed a tremendous interest in music, spending much time in front of the radio in his grandmother's tiny room.  At age 4, a present was delivered to him from his parents -- a 1937 Wolkenhauer upright piano, upon which he soon learned to play hundreds of Russian folk songs.  "It became the center of life in our home," Kostia remembers.  "Even my pet rooster, Peter, used the lid as his favorite perch, and he would sit there and listen while I played."  Kostia's parents returned from East Germany in July of 1965, when he was 7.  His grandmother died of a stroke the following month.  The same year, Kostia was accepted into a special music preparatory school of the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory.  For the next 11 years, each day involved four to six hours of piano practice.  At the school he met his first great influence, teacher Tamara Karetkina.  "I was her first student," Kostia recalls.  "She was a tremendous pianist and a beautiful woman, very much resembling Jacqueline Bisset.”  Because of his talent, Kostia and other elite prodigies were forbidden to play sports, for fear of hand injuries.  At 14, Kostia, who loved basketball, broke a finger in his right hand during a clandestine pick-up game.  "I was so frightened," Kostia says. "The thought of not being able to play again was so horrifying!  It was worse than death for me.  I didn't tell my mother that I did it playing basketball; I told her I fell down carrying my briefcase."  While his right hand healed, Kostia passed the time mastering pieces written by Ravel and Scriabin for left hand.  Ravel's piece was composed in honor of a pianist who lost his right hand during World War I.  At 18, Kostia entered the famed St. Petersburg Conservatory.  Here he met and studied under Vladimir Nielsen, one of the last great masters of Russian Romanticism.  He completed his Conservatory studies in 1982 with advanced graduate degrees in four disciplines:  concert (solo) pianist, pianist for chamber ensemble, accompanist, and piano teacher.  Following graduation, Kostia performed throughout Russia, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia as a soloist, with orchestras, with ethnic ensembles and his own jazz-fusion group.  Typically, Conservatory graduates move into teaching.  "I decided to go another way.  I was already involved with jazz and pop performances, and I was pretty well known as an arranger, so I wanted to explore new music.  Friends introduced me to Oscar Peterson, and modern jazz and progressive rock bands like Genesis, Yes and King Crimson.  It was very different, extremely energetic, and absolutely spontaneous, like myself.  I am definitely a free spirit, and playing this music allowed me a certain level of freedom that I wasn't able to explore in classical music."  Kostia received a proposal from the St. Petersburg Cultural Center to start, essentially, an experimental music group.  "This was 1982," he says, "and things were warming up a little bit."  Kostia called the group “ARS” -- Latin for "art.”  While working with ARS, Kostia started composing and arranging music for movies, documentaries and theatrical productions.  He freelanced as an arranger, working on a number of soundtracks for the various stage productions.  His skills as a performer led him to work with some of the well-established Russian composers (i.e., Alfred Schnitke, Vladislav Uspensky, Vladislav Panchenko), and a number of Soviet pop stars, including Marina Kapuro and Aleksander Rosenbaum, among others.  During a visit to the United States in 1989 with the Soviet-American Cultural Exchange project "Clay Stomp," Kostia had an opportunity to perform for his first American audience at the Milwaukee Art Museum, where he shared the stage with Narada artist David Lanz.  That day changed Kostia's life forever.  The next morning he received a call from Narada records offering him a recording contract.  From 1989 until 1997, Kostia worked extensively on various Narada projects as a performer, arranger and producer, including David Arkenstone's Grammy-nominated In the Wake of the Wind, and Narada's most celebrated recording, Nutcracker.  Kostia's music appeared on more than a dozen of Narada's collections and compilation albums.  In 1992, Kostia and David Arkenstone collaborated on the first album ever endorsed by the United States Olympic Committee, Spirit of Olympia.  In 1994, Narada released Kostia's first piano solo album Suite St. Petersburg, which he describes as "a piano portrait of my beloved city."  1996 brought another critically acclaimed piano album, Ten Pebbles, where Kostia revisits some of his most cherished memories.  Both albums won him respect and recognition of his fellow musicians and the love of fans around the world.  Beginning in 1997, Kostia started a series of recordings with North Sound Music Group dedicated to piano idols of pop music.  That year, he released Kostia's Interpretations of Billy Joel followed by Kostia's Interpretations of Elton John in 1998.  The success of these projects led to a number of tribute recordings completed with world renowned instrumentalists such as Daryl Stuermer, guitarist from Genesis and Phil Collins Band; Paul McCandless, Windham Hill artist and reed and saxophone player from the band Oregon; and Windham Hill guitarist, Alex De Grassi.  In 1999, Kostia composed the soundtrack for the motion picture Czar of Make Believe from Italian director Daniel Alegi, which won an award for Best Short Film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival. In 2001, Kostia released Piano Ocean, an album of original music recorded in collaboration with ex-Narada star Spencer Brewer.  At the same time, he composed the soundtracks for a motion picture, The Play in the Modern Style, and a short film of Alex Boguslavsky entitled Blue Lamp.  New Millennium also brought several other exciting projects to Kostia as well – a collaboration between LEGO and George Lucas Film, celebrated short animated film “Star Wars: “Revenge of the Brick.”; new Alex Boguslavsky's film “My Little Philosopher”; a pilot for an independent motion picture “Slow Poison.”; a collaboration with legendary band Sweetbottom (original Indi fusion group) – “Sweetbottom Live”; several new albums with old band mate, Daryl Stuermer – “GO!”, “Rewired”, “Retrofit”; debut album of Carmen Nickerson “Tomorrow Is Another Day” etc. One of Kostia's compositions made it to the world renown TV series “Sex and the City.”  In addition to collaborations with well-established music groups and individual artists, Kostia has had his music performed by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Utah Symphony Orchestra, the internationally famed Veronica String Quartet, and Present Music cellist, Paul Gemainder, to name a few.  Currently, Kostia is at work composing music for his next CD, performing solo piano concerts around the country, and recording and performing with the Daryl Stuermer Band.  Future plans?  "I am thinking about something I always wanted to do – a series of pieces for chorus, poem for string quartet, and six pictures for piano and orchestra," says Kostia.  His journey continues.  "Musical Columbus," as he is often called by journalists, is again on the way to discovering new worlds for himself and his fans. Kostia plays regularly at Fox River Congregational Church where he is a composer in residence.  

This message challenges the idea that gratitude is only for good times and instead calls us to practice thankfulness even when life gets tough. Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, it clearly distinguishes between being thankful for all circumstances and being thankful in them. The message reminds us that although we can't always control what happens, we can choose our outlook. Gratitude becomes an act of trust, not just a feeling, and a decision that opens the door to peace and reshapes our pain. Whether life is smooth or messy, the sermon encourages us to thank God not out of convenience but out of faith, because even in chaos, God remains good and active.

Life can crash unexpectedly—plans fall apart, emotions spiral, and nothing seems to go right. But faith isn't built in comfort; it's shaped in chaos. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we're reminded that God uses life's messes to strengthen our faith. True joy isn't pretending everything's fine; it's trusting that God is still at work, even in the broken pieces. With practical steps and real-life applications, this message shows how to pause instead of panic, find purpose under pressure, and see every trial as training for stronger faith.

The tragic death of Charlie Kirk has left many grieving, fearful, and overwhelmed. In his message, Pastor Lonnie urges the church to face this pain honestly while grounding our response in the gospel. In a world quick to speak and quick to divide, we are called to slow down, listen carefully, and use our words to heal rather than harm. While grief is heavy and real, hope in God is greater because one day every broken thing will be restored. Until then, we pray, allow ourselves to grieve, resist hatred and despair, and live as lights shining in the darkness because Christ is greater than the darkness.

In Built to Last: Storm-Proof Faith, Pastor Lonnie draws from Matthew 7:24-29 to show that resilience and the ability to withstand life's storms come not from intentions or appearances, but from obedience to Jesus Christ. Like the wise and foolish builders who faced the same storm, our lives stand or fall depending on where we build: on the solid rock or shifting sand. Storms are inevitable, but they don't have to be destructive. When our foundation is in Christ, we can endure with strength, recover with hope, and live with lasting faith that no trial can destroy.

Pastor Lonnie's message addresses the common struggle with worry through Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19–34. The sermon explains that worry stems from uncertainty—we only stress over what we don't know. If we knew what the future held or trusted in God's provision and outcomes, we wouldn't worry. Jesus offers a way to overcome this anxiety by realigning our hearts and minds with God's promises in the Bible. The message highlights three steps to move past worry and emphasizes that worry is not just an emotional issue but a spiritual one. When we feel anxious, we should check if our priorities are right, if we trust God, and if we are living in the present. Jesus' message is clear: seek first the Kingdom of God, and everything else will fall into place.

In this message, Pastor Lonnie emphasizes how Jesus encourages us to redefine what spiritual authenticity means. While He calls us to let our light shine publicly through acts of service (Matthew 5), He also teaches that personal spiritual practices—such as giving, praying, and fasting—are most effective when done privately, away from the spotlight (Matthew 6). The message makes it clear: public good involves reflecting God to others, but private devotion is about a genuine connection with God, not impressing people. Giving should be generous yet discreet. Prayer should be sincere, not performative. Fasting should be humble, not theatrical. Ultimately, Jesus reminds us that we don't need an audience to be seen—God already sees, and He rewards what's done in secret.

Pastor Lonnie's message reminds us that while it's easy to notice flaws in others, Jesus calls us to approach people with humility and grace. His command in Matthew 7:1 isn't about ignoring wrongdoing; it's about avoiding judgment that isn't ours to make. Before we try to fix someone else, we must first address our own faults, live with integrity, and lead by example. When we speak into someone's life, it should be an act of loving intervention, not meddling interference, always leaving the final judgment to God.

This message by Pastor Lonnie challenges the idea that spiritual life is about simply following rules or performing religious duties. Jesus calls us to a righteousness that goes beyond outward appearances by not just doing more, but by transforming from within. He shifts the focus from external actions to internal attitudes, showing that contempt, anger, and arrogance are just as serious as murder in God's eyes. A healthy spirituality isn't about keeping score; it's about nurturing a heart that reflects God's love. Jesus doesn't just want better behavior; He wants hearts that have truly changed. Reconciliation is more important than religious rituals, and being at peace with others proves that our relationship with God is genuine.

This message by Pastor Lonnie explains Jesus' call for his followers to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. It encourages us to live out our faith beyond the church walls—intentionally, relationally, and authentically. Salt represents our influence, adding value and preserving goodness in the world, but only when it leaves the shaker. Light symbolizes hope and truth, breaking through darkness to guide us on our path. Using humor, real-life stories, and examples like those in Grace on Wings, the message inspires us to utilize our gifts, love across differences, and reflect Jesus in everyday life—not with loud religion, but with a quiet, powerful presence.

Pastor Lonnie's message introduces a series on the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing that Jesus' main message is about spiritual transformation rather than just religious deeds. It urges us to move beyond feelings of defeat and despair into a life filled with spiritual abundance, joy, and purpose. Focusing on Matthew 5:1-12, it explains the Beatitudes and illustrates how happiness often arises from unexpected qualities: humility, mourning, meekness, a hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and enduring persecution. These traits, although often conflicting with cultural norms, reveal a deeper joy and meaning. 

This message by Pastor Lonnie unpacks the often-overlooked “other prayer” of Jesus—the one He prayed the night before His crucifixion, found in John 17. Unlike the familiar Lord's Prayer, this one is deeply personal and revealing. Jesus isn't asking for safety or success for His followers—He's asking for unity. Real, sacrificial, love-driven unity. The message challenges us to see that unity isn't about agreeing on everything, but about being united in Christ. It's not something we build, but something we protect. And when we live that out, the world sees who Jesus really is. Through humor, relatable stories, and honest reflection, this message invites us to live out the kind of love that makes the gospel believable.

This message reflects on America's journey as a free nation, emphasizing how young the country still is in the scope of world history. The message illustrates how freedom is a fragile, hard-earned gift that is passed down through just a few lifetimes. Drawing from the words of John Adams and the sacrifices of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the message underscores that political freedom has always come at a steep price—suffering, loss, and unwavering resolve. It then shifts to a deeper, spiritual freedom—offered not through war, but through Jesus. Citing John 8:31-32, it reframes freedom not as personal license but as the result of discipline, truth, and obedience to God's Word. Real freedom is found not in doing whatever we want, but in becoming who we were meant to be, grounded in truth and love. True freedom—national or spiritual—is never free. It demands sacrifice, discipline, truth, and above all, love.

This Father's Day message speaks to all parents, grandparents, and influencers of the next generation—not just fathers, but anyone shaping young lives. The core idea is that simple, heartfelt words, accompanied by action, hold the power to form a child's identity and shape their soul for life. The message centers around four life-giving phrases that every child or person needs to hear consistently. These words are not merely one-time statements but ongoing seeds that develop into a person's inner voice. The message challenges us to reflect on how we use our words and encourages us to communicate with intention, grace, and faith, regardless of age.

This message from Pastor Lonnie challenges us to trade safety for faith. Using vivid personal stories and Matthew 14:22-33, it illustrates that transformative faith requires risk, just like Peter stepping out of the boat into a raging storm to walk toward Jesus. While Peter sank, he at least tried—unlike the others who stayed safe but missed the miracle. The core message is that comfort zones may feel secure, but they stunt spiritual growth. Jesus is still calling us to “Come,” to step out even if we might fall—because He'll always catch us. Faith doesn't grow in the boat; it grows on the water, and if you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.

In this personal reflection, Pastor Lonnie sets aside a preplanned sermon to share a pivotal turning point in his spiritual journey—the moment he chose to leave behind comfort and control to follow a risky but divine calling. Sparked by an unexpected invitation to plant a church and solidified during a powerful sermon in San Diego about the story of Peter walking on water, he felt a deep, inner shift. The message—“If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat”—became a defining call to faith and action.The story explores his fear, uncertainty, and vulnerability, while also highlighting his determination to step out in faith with his wife, Mercedes. It's more than just a personal testimony; it's a challenge for others to confront their comfort zones and have enough trust in God to take genuine risks. Through raw honesty, the author urges readers to stop spectating and start walking—because true faith begins when you leave the safety of the boat.

This message by Pastor Lonnie invites us to see our lives as more than a series of tasks or routines—we are chosen, sent, and deeply loved by God for a greater purpose. We are called to live with intention, courage, and compassion through everyday moments and ordinary places. Drawing inspiration from saints past and present, we're challenged to live our lives with meaning and mission. It's a call to reflect, respond, and remember that where we are is where God can work through us. In a world that often forgets what matters, we are reminded your life is not random—it's on purpose.

This message by Pastor Lonnie challenges us to embody the life and love of Jesus in practical, tangible ways. Using the imagery of Jesus' feet, hands, mouth, and spine, it highlights how He walked toward the outcast, touched the untouchable, spoke words of peace, and stood with unwavering persistence. The message calls modern-day Christ-followers to live out their faith by going where grace is needed most, serving others with compassion, speaking life, and remaining steadfast in a world that often resists true love. It's an invitation to not just believe in Jesus, but to move like Him.

In this message, Pastor Lonnie celebrates the sacred calling of motherhood by blending heartfelt truths with relatable stories. It reminds us that mothers—biological, spiritual, and even the Church—are God's instruments of love, nurture, and grace. From changing diapers to shaping souls, moms reflect God's heart in everyday ways. Though imperfect, they deserve honor for the life, faith, and care they've given. Drawing on biblical examples like Mary and spiritual mentors like Lois and Eunice, the message encourages gratitude, grace, and reverence for the women who helped shape our lives.

This sermon challenges the myth that ministry is only for pastors or spiritual “pros” and reminds every follower of Jesus they are called to serve. Drawing from Matthew 20 and Matthew 25 shows how Jesus' most powerful moments often came from interruptions. It encourages us to trade perfectionism for availability, reminding us that God uses flawed people to do faithful things. With humor, biblical examples, and real-life application, the message invites believers to stop, be present, and step into a life of serving others—not someday, but now. Ministry isn't about having the right resume, but showing up.

In this message by Pastor Lonnie, we celebrate the core truth of our faith: Christ is risen! We explore how the resurrection isn't just a historical event but a life-changing reality for our modern, often skeptical lives. Through the story of Thomas — famously known as “Doubting Thomas” — we see that doubt isn't the enemy of faith but can be a doorway to more profound belief. Jesus doesn't shame our questions; instead, He meets us gracefully, just as He met Thomas with precisely what he needed to believe. Doubt, when brought honestly to Jesus, can lead to powerful transformation, bold faith, and unstoppable witness. We are reminded today that our doubts don't disqualify us — they can draw us closer to knowing the truth that truly sets us free.

This Easter message centers on the foundational truth of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It opens with the global celebration of Easter, highlighting that the church's power and reach aren't rooted in tradition, behavior, or even Scripture—but in the empty tomb. The message by Pastor Lonnie dismantles common assumptions by emphasizing that Christianity didn't start with a book or a movement—it started with a person. Jesus didn't just teach a message—He was the message. His followers didn't continue on after His death because of His ideas but because they saw Him alive after the crucifixion. Easter isn't merely a holiday or a tradition—it's a personal call to know Jesus, to believe in Him, and to let His resurrection become your own turning point. He is risen. He is the message.

This Good Friday message invites us to stand in awe at the foot of the cross, where God turned the world's understanding of power and wisdom upside down. Drawing from Paul's words in 1 Corinthians, Pastor Lonnie reveals the paradox of the cross: what appeared to the world to be weakness and foolishness was, in truth, the very power and wisdom of God.Once a symbol of fear and shame, the cross became the doorway to salvation, love, and hope. The message emphasizes what God did through the cross, He longs to do within us. Our brokenness, weakness, and shame are not obstacles to God's work but the canvas upon which He paints His redemptive power.This is not a call to admire a decorative symbol of faith but to embrace the transforming reality of the rugged cross—a cross that confronts our pride, shatters our self-sufficiency, and calls us to surrender. When we do, God brings beauty from our brokenness and strength from our surrender. In this holy paradox, we find the path to true life. The cross still works, the cross still saves, and the cross still redeems.

This Holy Thursday message centers on the powerful and intimate moment when Jesus, knowing His death was near, chose not to grasp for power but to kneel in service. Instead of issuing a final command or performing a grand miracle, Jesus picked up a towel and washed His disciples' feet—an act reserved for the lowest servant.  The sermon by Pastor Lonnie unpacks this stunning reversal of expectations: the Teacher becomes the servant, the Master takes the lowest place, and love is expressed through humble action. It calls us not just to admire this moment but to live it out—serving others without thought of reward and embracing the towel as a symbol of Christlike love.Through acts of kindness, compassion, and humility, we reveal Jesus to a watching world. The towel is more than a prop—it is an invitation. As Jesus washed feet, so we are called to embody His love, laying down control and stepping into the posture of a servant. The basin is still full. The towel is still waiting. Will you pick it up?

This Palm Sunday message by Pastor Lonnie invites us to reflect on Jesus' final, symbolic entrance into Jerusalem. As the crowd shouted “Hosanna!” and laid palm branches before Him, Jesus deliberately chose to ride a colt—fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy and declaring Himself a King who comes in peace. Yet beneath the celebration, Jesus saw the misunderstanding in their hearts. They expected a political liberator, not a suffering servant.Jesus wept, not for Himself, but for a people who could not see beyond their hopes for revolution to embrace the transforming power of love. The message challenges us to recognize Jesus in our midst today—not merely as a Savior we worship in joy, but as a humble King who calls us to peace, compassion, and sacrificial love. As we begin Holy Week, we are invited to follow Jesus—not just through the crowd, but to the cross and onward to resurrection life.

Persistence is one of the most powerful expressions of faith. Life often challenges our resilience, tests our patience, and pushes us to the brink of despair. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, you will discover what it means to persist in faith, especially during the most difficult times. No matter how challenging the road ahead may appear, God's grace grants us the strength to keep moving forward.

Waiting is one of life's toughest challenges, especially when it extends beyond minor frustrations like traffic or long lines into deep, painful seasons of uncertainty—waiting for healing, purpose, restoration, or long-overdue answers. In this message from Pastor Lonnie, we are reminded that throughout Scripture, God often calls His people to wait—Abraham, Israel, Moses, the disciples, and all of creation groans and hopes as they wait. However, biblical waiting is not passive or resigned; it is an active, disciplined, expectant trust in God's character and timing. Waiting on the Lord is the hardest work of hope because it demands that we cling to God when life doesn't go our way and may never resemble what we envisioned. God often uses waiting not just to provide what we long for but to shape us into who He wants us to be. Through waiting, we learn perseverance, character, and a deeper, more courageous hope. Ultimately, we are encouraged to trust that what we are waiting for is worthwhile because the One we wait for is faithful.

This message from Pastor Lonnie will examine the idea that problems and trials are unavoidable and often crucial for spiritual growth. Pastor Lonnie will highlight Bible passages that illustrate how circumstances, including suffering, can serve a greater purpose. The Christian journey acknowledges the refining effect of challenges. With God's presence, even pain can become significant, and every hardship can act as a catalyst for transformation.

Jesus begins the Beatitudes with a profound truth: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). To be poor in spirit means recognizing our deep need for God, acknowledging our spiritual poverty, and fully depending on Him instead of ourselves. This attitude of humility and desperation for God leads to true happiness—not the fleeting kind based on circumstances, but the deep joy that comes from knowing and trusting in God. In a world that values self-sufficiency, Jesus invites us to surrender, embrace our neediness, and find our greatest fulfillment in God's presence.

Embracing the Christmas spirit is about more than celebrating a season; it's about living out the principles of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith every day. Reflecting on these messages will draw you closer to God and inspire others to experience the Christ of Christmas. Let the Christmas spirit transform your heart and actions, making a lasting impact on those around you and making the world we live in a better place.

Embracing the Christmas spirit is about more than celebrating a season; it's about living out the principles of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith every day. Reflecting on these messages will draw you closer to God and inspire others to experience the Christ of Christmas. Let the Christmas spirit transform your heart and actions, making a lasting impact on those around you and making the world we live in a better place.

Embracing the Christmas spirit is about more than celebrating a season; it's about living out the principles of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith every day. Reflecting on these messages will draw you closer to God and inspire others to experience the Christ of Christmas. Let the Christmas spirit transform your heart and actions, making a lasting impact on those around you and making the world we live in a better place.

Embracing the Christmas spirit is about more than celebrating a season; it's about living out the principles of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith every day. Reflecting on these messages will draw you closer to God and inspire others to experience the Christ of Christmas. Let the Christmas spirit transform your heart and actions, making a lasting impact on those around you and making the world we live in a better place.

Generosity is about far more than money. Generosity is about taking your entire life - everything you are and everything you own - and using it to bless the people around you. Generosity is for everyone. You don't have to be rich to be a giver. You don't have to be a multi-millionaire to be generous—the requirements for generosity center on Identifying an opportunity, taking action, and trusting God to bless the act of generosity.

What prayer have you been praying that you fear God is not answering? Why are some prayers answered and others not? Is it just a roll of dice, luck, or coincidence? In this message, Pastor Lonnie will take us to a deeper understanding of the mystery of unanswered prayer and the silver lining there when we pray.

A profound challenge confronts us daily—how to live as Christians in a world that often feels anything but Christian. We live in times when society's values frequently contradict biblical truths. So, how do we remain faithful to Jesus Christ when the world around us may seem indifferent, hostile, or simply uninterested? In this message, Pastor Lonnie details how living as a Christian in a non-Christian world is not easy, but it is our calling. We are to be salt and light, reflecting the love, truth, and grace of Jesus in all we do.

Disagreements are a normal part of life, whether in relationships, workplaces, or even within the church. How we handle disagreements says a lot about our Christian faith and character. In this message, Pastor Lonnie shows how the Bible gives us clear guidance on navigating conflict in a way that honors God and promotes unity.

In a world filled with diverse religious beliefs, Christianity stands out through its distinctive message of grace, forgiveness, and relationship with God. This message by Pastor Lonnie will explore five key aspects that make Christianity unique, focusing on the person of Jesus Christ as central to the faith.

There are thousands of ways in which we are disappointed and discouraged in life. An expectation didn't happen, or something we hoped would happen didn't quite make it, and we get frustrated with others and ourselves and even discouraged with God. But discouragement can become an opportunity to make life better. In this message, we will learn what the Bible says about maintaining a grip on hope and the four action items that can bring hope in times of discouragement.

In the Christian faith, human weakness reflects our vulnerability, limitations, and need for God's grace. The Bible acknowledges that all humans have weaknesses, but it also offers guidance on how to respond to them in a way that glorifies God and strengthens our faith. In this message by Pastor Lonnie, you will learn about four action items that will help you gain strength when you are weak and vulnerable.

Each of us has a unique role, and every role is important for the church to reach its full potential. When we support one another and work together for the common good, we reflect the unity and diversity of the body of Christ, which brings glory to God and draws others to the faith. Consider how you can use your gifts to serve the body of Christ. Reach out to someone who may be struggling and offer them your support. As we commit to building a community that values and honors each person, a reimagined church that honors Jesus evolves before us.

Lonnie's talk at the new Center for Christian Learning, Leadership, and Fellowship dedication on September 8, 2024.

Life can be full of challenges, distractions, and competing priorities, leading us far from God. However, the key to navigating these challenges with peace, purpose, and direction is to keep our Christian faith at the core of everything we do. This message by Pastor Lonnie emphasizes that Jesus is not just a part of our lives; he is the foundation upon which our lives can be built. We align ourselves with his will, purpose, and strength by making him our foundation. The message will challenge us to examine our hearts, to remove anything that competes for first place, and to live each day with the assurance that with Jesus at the center, our lives are anchored, purposeful, and filled with his peace.

If God is all-powerful and all-loving, why does God allow pain, suffering, and human hurt in our world and lives? A perspective on this question can be found in three parables of Jesus that give us a glimpse of the value system that God is carrying on in our lives. It is found in a value system that can only reciprocate gracious love voluntarily. Without it, we are lost.

What will heaven be like? At his crucifixion, Jesus promised the criminal who was sentenced to death next to him that he would be with him in paradise. Picture this word. It is how we may imagine heaven and eternal life. We are not destined for some misty, disembodied experience in some faraway galaxy. Instead, we will live and find community with our creator and fellow creatures in a place of great beauty filled with color, sound, life, and meaningful activity. It will be like the dawning of the Garden of Eden.

Pastor Lonnie speaks on the power of prayer and how it establishes a deepening relationship with God. Ongoing prayer defines and refines significant issues we are praying for.

In this message by Pastor Lonnie, you will learn how Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan is an example of how love is giving and caring.

When you read the stories of Jesus, are you reading fairy tales or facts? Can the Bible be trusted? In this message, Pastor Lonnie gives three reasons why you can trust the Bible and offers seven action items you can do to integrate the inspiring message of the Bible into your life.