Pastor Lonnie

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.

Romantic love is a gift from God to be cherished, pursued, and enjoyed in God-honoring ways. When we do that, it becomes a sacred means by which God meets us, blesses us into the couple God created us to be, and leads us into the relationship God has designed for us. In this message, Pastor Lonnie will explore a collection of love songs, celebrating the mystery and delights of romantic love found in the Old Testament book of Song of Songs.

We often talk about our feelings. Have you ever said, "There's something about this that just doesn't feel right?" or "I have a good feeling about this?" Our feelings bring our intuitions to light. Have you ever stopped to think that God has feelings, too?    The Bible clearly states that God is emotionally involved in our lives, just as loving parents are emotionally involved in their children's lives. This third message in the series aims to piece together the tapestry of what the Bible says about God by exploring God's feelings of grief and delight, and a compelling command of Jesus.

Deep within, we long for a certain kind of God of love, mercy, compassion, and tenderness. Those longings find fulfillment in the God who created us and much more. These messages by Pastor Lonnie are about the God who cares and offer insight into the nature of God, showing from a scriptural viewpoint, a God who is at once all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing and teach us how we can know God in a personal way. Message two.

Deep within, we long for a certain kind of God of love, mercy, compassion, and tenderness. Those longings find fulfillment in the God who created us and much more. These messages by Pastor Lonnie are about the God who cares and offer insight into the nature of God, showing from a scriptural viewpoint, a God who is at once all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing and teach us how we can know God in a personal way. Message one.

Mother's Day message from Pastor Lonnie 

A message for Confirmation Sunday to encourage young Christ-followers in their journey in the Christian faith.

In this series of five talks, Pastor Lonnie will embark on a journey of discovery, inspiration, and transformation. Being a Light in a Dark World will delve into the timeless truths of Scripture to uncover practical wisdom and guidance for navigating the complexities of our modern world. Through this series, we will explore the profound meaning of living with purpose and intentionality, even in the face of adversity. Despite our challenges, we can create a tangible impact in our communities, workplaces, and families. We will be reminded of the transformative power of love, kindness, and compassion, which can overcome even the greatest obstacles, making us instruments of God's peace and vessels of sacred love in a world that desperately needs it.

This is the second message by Pastor Lonnie in his series on Being a Light in a Dark World

In this series of five talks, Pastor Lonnie will embark on a journey of discovery, inspiration, and transformation. Being a Light in a Dark World will delve into the timeless truths of Scripture to uncover practical wisdom and guidance for navigating the complexities of our modern world. Through this series, we will explore the profound meaning of living with purpose and intentionality, even in the face of adversity. Despite our challenges, we can create a tangible impact in our communities, workplaces, and families. We will be reminded of the transformative power of love, kindness, and compassion, which can overcome even the greatest obstacles, making us instruments of God's peace and vessels of sacred love in a world that desperately needs it.

This is a Holy Thursday communion message by Pastor Lonnie

There is a city we tend to think of as within us. It is the city of our inherited patterns and ways of doing things. It is the dead weight of our habits, our unreflective living, and our assumption that life is the way we see it and nothing else. Here is a city within that cries for deliverance. Do we dare to enter this city as Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Will we enter our inner city triumphally?