Spencerville Church

There's something special about someone's last words. They cause us to pause, lean in, and pay close attention because they often convey what matters most to the speaker, and what is most needed by the hearer. This Sabbath, Pastor Crystal E. Ward will deliver her final message as our Executive Pastor before transitioning to her new role in the Ministerial Department of the General Conference. Her message is titled, “The Power of Last Words.”

As we think about our daily lives, let's ask ourselves: "Are we walking towards Christ or away from Him?" The truth is, we're always doing one or the other. God allows and sometimes even sends events and circumstances to draw us back to Himself. Sometimes, what he allows brings us close to what we may think is the breaking point. Listen in as special guest, Dr. Danaran Frederick, the Secondary Vice Principal at Spencerville Adventist Academy, shares our message.

There's something sacred about sharing a meal with someone. Scripture reveals that many of Jesus' most significant conversations with people took place over food. Was it really about the food? Or was Jesus modeling a practice—in this case, eating together—as an invitation to get to know Him and introduce people to His Kingdom? Join us for worship as Pastor Chad shares the fourth and final message in his Bridges sermon series, as we are challenged by a message titled "He Invites Us to a Meal."

As we work our way through our "Bridges" sermon series, we're exploring how we can build bridges from our hearts to the hearts of others—bridges that Jesus Himself can cross. These bridges aren't only formed through messages or Bible studies, but often through the everyday practices and choices that lift up Jesus to a watching and needful world. This week, Pastor Chad unpacks how stoners, runners, and figs illustrate the biblical command to “welcome one another” and will help us live as bridges to Jesus in an increasingly divided world. Listen as Pastor Chad shares the third message from the series, titled “Stoners, Runners, and Figs?”

“Mission is when you build a bridge that connects your heart to the heart of another person, and Jesus passes over it.” —Rick Warren. In our Bridges series, we're exploring simple, everyday practices that build relational bridges—so Jesus can cross into open hearts. Last week, we talked about living differently: shining as lights of obedience in a dark and decaying world. There is a particular kind of distinct, humble obedience in our lives that God uses as a tool to draw people to Himself. This week, we'll focus on one single practice that powers all the others. It's the one habit that fuels a bridge-building life and keeps our hearts aligned with Jesus for the benefit of the people around us. It's not difficult! This practice is something you can even put into practice before you leave the sanctuary! Listen in as Pastor Chad shares the second message from his four-part series, “Bridges,” titled “Pray for Open Doors.”

This week, Pastor Chad begins a new four-part series, “Bridges.” In the church world, the term “bridge event” refers to a singular event or program designed to connect people with a church—they're a good thing. However, the Bible seems to emphasize the importance of something greater than events or programs as its primary connecting point. Is it possible that our lives, and how we live in connection with others, can serve as the greatest tool to get people from “here to there?” We're glad to share these moments with you as Pastor Chad shares the first message in this sermon series titled, "No Invisible Christians."

God calls His people to teach the next generation who He is and what it means to love Him. As a parent (or grandparent, or teacher, or coach, or mentor), you are your child's primary discipler. This means they're watching you live out your faith in everyday moments, not just on Sabbath or in front of others. True discipleship happens in daily, consistent faithfulness. We invite you to listen as Pastor Chad shares the second and final message in this two-part sermon series, "Purposeful Parenting," with a message titled "A Parent's Great Commission."

Our sins can have a dramatic impact on our children, the effects of which may be felt by future generations. However, through Jesus, we can break generational sin patterns—but it must begin with our own salvation. Our hearts must be changed before we can genuinely lead our children to Jesus. Whether you're a parent or not, all of us influence the lives of children, whether we're leading them directly or committing to pray for those who do, like teachers, mentors, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends. Listen in as Pastor Chad shares the first in a two-part sermon series, "Purposeful Parenting," with a message titled "First You, Then Them."

It's been one year since a devastating fire destroyed our church building—but praise God, it did not claim the church. Over the last 12 months, we've grown larger and in some ways, stronger. We've seen our community step up to serve and support the ministries of the church in new ways. It's been a year of reinvention, reimagining, and recommitment. And through it all, God has been faithful. As we celebrate this unwanted anniversary, we can take one of two approaches: we can continue to mourn what was, or we can fall to our knees and thank God for what He's doing through our circumstances. This week, Pastor Chad looks back on the year since the fire to express our gratitude to God and to several members of our community in a message titled "One Year."

Our message today is inspired by the Spencerville Church mission statement: "To know Jesus and make Him known,” and our vision statement: "To be a community of disciples ready to serve Jesus anytime, anywhere." We'll explore why simply stepping through a church door can be a supernatural act of God, and how understanding this can change our entire approach to church and how we see others who enter our doors! Sometimes, it only takes a simple "hello" to move someone from doorstep to disciple! We invite you to listen and worship with us as Pastor Chad Stuart shares our message, "From Doorstep to Disciple."

There's something powerful about a question. Beyond seeking an answer, a question often reveals a great deal about the person asking it. Are they seeking the truth? Trying to stir emotion? Or prompting the listener to reflect more deeply? Listen in as Pastor Crystal E. Ward explores "The Most Important Question"—one posed by Jesus that still echoes through time, challenging our hearts and shaping our faith.

How long does it take to become a subject matter expert on Jesus? A year? A decade? A lifetime? How long does it take to get an honorary doctorate in the understanding of grace? Longer? As we contemplate the vastness of God and the nature of His Word, we're confronted with our human limitations. And yet, God, in His grace, continues to reveal Himself to us in ways we couldn't have expected. Listen in and worship with us as Pastor Chad Stuart proposes an answer to these questions in a message titled “Unsearchable Riches.”

The Christian journey is systematic. The goal is to be a follower of Christ, becoming more like Him each and every day. It's a life of discipline and consistency, but also one of dedicated discipleship. What does a systematic life look like and how do we take the first step? Join Pastor Chad Stuart as he shares a messaged titled "Systematic Christians" exclusively in our 9:00 a.m. worship service.

As part of Spencerville Adventist Academy's Alumni Weekend, we welcome DeWayne Boyer back to the pulpit. DeWayne served as a pastor and teacher for the Adventist denomination for many years, including a stint at Spencerville Adventist Academy from 2008 to 2015. DeWayne is known for his love for Jesus, caring disposition, and masterful storytelling. We invite you to join us for worship on Saturday, May 3, as retired pastor and educator DeWayne Boyer shares a message titled "What Have You Learned Since High School?"

Is astrology just harmless fun—or is it something more? From teenage TikToks to billion-dollar business decisions, the stars seem to be having a moment—but is it possible they're leading us away from the true Source of wisdom? This week, Pastor Chad explores the rising popularity of astrology in a standalone sermon titled “The Silence of the Stars.” In it, we'll look at what Scripture has to say. Listen in as we explore the timeless truth of Scripture: “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.”

Let's be honest: the cross of Christ was an ugly, gruesome event. Yet we look back on it as beautiful because of what it accomplished. The gift of Joseph of Aramathia? An unused grave hewn from the rock—at face value, a morose gesture to be certain. And yet, these elements take on beauty in light of Jesus' resurrection. Yes, He died—praise God for His death on our behalf—but what came next set the stage for then, now, and all of eternity. He is Risen! Listen to worship this worship replay from April 19, 2025, as we continue our Passion Week theme. Pastor Chad will share a message titled "What Makes Life Beautiful?"

Passion Week - Resurrection Sunday - April 20, 2025 by Spencerville Church

Passion Week - Sabbath Afternoon - April 19, 2025 by Spencerville Church

Passion Week - Good Friday - April 18, 2025 by Spencerville Church

Passion Week - Maundy Thursday - April 17, 2025 by Spencerville Church

Passion Week - Spy Wednesday - April 16, 2025 by Spencerville Church

Passion Week - Holy Monday - April 14, 2025 by Spencerville Church

Passion Week - Palm Sunday - April 13, 2025 by Spencerville Church

Our minds are our greatest tool, yet they can be our greatest weakness if untrained and undisciplined. Are your thoughts “obedient to Christ,” as the Apostle Paul inquires in 2 Corinthians, chapter 10? Do you take time to “renew your mind” daily, as he suggests in Romans 12? This week, Pastor Chad returns to the pulpit for the first in a three-part series titled “Summer Health.” Listen in as Pastor Chad shares, “Capture Your Mind, and the Rest Will Follow.”

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we're inclined to focus on being thankful. And while it's great to be thankful this season, we should be thankful year-round. Is that even possible? How can we position ourselves for being thankful no matter the season we're in? Listen in as Pastor Crystal E. Ward shares a message titled, "In Everything, Give Thanks."

This week we emphasize the integrated mission of our church and hospital network as we celebrate what God is doing through Adventist HealthCare. Terry Forde, President and CEO of the Adventist HealthCare network, shares our message titled “The Moment of Truth.”

It's Halloween week. It's likely that you've noticed an increase in images of ghouls and ghosts, even from cute little neighbor children who knock on our doors asking for candy dressed in Halloween attire. These things can make spiritual warfare seem playfully imaginary. However, as Christians, the Bible tells us that spiritual warfare is very real. Listen in as Pastor Matthew shares a message titled “Battling Our Demons.”

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a witness and make disciples. Join us for the final sermon in our series titled “Words Matter,” as Pastor Crystal E. Ward shares why the power of our witness is not based on the eloquence of our speech or our theological prowess but solely on the power of the Spirit.

God speaks to us through many avenues, including nature, prayer, relationships, experiences (both good and bad), dreams, and convictions. However, of all the ways God speaks to us, it is the pages of Holy Scripture that provide a revelation of Jesus. This week, Pastor Chad shares the third message in his "Words Matter" series, titled "The Words that Matter Most."

Each of us is just a breath away from our words being life-building (from God) or life-destroying (from Satan). So what determines which words come out of our mouths (Proverbs 18:21)? Listen as Pastor Chad Stuart shares the second message in the Words Matter series titled "Speak on These Things."

The words we choose (along with where and when we use them) frame our understanding of the Gospel. Jesus never left sin unaddressed but always spoke to the person with love and compassion. As we begin a new four-part sermon series titled "Words Matter," we'll start by looking at the example set by Jesus in the New Testament book of John, chapter 8. We invite you to join us as Pastor Chad Stuart delivers the first message in this series, "Write in the Sand, Don't Drag Through the Mud."

This week, we'll ponder how individuals like Steve Jobs, who dropped out of college, and Henry Ford, who possessed only a few years of education, achieved much more than the educated elite of their day? Is knowledge really power? Or is knowledge simply power that is acted upon? We invite you to join us in worship as we explore how the Bible clearly answers these questions (along with so many more). In this two-part sermon series, Pastor Chad Stuart encourages us to push against cultural trends by going back to the Bible, which is most definitely the book for us.

The Bible is the most owned, yet least read, book in history. According to the American Bible Society, the average home in the United States has 4.4 Bibles, yet only 19% of Americans engage in scripture reading outside of the church setting. If this is the reality of our lives, can we sing with honesty, “The B.I.B.L.E.—Yes, that's the book for me?” In this two-part sermon series, Pastor Chad Stuart encourages us to push against cultural trends by going back to the Bible, which is most definitely the book for us.

Jesus utilized the most unlikely strategy to establish his kingdom on earth. Instead of recruiting society's most powerful or privileged as the leaders of his Church, Jesus called average men to serve as equals within what was essentially a small group.

As we read through scripture, we're faced with the reality that we only have two options as humans—to let Jesus gather us into His arms, or to resist His gathering and be destroyed for eternity (as a result of our own choice). While that may seem harsh, consider God's heart, his pure motives of love, and know that He will literally do (and has done) everything He can to gather us to an eternity with Him.

What you see is not always what you get, right? Most of us know this. However, humanity is great at self-deception. Even what we see of ourselves is not always who we are. However, there is One who sees us and knows us intimately. What would happen if we invited God to search us? Will He be scared away by what He sees? No! But submitting ourselves to be searched may help to grow us more than anything else.

Last week, we looked at a story from Matthew 23, and gave examples of how a disoriented view of the gospel has a significant impact on how we witness. This week, we'll examine how a disoriented view of the gospel can impact the truths (doctrines) we do (and sometimes don't) live by.

How does it feel to have the door slammed in your face, both literally and metaphorically? Not good! How does it feel to be promised the imitation is as good as the real thing, only to discover it isn't? Again, not good! This is the story of Matthew 23:13-15. We invite you into worship as we attempt to understand the impact of Jesus' words on our day-to-day interactions.

This week, Pastor Chad begins a new five-part series that grew out of his visits to Spencerville Adventist Academy. He asked the students questions about their faith—what they wanted and needed to be addressed from the Spencerville pulpit. One word kept rising to the surface: hypocrisy. Oft misused, many people think hypocrisy is only a challenge for those who are ultra-conservative or legalistic. However, we are all in danger of living as hypocrites. In the first sermon of this series, Pastor Chad cites Jesus' words from Matthew 23:1-12 to contrast a religion of the heart against a heartless religion. Why is it imperative to know the difference? One leads to hypocrisy, and the other protects us from hypocrisy.

The love we have for each other—even with the best of intentions—fails to match the unrivaled love of Jesus. Sometimes, we wrongly equate our love for each other with God's love for us. However, the Bible presents a more compelling picture of God's love, a love that is larger, unrivaled, and incomparable. We invite you to listen this week, as Pastor Matthew Piersanti shares why choosing to accept and abide in God's boundless love will change your life, even when you feel like you're at your worst.

God has an interesting way of teaching us powerful lessons. Sometimes they come from the unlikeliest of circumstances and from the unlikeliest of people. In this message, Pastor Crystal E. Ward explores Luke 23:39-43 to look at a powerful takeaway from the thief on the cross. Listen in and you may never see the infamous thief the same way again. Pastor Crystal E. Ward presents our message titled "The Power of Prayer."

At the cross, Jesus faced ridicule and rejection from those He came to save. What was it that prevented them from understanding and accepting Him? After all, Jesus himself was the most beautiful manifestation of the grace of God! Ironically, that which prevented others from accepting Jesus almost 2000 years ago is also what prevents many from accepting Him today. We invite you to listen as Pastor Matthew Piersanti shares a message on the importance of understanding and accepting the grace of God for ourselves.

What would you be willing to give up to follow Jesus? Is it worth it? In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus says if any person comes to me and hates not his father or mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even their own life, they are not worthy to be my disciple. We invite you to join us this Sabbath as Pastor Crystal E. Ward shares why discipleship with Jesus is the best decision you could ever make.

A sign on the side of the road reads, "Believe in God and be Saved." Could this statement be true, yet incomplete? The New Testament book of James (2:19) tells us even the demons believe in God—and tremble! So there must be more than just belief for the Christian. This Sabbath, Pastor Chad Stuart shares why belief in God falls short as a measuring stick for the church, and what we as Christians should be cultivating in our families and church community instead.

As we contemplate what God has given us (everything) we must consider the concept of grace. What is grace? It's been described as "unmerited favor." Something that prefigures a love so good, so pure, that there's nothing we can do to earn it. It's given freely. It's the best possible news, and this week, Pastor Matthew Piersanti tells us why.

What would you be willing to give up to follow Jesus? Is it worth it? In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus says if any person comes to me and hates not his father or mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even their own life, they are not worthy to be my disciple. We invite you to join us this Sabbath as Pastor Crystal E. Ward shares why discipleship with Jesus is the best decision you could ever make.

Some of us have been blessed with great Dads and, unfortunately, some with Dads who aren't so great. No matter which category we find ourselves in, we're all in need of adoption by a perfect Father. Let's celebrate our good good Father and the eternal freedom from sin that His love affords! Worship along with us as Pastor Chad shares a message titled "A Perfect Father."

The pursuit of happiness is often tied with the pursuit of riches and power in modern culture. Yet, the Bible presents a different message entirely regarding happiness which is uniquely tied to the mission of Jesus. Listen as Pastor Matthew Piersanti uncovers how happiness is best pursued from the perspective of Jesus.

School's out and summer is here! We're pleased to welcome back Pastor Kandace Zollman to the pulpit as she shares a message titled, "Common Sense, or God Sense?" Over the next few weeks, many from our pastoral team will be traveling to church meetings and taking some much-needed vacation time. We solicit your prayers and ask that you will also pray that Pastor Kandace's message will reach those God needs it to reach. We're grateful that you've chosen to spend your worship time with us and pray that God blesses you today, this weekend, and in the week ahead!

When we hear a "bad take" on the internet, or see someone blow up an opposing political position, our tendency is to want to add fuel to the file—to pile on. But is this the right move even if the person is in the wrong? In a message from the short Old Testament book of Obadiah, Pastor Chad Stuart shares why it's not only beneficial, but Godly to hold our tongues.

Have you wondered how the Gospels were written with such care that they can speak broadly to many different people groups over many centuries? And yet, they also seem to address specific sub-groups to show them they're divinely seen? One Gospel book especially demonstrates Jesus's value of women, which is what we'll be looking at this week. Listen in as Pastor Chad Stuart shares a special message on that will be especially relevant for women and mothers, but hang with us, guys, it will be relevant to you as well!