Valley Creek Church

The evidence of a Spirit-filled life is the ability to dream with God. In other words, a heart that is captivated by God will always be full of dreams! In this message, Pastor John Stickl reminds us that we are God's dream! And the greatest way to steward the garden He has given us is by dreaming with Him about what could happen within it. Do you spend more time pursuing a dream or pursuing God? When we dream without God, our dreams become idols. But when we dream with God, His dreams will become our dreams! Sometimes, those dreams may not even happen in our lifetime. So, are you willing to tend a garden you may never eat fruit from? Dreaming is not about accomplishing a goal; it's about enjoying relationship with our Father. The most important dream of all is becoming more like Jesus!

As followers of Jesus, we are ambassadors of heaven. We have been empowered and created to change our world, and the evidence of a Spirit-filled life is the ability to dream with God! In this message, Pastor John Stickl teaches us that dreaming with God is when we partner with Him to create a future that doesn't exist. It's working with God to see His kingdom come in the area of life we have been given to steward! Remember, we are made in the image and likeness of the ultimate Dreamer. So what are you dreaming about?

This is the story of Easter according to Scripture. When we begin to grasp how much Jesus did for us, it changes everything! The story of Easter is good news; the good news of who Jesus is and what Jesus did. He came to show us who the Father is and what life in the kingdom is all about. He came to show us what it looks like to be fully alive, and how to live in complete freedom. All these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31) Share "The Story of Easter" with everyone you know!

Identity determines behavior; who you are determines what you do, and a changed identity changes how we live. Religion is focused on changing how people behave, but God cares about changing what people believe. In this message, Pastor John Stickl teaches us that to believe something is to act as if it were so. Our behaviors will always reveal what we truly believe. Do you just say you believe you are free, or do you act as if it's so? Once we actually believe that we have a restored identity, a reconciled relationship, and a redeemed purpose, we act as if it's so by living like a beloved son or daughter, and by rebuilding, restoring, and renewing the areas of life we have been entrusted to. Once we've been touched by the grace of Jesus, we become part of the mission of Jesus. Once we have the life of God in us, we become lighthouses for anyone who is lost in the darkness. What a privilege! So today, Jesus is inviting us to believe. Because once we believe, we act as if it's so, and that's how we carry the life and the light of Jesus to the world around us. It's how we carry hope and change our world!

Hope can't be contained, and hope is on the move! In this message, we hear stories of hope! Stories about kids, students, young adults, business leaders, parents, firefighters, and more — people of the kingdom that are carrying the hope of Jesus into every area of life. Life-change is happening, and God is working through hope carriers. We know that the church doesn't have a mission; the mission has a church! So, what about you? What story is God writing in your life, and who are you going to share it with? Revelation 12:11 says, "And they overcame [the enemy] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony." Your story has an impact! In Jesus' name, you are an overcomer! You are a hope carrier!

When was the last time you felt at rest? When was the last time you felt at peace? In this experience, we take time to mediate on God's word, worship God, experience peace, and take communion together. Scripture is one of the ways the Father shows us who He is, how much He loves us, and how good He is to us. The "Peace (Spoken Scriptures)" track is designed to help remind you of God's truth. What would it look like to create space to stop and rest in the goodness of God wherever you are? Thank You, God, for Your Word.

Sometimes a moment of silence to listen to what God's saying can tell us more than 100 hours of speaking. Anyone who wants to be great at something – whether it's music, sports, or following Jesus – must first learn how to practice. In this message, Pastor John Stickl teaches us that hope carriers practice what they've been taught. Hope carriers hear and obey; they listen and respond. If we don't put what we hear from God into practice, we are choosing foolishness. What's the Holy Spirit been saying to you? What's one next step He's inviting you to take?

In Jesus, we receive God's grace, experience His presence, and release His kingdom. Jesus restores our identity, reconciles our relationship, and redeems our purpose. This is the gospel of the kingdom of God, and it all starts with grace. In this message, Pastor John Stickl teaches us that, through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we are now dead to sin and alive to grace. Sin no longer has the highest influence over our lives! So, how do you know if you're growing in grace? Identity determines behavior. When we believe we are beloved sons and daughters, we will live free in the Father's kingdom. When God tells you who you are, no one (not even yourself) can tell you who you're not. God has given us the ability and the right to destroy the works of the devil, and we need His grace for supernatural empowerment to live differently. We are as close to God as we want to be! This is the Gospel of the Kingdom!

What is the normal Christian life? In Acts 3, people were astonished by the power and godliness of Peter and John as they performed miracles and carried hope in the name of Jesus. But why were the people surprised? In this message, Pastor John Stickl teaches us that when we surrender our will to Jesus, power and godliness are the result. That is the normal Christian life! When we obey God, we get to experience more of Him. When Peter and John healed in Jesus' name, they obeyed and surrendered their wills to allow God to move in and through them, and as a result, they gained access to what was beyond them. They were willing to surrender because they trusted that God is good! What if the kingdom coming to earth is more dependent on our obedience than on God's willingness?

In John 17, Jesus tells the disciples His prayer for us: that we would be in the world, but not of the world. In other words, He prays that we would be hope carriers! We carry hope by bringing the kingdom of God into the world around us. But what is the kingdom? In this message, Pastor John Stickl teaches us that God's kingdom is His rule and reign; it's wherever His will is done. God's will is discovered through what He says and what He does. When we submit and surrender our own will, and align with God's will, His kingdom comes into the world around us!

To become a hope carrier, we need a vision, a foundation, to practice, and a life-giving community. In this message, Pastor John Stickl helps us build a deeper foundation by sharing further commentary on Week's 2 message, "Garden City." A hope carrier is a disciple of Jesus living on mission to change their world. Which means, if we're ever going to be a hope carrier, we have to first know what the mission is. We're not in a rush, and we don't want to move too quickly past what God is telling us. So grab your Bible, your Hope Carrier Field Journal, and a pen as we revisit "Garden City" together!

We were created to work... and that's a very good thing! Ever since the beginning, God has called and commissioned us to do good work. Work is in the fabric and fiber of who we were created to be! When Adam fell, it changed the way we saw work. But what we lost in the garden, Jesus restored for us! We're not supposed to work to become anyone or achieve anything; we work because we are God's good work, and we have been empowered by Him to bring His rule and reign — His kingdom come — to all the areas of life. In this message, Pastor John Stickl teaches us that work is worship, work will be rewarded, work participates in the creation of the Garden City, and work is practice for eternity.

What does it look like for us to live on mission with God in the midst of our everyday lives? You were created for more than just going through the motions of life. You were created to change your world, and the key to doing that is the kingdom of God that lives within you. Colossians 1:27 says when Christ is within us, we become a heavenly treasure chest of hope. We literally become living, walking, and breathing hope! The world is longing for hope; it's longing for Jesus! And because of Jesus, you are a hope carrier - a disciple of Jesus living on mission to change your world. You were created for more! In this message, Pastor John Stickl launches our Hope Carrier Initiative, invites us to discover more of God's kingdom, and learn how we can carry the hope of Jesus everywhere we go.

How are you going to follow and become like Jesus this year? Do you realize that the God of the universe wants to speak to you? The people of God and the Word of God can bring our hearts back to life. We can't cultivate the soil of our own hearts; we need other followers of Jesus to help us stoke the fire of our hearts. It's through Circles that we follow Jesus together! Circles change our life, and God's Word leads our life. God's Word wants to teach and train us how to live like Jesus. When Scripture is in our hearts it leads to success in our lives. Is your heart burning? It's time to engage the people of God and the Word of God this year.

Jesus can RE anything, and in Jesus, there is always more! During Day 3 of RE. 2023, we gathered together to give God our year. We declared Scriptures together, we prayed for our next generation, our Circles, our church, our city, and each other, and we desire to begin this new year by surrendering our families, our finances, our bodies, and our daily lives to God. May His kingdom come in 2023 because in Jesus, there is always more!

Happy New Year! What's your vision for 2023? Reminder, we won't have services at our physical campuses, so grab your friends and family on Sunday, January 1 for a quick message from Pastor John Stickl as we start the new year. In this message, Pastor John shares a preview of what's coming in 2023 here at Valley Creek. Set a reminder & make a plan to watch this experience on New Year's Day!

Merry Christmas! Without Jesus, all we have is darkness, but Christmas is when Jesus came to bring His light into our darkness. May the simplicity of our candlelight experience fill you, your family, and your friends with peace, joy, and hope in Jesus' name! This is a great experience to share with all of those you know.

Are you ready to usher in the awe and wonder of Christmas, or is this season hard for you? No matter how you feel about Christmas, we all face the real danger of missing the true and simple meaning of the season. Pastor Cordel Robinson takes us back to the simplicity of Christmas with five Christmas truths about Jesus. Simply put, Christmas is when the Son of God became a man so that men and women could become beloved sons and daughters of God. May we treasure this treasure throughout the whole Christmas season!

What do we do with what God has shared with us? What do we do with the revelation He's given us? We have a responsibility to give what we have received. The best way we can steward God's kingdom is to give it away to the world around us. In this message, Pastor Becca Reynolds teaches us that, through this kingdom value, we have a responsibility to people, not a responsibility for people. Their response is not our responsibility; our responsibility is to give what we have received from Jesus. So, what have you received from Jesus, and how can you give that away to those around you?

We will do whatever it takes to reach the lost and develop leaders. These aren't just some words we declare; this is the cry of our hearts! It cost Jesus everything to go on mission for us, so it'll cost us something to go on mission for others. In this message, Pastor Dave Scriven shares that this value can only come to pass when we truly believe in the redemptive potential of humanity, and he reminds us that we are on mission with God because He first went on mission for us. So, what are we waiting for? The kingdom within us isn't meant to stay within us - let's go reach the lost and develop leaders!

We are passionate about the presence of God, and we live with a spirit of gratitude. In this experience, we respond to these two values by practicing God's presence and expressing our gratitude together. God's presence holds us together, His presence surrounds us, His presence is within us, His presence is in our godly relationships, His presence is tangible in our worship, and His presence is in our humility, hunger, and holiness. And because of His presence in our lives, we have so much to be grateful for. So, what are you grateful for today?

Gratitude is the normal response to receiving God's grace, and it's the language of God's kingdom. So, how's your gratitude? We live with a spirit of gratitude. In this message, Pastor Jason Hillier shares practical ways to cultivate the garden of gratitude in our lives: stop and reflect, make a list, say it out loud, and say it to others.

What would other people say you are passionate about? Passion is, by definition, that which we suffer for, or that which costs us something. So, what has cost you something in this season? We are passionate about the presence of God; we are a worshipping church. In this message, Pastor John Stickl walks us through that we were created to live in the presence of God, he talks through six dimensions of God's presence, and, ultimately, he shares how God is passionate about and for us. So, let's meet with God together!

Jesus says in Luke 11:28, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” There is a blessing that comes when we slow down and spend time responding to God's invitations! In this message, Pastor Jason Hillier walks us through a time of worship and reflection as we put into practice what God has been saying to us about living as a family on mission and doing everything with all our hearts.

How's your heart? Is it healthy, whole, and free, or is it divided, apathetic, or worn out? Do you ever work on your heart? We were created by God to do everything with all our heart because what happens in our heart flows into every area of our life. In this message, Pastor John Stickl helps us learn that being present, being passionate, and a sense of purity before the Lord is how we do everything with all our heart.

Are you a beloved son or daughter of God living in a family on mission? While we all start as spiritual orphans in this world, because of Jesus, God has adopted us into His family as beloved sons or daughters. The Church is not meant to be a religious institution; the Church is meant to be a family on mission. In this message, Pastor John Stickl walks through what a healthy family on mission looks like: submitted to the Lordship of Jesus, engaged in loving relationships, sacrificially serving one another, costly committed to each other, and living with a sense of purpose.

What would it look like to practice pursuing unity with everything you have in your life today? Unity is when we choose to come into agreement and alignment with God for the good of others and the glory of God. In this experience, all our Campus Pastors and Worship Leaders came together as one to help us practice unity together. Where in your life is Jesus inviting you to pursue unity with everything you have?

One of the best ways to bring God's kingdom to earth is by pursuing unity with everything we have, because the world sees God through our unity. So, what is unity? It's not uniformity, blind allegiance, or tolerance. Unity is when we choose to come into agreement and alignment with God for the good of others and the glory of God. In this message, Pastor John Stickl helps us see how unity is the heartbeat of the mission of God because God and His kingdom exist in unity.

What if we need to repent on being quick to repent? What if we need to change our thinking on the word repentance? What if repentance is actually how we invite hope into our lives? The main message of Jesus is, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) So, our main response is repentance. In this message, Pastor John Stickl helps us think about our thinking, align our hearts and minds with God's Kingdom, and move the line on being quick to repent because at the end of the day, repentance is how we get to know God better (Ephesians 1:17).

What if repentance is different than we think? What if, instead of hellfire and brimstone, repentance is a hope-filled encounter with the grace of God? What if we need to actually repent on the word repentance? One of the values of God's Kingdom is being quick to repent. In this message, Pastor John Stickl walks us through how repentance is going back and getting God's perspective. Maturity is not being perfect; it's simply being quick to repent. Repentance is not a one-time event, it's a lifestyle, so, where can you repent (go back and get God's perspective) today?

What if repentance is different than we think? What if, instead of hellfire and brimstone, repentance is a hope-filled encounter with the grace of God? What if we need to actually repent on the word repentance? One of the values of God's Kingdom is being quick to repent. In this message, Pastor John Stickl walks us through how repentance is going back and getting God's perspective. Maturity is not being perfect; it's simply being quick to repent. Repentance is not a one-time event, it's a lifestyle, so, where can you repent (go back and get God's perspective) today?

Are you Jesus-focused, Spirit-filled, and Life-giving? Being Jesus-focused means we focus more on what Jesus has done for us than on what we have to do for Him. Being Spirit-filled means we walk in the character and power of Jesus. Being Life-giving means we're on mission to receive and release the life of Jesus wherever we go. In this message, Pastor John Stickl helps us see how this kingdom value is the starting point for experiencing kingdom culture in every area of our life.

For the last message in the It's Time series, we reflect back on what the Holy Spirit has been saying to us as we've asked, "What is it time for in my life that glorifies God?" Pastor Jason Hillier helps us look back on what we've learned about aligning our lives with the divine season that God is inviting us into. It's time to move, be planted, make it right, and seek God in Jesus' name!

What is it time for in your life that glorifies God? What does your calendar show about what you believe it's time for? You'll find what you're looking for – so what are you looking for today? In this message, Pastor John Stickl shares that it's time to seek God because it's always time to seek God. Pastor John shares three practical ways to position ourselves to seek God: engage the Scriptures, get around God's people, and practice stillness. How are you going to seek God today?

Where has your heart gotten hurt or experienced pain this last season? What offenses or bitterness have you picked up recently? Who do you need to forgive, apologize to, or thank? One of the highest forms of worship is reconciliation, yet it's often one of the last things we want to do. The heart work is the hard work, and as hard as it is, it's always worth it! In this message, Pastor John Stickl walks us through some heart work in the areas of forgiveness, apologizing, and gratitude because, as far as it depends on us, it's time to make it right in Jesus' name.

What if the Church is actually the most relevant thing for your life in this world? What if it's time to get planted, rooted, established, and committed to the people of God? What if church is actually not about us? A tree is planted and its roots go down deep so it can bear fruit for others to enjoy. In this message, Pastor John Stickl shares that the entire point of church is not what we can get, but who we become in the process of following Jesus and giving our lives away to the people around us. It's time to get planted in Jesus' name!

When was the last time you considered your future or destiny? When was the last time you moved forward with Jesus and took a next step? Don't miss the opportunity God has for you in this season. It's time to move in Jesus' name! In this message, Pastor John Stickl shares that maturity is moving toward and with Jesus no matter what. So, instead of asking, "What time is it?" and focusing on our clocks and calendars, let's start asking, "What is this time for?" and focus on aligning our lives with what God is doing in this divine season.

How's this for the description: From our first breath to our last, we're meant to praise God with everything that we are. So, what is praise, why do we praise, and how do we praise? In this message, Pastor Jason Hillier walks us through the what, why, and how of praise as we read through Psalm 150 together. Praising God isn't just something we do; praise is life itself!

What is the song your heart is singing today? Is it a song you want others to sing? Psalms 145:4 says, "One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts." If we want to raise up generations of hope carriers, we must look in the mirror and ask what song our heart is singing. In this message, Pastor Dave Scriven helps us see how we can create a new legacy of generational alignment in the midst of our insecurities, our culture, and our time through humility and hunger for Jesus. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (3 John 4)

Have you ever forgotten something important? Maybe it was a birthday or anniversary or that person's name on the tip of your tongue. At the same time, we can't get those song lyrics or movie quotes out of our heads. Sometimes we remember the most random things yet forget some of the most important. And sometimes we do this with God. We can't remember the verse we just read, yet we can't seem to forget that sin or brokenness in our past. The Bible reminds us that God forgets our sin, but He doesn't forget us. In this message, Pastor Becca Reynolds helps us see why we forget God's benefits and gives us some ways to practice remembering His benefits. While the moments won't last a lifetime, the memories will. So, don't forget to remember all God has done for you.

What is the desire of your heart? What is the cry of your heart? What is it that your heart wants more than anything? In this message, Leslie Zavala reminds us of the truth from Psalm 73 that in Jesus nothing is wasted and God is ours and we are His forever. God's strength was never meant to be a theory; it was meant to be experienced. So, whatever you're going through today, may God remain the strength of our hearts no matter what.

Happy Fourth of July weekend! We won't have weekend experiences at our physical campuses, so join us for our online-only experience! How's this year of kingdom momentum going for you? We're moving forward with Jesus little by little this year.

Where have you seen God's faithfulness in your life? Maybe at this moment, you find it hard to celebrate because of the pains of life. Maybe there's a prayer you don't want to or even know how to pray. Maybe at this moment, you can't stop praising Jesus for who He is and what He's done. No matter where you're at, because of Jesus, there is so much worth celebrating! In this experience, we talk through the pain, praise, and prayer of the songs of life. So, what song are you singing over your life today?

Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like your wheels keep spinning but you're going nowhere? Are you looking for a way out? Only Jesus can help you get unstuck and satisfy you while you are stuck. In this message, we talk about how God is good even when we're stuck, and when we stop looking for a way out, God shows us a way through.

What songs are you singing? Are the songs of disappointment filling your mind? Do you feel disappointed with circumstances, people, or life? In this message from our teaching team, we talk through what Psalms 11, 12, and 13 have to say about dealing with and overcoming the disappointment in our lives. We're encouraged to remember that God is our foundation, God is our help, and God is good to us. It's time to lift up our heads!

In order to sing a song from your heart, you have to have a song in your heart. So, what is the song of your heart? Is it a song of this world or a song from the Holy Spirit? Is it a song of joy or despair? Is it a song of hope or fear? In this message, Pastor Jason Hillier walks through Psalms 1 and shows us how to meditate on the songs of life. So, as you watch this, may the songs of life bring you peace, joy, and hope over the next 60 days!

The Kingdom of God is divinely designed and has a divine intentionality and plan to it, and as a church, we want to align with that divine design and intentionality. In this message, we walk through three things that are important to us and are by design.

Who runs your life, and what are you hungry for? Those are two important questions we ask in this message because the answer to those questions reveals whether we're walking in the flesh or in the Spirit. Jesus wants us to have all of God, not just some of God. In this message, Pastor John Stickl shares that you can have as much of God as you want – so, how much of God do you want?

We don't want the Holy Spirit to just be the most important Person in the room; we want Him to be the most honored Person in the room. In this message, Pastor John Stickl talks about how the gifts of the Spirit function best within the fruit of the Spirit. He shares how the Holy Spirit gives us the character of Jesus by going back and sharing further commentary on Week 3's message, "The Character of Jesus". Grab your Bible, journal, and a pen as we do some character training together!

The Holy Spirit doesn't come to just visit with us, He comes to move in and give us the character of Jesus, the character of the Kingdom of God. Before we can talk about the power of Jesus, we must first understand and receive the character of Jesus. The gifts of the Holy Spirit function best within the fruits of the Holy Spirit. In this message, Pastor John Stickl shares that when we submit to the Holy Spirit in the little, He will set us free in every area of our life.

Ever feel like you don't understand who the Holy Spirit is? Is the Holy Spirit a person? Is the Holy Spirit God? How can I talk with Him? Where does He live? Who is the Holy Spirit? In this message, Pastor John Stickl walks through 10 truths the Bible tells us about the Holy Spirit. So, grab a journal as we walk through Holy Spirit 101!