Valley Life Church

Pastor Jon Verwey Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. — Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV The way of the Kingdom is not striving for greatness through power and control but choosing last place through humility and service. 30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. — Mark 9:30–34 NIV 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” — Mark 9:35–37 NIV “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last… and servant of all.” 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. — Mark 9:38–41 NIV “…those who face the mess they've made of their lives, repent of it, and trust [Jesus] as Lord and Savior [will] receive eternal life — something far beyond anything humanity can manufacture.” — Professor John Lennox The way of the Kingdom is not striving for greatness through power and control but choosing last place through humility and service.

Glorious on the Mountain, Gracious in the Valley 02/15/26 His face shone like the sun … and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. — Matthew 17:2a; Luke 9:29b NIV 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” — Mark 9:2–7 NIV “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” vs. 7b 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. — Mark 9:8 NIV No one lives on the top of the mountain. It’s fine to go there occasionally -for inspiration, for new perspectives. But you have to come down. Life is lived in the valleys. That’s where the farms and gardens and orchards are, and where the plowing and the work is done. That’s where you apply the visions you may have glimpsed from the peaks. —Arthur Gordon Webster. 14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. — Mark 9:14–15 NIV As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder… vs. 15 The stories are connected because the God who we experience on the mountain top is the same God who walks with us in the valley. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? — Mark 9:16-19 NIV 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” — Mark 9:22 NIV 23 “ ‘If you can'?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” — Mark 9:22 NIV 24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” — Mark 9:24 NIV 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He's dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. — Mark 9:25-27 NIV …Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. — Mark 9:27 ESV The God we meet in moments of glory on the mountain is the God who walks with us through moments of desperation in the valley.

Pastor Jon Verwey Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? — Mark 8:34-37 NIV “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship To bind a Roman citizen is a crime; to flog him is an abomination; to slay him is like killing a relative; to crucify him is—what? There is no fitting word that can possibly describe so horrible a deed. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and the gospel will save it. v. 35 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? vv. 36-37 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT Jesus alone is worthy of our “everything”—because only He can turn it into something good, beautiful, and lasting. As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. …you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. — 1 Corinthians 11:28 NLT Have I surrendered my life to Him—given Him my “everything”? Do I believe all that we are remembering and proclaiming in communion?

Pastor David Pietsch Luke 10:38-42 NIV Practice 1: Come Sit Practice 2: Follow Practice 3: Delight

The Question That Defines Our Eternity 01/18/25 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. — Mark 8:27-30 NIV Who do you say I am? v. 29 But what about you?Who do you say I am? v. 29a You are the Messiah v. 29 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” — Mark 8:31–33 NIV the Son of Man v. 31 Get behind me, Satan! v. 33 Who do you say I am?

Learning to Live Like It's True 01/11/26 “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”— C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity We don't need more signs, more stuff, or more control—we need to stay connected to Jesus and trust that He truly satisfies because He is more than enough. During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha. — Mark 8:1–10 NIV … because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. — Mark 6:34 NIV “…they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat “ v. 2b “There is a God–shaped vacuum in the heart of each man, which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” — Blaise Pascal “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.”— Attributed to Jim Carrey (commonly quoted; source uncertain) “Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me?… I think, God, there's got to be more than this.”— Tom Brady, 60 Minutes interview, 2005 (CBS News with Steve Kroft) 11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. — Mark 8:11–13 NIV …without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. — Hebrews 11:6 NIV 14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” — Mark 8:14–21 NIV They all ate and were satisfied… — Mark 6:42 NIV …the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. — Mark 6:43 NIV The people ate and were satisfied v. 8a …the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over v. 8b We don't need more signs, more stuff, or more control—we need to stay connected to Jesus and trust that He truly satisfies because He is more than enough.

Pressing in to Jesus Where Faith Meets Goodness and Freedom The Gospel of Mark

Our Generous God Pastor Jon Verwey The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.— Psalm 19:1–4a NLT The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. — John 1:5 NLT Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That's how many descendants you will have!” — Genesis 15:5 NLT The light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it — John 1:5 NLT “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16 NLT For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…[who is] Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all… — Isaiah 9:6a & 1 Timothy 2:5b–6 NKJV

12/21/25 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. — Psalm 19:1–4a NLT The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. — John 1:5 NLT Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That's how many descendants you will have!” — Genesis 15:5 NLT The light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it — John 1:5 NLT “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16 NLT For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…[who is] Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all… — Isaiah 9:6a & 1 Timothy 2:5b–6 NKJV

A Perpetual Series of Occasions for HopeTrevor Hutton

Trevor Hutton Psalm 139:11-12 Hebrews 11:1

A Great Light Has Dawned How Christmas Shines Hope into Our Deepest Darkness

A Great Light Has Dawned How Christmas Shines Hope into Our Deepest Darkness Pastor Jon Verwey

Pastor Joe Hite Psalm 112:4 New Living Translation 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Psalm 139:12 NLT but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. What is the meaning of light? John 1:5 NLT 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. Enter The Light in This broken World Repentance and Pursuit Broken person living in a broken world The Jesus Prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” Hope In Jesus Future … and in His restored Kingdom. Today “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Pastor Jon Verwey When we trust our own rules, our way of living, or even our church culture more than God's Word, Jesus begins to fade from view. The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,' and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.' 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” — Mark 7:1–13 NIV …“Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders… v. 5 Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.' v. 6-7 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” v. 8 You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! v. 9 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,' and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.' But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. vv. 10-12 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” v. 13 “I know the Bible says forgive… but my situation is unique.” “I don't need other people—God helps those who help themselves.” “I'm not gossiping—I'm sharing a prayer request.” “I don't need to give or serve because I'm still ‘working on myself.'” “I don't need to change my attitude—this is just who I am.” “It's not stealing—I deserve this, and they won't miss it.” “I'm not unloving—I'm just being real.” “It's not really adultery—it's just emotional connection.” “I didn't lie—I just didn't tell the whole story.” “It's not greed—I'm just being a good steward.” Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. — James 1:22–25 NIV Jesus knew the Word, Jesus quoted the Word, Jesus taught the Word, Jesus fulfilled the Word. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. — Matthew 5:18 NLT If you love me, obey my commandments. — John 14:15 NLT And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate… But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.— John 14:16a & 26 NLT The more we trust and live by our own rules, the more Jesus fades from view—but trusting and living by God's Word reveals Him clearly.

Jesus uncovers the heart's condition and provides the cure. 11/16/25  A pure heart isn't achieved through outward effort but received through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand.It's not what goes into your body that defiles […]

God in our midst, Messiah in our struggle. 11/09/25  45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. 47 Late that night, […]

The Good Shepherd revealed in a miracle of compassion and calling. 11/02/25  “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd…” — Mark 6:34 (NIV) the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for humanity and now calls His sheep, in the power of the […]

Pastor Jon Verwey Every heart must choose whom it will serve. When self leads your life, unrighteousness follows — but when God leads, righteousness abounds. 14 Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such […]

Confronting Every Heart with the Truth of Jesus. 10/17/25  Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. 2 The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to […]

Pastor Joe Hite Mark 6:7-13 New Living Translation 7 And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast outevil spirits.  8 He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler's bag, no money.  9 He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take […]

The Father's Love Revealed in the Son 10/05/25 21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. […]

Pastor Jon Verwey The crowd values its needs over mercy; disciples embrace God's mercy and share it with others. 1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. — Mark 5:1 (NIV)  2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. — […]

Trusting Jesus, who is willing and able to sustain us. 09/21/25 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came […]

Pastor Jon Verwey God's Kingdom cannot be hidden, grows only as He makes it grow, and will flourish through those who have ears to hear. God's Kingdom cannot be hidden… He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on […]

09/07/25 1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge.  2 He taught them many things by parables, and in […]

Micah Verwey Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. […]

8/17/2025 Steven Verwey

Austyn Hutton August 3rd, 2025 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And […]

Trevor Hutton

July 20, 2025 Ezekiel 21:27 Destruction! Destruction! I will surely destroy the kingdom. And it will not be restored until the one appears who has the right to judge it. Then I will hand it over to him. Romans 12:4-5 NLT 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Proverbs 14:4 NLT Without oxen a stable stays […]

When Obedience Matters More Than Biology 07/06/25 You don't need the right name or background to belong in God's Family—just a life surrendered in obedience to Jesus. 20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about […]

Pastor Jon Verwey Called to Jesus, Sent for the Kingdom It started with twelve—it continues with us 06/29/25 7 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, 8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far […]

June 22, 2025 Mark 3:1-6 New Living Translation Jesus Heals on the Sabbath 3 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said […]

Why Sabbath isn't about doing less but trusting more. 05/15/25 Sabbath became a gift to His people— a weekly rhythm of rest, renewal and the unhurried enjoyment of God. 23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees […]

Jesus came to make us new, not patch us up. 06/08/25 18 Once when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don't your disciples fast like John's disciples and the Pharisees do?” 19 Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They […]

Pastor Jon Verwey 13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 15 While […]

Pastor Joe Hite Jesus Forgives And Heals A Paralyzed Man Mark 2:1-12 NLT 1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home.  2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While […]

Going Where Jesus Went, Loving Who Jesus Loved 03/23/25 …“Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” — Mark 1:38 (NIV)  So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. — Mark 1:39 (NIV)  “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom […]

05/11/25 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” […]

Learning to live with God's purpose in a noisy world 05/04/25 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: […]

More Than Words—The Authority of the Son of God on Display 04/27/25 Pastor Jon Verwey 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers […]

A story of Redemption and forgiveness. Pastor Jon Verwey But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. — 1 Corinthians 15:12–13 (NIV) […]

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and […]

Jesus calls us to Him and sends us with purpose. 04/06/25 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And […]

Pastor Jon Verwey At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. — Mark 1:12–13 (NIV) At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness… (v.12) …and he was in the […]

Pastor Jon Verwey “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, […]

03/16/25 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' ” And […]

Pastor Jon Verwey The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. — Mark 1:1 (ESV) The most life-changing news in history is the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. — Mark 1:1 (ESV)  “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, […]

03/20/2025 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) 29 Take my […]