Venture Church

Environments and experiences shape us all. As they develop us, we begin to reproduce patterns in our lives. Some of those patterns are healthy and helpful, but others are destructive and painful. But even in generational patterns, there is hope. Patterns can be interrupted. Join us as we look to God's Word to learn how to create new, God-honoring patterns in our story.

Parenting a child is a little like growing a healthy plant. Storms, droughts, thorns, and pests will present a threat in every season. You can expect trouble, but God's Word reminds us to take heart because Jesus has overcome the world. Don't judge the crop too soon! Join us for a new summer message series and a message of hope for every season of parenting.

How would you describe your mom? A soccer mom? A helicopter mom? A granola mom? Maybe you're a mom now who is just trying to survive. Whatever kind of mom you are and whatever season you find yourself in, know that God sees you. Join us as we celebrate mothers and remember God's faithfulness to His children.

"When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" Acts 2:37 How do we move forward when Jesus' gospel cuts us to the heart? What's next? We haven't been left to wonder without answers. Jesus put a path in place for us to follow. Join us for Reclaimed Weekend as we learn how to respond to what the Lord has next!

Have you ever faced a new situation that led to doubt and uncertainty? Maybe it caused you to doubt the one who offered an opportunity, the likelihood of success, or even yourself. What next step is God calling you to take? Don't let doubt keep you from obediently living out your faith. Join us as we pull threads of doubt to find deeper faith over debilitating fear in the last message of the spring series, Threads.

"Rerouting...Rerouting." You've probably heard your GPS make this announcement when you've missed a turn. It's alerting you to take a new way to avoid the pain and confusion of being lost. The story of Easter has a similar message. Jesus came so that we could escape the path of sin and death and turn and follow Him for new life. Are you open to a new route, a new life? Join us today to learn how we can go from death to life through Jesus.

An unexpected event can lead to delight or disappointment. It can cultivate an unmet expectation or a pleasant surprise. When Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, the people shouted for salvation and a savior, and they waved palm branches to celebrate a new king. They were delighted at the thought of Jesus coming to free them from the oppressive Roman government, but that wasn't Jesus' plan. Less than a week later, the crowd turned in anger because Jesus didn't meet their expectation of how the Messiah should behave. Jesus came to give far greater freedom - an eternal rescue from sin and death. Join us as we pull the threads of the unexpected kingdom of heaven.

Sixty-six unique books written by different people across centuries and continents - the books within the Bible all tell the story of God's goodness, faithfulness, and presence with His creation. The Bible isn't one book but one story connected from beginning to end. Join us as we pull the threads of Scripture in Holy Week, beginning with God's presence, provision, and promise found in the Passover.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20Matthew 28:19-20 records Jesus' last words on earth to His disciples. His last command, His mission for us, was to "go and make disciples." It's a big command, but Jesus also gave us a big promise: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." We aren't alone in this mission; Jesus promises to be with us every step of the way. Join us as we learn how to lead others in the way of Jesus.

What does generosity mean to you? Placing money in a basket at the end of a worship experience? Paying for a stranger's meal? Giving your time and abilities to serve others in your community? When we look for the ultimate example of generosity, we don't have to look further than Jesus' life. His perfect sacrifice made eternal life, love, and joy possible for all who follow Him. Jesus gave first, and He gave all. Join us as we discover how being generous is a simple response of gratitude.

Serving others is the life purpose of a follower of Jesus. Jesus served so that others could encounter God and experience change. When we choose to unselfishly serve others, we are a living depiction of the love of Christ! Serving is an action we take, a choice we make, and a lifestyle we cultivate. Join us today as we take a look at how we can follow the example of Christ and impact others with His love through serving them well.

Sometimes, joining a group of people can be overwhelming and uncomfortable. It might seem easier to just withdraw from the crowd and walk through life independently. But Jesus never called people to follow Him alone. We were created to walk through life with the encouragement and support of a faith community. Join us as we learn how to prioritize intentional community in our lives.

What are your top priorities? Work? Family? Community? Comfort? It's easy for our priorities to get shifted by what the world says, but when we study the ways of Jesus, we can be reminded of what Jesus says is important. Stand firm and commit to His way, including gathering with believers. Join us this week as we take an audit of our lives, push back against what the world is telling us to value, and recommit ourselves to encouraging others in corporate worship.

When we think of rhythms, music may come to mind, but have you considered the rhythms of nature in the changing seasons? God also created our bodies with important, life-giving rhythms. Heartbeat, breath rate, circadian rhythms  - all of these point to the importance of rhythms in life. One rhythm we also witness in creation is the sabbath rest. God worked, formed, and created for six days, and then He modeled rest. The Sabbath was created as a benefit, an opportunity, not a command to be bound to. Through the Sabbath, the Lord invites us to stop, rest, and enjoy. It gives us permission to resist the hectic rhythms of the world and enjoy His presence. Join us to slow down, embrace rest, and live in rhythm with God this week.

When we talk about following Jesus, sometimes we can get our priorities mixed up. With good intentions, we can put all our effort and time into "doing for" God instead of "being with" Him. Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrates the importance of spending time with the Father in order to do His work. How are you practicing being with Jesus? Join us as we learn how to practice the ways of Jesus in our everyday lives.

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Is it saying a prayer, being baptized, and attending church on Sunday? Or is the calling to follow Jesus more? As believers, we are called to be disciples, to practice the ways of Jesus. This discipleship starts with an INVITATION, but it leads to a CHALLENGE. Are you Christian-ish, or are you a follower of Jesus?

As we enter into a new month, join us to hear an encouraging message from John 1!

When life is overwhelming, what is your first response? Do you start to worry and grapple for the upper hand? Do you pray or panic? We can try to control our circumstances or give it to God in prayer. God wants us to be a people who pray first. As we close 21 Days of Prayer, let us carry forward the lessons we've learned: Grow in Grace, Live by Faith, and Pray First.

Our prayer for Venture Church in 2025 is that we will be a people who grow in grace. But how do we grow in grace? Begin this year growing by devoting yourself to God's Word, accepting the grace of God, and sharing that grace with the people around you.

"I just worry about my kids. I just worry about my bank account. I just worry about ____. How would you fill in the blank? Worry is rooted in fear; it's rooted in what we can't control. The good news is that God hasn't left us alone in our fear and worry. Join us as we look to God's Word to learn how faith overcomes fear."

What are you devoted to? Your friends? Your job? Your family? Your health? There are so many good things to devote yourself to as you start a new year. What about your faith? Have you set a goal to live by faith this year? Join us for the introduction to 21 Days of Prayer as we intentionally devote ourselves to prayer, God's Word, and God's people in 2025.

As this year comes to a close, we have an opportunity to truly pause, reflect, and rest in all God has done. By making our relationship with Jesus a priority as we enter 2025, we can demonstrate our thankfulness to God for all He has done and our faith in Him alone for all that He WILL do. Join us as we celebrate God's faithfulness and learn to “mark the moments” that encourage us to walk intentionally with Him.

This time of year, while the short days and the long, dark nights can feel gloomy, the twinkling Christmas lights that line the rooftops and illuminate front yards can give us a little jolt of joy. A bright light in the darkness is a beacon of joy for all to see, and the greatest joy comes from the Light of the World! Through our Light, Jesus, we can experience great joy even in the most difficult situations. 

"I had hoped things would have turned out differently." "I had hoped for a better outcome." "I had hoped for healing." We've all faced bitter disappointment when our hopes did not come to pass. Though things of the world are sure to disappoint us, we can anchor our hope to the One who will never leave us in our suffering. Join us for the introduction to the "Christmas at Venture" series, as we look at God's unfailing promise of HOPE.

Why do we give? Our answer may depend on our motivation and our model. If we look at God's example of giving, His formula, mindset, and standard, we have the perfect model for giving generously, and when we follow His model, our motivations change too. Join us as we look to God's Word to answer the question: Why do we give?

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 God designed us to live our lives in community, to support one another generously in good times and hard times. True generosity begins with compassion. When we allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the needs around us, we can move beyond excuses and be a part of the work God is doing.

The fall series, "Taste and See," has helped us better understand the fruit of the Spirit and how the Holy Spirit works through us to impact the lives of others. As we close out the series, join us for the last two characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, gentleness and self-control.

Fall is a season of harvest! After diligently watering, pruning, and caring for the garden, seeds grow into beautiful, ripe fruit. The Lord wants to grow fruit in our lives too! He has given us everything we need to grow the fruit of the Spirit - His characteristic - in us. When we abide and connect to Jesus, we grow! And because He is faithful, we can be faithful too. Join us as we learn how to grow lasting, life changing fruit of the Spirit.

Election season can feel nerve-wracking. Uncertainty, frustration, anxiety - when tensions run high, kindness often flies out the window. Though polls and election results may seem unsure or scary, nothing can change who sits on Heaven's throne. God still rules, and He sent His son, Jesus, to be the ultimate example of kindness and goodness. Through His Spirit, we can share that goodness with others in kindness! Join us as we learn how God has called us to be upright and present in a useful way, even in uncertain times. 

What does patience mean to you? Calmly waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store? Teaching your child to tie his shoes? Waiting for God to answer your prayer? Patience is more than waiting; patience is a process that pushes us to Jesus. Join us as we look to the trials of Joseph in the Book of Genesis, and learn how to grow in patience.

In a world full of chaos, anxiety, and uncertainty, can we truly experience peace? When we look to the God's Word, we see promises of peace throughout the pages. Peace is possible, but it's not found in perfect circumstances. Peace is found in the presence of God - the God of Peace, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Peace. Because of this promise of peace in His presence, we can look up in the midst of anxiety, shift our mind, and guard our heart and mind no matter what we face. Join us as we cling to the promise of peace in the presence of His Spirit.

How can you experience joy? The world will tell you the secret to feeling joy and happiness is to make more money, find the right relationship, or simply do what you want. But what does the Bible tell us about joy? God's Word tells us that true joy is found in the love of Jesus. It's through Him that we can experience a life of joy. Join us as we continue to unpack the fruit of the Spirit in the "Taste & See" series.

As a young boy, Scripture tell us that David chose to know, love, and follow God. In spite of many adversities and failures, he personally experienced God's goodness and faithfulness. It was GOOD - so good that David proclaimed in Psalms 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." The Spirit of God produces the fruit of the Spirit so that the world may taste and see that He is good. Invite a friend and join us this Sunday for a new series called "Taste & See" as we learn how the gift of God's love in and through us can transform the world around us!

Do you ever feel stuck? Like you're dragging around a heavy chain that keeps you firmly tethered to a cold, dark cell? Though you've pulled and struggled, the chain won't budge. But what if those shackles had already been unlocked and the only thing that keeps you in that cell is your tight grip on the chains? In Galatians chapter 4, Paul tells believers that when we become followers of Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin and death; the earthly things that once had a death grip on our hearts, minds, and souls can no longer control us. But sometimes, we don't live like the children of God; we forget the freedom we have been given in Christ and choose to cling to our chains. So which are you? Son or slave? Jesus wants you to experience hope and freedom in Him! 

The message of the Gospel is good news and hope for eternity - but the tension we face is sometimes the Gospel doesn't feel like “good news” for right now. In the midst of daily struggles and earthly pain, it can become easy to turn away from truth. However, because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, we have received justification through Christ. Join us to see how this justification makes way for God's transforming grace in our lives and allows us to live in the truth of the Gospel each day!

Have you ever tried your best but still fallen short? In sports, school, work, or relationships? Sometimes we fail simply because we are aiming for the wrong target, trying to achieve the wrong goal. The Galatians had the same problem, they were trying their best to be spiritual, not spirit-filled. The Gospel has never been about us and our efforts but about the saving work of Jesus. What target are you aiming for? Join us as we unpack the gift of God's grace through His Son, Jesus.

The gospel we follow shapes the person we become, and there is only ONE true gospel - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we let go of the false promises this world offers and cling to the truth found in Jesus, we can experience real freedom in Him. Join us for the first week of “Free," as we look at the book of Galatians and see that we can experience salvation through the finished work of Jesus.

In 2014, God took an abandoned building with a history of violence and redefined its purpose for His Church. In the same way that God redeemed and restored a place of darkness into a light for the community, God wants to redeem and restore the people of South Mississippi, one person at a time. Join us as we wrap up the August message series, “Salt & Light,” and celebrate the first 10 years of Venture Church's journey as a multisite church in South Mississippi.  

Life is full of different seasons, seasons of change. Whatever season you may be facing, know that God's grace changes everything. Join us to find out how to experience God's grace in your life!   

Being salt and light in this world requires us to be more than just a fan or follower of Jesus - instead, we have to place our complete faith in Him. When we push past our fears to passionately pursue Jesus, just like the woman in Mark 5, we experience the transforming power of His grace! Join us as we take a deeper look at what it means to truly trust in Jesus.

A few years ago, a study revealed that, on average, people care 40% less about others compared to previous years. Do you feel that in your life? It may not be surprising at all. This trend highlights the importance of Jesus' call to be people of compassion. Join us as we look to Scripture to learn to live with care and compassion in a world that desperately needs it. 

As we start the first message series of the fall, “Salt & Light,” we'll turn our focus to the life of Jesus. He is the salt and light of the earth, and He has called His followers to be the same. Is that the way people would describe you? Different? Salty? Join us as we look to the words and actions of Jesus and discover the secret to a salty life! 

A legacy - someone whose influence transcends a lifetime. It is a true human superpower. While we often think of superpowers as rare and flashy, leaving a lasting imprint with a profound impact is more often the result of seemingly small and simple acts. Kind words. Thoughtful gestures. Generosity. Intentionally living a life more centered on others than self. That is how legacies are made. Today, we want to honor our legacy pastor, Jeff Clark, and his wife, Alicia for their years of faithful ministry in Hattiesburg. Join us to celebrate a life of legacy!

Summer is not over yet! What journeys do you have planned? A fun day at the water park or a road trip out of town? We're all on different journeys in our lives, and even though we haven't arrived yet, God is with us through it all. We can have confidence in the presence and the promises of God. There is nothing better than God's presence, so join us as we wrap up our summer series, “Are We There Yet?”

One thing we know about vacations is that things rarely go as planned. The same can be said about our faith journey, but with God's promises, we can get our faith back on track. Join us as we study four promises from scripture that we can cling to in every season.