Why Thanksgiving is More Than a Holiday
by Landon Budke on December 6th, 2024
When you saw the title of this blog post, you might wonder, “Thanksgiving was over a week ago… why are we still talking about it?! It’s Christmas season now! I’m ready for sleighbells, ugly sweaters, and putting up all my light, trees, and nativities!” And you’re right to think that way. I’m writing on Friday, December 6th, 2024, precisely a week and a day after Thanksgiving. Most Americans (including my wife and I) have stopped thinking about pilgrims and turkeys and have taken an enthusiastic dive right into the Christmas season, and that’s not a bad thing! In fact, we had our Christmas tree up before Halloween! So, what’s up with this late blog post about Thanksgiving? I’ll cut right to the chase. I don’t think this blog post is “late” at all. Instead, I believe that Thanksgiving is much more than a holiday; it is an attitude and an action, and one that shouldn’t end after the 4th Thursday in November.  Read More
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Welcoming All Children into God’s Family
by Ralph Maness on November 25th, 2024
In our journey of faith, it is essential to recognize and celebrate the diversity among us, especially when it comes to our children. Each child is uniquely created in the image of God, and this includes those with special needs. As a church community, we have the incredible opportunity to embrace these children and ensure they feel welcomed, valued, and loved.  Read More
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Finding Success in the Small Things
by Charity Anderson on November 15th, 2024
A few days ago, someone asked me, “How do you know when you are successful in what God has called you to be in this life?” After thinking about this question, I realized there are many ways to answer it.  Read More
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Why Pro-Life Had A Huge Impact In My Life
by Ken Hawkins on October 24th, 2024
I have been pro-life since I became a Christian in 1968. I became politically active in the spring of 1973 and wrote my senators to pass a constitutional amendment to protect the life of the unborn after Roe vs Wade.   Read More
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From Pews to Pixels: 5 Tools to Empower The Church Community
by Austin Buckner on October 18th, 2024
Sunday mornings might give you a glimpse into what I do—you see the graphics, the videos, and the various service elements I prepare. But a lot of my work happens behind the scenes to support the Church in ways you may not notice. You know, just like Wi-Fi. You don’t see it, but if it stops working, everyone notices!  Read More
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The Vital Role of Community in the Church
by Faith Smilko on October 4th, 2024
In today’s fast-paced world, where technology often replaces face-to-face interaction, the importance of community within the church has never been more critical. While many may view church as a place for individual worship or spiritual growth, the essence of a thriving church lies in its community. Here are some very important reasons that community is necessary. 1. Spiritual Growth and Accountab...  Read More
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God Is Greater Than Grief
by Jason Taylor on September 27th, 2024
The past two years have been a difficult journey for me and my family. In February of 2023 we lost my mother after her three-year battle with cancer. In April of this year, we lost my wife’s mother after she battled cancer for nearly ten years. It has been an 18 month stretch filled with grief, loss, and heartache. Still, we trust in the One who holds tomorrow. We still rest in the hope that we will be reunited with our sweet mommas one day because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, even with that eternal hope, navigating the fluctuating sea of emotions caused by grief and loss bring can be overwhelming. Here are what I hope are some simple but helpful thoughts about grief and what God has to say about it.  Read More
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6 Ways to Keep Worship Focused on Jesus
by Jason Taylor on September 20th, 2024
Worship is a sacred space where we as the created connect with the Creator. Yet it's easy to allow our circumstances to overshadow and steal our focus off of Him. Let’s be honest, life can be overwhelming - stressful jobs, personal struggles, and world events can be quick to cloud our hearts and minds. However, worship is meant to be a time of intimacy with the Savior, where we can bring our worries and distractions before Him, but still remain anchored in His presence. I challenged our worship and leadership teams this past Sunday to take our eyes off the barricades that might be in our way and keep our focus solely on the Way Maker as we worship. When we shift our perspective it causes our times of worship – both personal and corporate – to become so much more meaningful. Here are some thoughts on how we can stay focused on Jesus, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.  Read More
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Summer Mission Trip Highlights: A Season of Impact and Growth
by Jess Whitehead on September 11th, 2024
As summer draws to a close, we are filled with immense gratitude and joy reflecting on the incredible mission trips our students embarked upon. Each trip was a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the transformative power of God’s love. Here’s a glimpse into the impact made through their efforts: Tulsa Mission Trip:Our Tulsa mission team witnessed God moving mightily in the lives of our s...  Read More
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First Kids: A Season of Growth, Grace, and Exciting Things Ahead
by Heather Herrin on September 5th, 2024
This summer was an absolute blast for our kids' ministry, and we just have to take a moment to celebrate all the incredible things God has done! From laughter and fun to deep spiritual growth, it’s been an unforgettable season, and we can’t wait to share some of the highlights with you.  Read More
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The Psalms As A Key To Deepening Your Walk
by Jamie Tickel on June 26th, 2024
We are well into our PSummer in the Psalms preaching series and I wanted to offer you another little resource that you may find helpful in getting the most out of your time in the book of Psalms this Summer.  The Psalms are a collection of writings that were often used as worship songs for God's people.  It was the hymn book of the da...  Read More
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5 Things A Graduate Needs After Graduation
by Ryan Young on April 19th, 2024
For those that have graduated from high school, college or beyond know that it’s an exciting time but it can also be a time of uncertainty. While one chapter closes you may or may not know what the next chapter will bring. Here’s a few things that I believe that people that graduate need. There’s so much more that could be added to this list but I narrowed it down to 5!  Read More
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