In his sermon on John 15:1-6, Alex Nguchu, Graduating Senior, emphasizes the significance of Jesus as the "true vine" and the necessity of abiding in Him to bear spiritual fruit. As Jesus prepares for His impending death, He reveals the critical relationship between Himself (the vine) and His followers (the branches). Alex draws attention to the distinction between branches that bear fruit and those that do not, highlighting the danger of being connected to Christ yet remaining fruitless—a state that leads to judgment. He explains that while those who bear fruit will face pruning, which can be painful but ultimately leads to greater growth, the key to spiritual vitality lies in a deep, abiding connection with Christ. We hope you enjoy this message!

Rev. Clem Ferris emphasizes the unwavering sovereignty of God and the mission of spreading the gospel globally. He starts by reminding believers that God’s authority surpasses any earthly power, citing examples like Isaiah 6, where Isaiah saw the Lord on a throne during a national crisis. This theme continues as Pastor Ferris references Acts 1, where Jesus redirects His disciples from a nationalistic focus to a global mission, stressing that true power comes from the Holy Spirit, not political or earthly sources. He urges believers to remain grounded in faith and embrace their role as Spirit-empowered witnesses. Ferris highlights the shift from relying on human or ministerial strength to trusting solely in God, sharing personal lessons where God tested his trust. He calls this generation uniquely positioned due to technological advances to fulfill the Great Commission with unprecedented reach. He concludes by challenging listeners to align their will with God's and engage in the global mission with trust and readiness, reinforcing that God's provision and power will accompany them.

Rev. Clem Ferris emphasizes that spiritual oppression transcends specific groups, rooted in the devil's overarching aim of fostering division and subjugation. Jesus' healing of the blind man symbolizes progressive spiritual sight, illustrating how believers can attain clear perception through stages of divine intervention. Rev. Ferris discusses how Jesus' ministry challenged traditional cultural and familial norms, urging followers to shift their focus from past attachments and ingrained patterns to the kingdom's transformative standards. True discipleship requires prioritizing Christ’s lordship over personal and cultural ties, as seen in the biblical encounters where Jesus dissuades potential followers from clinging to past obligations and comforts. Rev. Ferris reflects on his own journey, recounting the significant sacrifices made to follow God’s calling and breaking free from conventional familial expectations to fully embrace kingdom values and purpose.

In his sermon, Pastor Tom Brazell emphasizes the essence of true worship as a total, unconditional surrender to God. He recounts personal experiences, including his call to serve as a missionary in challenging environments like Kinshasa and Bukavu, illustrating the depth of commitment that true worship requires. Drawing from biblical examples—Moses' encounter with God, Samuel's readiness to listen, and Isaiah's willingness to go without conditions— Pastor Tom underscores the importance of saying “yes” to God without hesitation, regardless of uncertainties or personal ambitions. He challenges believers to present themselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), willing to be used for any purpose, whether grand or mundane, trusting that God's plan is the best. This is a message that will expand your horizon!

In their sermon, Rick and Aaron Betts focus on the transformative journey from past to future through the identity found in Christ. They emphasize that, upon accepting Jesus, individuals become new creations, shedding old identities tied to sin and embracing a life marked by holiness and righteousness. Drawing on biblical teachings, they stress the importance of understanding one's new identity to resist sin and live victoriously. The Betts illustrate the necessity of this transformation through personal anecdotes, highlighting how knowing who you are in Christ empowers you to make choices aligned with that identity. They also remind listeners of the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding this journey, urging a commitment to live as active participants in God’s kingdom, thus reflecting His image in everyday life.

Pastor Tim Fuest emphasizes the importance of wisdom rooted in the fear and focus on the Lord, as highlighted in Proverbs 9:10. He reminds our students that God uses their failures for refining purposes. He shares the story of King Saul, illustrating the critical nature of obedience over mere sacrifice, urging believers to eliminate anything in their lives that distracts from their relationship with God. The sermon culminates in an invitation for the congregation to seek freedom from the fear of failure and to embrace obedience to God's commands, reaffirming that while failures can teach valuable lessons, they are not the end.

In this unique Worship Emphasis Chapel, Brother Gabriel Cepeda, our Worship/Tech Director gives a very practical and powerful teaching on the Holy Spirit. Using passages from Matthew, John, 1 Corinthians and Romans, Brother Gabriel illustrates how the Holy Spirit is always with us, and isn't just found in musical worship.  He reminds us that because the Holy Spirit lives in us, we can fully worship Him outside church services by honoring God with our actions, reading and obeying His word, and more. Using scripture from Psalms and Thessalonians, Brother Gabriel exhorts us to walk in the Spirit throughout our days with gratitude and trust despite difficult circumstances. If you want to walk in the Spirit in day-to-day life at a new level, this message is for you!

In this sermon, Missionary to Niger, Jonathan Bowden emphasizes the importance of surrendering fully to God and not being distracted by worldly temptations such as pornography, sexual immorality, and other distractions that pull us away from our spiritual purpose. He highlights the increasing challenges young people face, particularly in Niger, where even children as young as 10 are becoming addicted to pornography due to easy access to smartphones. Brother Bowden calls on the church to stand boldly in their faith and not be swayed by cultural pressures. He encourages our students to live a crucified life as described in Galatians 2:20, putting their identity in Christ and focusing on building God's kingdom rather than indulging in personal desires. This is a message that will renew your mind!

Conor Girvin, President of the Senior Class 2024, encourages our students to seek the Lord with all of their hearts. He delves into the story of the woman at the well from the Bible, interpreting it as a reflection of human longing for love and acceptance. He argues that the woman's actions were driven by a desire to fill a void in her life, but she misdiagnosed her longing, seeking fulfillment in earthly relationships rather than in Jesus. Conor parallels her journey with our struggles today, urging students to recognize their own desires and to seek sustenance solely from God. He emphasizes the danger of misdiagnosing our desires and relying on earthly constructs for fulfillment, encouraging a shift towards trust in Jesus and leading others to Him for true satisfaction and revival.

Rev. Dave Harrington, drawing on personal experiences and biblical passages from Deuteronomy and Joshua, emphasizes the importance of intergenerational relationships and mentorship in the Christian journey. He highlights the significance of older believers passing down their faith and experiences to the younger generation, ensuring continuity and spiritual growth. Rev. Harrington shares anecdotes from his own life, illustrating how mentorship and discipleship have impacted him. Challenging the students to engage in mentorship and discipleship, Rev. Harrington underscores the vital role of connecting generations in strengthening the body of Christ and fostering spiritual maturity.