What if the setback you desperately want to escape is actually setting you up for something God wants to do?

In Acts 8:4–8, Philip finds himself scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution. He ends up in Samaria—a place a Jewish believer normally wouldn't want to go, among people his culture had taught him to avoid. But Philip doesn't waste the setback. He recognizes that God has placed him there for a purpose.

In this message from the Open Season series, Pastor Matt Shackelford shows how God can use the hard places of our lives to open unexpected doors for ministry. Philip embraces where God has placed him, shares Christ with people different from himself, serves in ways that make the gospel visible, and discovers the joy that can come when ordinary Christians live on mission.

Your diagnosis, difficult job, broken relationship, unexpected move, or painful season may put you somewhere you never wanted to be. But God is bigger than your hard thing. With eyes of faith, we can begin asking a different question: How does God want to use this?

Scripture: Acts 8:4–8
Series: Open Season

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What is God doing in the painful seasons of your life?

When hardship comes, it's easy to panic, become bitter, or assume something has gone wrong. But what if the pain you're experiencing is actually being used by God as part of a much greater plan?

In this message from Acts 8:1–4, Pastor Matt Shackelford begins the Open Season series by looking at what happened immediately after the death of Stephen. The church was grieving and facing intense persecution from Saul, yet God used their suffering to scatter believers throughout Judea and Samaria, taking the gospel places it had never gone before.

We'll see why following Jesus doesn't guarantee a life without pain, how God can use opposition to move us toward His purposes, why we must endure when attacks become personal, and how to stay focused on our calling instead of becoming a victim of our circumstances.

When you're experiencing great pain, look for the greater plan. Your setback may become a stage for God's glory.

Scripture: Acts 8:1–4
Series: Open Season

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How do you respond when someone hurts you?

Our natural reaction to conflict is often to run away, fight back, hold a grudge, or become bitter. But when Stephen faced rejection, hatred, and ultimately death, his response looked remarkably different. He looked like Jesus.

In this final message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford concludes the Dwell series by examining Stephen’s response when the pressure was at its highest. Rather than retaliating against his enemies, Stephen spoke truth, remained at peace, loved those who hated him, and even prayed for their forgiveness.

Through Stephen’s example, we see what can happen when a life is filled with the Holy Spirit and focused on Christ.

You’ll discover how to confront sin without becoming hateful, why the gospel is the only solution for a hardened heart, how preparation produces peace when pressure comes, and how forgiven people can forgive even those who have deeply hurt them.

When the pressure is on, the question isn’t simply what will you do—it’s will you act like Jesus?

Scripture: Acts 7:51–60
Series: Dwell

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Is your view of God too small?

We often put God into boxes. We limit His presence to a church building, His will to our plans, His calling to what feels comfortable, and His power to what we think is possible. But God refuses to fit inside the boxes we build for Him.

In this message from Acts 7:44–50, Pastor Matt Shackelford continues the Dwell series by examining Stephen's teaching about the tabernacle, the temple, and the God who cannot be contained by either. Stephen reminds us that God's presence has always been bigger than a building, a method, or our personal preferences.

We'll discover why we must accept God's invitation on His terms, loosen our grip on our preferences, and begin looking for God's work beyond the walls of the church.

God made us in His image, but too often we try to return the favor by remaking Him in ours. It's time to break the box and see God for who He truly is.

Scripture: Acts 7:44–50
Series: Dwell

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Why does God make us wait?

Whether you're waiting for healing, direction, a relationship, or God to answer your prayers, waiting can feel frustrating and even confusing. But throughout Scripture, we see that God never wastes a waiting season.

In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford continues the Dwell series by examining the life of Moses. Before God used Moses to deliver Israel, He first prepared him through years of waiting in the wilderness. The same God who worked in Moses' waiting room is still at work in ours.

You'll discover:

•  Why God often works while we wait 
•  What Moses' life teaches us about trusting God's timing 
•  How waiting prepares us for God's purposes 
•  Why God's presence matters more than immediate answers 
•  How Jesus meets us in seasons of uncertainty 
•  What it means to trust God when life feels delayed 

Your waiting season isn't a detour. It may be the very place where God is preparing you for what's next.

Scripture: Acts 7:17–43

Series: Dwell

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Why does God make us wait?

Whether you're waiting for healing, direction, a relationship, or God to answer your prayers, waiting can feel frustrating and even confusing. But throughout Scripture, we see that God never wastes a waiting season.

In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford continues the Dwell series by examining the life of Moses. Before God used Moses to deliver Israel, He first prepared him through years of waiting in the wilderness. The same God who worked in Moses' waiting room is still at work in ours.

You'll discover:

•  Why God often works while we wait 
•  What Moses' life teaches us about trusting God's timing 
•  How waiting prepares us for God's purposes 
•  Why God's presence matters more than immediate answers 
•  How Jesus meets us in seasons of uncertainty 
•  What it means to trust God when life feels delayed 

Your waiting season isn't a detour. It may be the very place where God is preparing you for what's next.

Scripture: Acts 7:17–43

Series: Dwell

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What do you do when life feels like you've been thrown into a pit?

Whether it's betrayal, loss, disappointment, or suffering, every believer eventually walks through seasons they never would have chosen. The good news is that God doesn't wait for you to climb out before He comes near.

In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford continues the Dwell series by looking at the life of Joseph. Through betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph experienced God's faithful presence every step of the journey.

You'll discover:

•  Why every Christian experiences "pit" moments 
•  How Joseph's story points us to Jesus 
•  Why God's presence matters more than your circumstances 
•  How suffering can become part of God's greater purpose 
•  What God is producing in you through difficult seasons 
•  Why your deepest pit is never beyond God's reach 

No matter what pit you find yourself in today, God has not abandoned you. His presence reaches farther than your pain.

Scripture: Acts 7:9-16

Series: Dwell

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Have you ever felt like God was far away?

Whether you're walking through suffering, uncertainty, or simply feel spiritually dry, it's easy to wonder where God is. But throughout Scripture, we see the opposite of what we often assume: God is the One who moves toward us.

In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford begins the Dwell series by exploring Stephen's sermon and the story of Abraham. Long before Abraham sought God, God sought Abraham. The same God who called Abraham still pursues people today through Jesus Christ.

You'll discover:

•  Why God's presence isn't limited by a place 
•  How Abraham's story points to God's pursuit of His people 
•  Why God always makes the first move 
•  What it means to live by faith instead of sight 
•  How Stephen's message points us to Jesus 
•  Why you can trust God even when His plan isn't fully visible 
•  How Jesus makes it possible for us to dwell in God's presence forever 

No matter how far away you may feel, God's presence goes farther.

Scripture: Acts 7:1-8

Series: Dwell

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What is God doing in Israel today?

Pastor Steven Khoury shares firsthand stories from Jerusalem and Bethlehem, offering a powerful look at how God is working through the local church in the midst of conflict, persecution, and uncertainty.

Through personal testimony, biblical truth, and real-life ministry experiences, you'll be reminded that God is still accomplishing His purposes and that every believer has a role to play in His mission.

You'll discover:

•  Why your life has purpose regardless of your age 
•  What ministry looks like in Jerusalem and Bethlehem today 
•  Stories of faith in the midst of persecution 
•  How God is opening doors for the Gospel in Israel 
•  Why Christians should pray for the church in the Holy Land 
•  How you can partner in advancing the Kingdom 

God isn't finished with His people and He isn't finished with you.

Guest Speaker: Pastor Steven Khoury

Have you ever wondered what should actually change after someone becomes a Christian?

In this powerful overview of Romans 12, guest pastor Tim Gibson explains that the Christian life isn't driven by guilt or religious performance. It's driven by the overwhelming mercy of God.

Because we've received mercy, everything changes. Our worship changes. Our minds change. Our relationships change. Our love for others changes. The mercy of God transforms every part of life.

You'll discover:

•  Why Romans 12 is the blueprint for the Christian life 
•  The difference between God's mercy and God's grace 
•  What it means to become a living sacrifice 
•  How God transforms the way you think 
•  Why spiritual gifts exist to serve others 
•  How mercy changes the way we love, forgive, and respond to difficult people 
•  Why Christians overcome evil with good 

If you've experienced God's mercy, your life should never be the same.

Scripture: Romans 12