The Coronavirus Pandemic has affected many aspects of life in Newark, Ohio, the United States, and around the world. Pastor Nathan, our candidate for lead pastor, and his wife Jade share with us on how we can find peace amidst this chaos.

Our God is a compassionate God. When Jesus saw a huge crowd that was hungry with no way to get food quickly, he had compassion on them; multiplying what little food his disciples had to create an abundance. However, he didn’t do this all on his own, he included his disciples in this miracle. God does not choose to work in a vacuum, he chooses to include us in what he is doing when we look at others with compassion and look for what God is doing around us.

Jesus was many things to many people; he said and did many things, but primarily he was a healer. He still is. Whether the need was physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, Jesus brought healing in ways no one else could. He still does. When every earthly option has been exhausted, when nothing or no one else can help, there is still hope! There is Jesus!

In this world, we define demons in 2 different ways:

Demons can be the actual demonic forces of hell; spiritual forces of darkness who seek to suppress, oppress, and possess our souls.

The word demon can define the weaknesses, imperfections, or lostness of the human condition.

Our demons come in all shapes and sizes. They can be distracting, detrimental, dangerous, or destructive –but, one thing is certain: As long as we refuse to deal with our demons, they will deal with us. They will keep us from reaching the full life Jesus gives.

With Jesus’ help, this man found a new life! His demons were defeated! And, not only was he a brand-new person, but he couldn’t wait to tell the world! He was ready to get into the boat and go with Jesus! But Jesus told him to go back home and tell everyone what the Lord had done for him, so he did! He went to the 10 Towns Region, proclaimed what Jesus had done for him, and everyone was amazed! This previously demon-filled man became a trophy of God’s amazing grace, and he went out to help others find the deliverance he had found. He became a well-placed disciple!

This is the church well placed! God’s people sent to the world to tell their stories. God’s people sent to their families, friends, and neighbors, to witness to deliverance. God’s people using their demon stories to help a struggling and captive world find freedom.

The storms of life will always come, but you can find yourself in the middle of the worst storm of your life and still be in the center of God’s will. What we need at those times is to realize our great need of God to help us persevere. He calls us to step out in obedience and keep our eyes on him. Fortunately, one thing we know is that no storm lasts forever. We must continue to praise God, our solid foundation, knowing that he is with us, even while the storm rages around us.

What an amazing service Sunday as we celebrated the diversity of God’s Kingdom Citizens! David Lamus and the worship team from Vida Nueva did a superb job of leading us in worship through music. They truly led us to the feet of Jesus and encouraged us to open our hearts to God’s great grace for our lives. Cheryl Mansell provided an excellent report on the ministry of Seven Baskets Community Development. We were all moved. Dr. Jeff Mansell provided rich teaching that took us deep into the Word of God and challenged us to love God and our neighbors with the same depth of love. Also, you had to love his socks! All who were present experienced the blessing of God’s presence and the fellowship of his people regardless of race, color, culture, and language. Every year, this service rocks!color, culture, and language. Every year, this service rocks!

Jesus chose his first disciples from among expert fishermen. Great fishermen (or women) are practiced, patient, persistent, and passionate. These qualities made them great fishers in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is like a fishing net. We cast the net and God sorts the fish.

If you believe Jesus is the Son of God, you have to believe what he taught to be true. if Jesus taught there is a hell, there is a hell. You discomfort with it changes nothing. Utimately, the prospect of eternity should drive us to cast the net because it’s all about the Big Win!

The story of the merchant and the pearl demonstrates the value of the kingdom of God. How much do we value the kingdom of God? What are we willing (or not willing) to give up for it?

Jesus told a story about a man who found treasure hidden in a field. This man sold EVERYTHING he owned to buy that field. He told this story to help people understand the value of the kingdom of heaven.

It is one thing to look for treasures IN the kingdom, but Jesus encourages us to look for the treasure that IS the kingdom. It's value cannot be overestimated.

The kingdom of God is not something being built by the church. It's been built by God and he's brought it into this world. The church is an arm of the Kingdom through which God advances the cause of his Kingdom. Never say we're building God's kingdom. Always say we're advancing the kingdom, spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom, and inviting people into the Kingdom.