Derrick Milner encourages the Students to fully engage in worship, setting aside distractions to focus on Jesus. He emphasizes that salvation belongs to God alone and highlights God's love and provision, urging everyone to truly believe in God's ability to provide, regardless of past mistakes. Milner then leads the group in prayer, first for personal forgiveness and drawing closer to God, and then for the city of Dunwoody, specifically for the over 6,000 middle and high school students to hear the gospel. He also prays for revival and unity within their student ministry, expressing a desire for genuine faith and a willingness to share it. Finally, Milner leads prayers for specific individuals, including Brian as he goes on sabbatical and Liam, who is moving to Chile for the summer, asking for spiritual growth, safety, and continued connection within their church family, before concluding with more worship.

In Week 3 of, "We Are The Church," Student Pastor Brian Smith challenges the middle schoolers to shift their understanding of faith from performance-based to pursuit-based. He begins by acknowledging an unexpected change in his sermon schedule, leading him to deliver a message he considers "desperately important" for students to grasp. He highlights that many common ideas about being a Christian are inaccurate and can hinder a true experience of faith. As a real-life example, he shares the heartbreaking story of a high school student whose parents forbade her from attending church after she accepted Jesus, due to their preconceived, negative notions about Christians and churches.

Brian argues that almost everything in life, from school grades and sports to medical professions, is performance-based, and this emphasis on performance often brings immense pressure, turning enjoyable activities into burdensome chores. He warns that this performance-based mindset can "seep into our faith," leading individuals to believe that God's blessing is conditional upon their good behavior and adherence to rules. He describes this as a "performance-based faith" where "if I do good, then God will bless me," and conversely, if one falters, God withdraws His love. Such a faith, he explains, transforms spiritual practices like church attendance, worship, and Bible reading into tedious obligations, ultimately causing faith to "wither," "grow shallow," and even "die."

Drawing from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians,Brian illustrates how Paul, once a fervent persecutor of Christians and a master of performance-based righteousness (being blameless under the law, a Pharisee, and meticulously following all commandments), ultimately deemed all his past achievements as "loss because of Christ." Paul discovered that knowing Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him far "surpasses the value of anything else that performance-based faith could bring." Smith emphasizes that with Jesus, faith is not about achieving perfection or following a rigid checklist, but about the continuous "pursuit" of Him. He urges the middle schoolers to actively pursue Jesus by reading their Bibles not out of obligation, but out of a desperate desire to know Him, and to bring their doubts and fears to Him in prayer.

Finally, Brian offers practical advice for pursuing Jesus, highlighting two key points: first, that God is actively pursuing humanity, demonstrating His desire for a relationship before any human effort is made; and second, the crucial role of community. Just as marathon runners need supporters scattered along the race to encourage them when they hit "the wall," believers need each other to "push us forward, to give us the courage to keep going" when faith grows weary. He concludes by expressing his hope that when he returns from his five-week absence, the students' faith will be deeper and stronger, not from better performance, but from a heartfelt pursuit of the King of Kings, recognizing that this pursuit is "more valuable than anything you could possibly experience."

In week 2 of their series, "We Are the Church," Student Pastor Brian Smith focuses on the book of Philippians. He briefly recapped the previous week's message, emphasizing that they were created as citizens of heaven, entitled to its benefits now, and called to join its mission of bringing others to know God.

Pastor Brian then explained that the idea of "church" often defaults to a building, but the true church is the people, the body of Jesus working together. He stressed that the student ministry was their church just as much as anyone else's and urged them to see it that way. He then delved into Philippians 2:1-2, where Paul encourages the church with the concepts of encouragement in Christ, consolation of love, fellowship with the Spirit, affection, and mercy, all leading to complete joy through unity in thought, love, spirit, and purpose. He defined encouragement as giving courage, love as providing comfort, belonging, and belief, and fellowship with the Spirit as accessing God's power within them.

Moving into Philippians 2:3-4, Pastor Brian presented the challenge: to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others more important than themselves, looking out for their interests. He defined "selfish ambition" as something that creates "split parties" or cliques within the church, which can be destructive. He contrasted this with true humility, which isn't thinking less of oneself but thinking of oneself less, focusing on others. To cultivate this humility, he reiterated the need for encouragement, love, and the power of the Holy Spirit within the church body.

Pastor Brian then illustrated true humility by referencing a worship song quoted in Philippians 2:5-11, highlighting Jesus' example. Despite his divine nature, Jesus humbled himself by taking the form of a servant, becoming obedient to death on a cross, demonstrating ultimate selflessness. He challenged the middle schoolers to embrace this attitude to build a thriving ministry. He concluded by emphasizing that real joy is tied to real humility, drawing from Paul's example of finding joy even in the face of death because of his commitment to serving God and others. He prayed that the students would experience a deep and real faith characterized by humility and joy, fueled by encouragement, love, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Student Pastor Brian Smith began his message to the middle schoolers by expressing his excitement to spend the month with them before his family's five-week road trip, humorously asking for bets on whether they'd end up loving or hating each other more by the trip's end. He then shared an amusing anecdote about his twins, particularly Finn's overprotective nature towards their sister Evy, expressing concern about navigating national parks with Finn's anxieties.

Transitioning to the series, Pastor Brian announced they would be studying the book of Philippians, highlighting its unique importance. He then posed the recurring question, "Where do you belong?", emphasizing that everyone, especially middle schoolers, grapples with this. He explained that the Bible, and Philippians specifically, addresses the search for identity, purpose, and belonging. He introduced the author, Paul, a former enemy of Christianity who had a life-changing encounter with Jesus, urging the students to have their own encounter.

Pastor Brian detailed the context of Philippians, written by Paul while under house arrest awaiting execution for his faith. Despite facing death, Paul's message in Philippians, particularly chapter one verse 21, centers on the idea that "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," highlighting his hope in eternity. He emphasized that as "citizens of heaven," believers should live lives worthy of the gospel, remembering that their true home and citizenship are in heaven, not earthly affiliations. This heavenly citizenship brings benefits like an eternal hope stronger than earthly fears, confidence in Christ's perfection over personal inadequacy, and direct access to God through prayer. Furthermore, as citizens of heaven, believers are called to join in God's mission of sharing the gospel so others can find their belonging in Christ.

Pastor Brian encouraged the middle schoolers to share their faith and invite others to experience God's love and forgiveness, emphasizing that they don't need to wait until adulthood to participate in this mission. He concluded by praying for the students to live worthy of the gospel and to actively bring others to Jesus.

Derrick Milner begins by acknowledging a special occasion as it marks the final sendoff for Allen Jackson, their senior pastor who recently retired but remains a valued member of the church. Before Allen speaks, the Derrick leads the student ministry in prayer for him, acknowledging his ongoing battle with cancer and the challenges it presents. Derrick emphasizes the importance of prayer and seeks divine intervention for Allen's healing and strength.

Following the prayer, Allen Jackson transitions to a message rooted in Luke 22, drawing a parallel to a previous Sunday's discussion about "Defining Moments." The speaker highlights the difference between being taught what to think versus how to think, using the study of history as an example. Connecting with the audience, Allen shares a personal anecdote about working alongside Lila's grandfather at the church, illustrating how unforeseen paths can unfold over time. The central theme emerges: learning to think critically and not allowing others to dictate one's defining moments, while remaining aware of the surrounding circumstances. The speaker reflects on personal hardships, like cancer and the loss of a son, emphasizing the search for God's purpose within those trials.

To further illustrate the impact of decisions, Allen shares a captivating story about navigating tugboats on the Mississippi River in New Orleans. The tugboat captain explained that crucial decisions regarding the vessel's course must be made miles upstream from the bridges due to the strong currents. A mistake made too close to the bridges becomes irreversible. This analogy is then directly linked to the biblical account of Simon Peter in Luke 22, who followed Jesus "at a distance" after his arrest. Peter's later denial of Christ stemmed from this initial decision to keep his distance, highlighting how choices made earlier can determine future outcomes. Allen contrasts this with his experience of feeling called to ministry despite initial resistance, emphasizing that even when not fully obedient, remaining close to Jesus allows one to discern and eventually embrace His calling. Allen underscores that following Jesus closely provides strength to manage life's difficulties.

The narrative then shifts to Peter's transformation in Acts chapter four, where he powerfully preaches the gospel after denying Christ just months prior. Allen attributes this change to the encounter Peter had with Jesus after his denial – "the Lord turned and looked at Peter." This moment triggered Peter's memory of Jesus's prophecy and led to deep remorse and repentance. The significance of remembering God's word, even when it doesn't immediately make sense, as it can become vital in moments of realization. Peter's bitter weeping signified his turning back to God, leading to his reinstatement and later powerful ministry. Allen connects this to their own journey in youth ministry and now as a retiring pastor, expressing gratitude for the positive influence they've witnessed in the lives of young people over the years.

In conclusion, Allen Jackson poses a reflective question to the audience: are they currently "five miles up the river," making decisions that will significantly impact their future? This could pertain to various aspects of life, from relationships and academics to considering a call to ministry. Allen poignantly shares the story of their son's passing due to a poor decision, underscoring the eternal consequences of our choices. The challenge is to introspectively consider the decisions being made today and whether they align with God's potential plans for their lives, urging them to seek guidance from pastors and spend time in personal reflection. Allen ends with a direct invitation for those who want to know more about trusting Christ as their Savior or exploring ministry to reach out to their leaders, followed by a final prayer for guidance in making impactful decisions that honor God.

Derrick Milner recaps the previous week's discussion from the "Words from the Cross" series, focusing on Jesus' interaction with the two criminals crucified alongside him. He contrasted the criminal who reacted with mockery to the one who responded with faith, highlighting that a true relationship with Jesus requires responding to who He is, not just reacting to circumstances.

The focus shifts to Jesus' final moments on the cross as described in John 19:28-30, specifically his words "I am thirsty" and "It is finished." The speaker notes the grim reality of Jesus' suffering – beaten, nailed to a cross, and dying – which contrasts sharply with the joy of Easter celebrations. He poses the question of what is good about Jesus saying "It is finished" in such a moment of apparent defeat, acknowledging that for the disciples witnessing it, it was a moment of despair, not celebration.

Derrick explains that Jesus' final words, including "It is finished," signified the completion of his mission and the fulfillment of numerous Old Testament prophecies written hundreds of years prior. He cites examples like Psalm 69 predicting Jesus being given vinegar for thirst and Isaiah 53 foretelling his suffering among rebels while bearing the sins of many. At that moment, Jesus was declaring that he had accomplished everything he came to do, according to God's plan established before creation.

The message emphasizes that the Easter celebration isn't just a feel-good holiday but is rooted in the harsh reality of Jesus' suffering. Derrick details the judgment, betrayal, mockery, unfair trial, physical torture (whipping, crucifixion), and death that Jesus endured. He points out that the disciples initially lost hope when Jesus died, only understanding the full picture after the resurrection three days later when they saw the risen Christ.

Ultimately, Derrick stresses that Christians celebrate Easter because, despite all the suffering, "Jesus Won." He uses the acronym "JESUS WON" to summarize the process: Judged, Endured betrayal, Spit on, Used in unfair trial, Suffered whips/wounds, Went to the cross, Occupied the grave, and Now alive. This victory over sin, death, and the grave is the foundation of Christian hope and offers eternal life to believers. The speaker concludes by urging the students to truly believe in Jesus' identity and sacrifice, inviting anyone struggling or wanting to discuss faith or baptism to talk with him or other leaders, and closing with a prayer focused on gratitude for Jesus' victory.

Associate Director of Students, Derrick Milner, begins by welcoming middle school students back after some had been on spring break, expressing how much they were missed. A new, two-week sermon series titled "Words from the Cross" is introduced, leading up to and slightly past Easter. This series will focus on some of the seven significant statements Jesus made while on the cross.

To illustrate different reactions to intense situations, Derrick uses the analogy of roller coasters. He shares personal anecdotes, including a story about helping a student named Michael overcome his fear and grow to love roller coasters, contrasting this with videos of people who remain terrified. This leads into the main topic: the crucifixion of Jesus as described in Luke chapter 23. Jesus was crucified between two criminals, a torturous death reserved for the worst offenders. While hanging there, Jesus endured mocking and insults.

The core of the message contrasts the responses of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. One criminal joined the mockers, questioning Jesus' identity as the Messiah and demanding salvation for himself and Jesus, effectively reacting to his situation by lashing out and rejecting Jesus. The other criminal, however, rebuked the first. He responded with humility, acknowledging that they were being justly punished for their crimes while affirming Jesus' innocence. He expressed belief in Jesus and asked simply to be remembered when Jesus entered his kingdom. Jesus promised this second criminal that he would be with him in Paradise that very day.

Derrick concludes by highlighting the distinct differences: the first criminal reacted, questioned, and rejected, while the second responded with humility, believed, and trusted God with his dire situation. The message emphasizes that everyone faces a similar choice in how they respond to Jesus – to react negatively and reject him, perhaps out of fear or peer pressure, or to respond positively by believing, trusting, and confessing faith. Derrick encourages the students by responding through actions like public confession, baptism (mentioning upcoming student baptisms), and sharing faith with friends, inviting students to discuss these steps further with him. The session ends with a prayer reflecting on Jesus' grace and the choice to trust God.

Derrick Milner, Associate Director of Students, introduces the final week of a series called "The Room Where it Happened," which focuses on the Holy Spirit, not the musical "Hamilton." He recaps the previous weeks' discussions about the Holy Spirit's arrival, emphasizing that it's a gift from God, not earned through actions. The Holy Spirit is described as God dwelling within believers, received when Jesus is accepted into their lives.

Derrick highlights that the Holy Spirit bestows gifts, including the ability to speak different languages, and emphasizes that these gifts enable believers to reach diverse groups of people with the gospel. He lists various spiritual gifts, such as faith, prophecy, teaching, and encouragement, encouraging the student to discover and use their own.

He recounts Peter's powerful sermon after the Holy Spirit's descent, which led to 3,000 conversions, illustrating how God uses ordinary people to spread His message.

Derrick challenges the audience to reflect on their own faith and whether they are utilizing their spiritual gifts to share Jesus with others, concluding with a prayer for the audience to recognize and use their gifts to glorify God.

In week 2 of, "The Room Where It Happened," Derrick Milner, Associate Director of Students, specifically focuses on the concept of the Holy Spirit and its impact on believers' lives.

Derrick revisits the idea of personal transformative moments, emphasizing that these experiences are unique to each individual. He recounts the biblical story of Pentecost in Acts 2, where the disciples received the Holy Spirit, resulting in a dramatic display of tongues of fire and speaking in different languages. This event is presented as the birth of the church, highlighting how the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples and changed the course of Christianity.

Derrick addresses common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, clarifying that it's not merely a feeling or a mystical concept, but God's presence dwelling within believers. He stresses that receiving the Holy Spirit is not earned through good deeds but is a gift given at the cost of Jesus's sacrifice. He urges the audience to examine their faith, questioning whether it reflects a genuine transformation by the Holy Spirit or if it's merely a superficial practice. He concludes by emphasizing that true faith leads to a desire for a deeper relationship with God and should manifest in tangible changes in one's life.

Beginning a new series focusing on the Holy Spirit which is built upon a previous series by senior pastor Allen Jackson. The speaker aims to simplify the concept of the Holy Spirit for students, acknowledging that some of Jackson's teachings can be difficult to grasp. The series, titled "The Room Where It Happened," is not related to the musical "Hamilton," despite the speaker's humorous acknowledgment of the potential for song outbreaks.

Derrick introduces the concept of significant, memorable "rooms" where life-changing events occur, drawing from personal experiences like his grandfather's passing and accepting a job. He then transitions to the biblical context, focusing on the disciples' experience in the "room" where the Holy Spirit was given.

From Acts 1 and 2, Derrick explains the context of Pentecost and Jesus's promise to his disciples about the Holy Spirit. He clarifies the meaning of "baptism" as "to be submerged," using the analogy of pickling to illustrate how something is changed when fully immersed. He emphasizes that Jesus promised the disciples they would be "baptized with the Holy Spirit," which would infiltrate and change their lives.

Derrick addresses common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit, clarifying that it is not just for emotional people, specific groups, or clergy. He highlights that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and was present at creation, referencing Genesis 1:1. He further explains that the Holy Spirit's presence and work are evident in the Old Testament, citing Exodus 31 where God filled Bezaleel with the Spirit for artistic design, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit's role is not limited to religious activities but encompasses everyday life and abilities.

The central message is that the Holy Spirit is God's way of infiltrating and transforming hearts, not just a temporary helper. Derrick challenges the students to examine whether their faith reflects this transformative work, urging them to consider inviting Jesus into their lives and allowing the Holy Spirit to change them. He concludes by offering opportunities for those who want to accept Jesus or be baptized.