John Swadley | Luke 15:11-24

In this week’s message, we dive into one of Jesus’ most unforgettable stories—the Prodigal Son. It’s more than a tale of rebellion; it’s a picture of the Father’s heart. The younger son runs wild, loses everything, and expects only rejection. Instead, his father runs to meet him, taking on the shame himself so his boy can come home. That’s the gospel: a God who doesn’t wait for us to clean up, but races toward us with compassion.

But the story doesn’t end there. The older brother shows us another danger—self-righteousness. You can live by the rules and still be far from the Father’s heart. Both sons needed grace, and so do we. The good news? Whether you’re a rebel or a rule-keeper, the invitation is the same: come home.

John Swadley | Psalm 119:97-105

We all drop everything to check a text message, but what if we treated God’s Word the same way? In this opening message of the Text Messages from God series, we’re reminded that Scripture isn’t just ancient words on a page—it’s God’s personal message to us.

Drawing from Psalm 119, we see five life-changing truths about God’s “text”: it protects us, makes us wise, brings us closer to Him, cleans up our lives, and guides our steps. Just as David discovered, God’s Word is not outdated—it’s more relevant than ever, shaping our values, strengthening us against enemies, and lighting the path forward when life feels dark.

The challenge is simple: give time this week to actually read God’s text message. Approach it with an open heart, obey what you understand, and let His words become sweeter than honey and brighter than any screen. God has texted you—are you going to read it?

John Swadley | Acts 19:1-5

Baptism isn’t a church ritual to check off—it’s a celebration of new life in Christ. Pastor John unpacks Acts 19, where Paul meets disciples who had only received John’s baptism of repentance. When they finally heard the truth about Jesus, they were baptized in His name.

Baptism, he explains, is like a wedding ring: it doesn’t make you married, but it shows the world you belong to someone. It’s not salvation, but a public declaration of it. Jesus Himself was baptized, not because He needed saving, but to “fulfill all righteousness”—and He calls us to follow His example.

Baptism is joy, not duty. It’s saying to the world, “I belong to Jesus!” 

Jon Smith

Life is full of interruptions—some are divine opportunities, others are devilish disruptions. In this message, we explore the life of Caleb, a man whose “different spirit” kept his faith burning bright for decades through delays, detours, and disappointments. Discover three keys to keeping your fire for God alive: trusting Him completely, persevering patiently, and seizing the moment when opportunity comes. Whether you’re in a season of waiting or ready to climb your mountain, this message will challenge you to live with a faith that doesn’t fade.

John Swadley | 1 Samuel 17:32-37

This week, Pastor John dives into the story of David and Goliath—not as a tale of human courage, but as a divine interruption where God shows up to rewrite history for His glory. While most of us see ourselves as David facing our giants, the truth is we often resemble the fearful Israelites—forgetting who our God is.

David didn’t defeat Goliath with size or skill, but with faith in a God who had already delivered him before. Pastor John challenges us to embrace “the principle of the paw”—that the same God who delivered us yesterday will empower us today and tomorrow. David’s victory reminds us: the battle is the Lord’s.

John Swadley | John 11:1-5

In this powerful message from John 11, we unpack the story of Lazarus and the pattern God often uses to shape our faith: the birth of a vision, the death of a vision, and a supernatural fulfillment.

We’re reminded that God is always at work—especially behind the scenes. When dreams die, when healing delays, when prayers seem unanswered, it’s not the end—it’s an invitation to trust deeper. Jesus didn’t just heal Lazarus—He revealed Himself as the Resurrection and the Life, showing us that the very things meant to break our faith can become the building blocks of stronger belief.

John Swadley | Matthew 14:22-33

In this week’s message, Pastor John dives into the story of Jesus walking on water and the disciples caught in a terrifying storm. The big takeaway? Being in the middle of God’s will doesn’t mean life will be easy—sometimes, He leads us right into the storm to build our faith.

This message reminds us: storms aren’t a sign of God’s absence. They’re often His invitation to experience His presence and power more deeply.

Kirk Baker | Jonah 1:1-9

This week’s message dives into the story of Jonah, a prophet who ran from God’s call… and ran straight into a storm.

Through Jonah’s journey, we discover how divine interruptions aren’t setbacks—they’re God’s way of getting our attention, proving His presence, and revealing His purpose. Whether it’s through storms, unexpected detours, or even giant fish, God is always at work—calling us back, shaping our faith, and showing that no matter how far we run, He never leaves.

Even in chaos, He is sovereign. Even in disobedience, He offers grace. And in every interruption, He invites us to trust Him more.

John Swadley | Genesis 50:20

In this kickoff message of Divine Interruptions, we explore how God often interrupts our plans not to harm us—but to work something greater. Pastor John dives into the life of Joseph, who went from favored son to slave to prisoner, only to be elevated to second-in-command in Egypt. The twist? What others meant for evil, God meant for good.

Like Joseph, we face real struggles, but God is working behind the scenes—often long before we know we need help. Whether you’re in a pit or just waiting for purpose, trust the bigger story. God’s not done yet.

John Swadley | 1 John 2:1-2

What’s the core idea of the Bible? In this powerful message, Pastor John takes us to the heart of the gospel: substitutionary atonement.

We all understand justice—when something is broken, it must be paid for. But the beauty of the Christian faith is that Jesus paid the debt we owed. He didn’t wait for us to climb our way up to God. He came down to us. He took our place.

The gospel isn’t about “do,” it’s about “done.” Because of Jesus, you don’t have to run from God. You can run to Him. That’s the core idea.