3/5/17. Week 17 in the Gospel of Mark. The fame of Jesus spread had spread and so many people followed Him that it was difficult to even have the time to eat. While out at a desolated place, with Jesus teaching and healing until late in the day, the disciples suggested the Master send the crowd home.

Instead, Jesus told the disciples to feed everyone. But how could they do that?

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 6:30-44 #GospelofMark

3/5/17. Listen in as we hear from Rebecca N. share about the day she met "Dad," and how her life has transformed in these four years with Jesus and His family!

#NGMUganda

2/26/17. Week 16 in the Gospel of Mark. Herod was fascinated with John. Notice, after he is in prison, it says Herod heard John. He loved to hear him, but he was greatly puzzled even though he liked to hear him (Mark 6:20).

Herod was double-minded, languishing between two opinions, and indecisive in his evaluation of Christ and self. Doubt and fear are a helpful tools, when used rightly.

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 6:14-29; Jude 17-25 #GospelofMark

2/19/17. Week 15 in the Gospel of Mark. After investing time to hear from and send the Uganda 2017 mission team, we dove into the sixth chapter in the Gospel of Mark. This timely reminder comes in two paragraphs in Scripture: about familiarity (vs. celebrity), and being sent out with very little (instead of all the things that make us feel significant). The two parts of Mark 6:1-13 is meant for us to discover how we often misunderstand the person of Jesus and how He wants us to follow Him.

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 6:1-13; John 1:10-14; 3:19-21 #GospelofMark

2/19/17. Listen in as we hear from the Uganda mission team, headed to East Africa to serve alongside Next Generation Ministries. Five ladies from the Renew family join four others locally for this March trip to the Pearl of Africa. Our relationship with the people of Jinja, Uganda especially, and the Hunters in particular, enable us opportunities to commit long-term for the renewal of the nation and making more disciples of Jesus.

#NGMUganda

2/12/17. Week 14 in the Gospel of Mark. On this 'typical' day in the life of Jesus we see an urgent request for His presence, for the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue is sick and nearing death. Then amidst the throng of people surrounding him on this journey to heal the daughter, Jesus is anonymously touched by a woman in need.

Who deserved his kindness and healing more? Or does Jesus unquestionably and intentionally set the scene so that His care and the value of both the woman and the child are clearly on display. And every thing that ails them, whether a flow of blood or death itself, will be set right through Him.

What does this sandwich of scenes teach us about Jesus?

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 5:21-43; Hebrews 11; Psalm 42 #GospelofMark

2/5/17. Week 13 in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus went with His disciples on a trek across the Sea of Galilee, confronting the real evil that demonized a man. This was was set this man free from his long-time tormentors, and Jesus sent him out as the first Gentile messenger of Jesus' message, and how God had mercy upon him.

What does this scene teach us about Jesus?

// Jeff Patterson preaching on Mark 5:1-20 #GospelofMark

In this short clip we listen as Dawson explains the motivation behind the Global 6K for Water, and why it's so necessary for every one of us to get involved. 1/15/17; clip from Week 2 of Build the Altar. Each of us can get involved locally, providing life-changing clean water to children and communities in Africa!

#weareMissionaries #6KforWater #BuildtheAltar

1/29/17. Week 4 of Build the Altar (finale). We finished a sermon series helping us apply grace-driven effort to Build the Altar to God in our lives with this fourth message on gathering the necessary spiritual food for each new day. If you've ever struggled with motivation to read the Bible and pray, let the first lessons of God's people in the wilderness comfort and challenge your heart. (Exodus 12-16)

Why we do what we do is more important than what we do.

Plus, it is worth re-mentioning that the Law that would be given (Exodus 19-20) came AFTER God's incredible and miraculous work of Redemption. And after His daily provision of all their earthly needs.

#weareFamily #weareMissionaries #weareLearners #BuildtheAltar

1/22/17. Week 3 of Build the Altar. Relationships are God's method for changing the world, especially "Gospel Friendships." But how do we get those, and what distinctives make for true and lasting change in our lives?

"Christianity demands that we have enough compassion to learn the questions of our generation." —Francis Schaeffer

#weareFamily #weareMissionaries #weareLearners #BuildtheAltar