Week 1

Series - Chosen: Joining God's Concern for the Vulnerable

Message: The Blessing of Becoming Disadvantaged

A special interview with Dr. Efrem Smith and Peter Mutabazi and a message from Pastor Susie Gamez

9:30 AM Sunday Online Stream

04/16/2023
 
 Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/04-02-2023-online-sac/

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

If you’re interested in being #chosen by a child in Ghana please click this link and sign up before 6pm on 4/30/2023: http://wvus.link/u3z57

More about Peter Mutabazi:

Meet Peter Mutabazi, a North Carolina foster dad who is being celebrated for his heroic act of adopting a 13-year-old boy who was abandoned as a child at the hospital by his adoptive parents. Mutabazi's story is one of resilience and determination. At age 10, he ran away from his home in rural Uganda to escape his abusive father and spent five years surviving on the streets of Kampala until one man took him in.

As an adult, Mutabazi wanted to do the same for other children who needed a home and love, and thus became a single foster and adoptive parent. Despite his initial doubt about his eligibility as a single man to become a foster dad, Mutabazi signed up as soon as he found out it was possible. Since then, he has fostered many children, bringing joy and love into their lives.

Mutabazi is now an international advocate for vulnerable children and is committed to changing their lives. His story is an inspiration to many, and you can learn more about him and his work by visiting https://linktr.ee/fosterdadflipper. Join us in celebrating this remarkable man who is making a difference in the lives of children.

More about the Pastor Susie Gamez:

Pastor Susie Gamez, Canadian by birth and Korean by heritage, is now Mexican by marriage and American by immigration. With a passion for reconciliation, racial justice, and the Gospel, Susie and her husband Marcos met at Fuller Theological Seminary while getting their M.A. in Intercultural Studies. They are now proud parents of four beautiful LatAsian kids. After serving as a youth pastor and church planter in South Central Los Angeles for 14 years, Susie now resides in Sacramento and serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Midtown Church.

Give through Midtown today: https://midtownchurch.org/give/
Thank you for your support online family!

Easter Sunday  04/09/2023

Series - God’s Plan
Message: Celebrating He is Risen
Pastor Tyronne Gross Jr.

Sermon Notes Guide

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown?  Click here
Need Prayer?  Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us:  www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Tyronne Gross Jr. is the Campus Pastor of Midtown Church, Elk Grove campus. A native to Northern California, Pastor Tyronne attended CSU Sacramento and majored in Business Communications. He joined the NFL in 2006, as a Running Back for the San Diego Chargers. During his second season in the NFL, he experienced what was considered a career-ending injury. Shortly after, he began volunteering as the Team Chaplain for ARC and SCC Junior Colleges in Sacramento, CA. He traveled throughout the country as a motivational speaker offering keys to success to students and business professionals alike.

In 2011, Pastor Tyronne and his wife Raquel founded The Table Community Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to serving youth and their families. The organization quickly grew, offering employment to over 180 employees and serving youth in after-school programs across two counties and 3 school districts. This was the start of operating in ministry “outside of the four walls.” In 2018, Tyronne answered the call to pastor and now serves in full-time ministry.

Pastor Tyronne and Raquel married in 2008. They are the proud parents of two amazing boys, Tyronne III (“Bubba”) and Tyrese (“Pooch”). They currently reside in Sacramento, CA.

Give through Midtown today: https://midtownchurch.org/give/
Thank you for your support online family!

Easter Sunday  04/09/2023

Series - God’s Plan
Message: Celebrating He is Risen
Dr. Efrem Smith

Sermon Notes Guide

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Pastor Efrem Smith is a pastor, and internationally recognized leader who uses motivational speaking and preaching to equip people for a life of transformation. He consults on issues of multi-ethnicity, leadership, and community development.

Prior to joining Midtown Church, Efrem served as President and CEO of World Impact: an urban mission, church planting and leadership-development organization; founding pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church, a multi-ethnic church in Minneapolis, MN; former Superintendent of the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and as President of World Impact, an urban missions organization.

Most recently, Efrem and his wife Donecia launched Influential, LLC:a speaking, consulting, and coaching organization, and Influential Global Ministries,a non-profit for African American and Multiethnic Church Planting, Revitalization, Disciple Making, and Metropolitan Missional Movements.

He’s the author of several books, including his latest, “Killing Us Softly.” Efrem is a graduate of Saint John’s University and Luther Theological Seminary. He completed the Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and received an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Efrem is married to Donecia and has two daughters. He’s excited to be a part of all that God is doing in and through the Church.

Give through Midtown today: https://midtownchurch.org/give/
Thank you for your support online family!

Week 2

Series - God’s Plan: Choosing God’s Agenda for Our Lives

Message: Celebrating Freedom in Christ
  
 Pastor Bob Balian

Sacramento Campus
 04/02/2023
 
 Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/04-02-2023-online-sac/

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Bob Balian is the Founding Pastor of Midtown Church, and currently shares the Lead Pastor role with his partner in ministry, Efrem Smith. Bob also serves as the Chaplain for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. He’s a UCLA graduate with a degree in Economics, and earned a Masters of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Bob grew up in Sacramento, and returned to Sacramento from Los Angeles to take over a family construction and engineering business. After becoming a bi-vocational Youth Pastor he sold his business, and became a full-time, Executive Pastor at BOSS (Bayside of South Sacramento) with the late, great Reverend Sherwood Carthen.

He then planted Bayside Midtown in 2011 with his beautiful wife, Letty Balian. They intentionally planted in the heart of Sacramento — one of the most diverse cities in the country– and have been intentional about fostering and nurturing diversity and racial reconciliation in the church since the very first day of its existence.

In May of 2021, Bob led his church in a change to become Midtown Covenant Church. Midtown Church has campuses in Sacramento, CA and Elk Grove, CA with a mission to bring hope, health, and healing to its cities, and looks forward to expansion in the near future.

Bob and Letty have one daughter, Taylor.

Give through Midtown today: https://midtownchurch.org/give/
Thank you for your support online family!

Week 2

Series - God’s Plan: Choosing God’s Agenda for Our Lives

Message: Celebrating Freedom in Christ
  
 Pastor Susie Gamez

Elk Grove Campus
 04/02/2023
 
 Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/04-02-23-eg/

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Pastor Susie Gamez, Canadian by birth and Korean by heritage, is now Mexican by marriage and American by immigration. With a passion for reconciliation, racial justice, and the Gospel, Susie and her husband Marcos met at Fuller Theological Seminary while getting their M.A. in Intercultural Studies. They are now proud parents of four beautiful LatAsian kids. After serving as a youth pastor and church planter in South Central Los Angeles for 14 years, Susie now resides in Sacramento and serves as the Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Midtown Church.

God’s Plan - Celebrating Real Change - Bob Balian - Elk Grove

Week 1

Series - God’s Plan: Choosing God’s Agenda for Our Lives

Message: Celebrating Real Change (Salvation in Christ)
  
Pastor Bob Balian

Elk Grove Campus
 03/26/2023
 
 Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/03-26-2023-eg/

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Bob Balian is the Founding Pastor of Midtown Church, and currently shares the Lead Pastor role with his partner in ministry, Efrem Smith. Bob also serves as the Chaplain for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. He’s a UCLA graduate with a degree in Economics, and earned a Masters of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Bob grew up in Sacramento, and returned to Sacramento from Los Angeles to take over a family construction and engineering business. After becoming a bi-vocational Youth Pastor he sold his business, and became a full-time, Executive Pastor at BOSS (Bayside of South Sacramento) with the late, great Reverend Sherwood Carthen.

He then planted Bayside Midtown in 2011 with his beautiful wife, Letty Balian. They intentionally planted in the heart of Sacramento — one of the most diverse cities in the country– and have been intentional about fostering and nurturing diversity and racial reconciliation in the church since the very first day of its existence.

In May of 2021, Bob led his church in a change to become Midtown Covenant Church. Midtown Church has campuses in Sacramento, CA and Elk Grove, CA with a mission to bring hope, health, and healing to its cities, and looks forward to expansion in the near future.

Bob and Letty have one daughter, Taylor, who works as the Programming Director for Midtown Church.

Week 1

Series - God’s Plan: Choosing God’s Agenda for Our Lives

Message: Celebrating Real Change (Salvation in Christ)
  
 Dr. Efrem Smith

Sacramento Campus
 03/26/2023
 
 Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/03-26-2023-online-sac/

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Pastor Efrem Smith is a pastor, and internationally recognized leader who uses motivational speaking and preaching to equip people for a life of transformation. He consults on issues of multi-ethnicity, leadership, and community development.

Prior to joining Midtown Church, Efrem served as President and CEO of World Impact: an urban mission, church planting and leadership-development organization; founding pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church, a multi-ethnic church in Minneapolis, MN; former Superintendent of the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and as President of World Impact, an urban missions organization.

Most recently, Efrem and his wife Donecia launched Influential, LLC:a speaking, consulting, and coaching organization, and Influential Global Ministries,a non-profit for African American and Multiethnic Church Planting, Revitalization, Disciple Making, and Metropolitan Missional Movements.

He’s the author of several books, including his latest, “Killing Us Softly.” Efrem is a graduate of Saint John’s University and Luther Theological Seminary. He completed the Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and received an honorary Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Efrem is married to Donecia and has two daughters. He’s excited to be a part of all that God is doing in and through the Church.

Give through Midtown today: https://midtownchurch.org/give/
Thank you for your support online family!

Message: Choosing What’s Best
 
Pastor Otis Amey

Elk Grove Campus
 03/19/2023
 
 Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/03-19-23-online-eg/

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Pastor Otis Amey is a former record-setting S.F. 49er wide receiver and punt returner. He was Born and raised in Union City, CA, Otis now lives in Sacramento and serves as the Associate Pastor for Midtown Church overseeing Men's, Young Professionals, and Serve Ministries. He is also a keynote speaker and workshop developer, empowering people everywhere he goes. In addition, Otis serves as the Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where he coordinates on-campus events, sports camps, and mentors coaches and student-athletes. As a Life Skills Coach for Sac State's Football team, Otis is dedicated to transforming lives from the inside out, starting with himself, his home, and his community. As a married father of three, Otis strives to be the role model and mentor he never had.

Message: A special message from Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim
 
Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim

Sacramento Campus
 03/19/2023
 
 Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/03-19-2023-sacramento/

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim has made history as the first female president in the Evangelical Covenant Church's denomination. She brings over 23 years of experience in various leadership roles within the church, including pastoral and chaplaincy positions in Iowa, California, and Illinois. Most recently, she served as superintendent of the Midwest Conference since 2011.

Chair of the nominating committee, Steve Dawson, praised Rev. Swanson-Draheim's exceptional leadership skills and her appreciation for the diversity of the Covenant. Her heart for relationships and relational health, combined with her unwavering belief in the church's mission, make her an ideal candidate for the presidency at this time.

Aside from her remarkable achievements in the church, Rev. Swanson-Draheim is a mother of two adult sons and a proud grandmother to four grandchildren.

Give through Midtown today: https://midtownchurch.org/give/
Thank you for your support online family!

Series: Hope, Health & Healing
 
Pastor Bob Balian

Sacramento Campus
 03/12/2023
 
 Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/03-12-2023-church-online-sac/

 Quick Links:

New to Midtown? Click here
Need Prayer? Submit a Prayer here
Learn more about us: www.midtownchurch.org

More about the Pastor:

Bob Balian is the Founding Pastor of Midtown Church, and currently shares the Lead Pastor role with his partner in ministry, Efrem Smith. Bob also serves as the Chaplain for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. He’s a UCLA graduate with a degree in Economics, and earned a Masters of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Bob grew up in Sacramento, and returned to Sacramento from Los Angeles to take over a family construction and engineering business. After becoming a bi-vocational Youth Pastor he sold his business, and became a full-time, Executive Pastor at BOSS (Bayside of South Sacramento) with the late, great Reverend Sherwood Carthen.

He then planted Bayside Midtown in 2011 with his beautiful wife, Letty Balian. They intentionally planted in the heart of Sacramento — one of the most diverse cities in the country– and have been intentional about fostering and nurturing diversity and racial reconciliation in the church since the very first day of its existence.

In May of 2021, Bob led his church in a change to become Midtown Covenant Church. Midtown Church has campuses in Sacramento, CA and Elk Grove, CA with a mission to bring hope, health, and healing to its cities, and looks forward to expansion in the near future.

Bob and Letty have one daughter, Taylor, who works as the Programming Director for Midtown Church.

Give through Midtown today: https://midtownchurch.org/give/
Thank you for your support online family!