In this powerful episode from the archives, we journey through one of the most human and raw moments in Scripture—1 Kings 19—where the prophet Elijah, fresh off a mountaintop victory, finds himself in the depths of despair. We explore the tension between spiritual triumph and emotional exhaustion, between miraculous faith and crushing fear.

As Elijah flees for his life, we witness a deeply personal encounter with God—not in fire, wind, or earthquake, but in a gentle whisper. The episode challenges us to reflect on a haunting and transformative question: “What are you doing here?”

This message invites us to consider if we’re truly living where God is moving, or simply drifting on the momentum of past moments. It’s a call to slow down, care for our souls, and re-anchor our lives in the presence of God—so we can say with confidence and conviction: I am here.

Whether you’re in a chapter 18 mountaintop or a chapter 19 wilderness, this episode is for anyone walking through seasons of doubt, fatigue, or longing for renewed purpose. Let’s make this a year where we walk when God walks, stay when He stays, and never settle for being anywhere He’s not.

Welcome to Mosaic NYC! 🌍✨ Whether you're joining us from Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Ecuador, or anywhere in the world, we’re so glad you’re here. There’s something extraordinary about people coming together across cultures and cities, united by the pursuit of something greater—by the pursuit of Jesus.

In this message, we’re continuing our series, HUMANS: What It Means to Be Us. It’s a conversation that might seem unexpected in church—you might expect to hear only about God, but the truth is, in the grand story of creation, you are His masterpiece. When God created the universe, His “aha” moment wasn’t the stars or the mountains—it was you. That means who you are, what you long for, and the struggles you face deeply matter to Him.

But being human isn’t just about our beauty and potential; it’s also about the ruins—the broken parts of us that we struggle to make sense of. We all carry wounds, regrets, and disappointments. Some of us feel like our lives have fallen into disrepair, like a city or a building left in ruins. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, How did I get here? How did I become this version of me? Or perhaps you've spent years chasing after something—success, love, validation—only to realize that even when you have it, something still feels missing.We talk about our mental health more than ever, yet our language is growing only in describing what’s wrong rather than what makes us whole. Depression, anxiety, stress—these words have become a part of our daily vocabulary, but what about words that describe healing, restoration, and hope? What if the very things that make us feel broken are actually signs that we were made for something more?

Pastor Erwin Raphael McManus takes us on a powerful journey of understanding our own fragility, our pursuit of things that often leave us empty, and our deep longing for love. He reminds us that:

🔹 We are fragile. No matter how strong we appear, we are easily wounded, often by the people closest to us. Why do negative emotions stick to us so much more than positive ones? Why does bitterness, anger, or fear stay with us longer than hope or joy? What if our brokenness is pointing us back to God?

🔹 We chase things that don’t satisfy. Whether it’s success, wealth, or even love, we often reach for things, believing they will complete us—only to find ourselves still longing. What happens when we spend a decade pursuing something, only to look back and wonder if it was all for nothing?

🔹 We are intoxicated by love. We all long to be fully seen, fully known, and fully loved. But what if the human version of love—no matter how beautiful—is just a shadow of a greater love we were created for? A love that will never abandon, reject, or disappoint us. A love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross.

This message challenges us to look at our lives through a different lens. What if the pain, the longing, the sense that something is missing isn’t a flaw in us, but rather a signpost pointing us back to our Creator? What if Jesus is the one who steps into our ruins and restores us to the life we were always meant to live?

If you’ve ever felt broken, lost, or like your life is in ruins, this message is for you. There is hope. There is healing. There is a new beginning waiting for you.

🙏 If this message spoke to you, let us know in the comments. We'd love to hear your story.

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In our first Mosaic Calabasas gathering with Pastor Erwin Raphael McManus, we explore what it means to be human, diving into the deep connection between faith, self-discovery, and our intrinsic longings. While many seek to understand God, what we’re often searching for is an understanding of ourselves—why our lives unfold the way they do and how we navigate the tension between belief and experience. We unpack the idea that faith and human interaction are inseparable; our disconnection from others often mirrors our disconnection from God. At the core of our humanity is a search for meaning, a desire to make sense of our existence and our struggles.

Beyond meaning, humans are driven by an insatiable need for progress—the belief that we must keep moving forward, evolving, and becoming better versions of ourselves. Without progress, we drift into despair, feeling stagnant and purposeless. This drive, often misunderstood as ambition for status or success, is actually a reflection of our divine design. We are wired to grow, create, and transform, yet when we measure progress by the wrong standards, we can feel empty despite our achievements. True fulfillment isn’t found in external success but in alignment with who we were created to be.

At the heart of it all is our deepest craving—intimacy. We long to be fully seen, known, and loved, yet fear the vulnerability it requires. This paradox shapes much of our human experience, influencing our relationships, anxieties, and sense of belonging. Jesus' message isn’t about earning love but about receiving it freely, breaking the cycle of striving and shame. When we embrace faith, hope, and love as essential to our humanity, we step into the fullness of who we were created to be—designed not just to exist, but to be deeply connected, growing, and truly alive.

What does it mean to be human? Among the millions of species on Earth, only humans have the ability to question their existence, wrestle with identity, and struggle to live with intention. Unlike animals that instinctively fulfill their roles, we face a unique challenge—we can live outside of our purpose. We are the only species that seeks meaning, longs for more, and feels the weight of the gap between who we are and who we were meant to be. This podcast is an invitation to explore that tension, to ask the hard questions about faith, purpose, and what makes us distinct in creation.

Whether faith is the foundation of your life or an idea you occasionally consider, this conversation is for you. Faith is not just a religious construct; it is woven into the fabric of our existence, shaping the way we hope, dream, and create. We’ll explore how faith is not about making us superhuman, but about making us fully human. Through stories, reflections, and deep dives into scripture, we’ll unpack how faith restores our true intention, how hope anchors us in the future, and how our unique ability to imagine and build the world ahead is a reflection of something greater than ourselves.

We were not made to simply exist; we were designed to create, to build, and to shape the future. This podcast is about reclaiming the essence of what it means to be human, understanding that we were made in the image of a Creator who calls us to live with purpose. Together, we’ll uncover how to break free from the limitations we place on ourselves and step into a life of intention, courage, and faith. If you’re ready to rediscover what it means to be fully alive, this is the conversation for you.

Welcome to Mosaic NYC! As we step into this new series, Humans: What Makes Us Us?, we’re diving into the fundamental question of identity—what it means to be human and why we so often struggle with who we are.The Bible is not just the story of God; it’s the story of us in relationship with Him. While we are made from dust, we are also filled with breath—divine, eternal breath. Yet, in a world where every other species instinctively knows how to be what they are, humans often find themselves in an identity crisis, searching for meaning, significance, and belonging.Through this series, we’ll explore what it means to be created in the image of God and how Jesus came to not only reveal who God is but also to restore who we are meant to be.If today’s message spoke to you, let us know in the comments. If you’re ready to step into faith and invite Jesus into your life, we’d love to connect with you.

In this week's episode form the archives Pastor Erwin explores the idea that Jesus actually makes sense—not because He answers every question, but because He brings clarity to life's complexities. We often believe we already understand life, measuring it by success, wealth, or relationships. Yet, Jesus challenges that perspective, offering a life we don’t even realize we’re missing—one filled with meaning beyond temporary highs. His teachings remind us that life isn't just about existence but about discovering the depth and purpose we were created for.

Beyond life, Jesus also makes sense when it comes to love—something we all long for but often struggle to sustain. We chase moments of deep connection, only to find that human love can be unpredictable and fleeting. Jesus reveals a love that isn’t dependent on circumstances, one that is constant and transformative. The same applies to meaning—we assign significance to things like power, money, and fame, only to realize they don’t truly satisfy. Jesus presents a different equation: “What does it profit to gain the whole world but lose yourself?” His words expose our tendency to seek fulfillment in what ultimately leaves us empty.

In the end, everything—our ambitions, relationships, and pursuits—only finds its true purpose when Jesus helps us bring the pieces together. He doesn’t call us to abandon our passions but to see them through a different lens, one where we live fully, love deeply, and find meaning beyond ourselves. The search for truth and purpose isn’t over—it’s an ongoing journey of asking, seeking, and discovering that Jesus truly makes sense.

In this episode from the archives, Pastor Erwin McManus shares his unexpected journey from skepticism to faith, his conviction to plant roots in Los Angeles, and the challenges of building a church that embraces the outsider. With raw honesty, he recounts battles fought—not just against societal norms, but within the church itself—while casting a bold vision for the next 20 years. This episode is more than a celebration; it's a rallying cry to step into the unknown, to embrace the giants ahead, and to be architects of a world where creativity and spirituality collide. If you’ve ever wrestled with your calling, struggled to fit into traditional faith structures, or dreamed of making an impact, this is a must-listen. The future is ours to create.

We humans are designed for risk. When we're risking with intention, we're living our lives for something bigger than ourselves. In Matthew, Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as like treasure hidden in a field. It comes only when we're willing to risk everything for it.

In the Beatitudes, when Jesus says, blessed are, he's actually saying happy are. He actually addresses negative emotions like mourning, sorrow, brokenness. The happiest people in the world embrace their sadness. It is about celebrating life all the time. The happiest people in the world are the ones who have a reason to suffer. The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name. We are designed for adventure. If you begin to make choices where you're adverse, then you're not happy.