Spark Cast

The Q&R with Pastor Danielle after Lauren's message.

Sparker Lauren Chan reflects on life, and leaving for college. While many are thrilled to be departing from home, this is not something Lauren is looking forward to. Yet, throughout her life, and throughout the biblical story, "leaving home" is a dominant theme of a growing faith.

Acts 19 finds Paul in Ephesus where he incites a famous riot. It is not, however, by traditional means. This riot, is caused by love.

A follow-up interview from Omair's talk, "Mars Hill."

The Q&R session after Omair's talk, "Mars Hill."

The discussion that we see at the Aeropagus, also known as Mars Hill, in Athens highlights two main features of the Jesus movement. First, that followers of Jesus, and the message of the Gospel is comfortable and conversant with intellectual thought. Second, that women play a significant role in the expansion of the movement. Both are often missed and misunderstood through Christian tradition, a misconception that Omair helps to redeem in this message.

A follow-up interview from Marcus's talk "What Are You Going To Do, Are You About That Life?"

If we are really going to be the kind of church that Jesus calls us to, then we should really consider if we are truly committed to loving and welcoming those who are not like us. In this message, Pastor Marcus challenges us from Acts 15 to "get comfortable, being uncomfortable."

Chapters 8 and 9 of Acts introduces us to a series of three people who were confronted with the emerging spread of the Good News. In addition to these stories being about everyone's welcome to this movement, the structure of this triad also points out the things that need to be left behind once you begin following Jesus into a new world.

The stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 is not a story that simply illustrates the past. It is a model for the present as many Christians today are still facing persecution. We honor Stephen, and pray for the same strength of witness.