Message from Jarrett Stephens on February 22, 2026

In The Call to Action, Pastor Jarrett walks through Nehemiah 2–3 to show how God moves His people from burden to obedience and from prayer to action. As Nehemiah steps out in faith, plans wisely, faces opposition, and rallies God’s people to rebuild together, we are reminded that great works for God require courage, unity, and willingness from everyone to play their part. This message challenges us to trust God’s providence, resist discouragement and negativity, and rise up together to do the good work God has placed before us.

Message from Jarrett Stephens on February 15, 2026

In The Start to Something Great, Pastor Jarrett introduces the book of Nehemiah by showing how God uses ordinary people with surrendered hearts to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Walking through Nehemiah 1, this message highlights God’s providence, Nehemiah’s burden for broken people, and the power of prayer that precedes faithful action. As Nehemiah weeps, fasts, and prays over the ruined state of Jerusalem, we are invited to ask what breaks our hearts, to trust that God is at work behind the scenes, and to prepare ourselves to step forward in faith as God begins something new among His people.

Message from Jarrett Stephens on February 8, 2026

This NEXT season begins with Vision Sunday, where we seek the Lord for what He is calling Champion Forest into next, and continues in the Book of Nehemiah, where God used one man’s burden, prayer, and bold faith to rebuild a city and renew a people. From broken hearts that lead to prayer, to courageous steps of faith, to every person playing their part, Nehemiah’s story helps us see how God moves through His people to accomplish His purposes. Together, we will focus, stand firm through opposition, and give God all the glory for what He builds next.

Message from Jarrett Stephens on February 1, 2026

Jarrett Stephens teaches from Luke 10:25-37 in a message called "Loving Our Community." A lawyer asked Jesus who qualified as his neighbor, hoping to justify himself. Jesus answered with a story about a Samaritan who stopped to help a wounded stranger when religious leaders passed by.

Jarrett walks through why the priest and Levite had understandable reasons for avoiding the man, yet Jesus shows that true neighbor-love means compassion that moves to action. He connects this to Martin Luther King Jr.'s final speech and the call for "dangerous unselfishness." The message ends with practical ways Champion Forest members can serve their community, from mentoring students to feeding the homeless, and asks whether our neighbors would miss us if we were gone.

Jarrett Stephens teaches from Matthew 28:18-20 in "Making Disciples," the first week of the Priorities series. Jesus' Great Commission is not just a mission for the church but a calling for every believer: as we go about ordinary life, we make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to follow Jesus.

Jarrett walks through what it looks like to be a disciple, a learner who walks closely with Jesus through His Word and prayer. He shares his own practical habits, from finding a consistent time and place to using a reading plan, keeping a journal, and praying Scripture over specific people and situations. The goal is not rigid discipline but a growing relationship with Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and extended to others.

Emory Cothen teaches from Mark 6:45-56 in a message called "Take Heart." After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples across the sea while he prays on the mountain. When a storm hits, the disciples are terrified and exhausted. Jesus sees them, walks to them on the water, speaks courage over them, and gets in the boat.

The message reminds us that Jesus sees his people in their struggles and comes to them. Fear causes us to forget who he is and what he has done. But Jesus calls us to take heart not because the storm has stopped, but because he is present. His command comes before the wind dies down. We do not have to paddle harder on our own. We can invite him into the boat and trust that his presence changes everything.