The Backpack

Join us as Melissa Ballard shares how saying "yes" to God has led her on incredible adventures—from being a part of planting Christ Community Church to serving internationally in Chile. In this inspiring conversation, Melissa reflects on what it means to live on mission, why busyness shouldn't stop us from obedience, and how everyday opportunities to serve can become part of God's greater story.

This testimony is a powerful reminder that living for Christ often means stepping into the unknown—and finding joy, purpose, and partnership along the way.

He is risen. He is alive. And He is coming.

In this powerful Easter message, Pastor Blake Lawyer opens Revelation 1 and invites us to see Jesus—not just as a Savior who lived and died, but as the risen King in all His glory. From the isolated island of Patmos to the crowded streets of Shelbyville, the call remains the same: see the King, trust the King, and follow Him into a life worth living.

Whether you're questioning your next step or longing for a deeper purpose, this sermon reminds us that Jesus is alive, and He’s inviting you into the adventure of faith, mission, and resurrection hope.

On this Palm Sunday, Pastor Blake lead us through one of the most sobering sections in Scripture—Judges 19–21. In the second part of the message titled “Life Without The King,” we confront the painful realities of human brokenness, injustice, and denial. These final chapters of Judges challenge us not to look away from darkness, but to recognize our deep need for a righteous King.

🎥 Message Highlights:

The horrifying consequences of living without God's authority

How culture distorts biblical sexuality

Why denial and division destroy communities

How Palm Sunday reminds us of our hope in King Jesus

This sermon is raw, real, and rooted in grace. As we cry "Hosanna," we are invited to admit our need, confront our sin, and follow the King who brings healing and peace.

In a world defined by brokenness—wars, disasters, and the consequences of sin—how do we respond when there seems to be no king? In this week's episode, Pastor Blake Lawyer opens a two-week journey through the closing chapters of Judges, exploring what happens when people live without godly leadership.

Through the story of Micah and the tribe of Dan, we see three key patterns of life without the King:

1. We commercialize religion.

2. We blur the lines between church and state.

3. We chase power instead of surrendering to God's.

This week’s message challenges us to reflect on our own lives: Are we doing what seems right in our own eyes? Or are we exalting the true King who reigns in truth and love?

In this powerful message from Judges 13-16, Pastor Blake explores the life of Samson—his great potential, his moral failures, and how his final act of faith points us to the freedom found in King Jesus. Learn how God's gift of anger, when surrendered to Him, can become a tool for passion and purpose rather than rage and ruin. Discover the hope of resurrection and the freedom from the prisons of sin.

God isn’t looking to negotiate—He wants to rescue you. In this powerful message from Judges 10-11, Pastor Blake explore show Israel’s cycle of sin and bargaining with God reflects our own struggles. Like Jephthah, we often try to make deals with God instead of trusting in His power to save. But Jesus, our true King, doesn’t need our negotiations—He simply calls us to believe and follow Him.

Listen in and be reminded that God is weary of your suffering—He wants to set you free!

In this weeks sermon,  Pastor Blake explores the story of Gideon in Judges 7-8, emphasizing the tension between courage and the temptation for power. He challenges believers to examine whether Jesus truly reigns as King in their lives or if they are living as their own rulers. Through Gideon's journey—from weakness to victory and ultimately to downfall—the sermon highlights how God's power is perfected in human weakness. It calls for humility, worship, and surrender to Christ, urging the church to embrace God's strength rather than seek their own. 

In a world filled with chaos, fear, and uncertainty, we often hide from the truth—just like Gideon in Judges 6. But God calls us out of hiding, pursues us with His love, and gives us peace in the truth of who He is.

This powerful sermon unpacks the story of Gideon and how God's presence transforms our fear into faith. No matter how broken or unworthy we feel, the King pursues us, proves His power, and pushes us to trust Him courageously. Are you clothed by the King?

Larry Porter’s life began with brokenness, but God was at work even when he didn’t realize it. Growing up in Eastern Kentucky, Larry faced challenges that shaped his resilience and self-reliance. Despite a loving grandmother and success in sports, he always felt something was missing.

Everything changed when a friend invited him to church. A powerful sermon led him to surrender his life to Christ, setting him on a path of faith that would impact his entire family. Years later, after decades of prayer, Larry had the privilege of baptizing his own father—a moment that proved God’s timing is always perfect.

This is a story of perseverance, answered prayers, and the transformative power of faith. If you’ve ever prayed for a loved one to come to Christ, Larry’s journey is a reminder to keep trusting in God’s plan.

🎧 Listen now and be encouraged.

Each week at Christ Community Church, we feature stories of what God's doing in the lives of the people who make up our church family - the story of how they came to faith in Jesus, the story of how God's currently growing them in grace, or even the story of how they are taking their faith outside and meeting needs in our community. This week, Tucker Keene, a lifelong member of Christ Community and a freshman at Collins High, shares his journey of overcoming a torn ACL that derailed his basketball season. Facing surgery, grueling rehab, and moments of self-doubt, Tucker turned to prayer and journaling, witnessing God's faithfulness every step of the way. His experience reshaped his identity beyond sports and inspired him to lead Bible studies with his peers, proving that even our hardest setbacks can become stepping stones to greater purpose and spiritual growth.