The Backpack

From Abraham’s journey in Hebrews 11 to the everyday steps of faith we take in Shelbyville, this week’s message reminds us that God calls us to live boldly, not by sight but by trust in His promises.

Through powerful stories, both from Scripture and our own community, we saw how saving faith, the gift of faith, and living by faith transform lives and entire cities.

This Sunday at Christ Community, we reflected on Psalm 131 and the call to humility. In light of the brokenness and division in our nation, we were reminded that pride inflates our egos and ultimately destroys hope, while humility anchors our souls in Christ.

Pastor Blake explored how Jesus “weans our soul from our ego,” leading us away from self-dependence and into a quiet trust in Him. He gave us three ways to walk in humility: by shaping our inner life through prayer and God’s Word, guarding our eyes from prideful distractions, and resisting the urge to grasp for control.

The sermon challenged us to live as humble citizens of the city that is to come, holding onto hope in the Lord both now and forever.

Libby Nethery shared how God’s goodness and faithfulness have been evident in her life, even through seasons of uncertainty. At the height of the pandemic, she watched the decline in teenagers’ mental, emotional, and spiritual health, something she also experienced in her own family. Instead of turning away, Libby leaned into prayer and sought God’s direction. He led her to pursue a Master’s in Social Work, and eventually return to Shelby County Schools as a mental health consultant, where she now serves students, families, and staff with compassion.

Her journey of lament and trust revealed a deep truth: even in the hardest valleys, “our help comes from the Lord.” Out of her obedience came initiatives like Adopt a Rocket, connecting our church to support teachers and staff in prayer and encouragement. Libby’s story is a reminder that when we bring our brokenness to God, He can transform it into a blessing for others.

This week, Pastor Blake walked us through Psalm 128 and reminded us that true happiness comes when we pursue God’s blessing in God’s way. Families flourish when husbands lead with reverence for God, wives grow as fruitful vines, and children are rooted like olive trees. As we look toward the city God is preparing, we’re called to value family the way He designed.

When Daniel Bright said “yes” to leading virtual ESL classes for Chile, he felt unprepared. The first class was chaotic, but God showed His power through weakness. Over six weeks, students not only learned English but also heard the Gospel, with lives transformed and hearts opened. Daniel’s story reminds us that even 1% of our week surrendered to God can change lives across the world.

This Sunday at Christ Community, we were blessed to hear Don Price’s story of God’s grace. From growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm to encountering Jesus on a road trip to California, Don shared how God transformed his life; from being a “good kid” to discovering his true need for a Savior.

Now, after decades in ministry with Julie by his side, Don is stepping into a new season here in Shelbyville. Their heart for discipleship and love for the church family remind us that following Jesus is a lifelong journey of grace, faith, and community.

In this week’s message from Psalm 122, Jeff Bracken reminds us that true unity is not about sameness, but about pursuing peace and oneness in Christ despite our differences. Drawing from Israel’s history of tribal conflict, Jeff shows that God’s call to unity has always been a call to lay aside personal pride and preferences for the sake of something greater.

Through powerful personal stories, from mosh pits and coon hunting to cross-cultural friendships in Honduras, Philadelphia, and beyond, Jeff illustrates how the Holy Spirit often works most clearly when we step outside our comfort zones and engage with people unlike ourselves.

The sermon challenges us with two key practices of unity: praying together as the body of Christ and living at peace as far as it depends on us individually. Unity, Jeff reminds us, is not innate but must be pursued. It is sustained not by being “right,” but by choosing to be righteous in Christ.

As we fix our eyes on the city that is to come, this message calls us to reflect God’s heart by becoming a people marked by peace, prayer, humility, and love.

This week at Christ Community,  DJ Williams takes us into Psalm 121 as part of our fall series The City That Is To Come. 

Just like Israel’s Songs of Ascent prepared God’s people for their journey to Jerusalem, Psalm 121 reminds us that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Through this passage, we see five powerful ways God protects and keeps His people:

1. He guards us in our weakness

2. He watches over us day and night

3. He shelters us at all times

4. He holds our very life in His hands

5. He keeps us both now and forever

Worship flows from this reality, because our God never slumbers, never let's go, and never fails. Join us as we learn what it means to be a city that worships on the journey to the city that is to come.

On Sunday, we began a new series at Christ Community called The City That Is to Come. From Genesis 11 and the story of Babel, we saw how our fears and disappointments often drive us to build “cities” of our own, seeking identity, security, and purpose apart from God. But in His mercy, the Lord comes down, scatters our fragile towers, and invites us to something far better: a city with eternal foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Come with us on this journey. Be a “tent dweller” with eyes fixed on the city that is to come.

This week, Pastor Blake wrapped up our two-week series from 2 Peter 1 and reminded us that comfort is a poor compass. God calls every believer not just to follow Jesus, but to join Him in making disciples.

When we forget the gospel, life brings us to pinch points, moments of pressure, decision, and growth. The gospel isn’t just the way into God’s kingdom; it’s the way through life’s hardest places.

Key takeaways:

- Be more than a believer, be a disciple maker.

- Live on mission where you live, work, and play.

- The reverberations of your faith can last for generations.