The Local Church

By Local Church GRReligion & Spirituality Christianity

The Local Church episodes

June 08Who Do I Need To Forgive? - Help Me Pray: Learning to talk to God the way Jesus did
What if one of the biggest obstacles to your prayer life isn't finding the right words, but holding onto unforgiveness? In this message, we explore Jesus' surprising connection between forgiveness and effective prayer. Through powerful stories, biblical teaching, and practical insight, we're challenged to examine the hidden "clogs" in our hearts that can keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's presence. Whether the wounds are small frustrations or deep betrayals, Jesus invites us into the difficult but freeing journey of forgiveness, trusting Him to do what we cannot do on our own.
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided

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Need prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care
46 min
June 01Can I Trust You? - Help Me Pray: Learning to talk to God the way Jesus did
What if your confidence in prayer isn't supposed to come from how well you pray, but from who is listening? This message explores Jesus' teaching on prayer in Luke 11, revealing that prayer is not about performance, perfect words, or spiritual eloquence—it's about trusting the character of a loving and honorable Father. Through powerful stories, cultural insights, and Jesus' own words, we're reminded that God hears us not because we've earned His attention, but because He delights in His children. If you've ever wondered whether you're praying "the right way," this message offers a refreshing invitation to rest in God's goodness and draw near to Him as your Abba, Father.
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided

Stay Connected!
Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give

Need prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care
41 min
May 26 Where Do I Start? - Help Me Pray: Learning to talk to God the way Jesus did
This Sunday, Sarah walks through Mark 1 and shows how Jesus moved toward people in need. He healed, restored, and made space for fresh encounters. Through the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, we’re reminded that prayer is deeply connected to relationship, trust, and learning to recognize who Jesus is. Sarah's message invites us to see what Scripture teaches about both Jesus and our connection to Him through prayer. If you’ve ever wanted to grow in prayer or better understand how Jesus meets people, this message will encourage you.
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided
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Stay Connected!
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Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Local Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Local Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give
Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care
35 min
May 18 I Don't Get It - Help Me Pray: Learning to talk to God the way Jesus did
What do we do with the gap between what Jesus says about prayer and what we actually experience? This week we kicked off our Help Me Pray series by looking at Jesus’ bold invitation to pray with faith, even when prayers seem unanswered or life feels disappointing. Through stories of Peter, James, and real-life heartbreak, we wrestled with the tension of trusting God when miracles don’t come the way we hope. Rather than settling for safe prayers, we were challenged to anchor our faith in God Himself and courageously bring Him our risky, honest prayers. What might Jesus be praying for you right now?
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided
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Stay Connected!
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Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Local Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Local Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give
Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care
42 min
May 11 Jesus and the Feasts: Sukkoth
On Mother’s Day, Toran wrapped up our series, “Festivals: Jesus and the Feasts,” by walking through the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkoth) and the three lessons God wanted Israel to remember: that they were once wanderers fully dependent on Him, that He is not a distant God but a with-you God who protects and provides, and that one day He will bring full restoration. He reminded us that everything we have is not because of our own strength or success, but because God has faithfully provided for us every step of the way. The message pointed to Jesus in John 7, where He declares Himself the living water and the light of the world — the fulfillment of everything the festival represented. We were challenged to ask ourselves which response we have toward Jesus: do we truly recognize Him as Savior and trust Him fully, or are we still trying to rely on ourselves?
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided
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Stay Connected!
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Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Local Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Local Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give
Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care
43 min
May 04 Jesus and the Feasts: Pentecost
This Sunday, we had the privilege of hearing from Gary Burge as he taught on the meaning and power of Pentecost, and how the Holy Spirit was never meant to be just a moment in Acts, but a daily reality for believers. We talked about repentance, surrender, and how following Jesus is more than behavior modification, it’s being transformed from the inside out. Through Scripture and practical application, we were reminded that God wants to fill, lead, awaken, and anchor us through His Spirit. If you’ve ever felt spiritually stuck, distant, or hungry for more of God’s presence, this message is for you.
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided
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Stay Connected!
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Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Local Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Local Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give
Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care
48 min
April 27 Jesus and the Feasts: Day of Atonement
What would you redo, but can’t? In his message, Pastor Toran begins with this honest question, leading us into the weight we all carry from moments we wish we could take back. He walks through the Day of Atonement, explaining how sin required a sacrifice and how a scapegoat symbolically carried the people’s sins away—and even brought that moment to life by having a real goat on stage as a picture of what it meant to see sin removed. But that system was only temporary, pointing forward to Jesus, who became both the sacrifice and the scapegoat, fully covering, cleansing, and carrying away our sin once and for all. This message invites us to stop holding on to what’s already been taken from us and to live in the freedom Jesus secured. So ask yourself, are you still chasing into the wilderness the things God has already taken care of? Why are you still carrying it?
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided
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Stay Connected!
=============
Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Local Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Local Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give
Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care
45 min
April 20 Jesus and the Feasts: Sabbath
This Sunday, we had the privilege of having Austin back at TLC to teach us about Sabbath. Austin walked us through the idea of Sabbath, showing that it’s not just a rule but a rhythm designed to help us rest, trust God, and remember where we come from. A time to truly reflect on God’s faithfulness rather than rush through life.
During our time together, Austin created space for reflection as we paused to sit with four intentional questions meant to guide us toward practicing Sabbath more meaningfully.
He connected this to how easily we can forget what God has done and slip into living stressed, hurried, and self-reliant instead of grounded and grateful. There was also a strong reminder that the church is not built around personalities or hype, but on Jesus, and that shapes how we live and lead our lives.
We hope you take time to slow down, rest in what God has done, and trust that He is still working right now. What will your Sabbath look like?
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided
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Stay Connected!
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Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Local Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Local Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give
Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care
48 min
April 13 Jesus and the Feasts: Feast of Trumpets
This Sunday, Sara shared how the Feast of Trumpets serves as a spiritual wake-up call in our lives. She described this festival as a moment to prepare our hearts through repentance - detaching from the things we’ve grown too comfortable with that quietly pull us away from God. During Sara's message, she reflected on a personal story from Lent, where God gently revealed areas she had become desensitized to, reminding us how - in His kindness God lovingly calls us back to Him. Sara then challenged us to take an honest look at what we might be excusing or overlooking in our own lives. It was an invitation to wake up, realign with God, and move toward a deeper, more intentional relationship with Him.
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided
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Stay Connected!
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Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Local Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Local Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give
Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care
29 min
April 06 Festivals Jesus and the Feasts: Easter First Fruits
Easter isn’t just a story we believe— it’s a story we’re invited to step into. We all try to build our lives on things like success, relationships, or achievement, but eventually those things fall short and leave us wanting more. The resurrection shows us that Jesus didn’t just defeat death, but that He started something new that we can experience right now. Real life change happens when we stop striving and finally surrender, letting God meet us in the middle of our brokenness. And the good news is, that same resurrection power is still at work today! Offering each of us a brand new life.
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Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided
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Stay Connected!
=============
Website: http://localchurchgr.org
Local Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgr
Local Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgr
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLC
Visit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expect
Events: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events
If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/give
Need prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care

41 min