In this message, Pastor Shea teaches from John 15 about the deep joy that comes from abiding in Jesus. We discover that God lovingly prunes our lives not to punish us, but to prepare us — shaping our character, strengthening our faith, and increasing the fruit we bear for His kingdom.

Through the story of Joseph, we see how remaining with God through every season — disappointment, delay, and difficulty — leads to a greater purpose than we could imagine. Even when nothing seems to be happening on the surface, God is cultivating growth within us.

This message is an invitation to remain, to trust God in the pruning, and to believe that He is producing something sweeter, stronger, and more enduring in your life.

In this opening message of our new series “The Joy of Abiding,” Ashok unpacks Jesus’ invitation in John 15 to remain in His love. He explains how abiding isn’t a vague spiritual idea, but a daily posture that transforms our desires, shapes our prayers, and leads to a life filled with joy and lasting fruit.

Through practical disciplines like solitude, Christian meditation, and confession, Ashok shows how we can create space to hear God’s voice, experience His Niagara-Falls-level love, and walk in the kind of obedience that reflects Jesus to the world. This message is an invitation to slow down, stay close, and rediscover the joy of being loved and chosen by God.

This week at The Testimony, Pastor Shea paused our Romans series to share vision for our Kingdom Offering—a unified, faith-filled offering across our Antioch Initiative churches (C4, The Testimony, and New Life Church in Chinatown). We unpack Acts 11 and the church at Antioch, where believers responded to a prophetic word with radical generosity and unity.

We were also joined by Pastor Keane from C4 Church to share how this offering fuels Kingdom platforms—new ministries, church plants, and mission-driven work in every sphere of society—and a quick testimony from Alexa on leadership development already happening in our house.

Whether you’re part of The Testimony or just exploring, you’re welcome here. Visitors and guests are under no obligation to give. Our heart is simple: we give because we love (John 3:16).

In this powerful message, Pastor Karla Takazono continues our series through Romans 8, reminding us that being children of God is not about striving or earning His love — it’s about living from the truth that we are already His.

This Sunday was extra special — Volunteer Sunday — as we celebrated the year of Triumph and invited our church family to join a team and serve together in God’s house. Pastor Karla shared how knowing our identity as sons and daughters shapes the way we serve, love, and lead both in the church and in the world.

From stories of God’s faithfulness — healings, baptisms, and growth in every ministry — to heartfelt testimonies from our team, this service is a reminder that saying “yes” to Jesus transforms not only our lives but those around us.

This Sunday, Serena shared a powerful message from Romans 7–8 as we continued our series, Working Out Our Salvation. Through vivid storytelling and biblical insight, she explored the tension between the flesh and the Spirit, the war within, and the freedom that comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Drawing from Paul’s words in Romans, Serena reminded us that our freedom is not earned by performance but is rooted in our identity as children of God. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus — we are not slaves to fear but sons and daughters who cry, Abba, Father.
She also wove in a creative narrative of “Bar Meek,” a son redeemed from slavery, symbolizing our own journey from condemnation to adoption. Through this, we were invited to walk daily in the Spirit, renew our minds, and embrace our true identity in Christ.

Pastor Shea continues our Romans series by reframing sin—not as a scoreboard of “good vs. bad,” but as missing the mark of reflecting God’s image. From Romans 1:16–17 to Romans 6, he shows how the gospel reveals God’s righteousness and gives us a new identity: in Christ we are no longer slaves to sin but servants of righteousness. This isn’t behavior modification; it’s new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. With vivid stories (including a memorable first-driving disaster), Pastor Shea calls us to stop staring at our fears and failures and fix our eyes on Jesus—the One who took sin’s wages and offers the gift of eternal life.

This week, Kia Naeole continues our series in the book of Romans with a powerful message called “Faith Gains.” In Romans 5, Paul shows us that life with Jesus isn’t about building physical strength but about growing spiritual muscle. Through faith, we are justified and receive incredible gifts: peace with God, access to His grace, hope that carries us through suffering, and the Holy Spirit pouring God’s love into our hearts.

Kia reminds us that faith is more than words—it’s a heart posture that transforms the way we live. Following Jesus doesn’t erase conflict or hardship, but it gives us endurance, character, and hope that never disappoints. Even in seasons of pressure and uncertainty, God is shaping us, strengthening us, and reminding us of His unfailing love.

If you’re carrying burdens today, let this message encourage you to lay them at the feet of Jesus. Stand firm—10 toes down—in His grace and trust that He is working all things together for good.

Scriptures
Romans 3:23; Romans 5:1–11; Galatians 5:22–23

This past Sunday, Ashok Kurian continued our Romans series with a compelling look at Romans 4—what it means to be justified by faith and why the gospel is more than a one-time decision. From Paul’s dramatic encounter with Jesus (Acts 9) to Abraham’s unwavering trust against all odds, Ashok reminds us: salvation is a gift we never outgrow—not something we earn, perform, or “top up,” but a perfect covering in Christ that transforms us from the inside out.

Reflection Questions
Where have I slipped into a performance mindset with God or people?
How can I “take the gift back out” this week—practically remembering grace?
Who around me needs a tangible expression of God’s kindness today?

In this week’s message, Pastor Shea kicks off our brand-new series in the book of Romans called Working Out Our Salvation. Romans is one of the most foundational books in the New Testament, and this opening sermon lays the groundwork for understanding how the gospel transforms every part of our lives.

Focusing on Romans chapters 1–3, Pastor Shea walks us through Paul’s powerful reminder that every single one of us stands on equal ground before God. In Romans 1, we see the reality of sin and how it affects all of humanity. In Romans 2, Paul warns against the trap of judgmentalism, showing that we cannot elevate ourselves by pointing to the faults of others. And in Romans 3, we are confronted with the sobering truth that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But the good news is that God’s forgiveness and grace are freely given to all who put their trust in Christ.

This message challenges us to take an honest look at ourselves and reminds us that our hope is not in our works, but in God’s mercy. It sets the stage for the rest of the series as we learn together what it truly means to work out our salvation in Christ.

This Sunday we wrapped up our series in the book of Joshua with a powerful message from Pastor Shea titled “Keep Choosing the Promise.”

Joshua’s final words remind us that walking in God’s promises is a daily choice. Pastor Shea challenged us with three keys:
1️⃣ Stay humble – don’t let pride or self-reliance pull you away from God.
2️⃣ Stay close – draw near to His presence and remain rooted in His Word.
3️⃣ Keep choosing the promise – step forward in faith, trusting God’s faithfulness over every season.