VOUS Church

Have you ever been on a quest for something that in reality had been there all along? Sometimes we are looking for a whisper from God when in actuality the Bible has always allowed his voice to be clear.

In a continuation of the collection of talks “Hearing God’s Voice,” Pastor DawnCheré Wilkerson speaks to our hearts in a message titled “Enough Said.”

When we are looking to hear from God we can start by trusting in what the Bible says. God’s word is clear and accessible, however, we must be willing to meditate on it.

Trusting God and his word becomes easier when we make an effort to understand and apply it to our daily lives. We are called to value God’s word and recognize that it is more than enough. Enough to speak and guide us through life. It is our instruction manual, written by the author of life. We can reach for our Bibles with confidence that God’s voice is closer than we think.

Register now for #VOUSConf 2020 here:http://vousconference.com

Guess what? The secret’s out, church planting is fun!

Pastor Chad Veach, the ​lead pastor of ZOE Church, gives a healthy dose of positive encouragement to builders of the local church in his VOUS Conference 2019 breakout session ”Confessions of a Church Planter.”

Church planters need to know that the planting will be much easier than expected. And that is because Jesus is behind every good thing they will come across. God will produce the miracles, provide the resources, and prepare the people for the local church since it is his own and he is responsible.

So, count on success, church planters. Step out in faith and boldly obey the call to build knowing that God backs your unique assignment in bringing the broken home.

It is a fundamental truth that God wants to speak to us all. His word is alive and active and is waiting for our response to the call.

As we dive deeper into the collection of talks “Hearing God’s Voice,” Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. teaches the priceless value of “Waiting on the Call.”

God has a specific purpose for each of our lives and he uses various methods to get the message across. While we wait on the next steps of our calling, God uses people and circumstances as guides along our path. When we follow leadership, learn contentment, align with God, and listen to what he says, we take the opportunity to become obedient believers.

It takes open ears and a spirit of obedience to position us to gain all God has for us and fulfill our purpose here on earth.

Register now for #VOUSConf 2020 here:http://vousconference.com

Everything we intend to refine in our lives requires patience and commitment, and the same applies to our spiritual walk.

Closing out VOUS Conference, Pastor Carl Lentz shares a message entitled “I Am Getting Better.” He details how we can improve in every aspect of our lives through a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

As with most things that we aim to improve, we must first know the position of what we’re working towards. The Holy Spirit’s role in our lives is to execute the intentions God has declared over us while giving us direct access to heaven. Where we lack in our human nature, the Holy Spirit intercedes and compensates for our shortcomings while preventing disruptions in God’s plan for us. The presence of the Holy Spirit lessens life’s pressures by reminding us of our purpose when the voices telling us otherwise get too loud.

God sent the Holy Spirit to highlight the truth that is within us. Aligning with this truth allows us to find peace, experience joy, and live a life that is strong in faith and aligned with God’s will.

We’re all seeking to know why we’re here and to fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. The confidence to know God and his voice is exactly what's needed. But that can be a challenge when life has become one big sound machine.

As part of the "Hearing God's Voice" collection of talks, Pastor DawnCheré Wilkerson gives us the reasons why we ought to turn down the volume and the tools to do so in "When Life is Too Loud."

Our adaptation to noise blocks out God's ever-present whisper. However, we can choose to linger in relationship with God daily. Prioritizing our emotion, effort, and energy on God will open us up to the truth that we are loved and that he is the answer to all our needs.

Learning to listen to God is a life-long pursuit that is worth every moment. And at every turn, he is willing to be found. Just imagine, if God can breathe the universe into existence, what he can whisper into our once hardened hearts?

Register now for #VOUSConf 2020 here: http://vousconference.com

Does the idea of being marked or set apart by God invoke feelings of excitement? Fear? A mix of both? You're pumped about the responsibility but anxious about the chance of messing up.

At VOUS Conference 2019, Pastor Mike Todd illuminates the idea that “The Problem Just Found An Answer.” He clears the confusion around what it means to be chosen by God.

We're put into various circumstances so we can step up to the plate. God wants to see that we are faithful to serve at every level. To be an answer to a problem, no matter the cost to our pride. That's the way we wear our mark of being set apart by God.

It takes work to embrace our place of being the solution. But God doesn't make mistakes on who he has chosen to do the work. He knows we're capable of making a difference through our story, talents, and blessings, but only if we're willing to step into a serving role. When we follow God's guideline and trust the process, we help our way up to promotion. There's no way we can fail.

When looking at a structure, we only see the completed product. But if we take a look at the interior, we’d see the interconnected bricks that give a building its form.

God is the master craftsmen whose handiwork is evident in the linking of our lives, much like that of connected bricks. In an epic Vision Sunday and 4-Year-Anniversary message, Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. lays out the plan God has envisioned for VOUS Church, "Brick by Brick."

We're all bricks coming together for a bigger purpose, telling a greater story. Our construction points to Jesus, the cornerstone who builds us up as servant leaders and tests the work of our hands, all while protecting us, his Church.

As living stones in partnership with God, our calling is to add more bricks, to find those in need of hope and tell them the good news that Jesus is the answer. By unifying with acts of service and giving toward the vision, we'll bravely accomplish God's mighty will.

Register now for #VOUSConf 2020 here:http://vousconference.com

It is a big, almost intimidating thought, but the future of the Church rests on our ability to outpace culture. What does that mean? It means, while being multigenerational, we’re focused on capturing the faith of this generation.

The workers are few, but there’s a harvest full of people waiting to get closer to God. In his talk "The Future of the Church," Highlands College President Mark Pettus helps us see that our harvest field is in Generation Z.

Will the Church heed the call and choose to see what Jesus himself sees ⁠— the great potential of for young people? Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be out front, breaking through the confusion and answering the key questions of this generation. There is a lot in store for the Church, it’s our move to take on the great opportunity of our time.

Today, we've gotten so used to "agreeing to disagree" that it seems completely acceptable for no one to be 100% right or wrong. That it's just a matter of opinion. But if we can be honest, there are times when we're wrong, and admitting it helps us to grow spiritually and relationally.

For VOUS Conference 2019, Pastor Judah Smith’s “I Was Wrong” hit straight to the heart of the matter—there are certain things we say or do that we shouldn’t allow to exist in a gray zone. Whether by mistake or intention, we've all made errors.

Some of our wrongdoings can include misjudging someone based on the first impression, not following through with our word, or failing a friend. And we've all missed the mark set by God, having had the wrong understanding of him and what he wants from us.

Yet, whatever the area of failure, being able to admit our offenses will push us closer to the destiny God has for us. Just as the Bible tells us, by humbling ourselves and admitting our mistakes, we'll be exalted before God.

Stepping out to lead can be a scary thing. And that's OK, so long as fear doesn't hinder our progress in leadership.

During VOUS Conference 2019, pastors Rich Wilkerson Jr., Chad Veach, and Mike Todd collaborated on the message "Scared but Prepared."

Fear of being stuck in place, fear of an uncertain destination, or fear of missing out are few compelling reasons leaders take a step back. Yet, when we listen to God’s promises we can rest in the fact that he has already gone before us.

As we develop as leaders our trust in God must turn to action. Focus on the craft and make it even stronger through practice. Seek out mentorship and never neglect the impact our example can have on others. Those are key ways to beat back the fear that would keep us in the shadows.

Leadership is God’s will for our lives. He prompts us to walk by faith, not by sight. So let's prepare by living as though we are already in the place we want to be. As we value our role God will maximize our efforts, elevating us in due time. And that will far outweigh the fear.