About Mount Hope Church

We Are Family. Mount Hope Church is a community of people who love God and others—and that includes YOU! As a church family, it’s exciting to grow alongside others of all ages and backgrounds, coming together to experience the hope that is found only in Jesus. It is our desire that as you encounter God’s love and amazing grace at Mount Hope Church, you will truly feel a part of the family as we say, “Welcome Home!”

Day 2: How to Fast for Revelation

During these 21 days of prayer and fasting, God is going to speak to you. God speaks through His revealed Word, the Bible, but He also speaks through divine revelation. There is no doubt that God wants to bring powerful answers to the things you are praying for, but He also wants to reveal things to you through this fast.

Revelation is a critical component to our walk with the Lord. Proverbs 29:18 tells us, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.” Apart from God’s revelation, our lives can become increasingly destructive and confusing.

Jesus told the disciples how they would receive such divine revelation:

John 14:26, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

John 16:13-14, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.”

These passages teach us several things about revelation:

Revelation provides wisdom and supernatural insight. The life of faith is a life of learning and discovery. But with more revelation comes more responsibility. Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” God doesn’t conceal things from us; He conceals them for us! The same Hebrew word for glory is used both times in the verse – God’s glory becomes a glory we can personally experience as we search and discover, and if we seek, we will find!

Revelation guides us into truth. In today’s pluralistic society, truth has been diluted and redefined based on whatever people think is true. Imagine living your life based on a false truth. This will lead to destructive decisions, poor choices, and ultimately a life of confusion and chaos. But God wants your life to flourish, and revelation is key to receiving His guidance and direction in every season of life.

Revelation reveals the future. Throughout Scripture, God regularly revealed coming events to different people. Whether through dreams, visions, or divine visitations, God’s desire is to lead us into the future. He cares about the paths our lives take and offers to show us the way to go.

God wants to speak and reveal things to us through this time of prayer and fasting. Our job is to seek revelation, and God promises He will reveal it! So, as you’re fasting and praying, be expectant for God to speak – grab a journal and a pen. Write down what He says because it will prepare and direct you in the days ahead.

Scriptures

Proverbs 29:18 (NLT)
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.

John 14:26 (NLT)
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 16:13-14 (NLT)
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

Proverbs 25:2 (ESV)
It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

Ephesians 1:16-17 (NIV)
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Day 1: Here as in Heaven

Today we begin 21 days of prayer and fasting, and we are calling on God to answer the “here as is Heaven” prayer that Jesus taught us to pray. This is not a timid, play-it-safe kind of prayer, so it is no surprise that the person who taught us to use those bold words was none other than the Son of God. Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.’” (Matthew 6:9-10).

There is no doubt the disciples were taken aback by such an audacious request. As New Testament Scholar Leon Morris writes, “In Heaven, God’s will is perfectly done now, for there is nothing in Heaven to hinder it, and the prayer looks for a similar state of affairs here on earth.” Sometimes it’s hard for us to see anything beyond hinderances—earthly roadblocks to Heaven’s agenda abound. So, there’s a choice: do we yield to the current state of affairs that surrounds us or do we refuse to accept the status quo of our sin-sick world and believe for the priorities and power of Heaven to flood our lives? Jesus’ instruction makes the answer quite clear—we believe for “here as in Heaven.”

As the Kingdom of Heaven advances, the powers of darkness begin to retreat. We can pray confidently for healing, sickness does not exist in Heaven and God is our healer. Anxiety can be defeated because God is never worried, and He is our help in any time of trouble. We can be assured that as we call on God, He will make the impossible possible.

As we prepare our hearts for these next 21 days, we are praying for Heaven to come, and as God’s will is accomplished on the earth as it is in Heaven, we will see what we have never seen before!

Scriptures

Matthew 6:5–10 (NIV)

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

My eyes are fixed on Jesus.

We are on the cusp of another great outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will result in a massive harvest such as the world has never seen. My eyes are fixed on Jesus and His soon return. But, as long as I’m still on this earth, I must be found busy about the Lord’s work. What is that? Part of the Lord’s work has always been caring for orphans, those who cannot defend themselves. This leads me to the current situations we face in America regarding abortion and the family.

Protect Life.

Major victory was won for all who support life as the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade sends the issue back to the states. It’s important that we understand what abortion is, what God’s Word has to say, and our response as representatives of God’s family on the earth.

Abortion is being described as women’s healthcare, a woman’s reproductive right. Recently, I was approached by a man with a clipboard who asked me, “Do you believe in a woman’s reproductive rights?” I know where he was going with the question, and of course I believe in a woman’s right to reproduce, but that is vastly different than a right to kill a child. What is abortion? Abortion is the willful decision to terminate a pregnancy that results in a dead baby. 

According to Alan Guttmacher Institute which is the research arm for Planned Parenthood, most abortions performed have nothing to do with a woman’s healthcare. Seventy-four percent of women said the child would interfere with their lives. Seventy-three percent said they could not afford a child. One percent were victims of incest or rape.

As a nation, we rejected the value of life, murdering 55-60 million babies in the pursuit of a more convenient life. 

For years, those in favor of abortion have denied that life begins at conception and have attempted to dehumanize the baby. However, both the Bible and science say just the opposite. Dr. Jerome Lejeune, Professor of Fundamental Genetics, who is not a Christian, writes: 

At two months of age, the human being is less than one thumb-length from head to rump. He would fit at ease in a nutshell, but everything is there, hands, feet, head, organs, brain. In the fourth week there is consciousness. All are in place. His heart has been beating for a month by the second month. His fingerprints can be detected, his heart is beating at 150 to 170 beats a minute. To accept the fact that after fertilization has taken place, a new human being has come into being, is no longer a matter of opinion. 

The Bible tells us that God is the Creator of every human life. 

Adam slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and had Cain. She said, “I’ve gotten a man, with God’s help.” – Genesis 4:1 MSG

You formed me with your hands; you made me… You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together. – Job 10:8, 11

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. – Psalm 139:15-16 

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. – Jeremiah 1:5 

This tells us that when a woman is pregnant, God is at work in her womb creating life! Inside that mama’s belly is not a mass, but a person created and known by God. 

What should Christians do?  

  1. Offer grace to those who have had an abortion. If you have had an abortion, you must know that God is gracious. He is quick to forgive sin and remove it from your life. There is no need for a person to walk around feeling shame for what they have done when Jesus took all our shame on the cross. His love is bigger than our sins. 
  2. Prayerfully determine how God wants you to be part of the solution. Ask the Lord if you should foster or adopt a child. Seek ways that you can be a mentor, a big brother or sister to children. Our responsibility is to stand with God in defense of those who can’t defend themselves. 
  3. Pray for a river of righteousness to fall on this land called America—specifically in Michigan. Pray for the 13,000 in the foster care system in Michigan right now, and the many more that will be coming.
  4. Partner with our ministry, LoveOne, and see how you can play a part. If every church in Michigan would provide just one family to take in a child, every child in the foster care system would have a loving and godly home. 

Protect Family.

Family as God designed it has been brutally attacked. But God’s purpose for the family has not changed. 

This September, we will start a new series on the family. We will look at the biblical roles of grandparents, fathers, mothers, and children, and discover the full potential of family as God designed it. This imperative study from the Word of God can unlock the full potential in every marriage; create healing for every wounded person; and equip every family to walk in a closer bond and love with each other. 

Would you like to have a full, rich, life-giving marriage? Would you like to know how to be the spiritual leader of your home? Would you like your children and grandchildren to walk in their full potential, walking intimately with God? Would you like to discover your God-given role in your family? Then this one you will want to be part of! Mark your calendars now. I know this series on family is close to the heart of God and is one of the main themes of the entire Bible! 

Listen to the First Word

There is a crazy moment in the Scriptures. A prophet is sent by God to give a message to Israel. The Lord commands the prophet, “You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came” (1 Kings 13:9). The man of God spoke the message. He refused to eat food when it was offered. He obeyed completely until an old prophet caught up to the man and gave him a second word. The old prophet said,

“Come home with me and eat some food.” “No, I cannot,” he replied. “I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place.” But the old prophet answered, “I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the Lord: ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’” But the old man was lying to him. So, they went back together, and the man of God ate and drank at the prophet’s home.

Then while they were sitting at the table, a command from the Lord came to the old prophet. He cried out to the man of God from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: You have defied the word of the Lord and have disobeyed the command the Lord your God gave you. You came back to this place and ate and drank where he told you not to eat or drink. Because of this, your body will not be buried in the grave of your ancestors.” After the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the old prophet saddled his own donkey for him, and the man of God started off again. But as he was traveling along, a lion came out and killed him. His body lay there on the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. – 1 Kings 13:15-24

Why would the old prophet lie? I don’t know. Here is what I do know: You must listen to the first word the Lord spoke to you. What has God spoken to you? What word of direction has God given you? I don’t care how impressive or compelling somebody seems to be to you; if their word contradicts the first word from the Lord, ignore them! There will always be a “second word,” another option, and when it presents itself to you, here is the question you want to ask yourself: What is the first word the Lord spoke to me concerning that matter? Stick with the first word. 

The Bible is the infallible, inspired, authoritative Word of God.

You must familiarize yourself with the Word of the Lord, the Bible. The Bible is where we learn to hear the voice of the Lord. The Bible is where we get the truth. The Bible is how our faith grows. The Bible is the very foundation of Christianity. Hear my heart, the Bible is not a prophet’s idea. The Bible is not an apostle’s opinion on a matter. The Bible is the infallible, inspired, authoritative Word of God. 

In a day when the truth is being twisted and pushed to the side as irrelevant, you must know the truth of God’s Word. Join me in reading through the One Year Bible for the rest of this year! I pray you have a wonderful summer as you read God’s Word and encounter the Living God who loves you deeply.

And remember, when it comes to making decisions, stick with the first word God gave you on the matter. 

Your Friend and Pastor,

Kevin Berry

We love first.

What does God’s Word have to say about sexuality, about homosexuality, or what we hear about so much today – transgender? Well, what does that mean? And does God have anything to say about that? Well, of course He does. We’ll find from God’s Word that God is not ambiguous when it comes to the way that He created our bodies to function sexually. Perhaps an equally more pressing question could be this: What should be, what must be, the Christian response to somebody in sexual sin—sexual sin of any kind—whether that’s adultery, pornography, or homosexuality? What is the “Jesus-like” response? This is so important that we get this.

Why am I talking to you about this? Because I love you. I care about you. I want you to be equipped with knowing what God’s Word has to say about it, about some issues that are so prevalent in our culture today. Also, I want to equip you. I want us to be able to respond the way that Jesus does, to people that are in sin.

What does that look like? What is that Jesus response? I see it clearly from God’s Word and it’s simple and powerful. I would say three things:

1. Love first.

That’s what Jesus did. The Gospels are clear that Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Why didn’t Jesus come to condemn? Because we were already condemned. Everybody has sinned and everybody needs a savior. And outside of faith in Christ, we’re all under the wrath of God, facing nothing but impending judgment—again, outside of putting our faith in Christ. So, Jesus didn’t come to condemn people that were already condemned. He came to save them.

Scriptures say God so loved the world that He gave His Son. We must follow the example of Jesus and love first. You know, you can love somebody without condoning their behavior. Jesus did, and we must. We must follow the example of Jesus.

Here’s the thing: You can’t love somebody deeply when you’re too busy judging them. So, let’s not be like some. It grieves my heart that some that have named the name of Christ would be so quick to condemn somebody. That’s not what Jesus did. And we must follow His example.

I think it would be dangerous to say to love people, but never speak the truth about what God’s Word has to say about something, and some people are doing this. There have been entire denominations that have apologized for speaking what God’s Word has to say about sexuality. Listen, friend, we will never do that. We have to speak what God’s Word says.

2. Be truth tellers.

We have to speak the truth of God’s Word. I think it’s imperative, especially in this day, when so much of the truth of God’s Word is being twisted, if not entirely thrown out. We have to be truth tellers. Where do we get truth from? From the Bible. Now, this is important to pause right here and recognize that the Bible is not a prophet’s idea. The Bible is not some apostle’s personal opinion about an issue. Rather, the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. This is the foundation of Christianity, the Bible.

And I’ve heard some say, “We have to upgrade the Bible to fit the way current culture looks.” I say, we never do that. We never try and upgrade the Bible. Instead, the Holy Spirit upgrades and updates our lives so our lives can line up with what the Bible says.

What is the Christian response? We see it clearly in John chapter eight. There were some religious leaders who threw this woman that had been caught in the act of adultery, a sexual sin, right in front of Jesus and said, “Hey, the law says to condemn her. What do you say?” And Jesus said, “Whoever’s without sin, go ahead, stone her. You throw the first stone.” Then, one by one, they all walked away from the oldest to the youngest. And then Jesus said these words, “Where are all of your accusers?” He said, “They’re not here to condemn you.” And then He said this as our example, “And neither do I. I’m not here to condemn you. Go and sin no more.” He didn’t say, “Hey, I love you. I’m not going to condemn you, so keep on sinning.” No. The truth is there are some things that are sin and the call, the command, is to stop sinning.

The command is to stop sinning, so let’s love first. Then let us speak the truth of God’s Word that actually calls people out of sin for their benefit. Do you know what God’s Word has to say about sexuality? Together, let’s look at just a couple verses right now.

Genesis 1:27 says God made them male and female. Later, Jesus affirms this in Matthew Chapter 19:4, as He was speaking about marriage. He said, “Haven’t you read the Scriptures? Where it tells us that God made them male and female, He created them.” What does this tell us? This tells us that our sexuality is determined not by how we feel on the inside, but rather how God made us. God made a man a male and a woman a female, and that’s what determines our sexuality.

Scriptures go on to tell us in 1 Corinthians 6 that those who indulge in sin are not going to inherit God’s kingdom. Like, who are those people? Those involved in sexual sins, those involved in male prostitution, homosexuality, adultery, greedy people, those who are cheating others. They’re not going to inherit God’s kingdom. Then Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said this, “such were some of you.” That’s what you used to be like. You used to be greedy. You used to cheat people, you used to be adulterous, you used to be homosexual. But no longer, because now you’ve been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and by the power of the Spirit of God.

What does that mean? That means that when you place your faith in Christ, that’s what you used to be like. But now, thanks to the blood of Jesus and the power of God’s Spirit, He’s changed you into an entirely different person. This is the Gospel, and it is God’s Word. We must speak the truth. So, will you join me in loving people first? Let’s not be like some that would be quick to condemn, but let’s follow the example of Jesus and love first. Then secondly, let’s always be truth tellers, especially in a day when God’s Word is being so distorted. Let’s stand and speak the truth of God’s Word.

3. Point others to know Jesus as Lord.

Will you join me in helping get people on a journey to knowing Jesus as Lord? Jesus as Savior? He saves us from our sin. He also is King, Lord. What does that mean? It means that as King, He reigns and rules over every area of our life—including our sex lives.

Here’s the thing: Jesus died for you. He was tortured, crucified, buried. Three days later, He rose from the dead. Why? So that He might reign as King over all of your life, every area of your life. He has the last say.

Friend, I hope you’ve been encouraged. Love first, just like Jesus, to know the truth and speak the truth of God’s Word, and to help get people on a journey to know Jesus as Lord—King—over every area of their lives.

I know these are difficult times and I’m praying for you. The Scriptures tell us that Lot’s soul was troubled—vexed deeply—by the sin he saw around him. For some of you, it’s not so much the sin you see off in the distance as much as in those you know well—your family, close friends—you see sin in their lives that you know will ultimately destroy them and it troubles your heart. I’m praying for you now:

I pray that God strengthen your heart, your inner man. I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit—the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead—would surround you to strengthen and comfort you. I pray that God would pour out His love into your life so much so, that when people you love deeply look into your eyes, they see the love of God in your eyes. And when they hear your voice even as you’re speaking the truth, they hear the love of God in your voice. Know this, friend, God sees you, and the people you love so deeply, God loves them even more. He sees you and He’s with you.

God bless you. I love you.

Pastor Kevin

Scripture References

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Haven’t you read the Scriptures? Jesus replied. They record that from the beginning God made them male and female.

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

A woman must not put on men’s clothing, and a man must not wear woman’s clothing. Anyone who does this is detestable in the sight of the Lord your God.

And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire to serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.

21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.  24 So, God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.

26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

We Want to Pray with You!

If you identify as a transgender/homosexual, or have family who are transgender/homosexual, we want you to know God loves you, and He loves your family! Just as Jesus didn’t come to condemn, but to save and call people out of sin for their benefit, we also love you and would love the opportunity to be on this journey with you, to pray with you, and express God’s kindness.

Rhythm of Rest

Summer is here! It’s a great time to rest and enjoy time together as a family. I know summer can quickly become the time for getting projects done around the house, trying to create structure for your kids so they don’t die of boredom, and maybe squeezing in that one jam-packed, high energy family vacation!

In the middle of all the busyness and changes that a summer schedule brings, I would encourage you this year to operate out of rest, move slow, and enjoy your out-of-the-ordinary time together.

I love that when God was establishing His people, after He rescued them from Egypt, He established regular rhythms of intentional rest. God literally made it one of the Ten Commandments to incorporate rest into our weekly habits. This summer, set time aside time as a rhythm of rest for your family. Here are three ways to making the most of your summer with your family:

1. Define the win.

When it comes to the summer, it can be really easy to fall into a default setting as a family. Clearly state what you want out of this summer. Whether a weekend goal, a vacation goal, or spiritual goal—whatever it is—just clearly define what you want to happen as a result of the plans you make this summer with your family.

2. Press the reset button.

The summer is a great time to start some new family habits and norms! As your kids are changing their schedules for the summer months, it’s a great time for you to create a new normal. This could look like less screen time, dinner as a family, having regular conversations with your kids about their faith, things they’re thinking about, and sharing pieces of who you are as well.

3. Plan for it.

Don’t just lounge around; plan activities to do as a family. Take some time off if you can. Be intentional with your kids. Take advantage of what’s happening in your community—things like toddler times at trampoline parks, a day at the zoo, or a trip to a splash pad. You can plan special moments for your family to experience quality time together!

Summer is an amazing time of rest for your family. It is out of the ordinary. You have the opportunity to establish rhythms of rest and intentionality, so take advantage of it. Define the win, press the reset button, and set aside intentional time for your family to spend together this summer.

4 Tips to a Stress Free Summer

Parents, summer is here and probably brings mixed emotions. I am sure there is so much you are looking forward to: longer days, vacations, and time off of work. If we are being honest, maybe the summer overwhelms you! There’s childcare to think about, trips to plan, and camps to budget for. If no one else has told you yet, let me be the first to say that this is going to be an amazing summer for your family and kids—we truly believe it! What your kids want more than a jam-packed summer full of constant fun and entertainment is simply time with you!

I know it is easier said than done but one major way you can commit to making this a summer your family never forgets is setting aside time to simply be together as a family! Here are four practical tips that may seem small but can have a huge impact: 

Limited screen time… for everyone!

This seems like a rule that is easily said to our kids but not so easily modeled by us parents. Set a time every night that your phones, and your kids’ video games and tablets, get shut off! Take this time to do devotions together as a family, go on a walk, and/or talk about the day! Let each of your kids take turns picking a themed dinner to make as a family for the night or a favorite place to go grab dessert. 

Invite your kids’ friends over.

Knowing who your kids are connected to is more than important. The old saying still rings true: you are the sum of your five closest friends. Use this as an opportunity to speak into their friendships. Learn about your friends’ families and the values that they hold. We believe that it’s important for your students to hear your thoughts about their friends, and you can’t do that without taking intentional time to get to know them!

Learn about your kids.

During times that you are together (and screens are off), think outside of the box with the questions you are asking and conversations you are having. Great questions are: What is God speaking to you? Who are your closest friends right now? What is something going on right now in life that is tough for you? How can I help you with that? What book of the Bible are you currently reading? What are you learning? 

Serve together.

Your students are being challenged this summer to give to missions in a greater way than ever before! Partner with them and help them be creative. Walk around your neighborhood and help them sell “Water for water”—selling cold water bottles for $1/each to raise money for World Serve (a Christian organization we partner with in Spyn that digs water wells in remote villages in Africa). Or, try making/selling bracelets to send money to rescue girls from human trafficking. These are great serving options for your family. There are also many options to partner with Mount Hope’s outreach ministry to serve the people of Lansing.

Remember, God hand-picked YOU to be the parents to your kids. Psalm 127:3 says “children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”  Show them the Jesus inside of them, set time aside to prioritize being together, and empower them to serve this summer. It’s going to be a summer for the books!

Miracle in the Making

We began this year declaring it a year to BELIEVE BIG, a year that we are expecting More, Miracles, and Multiplication. I see the Lord moving in extraordinary ways among our children. Our children are having life changing God encounters every Sunday. 

Every child is a miracle made by God, and every child is a miracle in the making. God, who made them in their mother’s womb, is relentless at making them look more like Jesus all throughout their lives. Will you join me in believing big for continued miracles in our children’s ministry? 

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

What is at stake?

We are living in a critical time! The world around us reminds us that there is a war for our children’s souls taking place right now. Satan has always tried to snuff out the children—from Pharoah commanding Hebrew male children be killed, to Herod attempting to kill baby Jesus. Today, there is the abortion crisis and an overall indoctrination by this anti-God culture. 

What must we do?

We must be more intentional than ever in our ministry to children and families. We must utilize every tool in our toolbox to equip our staff, innovate our approach to ministry, and, practically speaking, upgrade the physical space where our children come week in and week out to be shaped and equipped as strong followers of Christ. 

We must be intentional about providing an atmosphere for children to have fun! Where kids may see a slide or game area, we see a space where children are building relationships that will shape their lives. Where some see technology or video equipment, we see creative ways to teach important lessons from the Bible. Some may see new paint and carpet; we see a safe space for small group ministry, learning through play, and a space that is made for miracles to happen in the lives of our children.  

Here’s how you can help!

You will help make miracles happen in the lives of children by giving. Your giving is directly tied to shaping and equipping children to be disciples of Jesus who will grow and make disciples. It’s the miracle of being like Christ! 

You are building the foundation for the next generation of world-changers. You are part of the Great Commission to make disciples. You are coming alongside parents to build strong families.

You are why a preschooler will know the name of Jesus; why a fifth-grader will be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God before heading into middle school.

You are inspiring others to give. And you are launching forth thousands of new miracles. Your impact will ripple into the lives of families you know and ones you’ll never meet.

I’m asking you to do two things:

  • Plan to give. Look at your monthly budget and plan to give every month until we complete this project.
  • Pray to give. Ask the Lord what He would like to give through you, then pray in that amount as you exercise your faith.

Together, we will make miracles happen—thank you!

Your Friend and Pastor,

Kevin Berry

The Power of the Blood

The Significance of Communion

Do you need a miracle in some area of your life? I want to encourage you that communion is more than something we do at church once a month. Communion is a weapon that can grant you access to miracles through the blood of Christ. 

I grew up in church receiving communion regularly, but I didn’t get it. It was something that “church people” do. I would eat the little tasteless wafer and wonder, why can’t we get something that has some taste to it, or at least isn’t stale? I would drink from the cup and wonder, why are these cups so tiny? We had a communion table at the front of the church with the words “Do This in Remembrance of Me” engraved on it. What we remember and say makes receiving communion a tool that we can use to access miracles! 

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. As often as you drink it, this do in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Remembrance

Jesus gave a way to remember the cross. We are to remember what He achieved for us—our healing and salvation! We are to remember who He made us—His children—through faith in His sacrifice for our sins. This tool reminds us that the devil is defeated! Jesus wins, and we are on the winning team because of our faith in Christ! 

Let me ask you a question—how often should you remember these things? How valuable would it be for you and your family to remember these things daily? I want to challenge you to start receiving communion with your family every week. Why not every day for a while? How about every time your Life Group meets? Receiving communion could become an essential part of your daily schedule! 

There are countless miracle stories of people who had cancer and received complete healing after they received communion daily for weeks. Then there are the parents whose children fell away from the Lord, yet after receiving communion and applying the saving blood of Jesus over their children, they came back to Jesus. The stories are endless of the miracles released when people practiced communion as a weapon. 

Proclaim His Power

When you receive communion, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Every time you receive communion, you should announce what the body and blood of Jesus have purchased for you. Proclaim protection through the blood of Jesus. Proclaim life in your body, your family, your business. Life is in the blood! 

There is enough power in the blood of Jesus to cancel any curse, to save us from all of our sins, and to heal every disease that comes against us. As the song I used to sing as a child says, “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.”

Enjoy a new miracle-releasing practice of regularly receiving communion in your home! 

Your Friend and Pastor,

Kevin Berry

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