Your Church is a Launchpad, Not Just a Building

Jesus, Unhook Us from the Crazy! It was the final week of Jesus’ life—the week we now call Holy. Two days before the Passover meal, three days before He would be crucified, Jesus sat with His disciples on the Mount of Olives. The world around them was chaotic, oppressive, and uncertain. They came to Him,…

A Life Rooted in the Word Tara Beth found herself in a difficult place. As the first female pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, California, she faced both excitement and resistance. While some embraced her leadership, others staged a protest. She was like a tree planted on rocky ground—struggling but steadfast. Have…

The Advent season is upon us, a time when we reflect on the story of Christ’s birth. This year, our sermon series invites us to visit the homes of the four Gospel writers: Mark, Matthew, John, and Luke. Today, we enter Mark’s home to hear his account of the Savior’s arrival.  A Christmas Memory: Judy’s…

Adolescence is like riding a wild roller coaster, full of twists and turns—physical, mental, emotional, and social changes all swirling together with a sprinkle of spiritual curiosity and a dash of hormones! It’s a time when questions pop up like popcorn, but the answers often seem a little fuzzy and tangled. So how can the…

A plus-one is more than just a guest’s companion at an event—it’s a partner, a teammate, and a co-laborer. In ministry, while I may be the invited guest to a meeting or gathering, I always pray for a plus-one to invite alongside me. As a collaborator and verbal processor, having a plus-one brings so many…

Years ago, while my extended family and I were on a river cruise, I saw an older man using a walker to get around. He looked interesting, so, I asked, “Where are you from?” He replied, “Question 2!” In conversation, he shared with me that we primarily ask three questions, What’s your name? Where are…