Great Lakes Church

On average, we speak roughly 16,000 words per day! When we choose to be generous with words of encouragement, hope, and positivity, we are shaping the future of people's lives.

Bankruptcy… foreclosures… scams… and never-ending appeals for money can lead to PTSD on the topic of finances. But financially successful people aren’t driven by guilt, manipulation, or past mistakes. They’ve learned a better way to WIN with finances and live outrageously generous lives.

We truly believe it's okay to not be okay. Whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, keeping ourselves mentally healthy is vital, and we can do so by preparing for these battles ahead of time!

It's hard to know what to say when someone undergoes a substantial loss. We grapple for words to make a loved one's pain vanish instantaneously, but often end up feeling helpless. Thankfully, we can turn to the bible for some principles on how to respond effectively in others' seasons of grief.

"Cancel Culture" can feel inescapable. You know the pattern: Someone does or says something offensive. There's a public backlash. Then the pressure grows to "destroy" the person. In this talk, we're addressing what it means to be Christ's ambassadors whenever we personally are offended by someone.

In our culture, we are bombarded with too much of everything. The result is stress and exhaustion. Join us as we look at what followers of Jesus have done throughout history, whenever they realized they were in over their heads.

Our cultural climate and social norms are always changing, which can make it hard to know how to practically follow Jesus as Americans. This week, we’ll unpack how followers of Jesus should approach their freedoms to make a lasting difference in this world!

We've all experienced the death of a dream, and the grief often leaves devastation in the wake. Whether waving goodbye to that promotion, parenthood, or perfect relationship, our disheartenment can often make us cynical or skeptical of what's ahead. This week, we'll unpack why dreams matter and how we can reengage them.

We’ve all experienced tension or disunity in our relationships; it’s inevitable! But instead of avoiding conflict because of discomfort, it can actually be a tool for relationship growth!

Raising another human being is the most challenging assignment a parent has. So what's the secret to great parenting?

As humans, we find ourselves on a never-ending quest for happiness– but it always seems to elude us. Believe it or not, it's possible to find lasting happiness, but we have to start by looking in the right places.

There's over 400 references to doors in the Bible: open doors, closed doors, gateways to opportunity, and more. As we follow the Jesus way, it's important we get acquainted with doors and understand how God uses them to speak to us!

God speaks to us through Scripture, prayer, music, open/closed doors, and even through people. Today we’re looking at an often misunderstood, abused, and complicated word: “prophecy.” When someone prophesies, it means they felt prompted by God to say something to someone, and their words end up bringing strength, encouragement, or comfort at just the right time (1 Corinthians 14:3).

Prayer is more than wishful thinking or hoping that things will work out. This week, we're looking at why prayer should become a first priority and not a last resort!

Throughout history, many people have claimed that God spoke to them through the Scriptures. What does that mean? What does the voice of God sound like? Does God speak through every verse or just a select few? We've got some tools to help make sense of the Bible!

If it’s hard for you to hear, recognize, or decipher the voice of God, you are not alone! We all wish it was a lot easier. So why is it so challenging, and what are some practical tools for filtering our voice and/or the voice of others from God's voice?

God is good. But is He, really? If He is, why do people get cancer, lose their jobs, or go through divorce? If God is good, how do we make sense of everything that seems so wrong? Join us today as we search for the answer.

You probably know the storybook version of Easter: Jesus was crucified on a cross, He was buried in a tomb, and He rose from the dead. This year we're asking why Jesus' death on a cross and the plot twist that followed actually gave credibility to this radical movement He'd started.

The Cross has become a dominant representation of Christian culture. You can find cross necklaces, tattoos, and paintings in so many parts of our world. Why does the cross matter so much? Did Jesus really have to die?

Wherever you find yourself on the journey of following Jesus, it's probably safe to say you've been discouraged at some point. When prayers go unanswered, hope seems far away, and growth is happening slowly, it can seem like the easiest option would be to throw in the towel. Join us today as we explore some practical ways to persevere in the midst.

We're all drawn to the idea of freedom: eating what we want, spending time with who we want, and living how we want. However, often when we live for ourselves, we find all of the things that once brought us joy end up leaving us empty, lonely, and addicted. So how do we find TRUE freedom that doesn't leave us burned out?

In our world, it can be a challenge to know how to see ourselves. We're constantly comparing ourselves to those around us, unsure of where we rank in the social lineup. But when we surrender our self-perception to Jesus, there's more freedom than we could ever imagine.

Many of us live under the illusion that surrender is a bad thing, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes giving something up is necessary to experience something better. That’s what following Jesus is all about.

With the ongoing tension and heartache in our world, it's almost human nature to fall into patterns of negative or toxic thinking. But instead of settling for pessimism, we can find hope through a few simple truths!

When it comes to responding to life’s circumstances, our attitude matters. This week, we’ll explore how finding freedom, hope, and healing often starts with a simple shift in perspective.