Neighborhood Church

Join Pastor Mark and Eric for an insightful conversation following the powerful Weekend of Renewal! Dive deeper into what sanctification really means and why it's not about "trying harder" but being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Discover the difference between positional sanctification (you ARE holy in God's sight) and progressive sanctification (you're becoming more Chris...

Should following Jesus change how you live? Absolutely! Join Pastor Mark for this powerful message on Jesus as Sanctifier during the 40 Days of Prayer series. Discover what it means to be "set apart" for God's purposes and why your life should look different from the world around you. Learn about both positional sanctification (you ARE sanctified) and progressive sanctification (you...

Join Pastor Mark and Eric for an encouraging post-sermon conversation about finding true salvation in Jesus! Discover why people search for salvation in pleasure, achievement, and relationships—and why these always fall short. Learn the powerful difference between being spiritually dead and alive in Christ, and understand justification as being declared "not guilty" through Jesus's...

Start your new year with hope and purpose! Join Pastor Mark as he kicks off 40 Days of Prayer, exploring what it truly means to experience Jesus as Savior. Discover why the worldly pursuits of pleasure, achievement, and relationships leave us empty, and learn how Jesus offers something far greater—life instead of death, justification instead of condemnation. Whether you're new to faith or hav...

Join Natalie and Eric for a conversation unpacking the critical question: New Year, new you—or same patterns, different calendar? Discover why Uncle Ben's wisdom ("wherever you go, you'll be") changed everything, how Chicago's housing projects failed despite new buildings (hearts unchanged), and the exhausting discipline of Romans 12:2 transformation. Learn the THINK acron...

Pastor Eric delivers a convicting New Year message: Will 2026 be different or just same struggles, new calendar? Drawing from his Chicago upbringing and Uncle Ben's wisdom ("wherever you go, there you'll be"), he exposes how we recreate toxic patterns without mind renewal. Explore Romans 12:2's transformation through practical THINK acronym, why Chicago's housing proj...

Join Natalie and Eric for an honest conversation unpacking the REAL difference between love, like, and lust! Discover why "falling in/out of love" is dangerous theology, how Hollywood has diluted covenant commitment, and the sobering truth about Amnon and Tamar's story. Learn the three Greek loves (Eros, Phileo, Agape) and why Eric puts HIS name in 1 Corinthians 13—"Is Eric pat...

Eric delivers a powerful, raw message exposing the dangerous confusion between love, like, and lust. Learn why "falling in/out of love" undermines biblical covenant commitment and how our culture has diluted God's sacred word. Discover three Greek types of love (Eros, Phileo, Agape) and what truly makes love more than feelings—it's sacrifice, faithfulness, and action reflecting...

In this raw, powerful conversation, Pastor Mark opens up about finding peace while facing his son's upcoming major surgery—the same test he walked through 14 years ago. Discover why peace isn't absence but PRESENCE (shalom = wholeness), how Philippians 4:6-7 became his lifeline, and the difference between feelings and position. Learn practical steps: identify anxiety triggers, close back...

Discover true peace beyond the Christmas truce! Pastor Mark tackles anxiety head-on, revealing that 1 in 5 Americans struggle with anxiety disorders—and how to find supernatural peace in the chaos. Explore the difference between absence of conflict and presence of wholeness (shalom). Learn the powerful prescription from Philippians 4:6-7: don't worry, exchange panic for prayer, turn trouble i...

Join Pastors Mark and Natalie for a rich conversation unpacking the joy message from Luke 2! Discover why joy isn't just happiness—it's "steadfast hopeful expectancy rooted in God's character." Learn how busy doesn't have to mean hurried, especially when you're away from family during the holidays. Explore the profound revelation "you are a Gentile" and...

Discover the powerful difference between happiness and JOY this Christmas! Pastor Natalie breaks down Luke 2's shepherd story, revealing why God chose society's "lowest" to receive the BEST news first. Explore Israel's painful 400 years of silence before the angels appeared, and learn how we participate in the SAME anticipation the shepherds felt—but with even more knowled...

Join Pastor Mark and host, Eric, for an intimate conversation unpacking the powerful Advent message on hope in darkness! Dive deeper into Romans 8 as they discuss why acknowledging suffering is crucial (not toxic positivity), the true meaning of Jeremiah 29:11 in context (spoiler: it was written to people in captivity!), and why the best is yet to come—even if not in your lifetime. Learn how bibli...

Experience a powerful Advent message about finding real hope in life's darkest moments! Pastor Mark explores Romans 8 to reveal four transformative truths: recognize suffering's reality, anchor your hope in God (not circumstances), believe the best is yet to come, and patiently endure through struggles. Discover why biblical hope isn't wishful thinking but confident trust in God&apo...

Join Natalie and Eric Peacock for a conversation about developing a truly grateful heart! Eric unpacks his powerful "No Strings Attached" message, explaining the crucial difference between transactional thankfulness and genuine gratitude. Discover why gratitude is a discipline you must choose daily, how complaining literally impacts your physical health and brain function, and why slowin...

Transform your heart from thankful to truly grateful! Join us for a powerful message that challenges you to move beyond transactional "thank yous" and develop a deep posture of gratitude. Through the moving story of James, a 12-year-old Sudanese refugee who lost everything yet overflowed with joy, discover why gratefulness isn't about what happens TO you, but WHO is WITH you. Learn...

In this episode of Pause, Pastor Mark & Eric concludes the powerful "Masterpiece" series with an inspiring call to step out of your comfort zone and into God's purpose for your life! Using the story of Peter walking on water, discover the four crucial reasons to step out of the boat: love as your motive, hearing God's voice clearly, changing your self-perception from "...

Ready to take the leap? Pastor Mark concludes the powerful "Masterpiece" series with an inspiring call to step out of your comfort zone and into God's purpose for your life! Using the story of Peter walking on water, discover the four crucial reasons to step out of the boat: love as your motive, hearing God's voice clearly, changing your self-perception from "loser" t...

Join Pastor Mark and Eric as they dive deeper into the "Masterpiece" series! Discover why serving God isn't about waiting for the perfect moment—it's about stepping out TODAY. Learn practical steps like doing a "time audit" to find your availability, understanding your spiritual maturity level (seeker, new believer, growing, or guiding), and breaking free from the &qu...

Discover how one Sunday school teacher's faithfulness sparked a spiritual legacy leading to Billy Graham! Pastor Mark shares the inspiring story of Edward Kimball and challenges us to step out in faith today—not someday. Learn how to identify your current season of life, understand your spiritual gifts, and take action in serving God right where you are. Whether you're seeking, growing,...

In this heartfelt final episode of Pause, host Devin Calhoun sits down with Pastor Mark to reflect on just about two years of ministry, growth, and faith at Neighborhood Church. Devin shares his story—from stepping out in faith after college, to leading ministries, learning about church planting, and finding love and purpose. As he transitions to a new role in Illinois and prepares for marriage, t...

Join Pastor Mark and Eric for a conversation about connecting your passions with God's kingdom purposes! Explore how everyday interests—from crafting to football—can honor God and bless others when surrendered to Him. Pastor Mark shares powerful insights on divine appointments, explains the difference between healthy and unhealthy passions, and addresses idolatry when passions supersede God....

Discover how God wants YOUR passions to intersect with His kingdom purposes! Pastor Mark unpacks Ephesians 2:10, exploring how God sets up divine appointments in everyday life—not just Sundays. Learn the difference between godly passions (people, causes/hobbies, roles) and how to test if yours honor God and benefit others. Hear inspiring stories from church members Karen and Eric about discovering...

Get ready to smile! Join us for Pause, Neighborhood Kids version as 5-year-old Liam shares his thoughts on firefighters, dogs, Jesus, and God! This special episode captures pure childlike faith as Liam explains who Jesus is ("God!"), what his favorite thing about Jesus is ("when he takes the pain away"), and what prayer means to him. Watch as this precious little one talks abou...

Join Pastor Mark and Eric for a deep dive into the "You've Got Personality" message! Discover how your unique wiring—whether task or people-oriented, structured or unstructured—is God's intentional design, not a flaw to fix. Learn why understanding your personality helps you relate to God differently and serve more effectively in the body of Christ. Pastor Mark shares powerful...