New Life Gillette Church Teachings

What actually causes a person to change? In this message, Pastor CJ Ward explores the three forces that shape transformation — miracles, crisis, and inspiration — and reveals why inspiration rooted in a clear vision of Jesus is the most powerful catalyst for lasting change. Teaching from the book of Habakkuk and the life of Jesus, this message shows how encountering God leads to worship, service,...

What if the church was truly a place where anyone could come — and everyone could become? In Come and Become , Pastor CJ Ward teaches through Acts 9 and the story of Saul’s conversion to show how grace always comes before change. Saul didn’t clean himself up before meeting Jesus. He encountered Jesus first — and transformation followed. This message explores: Why no one comes to Jesus prepared How...

At Christmas, the story of Jesus can feel familiar—but it was never meant to feel normal. In this message, “Did You Notice?” , we walk through Philippians 2:5–11 and rediscover how absurd, scandalous, and beautiful the story of Jesus really is. God did not use His power for His own advantage. Instead, He became human, took on the role of a servant, and obediently went to the cross. When we truly n...

After Peter’s greatest failure, Jesus didn’t ask for an explanation. He asked a question. In Week 6 of our Follower series, Pastor CJ Ward teaches through John 21 and the powerful moment where Jesus restores Peter after his denial. Around a charcoal fire — the same setting where Peter once failed — Jesus invites Peter into grace, restoration, and renewed purpose. This message explores: Why we can’...

What did Jesus mean when He said the gates of hell will not overcome His Church? In Week 5 of our Follower series, Pastor Mike unpacks Matthew 16 and Peter’s bold confession that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus responds by declaring that His Church is not a defensive institution — it’s an advancing movement. Scripture: Matthew 16:13–20 In this message you’ll learn: Why the Church is built on the ident...

What does it mean to actually Let Jesus Lead your life? In Week 4 of our series Follower: Learning from the Life of Peter , Pastor Mike walks us through all three Gospel accounts of Jesus walking on water. Last week, we focused on Peter stepping out of the boat. This week, we discover the deeper truth: the real miracle happens when Jesus gets in the boat. Scripture: Mark 6:45–52 • John 6:16–21 • M...

What if the greatest moments of your faith can only happen when you’re willing to step out of what’s safe and move toward Jesus? In Week 3 of our Follower series, Pastor Mike Wilson teaches through Matthew 14:22–33 — the moment Peter walks on water. This message shows us that following Jesus isn’t about staying comfortable; it’s about trusting Him enough to move when He calls. Scripture: Matthew 1...

Religion says you need to change before you follow. Jesus says, “Follow Me… and I will make you.” In Week 2 of our series Follower: Learning from the Life of Peter , Pastor Mike walks through Matthew 4 and Luke 5 to show the full story behind Jesus calling His first disciples. It wasn’t an impulsive, reckless decision — it was a step of trust based on what they had already seen and heard. Scriptur...

What happens when Jesus changes everything about you? In Week 1 of our series Follower – Learning from the Life of Peter , Pastor CJ Ward unpacks John 1:35–42, where Jesus meets Simon and gives him a new name — Peter. In one encounter, Jesus transforms his identity and sets the tone for what it means to follow Him. Scripture: John 1:35–42 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 | Ezekiel 46:9 | Romans 2:4 In this me...

What if you could imagine who God is helping you become — without limits? In the final week of our Becoming series, Pastor CJ shares how God doesn’t just make us “a little better.” In Christ, the old is gone, and the new has come. This message challenges us to stop seeing ourselves and others through a worldly lens and to live as ambassadors of heaven — people who represent the love and transforma...

We all struggle with divided loyalties—wanting to follow God, yet drawn toward what leads us away from Him. In this week of Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God , Pastor Mike Wilson walks through the story of Samson to show how sin slowly destroys our strength and blinds us to God’s plan. But no matter how far we fall, God’s grace invites us back home. Scripture Highlights: Ja...

Everyone doubts. The question is — what will you do with it? In this week of Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God , Pastor CJ Ward explores the reality of doubt and how to walk through it without shame. Whether your doubt is intellectual or deeply personal, this message will remind you that God is not afraid of your questions. Scripture References: 1 John 3:19–24 – God is grea...

We were never meant to follow Jesus alone. In this final week of our series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God , Pastor CJ Ward hosts a panel discussion with New Life attenders about the importance of community, connection, and accountability through Circles (our Life Groups). Scripture References: Genesis 2:18 – It’s not good for man to be alone. Acts 2:42–47 – The early ch...

Have you ever wondered why some aspects of life seem so challenging, even when we're pursuing something meaningful? There's a profound truth that often gets overlooked: everything in life worth doing is hard. This applies not just to our worldly pursuits, but also to our spiritual journey. As followers of Christ, we sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that because salvation is a free gift, ou...

What does it really mean to abide in Jesus? In this week of our series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God , Pastor Mike Wilson unpacks John 15 and shows us that abiding isn’t about trying harder—it’s about staying connected to the true vine, Jesus Christ. Scripture Highlights: John 15:1–5 – Remain in Me and you will bear much fruit. Matthew 7:17–20 – A tree is known by its f...

What makes communion and baptism so important? This week in our series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God , Pastor CJ Ward explains the meaning of sacraments and why they matter for our faith. Scripture: Joshua 4:1–7 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 Romans 6:3–4 Sacraments are not magic—they are sacred because they remind us that something happened. Jesus’ death and resurrection have...

Who are you becoming? In this opening message of our new series Becoming – Living the Way of Jesus with the People of God , Pastor Mike Wilson challenges us to reflect on our growth, our motivations, and our calling as followers of Jesus. Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3–8 God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. The path of becoming includes: moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, pa...

God’s love and power have no boundaries. In this Kickoff Sunday message, Pastor Mike unpacks what it means to live with faith in the limitless God —a God who can forgive every sin, redeem every story, and use anyone for His glory. In this message you’ll learn: Why pessimism limits our faith and how optimism rooted in Jesus sets us free. The story of the woman caught in adultery and the freedom Chr...

In the final message of our Gravity teaching series, Pastor Mike Wilson tackles the weight of perfectionism —the cultural pressure to look flawless, live pain-free, and have it all together. But what if the pursuit of a perfect life is actually pulling us further from God? Using 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 , Pastor Mike unpacks how the Apostle Paul viewed weakness not as failure, but as a place where “G...

In this message from our Gravity series, Pastor CJ Ward confronts the cultural lie that success equals ease. Whether it’s your job, your marriage, your parenting, or your faith—our world tells us that if it’s hard, it must be wrong . But in Genesis 2 , we see that God’s design has always included work , purpose , and responsibility —even in paradise. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the g...

In Week 3 of our Gravity series, Pastor CJ Ward dives into one of the most powerful and misunderstood forces shaping our culture today— sex . While the world treats sex as casual, transactional, and purely physical, Scripture shows us something far more sacred. CJ unpacks Genesis 2:24-25 , revealing God’s original design for sex: a beautiful, intimate, and spiritual union meant to occur within mar...

We all feel it—that pull toward comfort, passivity, and self-preservation. In this week’s message, Pastor Mike Wilson dives into the concept of “Social Loafing,” where people do less when others are around to do the work. It’s a scientific reality—and a spiritual problem. Using Galatians 5:17 and James 1:22, Pastor Mike shows how our sinful nature is constantly in tension with the Holy Spirit , cr...

In this kickoff message of our new series Gravity , Pastor CJ Ward explores the invisible cultural currents that shape our beliefs and behavior. Titled “The Waters We Swim In,” this sermon challenges us to identify how the world subtly pulls us away from the teachings of Jesus—and calls us to submit every opinion, belief, and preference to Christ. Scripture Focus: John 6:60–69 Jesus’ followers wer...

Many people walk through life carrying shame like a weight they were never meant to bear. In this powerful message, Pastor Mike Wilson reminds us that God doesn’t just forgive—He forgets. In Week 5 of Healthy to the Core , we unpack the relationship between shame and forgiveness , and how Jesus took on our shame at the cross so we could live in freedom. Learn: The difference between guilt and sham...

Are you brave and prepared for the battles of life? In this powerful message, Pastor Mike Wilson walks through Ephesians 6 and unpacks the full armor of God—not just as a childhood metaphor, but as a real strategy for spiritual survival and victory. This sermon reminds us that bravery without preparation is recklessness, and preparation without bravery is useless. Together, they empower believers...