Reach Church

If there’s one thing that must be true of a faithful church, it’s that it must be a community where people learn to follow Jesus whole-heartedly. When Jesus commanded us to make disciples, it was for all of us, and it was for our joy.

We are committed to being a church where those far from God are brought into God’s family...all the time. To see people saved we must know why people need saving — and we must be aware of the habits and attitudes that will stand in our way.

The Apostle John decides the best way to close his masterpiece is to complete the story of Peter. As Jesus speaks into his life he also speaks into ours. As we finish over two years in this gospel we are reminded — these stories are just a glimpse of all Christ did, and is yet to do in the season to come.

For centuries, the Apostle Thomas has been known for his moment of doubt. A closer look at his place in scripture reveals a man of conviction worthy of imitation. May we doubt and believe like Thomas, and may we never reduce others to their biggest mistakes — for Jesus has not done so with us.

We are a “both/and” church. And nowhere is this more essential than in our commitment to Spirit AND Truth. Our desire to share the gospel of forgiveness will amount to nothing if we are not walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

False narratives can be hard to shake — they must be replaced by a better story. When we humble ourselves, draw near, truly see the resurrected Jesus, and believe, that better story intersects with our own...and we are never the same.

This Good Friday we shared in a special time together as a number of different faces from the Reach family guided us through the Stations of the Cross, as we reflected and meditated on Jesus' sacrifice through scripture and song.

When Jesus is placed in the tomb, it seems like all hope is gone. But God does his best work in such times, and he uses minor characters to make major impact in the story of redemption.

No matter who you are, Jesus is better and the good news of his Gospel is greater than you could ever imagine. Pastor Brian McCormack recently spoke at Reach College Group, using a whiteboard to walk us through the 5S Gospel framework. You're going to want to watch the video with this one. Our apologies for the audio issues.

Everything changes when you look at Jesus on the cross, and instead of seeing something offensive, you see rescue and love.

One of the last things Jesus says on the cross is “it is finished”. What does this mean? What was finished? Who was it for?

[From our first in-person Sunday in a year] While in unimaginable pain, Jesus still uses the few words he has left to care for others. The takeaway? No matter who you are, there is a place for you at the foot of the cross.

Jesus walked over 3,000 miles in his ministry — but it’s the final 2,000 feet that will be the most difficult, and the most important — for they will lead him to the cross.

If Jesus endured abuse of all kinds, he is uniquely equipped to care for you in the wake of the harm you have experienced in your own life. As we wrap our minds around the public torture Christ endured many thoughts and emotions surely swirl. But chief among them is this life-changing truth — by his stripes we are healed.

When Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, his exchange with the Roman governor is loaded with meaning. Like Pilate, when we find ourselves before the truth of Jesus, we have a choice to make -- the crowd or the cross.

As Jesus is arrested and subjected to a shady sequence of interrogations, Peter tries to follow him...but from a distance. The results are disastrous. Apparently distance leads to denial. We must follow him closely.

If you've experienced betrayal, rest assured that Jesus knows what you're feeling. Still, even in the midst of betrayal, he shows us that his kingdom will come in ways completely contrary to the those of the world.

On the last night of his life, Jesus asks his father to do 3 things for his followers — protect us, sanctify us, and unite us. If we remember these prayers, we’ll also remember we are not alone, change is possible, and hope is bigger than division.

As Jesus begins to pray on the final night of his life, 3 things appear to be on his mind -- the GLORY of God, the AUTHORITY of God, and ETERNAL LIFE by knowing God. When we orient our thoughts and actions around these same ideas, things change.

The divine call to be a peace-maker is always difficult, but especially in the wake of indefensible acts. Remembering what following Jesus is (not) about, asking ourselves where our hope is, and choosing to reflect the heart of God in the midst of the madness provides a starting point as we process a heart-breaking week.

As we look back on an unexpected year, and forward to another one that's sure to have its own challenges, Pastor Brian brings us an encouraging word on what it means for God to hit reset in our lives, our church, and our world.

As people finishing one hard year and staring down the likelihood of another, what hope does God offer us? “Yes, you will have suffering in this world. But take heart — I have conquered the world.” In these words we don’t just find our hope, but also our purpose as a church for the season to come.

Is it possible you don't pray because you think God doesn't love you? The certainty of Gods love for you, makes the mystery of prayer hopeful. The uncertainty of Gods love for you, makes the mystery of prayer hurtful.

As we approach the end of the year, there are no shortage of reasons to feel disheartened and discouraged. Why can we choose hope in such a difficult season? Jeff Bethke reminds us of our place in God's story and points to five truths we can cling to that empower us to take heart, regardless of the season and especially in this one.

There is a joy that can replace our sorrow and wipe away our pain. Forever. We take hold of such joy as we see Jesus for who he is, and serve others as he does.