Spark Cast

Sparker, Tom Arrington, continues our series with an impassioned encouragement for followers of Jesus to actually trust, and then actually obey.

We are not to sit on the sidelines. Indeed, we cannot, because we ARE NOT on the sidelines. Engaging with the realities of our world, both the light and the dark, is simply an embrace of our true selves, our real identity, and our central calling.

What are the pathways from terrorism to truth, from fear to faith? A reexamination of Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus reveals blindness as a necessary component of that transformation. As it turns out, blindness is a theme we see throughout the biblical narrative. Rather than "I once was blind but NOW I see," this idea embraces "I once was blind SO I could see."

The Q&R with Pastor Danielle after Lauren's message.

Sparker Lauren Chan reflects on life, and leaving for college. While many are thrilled to be departing from home, this is not something Lauren is looking forward to. Yet, throughout her life, and throughout the biblical story, "leaving home" is a dominant theme of a growing faith.

Acts 19 finds Paul in Ephesus where he incites a famous riot. It is not, however, by traditional means. This riot, is caused by love.

A follow-up interview from Omair's talk, "Mars Hill."

The Q&R session after Omair's talk, "Mars Hill."

The discussion that we see at the Aeropagus, also known as Mars Hill, in Athens highlights two main features of the Jesus movement. First, that followers of Jesus, and the message of the Gospel is comfortable and conversant with intellectual thought. Second, that women play a significant role in the expansion of the movement. Both are often missed and misunderstood through Christian tradition, a m...

A follow-up interview from Marcus's talk "What Are You Going To Do, Are You About That Life?"

If we are really going to be the kind of church that Jesus calls us to, then we should really consider if we are truly committed to loving and welcoming those who are not like us. In this message, Pastor Marcus challenges us from Acts 15 to "get comfortable, being uncomfortable."

Chapters 8 and 9 of Acts introduces us to a series of three people who were confronted with the emerging spread of the Good News. In addition to these stories being about everyone's welcome to this movement, the structure of this triad also points out the things that need to be left behind once you begin following Jesus into a new world.

The stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 is not a story that simply illustrates the past. It is a model for the present as many Christians today are still facing persecution. We honor Stephen, and pray for the same strength of witness.

The disparity between two distinct people groups in the first church in Acts, the Greeks and the Hebrews, created an early challenge for this growing community. How do we care for our diverse community? This lesson is no less powerful or important for today.

Far from an apologetic argument for the validity of the Jesus movement, this passage highlights how an open, progressive, capacious, and welcoming faith, can devolve into a restrictive, fearful, and regressive faith. Listen carefully to Gamaliel, and consider, remember, and recommit to the faith of our ancestors.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit and being struck dead is one of those complicated, challenging, and perplexing stories in the Bible. Yet, set in the whole context of the grand narrative of the Jesus movement within Jewish understandings of faith help make meaning and sense of this event. Sharing personally, and historically, Omair helps us navigate this story, and challe...

What does one do when they're in "exile?" And what does "repentance" mean in those times? In a speech by Peter, we are encouraged for moments of breathing, in the midst of struggle, and we hope you find a time of refreshing in the midst of your current exile.

In our final talk Omair brings together the past, the present, and the future, in his teaching on a Joy that Lasts.

From from an emotion of happiness, or a delusion from the chaos of the world, through the lens of Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1 we see joy as a "justice strategy." It is a way of declaring what truly is worthy of praise, magnification, and rejoicing.

Through life's various ups and downs, joy sustains, and gets you through. In part two of our series, Pastor Mark shares the songs and scriptures that have sustained him through those tumultuous and exciting times of life.

Following Yale Divinity School's preaching campaign, Pastor Danielle gives talk #1 of our #50StatesOfJoy series where we discover joy to be held even in the midst of true suffering, pain, and challenge. Joy is not the absence of suffering, but rather a chosen response to it.

The Resurrection, the most central event in our story and history can often be seen as evidence of truth, a better life, or other "escapist" theologies. In this talk, we consider that the Resurrection means more than just a "change of scenery." It means a change of heart and mind, regardless of what scenery is around you.

The hope for revolution comes, on this Palm Sunday, not as we expect. And while we may be disappointed, Jesus does not fail to deliver.

The event of Pentecost in Acts 2 to many readers is a new movement of the Holy Spirit. However, to those who experienced it, there were all too familiar events and themes that brought back deep meaning and resonance from their story. The same God who acted then, is acting again!

While many see these supernatural events as literal events, there are symbolic and metaphorical meanings that are connected to the greater story. These ways of thinking transform how we understand ourselves, and the work that we are to be engaged in as followers of Jesus.