Stello Grove, Grand Rapids MI

So, we all deal with FOMO from time to time.  The "fear of missing out" can lead to all kinds of anxiety, worry and poor decisions. But, why?  After all, doesn't God have a wonderful plan for your life?  Well, that's what Pastor Jack is talking about in this message.  This is one you won't want to miss out on!

James says to consider it joy when we suffer trials of all kinds. Really? What can he possibly mean by that? Is he asking us to buck up or to ignore our suffering? Is he saying we should lie about having joy until we talk ourselves into believing it? Not at all! Pastor Jack explains how this passage is not so much a command as it is a promise – as well as a challenge to take an honest look at our...

Did Jesus really struggle with disappointment and discouragement like we do?  Were His challenges and temptations anything like those we face? In this message, Pastor Jack takes an honest look at Jesus' humanity, how He dealt with the deepest agony He faced on earth, and what we can learn about our own victory and wholeness by following Him into the garden.

So, if we're honest, most of us have asked God why He's letting storms rage on around us. We may even have accused Him of not caring about what we're going through. Can these storms possibly produce good? And, even if they do, were they worth going through? If you've felt that way in the past or are feeling that way now, this message is for you!

Is inadequacy part of your story?  Whether in career, relationships, abilities, self-image, or any other area of life, everyone experiences inadequacy. But what changes in our story when Jesus calls us to be His disciples, and we choose to follow Him?  This message on the journey from inadequacy to purpose will offer biblical encouragement and perspective for finding meaningful purpose as follower...

06-14 by Pastor Jack Sytsema

We as a church and as the people of God need to be a strong voice; a voice that speaks truth and a voice that promotes reconciliation. We need to stand as a true representation of the God in whose image we are all made. But these can be confusing and discouraging times. Many of us aren't even sure how to respond or move forward just now. In this message, Pastor Jack Sytsema offers encouragement, c...

The Sabbath was designed to help us break cycles of sin and disconnection from God and each other. In Part 5 of this series on spiritual formation, Pastor Jack Sytsema continues unpacking the beauty of the Sabbath as one of God's great blessings in our lives.

So what was God thinking with this whole Sabbath thing? Why was it so important that it made the "Big 10?" But more importantly, what relevance does it have in the 21st century? In part 4 of this series on spiritual formation, Pastor Jack Sytsema begins to unpack the purpose and beauty of God's gift of Sabbath.

Stay quiet? Be alone? Really? Well, yeah. It's a vital part of spiritual formation. But in today's busy, plugged-in world, it's all but forgotten. In this message Pastor Jack Sytsema shares the vital importance of this often ignored but deeply powerful spiritual discipline.

In this second message in a series on spiritual formation, Pastor Jack Sytsema outlines a tangible approach to reading the Bible designed to increase understanding and deepen the richness of the Word of God.

Spiritual formation is simply the intentional pursuit of connecting with God. In this message Pastor Jack Sytsema gives a practical outline on building spiritual formation in our lives, and looks at the "Rule of Life," which is defined by Peter Scazzero as "an intentional, conscious plan to keep God at the center of everything we do. The starting point and foundation of any Rule is a desire to be...

Being a disciple means...what again? Pastor Jack Sytsema takes a fascinating look at what it meant to be a disciple in Jesus' day, and what that means--really means-- for us today.

Abiding in Christ. What does that even mean? In part three of this series, Pastor Jack Sytsema talks about the vine and the branches. By looking at how vineyards were tended in biblical times, he shows how beautifully and caringly God lifts us up so we can be true bearers of fruit.

Have you ever wondered why membership has or should any significance in church life? In Part 2 of this series on connecting, Pastor Jack Sytsema delivers a message that both answers that question and rolls out Covenant Membership at Lake Effect Church.

In this heartfelt message, Pastor Jack Sytsema draws the distinction between doing witnessing and being witnesses. He talks about God's healing power in our lives that takes our pain and trauma and turns our stories into a living testimony.

Conquering enemies to possess our inheritance is just as important for us today as it was for the Israelites to possess the Promised Land. The first of these enemies were the Hittites, which represented fear and terror. In this message, Pastor Jack Sytsema looks at defeating fear in our own lives.

So we've learned a lot about what covenant is and isn't, what God's part is, and why He makes covenant with us. But where does the rubber meet the road at home? In the final part of this rich, compassionate series, Pastor Jack Sytsema looks at the relationships we have in our everyday lives and what covenant means to those.

Paul said he boasted in his weakness. Makes no sense, right? How can our weaknesses, those things that so often undo us, actually turn out to serve us and make us strong? So glad you asked! This message by Pastor Jack Sytsema unpacks how that could possibly work, and what the Bible really means by "when we are weak, God is strong."

In this fresh take on God's covenant with David, Pastor Jack Sytsema looks at 5 major aspects of David's character (and why that is important to us today), and why God is so concerned with keeping His covenants.

In this message, Pastor Jack Sytsema shows the amazing grace and mercy God had on Israel as He made covenant with Moses, and how that extends to us today. Oh, side note--if you've ever suffered from deep anxiety, find out why Jesus knows exactly how you feel!

God reveals so much about Himself in the beautiful covenant He made with Abraham. In part 3 of this series, Pastor Jack Sytsema teaches how our amazing God created a covenant with the wonderful intention of fulfilling both sides. This message will leave you inspired!

Through the covenant with Noah, God shows us that no matter the condition of our hearts, His heart is full of compassion, grace, and the desire to build a bridge to our restoration. That is the beauty of our covenant-making God. He knows our sinfulness. He knows our hearts. Yet He still choses to be in covenant with us. He holds back the waters of the flood and says, “I want you.”

"Covenants are about a bridge that God uses to deliver us from our situation and bring us into restoration and redemption." In this fresh take on covenants, Pastor Jack Sytsema shows how God's covenants both biblical and in our own lives) tell a greater story!

It's easy to feel that when God looks at you, He's glaring at your sin. In part 3 of this series, Pastor Jack Sytsema talks about the beautiful truth of God looking beyond your sin to the destiny He has for you, and how He is mostly concerned about moving you into that future. Continuing on in 2 Samuel 7, we see how God dealt with King David that way, and how He deals that way with you and me!