The Beloved Church

On Sunday at The Beloved Church , Pastor Austin Presnell invited us into the deep and tender truth that the Light has come into our world through Jesus , even as we live in the tension between promise and fulfillment. With hearts turned toward hope and expectation, this sermon gently reminds us that the light of Christ isn’t just a distant promise—but a present reality that meets us in our shadows...

In this message from The Beloved Church , Austin Presnell reflects on the hope found in Christ—the kind of hope that shines steadily, even in seasons of uncertainty, weariness, or waiting. As Scripture points us again to Jesus as the Light of the world, we’re reminded that hope is not wishful thinking, but a confident trust rooted in who God is and what He has promised. This sermon invites us to l...

In this powerful message from The Beloved Church , Austin Presnell invites us to awaken to the coming light — to stir our hearts, lift our eyes, and step into the hope and purpose God has for us. Through Scripture, reflection, and encouragement, this sermon calls believers out of spiritual slumber and into a deeper, more vibrant life of faith. 📖 Expect: • A call to spiritual renewal • Encourageme...

In this message, Austin tackled one of the most difficult questions people struggle with: Why does God allow suffering? Austin walked through the reality of pain in our world and explained how suffering enters our lives not because God delights in it, but because we live in a fallen creation marked by brokenness and human freedom. Yet even in the middle of that brokenness, God remains sovereign, p...

In this week’s message, we walked through what Scripture teaches about sexuality, marriage, and God’s intentional design for human relationships. We also explored how Jesus calls us to hold truth and compassion together—loving our neighbors, including our LGBTQ neighbors, with the same grace He shows us. Our mission as a church is to help the next generation fall in love with Jesus, and that begin...

Can we really trust the Bible? Toran Scott from The Local Church dives into the evidence. From Historical accuracy, ancient manuscripts, and real-world relevance, Toran uses this to show why Scripture stands the test of time. This message invites you to wrestle with doubt, ask hard questions, and discover how the Bible’s story can still shape your life today. Why can we trust it? If we’re going to...

There are some questions in life we don’t think twice about asking — What’s for dinner? What’s the weather? But then there are others we quietly wonder and rarely voice. What is the Bible, really? Can we trust it? What did Jesus Himself say about Scripture? In week one of our series “I’m KindAfraid to Ask,” we explore what the Bible truly is and why it still matters today. The truth is, God’s Word...

Philip brings the gospel to Samaria, a place already captivated by a man named Simon who amazed crowds with sorcery and was called “the Great Power of God.” As Philip preaches Jesus, true miracles break out, people are healed, and the city is filled with joy. Simon believes and follows Philip, but his motives start to crack when he tries to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. Peter...

In this message, Pastor Austin Presnell teaches through the story of Stephen in Acts 6–7 — a man whose faith and courage stood out in a world that didn’t always understand him. Stephen reminds us that real conviction doesn’t come from trying to control the outcome but from trusting the Spirit who leads us. His words challenged the idea that God’s presence is limited to a place, showing instead tha...

When the apostles were freed from prison, they didn’t hesitate. They went straight back to the temple to preach. Why? Because when they heard it, they went and did it. In Acts 5, Peter declares, “We must obey God rather than men.” It’s a reminder that obedience to God often won’t feel like the smartest, safest, or most sensible thing, but it’s always the best thing. Maybe God’s been asking you to...

This past Sunday we gathered together in God’s presence and continued our journey through the book of Acts. We studied Acts 5:1–11, the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and were reminded of the seriousness of God’s holiness. Sara Krieg preached a powerful message on how their choice to hold back and pretend before God showed hearts more concerned with appearances than with true devotion. She reminde...

In a world where political, social, and moral opinions so often divide us, we turned our eyes to the early church in Acts—where believers laid down their own claims to possessions and shared freely with anyone in need. Austin reminded us that it’s easy to imagine their world as distant, even dystopian, and nothing like our own. But the truth is, even among the twelve disciples were groups with con...

We continued through our Acts series, studying Acts 2:1-41. Following from last week, learning about the promise of the Holy Spirit, this week we learned about the coming of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:36–41 , Peter proclaims: “God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” The good news Peter shared is the same for us today: Jesus is Lord — he reigns over all things, includ...

This past Sunday, we launched our new Acts series by diving into Acts 1:1–11, where we studied the promise of the Holy Spirit. Austin Presnell spoke on the disciples’ response as Jesus ascended into heaven. They stood looking into the sky. Confused, waiting, and unsure of what would come next. In many ways, we can relate to their experience. We often find ourselves waiting for Jesus to fulfill pro...

This Sunday, we had the wonderful opportunity to invite AJ Gillespie from Berkeley Church. We were learning about our brokenness and how even when we are still broken, we are beloved by God. Belovedness exists in the midst of brokenness. Believing that belovedness exists on the OTHER side of our brokenness, can lead to pressure of performance, feeling the need to be perfect, and experiencing shame...

As we continue through our Beloved Series, we want to continue to be a voice in this world speaking the truth over anyone thats willing to hear it— that you are Beloved. You are Beloved by God. And that love is not earned by what you can produce. That love is not earned by how many times you pray to Him a day. That love is not earned by your job, your picture perfect family, your appearance. That...

This week at Beloved, we’re continuing our series on what it means to live from our identity in Christ. You are a chosen person , deeply known and dearly loved. But you are also part of a chosen people —called together to carry His compassion into a hurting world. The love of Jesus isn’t just sentiment—it’s substance. And the Spirit makes it real in us, not to fuel comfort or comparison, but to aw...

This Sunday, we were in Matthew 3:13–17 and Romans 1:1–7, kicking off our new series, Beloved: Our Life In Christ. We looked at the baptism of Jesus and how, before He did anything in ministry, He received a simple but powerful affirmation from the Father: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” That same love and identity is extended to us in Christ. As we launch into Romans over th...

This Sunday at Beloved, we spent time in Psalm 135, reflecting on the reality of idols in our lives. Whether it’s success, relationships, comfort, or control, these things often promise life, joy, and purpose—but in the end, they fall short. Psalm 135 describes them clearly: they have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, and ears but cannot hear. We were reminded that while idols are real...

This week, we reflect on Psalm 119 - the longest chapter in the Bible. What is truth, and how do we find it? Our world tells us truth is found in all sorts of places, from logic and reason, to personal feelings. Scripture paints a very clear picture, that real truth, guidance, and help is found in the Word of the Lord. ______________________________________ Learn more about The Beloved Church: htt...

In this message from The Beloved Church Grand Rapids , we dive into Psalm 46 and explore the powerful truth that God is both mighty and deeply personal . Psalm 46:7 captures this beautifully: “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” We see how God's proper name, “The Lord Almighty,” reveals His unmatched power — yet this same God is with us , showing His nearness and care....

On Sunday, we explored the powerful imagery and message found in Psalm 1 , which contrasts the life paths of the righteous and the wicked. Austin Presnell focused on what it means to walk in step with the wicked , stand in the way of sinners , and sit in the seat of mockers —each representing a gradual progression into a lifestyle that moves further from God’s ways. These actions illustrate a hear...

This past Sunday at The Beloved Church, we had the privilege of hosting guest speaker AJ Gillespie from Berkley Hills Church as we continued our journey through the Psalms, focusing on Psalm 139. AJ encouraged us to slow down and truly sit with the Lord , inviting Him to search our hearts and reveal areas where we can grow. We explored the powerful distinction between condemnation and conviction —...

This Sunday, we launched our new series through the book of Psalms with a powerful message from guest speaker Dr. Gary Burge, who opened God's Word from Psalm 136. Together, we reflected deeply on the Hebrew word Hesed —God’s unfailing love. As we traced His faithful acts throughout history, we were reminded that God is not only our sustainer and provider but also the One whose love never gives up...

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Heather Lavigne preached out of Hebrews 4 reminding us the importance of God's rest, and how we find true satisfaction and restoration in the rest that God gives us.