FA Church

This past Sunday, Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson shared a message titled “The Cost of Following Jesus.” Looking at Matthew 16:13 – 26, following Jesus begins with desire — “If anyone desires to come after Me…” (vs 24). Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily, finding joy in self-denial as Paul did, counting all things loss for the excellence of knowing Christ. True life is discovere...

This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson shared a message titled “The Call to Follow.” From Matthew 4:17 –22, we see Jesus calling His first disciples to leave everything and follow Him. The call begins with repentance — turning away from the world’s patterns and being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1–2). Then comes the invitation to follow — to walk in the way of love, just as Ch...

This past Sunday, Pastor Mark MacKnight shared a message titled A Word for FA. Paul’s one final exhortation to the believers in II Corinthians 13:11 –12 is to EMBODY their faith: “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greeting...

This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, shared a message titled The Table of Blessing. Looking at Romans 5:1–11, we were reminded of the incredible blessings we have through faith in Christ. Because of Jesus, we have peace with God, access to His grace, and the glorious hope of heaven. Even in suffering, we can find purpose, as trials produce perseverance, character and hope. God’s love ha...

This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled Fresh Oil for a Fresh Season. Samuel anointed David, and from that day the Spirit of the Lord came upon him with power (1 Samuel 16:13 ). The anointing is the very presence of the Holy Spirit, working in us, upon us, and through us for His glory. Fresh oil changes atmospheres and carries a Christ-like fragrance that spread...

This past Sunday, Pastor Adam Meckelborg shared a message titled Built To Last. Jesus ended the Sermon on the Mount with The Choice: two paths, two trees, two claims, and two builders. A wise life is one that hears His words and puts them into practice, building on the rock. Through practice, obedience that feels awkward becomes second nature. Jesus invites us to build a faith that withstands chao...

This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled: Trusting God in Difficult Times. From Psalm 46:1–11, we were reminded that even when the earth shakes and the nations rage, God is our sure refuge and strength. Pastor Ben walked us through three truths found in this passage: We have a refuge — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We have a ri...

This past Sunday, our lead Pastor, Ben Johnson shared a message entitled "Forgive and Live." Drawing from Matthew 18:21 –35, he reminded us that forgiveness is not easy, but essential. Jesus teaches that forgiveness isn’t about keeping score, it’s about losing count. We forgive because God forgave us first, and He calls us to extend that same grace to others. Unforgiveness traps us in a prison, bu...

This past Sunday, Pastor Mark Hazzard preached a message entitled “The Parables of Jesus.” Through the parables of the workers in the vineyard and the rich young ruler, we were reminded that the Kingdom of God is not built on comparison or human effort, but on the generosity and grace of its King. God’s Kingdom is ever-growing, and His invitation is open to all — whether early or late in the journ...

This past Sunday, Pastor Merrie Eizenga shared a message titled "You Choose" from Luke 18:9–14, comparing the self-righteous prayer of a Pharisee with the heartfelt plea for mercy from a tax collector. Drawing from scripture and commentary, she highlighted how the Pharisee magnified his own goodness while the tax collector magnified his brokenness. We were reminded that God measures righteousness...

This past Sunday,  Pastor Hunter Gillis continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message titled “What It’s All About,” unpacking the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15:11 –32. Pastor Hunter reminded us that this parable reveals the heart of God — a Father who runs toward the broken, welcomes the repentant, and celebrates what was once lost being found. We were challenged to rem...

This past Sunday at First Assembly, we welcomed guest speaker Pastor Rob Snow, who continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message on The Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10. In response to a lawyer's question, “Who is my neighbour?”, Jesus tells the story of a man beaten and left for dead—ignored by a priest and a Levite, but rescued by a compassionate Samaritan. Pastor Ro...

This past Sunday at First Assembly, Pastor Ben Johnson continued our Parables: Stories Jesus Told series with a message titled “Worth Everything.” Teaching from the parables in Matthew 13, Pastor Ben spoke on the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value. Those who discover the kingdom respond with total surrender, giving up everything to obtain it. We were reminded that the kingdom of God is p...

This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson launched our new teaching series, “Parables: Stories Jesus Told,” with a message titled “How’s Your Heart?” Teaching from Matthew 13, Pastor Ben unpacked the Parable of the Sower, where Jesus describes four types of soil that represent the condition of our hearts in receiving God’s Word. Some hearts are hardened, others are shallow or distracted, and some are r...

This past Sunday, Pastor Hunter Gillis concluded our Unshakeable series with a message titled “The Tension of Excellence,” drawing from Daniel 6 and Jeremiah 29. He reminded us that Daniel’s faithfulness in exile wasn’t flashy—it was marked by consistency, integrity, and excellence that distinguished him, even in a hostile culture. Pastor Hunter emphasized the tension we feel as believers called t...

This past Sunday, Pastor Jeremiah Niengor shared a powerful message titled “A Lion’s Den Faith and a Window Sill Devotion.” Preaching from Daniel 6, he challenged us with the truth that while many long for bold, headline-worthy faith like Daniel’s in the lion’s den, few cultivate the quiet, consistent prayer life that made that moment possible. Daniel’s unwavering devotion—praying three times dail...

This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson continued with our series Unshakeable with a message titled “The Writing is on the Wall” from Daniel 5. We looked at the story of King Belshazzar, who dishonoured God by using sacred temple items in a prideful feast, worshipping idols instead of the living God. In the midst of his arrogance, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote a divine warning on the palace wa...

This Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson continued our Unshakeable series with a message titled “Stand Strong.” Focusing on Daniel 3, Pastor Ben highlighted the powerful moment when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image, even under the threat of the fiery furnace. Their courageous response—"Even if He doesn’t, we will not serve your gods"—revealed a faith that didn’t hinge on o...

This past Sunday, Pastor Ben Johnson started our new series "Unshakeable" with a powerful message titled “Living Bold in Babylon.” Drawing from Daniel 1:1–8, he explored how Daniel and his friends resisted the Babylonian strategies of isolation, indoctrination, and assimilation by standing firm in their God-given identity. Though their names were changed to reflect Babylonian gods, they remained r...