On Sundays, Pastor Bryan has been walking us through the book of Esther. When you combine God’s timing with what I like to call “God-cidences” — those circumstances only God could have orchestrated — and add God doing what He does best, bending evil into good, you get the incredible story of Esther: an unlikely hero that nobody saw coming, whom God used to save an entire people from destruction!

Are you in a season where your soul feels unsettled? Has something in your life shifted, leaving you longing for God’s nearness?

The Lord is always at work. Sometimes we can't see it, or it gets hidden in the busyness of life, but He is present and active. My goal is to help us see those moments - to tell the stories…

One of the sweetest parts of Sunday School is seeing kids from different schools and neighborhoods build friendships. When they see each other outside of church, they proudly call one another their “church friends”—and we need more of those in the world!

From its beginning, Christianity has been a global faith. The apostles preached the gospel across cultural lines, carrying the good news into the heart of the ancient world. The apostle Paul often returned to the image of “the Body of Christ” to illustrate how diversity is not a weakness but a strength. Just as a body needs its many parts—hands, feet, arms, and eyes—so the church needs its many members, working together as one.

Believe it or not, Jesus’ words weren’t about weakness or surrender. They meant the exact opposite. In a simple but profound way, Jesus told His listeners to stand firm in the face of oppression and not back down. By refusing to retaliate and instead offering the other cheek, they denied the oppressor the reaction they wanted.

Women’s Bible Study takes a break during the summer but that doesn’t mean God takes a break too. His grace continues to meet us right where we are. As the Pastor of Congregational Care, this season gives me time to visit with people one-on-one, whether in hospitals, homes, or other places where grief, loneliness, crisis, or isolation are present.

Our Women’s Ministry recently completed a Discovering Your Gifts Bible Study, and it was a true joy to witness how uniquely and beautifully each woman is equipped to serve. After charting their top three spiritual gifts, the highest scores came in…

This summer has been a season of living out of a suitcase and trying to figure out where I am when I wake up each morning, and what a blessing it has been. In the last month, I traveled to Germany, Switzerland, and France on the church’s Reformation spiritual adventure, and last week to…

As part of their orientation, we visited two incredible local organizations we’ll be partnering with this summer: B5 (the refugee center) and United First Methodist Church. These visits were more than just introductions—they were powerful reminders of the work ahead and the meaningful difference our interns can make in the lives of others.

Recently, I led a trip to Germany and Switzerland to explore the Protestant Reformation, concluding in Berlin with reflections on the Cold War and World War II. It is a journey I have led many times with students and church members. The overarching question I pose to each group is this: What is the role of the Church throughout history as a prophetic voice both within and beyond its own walls?

This is such an exciting time of year! 

The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining (along with a bit of wind), and summer is just around the corner! One of the things I love most about this season is graduation—that moment when…

As I sat in the church pew listening to stories from those who shared their experiences in Honduras, one truth stirred deeply in me:…

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Depending on experience, “Mothers” can have many connotations, some good and some bad. Being a mom is about much more than giving birth. Biological or not, moms and mother figures should be the ones who love you unconditionally. They prioritize your well-being and happiness, encourage you, laugh with you, and so much more. 

One of the most moving parts of the trip was visiting the villages where Hillspring has been involved for many years. It was powerful to see the success and growth that has come from the faithful support and love our church has poured into these communities.

One of the things I love most about yardwork is seeing the immediate results of my effort. There is something deeply satisfying about that! And, if I consistently care for my yard, I can watch everything thrive and grow. However, if I neglect it, I face…

Our Hillspring staff member in Honduras, Eduardo, put together a wonderful article about Ojo de Agua. It is a perfect update on our partnership and work in Honduras. Our Honduran ministry is an excellent reflection of the Hillspring values of…

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships—our relationship with God, ourselves, others, and the world around us. These thoughts deepened a couple of Sundays ago when…

It encourages me to know that women in the New Testament played an active and vital role in the day-to-day function of the church. Women were involved in…

Many people feel that really digging into their Bible is too daunting. They might try and read the Bible from beginning to end and give up a few books into the Old Testament. My introduction to the Bible was…