Community Growth

Mitch Kruse learned the hard way that going to church three times a week while growing up did not answer the question: Have you ever thought about changing the scorecard of your life from money to wisdom? His pursuit to find the answer sparked a lifelong journey through the ultimate wisdom book, Proverbs, one that connects God's heart with street smarts.

Have you ever felt like life was finally going well, when suddenly life decides to throw you a curve ball? Life will knock you down when you least expect it. The important thing is not how or why we got knocked down, the important thing is how will we respond? In her early 40's, Nadine found herself to be a newly successful entrepreneur...and simultaneously...the mother of a heroin addict. She used this situation to create an out-of- the-box therapeutic travel recovery project which later evolved into establishing a nonprofit serving those choosing to live a lifestyle of recovery.

In the Bible, God set Ezekiel down in the middle of a valley full of bones. If reviewed on a travel website, that valley wouldn’t get more than a single star. But many of us don’t stop at a visit. We pitch a tent and buy a tract of that desolate land for ourselves—before passing it on to our children and grandchildren. Generations become mired in the valley of dry bones.

Emerging generations in the West are more diverse than ever—ethnically, socioeconomically, educationally, and politically. And as church attendance among younger generations declines rapidly, research shows that one of their primary sticking points is the lack of diversity in most churches. In Church for Everyone, pastors Dan Kreiss and Efrem Smith address this phenomenon head-on. In this research-based and theologically informed book, they explore the younger generations' expectations and disappointments with church and hold out a vision for true diversity taken from the pages of Scripture.

An effective new voice in the contemporary church movement shares important lessons from his failures and successes in building a community that reaches out with maximum impact within an emerging culture. Over the past decade, Mike Tatlock has been on a journey to examine the life of Jesus with a view to developing a church that truly makes a difference. His hard-won lessons have shaped a ministry philosophy that is connecting people in community to engage the world around them.

One crisp fall morning, a beautiful snow-capped Mt. Fuji stands out against the clear blue sky. As you drive closer, the shape and color become even more distinguishable and awe-inspiring. Then suddenly, something takes your enjoyment away. A line of trees completely blocks your view of the mountain. You try to look around, over, and through the trees, but you cannot see the mountain, even though you know it is still there. What if the beautiful mountain you are trying to enjoy is the God of grace? What are the “trees” in your life that block your view of this amazing God?

The kingdom of God possesses an extraordinary and awe-inspiring power. It is a force fueled by divine love, justice, and peace, working tirelessly to bring about a profound transformation in our world. This power becomes accessible to us through the Holy Spirit and is vividly evident in the lives of those who wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ. Unlike a physical realm confined to a specific place, the kingdom of God exists as a spiritual reality. Within its boundaries, God's will, love, and justice reign supreme.