"Seeing Beyond The Limits” | Rev. Lavetta Pope
Seeing Beyond the Limits" reminds us that God's vision for our lives stretches far beyond what we can measure. Through Zechariah 2, Pastor Lavetta Pope challenges us to stop defining our lives by limitations and start making room for God's expansion, protection, and glory.
“Seeing Beyond the Limits” explores how God redefines boundaries not to restrict us, but to expand us. Preaching from Zechariah 2:1–5, Pastor Lavetta Pope reveals how God calls us to put down our measuring tools and trust Him to build beyond what we can see. Through the Perception of Possibilities, the Promise of Protection, and the Vision of Hope, this message challenges us to stop limiting God's work in our lives.
Just like Jerusalem, God desires to make our lives places of limitless expansion, surrounded by His fire and filled with His glory. We are invited to stop merely surviving and start thriving in His presence. When we surrender our vision for His, we find a God who is not only our builder but our protector and indweller.
Explore our mission and get connected today.
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"God Never Said When He Will Return” | Rev. Roberto Chaple
Jesus never told us when He would return—but He did command us to keep watch. In this message, Pastor Roberto Chaple explores what it means to live prepared, not panicked, and how hope in Christ shapes the way we face the unknown.
In God Never Said When He Will Return, Pastor Roberto Chaple dives into one of the most debated and misunderstood topics in Christian faith—the Second Coming of Christ. While many try to predict the end times, Pastor Chaple reminds us that Jesus explicitly said, “no one knows the day or hour” (Matthew 24:36). Instead of speculation, Jesus commands us to keep watch—to live prepared, focused on our spiritual readiness rather than worldly timelines.
This message is a powerful call to shift from prediction to preparation. To keep watch means to pursue holiness, stay alert in our faith, and trust in God's eternal plan. As we wait for His return, we are called to live in the assurance of Heaven, fully known by God.
Are you living like Jesus could return today? Join a community group or serve in a ministry to stay spiritually ready and deeply connected.
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“God Never Said There Are Many Ways to Heaven” | Rev. Dr. Vicki Harrison
In this powerful message, Pastor Vicki Harrison addresses the popular belief that all paths lead to God. Using John 14:6 and other key scriptures, she challenges universalism and affirms the exclusive claim of Jesus as the way to salvation. This sermon invites us to wrestle with hard questions, trust God's justice, and live out our calling to share the Gospel.
God Never Said There Are Many Ways to Heaven confronts the increasingly popular idea of universalism—the belief that all roads lead to God. Pastor Vicki Harrison compassionately challenges this with Scripture, grounding her message in John 14:6, where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This isn’t just a comforting verse—it’s an exclusive claim of divine truth.
The sermon reminds us that bad theology leads to bad decision-making and distorted views of God, often fueled by cultural narratives rather than Biblical truth. While acknowledging the emotional and intellectual tension this topic can raise, Pastor Vicki holds fast to the truth that Jesus is not one way—He is the way.
Hell is addressed not as a scare tactic, but as a sobering reality: a place devoid of God’s presence. Rather than arguing about who’s in or out, we’re invited to focus on our responsibility—to reach the world for Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel (Matthew 28:19).
If you’re wrestling with exclusivity, doubt, or injustice, you’re not alone. The message closes by calling us to trust in God’s wisdom (Isaiah 55:9) and live out our belief that Jesus is the only way to salvation.
Are your actions demonstrating that belief?
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"God Never Said Things Will Be Easy” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Following Jesus doesn’t mean life will be easy. In John 16:33, Jesus promises both trouble and victory. Discover how God gives grace, strength, and abundant life—even on the hardest roads.
In God Never Said Things Will Be Easy, Rev. Vicki Harrison unpacks Jesus’ words in John 16:33, reminding us that the Christian life is not a path of comfort, but a journey of faith, endurance, and trust. Bad theology can lead to poor decisions and wrong assumptions about God, causing us to believe that faith guarantees a trouble-free life. Instead, Jesus calls us to follow in His footsteps—even when it means facing pain, challenges, and sacrifice. Drawing on the Apostle Paul’s trials, Rev. Vicki reassures us that God will give us all the grace we need for every situation, abundant life in Him, and the promise that we will never fight alone. This message calls us to be rooted in God’s Word, renewed daily by His Spirit, and committed to reaching the world for Jesus Christ—even when the journey is hard.
Call to Action: Join a New Hope community group to grow in faith, share life’s challenges, and walk together in Christ’s strength. Learn more at New Hope’s mission page.
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"God Never Said Follow Your Heart” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
In her message “God Never Said: Follow Your Heart,” Rev. Vicki Harrison (she/her) dismantles the cultural myth that our feelings are always trustworthy.
In her message “God Never Said: Follow Your Heart,” Rev. Vicki Harrison (she/her) dismantles the cultural myth that our feelings are always trustworthy. Drawing from Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:19–20, and Proverbs 3:5–6, she reminds us that our hearts can be deceptive and self-serving. When we base our decisions on flawed theology or fleeting emotions, we risk misunderstanding who God truly is and what He calls us to do.
Instead of following our hearts, Rev. Vicki challenges us to ask deeper, faith-forming questions like: Why am I here? Whom do I serve? She urges us to lean not on our own understanding, but on God’s Word, prayer, Christian community, and regular worship. These are the pathways to being rooted in God’s Word, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and ultimately reaching the world for Jesus Christ.
If you're looking to grow in these rhythms and need people to walk alongside you, consider joining a Band Group at New Hope. Band Groups are small, same-gendered gatherings designed to help you read Scripture, pray together, and build honest, accountable relationships. Whether you’re new to community or ready for a deeper connection, a Band Group can help you live out our mission to Know Jesus, Grow Faith, and Go Multiply.
Sign up today: https://bit.ly/ineedaband
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"Use Me: Why I Believe - Testimonies from New Hope” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
This week’s message in our Use Me series, led by Rev. Vicki Harrison, powerfully highlights how God continues to use real, broken people to build His Kingdom. Centered around 2 Corinthians 5:17, we witness four deeply personal testimonies—from Stan Cope, Garnette Stohr, Matt Yeo, and Donna Terrell—who share how Jesus met them in moments of fear, self-doubt, complacency, and helplessness. Their stories reveal a central truth: when we say “yes” to God, He transforms our ordinary lives into vessels for His extraordinary work.
Feeling stirred? Join a community group or share your story—God wants to use you, too. Comment here or email us to share your story.
Worship during our July 7, 2025 "Use Me: Why I Believe" service—celebrating transformation and testimony at New Hope.
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"Use Me: Paul” | Rev. Roberto Chaple
This week, Pastor Roberto brings us the powerful story of Paul—a man whose life was radically transformed by the grace of God. Once a fierce persecutor of the church, Paul became one of its greatest missionaries. His story confronts us with this challenging question:
Why might God have chosen someone like Paul, a former persecutor of the Church to become a central figure in its growth?
Paul’s past was marked by violence, legalism, and pride. He hunted down believers and sought to destroy the movement of Jesus. But on the road to Damascus, everything changed. Jesus interrupted his path and revealed a calling far beyond what Paul could have imagined.
Pastor Roberto reminds us through Paul’s story that:
Your brokenness can become your boldness.
God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect—He calls us as we are.
True transformation starts with surrender.
God uses people who are willing to live on the edge of comfort, certainty, and control.
Paul didn’t begin with a clean record—he began with an encounter. And from that moment on, he lived on the edge: of danger, of faith, of radical obedience. He wasn’t safe, but he was surrendered.
This week, we’re challenged to stop playing it safe and start asking:
What subtle warning is found in the contrast between those who are “willing” and those who are “available”?
Discussion Questions
From the sermon:
Why might God have chosen someone like Paul, a former persecutor of the Church to become a central figure in its growth?
According to 2 Corinthians 11:23–28, what does Paul’s ability to thrive in hardship teach us about spiritual maturity?
According to Philippians 3:8, what deeper message lies behind Paul calling all his accomplishments “garbage” compared to knowing Christ?
How does Paul’s legacy challenge modern believers in their view of effectiveness?
What subtle warning is found in the contrast between those who are “willing” and those who are “available”?
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"Use Me: Mary Magdalene” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
This week in our Use Me series, Pastor Vicki shares the remarkable story of Mary Magdalene—a woman healed by Jesus, a leader among the disciples, and the first witness to His resurrection. Her story invites all of us to ask: What does God want to do through our brokenness.
This week in our Use Me series, Pastor Vicki shares the remarkable story of Mary Magdalene—a woman healed by Jesus, a leader among the disciples, and the first witness to His resurrection. Her story invites all of us to ask: What does God want to do through our brokenness?
Scripture tells us that Mary was afflicted by seven demons before encountering Jesus (Luke 8:1–3), but from that moment on, her life is changed. She becomes one of the women supporting Jesus' ministry and is consistently listed first among them. She’s there at the cross when the others flee (Matthew 27:55–56) and the first at the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1–7). Her healing becomes the foundation of her calling.
Pastor Vicki points out that Mary Magdalene’s past didn’t disqualify her. In fact, it was her testimony. She reminds us that:
Your past does not dictate your future.
True healing only comes from Jesus.
Jesus loves us just as we are—but loves us too much to leave us that way.
God uses those who simply show up.
Mary didn’t have a title or public platform. What she had was availability. Her presence—faithful, persistent, and bold—made her a part of history.
Mary, once afflicted by seven demons (Luke 8:1–3), was transformed by her encounter with Jesus—becoming a devoted follower and leading supporter of His ministry.
Discussion Questions
From the sermon:
Mary Magdalene had seven demons before Jesus healed her. What does her transformation say about God’s willingness to redeem our past?
What parts of your story do you feel might disqualify you? How could God use them for His glory instead?
Jesus loves us just as we are—but not enough to leave us unchanged. How do you see His transforming love at work in your life?
Mary kept showing up, even when things were hard. What does it look like for you to keep showing up?
Are there places in your life where God is asking for availability more than ability?
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"Use Me: Simon Peter: A Rocky Character” | Rev. Roberto Chaple
Simon Peter was bold, brash, and deeply flawed—and Jesus still called him. In this kickoff to the Use Me series, Pastor Roberto Chaple shows how God works through imperfect people with willing hearts.
This week we begin our new series Use Me: Beauty in the Broken with a powerful message about the disciple Simon Peter. Pastor Roberto reminds us that God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect before calling us—He meets us in our mess and shapes us into vessels for His mission.
Peter’s story is deeply human. A fisherman turned apostle, he was impulsive, passionate, courageous, and flawed. He walked on water and then sank in doubt. He declared loyalty to Jesus, then denied Him. But through grace, repentance, and restoration, Peter grew into a steadfast leader of the early church.
This message explores how our words, works, and wants reveal our true character. And how, through Jesus, even our brokenness can become the foundation for spiritual growth. You don’t have to fix yourself before God can use you—what matters most is your desire to follow Him.
“Beyond your words and works, God is interested in your wants.”
– Pastor Roberto
Discussion Questions
How would you describe Peter’s character at the start of his journey with Jesus? What stood out to you about his transformation?
In what ways have your words, works, or wants not always aligned?
How have you experienced God working through your imperfections?
What does it mean to you that God changes us not based on who we were, but on who we can become?
Pastor Roberto asked, “What do you want?” — How would you honestly answer that today?
Simon Peter was bold, brash, and deeply flawed—and Jesus still called him. In this kickoff to the Use Me series, Pastor Roberto Chaple shows how God works through imperfect people with willing hearts.
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“The Most Uncomfortable Comforter” | Dr. David Wilkinson
In this powerful message, Dr. David Wilkinson explores how the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, and calls us to mission. Discover what it means to encounter the Spirit personally—and why it’s both beautiful and uncomfortable.
In this week’s message, Dr. David Wilkinson — a theologian and astrophysicist — explores the dynamic, sometimes unsettling, presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. His message challenges the idea of the Spirit as a passive or quiet comforter. Instead, he describes the Spirit as the personal presence of God who both comforts and disrupts, pushing believers into deeper faith and courageous mission.
Dr. Wilkinson outlines four key truths:
Encountering the Holy Spirit is encountering the personal God.
The Spirit is not an idea or force, but the living, breathing presence of God with us.Encountering the Holy Spirit is uncomfortable.
God meets us in our comfort zones—but never leaves us there.Encountering the Holy Spirit pushes us into mission.
The Spirit empowers us to engage the world with love, justice, and boldness.Encountering the Holy Spirit is for all.
Pentecost wasn’t a one-time event for a few elite believers. The Spirit is still poured out today—on all people.
This message is a call to reimagine comfort not as safety, but as the courage to follow wherever the Spirit leads.
Discussion Questions
How does viewing the Holy Spirit as the “personal God” change the way you relate to Him?
When have you experienced the Holy Spirit making you uncomfortable? What came out of that experience?
What does it mean for mission to be Spirit-led? Where might the Spirit be calling you to step out?
Do you believe the Holy Spirit is for you? What might be holding you back from receiving and trusting His presence more fully?
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“You Will Receive Power: The Holy Spirit in the Church” | Pastor Vicki Harrison
Pastor Vicki Harrison shares how the Holy Spirit empowered the early church in Acts 2—and still empowers us today. Discover how the Spirit unifies believers, equips the church with spiritual gifts, fuels worship, and leads the church into mission.
This week’s message explores what it means for the church to be truly empowered by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Vicki challenges us with a sobering quote from A.W. Tozer:
"If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference."
In Acts 2, we see the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost: a mighty wind, tongues of fire, people speaking different languages and understanding one another, and 3,000 people coming to faith in one day. That was the power of a Spirit-filled church.
Pastor Vicki reminds us that the same Holy Spirit is still with us today—not a different Spirit, not a diminished one. The Spirit transforms ordinary church gatherings into vibrant, world-changing movements that embody the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Through Acts 2:42-47, we see how the Holy Spirit shaped the early church into a community of unity, generosity, worship, and mission. The Spirit unified people from different backgrounds, equipped believers with spiritual gifts, fueled their desire for God's fullness in worship and prayer, nourished them through comfort and teaching, and empowered them to engage in spiritual warfare against darkness.
We are challenged to examine how much of what we do in our own churches relies on human effort versus the power of the Holy Spirit. A Spirit-empowered church is not simply a good organization or a social gathering—it becomes an extension of heaven itself.
Discussion Questions
From the sermon handout:
What were some ways that the Holy Spirit led and guided the early church, as we read in Acts 2?
What are some real ways the Holy Spirit empowers the church today?
The Holy Spirit allows the church to experience unity. What are some ways you have seen Jesus’ church embody the unity of the Spirit? Have you also seen disunity? Explain.
The Holy Spirit equips and empowers the church for ministry. How does the Spirit use spiritual gifts in the church? Do you know your own spiritual gifts? Are you using them to build up Jesus’ church?
The Holy Spirit gives the church a desire for his fullness in worship and prayer. Explain the difference between the omniscient presence of God and the manifest presence of God in worship. Have you experienced the manifest presence of God? Explain.
The Holy Spirit nourishes and comforts the church. How have you personally experienced this?
The Holy Spirit empowers the church to engage in spiritual warfare. How does what’s going on in the spiritual realm affect the church?
Do you believe that a Spirit-empowered church can be an extension of heaven?
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“Sealed by the Spirit” | Pastor Vicki Harrison
In this message from Pastor Vicki Harrison, explore what it means to be sealed by the Holy Spirit from the moment you believe. Learn how the Spirit assures, convicts, empowers, and transforms.
The Holy Spirit is not a reward for spiritual elites—it is a gift promised by Jesus the moment we believe.
This week, Pastor Vicki teaches from Ephesians 1 and John 16, focusing on what it means to be sealed by the Holy Spirit. A seal represents ownership, protection, and permanence. When we say yes to Jesus, the Spirit marks our lives, offering assurance, conviction, guidance, and power.
This message invites listeners to reflect: Where are you in your understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit? Are you skeptical, uncertain, or longing for more? The Spirit isn't meant to be a mystery we avoid—but a daily reality we embrace.
You are not alone, and you are not powerless. You are sealed, assured, and empowered by the Spirit of God.
Discussion Questions
From the message handout:
Where are you right now, as far as your understanding of the Holy Spirit?
I am not sure about the Holy Spirit. I’m skeptical.
I know the Holy Spirit exists, but I haven’t felt him at work in me yet.
I think I’ve felt His work in my life, but I’m not sure how to describe it.
I know He’s working in my life, but I’m afraid of what others might think if I start talking about it. He’s working in my life, and I’m hungry for more.
I know He is at work in my life and I’m fully embracing it.
What does it mean that we are sealed by the Spirit as believers?
What are some practical ways we experience the power of the Holy Spirit as individual believers?
The Holy Spirit assures us of our salvation.
If you have said yes to Jesus as Savior, do you have complete assurance that you will spend eternity with Him? Why or why not?The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and guides us in the right direction.
How do you define conviction? Do you experience it?
Have you been led by the Spirit? How do you experience the Holy Spirit guiding you?The Holy Spirit gives us power to do what God calls us to do.
How has the Holy Spirit called you to do hard things?
When is the last time the Holy Spirit called you to get out of your comfort zone?The Holy Spirit helps us become the people God designed us to be.
Is there evidence of the Spirit growing fruit in your life?
Are you intentionally working to become more like Jesus?
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“You Will Receive Power: Discovering the Fire” | Pastor Roberto Chaple
In this Pentecost message, Pastor Roberto Chaple explores Acts 2:1–4 and how the arrival of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of a global movement. Discover what it means to carry the fire of God.
What do fire and the Holy Spirit have in common?
In this Pentecost message, Pastor Roberto explores how fire—something humans never invented but simply discovered—mirrors the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. As the apostles gathered, they were filled with the Spirit, and tongues of fire appeared above them. It was the spark that ignited a movement.
Just as fire was the foundation of civilization, the Spirit is the foundation of the Church. Fire brings energy, motion, and creativity. Pentecost wasn’t a revival moment—it was a birth moment.
Pastor Roberto invites us to ask:
Are we trying to revive something... or are we ready to carry something new?
Because when God’s fire falls, our role is simple: pour gasoline where we see it.
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"What Are You Waiting For?” | Pastor Vicki Harrison
Discover the significance of baptism as Pastor Vicki Harrison explores Acts 22:6–16. Learn why baptism is a sacrament, a covenant, and a public declaration of new life in Jesus. What are you waiting for?
What Are You Waiting For?
This week’s message focuses on the meaning and significance of baptism, through the lens of Acts 22:6–16—Paul’s account of his transformation and baptism.
Pastor Vicki begins by asking a personal question: What has been your experience with baptism? In Scripture, baptism is a powerful and public response to the saving work of Jesus—a visible expression of new life and a covenant made with God. Across multiple passages (Acts 2, 8, 16, and 22), we see a consistent pattern: when people meet Jesus, they respond with immediate, wholehearted obedience. Baptism is never delayed. It’s a next step of surrender.
Pastor Vicki reminds us that baptism is both sacrament and symbol—a mystery of God’s grace at work and a declaration that our lives now belong to Jesus. She explores what it means to enter a covenant with God and why it’s so important to make that commitment public. As Paul recalls in Acts 22, he is told, “What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.”
So today, we ask you the same question:
What are you waiting for?
Discussion Questions
What has been your experience with baptism?
What did you notice about the New Testament baptism passages that were shared in the message? What did they have in common?
What is a covenant? What is the relationship between baptism and covenant?
Why is a public declaration of faith in Jesus important?
What is the relationship between baptism and new life in Jesus?
How is baptism a sacrament?
Explain the significance of God taking the initiative in baptism.
Would you consider being baptized (if you never have been) or remembering your baptism? What are you waiting for?
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“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Raising the Next Generation” Pastor Vicki Harrison with Bobby & Katherine Lain and Eric & Catherine Stout
How can the church leave a lasting spiritual legacy for the next generation? Listen to Pastor Vicki Harrison and a panel of young parents share insights on parenting, discipleship, and welcoming Millennials back into the fold.
This week’s message centers around a vital question for the church family:
Are we intentionally leaving a legacy that honors God and makes a lasting spiritual imprint on the next generation?
Pastor Vicki opens with Deuteronomy 6:4-9, reminding us that forming a spiritual legacy is a sacred calling: loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength—and passing that love down to our children in our daily rhythms. She also highlights Deuteronomy 4:9, which challenges us to be mindful not to forget what we’ve seen God do—and to intentionally teach it to our children and grandchildren.
The core of today’s message is a panel conversation with two couples from our church community, each raising young children. Together, they reflect on parenting challenges, share how New Hope has helped them stay grounded in faith, and offer guidance on how the church can better support families.
Discussion Questions
From the sermon handout:
According to the panel, what are some of the challenges that parents today are facing?
How can the church come alongside to support them?What are some specific ways that New Hope can help young families...
grow deep roots in Christ as a family
develop strong marriages
grow individually as disciples of Jesus
While we are seeing a resurgence in Generation Z (born 1997–2012) coming to Jesus,
the generation before them (Millennials, born 1981–1996) have left the church in droves.
What can the older generations do to welcome Millennials back into the fold?
According to the panel, what does their generation need most from the church?
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“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Passing The Paton” Graduation Sunday - Julie Hamilton and the Next Gen Teams
On May 18, 2025, New Hope celebrates Graduation Sunday with a powerful service led by the Next Gen team. Discover what it means to live a life that matters and pass on your faith legacy.
Graduation Sunday at New Hope is always something special—and this year is no exception. We celebrate not just academic accomplishments, but the faith journeys of our students and the spiritual impact of their families, mentors, and the church community that have walked with them every step of the way.
High school senior Brindley Rhodes kicked off our message by sharing her testimony of transformation, how her individual faith matured into shared community after years of praying for meaningful connections. She reminded us that we are not just small groups scattered through a congregation—we are one unified body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–20). Her challenge was simple: take time to truly connect with one another and recognize the legacy we are all helping build, together.
Then we heard a video message from college graduate Rosie Harrison. Rosie offered powerful insights on what her generation longs to see in the church—genuine, lived-out faith. She emphasized that her peers are not interested in tradition for tradition’s sake, but in churches that prioritize justice, compassion, humility, and mercy—the kind of radical love Jesus taught and lived. She called on the church to be bold, to stand with the vulnerable, and to live out Micah 6:8 in both word and action.
After the students spoke, graduates symbolically passed red batons to the next generation—an act of spiritual commissioning. They then handed out roses to someone in their “village,” honoring those who shaped their faith. The moment was emotional and unforgettable.
Pastor Vicki Harrison concluded with a heartfelt charge to the graduates, encouraging them to live lives that truly matter by embracing:
Passion: Find joy in your journey and live fully.
Humility: Serve others with the heart of Jesus.
Purpose: Let your life reflect the light of Christ and draw others to God.
She reminded us all that the greatest legacy we can leave is not material—but spiritual. Our job is to love deeply, disciple well, and trust that God is working through us in every season.
As the baton is passed, the mission continues. To our graduates: remember who and Whose you are. You will always have a home at New Hope.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
What does it mean to you to “live a life that matters”?
In what ways can you live with passion, humility, and purpose this week?
How are you helping pass the baton to the next generation?
Who has been part of your faith journey—and who are you helping shape spiritually today?
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“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Spiritual Parenting” Pastor Betty Bricker
In this powerful Mother’s Day message, Pastor Betty Bricker shares how spiritual parenting can shape lives and leave a legacy of faith. Learn from Matthew 20:20-23 and discover the call to influence others through prayer, encouragement, and love.
In this heartfelt Mother’s Day message, Pastor Betty Bricker explores the spiritual legacy of motherhood—both biological and spiritual—through the story of the mother of James and John in Matthew 20:20-23. Known as the "sons of thunder," these disciples had a bold and passionate mother who approached Jesus with an audacious request: that her sons sit at His right and left in His kingdom. While the request may seem brash, Pastor Betty encourages us to look deeper.
This mother’s actions reveal a powerful truth: she prayed for her sons to be part of God’s kingdom and to have an active role in it. Her boldness challenges us to ask: are we praying bold prayers for the next generation? Are we spiritually parenting the people God has placed in our lives—children, friends, students, neighbors?
Pastor Betty reminds us that spiritual parenting doesn’t require a biological connection. It means being present in the lives of others, walking with them through both pain and joy, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. In doing so, we leave behind a lasting legacy of faith.
This message is a call to intentional spiritual influence: to raise others up in faith through prayer, encouragement, and example—because a spiritual legacy is the most important gift we can leave.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
A mother’s love, a bit brash and presumptuous in many ways—but what can we learn from her?
She prayed for her sons to be a part of the Kingdom.
She prayed that her sons would be actively involved in the work of His Kingdom.
She had big expectations.
A spiritual legacy is the most important thing we can leave our children, those we have brought into this world and those we have adopted into our world.
Reach out to those around you this week and bring them into the kingdom. Pray unceasingly!
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“Faith That Leaves a Legacy: Spiritual Legacy” Rev. Vicki Harrison with Miriam Swanson
In this opening message of the Faith That Leaves a Legacy series, Pastor Vicki Harrison (she/her) explores how the church can pass on its faith to the next generation. Featuring insight from Miriam Swanson of Fusion USA, this sermon challenges believers to prioritize presence over programs and commit to spiritual investment.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4–9, Deuteronomy 4:9, Mark 10:13–16
Pastor Vicki Harrison opens our new series, Faith That Leaves a Legacy, with a powerful message on what it means to pass on our faith to the next generation. She challenges us to think beyond material inheritance and instead consider the spiritual mark we leave on our children, our church, and our community.
Drawing from Deuteronomy, Pastor Vicki reminds us that God calls His people to impress His commands on their children—not casually or occasionally, but as part of daily life. In Mark’s Gospel, we see Jesus welcome and bless children, making it clear that they matter in the Kingdom of God.
The message features a video interview with Miriam Swanson, Global Student Mission Leader and Director of Fusion USA. Miriam shares insight on what young adults today are longing for: not perfect programs, but people. Real connection. Authentic love. Presence over performance.
Pastor Vicki reflects on the church’s responsibility to walk alongside young people. She shares personal stories, including how difficult it was for her own children to find churches that welcomed them during college. Her reminder is clear: one person showing up can make all the difference.
This week’s takeaway: the next generation doesn’t need another polished event—they need someone who cares. Leaving a spiritual legacy starts with showing up, speaking life, and living the Gospel with humility and love.
Discussion Questions
What is the role of the church for the next generation?
What are some practical steps you can take to reach youth and young adults?
What are some challenges the church faces as we seek to reach the next generation?
What does it mean that presence is more important than programming? How did Jesus exemplify this?
What might we need to let go of in order to reach both the lost and the next generation for Jesus?
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
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Other Sermons from Pastor Vicki
April 27, 2025 | "Christianity Explored: What Does It Mean To Follow Jesus?” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Why did Jesus die on the cross? This sermon unpacks Mark 8 and four powerful reasons the cross matters—substitution, sacrifice, history, and eternity. Discover how Jesus' identity and mission transform our lives today.
This week at New Hope, Pastor Vicki challenges us with one of the most crucial questions of all: what does it really mean to follow Jesus?
We explore Mark 8:31-38, where Jesus openly shares that following Him means more than simply believing — it means denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and giving Him full authority over our lives. It’s not the comfortable road many of us might imagine. Jesus doesn't promise an easy life, but a true life — one that goes against the grain of self-centeredness, pride, and worldly values.
Pastor Vicki reminds us that sometimes we’re tempted to reshape Jesus into a version we find more convenient, one that fits our preferences or cultural values. But the real Jesus — the suffering servant, the risen Lord — calls us to radical surrender.
Following Jesus isn't a halfway commitment. It's an invitation to lose the life we think we want so that we can gain the life God has prepared for us.
This week's message asks:
Are we willing to surrender everything?
Where do our lives need realignment with the values of Christ rather than the values of culture?
Are we following fully, or halfway?
Take some time to reflect, pray, and honestly wrestle with these questions below.
Discussion Questions
Christianity Explored: What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Mark 8:31-38
What are some ways we might make Jesus into our own image?
What kind of Messiah were the disciples expecting? How did Jesus differ from their expectation?
How would you define self-denial as discussed in the message?
What did Jesus mean by taking up your cross?
How do the values of Jesus conflict with our values as Americans? What about your own personal values?
Is it possible to follow Jesus half-way? Why or why not?
What is the biggest irony, according to Pastor Vicki?
Questions to reflect on this week:
Are you willing to surrender all to follow Jesus?
What needs to change in your life and thinking to be more consistent with the ways of Jesus Christ?
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Pastor Roberto
April 20, 2025 | "Christianity Explored: Resurrection: Why Did Jesus Rise?” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
Why did Jesus die on the cross? This sermon unpacks Mark 8 and four powerful reasons the cross matters—substitution, sacrifice, history, and eternity. Discover how Jesus' identity and mission transform our lives today.
He Is Risen: Why Did Jesus Rise?
On Easter Sunday, Pastor Vicki Harrison continues our Christianity Explored series with one of the most essential questions of the Christian faith: Why did Jesus rise? Preaching from Mark 16:1–8, we encounter the story of the resurrection not as a neat conclusion, but as a raw, real, and unfinished narrative—one that invites us into the ongoing journey of faith.
Three women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome—go to the tomb expecting to honor Jesus with a final act of love. They expect grief. They expect a heavy stone. What they find instead is an empty tomb and a mysterious messenger who proclaims: “He has risen.”
The abrupt ending of Mark’s Gospel leaves us with more questions than answers. But perhaps that’s intentional. Life rarely wraps up with tidy conclusions. Resurrection faith is not about easy answers—it’s about stepping into the unknown with hope. Mark gives us just enough to believe... and then challenges us to do so.
Because if the resurrection is true, everything changes. It means that death doesn’t have the last word. It means hope is never wasted. It means that Jesus, alive and reigning, is still transforming lives today.
The question is: Do you believe?
Discussion Questions
These are the same questions handed out with the sermon. Use them in your small group, journaling time, or personal prayer this week:
Why were the women going to the tomb? What did they expect would be their biggest obstacle and what was the surprise they encountered?
Who was the man at the tomb and what did he say to the women?
Does the abrupt ending to Mark’s Gospel bother you? Why or why not?
Why do you think Mark ended his Gospel the way he did? What evidence does he offer of the resurrection?
What are some reasons the resurrection is crucial to our faith?
What is the difference between the perspective of the world and the perspective of Jesus? Where do you fall?
Reflect and Pray:
Do you choose to believe, not only in Jesus but also in his resurrection?
Do you believe that there is a God who can do ANYTHING, even defeat death? And if he can defeat death, what might he be able to do in your life?
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.