"What A Mess: Deborah” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
In a world where “everyone does what is right in their own eyes,” the story of Deborah from Judges 4–5 reminds us that God still raises up unexpected leaders for His purposes. Rev. Vicki Harrison walks us through the courageous obedience of a prophetess and judge in a time of chaos. Discover how Deborah's faith, leadership, and worship point us toward Jesus—and what that means for your own calling today. Ready to take your next step in faith? Join a Community Group or explore how we Grow Faith.
In today’s sermon from Rev. Vicki Harrison, she walks us through the powerful and often overlooked story of Deborah, found in Judges 4 and 5. As part of our What a Mess series, we explore how God raises up unlikely leaders—people the world may never choose—to accomplish His purposes in the midst of chaos.
Pastor Vicki opens with a reality check: the time of the Judges was marked by confusion and rebellion, a time when “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” Sound familiar? Yet even in the disorder, God was still listening, still calling, and still delivering. And in this case, He chooses Deborah—a woman, prophet, and judge—to lead Israel with bold faith.
We learn that Deborah doesn’t just sit in authority—she acts. She calls Barak to battle, encourages him to trust God’s promise, and even goes with him when he hesitates. Her leadership is marked by courage, obedience, and worship. After victory, Deborah sings a song of praise, making it clear that the true hero is God alone.
Throughout the sermon, Pastor Vicki invites us to reflect on some deeply personal questions:
Do we believe God still hears our cries?
Are we ignoring a call because we feel unqualified or unseen?
Are we giving God the credit for the victories He brings?
And most importantly—how does Deborah’s story point us to Jesus, the ultimate deliverer who leads, saves, and sings over His people?
If you’ve ever felt unqualified, invisible, or overwhelmed by your own mess, Deborah’s story reminds us: God sees, God calls, and God delivers.
Want to go deeper? Join a Community Group to process the message with others, or learn more about how we Grow Faith together at New Hope.
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"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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Your giving is an act of worship. Your giving supports the mission and ministry of New Hope. We are changing lives, renewing the church, and transforming communities, here and abroad.
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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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Your giving is an act of worship. Your giving supports the mission and ministry of New Hope. We are changing lives, renewing the church, and transforming communities, here and abroad.
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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.
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
Your giving is an act of worship. Your giving supports the mission and ministry of New Hope. We are changing lives, renewing the church, and transforming communities, here and abroad.
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October 27, 2024 | “Worship: What Is Worship? Spirit and Truth” - Rev. Roberto Chaple and Charles Hodge
Worship transcends personal preferences and consumer mentality; it’s about offering our entire being to God as a living and holy sacrifice, aligned with Romans 12:1-2. This sermon explores how true worship is not about receiving but giving—giving our hearts, minds, and bodies in service to God, as guided by our values at New Hope. Join us in rediscovering worship that’s cooked not to our liking, but as God desires—a heart-made worship that transforms and aligns us with His will. Let’s break away from the consumer mentality and enter a worship that transforms and connects us deeply with God’s purpose for our lives.
9:30 AM Service
Summary:
Worship transcends personal preferences and consumer mentality; it’s about offering our entire being to God as a living and holy sacrifice, aligned with Romans 12:1-2. This sermon explores how true worship is not about receiving but giving—giving our hearts, minds, and bodies in service to God, as guided by our values at New Hope. Join us in rediscovering worship that’s cooked not to our liking, but as God desires—a heart-made worship that transforms and aligns us with His will. Let’s break away from the consumer mentality and enter a worship that transforms and connects us deeply with God’s purpose for our lives.
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March 17, 2024 | "Disruptions: Disrupting The Crowd” | Pastor Roberto Chaple
"Discover the transformative power of bold faith with Pastor Roberto Chaple's sermon 'Disrupting the Crowd.' Learn from Bartimaeus how to be unstoppable and unapologetic in pursuing Jesus, no matter the opposition. #BoldFaith #UnstoppableBeliever #DisruptTheCrowd"
9:30 AM - Traditional Service
11:15 AM - Praise Service
Summary:
In “Disrupting the Crowd,” Pastor Roberto Chaple inspires us with the story of Bartimaeus from Mark chapter 10, emphasizing the power of persistence in faith despite opposition. Through Bartimaeus’s story, we learn the importance of being unstoppable and unapologetic in our pursuit of Jesus. This sermon teaches us that true ministry often happens amidst disruptions and that Jesus values our faith and determination over our social status or physical abilities. In our journey with Christ, we are encouraged to disrupt the internal and external crowds that hinder our relationship with Him. This call to action invites us to raise our voices louder in prayer, praise, and worship, living boldly for Jesus without letting anything or anyone deter us. Let’s embrace this message, moving from a passive to an active faith, demonstrating our trust in Jesus’s power to transform lives.
For more insights and inspiration, explore our values and mission at New Hope here, and discover how we embody being rooted in God’s Word, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and reaching the world for Jesus Christ here. Reflect on previous messages that resonate with “Disrupting the Crowd” at our message archive below.
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