Some people absolutely love teaching. They naturally thrive in front of a whiteboard or a classroom. Others? Not so much. Many people pass up opportunities to teach because of fear, a lack of confidence, poor people skills, or just an overflowing schedule. If that is you, let me offer some encouragement: Whether you accept it or not, you were born to teach. And I don't just mean inside a classroom—I mean in every single room you walk into. The Universal Call to Teach God expl

I have heard this statement spoken a hundred times or more during my years in full-time ministry: “I don’t know what I would’ve done if it were not for the church family.” Aren’t you glad to be a part of the family of God? What would we do without our brothers and sisters in Christ? I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if it were not for the dedicated people who surrounded me and my family. Life is not always easy, and ministry can be extremely difficult. A

Understanding the Biblical Pattern: A Defense of Restorationist Leadership in the Church I was blessed with two amazing grandmothers. Both helped raising me and shaping me into the man I am today (Carol Rae Green & Aletta Mae Reynolds). Both grandmothers were faithful members of the Lord's church. Both were converted by their husbands (my grandfathers) early in life. Both read their Bibles, never missed a service, and were wise beyond comprehension. Talented, loving, servant-

Most of us are familiar with the "Golden Rule" found in Matthew 7:12, and we recognize the two greatest commandments discussed in Mark 12:28-34. But there is a curious thought interjected at the end of the second command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Starting in the Family What does that mean? Clearly, the world needs to see the love of Christ. If you have a hard time showing love to people in the world, or even your enemies, a great place to start practicing is within

There is a growing trend in our modern culture to "sue first and ask questions later." While the legal system exists to maintain order, for the believer, there is a higher law and a more profound conviction at play. When we take a brother or sister in Christ before a secular judge, we aren't just settling a dispute; we are often signaling a failure of faith and a breakdown of the spiritual family. My conviction on this is firm: The courtroom should be the last place a Christi

We often find comfort in the familiar. We are commanded by Christ to love one another, especially our own brethren. John 15:12, 17 says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. . . These things I command you, that you love one another.” This sentiment is the bedrock of the church, repeated in Matthew 19:19 and Matthew 22:39. A Radical Command However, Jesus takes this a step further—into territory that challenges our very nature. He tells us to

Just imagine what God can do with us when we fully surrender to Him and His will. It is a concept that sounds daunting at first—giving up control—but the Bible promises a beautiful transformation when we do. When we submit to God, He will lift us up (James 4:10). One of the most profound ways He lifts us up is by adopting us into His family. A New Environment for Growth When you are baptized and added to the Body of Christ, you aren’t just joining a religion; you are given a

Our theme this year is “ Growing in Christ ,” and growth requires more than good intentions—it requires connection. If time in the Word is how God speaks to us, then prayer is how we speak to God . And just like any relationship, if communication is missing, the relationship grows cold.that’s why prayer isn’t optional for a disciple. It’s a discipline we develop to grow our relationship with the Father. In Luke 18:1, Jesus taught that we “ought always to pray and not lose hea

Our theme this year is “Growing in Christ,” and growth is never accidental. Anything that grows—whether it’s a garden, a marriage, or a faith—grows because it is nurtured consistently over time. That’s why, for the month of March, I want to focus our bulletin articles on a simple but powerful theme: Spiritual Disciplines. These are the steady habits God uses to grow His people—things like being in the Word, prayer, worship, and service. They may not always feel “exciting,” bu

It’s easy to say we love people. It’s easy to feel love when things are going well. But biblical love is more than words and more than intention— love shows up. It steps into the mess. It takes time. It sacrifices comfort. It moves toward people instead of away from them. 1 John 3:16–18 says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us… My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” That’s about as clear as it gets. Jes

One of the biggest misunderstandings in our world today is the idea that love and truth are enemies. Some people act like if you love someone, you’ll never challenge them. Others act like if you speak truth, you can’t be loving. But Scripture refuses to separate the two. Biblical love speaks truth—and biblical truth is spoken in love. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to be “speaking the truth in love.” That verse is simple, but it’s challenging. It means truth matters. It means love m

When most people think about love, they think about their feelings. The love Jesus calls us to is deeper than a feeling. Biblical love is a decision. It’s a choice we make because we belong to Christ. Jesus said in John 13:34–35 , “ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are Mydisciples, if you have love for one another .” Notice that Jesus didn’t describe love as an idea or a mood, He gave it as a comma

Last Tuesday, I woke up to the news that a high school classmate of mine had passed away. This makes two that I have lost in the last five years or so. It made me think. Travis came from a loving family. Both his parents and brothers are faithful members of the Lord’s church. He grew up with me at Mobile Christian, and we were both in the youth group together. We played football together. On paper, he had everything one would think to live a full, faithful and productive life

Recently, I listened to one of my dad’s sermons entitled “Courage to Answer the Call.“ In it he said something that has stayed with me: “Do not look to your courage to find your identity in Christ. Look to your identity in Christ, to find your courage.” That sentence speaks to a struggle many of us face. We often think, “If I can just feel brave enough, then I’ll do what I know I need to do.” We wait for courage before we obey. We wait until we feel confident to serve. We wa

What a wonderful and powerful weekend EYC was. There’s something special about being surrounded by thousands of believers, singing together, hearing God’s Word preached, and watching hearts respond. Events like that can give us a real spiritual high—our faith feels strong, our focus feels clear, and we come home fired up to live differently. But if we’re honest, that fire can start to fade once we get back into normal life. School starts back. Work piles up. The routine retur

Hello. My name is Ray Reynolds and I suffer from A.C.S. This is commonly known as “After Christmas Syndrome.” The gifts have been unwrapped. My trash cans are full. The leftovers are gone. The tree is down. The lights and ornaments have been put away. Our friends and family have stopped calling, sending cards, and visiting for the holidays. Another Christmas has come and gone. I wonder how many of you are suffering from the post-holiday blues?!? What do we do now th

Hello. My name is Ray Reynolds and I suffer from A.C.S. This is commonly known as “After Christmas Syndrome.” The gifts have been unwrapped. My trash cans are full. The leftovers are gone. The tree is down. The lights and ornaments have been put away. Our friends and family have stopped calling, sending cards, and visiting for the holidays. Another Christmas has come and gone. I wonder how many of you are suffering from the post-holiday blues?!? What do we do now th

The Christmas story, often painted with cozy scenes of manger, shepherds, and a star, would be incomplete without the arrival of the Magi. These enigmatic figures, traditionally known as the Three Wise Men, bring an element of intrigue, prophecy, and profound significance to the nativity narrative. But who were they really? And what can we learn from their journey? The Gospel of Matthew is the sole biblical account of the Magi, yet it offers surprisingly few details. It speak

This time of year, we hear the phrase “peace on earth” everywhere. It’s printed on signs, sung in songs, and spoken in greetings. But if we’re honest, the world doesn’t feel very peaceful. Many families are stressed, schedules are packed, and hearts are heavy. So what does “peace on earth” really mean? The Bible reminds us that true peace isn’t found in perfect circumstances—it’s found in a perfect Savior. When the angels announced Jesus’ coming, they proclaimed peace because

On Sunday, December 7, we discussed the word “peace” and focused on how to bring a revival of peace in our world today. I spoke to the church family at Summerdale about a few areas where Christians are called to live in peace, drawing from specific Bible verses. The overarching theme was the importance of unity, forgiveness, and love in all relationships. However, I feel like I may have rushed through the last point, so I feel sure we could all benefit from a deeper look into