This coming Sunday, the last of the liturgical year, is a celebration of Christ's kingship.  On Sunday, we will acknowledge Christ's reign as we imagine what our family, city, and world might look like as his good reign expands. We will dream of Christ's kingdom.

I’m not sure anyone showed us how to dream with prophetic zeal more than the great pastor, theologian, and missiologist of the last century, J.H. Bavinck. Bavinck spent much of his life as a missionary to Indonesia. To be sure, he saw the idols and evils of his missionary-field the way only an outsider could. Yet, he always wrote about them with compassion, affection, and love.

Listen in as Bavinck dreams about what his culture, Asian, could become as the reign of Christ spreads:

“When a living, blossoming church will certainly arise in the world of Asia, Christ will accomplish amazing things there. Asia has gifts and abilities that will then render its people exceedingly suited to understanding the meaning of the gospel. They are less attached to externals like money and material things, like honor and making a name for themselves. They know better than we that the things of this age are fleeting. Thus, we can expect great things with regard to the faith. We stand at a point of terrible crisis, of struggle and confusion. Our modern world bears guilt of every kind; no one can tell where all of this will lead. But blessed is the person who believes, waits, and knows that in Christ Jesus the power to accomplish great things in this amazing world has come. May we simply learn to expect those great things from him.”

Like the country about which Bavick spoke, our own culture stands “at a point of terrible crisis, of struggle and confusion.” Instead of using this cultural moment to be pundits, may we be prophets. Let's dream of Christ's kingdom. Let's imagine what our culture might become, what strengths and beauties she has, that will be redeemed as the reign of Christ spreads. And let's wait in expectant hope on the God who is able to accomplish great things. In other words, let's celebrate Christ the King!

Guy+ and Charissa Lopez discuss our upcoming Advent Vespers service. The holiday season can bring great joy and happiness but can also evoke a sense of isolating sadness and mixed emotions. Advent invites us to reflect on the meaning of waiting and anticipation. While the Nativity of our Lord brings hope and joy, we may also experience challenging circumstances. Join us for an evening of prayer, reflection, and testimony, where we can discover peace through the active work of our Savior in our lives and the testimonies of others.

If there are no available parking spots in our lot, please use the parking lot across Cadiz. Our primary parking area experiences its highest occupancy between the transition from our 9:30 to 11 am service.