Unwavering Hope for Athens: Rooted people reach people
Rooted people reach people. For the next five years, we envision a church rooted in the unwavering hope of Jesus and reaching others with the same.

Rooted people reach people. For the next five years, we envision a church rooted in the unwavering hope of Jesus and reaching others with the same.
Guest speaker Gabe Norris shares scripture.
Beech Haven Associate Pastor John Walker Ruth 1:16-17
There is nothing we could do that would ever lead God to love us any less … for him to have regret for His sympathy for us and, therefore, change His mind regarding our eternity.
If your hopes have dried out … if you’ve run into dead end after dead end … if you are empty, unfulfilled, dissatisfied, or dried up ... the Lord has an invitation for you. You are just the kind of person He is after.
Jesus didn’t just sympathize once in coming, dying, and resurrecting. He continually sympathizes with ongoing mercy and grace in our times of need. Therefore, let us draw near.
Jesus Christ came into the world to confirm that God is just who He said He was on Mount Sinai—“a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.”
Eric Osuch, College Pastor at Beech Haven, shares from Hebrews 13:5-6
The kingdom of heaven is leading to an end in which His citizens will be sorted out and separated from those with whom they currently reside. The basis of the sorting will be by fruit that is illustrative of a relationship with Jesus by grace through faith.
The kingdom of heaven is worthy. The loss of anything is not sad when you gain the kingdom in its place.
The kingdom of heaven is persistent and patient. The church is playing the long game, and the church will win.
Jesus calls us to respond to the gospel with a good and honest heart.
There's a better world coming, and in Christ, we are already a part of it.
Suffering shows us who is and who is not truly in Christ, purifying Christ's church.
Establish gospel-centered practices and patterns for long-term faithfulness. 1 Peter 4:1-11
Believe the gospel deeply enough to reject retaliation and embrace the blessings of suffering.
We are to neither rail against nor retreat from the world, but maintain a faithful presence in it.
The Church is built on Jesus, connected in Jesus, and united in Jesus. Therefore, we can only be committed to the flourishing of the Church!
The gospel gives us a joyful desire to give in support of gospel ministries. Luke 11:37-42
1 Peter 2:1-7, CSB
God has worked in our past, is working in our present, and will keep working in our future. 1 Peter 1:3-12
Our distinct relationship with God determines our distinct relationship with the world.
Authentic Christian living is an ongoing acknowledgment of one’s sinfulness, God's holiness, and Jesus' work on our behalf. 1 John 1:9 — 2:2
Open your heart before you open your mouth.
Give in such a way that not even you might know you gave.
Whenever you are unfairly hated, remember that you are unfairly loved.
Only the truly just can bring true justice (Matthew 5:38-42)
Do what you say and say what you do (Matthew 5:33-37)
Anger separates us from God and neighbor, but the gospel reconciles us to both.
We cannot define our neighbor. We can only be a neighbor.