What is hope? For some, it’s a wish or a state of mind. But how do we hold onto hope when we lose a loved one, when a marriage falls apart, or when our health fails? In this Easter message, Pastor Andy Wood walks through John 11 and the story of Jesus raising Lazarus. In their grief, Mary and Martha ask where Jesus was and why He didn’t come sooner. In response, Jesus reveals who He is. He is the resurrection and the life, greater than any circumstance we face. He is the God who cares, meeting us in our pain and reminding us we are not alone. He is the God who keeps His promises, calling Lazarus out of the grave and showing His power and faithfulness. This Easter, we’re invited to lift our hope above our circumstances and place it in Jesus, who offers new life, real peace, and a hope we can hold onto.

Pastor Buddy Owens walks us through the powerful truth of Galatians 2:20 and what Jesus’ sacrifice really means for our lives today. The cross isn’t just about eternity. It changes everything about how we live right now. Because of the cross, three things are true for anyone who puts their faith in Jesus. We are forgiven, fully and completely, with nothing left to prove or pay. We are set free, no longer defined by sin, shame, or our past. And we are given a new life, not a restart of the old one, but a completely new beginning with new purpose and hope. This message reminds us that what Jesus did was finished and final. Our role is to trust what He’s already done and live in that freedom every day. No matter your past or what you’re carrying, this is an invitation to come to Jesus just as you are and step into the life He’s already made possible for you.

Pastor Kurt Johnston wraps up our final week of Jesus on the Move, walking through Jesus’ healing of the paralytic man in Mark 2. When all else fails, a group of friends asks, “what if Jesus could?” and stops at nothing to get their friend in front of Him. When the crowd blocks the way, they push through, lower their friend down, and create a moment that changes everything. This story reminds us that faith sets the stage for God to move in us and through us. Every opportunity for faith comes with obstacles, but while the barriers are real, they don’t have the final say. God is with us, walking us through each one. We also see that what feels messy or unexpected to us is often the very place Jesus invites us to trust Him more. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this message is your invitation to trust Him and take your next step.

What if God isn’t distant from your pain, but actually drawn to it? In Week 4 of Jesus on the Move, Pastor Stacie walks through Mark 1:40–45, where Jesus meets a man no one else would touch. Instead of stepping back, Jesus moves toward him with compassion, reaches out, and changes his life completely. This message shows us the heart of Jesus. He sees the broken, the isolated, and the overlooked, and He moves closer, not away. His compassion is not passive. It is active, personal, and powerful enough to make the unclean clean. And it doesn’t stop with Him. The same compassion we receive is the compassion we’re invited to live out. If you’ve ever wondered how God feels about you, or what it looks like to love people in a real way, this message is for you. Watch now and discover a compassion that moves toward you and through you.

This past weekend, Pastor Andy continued our Jesus on the Move series by exploring the authority of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. Many of us try to control our lives and circumstances, but underneath that struggle is a deeper question: who is really in charge of our lives? In Mark 1 and 2, Jesus teaches with authority and demonstrates it by confronting evil, healing the sick, and forgiving sins. These moments reveal that His authority brings freedom, healing, and forgiveness. Scripture reminds us that pride and rebellion place us outside of God’s authority, while humility and surrender open the door to His grace and peace. As we surrender our lives to Jesus and allow Him to lead, we begin to experience the peace that comes from trusting Him.

In a culture where people are searching for their calling, Jesus offers something deeper. In Mark 1, Jesus invites ordinary fishermen with simple words: “Follow me.” Their calling did not begin with a career or plan. It began with a relationship. First, Jesus calls us to relationship with Him. Following Jesus is not about rules or religion. It is about letting Him lead our lives. Our lives are defined not by what we do, but by who we follow. Second, Jesus calls us to transformation. The disciples came as ordinary fishermen, but as they followed Him, He changed them. Jesus meets us where we are, but He does not leave us there. Third, Jesus calls us to make a difference. Jesus told His disciples He would make them fishers of people. Their decision to follow Him changed the world, and God still uses ordinary people to reach others with His love.

This past weekend marked a season of celebration, calling, and renewal. We looked back with gratitude at all God did through The Return Gathering and heard stories of salvation and life change. Pastor Andy reminded us what we experienced at The Return Gathering was not just a moment, but a movement. Through the story of John the Baptist, we saw how preparation always precedes what God wants to do next. God has each of us in a season of preparation. Every season prepares us for something. The question is not whether we are preparing, but how we will respond. We can ignore it, reject it, or embrace it. This is a season of preparation. Join us as we prepare our hearts, homes, church, and community ready for what God has in store for us.