FC Weekly
Overwhelmed, but OVERCOMING!

Clayton Whitson • Assimilations Pastor
September 27, 2026

3 Minute Read

Have you ever looked at something broken and felt tired before you even began?

That is where Nehemiah’s story meets us. Jerusalem was in ruins, the walls were broken down, and the need was far bigger than one person could fix. But Sunday’s message reminded us that faith does not pretend the rubble is small. Faith brings the burden to God, then takes the next obedient step. You can relisten here.

I found Nehemiah’s response both challenging and encouraging. He did not rush into action to prove himself. He prayed. He repented. He fasted. He let the burden drive him toward God before it moved him toward people.

And then, when the moment came, he was bold. Not arrogant. Not demanding. Bold because he had already been honest before the Lord.

Some of us are carrying places that feel like rubble: family strain, discouragement, church hurt, personal disappointment, or obedience we keep delaying. The invitation this week is simple, but not easy: pray first, pray boldly, and choose bravery in the relationships and assignments God has given you.

God still strengthens hands for good work.

You are loved,
Clayton and the Team

Formation Course

The Formation Course is the ideal place to start your journey toward a healthy life of faith. This ten-week journey equips you to live as an apprentice of Jesus: to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did. Along the journey, you’ll receive fresh inspiration, strength for your soul, and simple practices that help you integrate what you’ve learned into your daily rhythm.

The meetings have already started, but there are a couple of seats still left. You will need to register, as seats are limited.

Basics

Come discover what it means to be rooted in God’s family and grow as an apprentice of Jesus alongside the Faith Church community. Join us for Basics, a welcoming two-week class on the first two Sundays of the month during the 10:45 service—everyone is welcome! You can RSVP on the Hub: FaithChurchKS.org

Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group)

This week we looked at moving beyond feeling overwhelmed to living as an overcomer. Read Nehemiah 2:1-20. What observation(s) is the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you?

What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you? Where did you sense the Holy Spirit convicting you?

In what specific areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed?

What role does repentance play in Nehemiah's journey and how can it apply to our lives?

Read Hebrews 4:12-16. What is the Holy Spirit highlighting for you?

What does it mean to approach God with boldness?

What specific actions do you want to take in obedience to Word this week?

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September 27, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
FC Weekly
Have you ever looked at something broken and felt tired before you even began? That is where Nehemiah’s story meets us. Jerusalem was in ruins, the walls were broken down, and the need was far bigger than one person could fix. But Sunday’s message reminded us that faith does not pretend the rubble is small. Faith brings the burden to God, then takes the next obedient step. You can relisten here. I found Nehemiah’s response both challenging and encouraging. He did not rush into action to prove himself. He prayed. He repented. He fasted. He let the burden drive him toward God before it moved him toward people. And then, when the moment came, he was bold. Not arrogant. Not demanding. Bold because he had already been honest before the Lord. Some of us are carrying places that feel like rubble: family strain, discouragement, church hurt, personal disappointment, or obedience we keep delaying. The invitation this week is simple, but not easy: pray first, pray boldly, and choose bravery in the relationships and assignments God has given you. God still strengthens hands for good work. You are loved, Clayton and the Team Formation Course The Formation Course is the ideal place to start your journey toward a healthy life of faith. This ten-week journey equips you to live as an apprentice of Jesus: to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did. Along the journey, you’ll receive fresh inspiration, strength for your soul, and simple practices that help you integrate what you’ve learned into your daily rhythm. The meetings have already started, but there are a couple of seats still left. You will need to register, as seats are limited. Basics Come discover what it means to be rooted in God’s family and grow as an apprentice of Jesus alongside the Faith Church community. Join us for Basics, a welcoming two-week class on the first two Sundays of the month during the 10:45 service—everyone is welcome! You can RSVP on the Hub: FaithChurchKS.org Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group) This week we looked at moving beyond feeling overwhelmed to living as an overcomer. Read Nehemiah 2:1-20. What observation(s) is the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you? What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you? Where did you sense the Holy Spirit convicting you? In what specific areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed? What role does repentance play in Nehemiah's journey and how can it apply to our lives? Read Hebrews 4:12-16. What is the Holy Spirit highlighting for you? What does it mean to approach God with boldness? What specific actions do you want to take in obedience to Word this week? Worship Through the Week The Bible tells us that every word spoken by God is true, right? Right. One truth isn't more or less true than another, so why is it so easy to believe that Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, but it's so hard to believe you were worth dying for? You can’t believe one statement or fact and not the other. The Truth is the Truth. He died for you. He saved you. He loves you. What a God! Sunday Set: You Saved Me - UPPERROOM (”This heart of mine was so far gone, but You came crashing in with a love so strong...”) Lamb of God - UPPERROOM (”Who has believed the word of the Lord?...that He would come and bleed out for me, tearing His flesh for my unbelief...”) What a God - SEU Worship (”No treasure of this life could ever satisfy. God, You are my everything.”) Check out our Sunday Set Spotify Playlist!

Clayton Whitson

Assimilations Pastor

September 26, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Man Year Cohort begins October 25
Most men know they have a deficit in their life. They feel the gaps in their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual lives–but they haven’t closed the gap or shown much change over the years of their life. And they want to change but there’s no path or program. They have no outlet for transformation. You can sit in church for ten years, sit in 15 bible studies, and listen to as many podcasts as you want. And you stay the same. Why is that? Here’s the cold hard truth. Without the content, and without the community, almost every single man will have high aspirations but fall short of almost all of them. What exactly is Man Year? Man Year is a 52-week CHALLENGE curriculum for Christian men to become more like Jesus. Because here's the truth. Most men are not healthy... Physically Mentally Spiritually And Emotionally We tend to be strong in one or two areas while neglecting the others. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to, "Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength." To become true disciples of Jesus, we can't section ourselves off. We can't give Him a piece of ourselves and withhold the rest. No, Jesus wants you to love Him with everything you've got. That's why Man Year was created as a challenge for Christian men to reorient their entire lives toward God over the course of one year in a community of brothers. The 52 weeks are broken up into 4 parts. Each quarter, we will focus on one of the 4 domains I mentioned above. During that quarter, you will work through curriculum and pursue a challenge(s) to help you grow in that area. For example, for the Spiritual domain, you might do a 24-hour fast, one day per week. For the emotional domain, you have to write a 2-page 'legacy letter' to your loved ones as if you were to die tomorrow. The only catch? You're not allowed to join Man Year alone. If you try, the system will literally kick you out. No more "lone-wolfing" your faith journey. If the King of Kings needed a community of brothers, you do too. This is not casual. This is not another small group. Not another book club. It's a covenant. A challenge. A battle cry. One year. Four domains. Two or more brothers. Countless opportunities for God to radically transform your life. This a costly and valued investment. The program cost is $225 or 12 payments of $23/mo. Are you up for it? Are you ready to see what God can do when you give Him everything for 52 weeks? Here is what to do next: Read the commitment Text 2 or more guys right now and ask them to prayerfully consider joining you in this. Then, register.

Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor

September 23, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
God’s Favor in a Pressure-Filled World
God’s Favor in an Anxious World What do we do when the pressure rises, the future feels unclear, and anxiety seems to spread through every space we find ourselves? Daniel 2 gives us a compelling answer. King Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by a dream he could not understand. His anxiety quickly became a crisis for everyone around him. He demanded answers no one could give, and the consequences were severe. Daniel was caught in the same danger as everyone else, but he responded differently. He did not panic. He did not protest. He did not try to control an outcome that was beyond his power. Daniel prayed. Before he stood before a king, Daniel gathered his trusted friends and asked God for mercy and wisdom. In a world full of upheaval, he became a steady, prayerful presence. That is the invitation for us, too. Anxiety often reveals what we have been leaning on. When our security is rooted in circumstances, comfort, people, institutions, or outcomes we cannot control, pressure exposes just how shaky those foundations can be. Daniel reminds us that God’s kingdom cannot be shaken even when everything around us feels uncertain. Favor does not always mean favorable circumstances. Daniel was living in exile, surrounded by a culture that did not honor God and did not make life easy for God’s people. Yet he experienced God’s favor because he remained faithful, wise, humble, and prayerful. He did not spend his energy echoing the panic around him. He did not become known for criticism, gossip, or outrage. Instead, Daniel brought something valuable to the situation: wisdom, courage, integrity, and solutions that no one else could find. That is what it means to be a faithful witness. We do not have to be the loudest voice in the room to point people toward God. Sometimes our strongest witness is becoming the person who brings peace instead of panic, solutions instead of complaints, and prayer instead of fear. Daniel had an “extraordinary spirit.” He consistently did the extra that ordinary people would not do. He showed up with diligence, excellence, and wisdom. Not to prove he was better than anyone else, but because God had gifted him and empowered him to serve faithfully where he was. Whatever your sphere of influence may be—your home, workplace, school, church, neighborhood, or community—God can use your steady faithfulness to make room for His truth. And it begins with prayer. When life feels unfavorable, favor prayer. Prayer helps us remember who God is. It lifts our eyes above our circumstances and realigns our hearts with His power, wisdom, and goodness. When we do not know what to pray, we can pray Scripture. We can open the Psalms, pray the promises of God, or let worship give language to what is happening in our hearts. Prayer is not pretending that the pressure is not real. It is choosing to believe that God is greater than the pressure. Daniel’s story also reminds us that our hope is not ultimately in any earthly kingdom. Kingdoms rise and fall. Systems change. Leaders come and go. But Jesus is King, and His kingdom will never be shaken. So when the world around you is anxious, do not feel compelled to add to the noise. Slow down. Pray. Gather trusted people around you. Ask God for wisdom. Show up with humility and excellence. You may not be able to control the outcome, but you can become a non-anxious presence who points others toward the unshakable kingdom of God.

Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor

September 20, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
FC Weekly
You can have more and still feel strangely empty. That was the tension in Sunday’s message from Haggai (you can relisten here). God’s people had returned from exile, but the work of worship had stalled. Their own houses were being built, their own comfort was being protected, and yet life still felt thin — planting much but harvesting little, eating without satisfaction, earning wages that seemed to disappear. Haggai’s word is not just about a temple project. It is about misplaced love. When God is pushed to the margins, even good things become hollow. Comfort cannot do what communion with God was meant to do. And the call back is not transactional. God is not selling blessing in exchange for obedience. He is inviting His people to return to the life His presence makes possible. Our habits, generosity, worship, and obedience become openings where grace reshapes our hearts. So this week, think carefully about your ways. Not with shame, but with honesty. Where have your actions been leading your affections? What small act of obedience could help re-center your life around God again? He is not trying to take life from us. He is calling us back to the only place life is found. You are loved, Clayton and the Team Ways to Engage Formation Course starts this Sunday evening. Still a couple of seats available; registration is required. Starts TONIGHT - SEPTEMBER 20 - Register here. Podcast / Sermon questions Ever have a question about the sermon? You have a chance to land your question right in Pastor Matthew's inbox, which he will answer on his Podcast. Also, he will cover more information that he didn't get to include in the Sunday message! You’ll find links to ‘ask a question‘ AND to the podcast right on our homepage! Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group) This week we looked at cultivating devotion to God. Read Haggai 1:2-11. What observation(s) is the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you? What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you? Where did you sense the Holy Spirit convicting you and inviting you to make changes or repent? In what ways does Haggai's message challenge our modern views on consumerism and materialism? How can we cultivate a deeper hunger for God in a culture that often emphasizes individualism? Read James 4:5-10. What is the Holy Spirit highlighting for you? What specific actions will you take to realign our priorities in favor of God’s interests over our own comforts?

Clayton Whitson

Assimilations Pastor

August 23, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
FC Weekly
It is easy to mistake discontentment for vision. That was one of the tensions in Sunday’s message from Habakkuk 2 (you can relisten here). We live in a world full of goals, upgrades, options, and curated pictures of “more.” But not every vision for more is from God. Sometimes it is just comparison with promises that will never be fulfilled. Habakkuk gives us something better. He shows us that God is the right place to take our pain, questions, disappointment, and complaints. Lament brings our trouble toward God. It does not deny the ache, but it refuses to let the ache become the loudest truth. And then God gives vision—not first for a bigger life out there, but for a more faithful life right here. More of Him. More contentment. More rootedness. More courage to resist the restless pull of comparison and stay faithful where He has planted us. So this week, fight for contentment. Practice real friendship. Choose rootedness over endless options. Ask God not only what you want to accomplish, but also what kind of person He is forming you to become. You are loved. Clayton and the Team Basics Join us for Basics—a two-week class where we explore being rooted in God’s family, grow as an apprentice of Jesus, and discover your place at Faith Church. Meet us during the 10:45 service on the first two Sundays of the month in the Garage Door Room. RSVP today! Formation Course The Formation Course is the ideal starting place to catapult you toward a healthy life of faith. This ten-week journey equips you to live as an apprentice of Jesus: to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did. Along the journey, you’ll receive fresh inspiration, strength for your soul, and simple practices that help you integrate what you’ve learned into your daily rhythm. The meetings will start on September 20 and take place on Sunday evenings. You will need to register, as seats are limited. Talk it over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your group). This week we looked at God’s vision for us to experience Him more. What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you? Read Habakkuk 2:1-6. What observation(s) is the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you? What does your vision for more of God look like? What kind of person are you wanting to become? What one or two areas do you want to see changed? Why does living with godly vision matter? What are the dangers of living with discontentment in your life? Read 1 Timothy 6:6-12. What are some things the Holy Spirit is highlighting for you? In the sermon, we heard that fighting for contentment is fueled by spiritual friendships and rooted in stability. Which one do you want to strengthen in your life? How can you begin strengthening that?

Clayton Whitson

Assimilations Pastor

September 13, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
FC Weekly (Weekly Email)
Have you noticed how quickly anxiety can start to feel normal? That was one of the tensions in Sunday’s message from Daniel 2 (you can relisten here). The most powerful man in the world could not sleep; the best wisdom of Babylon could not help him, and the whole court was suddenly frantic. Then there was Daniel ... not untouched by the crisis, but steady inside it. Daniel did not panic, flatter, insult, or grasp for control. He responded with tact and courage. He asked for understanding. He prayed with his friends. He trusted that “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” I found that deeply encouraging. We live in anxious kingdoms (politics, paychecks, work, school, etc) that cannot last, and it is easy to echo the fear around us. But God is still forming His people to become a different kind of presence: humble, prayerful, wise, courageous, and compassionate. So this week, when anxiety rises, let it become an invitation to prayer. Anxiety is usually tied to feeling helpless. Prayer is a response of faith and power. Pray with others. Pray for others. Ask God for wisdom. Step away from the frantic need to control everything, and remember the Kingdom that cannot be shaken. You are loved, Clayton and the Team Formation Course The Formation Course is the ideal place to start your journey toward a healthy life of faith. This ten-week journey equips you to live as an apprentice of Jesus: to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did. Along the journey, you’ll receive fresh inspiration, strength for your soul, and simple practices that help you integrate what you’ve learned into your daily rhythm. The meetings will start on September 20 and take place on Sunday evenings. You will need to register, as seats are limited. Giving Challenge Through tithing and generous giving, we honor God with what he has entrusted to us and learn to trust him with what we need. As we practice generosity, the Holy Spirit loosens our grip on money and forms in us a heart that reflects Jesus' generosity. As you pray about your response to the Heart for the House challenge, ask God what step of trust he is inviting you to take. You can give here. Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group) This week we looked at the favor of God bestowed on His people. Read Daniel 2:1-24. What observation(s) is the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you? What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you? Where did you sense the Holy Spirit convicting you and inviting you to make changes or repent? What does Daniel's approach to anxiety and uncertainty teach us about trusting God's wisdom? What is the danger of not trusting God? Describe what your life’s actions and attitudes look like when you are not anxious. In what practical ways can we become that non-anxious presence in our daily lives? Read James 1:1-8. What are some important truths in passage? How can you integrate them into your own life?

Clayton Whitson

Assimilations Pastor

September 3, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
#Faith4TodayPodcast Episode 84
A Sweet Tooth for Scripture In Ezekiel 2–3, God gives the prophet an unusual instruction: eat the scroll containing His words. Ezekiel does and he finds it “sweet as honey.” It’s a powerful picture of what Scripture is meant to be in our lives. God’s Word is not merely information to collect, analyze, or reference when we need an answer. It is daily nourishment. It is something we receive, digest, and allow to shape the way we think, decide, pray, and live. Ezekiel ate the scroll before he was sent to speak God’s words to others. That order matters. Before we correct, encourage, lead, teach, or offer wisdom, we need to let God’s Word work on us first. We do not need to have every truth perfectly mastered before we can share it. But we should be willing to let Scripture search our hearts before we use it to examine someone else’s. God’s Word is a mirror before it becomes a magnifying glass. When we slow down to read Scripture prayerfully, aloud, and in community, it begins to reshape our imagination. It gives the Holy Spirit truth to bring back to our minds in moments of temptation, uncertainty, conflict, and decision. It anchors us when the world offers louder voices and easier paths. Jesus modeled this in the wilderness. When He faced temptation, He answered with the Word of God. Scripture was not abstract knowledge to Him; it was a weapon, a source of strength, and a reminder of His Father’s truth. The same invitation is open to us. Don’t let the Bible become an occasional spiritual snack. Open it daily. Sit with it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see what God is revealing about Himself and how He is inviting you to respond. God’s wisdom has no shelf life. His Word is living bread for today. So this week, take a little more time with Scripture. Read slowly. Let it convict you, comfort you, and nourish you. 🤟🏼 Pastor M.

Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor

August 27, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Update: Leadership Roles
I am writing to announce two leadership transitions within our Church: Jaret Thorpe has decided to resign from his staff position. Gregg Motley will step down from his role as a Local Elder at the end of September. Transitions involving valued leaders can initially feel challenging; however, such changes are not inherently negative and can be very healthy. Both decisions reflect prayerful discernment, wise counsel, and humility in pursuit of God’s vision for greater spiritual growth. These are decisions of a healthy nature. Jaret has served on staff since May 2018, becoming full-time in 2023. His responsibilities included administration, facilities, and youth ministry (YTH). I have watched him grow and flourish as a follower of Jesus, ministering and caring for others. We have been blessed by his gifting and gritty faith. He and his family plan to remain active in our church community; even continuing involvement in YTH as a volunteer group leaders. Jaret’s final day on staff will be September 6. Gregg Motley has served as a trusted member of our eldership team since April 2021. His decision is supported by all local elders, who affirm his need to prioritize other commitments within the county. Gregg’s wisdom and experience have been instrumental in crafting some key ministry realities for our church. He's a mobilizer, encourager, and mature in his devotion to God. We are grateful that they both will continue to worship and serve in our congregation. Please extend your appreciation and honor to these men for their years of service. Faith Church is senior pastor-led, supported by local elders and sustained by staff and volunteers working in partnership to bring faith to life. Our Ministry Team culture invites every attendee to serve as a minister within the family, deploying their gifts on mission. During this season, I encourage you to consider joining a ministry team. FACILITIES MINISTRY TEAM - Our Facilities Ministry team supports the maintenance, organization, repair, and setup of our campus spaces. They minister typically during the week. The team is now led by Pastor Clayton. YTH MINISTRY TEAM - Are you passionate about seeing teenagers supported, known, understood, and loved while encouraging their allegiance to King Jesus? We invite you to consider partnering with others to lead a small group each Wednesday. Brittany Dare will coordinate the YTH Team as she transitions into her new role as NextGen Director (serving ages 6 weeks through 12th grade), with my interim support. Please email (hello@faithchurchks.org) or text us (620-604-9280) so we can help you to take the next step toward joining one of these teams. Additionally, we ask for your prayers. Please pray for these men and their families as they begin a new chapter, and pray for our teams, staff, and elders as we steward the ministry entrusted to us. Spiritual maturity is evidenced by making healthy decisions and transitions rooted in vision rather than hurt. I am grateful that we can navigate these changes with vision, conviction and celebrate others throughout the process. Much Love, Pastor Matthew P.S. If you have questions or wish to speak with someone, please email me - matthew@faithchurchks.org.

Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor