We did it!

Pastor Matthew Hunt • Lead Pastor
November 3, 2026

3 Minute Read

We Thank God!

We did it! We’ve reached the first goal of our Heart for the House project: saving $1 million. Praise the Lord!

God’s faithfulness to us and through us has been profound. He deserves all the glory for providing what we need, and it’s right to express our gratitude for your participation.

This milestone wasn’t achieved through the extravagance of a few, but through the continued sacrifice of many seeking to honor God through generosity. Thank you for the part you have played.

For the past 10 years, our church has looked to 2 Corinthians 9 as an anchor for understanding generosity as an act of worship. Paul captures what’s on my heart today in verse 15: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

The gift Paul refers to is God’s grace at work in our lives, enabling us to give.

If it’s been a while since you’ve read the chapter, take time to read it slowly this week. You’ll notice that:

  • Generosity is a ministry to God’s people.
  • Generosity is like seed sown.
  • Generosity is enabled by the Holy Spirit.
  • Giving is to be generous, willing, joyful, planned, and consistent.
  • Giving is part of the life of a believer.
  • God enriches us so we can be generous.
  • Generosity helps fuel the work of the gospel.

One thing I’ve been reflecting on is the scale of the Corinthians’ generosity. Their financial partnership helped provide for an entire community in Jerusalem. That’s a remarkable level of shared care, providing supporting people’s needs for food, clothing, and housing.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!



What’s next?

You may be wondering what comes next now that we’ve reached this first goal. The Heart 4 the House project has four main goals:

  1. Save $1 million.
  2. Secure financing and finalize construction costs.
  3. Build.
  4. Pay off the loan.



We’re now working toward goal two. Our elders are vetting potential financial institutions that specialize in church loans and exploring which might be the right financing partner for our project. At the same time, we’re finalizing construction costs.

Two years ago, the new facility was estimated to cost $2.5 million. That estimate included a margin for cost increases, but it did not include renovations to our current building to better serve children’s ministry. We know, as you do, that material costs have risen over the past few years. We’re praying for favor, wisdom, and God’s best as we work through these decisions.

As the project moves forward, please keep praying. And please continue giving faithfully, as God’s Word instructs us. We haven’t stepped back from ministry opportunities during this process, and we don’t expect to in the future.

I believe God has stretched us and strengthened our faith as we’ve resisted the world’s pull toward greed. Giving is a spiritual act of protest and resistance. I’m honored to partner with you in this. God has been at work among us, pouring out His love and presence on our church over these past few years. I believe our unity and our desire to live transformed lives are part of that story.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

We are making room for others to encounter God’s presence, formation, and participate in His mission.

Much love,

PM


P.S. If you have questions for our elders, you can always email us, Elders@faithchurchks.org

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November 3, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
We did it!
We Thank God! We did it! We’ve reached the first goal of our Heart for the House project: saving $1 million. Praise the Lord! God’s faithfulness to us and through us has been profound. He deserves all the glory for providing what we need, and it’s right to express our gratitude for your participation. This milestone wasn’t achieved through the extravagance of a few, but through the continued sacrifice of many seeking to honor God through generosity. Thank you for the part you have played. For the past 10 years, our church has looked to 2 Corinthians 9 as an anchor for understanding generosity as an act of worship. Paul captures what’s on my heart today in verse 15: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” The gift Paul refers to is God’s grace at work in our lives, enabling us to give. If it’s been a while since you’ve read the chapter, take time to read it slowly this week. You’ll notice that: Generosity is a ministry to God’s people. Generosity is like seed sown. Generosity is enabled by the Holy Spirit. Giving is to be generous, willing, joyful, planned, and consistent. Giving is part of the life of a believer. God enriches us so we can be generous. Generosity helps fuel the work of the gospel. One thing I’ve been reflecting on is the scale of the Corinthians’ generosity. Their financial partnership helped provide for an entire community in Jerusalem. That’s a remarkable level of shared care, providing supporting people’s needs for food, clothing, and housing. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! What’s next? You may be wondering what comes next now that we’ve reached this first goal. The Heart 4 the House project has four main goals: Save $1 million. Secure financing and finalize construction costs. Build. Pay off the loan. We’re now working toward goal two. Our elders are vetting potential financial institutions that specialize in church loans and exploring which might be the right financing partner for our project. At the same time, we’re finalizing construction costs. Two years ago, the new facility was estimated to cost $2.5 million. That estimate included a margin for cost increases, but it did not include renovations to our current building to better serve children’s ministry. We know, as you do, that material costs have risen over the past few years. We’re praying for favor, wisdom, and God’s best as we work through these decisions. As the project moves forward, please keep praying. And please continue giving faithfully, as God’s Word instructs us. We haven’t stepped back from ministry opportunities during this process, and we don’t expect to in the future. I believe God has stretched us and strengthened our faith as we’ve resisted the world’s pull toward greed. Giving is a spiritual act of protest and resistance. I’m honored to partner with you in this. God has been at work among us, pouring out His love and presence on our church over these past few years. I believe our unity and our desire to live transformed lives are part of that story. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! We are making room for others to encounter God’s presence, formation, and participate in His mission. Much love, PM P.S. If you have questions for our elders, you can always email us, Elders@faithchurchks.org

Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor

November 1, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
FC Weekly - November 1
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Taylor Qualls

Worship and Creative Director

October 25, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Consecration Sunday Recap
Consecration Sunday is a ceremonial day of celebrating God’s redemption, our resistance, and His renewal. Consecration is a choice, made again and again, to set apart your life for a dedicated purpose that honors God. Yesterday, we dedicated two families to the Lord, speaking blessing, praying over them, and anointing them with oil. We had the honor of witnessing 3 baptisms, celebrating with them as they made their public declarations of faith, and invited 13 new church partners into the Faith Church family! Pastor Matthew taught about the 10 lepers from Luke 17:11-19, and reminded us that all glory belongs to God. Too many of us are afraid to share our stories. That fear withholds glory from God and leaves you standing on one leg. The Bible tells us that we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb AND (not or) the word of our testimony. What is it you are fighting to overcome? If Satan can silence our testimony, he keeps us from overcoming. Share the good news of what God has done and is doing in and through you, despite the risk of losing whatever respect or dignity you are afraid you might lose. When God does something good, don’t consider it insignificant; share it with others. Resist the world. Resist the fear of man. Release your worship. Give God the glory! Thank God this week. He’s worthy! Taylor and the Team Ways to Engage Basics, November 1 & 8: 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 First Wednesday Prayer, November 4 @ 7pm: We host this monthly prayer night, well, every month, but it’s never the same. Each month is a fresh opportunity to stretch your worship and prayer muscles, intercede, and sit in the Transforming Presence of God with His Church. Encounter Conference, November 14: Through worship, teaching, and personal ministry, we’ll make room for Jesus to bring healing and freedom to the places where we’ve felt stuck. This year’s conference is Saturday, November 14, from 9 am–4 pm at Faith Church. Registration is $25 and includes lunch; childcare is available for an additional cost. Registration closes November 8! Find the details and register here. Worship Through the Week The Sunday Set: THANK GOD I’M FREE - ELEVATION RHYTHM (”Look at what the Lord has done! I’m never going back to the way I was!”) All For Jesus - Circuit Riders (”If I live, I live. If I die, I die. I’m already crucified with Christ.”) The Blood - Passion (”Could have only been the blood that made me clean. Could have only been the blood that set me free. Glory, hallelujah, I have been redeemed. I know it was the blood.”) What a God - SEU Worship (”God, You are my everything.”) Check out our Sunday Set Spotify Playlist! Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group) This week we looked at the necessity of sharing our testimonies. Read Luke 17:11-19. What observation(s) is the Holy Spirit highlighting to you? What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you? Read Revelation 12:11. What happens when we share our testimonies? What would overcoming the enemy look like in your life right now? What specific actions will you take in response to what the Holy Spirit was speaking to you through the message?

Taylor Qualls

Worship and Creative Director

October 20, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
What's the Deal With "Posts?"
Hey, church! You might have noticed that we aren’t very active on social media anymore. Maybe you’ve gone to our Facebook for updates or our Instagram to see what’s coming up, but haven’t seen anything new. Well, it’s not because I’m slacking at my job. We are making an intentional change to our communication strategy. From now on, everything you need to know will be found right here on our Post Hub. Why are we moving away from social media? This year, we have talked a lot about Resistance. We all know how it goes while trying to find information on social media. You get on Facebook to look for a church post and end up 12 reels deep, watching a cooking video you’ll never try or an AI video of a dog playing the piano. By moving most of our time-sensitive announcements away from social media, we are resisting the temptation to waste our time and attention on things that don’t actually matter, to make space for the things that do. We aren’t trying to go viral. We don’t want to add to the digital noise that we all fight every day. We want to be transformed into the image of Jesus and bring faith to life in our homes, workplaces, and communities. That doesn’t happen by scrolling, but by serving. We have a growing conviction that digital ministry can inform and inspire, but analog (tangible, inperson) offerings transform. Our heart behind this change is to move our eyes and minds away from the distractions of the world and our hearts (and bodies) toward Jesus. Will we still have a church social media presence? Yes! For our church, social media will become our highlight reel. Social media will continue to be a place to find inspiration and posts to help you introduce our church family to your friends. We will continue to post photos from Sundays, recaps of events, share fun reels, and graphic posts. Think of our social media like the church’s curb appeal, giving them a peek of what God is doing in our midst and inviting them to come in and experience the transforming Presence of God for themselves! What is a Post? A post is basically an email or a long-form post/blog, but you can find it anytime on our Post Hub. So instead of digging through the random subscriptions that keep popping up in your email inbox to find information you need, you can come straight to our website and find it there. You can even share posts with others if you want to invite them to events, share church updates, or share encouraging devotional-style writings from our staff. What is a Post Hub? The Post Hub is our main repository of church news, sermon notes, devotionals, and information on upcoming events at Faith Church. The quickest way to find it is in our website menu bar under the “Ways to Engage” tab, or toward the bottom of our home page you can click the “See All Posts” button. How will I know when something is posted? You will receive an email with a post preview for every collection of posts you have subscribed to. Yes! You can choose what you are notified about. Want updates on Faith Kids? Subscribe. Want to receive an email notification when a new podcast is posted, or sermon notes are published? Subscribe. If you see a category on our Post Hub that you want notified about, open that Collection and subscribe! If you have already subscribed to NEWS, you will be “grandfathered” in, and you’ll keep receiving the same weekly emails you have been receiving. You don’t need to do a thing! We are still in the process of getting everyone moved over, so don’t be alarmed if you get the occasional double email. We realize that this shift will take some getting used to. It’s new for us, too! If you have questions, ask. When we have updates, we will share them with you! We’re all learning and growing together in the age of AI and digital noise. Thank you for your patience and willingness to learn along with us. See ya Sunday,  Taylor and the Faith Church Staff

Taylor Qualls

Worship and Creative Director

October 18, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
FC Weekly
Hey Faith Fam! How often do we hear something from Jesus and think, “I already know this,” before we’ve actually lived it? Familiarity can make us feel further along than we are. In Mark 6, the people in Jesus’ hometown thought they had Him figured out. Their familiarity led them to dismiss Him. Sunday’s message (you can relisten here) asks us to consider whether we’ve become so accustomed to Jesus that we’ve stopped letting Him challenge us. I want to remain teachable, especially when His words touch something I would rather leave alone. Following Him reaches into how I handle disappointment, speak about people, and respond when I don’t get my way. Those ordinary moments are where apprenticeship becomes real. This week, take one teaching of Jesus you know well and give it your attention again. Ask, “What would it look like to practice this today?” Then act on it—perhaps by forgiving someone or showing honor where you’ve become dismissive. Give Him room to reshape your response. Jesus is still inviting us to be with Him, become like Him, and do as He did. There is room to grow, and He is worth following. You are loved, Clayton and the Team Encounter Conference Encounter Conference is Saturday, November 14, from 9 am–4 pm at Faith Church. Through worship, teaching, and personal ministry, we’ll make room for Jesus to bring healing and freedom to the places where we’ve felt stuck. Registration is $25 and includes lunch; childcare is available for an additional cost. Find the details and register here. Water Baptism Ready to publicly declare your allegiance to Jesus? Water baptism is a step of obedience that celebrates leaving your old life behind and walking in new life with Him. Our next baptism celebration is Sunday, October 25, during our 9 + 10:45 am services. Learn more and sign up for baptism here. We’d love to celebrate this step with you. Child + Family Dedication On Sunday, October 25, families can publicly commit to raising their children in the way of Jesus, with our church family standing alongside them. If you’d like to take part, please complete the four-video parenting course and short reflections before Consecration Sunday. Find the details and parenting course here. Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group) This week we looked at the importance of honor. Read Mark 6:1-13. What observation(s) is the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you? What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you? How can we identify who or what we are currently following in our lives? How can we practically honor Jesus in our daily lives and decisions? What specific actions will you take in response to what the Holy Spirit was speaking to you through the message?

Clayton Whitson

Assimilations Pastor

October 15, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
Forged in the Trenches: Why Men Need Challenge-Based Discipleship
Forged in the Trenches: Why Men Need Challenge-Based Discipleship For decades, modern church culture has operated under a passive assumption: if you feed a man enough information, he will eventually transform into a leader, a godly husband, and a disciplined disciple. Yet millions of men sit in pews week after week, intellectually saturated but spiritually, physically, and emotionally stagnant. They know what Jesus commanded, but they lack the habits, capacity, and brotherhood to live it out. Information alone informs the mind, but only embodied challenge transforms the soul. Jesus did not call His disciples to a classroom lecture series; He called them into a demanding, active lifestyle. True spiritual formation requires dynamic pressure, personal sacrifice, and active practice. This is the heart of the Man Year Playbook—a year-long guide built on challenge-based discipleship that calls men out of passive spectatorship and into active stewardship of their God-given life and strength. The Limits of Passive Learning vs. Experiential Growth Lectures, podcasts, and books can inspire, but inspiration fades without active habit integration. A man can read a dozen books on physical fitness without ever lifting a weight, just as he can listen to hundreds of sermons on prayer without ever developing an intimate daily dialogue with God. Challenge-based discipleship bridges this gap by turning abstract principles into concrete daily behaviors. By pairing spiritual discipline with physical capacity, men learn that faith is not merely a set of intellectual beliefs, but a whole-person commitment encompassing heart, soul, mind, and body. Choose Your Challenge The Man Year framework forces men to stop treating growth as an abstract dream and instead select concrete, measurable challenges tailored to push them past their comfort zones across multiple life domains. Here are two examples ⏤ one from the Spiritual Module and one form the Physical Module. 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Flexibility Milestone (All Levels): Improve overall body mobility by holding a straight-leg toe touch for 30 seconds. Dead Hang to Pull-ups (Intermediate): Develop upper-body capability by completing 5 strict pull-ups and holding a 90-second dead hang. Advanced Endurance (Advanced): Push cardiovascular capacity by running a 10K in under 50 minutes. Elite Murph Challenge (Expert): Achieve maximum physical conditioning by completing the Murph challenge (1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, 1-mile run with a 20lb weight vest) in under 45 minutes. Building Capacity for the Kingdom When a man commits to these physical and spiritual challenges, something profound happens. As he pushes through the physical fatigue of a 5K or a set of pull-ups, he builds mental resilience and spiritual endurance. As he fasts for 24 hours, he learns that his appetites do not rule him—God does. When he prays intentionally for his vocation, hobbies, and family each day, he stops compartmentalizing his faith and begins surrendering every square inch of his life to Christ. Furthermore, this program removes isolation by embedding men into battle partnerships. Men do not climb mountains alone. In locking arms with a brother, sharing daily reports, and holding each other accountable through failure and victory, men forge deep, iron-sharpens-iron relationships that last a lifetime. The Call to Action We do not need another study guide to file away on a shelf. We need an arena to test our faith, strengthen our bodies, and deepen our devotion. If you are tired of spiritual mediocrity, passive routine, and unchecked gaps in your life, it is time to step into the challenge. Choose your challenges, lock arms with your brothers, and discover what God can do in a man who surrenders his whole self—body, mind, and spirit—to the King. Let’s Go! REGISTER FOR MAN YEAR Common Questions 1. "I’m out of shape / I have an injury. Is the physical challenge going to kill me?" No. This program is built around your baseline, not a one-size-fits-all standard. The physical module explicitly offers eight scaled options—ranging from a beginner "Walk to Run 5K" or basic stretching and flexibility milestones all the way to advanced strength complexes and the elite Murph challenge. If you are recovering from surgery or dealing with physical limitations, the goal is simply to push past your personal comfort zone and steward the body God gave you, not to break yourself or compete with the guy sitting next to you. 2. "I’m already super busy with work and my family. How am I supposed to fit all of this in?" Most of us aren't lacking time; we're lacking structure and wasting energy on things that don't give us life. Man Year is designed to fit into real life, not pull you away from it. 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"Why do I need a formal 1-year program? Can't I just read my Bible and workout on my own?" You could—but if you're honest with yourself, how has that strategy been working so far? Most men have high aspirations but stay stuck in the same gaps for years because they lack two things: a clear, proven path and real accountability. Information and good intentions don't transform a man—embodied practice done alongside other committed men does. Man Year gives you a structured, 52-week framework and a group of brothers who won't let you drift. 5. "Isn’t this just like a bunch of homework?" It can look that way on paper, but Man Year is a gym membership for your whole life, not a school assignment.Homework is meant to prove to a teacher that you read a book; these daily rhythms (like 10 minutes of quiet prayer or 20 push-ups) are designed to build your personal capacity, strength, and intimacy with God. 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Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor

October 11, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
FC Weekly
Main Teaching Text: Luke 8:1-10 The Word works, and every word is a seed that holds the potential of a harvest. God gives us good, hearty seeds and sends His presence to make the seeds to grow, but those seeds will only yield a harvest if we have done our part to cultivate fertile soil. Soil is the linchpin, or the vital thing that everything else depends on. For example, our ministry teams are the linchpin of our services. If we didn’t have the incredible teams that we have, our Sunday services would be impossible... or at least incredibly chaotic. Just like seeds won’t grow without healthy soil, the condition of the heart determines what happens to the Word when it is received. The condition of your heart has little to do with how you feel about Jesus and a lot to do with your allegiance to Jesus. Your heart condition is the sum total of your lived experience. If you want to check the condition of your soil, look at your habits, priorities, and actions. It’s from your heart that you live out your life. The four types of heart soils: 1. Path-worn hearts have been trampled by the world, blinded by the enemy, and lack hope. These hardened hearts are not simply emotional coldness, but intellectual refusal to think rightly about God’s Kingdom. 2. Rocky hearts have an enthusiastic start, but can’t take the heat when things get hard. They tend to believe following God shouldn’t be hard and God’s main goal is to make them happy in life. It’s not that the spiritual growth wasn’t real, it just wasn’t rooted. 3. Thorny hearts have been crowded out by competing concerns. Worry, busyness, and the pursuit of happiness, money and comfort have taken priority. They tend to believe and even pray, but there isn’t enough room for the seeds to produce as much fruit as the seed was meant to. 4. Fertile hearts listen with openness. The Word shapes every decision they make, produce slow growing and visible fruit. They tend to be generous and genuinely hunger for the Presence of God. Every seed will produce some kind of harvest. Whatever you sow, you will reap. Take a moment to sit with the Lord today and ask yourself this question: What is making it hard for me to hear, hold on to, or live out God’s Word right now? What do I need to clear out of my heart? Have a wonderful week! Taylor and the Team Ways to Engage Consecration Sunday is coming up on October 25! Water Baptism, Family and Child Dedication, New Church Partner Recognition, and a whole lot of celebration! You can find more information on all things Consecration Sunday here. Man Year registration is OPEN, but you can't register alone! Men, this is your reminder to invite a friend or two into our first Man Year Cohort. Registration closes October 24! You can read more here. Worship Through the Week We Make Space - Jonathan Melissa Helser Holy and Anointed One Nothing Else - Cody Carnes Fall Like Rain - Kari Jobe Check out our Sunday Set Spotify Playlist! Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group) This week we looked at Jesus’ teaching on seeds and soil. Read Luke 8:1-21. 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? What does the parable of the soils teach us about the nature of the Word of God? What are some competing concerns in your life that may be choking your spiritual growth? What specific actions do you want to take in obedience to the word this week?

Taylor Qualls

Worship and Creative Director

October 9, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Jesus Is Not Looking for a “Like”—He’s Calling for Allegiance, #Faith4TodayPodcast
Jesus Is Not Looking for a “Like”—He’s Calling for Allegiance We live in a world of quick agreements. Click “I agree.” Check the box. Accept the terms and conditions that none of us actually read. (Let’s be honest—if the terms and conditions were a sermon, most of us would have left after point two.) But following Jesus is not a quick agreement with a few facts about Him. In Mark 1, Jesus arrives announcing that the kingdom of God has come near. His invitation is simple: repent and believe the good news. Repentance is more than feeling sorry. It is a change of mind and direction. It is turning away from the things that have been ruling us. It’s turning toward King Jesus and away from comfort, money, achievement, fear, our own opinions, or the little kingdom we are trying to build. And belief is more than agreeing that Jesus existed, died, and rose again. Biblical belief is trust we embody. It is loyalty. It is allegiance. Jesus is not looking for a casual thumbs-up. He is inviting us to live under His loving rule. That is why baptism matters. Baptism is not the finish line of faith; it is the beginning of a new life. It is a public declaration: “My old life is no longer in charge. Jesus is King, and I belong to Him.” But then comes the wilderness. Jesus was baptized, affirmed by the Father, filled with the Spirit—and then led into the wilderness to be tempted. That is worth remembering when life gets hard. The wilderness is not always proof that we have missed God. Sometimes it is where our trust, character, and allegiance are formed. The wilderness exposes what is really ruling our hearts. Will we trust God when life is uncomfortable? Will we obey when no one is applauding? Will we keep following Jesus when the quick solution, the easy shortcut, or the old habit is calling our name? The good news is that we are not left alone in those moments. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit. We have been given everything we need to grow in godliness, not because we are strong enough on our own, but because God is at work in us. Salvation is not merely a one-time transaction where we pray a prayer, receive a receipt, and put it in a spiritual filing cabinet somewhere. God rescues us, adopts us, forgives us, makes us new, and continues to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. Past. Present. Future. He starts the work. He sustains the work. And one day, He will finish the work. In between, we participate in loyal allegiance to Him alone. We yield. We repent. We obey. We keep in step with the Spirit. We get back up when we fall. We learn to love what God loves and let go of the things that keep pulling us away from Him. Following Jesus is a lifelong apprenticeship. So today, consider this: What has your allegiance? What gets your first attention, your deepest trust, your greatest energy, or your strongest fear? Those things may not all be bad—but they make terrible kings. Jesus is King. His kingdom has come near. And His invitation still stands: turn, trust, and follow Him.

Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor

September 30, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
From Overwhelmed to Overcoming - #Faith4TodayPodcast
From Overwhelmed to Overcoming Sometimes the problem in front of us feels bigger than our ability to solve it. It may be a broken relationship, a struggle in our community, a challenge at work, a need in our church, or something happening in our family that we did not create and do not know how to fix. We see the need clearly, but we do not have the resources, authority, experience, or answers to make it better. That is where Nehemiah found himself. When he heard that Jerusalem’s walls were broken down and its people were vulnerable, he was devastated. He was far from the city. He had no army, no construction experience, and no obvious authority to rebuild what had been ruined. But Nehemiah did not allow the size of the problem to lead him into despair. He prayed. Before Nehemiah ever made a request of the king, he wept, fasted, confessed, and sought God. He allowed his grief to become a holy burden instead of mere worry. He did not rush into action, blame others, or add his voice to the noise surrounding the problem. He prayed until God gave him clarity. This is an important lesson for us. We often see a problem and immediately want to comment on it, complain about it, or offer a solution. But Nehemiah shows us a better way: bring the burden to God before bringing it to everyone else. Prayer does not make us passive. It prepares us for faithful action. Nehemiah prayed for months, and when the opportunity came, he was ready. He had a vision, but he also had a plan. He knew what he needed: safe passage, letters of authority, timber, and support. His faith was not vague optimism. It was humble trust in God paired with wise preparation. Faith is neither passive waiting nor self-reliant striving. Faith is prepared obedience. Maybe there is a burden God keeps putting in front of you. It may be something broken in your family, workplace, neighborhood, or church. You may not have caused it, but you cannot seem to look away from it. Before assuming you are supposed to fix it, ask God what He is inviting you to do. Perhaps He is calling you to pray. Perhaps He is calling you to repent, forgive, serve, speak up, make a plan, or take one courageous next step. Not everyone who notices a problem has been given the assignment to lead the solution. But every burden can become an invitation to seek God. Nehemiah also teaches us to carry sorrow without becoming cynical. He grieved honestly, but he did not give up hope. He acknowledged what was broken, but he trusted that God could bring renewal. He waited, prepared, acted with courage, and rallied others to join the work. That is the pattern of overcoming. We pray. We listen. We prepare. We act. We stay faithful when opposition comes. And we remember that breakthrough is not always an immediate change in our circumstances. Often, God’s deepest work is what He is doing in us—forming courage, humility, perseverance, and faith. You may feel overwhelmed today. But the rubble in front of you is not bigger than God’s ability to meet you there. Start with prayer. Carry the burden with humility. Make room for God to give you wisdom. Then, when He opens the door, take the next faithful step. God still uses ordinary people who are willing to pray bold prayers, plan, and act in courageous faith.

Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor

September 23, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
When a Full Life Still Feels Empty - #Faith4TodayPodcast
When a Full Life Still Feels Empty Have you ever worked hard, stayed busy, and still felt strangely empty? Haggai 1 speaks directly into that experience. God’s people had returned from exile with an opportunity to rebuild—not only their city, but their worship and identity as His people. Yet opposition discouraged them, and over time they shifted their energy toward their own homes, comforts, and security while God’s house remained unfinished. They were not lazy. They were working. But they planted much and harvested little. They ate but were never satisfied. They earned wages, but it felt like putting money into a bag with holes. The problem was not that they had homes, jobs, or resources. Those things are not bad. The problem was that their priorities had shifted. Comfort, self-protection, and material success had quietly become the center of their lives. And it left them empty. God’s invitation through Haggai was not shame. It was a loving call to wake up: “Consider your ways.” That invitation still matters for us today. We can fill our lives with good things (work, family, goals, health, finances, experiences, etc) and still miss the source of the life we actually long for. God never intended for us to build a life apart from His presence. The goal of following Jesus is not simply better behavior, greater achievement, or a more polished life. The goal is union with God. It is learning to live with Him at the center of every part of our lives. That changes the questions we ask. Instead of only asking, “Will this make me more comfortable?” we can ask, “Will this move me closer to God?” Instead of asking, “What will benefit me most?” we can ask, “How can I honor God in this decision?” God’s blessing is not for sale. We cannot earn His favor through religious activity, generosity, or spiritual routines. But our actions do shape our affections. Prayer, Scripture, generosity, worship, hospitality, and obedience are not transactions meant to impress God. They are practical ways of turning our hearts back toward Him. We cannot simply think our way into devotion. We have to practice our way into it. That is why small habits matter. Giving God the first few minutes of the day before opening social media. Pausing to pray before reacting. Reading Scripture before the noise of the day takes over. Reaching out to a friend. Creating room for worship, rest, generosity, and service. These habits are not about perfection. They are a trellis—a simple structure that helps our lives grow in the right direction. Haggai reminds us that when we put God first, we are not losing our lives. We are returning to the life we were made for. So take a moment this week and honestly consider your ways. Where have comfort, fear, busyness, or self-protection become the practical center of your life? What small step could help you draw near to God again? His invitation is not condemnation. It is presence. When we return to Him, we find the strength, grace, and fullness we have been missing. Watch & Subscribe to the #Faith4TodayPodcast

Pastor Matthew Hunt

Lead Pastor

October 4, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
FC Weekly
Teaching Text: Mark 1:1-15 If you’re reading this email, you likely consider yourself to be a follower of Jesus. Followers of Jesus know the cost of following is often our own comforts and selfish desires. While that cost is...well...costly, He’s also worthy. Jesus Himself was confronted with the same temptations we face after He was baptized. In fact, Mark tells us that Jesus was immediately into the wilderness by the same Holy Spirit that descended on Him after He came up from the waters. In this wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan and tormented by the wild beasts (commonly referencing demons/evil spirits) for forty days. It was in those forty days that Jesus was able to reverse, represent, and perfectly redo everything that Israel and all of human history had failed to do in the story up to that point. He was able to resist. Today’s teaching text reminds us that water baptism isn’t the finish line. It’s the beginning. This is an encouraging thought for those of us who have been baptized and find ourselves wondering, “Why is this so hard? Am I doing this right?” Allegiance isn’t easy, but it’s required. The Messiah King calls us to turn our allegiance from satan and self to Him as King and Savior, and that process isn’t easy. What does it look like to switch our allegiance to Jesus? Realize your sin. This is prompted by the Holy Spirit. (John 16) Repent, making a public recognition of allegiance like water baptism. Receive the Spirit, being adopted as sons and daughters. Renewal in living in ongoing sanctification and freedom. Represent the King’s purpose by inviting others to “repent and believe.” Being truly allegiant to Jesus isn’t always easy, but He’s always worthy of our allegiance. Love ya, friends! Taylor Qualls and the Team Ways to Engage First Wednesday Prayer, October 7 @ 7pm - Yes, again. First Wednesday is one of those events that we do every month, but it’s never the same. Want to up your resisitance? We are fasting as a church from sunrise to sunset on First Wednesday of each month, and you can too! Day of Prayer is October 17! This is our first whole-day prayer event. We are kicking it old school and only having on-site signups. No links for this one! To sign up for a spot, grab a sticky note with the time you signed up for and write your name in that spot. Yes, you. ;) There are two more opportunities to sign up- First Wednesday (because you’re definitely coming to that, right?), or Sunday, October 11. Consecration Sunday is coming up on October 25! Water Baptism, Family and Child Dedication, New Church Partner Recognition, and a whole lot of celebration! You can find more information on all things Consecration Sunday here. Man Year registration is OPEN, but you can't register alone! Men, this is your reminder to invite a friend or two into our first Man Year Cohort. Registration closes October 24! You can read more about this here, or find it under the "Ways to Engage" drop down menu on our faithchurchks.org homepage. Worship Through the Week Awake My Soul - Hillsong Who Else - Gateway Worship Alabaster Heart - Bethel Worship Worthy of it All - Brymer/Hall Check out our Sunday Set Spotify Playlist! Talk it Over (being honest & open with friends, a spouse, or your Group) This week we looked at Jesus’ main invitation and message. Read MARK 1:1-15. 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 ways does Jesus' baptism differ from John’s baptism based on the teachings in Mark 1, Luke 3, and Matthew 3.? How can we practically demonstrate our allegiance to Jesus as our Saving King in our daily lives? What do you think are the implications of being 'new creations' in Christ as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:17? What specific actions do you want to take in obedience to Word this week?

Taylor Qualls

Worship and Creative Director

October 1, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Day of Prayer
On Saturday, October 17th we are hosting a Day of Prayer at Faith Church from 7am to 7pm. You are invited to participate in this day of intercession by signing up to pray on-site during a 30-minute time slot. The Basics (garage door) room will be transformed into a prayer room, set up comfortably for your time of individual prayer, and printed prayer prompts will be provided. These prompts focus on the people and ministry of our church, and are provided so we can individually seek God with unified prayers as we invite His Transforming Presence into our church. While the prayer time is individual in nature, there will be others sharing the space. Please be considerate of others' personal prayer time. Sign-ups will be available on Sundays, October 4th and 11th. Stop by the display on the garage door of our lobby to choose your time(s), grab your reminder slip(s), and write your name on the board! There is not an online sign-up, so be sure to visit the display in the lobby! A note about kids: There will not be childcare at this event. If your kids can pray on their own for 30 minutes, sign them up! There will be multiple people in the room during each prayer slot, so please be courteous of others’ prayer time by helping to create a quiet environment.

Carie Fess

Spiritual Formation Pastor