Decrease Weekend Highlights!

What do you get when you have over 200 people excited about learning how to decrease and Christ increase in their lives over a weekend? An awesome move of God!

We saw 15 students being a relationship with Christ. We had more wanting to follow in baptism in a few weeks. I have heard story after story of adult leaders sharing about how they are growing personally. I absolutely love our church and its passion to reach this generation with Christ.

Decrease weekend helped me realize these truths: - Team is important in student ministry. Without a healthy group of adult leaders, there would be no student ministry to all of the students. - The overall church vision is most important. Church @ The Springs understands the importance of pouring into this generation. The support I have from my pastor, staff and members has been overwhelming.  - Students are hungry for God. I enjoy students asking for devotionals and telling me that they responded to the gospel for the first time and want to be baptized! -  Parents are investing in their student's eternity. It was great hearing the excitement in parent's voices as they celebrated life change in their children. -  Equipping is a leader's main pursuit. When I hear a student excited about their small group leader (instead of me), I am thankful. If parents, college students and adults are equipped and become champions for discipling students, then we are making a dent in this generation for Christ. - We are hardly scratching the surface. As I look at the overall picture of central Florida, I see an abundance of families who desperately need the hope that only Jesus can provide.

All the stories of life change always reflect the heart of God. I'm grateful He allows me to be a part of what He is doing in people's lives.

Decrease Weekend is Here!

We have been looking forward to Decrease weekend for months! It is our annual discipleship weekend focused upon,

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." John 3:30

We are pumped about having an entire weekend to pour God's Word into students lives and to see them grow in relationships with others.

 My older brother Jeff is the speaker for Decrease weekend. Jeff is a pastor and has served as a student minister and a college professor. He holds an Advanced Masters of Divinity degree in Apologetics (Philosophy & Ethics) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He is currently pursuing the PhD in Apologetics from Liberty University. He has had the privilege to travel to Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, Romania, Costa Rica, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil and Haiti (and Texas).

Alex Duncan has been leading worship for approximately eight years. Currently, he's an intern at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Also, he is interested in anything pertaining to the Florida Gators and The Killers.

Please be in prayer that lives are changed by Christ! 

I AM Series - Week 1 Video

Main Thought: We all have a spiritual hunger that only Jesus satisfies. Scripture: John 6:28-35

Message explanation: People were “in search of Jesus” in John 6 because of what He could do for them. Some were coming because they heard about the feeding of the 5,000 plus on the mountainside. The “Free lunch bunch” were following Him because of what they could GET from Him.

In John 6:26-27 Jesus says,“I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

- Jesus Christ reveals that He is more necessary for life than food. - Just as the Father sent the bread to care for the basic needs of His people in Exodus, He has now sent His Son, the Bread of Life, to care for the ultimate needs of the world.

In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said, “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”

Once he changes you, your appetite changes for Him and you will be filled.

Jesus continues 28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” 30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”John 6:28-33.

Miracles or living off of the next spiritual high does not produce last faith. Why are you following Jesus?

To receive the gifts of Jesus but refuse to follow (v. 26) Jesus is not interested in your hand; He wants your heart. Are we seeking His hand, or are we seeking His face?

To receive Jesus and follow Him (v.28) Do you follow Christ because of what He does for you or for Who He is?

Jesus is the only person who can fill our spiritual emptiness.

” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” 35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:34-35.

We have to realize that:

1.. Jesus CHRIST is LIFE 2. Jesus CHRIST in you is LIFE

Bread starts as a seed that is planted in the ground. It grows to maturity and is cut down, ground up, put in the oven and comes out and nourishes our lives.

The same is true with Jesus. He grew to maturity and was cut down and nailed to the cross. He was ground up by being spat upon, mocked, cursed, and beaten. He was placed in the earth and then came out of the earth to give us the opportunity to enjoy a relationship with Him forever!

At the end of the chapter, Peter answers Jesus, “Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”John 6:68-69

Where else can we go?

Jesus satisfies our hunger and thirst for righteousness. He is our Bread of Life.