The Local Church

What do you do when you have a need, a prayer, or a situation you desperately want God to change? This Sunday, Sara explored the story of Bartimaeus and Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, challenging us to consider two questions: What do you want God to do? and Can you trust Him with the outcome? As we learn to bring our requests honestly and specifically before God, we're also invited to surrender our plans, desires, and timelines to His will. What if true freedom isn't found in getting exactly what we want, but in trusting the One who knows what's best?---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decidedStay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

What if one of the biggest obstacles to your prayer life isn't finding the right words, but holding onto unforgiveness? In this message, we explore Jesus' surprising connection between forgiveness and effective prayer. Through powerful stories, biblical teaching, and practical insight, we're challenged to examine the hidden "clogs" in our hearts that can keep us from experiencing the fullness of God's presence. Whether the wounds are small frustrations or deep betrayals, Jesus invites us into the difficult but freeing journey of forgiveness, trusting Him to do what we cannot do on our own.---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decidedStay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

This Sunday, Sarah walks through Mark 1 and shows how Jesus moved toward people in need. He healed, restored, and made space for fresh encounters. Through the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, we’re reminded that prayer is deeply connected to relationship, trust, and learning to recognize who Jesus is. Sarah's message invites us to see what Scripture teaches about both Jesus and our connection to Him through prayer. If you’ve ever wanted to grow in prayer or better understand how Jesus meets people, this message will encourage you. __Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided=============Stay Connected!=============Website: http://localchurchgr.orgLocal Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrLocal Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care

On Mother’s Day, Toran wrapped up our series, “Festivals: Jesus and the Feasts,” by walking through the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkoth) and the three lessons God wanted Israel to remember: that they were once wanderers fully dependent on Him, that He is not a distant God but a with-you God who protects and provides, and that one day He will bring full restoration. He reminded us that everything we have is not because of our own strength or success, but because God has faithfully provided for us every step of the way. The message pointed to Jesus in John 7, where He declares Himself the living water and the light of the world — the fulfillment of everything the festival represented. We were challenged to ask ourselves which response we have toward Jesus: do we truly recognize Him as Savior and trust Him fully, or are we still trying to rely on ourselves?__Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided=============Stay Connected!=============Website: http://localchurchgr.orgLocal Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrLocal Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care

What would you redo, but can’t? In his message, Pastor Toran begins with this honest question, leading us into the weight we all carry from moments we wish we could take back. He walks through the Day of Atonement, explaining how sin required a sacrifice and how a scapegoat symbolically carried the people’s sins away—and even brought that moment to life by having a real goat on stage as a picture of what it meant to see sin removed. But that system was only temporary, pointing forward to Jesus, who became both the sacrifice and the scapegoat, fully covering, cleansing, and carrying away our sin once and for all. This message invites us to stop holding on to what’s already been taken from us and to live in the freedom Jesus secured. So ask yourself, are you still chasing into the wilderness the things God has already taken care of? Why are you still carrying it?__Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9 & 10:45AM (EST).Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided=============Stay Connected!=============Website: http://localchurchgr.orgLocal Church Facebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrLocal Church Instagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! - https://localchurchgr.org/care

Today Dr. Gary Burge joined us to explore Acts 15 and define grace. ---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided Stay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

Acts 10 tells a story of a generous God who will stop at nothing to bring the good news of Jesus to people. In this instance, he uses two different visions sent to two men. One was incredibly clear, while the other was perplexing. God could have chosen to speak simply to them both, but instead asked for obedience even without a full understanding of the plan. This happens in our lives today, as well. Even when we don’t fully understand, God is breaking down barriers and using ordinary people to reach others with the good news of the gospel. When God calls you to take a step, clear or confusing, He promises to meet you there with His Spirit. ---Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decided Stay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/events If you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

All of humanity has a "God-shaped hole in our heart" and nothing we try to fill it with - even good things - don't satisfy. Throughout scripture, Jesus is called the promised “branch” who brings real life and hope. Christian hope isn't wishful thinking — it’s confident trust in a future God has already promised and revealed in Christ. The way to translate this hope to others who might not yet know Christ is to overflow with generous, practical love.