12Stone Church

What comes to mind when you hear the word "church"? For many, it’s just a local building or a Sunday routine. But the "Big C" Church is so much more than what happens within our walls. In this message, we explore the beauty of God’s design for the church—a united body that transcends location and culture. Whether you are a lifelong follower of Jesus or just starting to stay curious, there is a place for you here. In this video: The Mission: How our generosity helps plant churches across the country. Hospital or Household? Understanding the true purpose of the church community. A Call to Unity: Why a divided culture needs a united church. Join Us: Stay tuned for our open baptism Sunday coming up in two weeks! If you’re ready to take that next step in your faith, we’d love to celebrate with you.

Have you ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? For years, I lived with a "raging river of angst" under the surface—trying to be my own protector and provider while the pressure of leadership and life slowly took me out. In this message, I’m sharing something I have never taught in my 36 years as a senior pastor. It’s not just about words; it’s a shift in theology that moved me from living under undoing pressure to receiving God’s profound peace. We’ll explore: The Bridge of Prayer: How prayer moves us from self-sufficiency to total dependence on the Lord. Finding Calm in the Storm: Why we should stop asking God to change the storms around us and start asking Him to change the storm within us. Surrendering Control: Recognizing that we are not the primary protectors or providers for our families or our lives—He is. Whether you’re a long-time believer or "spiritually unresolved," there is a peace available to you that doesn't depend on your circumstances. Join us as we learn how to truly say, "God’s got this."

Happy Easter! 🌿 In today’s message, we’re diving into the real meaning of the resurrection. It’s more than just a tradition; it’s about a power that can restore, forgive, and provide a brand-new starting point for anyone who feels powerless. We also share the incredible story of Amy, who found a foundation of love and worth through Christ when she felt she had nowhere else to turn.

"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 2,000 years ago, Jesus asked his disciples a deconstruction question. He wanted to get to the bottom of the opinions, biases, and inconsistencies people had about him. In this Palm Sunday message, we explore the "origin story" of Jesus to move past our assumptions. Whether your view of Jesus was shaped by your parents, your childhood church, or the Christians you’ve met along the way, it’s time to ask the most important question: "But what about you? Who do you say I am?". We discuss: * The "Crocs" vs. "Jesus" analogy—how we form opinions based on others. * What it actually means to "deconstruct". * Why everyone has an opinion on Jesus, from your grandma to your favorite politician.

We are wrapping up our journey through the book of Ephesians by looking at what it truly means to engage in spiritual warfare. In this teaching, we take a "field trip" to Caesarea Philippi—a place known in the ancient world as the "Gates of Hades"—to understand why Jesus chose the darkest backdrops to make His most powerful declarations. Key Takeaways: - The Battle is Real: We aren't fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. - The Victory is Won: We don't fight for victory; we fight from the victory Jesus already purchased. - Stand Firm: Standing firm doesn’t mean standing still—it means planting your feet and being ready to take territory for the Kingdom. If you feel like the world is shaky, remember that building your life on the Rock makes you unshakable.

Are you fighting in your own strength or God’s? In this message, we explore what it truly means to put on the full armor of God and recognize the spiritual battle we face every day. We often find our security in earthly achievements—our "crowns"—but the only response to seeing the true King is to lay those crowns at His feet. Join us as we discuss: Why people are the prize, not the enemy. How to identify the "idols" in our lives that we don't recognize until God asks for them. Advancing forward with the Gospel of peace instead of just trying to survive. Key Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18.

"You better start believing in spiritual wars... you're in one." In this midpoint update of our Unshakable Vision journey, we dive into Ephesians 6 to discover the "activator" for spiritual victory: Prayer. While the armor of God is our protection, prayer is the plumbing that brings the power of the Holy Spirit into our daily lives. In this message, we discuss: The Reality of the War: Why your life pressure is often a spiritual battle. +1 The Five Foundations: Remembering that Jesus has already won and the enemy is defeated. The Faucet Analogy: How to practically "turn on" the power of God when you feel overwhelmed. Jeff’s Story: A powerful testimony of remaining unshakable through loss and financial trials. Key Dates: 🗓 March 22nd: Unshakable Midpoint Commitment Sunday. Join us as we recommit to what God is doing in our church and community. Reflection Question: What is the "pressure point" in your life right now? Take a moment to turn on the faucet and talk to the One who moves heaven and earth. #12Stone #UnshakableVision #Ephesians6 #SpiritualWarfare #Prayer

Unshakable: The Battle for Your Soul The battle we face isn’t against the people around us—it’s a spiritual struggle for our hearts, our families, and our purpose. Key takeaways from today’s message: We aren't just trying to survive the battle; we are called to take back territory for the Kingdom.

Relationships can be uphill and hard, but they are so worth it when done God's way. Whether you are running solo or as a team, keep your eyes on the prize: Jesus!

In this message, you’ll learn: Why the "conflict-free" assumption leads to bitterness and isolation. How to stop "sweeping things under the rug" and start growing through disagreements. The difference between chasing happiness and experiencing it as a byproduct of a healthy, God-centered marriage. Whether you are married, dating, or single, this message offers practical and biblical wisdom for navigating the inevitable conflicts of life and building relationships that last. At 12Stone Church, learn how to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose and Make a Difference. Visit our website at 12Stone.com for more information or connect with us at https://12stone.com/connect/

What Is Submission In Marriage? The word submission can feel heavy or misunderstood, especially when it comes to marriage. Is it about control? Losing your voice? Or something else entirely? In this message, we talk honestly about what submission in a Christ-centered marriage really means and what it doesn’t. You’ll hear how God’s design for marriage is rooted in love, humility, and mutual respect, not power or hierarchy. Whether you’re married, dating, single, or just curious, this conversation is about building healthy, life-giving relationships that reflect God’s heart.

Marriage doesn’t fail because people don’t want it bad enough. It struggles because most of us were never taught how to practice it the way God designed it. In this message, we unpack a powerful and challenging truth: marriage is uphill. It’s hard. And the reason it’s hard isn’t just compatibility, personality, or communication — it goes all the way back to the very first marriage. When sin entered the picture through Adam and Eve, it pulled humanity away from God’s original design and placed us at the bottom of the climb. Getting back to what we were created for takes intentional effort, surrender, and a lifetime of practice. God’s vision for marriage isn’t vague or unattainable. His divine design centers on unity and oneness — a supernatural work that also requires daily commitment. The problem isn’t that God’s design doesn’t work. The problem is that we often try to experience the blessings of marriage without aligning ourselves with the design that produces them. Throughout this message, you’ll hear why all the divine blessings of marriage are found inside God’s divine design, and why rewiring how you see marriage is essential before you can live it well. This isn’t about trying harder or fixing yourself — it’s about letting God get behind the scenes and rewire your thinking, your expectations, and your practices according to His purpose. Rewiring takes cooperation. It takes agreement with God. It takes surrender. And it requires moving past yourself — past baggage, selfishness, emotional immaturity, and poor relationship habits that keep you stuck at the bottom of the climb.

Most of us treat our spiritual walk like a solo project, believing we can reach our full potential through personal study or by watching a service from a distance. We try to handle our struggles in private, only to find ourselves stuck in a cycle of resetting the same old habits without ever addressing the root cause. But real growth isn't designed to happen in isolation; it requires a specific environment to actually take root. True spiritual maturity is a team sport, not a solo pursuit. There are blind spots in our character, our marriages, and our careers that we simply cannot see or fix on our own. We need a biblical community that loves us enough to call us up to a higher standard and carry us through the heavy seasons when we feel overwhelmed. You might be just one honest, biblical relationship away from the breakthrough you’ve been praying for. Community isn't just an optional resource or a social club; it is the fundamental context where our faith becomes practical. God designed us to be sharpened by others so that we don’t have to drown in our own secrets. It’s time to stop trying to "one another" without others and invite the right people into your journey. Step out of isolation and let the real work of growth begin within the body of Christ. At 12Stone Church, learn how to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose and Make a Difference. Visit our website at 12Stone.com for more information or connect with us at https://12stone.com/connect/

Most of us treat prayer like a quick fix or a spiritual magic wand we wave to change our circumstances. We ask God to fix what is around us, and then get frustrated when the scenery doesn't shift. But real prayer isn't about changing the things around you; it’s about inviting God to change the things within you. It’s a significant renovation that requires a daily reset of prayer to turn off the noise and let God work on your heart. When you invite Jesus to move into your life, He doesn't just visit for the weekend—He lives there permanently. And through daily prayer, He starts the deep work needed to fix it. This process is usually messier and takes longer than you expect, but that’s because He is most interested in your inner growth. He wants to address the root of your mental health issues and your relationship issues. God goes where He is invited, so invite Him into the parts of your life you’ve kept closed. It’s time to let the renovation begin.

Trying to fix your life by flipping "small switches" is exhausting when the main power is still off. We often spend our energy on Religion—trying to earn God’s approval through better behavior—while we are still spiritually disconnected. Real change isn't about being "good"; it’s about being made alive through Jesus. The Gospel is the "Reset Flip" that turns the main breaker on, bringing you from death to life by grace alone. Once the power is connected, the Holy Spirit begins moving room-by-room, turning the lights on in the places you’ve kept hidden. Stop settling for the emptiness of Rebellion by keeping the doors locked to your private struggles. Choose Repentance today—a life fully surrendered to Jesus where He has access to every area of your house. It’s time to stop playing church and start living in the light.

It’s exhausting trying to keep up with a "cultural algorithm" that tells us we have to constantly earn our significance and prove our worth to other people. We often feel the pressure to work for our identity, chasing status or approval just to feel valuable. This week, we looked at how God calls us to reset our identity. Instead of striving to earn love, we are invited to live from a place of being already chosen, redeemed, and fully accepted because of Jesus. You don't need to listen to a world that changes its standards every day; you just need to remind yourself that you are already sealed and secure in Christ. As you step into this week, try "turning down" the algorithm—maybe by ignoring the pressure to impress strangers online or just putting the phone down—and “turn up” God’s Word in your life. It’s the best way to start 2026 with confidence and peace.

It’s surprisingly easy to let life’s big moments slip by and forget how much has actually happened over the last twelve months! We often move so fast that we lose sight of how God has been looking out for us. This week, we looked at how pausing to remember isn't just a sentimental exercise—it’s Biblical! And it helps us gain peace and perspective, regardless of what's happening around us. Think of your phone's photo library as a modern version of a memory jar. When you scroll back through your pictures from 2025, you start to see the full story of where you’ve been and what God has done, even in the messy parts. Before the new year officially kicks off, take a few minutes to look through your photos, send a quick text to someone you’ve missed, and be honest with God about what you’re grateful for and where you still need some help. It’s a simple way to head into next year with a much clearer head and a lot more gratitude. Your 2025 year-end giving advances our Unshakeable vision as we partner with God to build an Unshakeable future. As you put God first in your giving, He continues to use your generosity to move His Kingdom forward. Thank you for continuing this journey with us. Together, we're seeing lives changed as people take their next steps with Jesus. Give online or mail gifts postmarked by December 31st. Get more details by clicking the button below. As we approach the end of the year, we praise God for all He has done through 12Stone Church and your generosity in 2025. Your year-end giving allows us to continue our Unshakeable journey and advance the gospel around the world. You can find year-end giving tips and ways to give at 12Stone.com/give At 12Stone Church, learn how to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose and Make a Difference. Visit our website at 12Stone.com for more information or connect with us at https://12stone.com/connect/

We often assume that if the news is bad, then God must be bad too. It’s easy to let a difficult season or a sudden setback poison your view of God’s character. We focus so much on the pain that we lose sight of the truth: your circumstances are not the evidence of God’s love for you—the cross is! God proved His character once and for all through Jesus. He is undeniably good even when life feels undeniably dark. Bad news doesn't mean God has left; He is actually near to the brokenhearted—He hasn’t left you. You don't have to hide your sadness or your messiest questions. God is a good Father who wants your honesty. But don’t stay stuck in the "why"—today, you can move from focusing on your circumstances to trusting in His character. He is good, even when the news isn't.

We often trick ourselves into thinking that compromising on God’s Word and His way is just a shortcut to getting what we want faster. It feels harmless to cut a corner here or there to get ahead. But here’s the truth: compromise isn’t a shortcut; it’s like taking a chainsaw to the tree of your life. Compromise doesn’t help you grow; it cuts down the very life you want. Every time you choose the easy way over the right way, you aren't speeding things up—you’re doing damage to the things you love. The good news is God can heal broken things. When you stop cutting corners and depend on God, you can actually grow strong again. 🌳 At 12Stone Church, learn how to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose and Make a Difference. Visit our website at 12Stone.com for more information or connect with us at https://12stone.com/connect/

It is easy to feel like faith is just a list of restrictions designed to keep us from having fun, but what if those instructions are actually a map to get us out of prison? In this message, we explore the surprising connection between the ancient story of Passover and the true meaning of Christmas. We often find ourselves stuck in habits, addictions, or toxic patterns that we hate, yet we keep going back to them. We want to be free, but we don't always like the process required to get there. By looking at the story of the Exodus, we see that captivity isn't just about a physical place; it represents the things that trap us today. We discover that God gives us direction not because He is trying to control us, but because obedience leads to freedom. At 12Stone Church, learn how to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose and Make a Difference. Visit our website at 12Stone.com for more information or connect with us at https://12stone.com/connect/