This morning I want to encourage those of you who are mothers here today by sharing the impact my mother had on my walk with the Lord, because I believe it will. Growing up my brother and I were always raised in church, as many children are, and we began our faith journey at a young age. Sundays at church were an important piece of our childhood, but during the week, outside the walls of the church, is where we experienced what walking with the Lord meant. My mother has been involved in an organization called “Moms in Prayer” for as long as I can remember. Moms in Prayer is an organization whose mission is to impact the lives of children and schools through Christ by gathering mothers to pray. My mom surrounded herself with other moms who loved Jesus, and their desire was to grow each other as well as their children’s faith and dependence on the Lord. Growing up, I saw the love of my Heavenly Father through the love and influence of my mother and the strong Christian mothers in my life. Day to day, I saw my mom staying in the Word, studying Scripture, praying with my brother and I before bed, and showing us how to walk with the Lord. As we carpooled to school with other families, we would read a verse of the day. Back then, this may have seemed like just a routine for us, but it laid the foundation to understanding that each day should begin in Scripture, spending time with God, and acknowledging our dependence on him. This community of mothers in our school had an impact that we may not have realized back then, but looking back we can see the protection and favor of the Lord. God answered their prayers in the teachers we had, the lifelong friendships we built, and the relationship with the Lord that each of us have as adults.

I want to encourage moms today to recognize the impact that you have on your children’s growth in Christ, as well as other children in your lives. As I saw my mother consistently reading Scripture, meeting with and encouraging other moms in faith, and building fruitful relationships through the love she had for others, it set an example for me. Mom, you have an amazing opportunity to disciple your children, and pass along a strong faith to the next generation. Paul reminded Timothy about this in his second letter to him:

2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Timothy’s faith could be traced back to his mother and even his grandmother. I can trace my faith back to my mother. My prayer is for all of you who are moms to pass on a strong faith that becomes the foundation for your children, and that this would be one way you are able to live as a disciple of Jesus who is making other disciples.

You can hear Garret’s story HERE

Join us for a  Men’s Big Meeting at the church building on Saturday, January 20th from 9–10:30am.

We’ll gather at the building to hear a brief talk from scripture and then split into smaller groups to discuss, pray and connect with other men on a deeper level. The Men’s Big Meeting is great place to meet other men here at Local, grow as followers of Jesus and find brothers who want to press into Disciple Groups together.

If you plan to attend, sign up HERE.

Just as you might imagine, the story of followers of Jesus finding his tomb empty is filled with a range of emotion. Anxiety, fear, sadness and doubt. Joy, wonder, hope and faith. Reminding us regardless of feelings, no matter where we are in coming to terms with it, the resurrection of Jesus is central. It defines a movement, fulfills a promise and opens the way for true peace to be found.

ALL are welcome! Be our guest Easter Sunday April 17th

Gathering // 9a + 11a (Live-streaming our 11a gathering)

You can find out more about our gathering HERE.

Every so often, the Lord takes extra time to remind me of his forgiveness. I could know of his forgiveness and mercy by simply reading the Bible, but often, I do not fully understand his greatest attributes until I experience them. I believe the Lord wants us to know him and experience him in the fullest and deepest way. Through my sin and subsequent confession and forgiveness, I have come to understand and feel what David is talking about in Psalm 32.

David addresses the state of all sinful people and forgiveness. Like an axiom. “Everybody knows this.” But do I act like I know it? David intentionally uses different words to encompass important aspects of sin. It all points to the fact that we are blessed when we are forgiven, not when we are perfect and obedient, but when we are forgiven. As a follower of Jesus in pursuit of the most joy I can have, I know that I want all of this blessedness.

Does this resonate with you? I feel this rotten feeling when I know I’ve sinned and I’ve been hiding it. I haven’t been telling anyone and it just rots within me more and more each day. Not only do I not want to have to confess my sin, but I don’t even want to have a conversation which may lead to it. So I avoid even regular topics, because, like I’m playing chess and know the next move might bring up my sin. And so, my spirit is just wasting away and I’m in pain. AND! Day and Night the heavy hand of the Lord has been upon me. That’s personal. I’m not only experiencing agony because the sin is rotting in me but I also feel the weight of the Lord’s hand pressing on me. And I can’t fight it, so my weakness dries up. The Lord’s hand is on me to being me to repentance, but until then, it feels like it’s crushing me. SELAH-PAUSE-DON’T MOVE ON TOO QUICKLY!

Well, there’s a connection between this second grouping and the first, right? Feeling death, becomes feeling blessed? What happened in between? I confessed and the lord forgave me immediately. Not eventually. Not later. Immediately. And I have experienced

1 BLESSED IS THE ONE WHOSE TRANSGRESSION IS FORGIVEN, WHOSE SIN IS COVERED. 2 BLESSED IS THE MAN AGAINST WHOM THE LORD COUNTS NO INIQUITY, AND IN WHOSE SPIRIT THERE IS NO DECEIT. 3 FOR WHEN I KEPT SILENT, MY BONES WASTED AWAY THROUGH MY GROANING ALL DAY LONG. 4 FOR DAY AND NIGHT YOUR HAND WAS HEAVY UPON ME; MY STRENGTH WAS DRIED UP AS BY THE HEAT OF SUMMER. SELAH 5 I ACKNOWLEDGED MY SIN TO YOU, AND I DID NOT COVER MY INIQUITY; I SAID, “ I WILL CONFESS MY TRANSGRESSIONS TO THE LORD,” AND YOU FORGAVE THE INIQUITY OF MY SIN. SELAH

that immediate lifting off of weight. The crushing hand is no more. The rotting bones are no more. Confessing is the hardest move for me. I know the blessing that will follow confession, but It’s so hard. SELAH! Because you must know you are forgiven!

6 [FOR THIS] LET EVERYONE WHO IS GODLY OFFER PRAYER TO YOU AT A TIME WHEN YOU MAY BE FOUND; SURELY IN THE RUSH OF GREAT WATERS, THEY SHALL NOT REACH HIM. 7 YOU ARE A HIDING PLACE FOR ME; YOU PRESERVE ME FROM TROUBLE; YOU SURROUND ME WITH SHOUTS OF DELIVERANCE. SELAH

Now I want everyone to experience what I’m experiencing! Go now! Confess now! Don’t wait! For this reason! Seek and find the Lord now while you can! Don’t wait until you have delayed so long that you will not seek him. And know that even the floods of waters will not touch you. It may take your tangible things, it may reach your body, but it cannot reach the soul and faith of the one whom God has saved. And then we are reminded that God is OUR/MY hiding place. He is not merely a hiding place, but he is a hiding place for ME. There is no other hiding place for me like the comfort and merciful hand of God. He preserves me from trouble. And he surrounds me with shouts of deliverance. Sinner, be delivered! Come out of that nonsense. Be delivered. Delivered! Stop going back to that sin. Be delivered. You will have consequences to work through, but BE DELIVERED.

8 I WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU IN THE WAY YOU SHOULD GO; I WILL COUNSEL YOU WITH MY EYE UPON YOU. 9 BE NOT LIKE A HORSE OR A MULE, WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING, WHICH MUST BE CURBED WITH BIT AND BRIDLE, OR IT WILL NOT STAY NEAR YOU. 10 MANY ARE THE SORROWS OF THE WICKED, BUT STEADFAST LOVE SURROUNDS THE ONE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD. 11 BE GLAD IN THE LORD, AND REJOICE, O RIGHTEOUS, AND SHOUT FOR JOY, ALL YOU UPRIGHT IN HEART!

The Lord speaks personally to us. Are you not feeling delivered even though he shouts it to us? He will gently instruct us and counsel with his eye upon us. It took me so many years to be freed from the sin I had been entangled in. So many years. So many years! And I cannot even explain exactly how I was delivered. But I am. It’s like that paper cut that is super annoying and you can’t wait for it to go away, but then one day, it hits you that it’s gone.

Keep confessing. Keep praying. Keep begging the Lord and keep heeding his gentle instruction and listen for the shouts. He is delivering you. Steadfast love surrounds you. And if you have been delivered, shout for joy.

You can here Josh’s story HERE.

This summer we have the privilege of partnering with Grace Partnership for a short-term trip to Casa de Esperanza! July 8-17, 2022 we’ll travel to Caranavi, Bolivia for an opportunity to see and serve in the work of Casa de Esperanza! We will spend the week in service in the ongoing completion of a new, multi-purpose building on the property of the orphanage. Mornings will be spent in ceramic and tile work, painting, light renovations, and of course, in any area we can do some good! No experience is necessary…just a servant’s heart! The afternoons will be spent serving the children in the orphanage.

Cost of the trip is $1350 per person from Miami International Airport, plus the cost of a visa ($200 cash upon arrival) and any required COVID tests. The first $200 is due March 31, so don’t delay.

Team size will be a maximum of 20, so register today! Visit gracepartnership.net/missions for more detailed information and payment due dates.

CONSIDERATIONS: 

Caranavi is at an altitude of 3,200 feet. Arrival in La Paz, Bolivia will be at an altitude of 13,000 feet. While the time at such a high altitude will be brief, a generally healthy disposition will help. The number one need in missions trips is the heart of a servant who is a team player who can follow directions. Given that some minimal physical labor is needed and space is limited, priority will be given to those 18 and above. However, a minor accompanied by a parent may participate depending upon space. COVID-19 and Yellow Fever vaccines are required for travel to Bolivia.

If you’re interested in participating on this trip or have any questions about it please contact Josh Allen ASAP: [email protected]

Local Church St. Pete and Created Women will be hosting a Care Collective Outreach on Tuesday, March 22nd from 10AM – 2PM right here in our parking lot.  Partnering with the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force and other community organizations, this event will provide a meal, resources and support to exploited women and others living on the street.  What a privilege to be on mission alongside these groups and to shine a light on issues going on in our community. If you’re interested in volunteering at this event you can register HERE

Community Partners:
Created Women
Local Church St. Pete
St. Petersburg Police Department
Tampa Bay Human Trafficking Task Force
Showered & Empowered
St. Petersburg Health Department
St. Petersburg Free Clinic
Suncoast Center of Pinellas
The Timothy Initiative
And many more

There’s a small secluded spot called sea glass beach on the Caribbean island of St Kitts. It’s tucked between monstrous mountains. The waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash against the rocks, so powerfully that you can barely step into the water without feeling it suck you in. But during the two years that I lived on that island, I loved to venture down to that patch of beach, because the shoreline was covered with, what I called, treasure. Beautiful stones of blues, turquoise, greens, browns and crystal clear. I’d bring a bag down the rope ladder walkway and collect as much as I knew I could carry back up the steep incline. I’d never seen so much sea glass. And I’d never given it so much thought either. It was beautiful, especially after the water washed over it. I wondered why this small beach collected all the sea glass on the island. I found out that the St Kitts bottling plant was just a mile or so down the road. These perfect gems I was collecting were once glass bottles that had been tossed into the ocean. Shattered, broken, lost.

My two years living on that island was full of adventure and growth and a time of eerie isolation where I believe God had tucked me away to spend time with him… to prepare me.

I learned about God growing up in church. Kids camp, church plays, bedtime devotionals- those were all places I’d met God throughout my life. But what I learned while living on that island was that to meet God was not to know him. Like going from an acquaintance or a shallow friendship to having it finally bud into a real relationship.

So, how did I land on that island? I’m from Ocala, and When I was 24, I married my high school sweetheart. Someone I’d known since I was 15. A few years after we got married, we moved to St Kitts together for an adventure of a lifetime. An adventure that God would have me start with someone and end alone.

I had long days on the beach with time to kill. I found a Caribbean church, plugged into a small group- but still I felt God pulling me somewhere deeper. I just didn’t realize it would take heartache to meet him there. So at the end of our time on the island, when we were only 29 years old, I was hit with the sudden news of my husband’s betrayal and then abandonment. Someone I had trusted for 15 years.

There were days I didn’t know how I would even make it another hour. I was confused, angry, sad, and even though the days were so long, God was there every step of the way. It would take too long to tell you of all the people he placed in my life at just the perfect time and how those friends are still by my side today. I can’t quite explain how it felt rebuilding my life, being back in Ocala- and the first time I got the courage to go back to my home church alone. I purposely showed up late, because I was too ashamed to walk in alone and divorced. I remember praying a pitiful prayer as I walked up to the door- “God please help me.” It wasn’t five minutes later I was in the bathroom (stalling, again, because I was so afraid and ashamed) that two girls from high school that I hadn’t seen in 10 years recognized me and asked me to sit with them. God even met me in my sneaky little plan to show up late to church that day.

The details are too intricate and the feelings were too deep to articulate, but I spent so much time literally on my knees begging God to do something with this mess; to not allow me to be bitter from it. I felt worthless- I felt unseen- I felt so easy to walk away from and easy to not like or love. I genuinely hated every fiber of who I was. But then I realized that who I thought I was just a “wife.” If I wasn’t that then I must be nothing, right? Slowly, God showed me that my value runs so much deeper than that. If you’ve lost someone you love, or something has been taken from you and you feel like you’re nothing, I get it, but God showed me that being empty handed is the only way I’d be able to hold onto him. That’s where I was. Hanging onto Him for dear life.

Eventually, my pastor mentored me, and I began leading women’s small groups. Then after praying for an opportunity, a job in Indian Shores fell in my lap and that’s what brought me to St Pete 5 years ago. Starting fresh where no one knew me as my old identity felt weird and almost wrong. Now I was just me… and it was time for a new challenge in this new identity of depending on God. I bought my first house, and I happened to drive by Local church almost every day, wondering what this church was all about. And now here I am, meeting genuine friends who go beneath the surface.

And this sea glass, I still have so much of it in my house. It’s a reminder of one of the best times and the worst times in my life. But I also know that what once started out as a broken bottle with no use, was tossed deep beneath the ocean, for many years to form what’s so beautiful now. And that beneath the surface part- the refining in the dark- that’s where I spent many years. I think that’s where God works to mend our broken pieces. If you feel unseen, in the dark, like you just have nothing to offer or maybe you can’t even see the light at the surface, I know that when you trust in God, he can make something beautiful in that time of pain.

The edges are smooth, there’s no scars or marks, and it’s precious enough for someone like me to journey down a hill to collect it. As for myself, I’m still not quite there yet, and sometimes I still feel like I’m being beaten by the waves, but what I love is that I have a community who shares their spaces of refinement as well- and when we take the step to  connect with other believers in that way, there’s nothing the enemy can do with that. And there’s so much that God can.

You can here Erin’s story in the service from this Sunday Here.

On Sunday February 7th, Christian Holton shared his Local Story with us. He shared about how growing up he believed in Jesus, but wasn’t following Christ. “If you had asked me as a kid If I believed in Jesus I would’ve said yes but other than that nothing in my life reflected a relationship with Christ.” When college came, Christian’s newfound independence resulted in him choosing the culture’s narrative of college being the “best 4 years of your life”. “My identity was wrapped up in what others thought of me and my performance in school and extracurricular activities.”

Christian lived this way for about a year and a half, but eventually he started to realize that the typical college lifestyle that everyone endorsed never really brought him full satisfaction. “While partying, drinking or doing well on a test always felt good in the moment, that feeling always faded and required me to indulge further in order to maintain satisfaction.”

Thankfully, Christian began to connect with a few men in his fraternity who lived their lives for Jesus. They began to invest in Christian and shared the Gospel with him. “Through their efforts to invest in me and by the grace of God I finally realized that my whole life I had possessed head knowledge of who Jesus was but had never given my life to Christ. Christ didn’t just want to be another part of my life, He wanted me to follow him whole heartedly and to develop a relationship with me.”

Christian began to follow Jesus and started to find a life that truly satisfied. “I no longer had to find life in worldly things as I realized the truth in John 10:10 that Jesus has come to give us life to the full.” He left us with some final thoughts. “Since I made the decision to follow Christ, it hasn’t always been easy, but following Christ is worth it. I now have joy in Christ that I wouldn’t have gotten to experience elsewhere. I have purpose for my life, to know Jesus and make him known.” You can listen to Christian’s full Local Story on our podcast.

Men’s Big Meeting (Discipleship Meetings) | 5th Saturdays @ 9AM

Beginning in 2022, we will be hosting quarterly men’s “Big Meetings”  on 5th Saturdays throughout the year (January 29th, April 30th, July 30th & October 29th).

We will gather at the building to hear a brief talk from scripture and then split into Discipleship Groups to discuss, pray and connect with other men on a deeper level.

If you’re not participating in a Discipleship Group right now and you’d like us to help place you in one, please register (new groups will be forming in January).

Register HERE