Looking Ahead and Pursuing Healing

Church family,

I've been encouraged this week by the chance to look ahead with our staff and by what we have seen the Lord do through our Scars series. I wanted to share a little of both with you.

Looking ahead

This past week, our staff team was able to sneak away for a few days of team building and dreaming about the future. We even split into teams for an escape room in Athens. I'll let you guess who was on the winning team. (Not me.)

Russ Greer did a great job leading our discussions as we considered what the next ten years could hold for Church at the Grove.

The timing felt especially meaningful. We have just celebrated our twentieth anniversary and completed the Walnut Grove building project. There is so much to be grateful for, and we are asking the Lord where he wants to lead us from here.

As we talked, I found myself both encouraged and challenged. Thinking about what could happen over the next decade gave me a renewed sense of expectation, along with an awareness of how much we need the Lord's wisdom. Please continue praying for our staff and elders as we listen, discern, and seek to faithfully follow his leading.

Continuing the work of healing

This morning, we finished our Scars series. It has been a long time since a series has prompted this much conversation and response. I have been blown away by the courage of people coming forward, confessing sin, opening up about past wounds, and expressing a real hunger for healing.

This is why we preach series like this. We want to see lives changed by the power of Jesus. When we come together on Sundays, we aren’t coming to meet about God, but we are coming to meet with Him. We want our gatherings to facilitate an encounter with the living God that transforms us.

As I mentioned this morning, working through painful or traumatic experiences may mean seeking help from a professional counselor. There is no shame in taking that step. Asking for help can be a courageous expression of your desire for healing and wholeness.

If you would like to talk with one of our pastors or receive a recommendation for a professional counselor, we would love to help. You can get started by filling out our Counseling Request Form.

The series is finished, but the work of healing may still be unfolding in your life. Take the next step the Lord is putting in front of you this week, whether that is asking for prayer, having an honest conversation, or reaching out for counseling. You don't have to walk through it alone.

Make sure you join us this upcoming Sunday as we kick off a new series through the book of Philippians.

Events & Opportunities

• Kids Grove Waffle Sunday | Sunday, 2026-10-25. Kids will enjoy waffles during the service at both campuses. Make plans to bring your kids, and invite another family to join you!
• Covenant Family Membership Gathering | Saturday, 2026-11-14, at 5:30 PM. If you are considering making Church at the Grove your church home, this gathering is for you. Learn more about becoming a Covenant Family member and register here. Additional details are on the registration page.

Would you pray with me this week?

• A family in our Social Circle community lost everything in a house fire Friday night. Please pray for their comfort and provision, for the community to rally around them, and for wisdom as we help serve them.
• Our student ministry search. We are meeting with a potential candidate this week. Pray for wisdom and discernment for our leaders as we consider the next steps.
• Our elders meet tomorrow to begin discussing our ten-year vision. Ask the Lord to give us unity, clarity, and a willingness to follow wherever he leads.

Resource to Consider

John Mark Comer's new book, Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise, releases Tuesday, 2026-10-06. I had the opportunity to read an advance copy, and I highly recommend it.

The book invites us to step away from the noise and make room to experience the Lord in quiet. So much of what we read encourages us to move faster, get ahead, or accomplish more. This book helped me consider the value of slowing down, waiting, and being present with God. If you have felt distracted or overwhelmed lately, it is worth your time.

Grateful for you

Nathan