Weekly Email — Encouragement in Discouragement

Hey Church Family,

Over the last week or two, even with so many incredible things happening in and through our church, a deep discouragement has settled in—one that’s been hard to shake. And what’s been frustrating is that I’ve been doing the things we know to do. I’ve been in the Word. I’ve been praying. I’ve been trying to walk faithfully. But for reasons I can’t fully explain, that weight of discouragement keeps lingering. This morning, before I even arrived at church, I had a simple conversation with the Lord. I asked, “Would you specifically encourage my soul today? Would You give me one unique way to encourage me—something so clear that I’ll immediately know it’s from You?” And the Lord did exactly that! In the first service—right after the response song—one of the sweetest elderly women in our church came forward to share a testimony. She told us how she had believed she had cancer… and how the Lord had healed her. She shared it with such gratitude and simple faith: God is good, and God is faithful. And in that moment, I knew the Lord had answered my prayer. It was like He gently reminded me, “I’m here. I see you. And I’m still at work.” I share that to say: so often we let the circumstances around us dictate how we feel—without ever bringing those feelings honestly to the Lord and asking Him to move. Sometimes God changes our circumstances, and sometimes He doesn’t. But He is always near, and He is wonderfully kind to meet us with the help we actually need. So if you’ve been carrying discouragement this week, I want you to be encouraged: bring it to Him. Ask Him for strength. Ask Him for help. Ask Him for one clear reminder of His nearness. And trust that He knows exactly how to sustain you—right on time…and if you wouldn’t mind say a prayer for me.

There’s so much to celebrate…

Since opening the new Walnut Grove building, we’ve baptized somebody every single week — including four people today. It has been incredible to watch men, women, teenagers, and children not only come to know Jesus but also take real steps of faith to follow Him.

The Lord is up to something special here at Church at the Grove, and I can’t wait to see what He continues to do. Let’s keep pressing in.

Three Upcoming Opportunities

1) Ribbon Cutting (Walnut Grove Building) — Wed, May 13 (2pm): Join us at 2pm as the Chamber of Commerce officially cuts the ribbon on our new building. We’d love to pack the room for a great photo op heading into Sunday’s Grand Opening — and it’s a perfect chance to invite friends and family as we dedicate this building to the Lord.

2) Walnut Grove Grand Opening — Sun, May 17: This Sunday is a big milestone for our church family as we officially dedicate the Walnut Grove building to the Lord. Come worship with us, and invite someone to join you as we celebrate what God is doing in our community.

3) Covenant Family Membership Gathering — Sat, May 16 (5:30pm): If you’re newer to Church at the Grove, this is a great next step to get connected, meet some of our pastors and leaders, and learn more about who we are and where we’re headed.

Three Ways to Be Praying

Pray for families and kids to finish the school year strong (focus, endurance, protection, and joy).

Pray for the Lord to provide the right Social Circle Student Director (clear leading, open doors, and unity through the process).

From Sunday’s sermon: pray that we would walk with intentionality this week — walking in love, in the light, and in wisdom, being filled with the Spirit instead of drifting on autopilot.