As we continue our Strengthening the Stakes series, we turn to Storytelling and the powerful way stories shape how we understand our lives, our past, and our future. The Bible tells the story of God unfolding through the stories of men and women, ultimately centered around the redemption of Christ. Through 1 Peter 1, we’re reminded that the gospel gives us a new birth and a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. Our old story doesn’t have to define us—because in Christ, we are given a new beginning, a new identity, and a new story. As we find our story in Him, we discover a hope that is anchored in what Jesus has done, present in the life He gives us, and secure in what is still to come.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 95:1–7, 1 Peter 1:3, Romans 7:24–25, 1 John 3:1

✨ Themes: Storytelling, the story of God, finding our story in Christ, new birth, living hope, redemption, identity, grace, human narrative, the resurrection of Jesus, God's mercy, worship, gratitude, freedom from our old story, hope for the future

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

This week at Genesis, Kai and David tag-teamed a message on what it means to live a life on mission. Kai began by laying the foundation for our calling as followers of Jesus—reminding us that we have been called to follow Him, equipped with everything we need for a godly life, and sent to make disciples of all nations. Our mission isn't something separate from our everyday lives; it is the invitation to live faithfully as people who have been blessed to be a blessing.

David then took the message from theology to practice, sharing practical ways we can live out that mission both locally and globally. As we strengthen our stakes, we are anchoring ourselves in the call to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, plant new Jesus-communities, and live as the church wherever God has placed us.

📖 Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 11:28–30, 2 Peter 1:3–11, Genesis 12:1–3, Romans 10:13–15, Revelation 7:9–12

✨ Themes: A life on mission, following Jesus, the Great Commission, being equipped for a godly life, blessing the nations, making disciples, living sent, local and global mission, planting Jesus-communities

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

This week in our Strengthening the Stakes series, we turned our attention to Prayer—exploring what it looks like to become a people who keep showing up before God and refuse to lose heart. Through Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, we were reminded that persistence in prayer is an expression of enduring trust in the character of God, especially when we face delay, opposition, or disappointment. Chris was joined by Mattie for an honest conversation about prayer, personal dissatisfaction, and the ways God has shaped her through seasons of contemplative prayer, fasting, and breakthrough. We were challenged to embrace a deeper, even costly kind of prayer—travailing prayer that longs to see renewal in the church, revival among the lost, and ultimately the restoration of all things. Because when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth?

📖 Scripture: Luke 18:1–8, Hebrews 4:14–16

✨ Themes: Prayer, persistence, faith, travailing prayer, renewal, revival, restoration, the Kingdom of God, perseverance, God's character, waiting on God, spiritual breakthrough, Jesus our High Priest, mercy, grace, hope, intercession, not losing heart.

We are a Jesus-centered community on mission, shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.

Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/