Queen City Church

Pastor Brian returns this week after a summer sabbatical spent intentionally connecting with his family and with God. As he reengages with the church, he shares five of the most meaningful lessons and reminders God revealed to him. Together they reaffirm the mission of Queen City Church, and also prepare us for our next series. Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Who is Jesus to you? What is one thing about Jesus you would like to share with others? These are the questions posed to five of our own church members - DeDe, Mitch, Melanie, Ruthie, and Logan - who will each take seven minutes to share their answer by telling part of their own story of how Jesus has worked in their lives. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT) Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

As followers of Jesus, we can walk in victory regardless of our present pain. In our suffering, we may not always receive an explanation from God, but we do receive an incarnation: the promise of His presence. Today, Davey Blackburn, founder of Nothing Is Wasted Ministries, joins us with a powerful message from Psalm 23 to reveal how God meets us, leads us, and remains with us in the middle of every one of life’s valleys. Psalm 23:6 (ESV) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Does God actually want you to enjoy life? And if so, how do you find enjoyment in the life God has given you? This week we are joined by Pastor Noah Nickel from King’s Church in Cleveland Ohio as he makes the case that enjoyment and joy are what followers of Christ should have in their soul. Ecclesiastes 18:20 (NLT) God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

In the middle of our fear, anxiety, and worry, Jesus invites us to link our lives to his. This week, Pastor Chuck Mingo joins us to teach us how to live freely and lightly by taking on the easy yoke of Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

This week, we begin our Summer Voices series with Pastor Jordan Smucker from Ethos Church in Columbus, Ohio. In his message, Jordan explores the importance of remaining intentionally faithful in our relationships, our environments, and our walk with God. As we choose to stay rooted and remain faithful, God produces lasting fruit in and through our lives. Colossians 3:12 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

The Bible describes the local church as both a family and a body, calling us to carry one another’s burdens and live in genuine community. But modern culture can pull us toward individualism and consumerism. In the final message of our Galatians series, Caleb Ayers shares how we can resist those pressures by remaining connected to one another in the love of Jesus. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

In chapter 5, Paul calls the Galatians to live in the freedom found in Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit - God’s empowering presence within us. We are no longer bound by the laws of the old covenant; we are free from sin and death, and free to live in relationship with Him. This week, Noah Bates explores what it means to walk in that freedom and be led by the Spirit every day. Galatians 5:16 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

We have a Heavenly Father who desires a close relationship with us, and has adopted us into His family through the work of His son Jesus - this is the message Paul is teaching the Galatians in chapter 4. This week Nat Miller teaches on this chapter and shows what it means to be adopted in the way Paul describes. Galatians 4:5 (‘NLT) God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

Following Jesus begins with faith, and it continues by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit. In week three of our Galatians series, Daniel Wertz explores chapter 3, examining the purpose of the moral, ceremonial, and civil laws and reminding us that righteousness comes not through our ability to keep the law, but through faith in Jesus. Galatians 3:3 (NLT) How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

The second chapter of Galatians offers continued correction from Paul to the people of Galatia who are drifting from the truth that their church was once built upon. During week two of the series on Galatians, Jared Blair shares a message centered around this idea: what are you willing to do to protect the good news of the Gospel? Galatians 2:16 (NLT) Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”

The Book of Galatians is a letter written by Paul to the region of Galatia. In this letter, Paul offers correction to some teaching that had begun to distort the gospel. As we begin our new series, Lauren introduces the book of Galatians and focuses on the lessons of gospel truth taught in chapter 1. Galatians 1:15-16 (NLT) But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

The book of Ephesians reminds us that God is able to do more than we could ask, think or imagine. So, what are you expecting God to do? Before beginning his 10-week sabbatical, Pastor Brian shares an encouraging story from Mark featuring two miracles - both of which exceeded the expectations of those who received them. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the women at Queen City Church. As we conclude the series on relational stages, Pastor Brian and Pastor Heather look back at the stages of their own relationship, and the journey of trusting God’s leadership through each one, including their current stage of parenting and motherhood. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

God created marriage shortly after creating Adam, declaring it was not good for man to be alone. As we continue into week four of our series of relational stages, Pastor Brian teaches on the significance and purpose of the marriage covenant, along with the practical ways God instructs us to treat our spouse. Ephesians 5:21 (NLT) And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

When we look at last week’s message and realize the purpose of the singleness stage is devotion, then what is the purpose of the dating stage as a Christian? This week, Pastor Brian teaches on the dating stage of life, specifically focusing on who we should date, and how we should date.

In the book of Corinthians, Paul describes singleness as a gift - a stage of life where you can fully focus on God without relational distraction. For week two of the series, Lauren Ayers expands on Paul’s teaching to show the unique advantages of singleness, but also how to live life to the fullest and rightly navigate that season when you have the desire to be married. 1 Corinthians 7:32-33 (NLT) I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.

God has a lot to say about relationships because He is a relational God, and that is exactly why we are doing this series. This week, Pastor Brian begins by introducing what to expect in the coming weeks, and showing how our relationships with God and with others help shape the direction of our lives. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NLT) “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.”

Easter is the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead - Jesus is alive! This week, Pastor Brian wraps up the series by sharing the good news of the Gospel and what Christ accomplished for us through His victory over death. Romans 1:4 (NLT) “And he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Throughout this series, we have looked at several important names and characteristics that reveal who Jesus is. More than anything, we must recognize that He alone provides the only way to escape the penalty of sin. This week, Pastor Brian explains how the gift of life is possible through Jesus and encourages us in how we should then respond to the world around us. ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭21‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!”

Our God is a God of love, not of condemnation. As Jesus leads us through the process of sanctification and we inevitably mess up or things become challenging, He meets us with grace, not condemnation. This week David Suey shares a message of why it is worth it to keep our lives focused on Jesus - getting to experience abundant life. John 8:10-11 (NLT) Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Jesus is called the Lamb of God, a title that references the Passover account found in Exodus. This week, Pastor Brian shares the account of Passover and shows how that historic Old Testament event points directly to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament. John 1:29 (NLT) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Building our lives on Jesus doesn’t mean we’ll avoid storms, but it does mean we’ll have a firm foundation when they come. As we continue our series on who Jesus is, Pastor Brian shares what it looks like to build our lives on the solid rock of Jesus and how putting His words into practice keeps us standing through every storm. Matthew 7:24 (NLT) Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Because of His time on earth, Jesus understands on a personal level every challenge you face. And because He is fully God, He not only understands you, but He has the power to transform your life. In week three of the series, Pastor Brian unpacks the meaning and power of the hypostatic union and what it means for our lives today. John 1:1 (NLT) In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

A life of peace with Jesus isn’t defined by calm circumstances, but by complete well-being, restoration, and the steady presence of God. As we continue our series on who Jesus is, Jared Blair shares how Jesus is our Prince of Peace, present with us in every storm and offering a peace that holds firm even through all of life’s challenges. Mark 4:39 (NLT) When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

Choosing to follow Jesus is also choosing to place Him as Lord over every area of our lives. This week we begin a new series centered on who Jesus is, and in week one, Lauren Ayers shares a message that shows what life looks like when Jesus truly reigns as Lord. Matthew 16:25 (NLT) If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

God is always speaking, but are we positioned to hear Him? As we close our series on hearing God, Pastor Brian explores the things that can affect our spiritual hearing and the changes we can make to better align our hearts with His voice. Luke 10:41-42 (NTL) But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The more we get to know God, the more we come to recognize His voice. But how can we be sure the voice we’re hearing is actually God’s? This week, Pastor Brian shares five guiding questions that can help us discern whether we’re truly hearing from Him. Matthew 16:17 (NLT) Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”

God desires a close relationship with us, which is why He still speaks today. He reaches us in many different ways, but one of the most common requires a certain posture on our part. This week, Pastor Brian builds on last week’s message by teaching us how to position both our hearts and our lives to better hear God’s voice. 1 Kings 19:12 (NLT) And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 1 Samuel 3:10 (NLT) And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

We believe that God still speaks—and the Bible assures us, from beginning to end, that He does. As we begin our new series on hearing God, Pastor Brian answers a foundational question: why does God still speak? John 10:27 (NLT) “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

God is holy—set apart, separate, unique, distinct, different. And when He saves us, He calls us to be holy as well. As we conclude First Conference, Pastor Brian helps us understand what holiness really means and how our lives should reflect the position we now have in Christ. Revelation 4:8 (NLT) Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

Proverbs 28:13 teaches us that concealed sin is never an option. Confession and repentance lead to mercy, forgiveness, and healing—not shame. On night two of First Conference, Pastor Gerald Fadayomi walks us through this single verse, reminding us how to rightly deal with sin and why the goal of the Christian life is obedience, not perfection. Proverbs 28:13 (NLT) "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy."

Sometimes we long for the Promised Land so much that we begin to want it more than the presence of God. On Night One of First Conference, Pastor Jason Laird brings a powerful message reminding us why God’s presence matters most, and how a hunger for Him shapes not only our experience during 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, but our lives beyond it.

As Christians, we understand the significance of the cross—but as humans, we can never fully comprehend the depth of the forgiveness, love, and power displayed there. Today, we’re joined again by Meredith Knox for a message centered on this truth: our lives are wasted if we fail to grasp the glory of the cross.

The year 2026 has the potential to be the best year of your life, if you decide to make it the best year of your life spiritually. As we celebrate our first Sunday together in the new year, Nat Miller shares a message encouraging us to intentionally seek God through daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms that draw us closer to Him. Matthew 6:33 (NLT) "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

Merry Christmas from Queen City Church! As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Pastor Brian explains the gift our Lord has for each of us in exchange for the one thing we can offer Him. And in that exchange, Jesus meets us right where we are. Matthew 2:1-2 (NLT) Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

In the book of James, we’re told to consider it pure joy when we face trials and testing. Yet our natural response is often to ask: Why me? Why now? How long will this last? How do we get through it? This week, we’re joined by Pastor Dan Lian, who brings a timely and encouraging message on testing, and how trials, when viewed through the lens of faith, can actually lead us to pure joy. James 1:2 (NLT) "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy."

God doesn’t need your money; we are not financially generous in order to support the work of God. So then why does God want us to be generous? During the final week of our series, Pastor Brian answers this question by showing how we can be financially generous, and what the true meaning of tithing is.

Certain things like fulfillment, significance, and peace may seem like they require money to obtain, but the reality is these can only be given to us by God. This week Pastor Brian shares a message on Mammon - what it is, what is isn’t, and how it works to steal you of the joy and purpose God has planned.

The Bible speaks often about generosity, and when we understand generosity rightly, it can reshape how we see every other part of life. As we continue into week three of our series, Pastor Brian brings a message on stewardship, reminding us that when stewardship and generosity work together, they shape our hearts our priorities.

We serve an active God who still performs miracles, and so often generosity and faith are what pave the way for those miracles to happen. This week, we are joined again by Pastor Chris VanBuskirk of Counterpoint Church in Chillicothe, Ohio. He brings a powerful message about Elijah and the faith of many that preceded miraculous provision and victory through God.

The Bible has a lot to say about money. Not just about spending or saving, but about how our relationship with money reflects the condition of our hearts. This week, we’re starting a new series focused on what God teaches us about money and how to approach it with a heart aligned to Him.

As Pastor Brian concludes our series on the Holy Spirit, he teaches on the three baptisms outlined in the Bible. Included in these is the baptism in the Holy Spirit - when we receive the power of the Holy Spirit which gives us the power to live the new life Jesus has planned for us.

This series focuses on living the life God has called us to. We cannot do that on our own — the Holy Spirit equips and empowers us every step of the way. This week’s message dives deep into the gifts of the Holy Spirit, bringing both teaching and encouragement as Pastor Brian shows how these gifts help us fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

Queen City Church’s hope is to teach you to have a relationship with God that keeps getting better and better, and personal closeness with the Holy Spirit plays a big role in this. Today, our own Caleb Ayers shares a message on three distinct movements we can make in our lives to walk closer in step with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to live the life God calls us to live—and to do what He calls us to do. Continuing into week two of our series on the Holy Spirit, Pastor Brian teaches about the moment of, and the result of, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on God’s people.

This Sunday we’re beginning a five-part series exploring what the Bible teaches about The Holy Spirit. To start, Pastor Brian will help us understand who the Holy Spirit is and what His role is in our lives.

One Sunday each year, Pastor Brian sets aside time to cast vision for our church—sharing where we believe God is leading us and highlighting key areas of focus for the coming year. Today, he’s excited to announce three big developments that represent how we’re growing to meet the needs of our church family and our community in the year ahead: 1 - Foundations Child Development Center — a new early-childhood ministry that will open soon 2 - HQ as a Community Resource — our HQ building will now be available to everyone as a co-working space and a basic needs pantry 3 - Life Group Evolution — our Life Group model is expanding with the introduction of Social Groups, creating new ways to connect and build relationships

This series has answered the most frequently asked questions of our church, based on a survey completed on Easter. To close the series, Pastor Brian will address the most frequently asked question people bring up in private—one that many carry quietly but heavily.

Choosing to love and accept God means making the decision to follow Him for the rest of our lives. As we grow in our understanding of His plans, we become better equipped to live as faithful followers. This week, Pastor Brian unpacks four key theological categories of God’s will and shows how they can serve as practical guides for our daily lives.