The Beloved Church
by The Beloved Church
Helping the next generation fall in love with Jesus. Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 11:00AM. Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Visit https://www.belovedgr.church/decision Website: https://www.belovedgr.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebelovedchrch/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/belovedgrchurch Weekly Email Newsletter: https://belovedgr.org/news
Episodes
-
Make Jesus Home: Dependency - Austin Presnell
This week we'll make a shift in our series to looking more practically at how to abide. It begins with dependence. When Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing,” he invites us to let go of the pressure to be strong, impressive, and self-sufficient and instead embrace the humility and...
-
Make Jesus Home: Jesus The True Vine - Gary Burge
We were joined by Dr. Gary Burge as he helped us understand the background context and imagery of Jesus' invitation and instruction in John 15. It doesn’t matter where you’re planted. What matters is where you’re grafted. When it’s Jesus, the true vine, we flourish. Text: John 15...
-
Make Jesus Home: Apathy - Austin Presnell
Jesus invites us to make our home in him– to abide through dependence, trust, and obedience. This Sunday we'll consider another posture we settle for instead: spiritual apathy. In a world where we can be surrounded by the things of God yet spiritually distant, we'll be challenged to recognize the...
-
Make Jesus Home: Activity - Austin Presnell
___________________________________ Learn more about The Beloved Church: https://www.belovedgr.church/ Subscribe to The Beloved Church | / @belovedgr.church Follow us on Instagram | / thebelovedchrch Follow us on Facebook | / thebelovedchurch Opening Heaven for the next person to fall in love…
more -
Make Jesus Home: Abiding - Austin Presnell
What does it actually mean to abide in Jesus? In John 15, Jesus invites us to make our home in him—to depend on him, obey him, and discover the fullness of joy that comes from life with him. This message begins our Home series by exploring the difference between knowing about Jesus and actually...
-
Form(ed): Family - Adam Kasper
What is shaping your family? In Deuteronomy 6:4–7, we see that the spiritual formation of our families starts with God forming us. Before we can impress the love of God on the hearts of our children, we must first allow Him to capture our own. This week in Formed: Family, guest speaker Adam…
more -
Form(ed): Live & Maturity - Austin Presnell
What does it look like to be formed by Jesus? In 2 Peter 1, we’re reminded that God has already given us everything we need through His power and promises. Our role isn’t to earn what He’s given us—it’s to participate in it. In this message from our Formed | Life series, we explore three ways we...
-
Form(ed): Community - Brian Menzie
We were made for community. Whether we have a wide circle of friends or just a few close relationships, we all have a desire to know others and to be truly known. But what if community is more than something we simply want? What if it’s essential to who God created us to be—and an important part…
more -
Love In Minor Keys : Joel | Return Before It's Too Late - Toran Scott
This week, Toran walks through the book of Joel and what happens when the “locusts” of life leave us feeling stripped bare. He reminds us that pain can become an invitation to return to a God who is gracious, compassionate, and abounding in love—and who can restore even the years we thought were...
-
Love In The Minor Keys: Malachi | Don't Drift - Austin Presnell
This past Sunday we sat with the book of Malachi and watched as God brought accusation after accusation to His people. Each time, they denied it, defended themselves, and dismissed what He was saying. Beneath every excuse was the same question: Does God really love us? But Malachi reminded us…
more -
Love In The Minor Keys: Amos | When Worship Is A Lie - Austin Presnell
God isn't impressed by worship that stays inside church walls but never changes the way people live. In Amos 5:21–24, God speaks with some of the strongest language in the prophets, rejecting worship that ignores injustice and brokenness. As D.A. Carson writes, "One purpose of worship is to come…
more -
Love In The Minor Keys: Jonah | The Mercy You Don't Want Others To Have - Austin Presnell
God loves people you'd rather write off. On Sunday, we dove into Jonah's anger in chapter 4—rooted both in a sense of injustice (that God would spare wicked Nineveh) and wounded pride (his prophecy of destruction didn't come true). Through the object lesson of a dying plant, God exposed how Jonah...
-
Love In The Minor Keys: Hosea | Relentless Love - Evan Hoekzma
This past Sunday we invited Evan Hoekzma to launch our new series in the book of Hosea by looking at God's relentless love for His people. Through Hosea's marriage, we see a powerful living picture of God's relationship with Israel—and ultimately with us. Even when we chase after other things for...
-
Help Me Pray: What Are We Asking For? - Sara Krieg
This past Sunday, Sara Krieg from The Local Church walked us through the stories of Bartimaeus and Jesus in Gethsemane, reminding us what it looks like to come before God in prayer. Like Bartimaeus, we can boldly bring God our specific requests. And like Jesus in the garden, we can surrender our...
-
Help Me Pray: Why Keep Going? - Austin Presnell
This week we explored why we keep praying when answers seem delayed. In Luke 18 and 1 Kings 18, we see that perseverance in prayer isn't about convincing God to act—it's about trusting the God who already promised He would. One of the most challenging questions from the message was: How do I make...
-
Help Me Pray: Who Do I Need To Forgive? - Austin Presnell
In this past Sunday's message we explored the vital connection Jesus makes between forgiveness and powerful, effective prayer. We invited people to reflect on where there might be un-forgiveness in their heart. Text: Mark 11:20-25 _______________________________________ Learn more about The…
more -
Help Me Pray: Can I Trust You? - Austin Presnell
This past Sunday, we considered two ways of approaching God in prayer — as a customer versus as a child. While customers come to God transactionally, hiding their weakness and leaving when dissatisfied, children come with open arms, bringing their truest selves and trusting their Father's...
-
Help Me Pray: Where Do I Start? - Austin Presnell
Jesus’ approach to prayer as a certainty for life in his kingdom and as something that was necessary—like sleep. Why? Consider Matthew 6:6 “Christians often complain that their private prayer is not what it should be. They feel weak and sinful, and their hearts are cold and dark. It is as if they...
-
Help Me Pray: I Don't Get It - Austin Presnell
Somewhere between what Jesus promised and what we’ve experienced… there’s a gap. In the Gospel of Luke the disciples saw that gap too. They watched Jesus pray—and realized whatever He had with the Father, they didn’t have yet. So they asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Not how to say words, but...
-
Festivals: Tabernacles - AJ Gillespie
This week, we will look at the Festival of Tabernacles, in which the Israelites celebrated how Yahweh dwelled with them during their time in the wilderness, and provided them all that they needed as they journeyed towards their permanent home (The Promised Land). Now, from the inside of the...
-
Festivals: Pentecost - Dave McGovern
We welcomed our guest speaker Dave McGovern with us on Sunday. Dave is a clinical mental health counselor and formerly the family pastor of our sending church TLC. Humans are shaped by stories. We are the only beings in all of creation who make meaning through stories of the past, present, and...
-
Festivals: Trumpets - Austin Presnell
The Feast of Trumpets is a wake-up call. In this message, Austin Presnell unpacks how this biblical festival points to repentance, spiritual alertness, and the return of Jesus. It’s a reminder to stop drifting, get right with God, and live ready—because the trumpet will sound....
-
Festivals: Atonement - Toran Scott
Atonement reminds us of something we don’t naturally live from—that we don’t have to carry the weight of our sin, our shame, or our striving to make things right. God has already made a way. Where we tend to hold onto guilt or feel the need to fix ourselves, atonement invites us to receive what...
-
Festivals: Sabbath - Austin Presnell
Learn more about The Beloved Church: https://www.belovedgr.church/ Subscribe to The Beloved Church | https://www.youtube.com/@belovedgr.church Follow us on Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thebelovedchrch Follow us on Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thebelovedchurch Helping the next...
-
Festivals: Easter - Austin Presnell
Easter reminds us that God’s story has always been about new life. In Leviticus, the first of the harvest was brought to God—not as leftover, but as the first and best. It was an offering of trust, a declaration that more was coming. The firstfruits weren’t the full harvest, but they were the...
-
Festivals: Palm Sunday - Austin Presnell
Palm Sunday reminds us that not all kings come the way we expect. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He rode on a humble donkey—symbolizing peace, gentleness, and servanthood. At the same time, Pontius Pilate entered on a powerful stallion, representing authority, control, and worldly power. Two...
-
Acts Part II: Faith That Floats - Austin Presnell
On Sunday, our lead pastor Austin Presnell brought our Acts series to a close. He walked us back through Paul’s journey and highlighted how the book ends in a way that feels unfinished—leaving questions about what happened to others along the way. But that open ending is intentional. It invites…
more -
Acts Series Part II: The Gospel on Trial
This past Sunday, our lead pastor Austin walked us through the ends of Acts. Paul’s ministry started and was sustained by obedience to God’s voice and vision, and dependence on his provision. Which are you needing the most? Obedience or dependence? _______________________________________ Learn…
more -
Acts Part II: Unshakable - Trey Hardimon
This Sunday, we had the honor of hearing from Trey Hardimon, our lead pastor Austin’s childhood friend and now Next Generation Pastor from Leclaire Christian Church. He brought us through Acts chapters 20-23, encouraging us and teaching us through Paul’s trials and tribulations. Trey reminded us...
-
Artemis of Ephesians - Evan
Our guest speaker, Evan joined us this Sunday morning to walk us through the transformation of what it looks like once you decide to follow Christ. God calls you to a higher purpose and to not fall to the idols of the world. _______________________________________ Learn more about The Beloved...
-
Acts Part II: Apollo's Baptism
This Sunday, Pastor Austin Presnell opened the word with us as we were in Acts 18:24-28 , learning about Apollo's teachings in Ephesus. Apollo only knew of the baptism of John, and not of Jesus'. Austin guided us through a hands-on learning experience as we dove into what the difference between...
-
Acts Part II: Another King - Austin Presnell
On Sunday our lead pastor Austin Presnell dove into Acts 17 _______________________________________ Learn more about The Beloved Church: https://www.belovedgr.church/ Subscribe to The Beloved Church | https://www.youtube.com/@belovedgr.church Follow us on Instagram |...
-
Acts Part II: Faith on the Frontlines - Austin Presnell
On Sunday we were in Acts 16 with our lead pastor, Austin Presnell. Austin invited us to see our own lives as part of the ongoing story of the early church, where faith isn’t confined to Sunday but lived out on the frontlines of everyday decisions. The text challenged us to consider how obedience...
-
Acts Part II: Grace Wins The Argument - Austin Presnell
This past Sunday, Austin Presnell opened the Word and led us through a powerful teaching on the expectations we carry in our lives. He invited us to reflect on the many pressures we place on ourselves. Expectations shaped by our parents, our own internal standards, the demands of our workplace…
more -
Acts Part II: The Road Trip - Sara Krieg
We had the honor of having Sara Krieg bring the word on Sunday, from The Local Church, our sending church. Sara reminded us the importance of community, how lone wolves die, and we are not meant to do life alone. From Acts 13 and 14, Sara reminds us that just as Paul was faced with trials and...
-
Acts Part II: Breaking Barriers - Austin Presnell
This morning, we continued into the story of the early church in the Book of Acts and explored how the first believers broke through cultural, social, and spiritual barriers to spread the Gospel. In this message, we looked at how God used ordinary people, radical obedience, and the power of the...
-
Acts Part II: Blinded By Grace - Austin Presnell
Yesterday we dove into our Acts Series: Part II with Austin Presnell at The Beloved Church Saul’s story reminds us that transformation doesn’t start with our past being erased, but with God’s voice being obeyed in our lives. In the middle of shame, brokenness, and the questions of others, Saul...
-
This Coming Light: Light Has Come - Austin Presnell
On Sunday at The Beloved Church, Pastor Austin Presnell invited us into the deep and tender truth that the Light has come into our world through Jesus, even as we live in the tension between promise and fulfillment. With hearts turned toward hope and expectation, this sermon gently reminds us…
more -
This Coming Light: Hope - Austin Presnell
In this message from The Beloved Church, Austin Presnell reflects on the hope found in Christ—the kind of hope that shines steadily, even in seasons of uncertainty, weariness, or waiting. As Scripture points us again to Jesus as the Light of the world, we’re reminded that hope is not wishful...
-
This Coming Light: Wake Up From Your Slumber
In this powerful message from The Beloved Church, Austin Presnell invites us to awaken to the coming light — to stir our hearts, lift our eyes, and step into the hope and purpose God has for us. Through Scripture, reflection, and encouragement, this sermon calls believers out of spiritual slumber...
-
I'm KindAfraid To Ask: Why Does God Allow Suffering?
In this message, Austin tackled one of the most difficult questions people struggle with: Why does God allow suffering? Austin walked through the reality of pain in our world and explained how suffering enters our lives not because God delights in it, but because we live in a fallen creation…
more -
I'm KindAfraid To Ask: Doesn't Love Mean Affirming Everything?
In this week’s message, we walked through what Scripture teaches about sexuality, marriage, and God’s intentional design for human relationships. We also explored how Jesus calls us to hold truth and compassion together—loving our neighbors, including our LGBTQ neighbors, with the same grace He...
-
I'm KindAfraid To Ask: Is The Bible Reliable? | Toran Scott
Can we really trust the Bible? Toran Scott from The Local Church dives into the evidence. From Historical accuracy, ancient manuscripts, and real-world relevance, Toran uses this to show why Scripture stands the test of time. This message invites you to wrestle with doubt, ask hard questions, and...
-
I'm KindAfraid To Ask: What Is the Bible? | Austin Presnell
There are some questions in life we don’t think twice about asking — What’s for dinner? What’s the weather? But then there are others we quietly wonder and rarely voice. What is the Bible, really? Can we trust it? What did Jesus Himself say about Scripture? In week one of our series “I’m…
more -
Acts: Phillip & Magic Simon Acts 8 | Austin Presnell
Philip brings the gospel to Samaria, a place already captivated by a man named Simon who amazed crowds with sorcery and was called “the Great Power of God.” As Philip preaches Jesus, true miracles break out, people are healed, and the city is filled with joy. Simon believes and follows Philip…
more -
Acts: Stephan | Austin Presnell
In this message, Pastor Austin Presnell teaches through the story of Stephen in Acts 6–7 — a man whose faith and courage stood out in a world that didn’t always understand him. Stephen reminds us that real conviction doesn’t come from trying to control the outcome but from trusting the Spirit who...
-
Acts: We Must Obey God | Austin Presnell
When the apostles were freed from prison, they didn’t hesitate. They went straight back to the temple to preach. Why? Because when they heard it, they went and did it. In Acts 5, Peter declares, “We must obey God rather than men.” It’s a reminder that obedience to God often won’t feel like the...
-
Acts: Ananias & Sapphira | Sara Krieg
This past Sunday we gathered together in God’s presence and continued our journey through the book of Acts. We studied Acts 5:1–11, the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and were reminded of the seriousness of God’s holiness. Sara Krieg preached a powerful message on how their choice to hold back…
more -
Acts: Fellowship | Austin Presnell
In a world where political, social, and moral opinions so often divide us, we turned our eyes to the early church in Acts—where believers laid down their own claims to possessions and shared freely with anyone in need. Austin reminded us that it’s easy to imagine their world as distant, even...
-
Acts: Coming of the Holy Spirit | Austin Presnell
We continued through our Acts series, studying Acts 2:1-41. Following from last week, learning about the promise of the Holy Spirit, this week we learned about the coming of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:36–41, Peter proclaims: “God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”...
About this show
Helping the next generation fall in love with Jesus.
Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 11:00AM.
Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Visit https://www.belovedgr.church/decision
Website: https://www.belovedgr.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebelovedchrch/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/belovedgrchurch
Weekly Email Newsletter: https://belovedgr.org/news
Hosted by
The Beloved Church
Categories