"So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female."      Genesis 1:27

Imago Dei, what would it look like if we really lived like we truly believed every human being was created in the image of God?  Including the guy who cut you off in traffic.  The boss intent on making your day miserable.  The child breaking your heart.  Again.  The former friend doing her best to ruin your reputation.  The church member rubbing you the wrong way.  That dishonest business, that's trying to rip you off and winning.  Your political opponents.  Your negligent landlord.  Your obnoxious, scary neighbor.  Your ex.  And his girlfriend.  All of them knit together in his or her mother's womb by the same Artist that spoke the universe and all its varied wonders into being.  All of them created and cherished.

It's a risky proposition.  Our vulnerable hearts are intent on dividing humanity into neat categories with hidden titles - love, like, tolerate, dislike, can't stand.  Protecting ourselves behind a carefully crafted shield of neglect, indifference, and even hate.  Not my religion.  Not my denomination.  Not my political affiliation.  Not my type.  Not my people.

But protection is a deceptive illusion and is ultimately destructive.  When we construct fences and build walls to "protect" our neat categories and hard hearts, it's like stepping on our oxygen line.  Because love is like air.

Inhale.  Exhale.  Both directions.  And it better not stop, or you'll pass out.  We are made for love.  Sure, there is plenty of hard work involved.  But when we choose to set aside our prejudices and silence the anxious judge and jury of our minds, we find that we hold two things fundamentally in common with everyone: 1) the image of God and 2) our need for His grace.  Suddenly, we are the acquitted and the only justice to share the unmerited favor we've received.  And love becomes simple.

"A Moment to Breath"

Imago Dei. All of us. Created in God's image. Ask God to open your eyes to see all people the way He does, to love the way He does.

Corrie Ten Boom asked the question that bids us answer in today's world: Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

Vice President Pence said in a White House briefing this week that he has seen a posting where healthcare workers were joined together in prayer for those under their care who were affected by COVID 19.  He said he wanted the healthcare workers to know that the people of the United States were also standing in prayer for them!  He further stated that he believed that we would get through this crisis by God's help.

 In Ephesians 6, we read: "Be prepared.  You're up against far more than you can handle on your own.  Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet.  Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words.  Learn how to apply them.  You'll need them throughout your life.  God's Word is an indispensable weapon.  in the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.  Pray hard and long.  Pray for your brothers and sisters.  Keep your eyes open.  Keep your eyes open.  Keep each others spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."  (MSG)

This is definitely a time when we are up against far more than we can handle on our own.  Prayer needs to be our steering wheel!  We need that steering wheel to guide us through each day, as we pray for strength - for ourselves, for our families, our friends, our church, our community, our state, our country, OUR WORLD!

Prayer is not about how many words or how fancy the wording of your prayer is.  Prayer is about a heart that cries out to Almighty God, our Heavenly Father...the One who hears us and longs to have a relationship with His children and to give them good thins.  Your prayer doe not even have to be spoken.  It can simply be a loving, longing heart toward God.  John Bunyan has been quoted as saying, "It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than to have words without a heart.

Let us unite our hearts in prayer to the God who hears and the One who heals!

May our Mighty God continue to watch over you and keep you healthy and continue to bless you.

I believe we are at a defining moment in our history. In 2007, a small group meeting in a house had no idea that one day we would be a church. We now meet for three services each weekend, employ a church staff, have programs for children and teens, and participate in missions in our community, as well as in North and South America, Europe, and soon, Japan. In the past few years we have sensed the growing need for more space to expand our ministries.

In November of 2015, because of generous gifts, we purchased 10 acres of land in the fast-growing East County at 3475 Thruston-Dermont Road. We have patiently waited for God's timing to establish and expand the church to a second campus. There will be room for the expansion of the children's ministry, youth ministry, and adult programs. This will be an additional campus, not a relocation.

Since our first meeting as a church family in 2008, until present, God has blessed our church family tremendously. We have seen our small group grow and enrich our community by starting a Food Pantry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Backpack Ministry, Small Group Bible Studies, Children's Programs, Middle and High School Programs, Church Choir, and many other missions and ministries supported with your love and contributions.

We, as a church body, have embraced the trials of beginning a brand-new church. The Lord has blessed us as HIS children. We are a church on a MISSION!!! Christ Community Church has been called to lead all to Christ through worship and community, and to impact the world until our LORD and SAVIOR returns.

It is time for Christ Community church to radically step out in a "Daring Step of Faith with Bold Courage." Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 3:1-3, "There is a time and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to uproot. A time to tear down and a time to build." By God's providence we are debt free. God has impressed that it is time to grow and expand OUR FOOTPRINT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I ask you to prayerfully consider taking a "Daring Step of Faith with Bold Courage" with me and support this process. Together, through the generosity of God, WE can make the Vision a reality, and REALITY has IMPACT.

Pastor Myke Templeton

2008
January: Bible Study began in the home of Myke and Kathy Templeton.
May: We moved to the Springs Conference Center to accommodate our growing group.
July: CCC purchased the 1220 and 1304 Center Street properties for $345,000.

2012
May: Due to God's providence we could pay in full the $345,000 for the 1220 and 1304 Center Street properties.
November: CCC made the decision to purchase 10 acres and buildings at 3475 Thruston-Dermont Road for $350,000.
December: CCC purchased outright the 1320 Center Street property for $35,000 to utilize as a Food Pantry.

2013
December: Again, due to answered prayers, CCC could pay in full the $350,000 for the 3475 Thruston-Dermont property.

The message about faith is this: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 
Please do not be disobedient and rebellious toward God. Your eternal life and salvation depend on you trusting in Jesus in your heart and confessing your faith in him.
Contact me if you have any questions or want to talk about this.
Mike Marx 270-993-0041