Mission City Church w/ Pastor Josh Hershey

Having a 'personal relationship' with Jesus Christ rather than just engaging in religious ritual is very important. The Gospel of John reminds us of this truth over and over again. Whether it is through Jesus's very personal encounters with various individuals, or His own teaching, Jesus stresses that He wants us to know Him and the Father intimately at the level of the heart.

One subject that regularly gets brought up from skeptics, seekers and Christians alike is the subject of slavery. Does the Bible endorse slavery? What is the context of the many Old and New Testament passages that speak of slavery? How do the Biblical slavery laws compare with the slavery laws that were enforced in the nations around Israel? How does the overarching narrative of the Bible speak to the subject of slavery? How can Christians competently answer those who bring up this issue?

John concludes his great Gospel with a beautiful story of Jesus by the Sea recommissioning Peter, and giving a prophetic glimpse of the destinies of both Peter and John. In this story we see Jesus emphasize the importance of love for Him as the baseline for all ministry, the truth that Jesus knows all things (including our thoughts and intentions), and that Jesus has a unique purpose for each of His disciple's lives. There are so many powerful lessons in this story for you and me! Join us!

In John 20 we have arrived at the grand finale! After Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene in the Garden, He appears twice to His apostles and some other followers in the Upper Room! These appearances by Jesus are so powerful! Not only does He impart His own resurrection life to His followers, but He also imparts heavenly peace! Peace that is assured because of His nailed pierced hands and wound pierced side. Peace that has been secured by His finished work on the cross! May we encounter the Risen Lord and the multiplication of His Grace and Peace in a fresh way!

In John 20 we have arrived at the grand finale! The women disciples of Jesus come to His tomb on Sunday and see it is empty! Then the men follow! Come and learn about what Mary Magdalene, John and Peter all saw! As usual, there is much symbolism in John's account of the resurrection. The garden, the angels, Mary, all signify powerful truths concerning the resurrection of our Lord!

Join us for our special Good Friday service. “Scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).

Join us for our Maundy Thursday service! Jesus is a Servant King! He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). His new commandment to love one another even as He has loved us, that He gave on this special night, is the primary marching order for the Christian!

In the second half of John 19 Christ is the King on the cross. He is willingly there as the Passover Lamb. He is there to fulfill all prophecy and bring about redemption. One of His most famous statements from the cross is only found here in John: "It is finished!" Join us as we unpack this powerful declaration and glory in the finished work of our Lord!

After being bound, spat upon, and beaten by the religious council members Jesus was delivered to the highest political authority in the land—Pontius Pilate. John gives much special insight into this story that the other Gospels do not. He speaks at length of Jesus's private discourse with Pilate. Having being accused of being a seditious king, Pilate asks Jesus directly about this claim. And how does Jesus let Pilate know He is not a 'fleshly threat' to the political kingdom of Rome? He says, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 19:36). Join us as we unpack this powerful truth as well as many other powerful truths from Jesus's confrontation with Pilate.

After being bound, spat upon, and beaten by the religious council members Jesus was delivered to the highest political authority in the land—Pontius Pilate. John gives much special insight into this story that the other Gospels do not. He speaks at length of Jesus's private discourse with Pilate. Having being accused of being a seditious king, Pilate asks Jesus directly about this claim. And how does Jesus let Pilate know He is not a 'fleshly threat' to the political kingdom of Rome? He says, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 19:36). Join us as we unpack this powerful truth as well as many other powerful truths from Jesus's confrontation with Pilate.