Community of Hope Blog

Advent Week 1: READING: This morning we light the first candle of Advent. In doing so we begin a series where we examine our hearts as we...

Our church board has unanimously voted to call Ryan Anderson as one of our next pastors in the role of Assistant Pastor of Junior High...



In 1985, Bob Woertz, a carpenter with Marland Construction made a set of bookshelves from poplar wood.  They were for my first office in...

Listen to 5 stories told by the youth about what God did in and through them this summer.

You don’t have to live long, before things get confusing. Life turns hard.  Disappointments  hit, losses add up, and  you wonder what...

Watch the 10 stories of hope and life transformation through the grace of God.

This past Sunday night was a historic moment in the life of our church.  At an exhilarating Members Meeting, Pastor Mike Candy was...

Aubrey gives an update on her work with refugees on the island of Lesvos, Greece. 

What was present with God when He formed the cosmos out of nothingness?  You might say, “Angels?” “Air?” “Space aliens?”  God...

See some of the team in action and witness the baptism of one of the team members.  

Ron Turner talks with Shannon Newcomb, Ministry Leader with Celebrate Recovery at Fellowship Community Church who helps define...

This is no more rewarding role, and no more costly one, than parenting.  The very nature of parenting is to prepare children to leave and...

Listen to these stories of Hope and Redemption and see how God relentlessly pursues each of us.

In the rush of everyday life it can be tough to settle our hearts and focus on the spiritual season or holiday that is on the way. You may...

Get Pastor Ben’s Book on Amazon. “I found something different than light. I found that he was God of the dark, too.” The Bible...

We are only a few days until 2023 is replaced by 2024. This is a great time to get ready for changes we want to build into the new year. In...

What is Advent and Why Celebrate it? The celebration of ADVENT gives us opportunity to focus on Jesus in the weeks leading up to Christmas....

You have likely heard about the worship gathering at Auburn University that resulted in a public baptism at the campus lake of over 200...

We’ve just started our newest Common Life Book which is centered on memorizing key verses from the book of Acts. Why Should We...

Intro I recently had the opportunity to go to Israel for a study abroad trip as part of a 65-person crew made up of mostly graduate...

I was jostled this morning by earthquake tremors rattling my office. A massive, machine driven jackhammer was at work on our worship center...

We shared in an incredible service where 13 people publicly proclaimed of the goodness of God, His work in their life and their desire to...

There’s something exciting in the works at Fellowship this summer. We’re undertaking a sanctuary and lobby renovation that will...

It is the only time Jesus’ healing didn’t work instantaneously!   A blind man was brought to him.  He spit on the man’s eyes and...

Well, here we are… days away from our Extending Hope Celebration & offering (April 30, 2023).  For five years we have been...

We’re introducing an exciting new way to connect and support parents and caretakers of those with special needs and disabilities....

“Don’t judge me!” Everyone seeking to follow Jesus Christ gets this quote thrown their way some time or another. Believing that there...

My mother was a  big time sigh-er.  Most of us sigh with regularity, but mom was the Queen of Sighs. She never complained, and was very...

The following is reposted from Ryan Anderson’s blog. You can get the original here, and find all his other posts. I’m sitting down...

This is the devotional Pastor Mark was able to share recently with members of the United Nations. We hope they serve as a reminder to you...

 “We always…” Those are words my kids always used when we were thinking ahead to our annual summer trip to the beach or to visit...

In this baptism service we had 5 teens and young adults share about what brought them to Christ and the reality of having new life in Him....

The following is reposted with permission from Ryan Anderson’s blog, Sitting With Ryan. We highly recommend subscribing to his blog...

Over 200 people have already taken up the challenge to read through the New Testament by the end of 2022. Chip Candy has done a super job...

I know. This is a cheesy title for a devotional. Somewhat sensationalized. A bit arrogant sounding. Maybe a little simplistic. But, I...

In Search of the Source Recommended by Ben Panter This past year our family read In Search of the Source together. It’s the story of...

The Cure for Sorrow Recommended by Lisa Meyers A Book of Blessings in Time of Grief was given to me by someone who thoughtfully counsels...

Many women have had the experience of praying for a child. If the request is not granted, it can be a source of immense pain and sorrow. If...

Find Your People Recommended by Sarah Goldstein Find Your People is full of practical ways and ideas on how to build your community. We...

We had 4 of our youth get baptized this week. Listen to their testimonies below.

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment Recommended by Mark Willey Published in the 1650s, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment has been...

Join us on the FCC EncouragHER community podcast this summer as we return to oneness, through rhythms of recovery. Our overarching verse...

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SPONSOR TO AN REFUGEE FAMILY? At FCC we desire to show the love of Christ in practical ways to refugee family. We...

Anchored in hope is a ministry for women with chronic illnesses. In this video, pastor Ben talks to Holly about her story and how this...

It can be so many things, and take so many forms; a dialogue, a monologue, or silence; laughter, or weeping, or both; it can show up angry,...

John 13:34-35 (Jesus is speaking) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to...

John 13:31-35 (at the Last Supper, right after Judas leaves) When he [Judas] had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified,...

For sake of space, let’s just jump right in where we left off in part 2. God is calling his people back to himself – and no one (or...

Below is the playlist of all 10 baptism testimonies that were just shared in the service. To watch the full baptism service, click here.

Listen Here: Episode Transcript: Ben Willey: Well, you made it here is DNA statement number seven, which concludes our fellowship podcast...

Our Father’s Eyes Those of you who were around for the early days of Contemporary Christian Music probably remember Amy Grant’s song...

As we continue along in our series of articles, this might be a good time to remember our original premise: rather than saying “I am...

The Bread of Life Roughly 1,500 years after the Israelites drove Moses crazy[1] with their complaints of hunger, and then with their...

In his comedy special King Baby, Jim Gaffigan reflects on our affinity for describing earthly pleasures, such as a delicious piece of pie...

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where...

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where...

Community Groups are one of Fellowship’s 7 core DNA because we believe it is vitally important for people to connect in smaller...

Listen Here: Episode Transcript: Ben Willey: Hey everyone. Welcome to fellowship podcast. I am here with pastor mark and pastor Mike. I am...

Ever try to describe something that you are so passionate about, that words fail to express your emotion?  As I reflect on my life...

Quick Recap What does it mean to be human? We looked at God’s ideal plan for humanity in part 1. To be human means: You are created in...

What is a yoot? Maybe you’ve seen My Cousin Vinny, maybe you haven’t. A “yoot” is Joe Pesci’s New Yorker way of saying a...

Promises Made You will recall from part one, the word exodus literally means “a way out”.   God’s people (what remained of them)...

A (very) Brief History The first book of the Bible ends with Jacob (aka Israel) dying as a stranger in the land of Egypt.  But God had...

Listen Here: Episode Transcript: Ben Willey: Welcome back everyone to the fellowship podcast, we’re doing an eight part series about...

As I was lying in bed one early morning, not too long ago, my mind recalled the passage from Revelation 21 where Jesus says, “Behold, I...

Listen Here: Episode Transcript: Ben Willey: Welcome back everybody. This is episode number five of our DNA series here at fellowship...

Listen Here: Episode Transcript: Ben Willey: Welcome back everybody. Thanks for joining us. I’m here with pastor Mark and pastor...

Listen Here: Episode Transcript Ben Willey: Welcome back everybody. Thanks for joining us. We’re doing the fellowship podcast,...

Listen Here Episode Transcript Ben Willey: Hey, everybody. Welcome back. And thanks for making it to the second episode of our DNA series...

Listen Here Episode Transcript Ben Willey: Welcome to fellowship podcast. We’re discussing the DNA statements that we made as a...

It’s an exciting, exciting time for youth group at Fellowship! If you’re in 6th-8th grade, we’d love for you to come join us on...

I want to share with you what The Holy Spirit spoke to me during my devotion time on Christmas morning! First my day begins, like many...

December 30. 10am. Thirty eight hours from a new year.  2021 was a tough year for most of us. Most people will be glad to have it in the...

Watch Mary Ellen’s story of how the Stephen Ministry has impacted her life and spiritual walk. Stephen Ministry equips lay-people to...

The past couple of years have been difficult for many of us and have changed how we do some of the normal things in life.  That has also...

  I live out in the woods. My neighborhood is quiet and at night it’s pretty dark. In winter, however, my husband and I often step...

Nothing is more exciting than hearing faith stories!  I heard an enthralling story from a lady in our church,  as we served together in a...

Over half way through the year already! Moving into November and looking squarely towards Thanksgiving and Christmas only several weeks...

Author Susan Phillips writes about the with-God-life that is formed in time and intention. The book has meant much to me because of its...

Jared Hacking recommends You and Me Forever by Francis and Lisa Chan. “This book was filled with challenging truths about marriage in...

ACEVEDO, ODWAR AND RITA WOL Belize os.acevedo@hotmail.com AJIN, RONY AND CORIN WOL Guatemala ronyajin@yahoo.com Thank you for being aware...

See what Ben Panter has to say about one of his favorites, “Soundtracks” by Jon Acuff. “First off, Jon Acuff is the best. He’s...

“Why are we interested in the young married ministry?” asked the couple in their late 20s.  “I guess it is to be with...

I have been reading through II Timothy.  Paul writes to his disciple, Timothy, a younger man with a tendency to fear and anxiety.   Paul...

Check out what Pastor Mark has to say about one of his favorite books, “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer! “This is a book that many of us...

Chasing Vines by Beth Moore “This was my favorite Beth Moore yet! All of the ladies in the RISE bible study agreed that Beth did an...

*Please note, when new information about how you can help becomes available, we will make updates to this page* The Need: Our military is...

 

ACEVEDO, ODWAR AND RITAWOL Belize os.acevedo@hotmail.com Our newly begun National Volunteer Program has 12 young people who are learning to...

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of...

 

This was an interesting week for me. Sunday evening I began to have stomach pains. They dragged on all the sleepless night. By Monday...