09/16/2025
This past Sunday was one of those days I will never forget. The church I serve, East 91stStreet Christian Church, hosted its 9th annual “For317 Sunday” where our church family steps outside the walls of our building to show love to and serve area code 317—and what a blessing it was! From the powerful worship service we shared in the morning to 40+ service projects across the city and almost 600 volunteers, the presence of God was powerful.
Looking out during the sermon and seeing a sea of black “Unleashed” t-shirts representing hundreds of people united in Christ’s name—it took my breath away. I even got a little choked up! There’s nothing quite like watching different generations come together—children, students, adults, seniors, our Latino friends—serving side by side, leading together, and living out the Gospel.
To our church family: thank you for showing up with willing hearts and joyful hands. To our staff team: thank you for the tireless planning and preparation that made this event possible. Together, you modeled what it means to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Yesterday was a vivid picture of that truth. Every act of service, every smile, every prayer, every moment of love poured into our neighbors was a testimony of Christ’s love unleashed.
I believe we are only scratching the surface of what God wants to do through us. Let’s keep moving forward with boldness, storming the gates of hell and rescuing the perishing together (Matthew 16:18, Jude 23). The Kingdom advances when God’s people rise up in unity and obedience, and yesterday we caught a glimpse of that in action.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Let’s continue to be a church not just in our community, but for our community—all for the glory of Jesus.
