Up-Coming Sermons

Rooted Series
June 1st: Week 1

Message: “Planting to Grow!”

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The Parable of the Sower

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Matthew 13:18-23 NIV
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

June 8, 2025

Rooted Series: Week 2

Message: “Growing is what we do..”

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

June 15 2025
Rooted series: Week 3

Message: “Pruning is the hard work”

Scripture: John 15:1-5
The Vine and the Branches

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

June 22, 2025 

Rooted Series: Week 4

Message: “Harvest the fruit”

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38
The Workers Are Few

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

June 29, 2025

Fifth Sunday

Videos

Stafford Street Community Church

CROSSROADS

JUNE 2025

12348 Stafford Street

PO Box 191

Ravenna, MI  49451

231-853-6688

From the Pastor’s Desk

Unknown Nations   April 2025

God Came For The Broken, Dirty & Empty-Handed One of our Indigenous Leaders in Pakistan sent us this beautiful testimony. He shared, “This is why we go to places no one else will. There are so many families living in darkness, convinced they are forgotten, believing lies about who they are and who God is.” These are the words of a mother raising her children in the dumps of Pakistan: “For years, I believed this was our destiny, to live in the dump, to sleep on the road. I used to tell my children, ‘God only loves the rich and famous. He only talks to people who have something to give Him not to poor, broken people like us.’ But when you and your team shared the story of Jesus with us, it felt like someone opened a door we never knew existed. We never knew there was a God who loves the poor. A God who came for people like us. A God who doesn’t care if we are broken, dirty or empty-handed. He came for us!” This family was given a Treasure audio Bible after an outreach event. The son, clutching the Treasure to his chest said, “Mama, God talks to us now.” For the first time, they are able to hear God’s voice through the audio player. They shared, “It feels like He is sitting right here with us, speaking life into our hearts.” In just three days after receiving the Treasure, the children stopped asking why they live in the dump. Instead, they ask, “Mama, when will we see Jesus?” The children, who once cried themselves to sleep, have now found joy in Christ! They know God sees them, speaks to them and loves them. The gospel changes everything. It’s not just words; it’s life. It’s a joy. It’s freedom. Let’s go where no one else goes. Let’s bring light where there is darkness. Thank you

“It feels like He is sitting right here with us, speaking life into our hearts.”

Pastor Dave 

Everyone Has a Role in the Global Methodist Church

The Global Methodist Church emphasizes lay empowerment through its "Lay Equipping Movement," which aims to develop and utilize the gifts of all church members in ministry.

One of the most refreshing and distinctive aspects of the Global Methodist Church is its strong commitment to **lay empowerment**. In a world where leadership often feels top-down or reserved for a select few, the GMC takes a different approach—one deeply rooted in the earliest days of the church and the Wesleyan tradition: every believer has a role to play.

From the beginning, Methodism was a movement of the people. John Wesley believed in equipping ordinary men and women to preach, teach, and lead. That spirit lives on in the Global Methodist Church today. It’s not just clergy who shape the life of the church—laypeople are called, equipped, and encouraged to step into meaningful leadership, both within the church walls and beyond them.

In the GMC, you’ll find laypeople leading small groups, starting home churches, coordinating outreach efforts, serving on church boards, offering pastoral care, and even preaching in some settings. This isn’t just practical—it’s biblical. The early church, as described in Acts, was a body where gifts were shared and ministries multiplied. That same model guides the GMC’s vision today.

Restoring What Was Lost

In the earliest centuries of the Christian movement, churches often met in homes, and leadership was shared among elders, deacons, and spiritually mature believers—both men and women. But as Christianity became increasingly linked with state power, church structures began to shift. The line between clergy and laity became more rigid, and spiritual leadership was often reserved for a professional, educated class. Ordinary believers were gradually moved to the sidelines.

Over time, this created a deep divide between those seen as “leaders” and those who simply “attended.” Participation gave way to passivity. But the New Testament never describes the church as a stage with an audience—it describes a **body**, where every member has a gift, and every gift is needed.

The Global Methodist Church seeks to recover that original vision—not just as a return to the past, but as a model for the future.

You Matter Here

What does this mean for the average church member? It means **you matter**. Your voice, your gifts, and your calling are needed—not just to fill a spot on a committee, but to help shape the mission and future of the church. Whether you're passionate about hospitality, teaching, prayer, justice, music, administration, or mentoring young people, there is space for you to serve and grow.

In the Global Methodist Church, leadership is not a status—it’s a shared responsibility and a sacred trust. By empowering laypeople, the church becomes more flexible, more faithful, and more reflective of the diverse body of Christ.

So if you’ve ever felt like church leadership was for someone else—someone more trained, more titled, or more “qualified”—the GMC wants you to hear something clearly: **You are needed. You are called. You belong.

Expanding Our Reach:

Church Planting Opportunities

at the Annual Conference Session

As we continue our mission to grow and multiply God's Kingdom throughout the Great Lakes region, we're excited to share several upcoming opportunities for those interested in church planting and multiplication, particularly those attending the annual conference session in June. Building on the foundation laid at our previous events, these training sessions and networking opportunities are designed to equip you with the tools and connections needed for effective ministry.

If you cannot attend the conference but would like to serve as part of our 55-hour prayer initiative, you can still participate in our virtual vigil that will be happening as well. Our hope is that we have continual prayer coverage throughout this event.

Pastor Mary & Ivan Ivanov have invited any who would like to attend the Graduation Party for Luka on Saturday, June 7th at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church from 10am – 2pm in Muskegon.