Midweek Check-in (Aug. 13, 2025)

Good evening, church family!

Let’s pause for a midweek check-in. Last week I had the privilege of attending The Global Leadership Summit. Koch Arena was a satellite location for the event, and it was two days full of high-quality leadership training.

Of the many Christian pastors, authors and speakers who took the stage, one name stood out: Nick Saban. He’s the most successful college football coach in the history of the sport. He oozes leadership and has effectively motivated and inspired some of the greatest football talent ever.

So what might he have to say to thousands of Christian leaders?

Of course, much of his leadership advice was equally appropriate for a corporate boardroom and a church board meeting. He spoke of failure and loss. He spoke of making necessary, difficult change. And his advice was spot on.

But then the interviewer asked him a simple question: How has your faith grounded and guided you? And his answer was simple.

“How do you pray? Do you pray to be blessed, or do you pray to be a blessing?”

That is an excellent question for each of us. When our thoughts move away from our own personal benefit and shifts toward being a blessing to others – that’s a clear indication of servant leadership and spiritual maturity. That’s part of the promise God gives to Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3. It’s echoed again in the prophetic words of Isaiah 49:6. It is the result of God’s love in John 3:16.

Are you praying with a focus of benefitting yourself? Or are you praying for an opportunity to bless someone else?

“God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.”

-2 Corinthians 9:8

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

A WEEK OF PRAYER FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR: This past Sunday we honored our local educators and prayed for them as well as the students preparing to go back to school this week. Our Back-to-School Prayer Guide offers daily directed prayer for the new school year. Today, we’re praying for Angel Wings Learning Center, which operates on our church campus five days per week. Let’s remember to pray for the childcare workers and students who come to the church property every day!

MEN’S BREAKFAST: All men are invited to our monthly men’s breakfast in the church café this Saturday, Aug. 16 at 7:30 a.m. Come hungry!

WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRIES LUNCH: If you are interested in joining our worship arts ministries, please attend a luncheon at the church this Sunday after the morning worship service. Learn more about the various ways you can serve on the worship arts team! Please contact Pastor Nate if you plan to attend.

CONNECTION: This past Sunday we launched two new ways to connect. If you’re thinking about taking the next step in your faith, fill out the Next Step card located in the pocket on the back of each chair or just fill out the online form. Similarly, if you have a prayer request, a simple and secure way to share is to fill out a prayer card.

ATTENTION PARENTS: Starting this Sunday we will have a new area for parents with crying babies. The room will offer a bit of privacy and comfort and with a live feed of the worship service playing on the TV. This area is located in the Prayer Room just off the lobby.

LAY MINISTER’S ACADEMY: Save the date for the next Lay Minister’s Academy Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pratt, KS. This event is designed to encourage, equip, resource, and network volunteers who serve in our local churches. Lunch is included! Register here.

JUST FOR FUN

Hey, you read Pastor Billy's midweek check-in all the way to the end! As a reward, check out these crazy stories I came across recently:

·McDonald’s has a new adult Happy Meal featuring either a quarter pounder with cheese or 10 McNuggets, plus fries, a pink-and-blue Mt. McDonaldland Shake and a toy “collectible item”. The large size runs about $14 and tops out at 1900 calories.

·It is 2025, but somehow more than 200,000 people still have AOL Dial-up Internet. But AOL just announced it is ending it’s dial-up service on Sept. 30.

·Need a dose of chubby cuteness? Tanganyika Wildlife Park just outside of Wichita has a baby hippo that’s going viral.