Jesus was quite clear that our love for others would directly impact our growth and closeness to Him. As we go to Haiti, our purpose is to try and better understand what it means to walk in the same way that Christ did when He was on this earth. Part of growing in Christ is growing in faith, love, and strength. When you serve on the Haiti teams (sending,...

Recently I have been reading the passages of scripture that describe the calling of Jesus disciples. The one thing I noticed is that when they were called they didn’t fit Jesus into their lives, they changed their lives for Jesus. When Jesus called James and John they left their fathers business and followed Jesus immediately after he called out to them. ...

  Ten Years From Now Pastor John Braland   Imagine life ten years from now.  This is your ideal, preferred future so dream without limitations.  Dream big.  Dream in detail.  Dream without burdens.  Where will you be sitting reading this Leader Lifter?  What kind of work will you be doing?  Who will you be doing it with?  What does your work...

“Pastor John, I feel stuck.” I hear these words often when I meet with people to discuss their spiritual life. It’s not that they want to plateau in their faith, they just “hit the wall.” Maybe they hit the wall because God isn’t answering their prayers like they think he should. Lingering unemployment, a nagging health problem, family troubles, you...