What has God been up to at PPC?

Reflecting on the First Half of 2025

Pastor John walked the church through a mid-year reflection using a practice he and his wife call "6 & 6"—an intentional pause every January and June to ask two core questions:

  1. What does God want in my life, in my church, in my family?

  2. What would it look like if God actually got what He wanted?

This practice, grounded in James 1:23, calls us to avoid being hearers only—those who look in a mirror and forget what they saw—and instead be doers of the Word, responding to what God reveals.

Major Themes and Focuses

In January, the vision was clear: Pacific Point Church would focus on going deeper in relationship with Jesus through worship and prayer. Over the last six months, that focus has been supported through:

  • Sermons on worship, prayer, generosity, parenting, and discipleship

  • The “Jesus in a Bottle” series

  • Easter services focused on the resurrection and the hope of the gospel

Pastor John challenged the church not to just consume teaching, but to steward it personally—testing everything against Scripture and seeking growth in maturity.

Life Groups and Spiritual Growth

Five life groups have been active throughout the season. These include:

  • Ongoing adult groups led by church members

  • A thriving young adults ministry led by Max and Madison, which has grown from 15 to over 30 participants

  • The Foundations 101 and 201 courses led by Melvin and others

  • A continuing men’s group and women’s Bible study

One highlight was a testimony from Sean, a young adult participant, who shared how learning God’s Word helped him understand the depth of Christ’s love and shed the false belief that God was angry with him.

Youth and No Swell Club

No Swell Club, led by Josh and Jeremiah, has been a powerful ministry discipling young men through Scripture, prayer, and accountability. Over the last season, the ministry has witnessed:

  • Salvations and baptisms

  • Repentance, deliverance, and spiritual transformation

  • Strong community bonds through shared service, testimony, and personal growth

Jeremiah shared that No Swell is entering a new season defined not by quantity, but by quality, with a vision to raise up the next generation of leaders through biblical discipleship and service.

Shane, a member of the group, was baptized during the service. He shared how surrendering to Christ pulled him out of deep depression and transformed his life.

Children and Families

The kids ministry continues to grow, with more volunteers and new families joining the church. Highlights include:

  • A parenting conference led by Josh and Jenna

  • Plans to launch a 10-month discipleship curriculum for children in the fall

  • A new tool for parents: weekly cartoon-based video recaps of the kids' lesson, including discussion questions for family engagement

Giving and Operations

God has blessed PPC with growth, allowing the church to:

  • Give $45,250 in benevolence to individuals and families over the past six months

  • Provide $1,500 per month to support missions and ministry partners

  • Bring on part-time staff to assist with Sunday production, media, sound, and administration

  • Hire a new accounting team to better steward church finances as the congregation expands

Encouragement from the Outside

A recent email from someone visiting the area praised the PPC community for being “glowing for Jesus.” This is the fruit of lives being changed and lived out for Christ beyond Sunday mornings.

Looking Ahead: June–December 2025

Teaching Series

  • A 10-week series through Galatians (beginning in June)

  • Fall teaching on the Holy Spirit

  • A topical series titled “Six Sins the Church Doesn’t Mention”

  • Thanksgiving and Advent reflections in November and December

A printed and digital devotional guide will be available for personal reading, journaling, and reflection throughout the Galatians series.

Worship and Prayer

  • Worship Nights: June 19, July 17, August 21

  • Weekly prayer: Wednesdays at 6:30 pm

  • Prayer teams available each Sunday during closing worship

Summer Church-Wide Challenge: Family Meals

Each household is encouraged to host one shared meal per month this summer—inviting either someone new from church or a neighbor to build community through hospitality.

Life Groups and Ministries

  • New life group launching for young married couples and young families in the fall

  • Continued investment in men’s and women’s discipleship

  • Plans for a fall men’s retreat or conference

Young Adults

Ongoing emphasis on discipleship, grace stories, healthy community, and Christ-centered relationships

Kids and Youth

  • Launch of A Disciple’s Journey curriculum for children

  • Development of a Girls Connect initiative

  • Continued expansion of No Swell Club and potential addition of new kids’ classes

Discipleship and Leadership Development

  • 12 leaders completed discipleship training

  • Richard Umpre is overseeing discipleship across the church

  • Continued focus on raising up spiritual leaders for the next generation

Generosity Challenge

Currently, 10% of the church body is carrying 90% of the financial load. Pastor John issued a challenge to take a step of faith in giving, encouraging everyone to partner in generosity, not under pressure but in faith and commitment to the mission.

Leadership Expansion

Two new pastors are being licensed and set in this summer:

  • Josh Harmony

  • Eddie

Each is undergoing theological vetting and licensing to help serve the church in greater capacity as PPC continues to grow.

Final Charge

As we move forward into the second half of the year, we are asking:

  • What does God want?

  • And what would it look like if He got it?

Let’s continue to build our lives and this church on what matters—gold, silver, and precious stones—not wood, hay, and straw. Let’s keep pressing in through worship, prayer, Scripture, hospitality, and service.

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Galations (Part 1)

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Developing A Lifestyle of Faith by Greg Huntington