LIFE Group

Submitted by Tommy C.

During small group meetings, we have the chance to really slow down and share our lives with one another – whether it’s problems we’re struggling with, prayer requests, or a message that really impacted us.  I feel that this really captures the church at Gracepoint Fellowship because this is really the core unit of what the church is built around.  Also, it captures the fellowship and closeness of every member to one another.  We feel comfortable opening up, knowing that there are people who will pray for us and share life’s burdens with us.  However at the same time, we are not just confined to just the small groups.  We care for and function as one body with all the other members of the church.

Gracepoint Berkeley: Church Outside the Walls – Home Worship

Welcome to our home worship

For the past month, Gracepoint Berkeley has been meeting in various homes for Sunday Worship.  As we meet in smaller groups, we have missed Pastor Ed Kang’s messages, Kelly Kang’s welcoming smile, the band’s rocking praise… some among us have even missed doing the chair setup and takedown.

At the same time, we have enjoyed going through the Truth Project DVDs by Focus on the Family – gaining an understanding about how to live out a biblical worldview in our culture and time.  It’s fitting that we study this DVD in a setting outside the walls of our regular church services at Willard Junior High.

What have you enjoyed about home worship?  How has the DVD influenced you?

“Christ changed our lives” at Gracepoint Berkeley

Submitted by Cynthia P.

I was really blessed by Gracepoint Fellowship Church inaugural worship service and by the 30 members who walked across the stage with words of how Christ changed their lives.  Right before the service, I was asked to write three signs that said “Christ changed our lives”, but I had no idea what it was for or what the big picture was.  But during that part of service, I saw it all come together and I was really moved.  I was particularly moved by one sister because I knew her “before Christ”, and when I saw her flip over her sign, and as I reflect over how far God has brought her and how Christ has changed her life, I couldn’t help by say “Amen!” and cry tears of joy and gratitude.

This really reminded me indeed this is what life at Gracepoint is all about:  transformed lives because of Christ; and to this end, I commit to continue to labor.

Living a life of no regrets

This past week, I was visiting my brother in Cincinnati and was able to attend a traditional Baptist church service there.  The congregation was made up of mostly middle aged and elderly couples, but I was struck by one elderly woman in particular.  Though she used a walker to help her stand upright, as we sang the hymn “Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee”, she lifted up her wrinkled, frail hands.  I was moved by this grandmother’s hands lifted up to God in commitment and dedication, even as she was nearing the end of her life.

I thought about what is a life well lived, a life with no regrets at the end?  For me and many of my friends here at Gracepoint Berkeley, it’s one where we’re able to pray those same words at every stage of our lives:  “Take my life and let it be consecrated.”

Right now, we are young; asking God with still youthful hands.  In a few short decades, I pray that God will allow us the privilege of looking back on our lives, without regrets at having lived lives consecrated for Him alone.

home sweet home with a pile of shoes

Hmmm... I forgot what I wore this evening.

Submitted by Kathy S.

This snapshot captures something that I encounter almost every week.  Whenever I go over to my leader’s homes, I’m always shocked to see a massive pile of shoes in front of their house.  The shoes are always a prequel to a warm, brightly lit living room, the sweet aroma of good food, and laughter.  I always associate this feeling and sense of home-sweet-home with piles of shoes, because wherever our church members are, there is always fellowship, love, and most importantly, Christ.  The thought of each and every person from different paths and backgrounds being bonded together for the sake of the Gospel thrills me every time.

Sea of Yellow T-Shirts

The Joyland Worship area in the Willard gym on Sunday Morning.

Submitted by Jasper C.

What’s striking about this scene at Joyland is that, unlike many other kids’ camps and programs, there are just as many (if not more) teachers as there are kids – this is apparent because the children are scattered among a sea of yellow-shirts, and not the other way around.  Upon looking closer, you see that those wearing the yellow-shirts seem to have little in common with each other apart from that T-Shirt – their ages range from as young as a high school junior to as old as parents of a high school student, and their weekly schedules and routines are just as different.  However, the unity evident in this Sunday morning scene captures the essence of the church. People who might otherwise have nothing to do with each other are instead working together as one body – all for the purpose of making God’s love real for these kids.

Minivans for Not-So-Mini Lives

Which minivan is yours again?

Submitted by Dustin L.

This picture of a minivan represents the heart that many of the Gracepoint Berkeley staff have for missions.  Although many can afford cooler, trendier cars, they choose minivans because of the increased seating capacity, which comes in handy when going on an outing, driving students around.  I am thankful that the leaders choose to invest in people rather than worldly possessions (even in issues such as choosing a car), and that they prioritize eternity above this world in this concrete way.