Jesus gives new power to walk differently - Mark 2:11

“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” Mark 2:11

I had a wonderful time at Vertical Endeavors Prayer Summit this weekend. Yesterday I got to share my testimony with the world via the Vertical Endeavor Men’s Choir  

Setting aside intentional, uninterrupted time with the Lord deepens our relationship with Him and aligns our hearts with His will. God invites us to draw near, promising that when we seek Him, He will meet us and speak to us personally (James 4:8; Jeremiah 29:13). In pure worship without agenda or time pressure, we respond to His worthiness and experience renewal as He creates a clean heart and restores our spirit (Psalm 51:10; John 4:23–24). These moments are not confined to a place or event but can be carried back into daily life and the local church, as God desires ongoing communion with His people (Psalm 27:4). Shared worship with other believers strengthens unity and joy in His presence (Hebrews 10:24–25; Psalm 133:1). Above all, God longs for us to love Him, receive His love, and give Him our time and devotion, for He alone is worthy in these days (Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11).

Grace Church Chapel shared a powerful service centered on worship, testimony, and truth.
The music set the tone. The orchestra opened with “God of Our Fathers,” followed by the Vertical Endeavor Men’s Choir, born from a gathering of 426 men seeking God together in prayer, Scripture, and worship. The congregation joined in classic hymns celebrating God’s greatness and power.

A testimony grounded the moment. Jesse shared how God met men who came with burdens and left with freedom in Christ. The message connected his story to Mark 2, reminding us that Jesus gives new power to walk differently:

This past weekend, I had the privilege of joining over 400 employees men behind me from across our area for a time of worship that was uniquely powerful and transformative.

We gather together with no agenda. Other than to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Our worship alternating between scripture, prayer, and song with no instruments, just our voices as you heard in the video. Right here in the chapel. From there, we scattered throughout the campus and spent about an hour individually in silence.

It gave me the space to ask God. For more information about the convictions, the Holy Spirit had been placing on my heart during our time of corporate worship. It was a time of deep personal reflection. And preparation for our small group breakouts. In Mark 2, we read about a crippled man on a mat. 

Whose friends were so determined to get him to Jesus that they dug through a roof to lower him down. This weekend, we did exactly that for our brothers. We carried our mat for the for our brothers, lifting each man before the Lord. In our small groups, we chose to be vulnerable. 

Laying down our pride to share the heavy burdens we've been carrying. Whether a man needed physical healing encouragement in their faith. Needed to confess in or just ask for strength to keep going. We each lifted him up before the Lord together. I want you to know that God worked powerfully in each room, each small group. 

We saw men find freedom from long-standing struggles. Receive healing for broken Spirits. And exchange their heavy burdens for the peace that only Jesus provides. We didn't just talk about our faith. We experienced victory in Christ. Amen. 

The sermon then widened the lens. Troy addressed Minnesota’s cultural tensions with clarity and compassion. He urged people to think clearly, not react emotionally, and to pray for leaders while remembering our ultimate hope rests in Jesus... this was on my heart coming into the weekend. 

Stephen’s story in Acts 6 offered a sobering reminder. He was full of faith, grace, and power, yet still faced false accusations and fierce opposition. His life teaches three truths: speak with the Spirit’s wisdom, expect resistance to godliness, and keep the bigger picture in view. Stephen’s suffering helped spark Saul’s transformation.

The call was clear. Faithfulness is not measured by easy outcomes. It is measured by courage, grace, and a life that reflects Jesus: God’s call is always present-tense