One year ago, Frontier Church began with a simple desire: to reach new frontiers for Christ. As we celebrate all God has done in our first year, we’re also looking ahead with great expectation for what He will do next.
Jesus says in John 14:12–13 (NIV):
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Those words give us a beautiful picture of what Greater Things really means. It isn’t about building something bigger for ourselves or measuring success by what we can accomplish. It’s about trusting Jesus, joining Him in His work, and ultimately seeing the Father glorified through it all.
Over Frontier’s first year, we’ve seen His faithfulness again and again. We’ve watched people find community, families discover a church home, relationships grow, people take new steps of faith, and doors open for us to serve our community and share the hope of Jesus.
There is so much worth celebrating. But we also believe God is still writing the story.
Greater Things are ahead.
This Sunday, we’ll celebrate Frontier’s first birthday and kick off a new fall season together. We’ll remember what God has done, look ahead to the vision for year two, and celebrate new opportunities to connect, grow, serve, give, and continue reaching new frontiers for Christ.
Whether you’ve been part of Frontier from the very beginning, joined us somewhere along the way, or have been thinking about visiting for the first time, this Sunday is a great time to come. There’s a place for you here.
Sunday, August 16 | 10:30 AM
Lynn McKinney Elementary School
Come celebrate with us as we thank God for His faithfulness, kick off a new fall season, and step into year two together—believing God for Greater Things.

Much Fruit: Believing God for Greater Things in Year Two
“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” — John 15:8, CSB
As Frontier Church approaches the end of our first year, I find myself looking back with incredible gratitude and looking ahead with great anticipation.
Church planting is not easy. This year, we have set up and torn down week after week. We have prayed through Sundays when attendance was smaller than we hoped. We have worked, served, invited, and trusted God even when we could not yet see what He was doing.
But God has been faithful.
Year one was less about the harvest. Year one was the planting.
And already, we are beginning to see fruit.
As we enter year two, our theme is Greater Things. We believe there is much more God wants to do in us and through us—not because of our own strength or ability, but because of the power of Christ at work in His Church.

We Have Seen Fruit
Jesus tells us in John 15:8 that our Father is glorified when we produce much fruit.
This year, God has allowed us to see glimpses of that fruit.

This summer alone:
* More than 225 children participated in our sports camps and Vacation Bible School.
* 18 children placed their faith in Jesus Christ.
* Families with little or no previous church connection were welcomed and loved.
* We have celebrated baptisms and people taking meaningful spiritual steps.
* New volunteers have stepped into ministry and discovered places to serve.
* Relationships have been formed that continue to grow.
Those numbers represent people.

Every child who heard the gospel matters. Every parent who experienced the love of Christ matters. Every person who was baptized matters. Every volunteer who discovered that God could use them matters.
We celebrate what God has done while believing that what we have seen is only the beginning.
Greater things does not mean overlooking the fruit of year one. It means allowing what God has already done to increase our faith for what He can do next.

Greater Dependence on the Vine
If we are going to believe God for greater things, we cannot miss what Jesus says just a few verses earlier:
“Remain in me…because you can do nothing without me.” — John 15:4–5
This must be at the heart of year two.
As a growing church, we need strong teams, healthy systems, good communication, and excellent ministry. But none of those things can replace our dependence on Jesus.
Greater things must begin with greater dependence on Christ.
We cannot serve enough, organize enough, advertise enough, or work hard enough to produce spiritual fruit on our own.
Jesus produces the fruit. Our responsibility is to remain in Him.
Our serving must flow from our relationship with Christ. Our strength must come from Him. Our compassion, patience, joy, and endurance must be produced by His Spirit.
If we want to see greater fruit, we must first pursue a greater connection to the Vine.

Get Ready for the Harvest
God has placed Frontier Church in one of the fastest-growing areas around us. Families continue moving into North Aledo and the surrounding communities. New homes are being built, schools are filling, and new neighbors are arriving every week.
That growth is more than a demographic trend.
It is a mission field.
As we enter year two, let’s be ready:
Ready to welcome new families.
Ready to invest in the next generation.
Ready to serve, invite, pray, and share the gospel.
Ready to make room for the people God sends us.
Every Dream Team role matters. What may seem like a small act of service can become part of someone’s journey toward Jesus.

Believe God for Greater Things
When we say Greater Things, we are not simply asking God for a bigger church. We are asking Him for greater gospel impact.
We are believing God for:
More people reached with the gospel.
More children and students becoming disciples of Jesus.
More baptisms and transformed lives.
More leaders raised up and sent out.
More opportunities to reach new frontiers for Christ.

Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God is able to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”
The greater things ahead will not happen because we become more impressive. They will happen as we become more dependent on Jesus, more faithful to His mission, and more willing to follow wherever He leads.

So, Frontier Church, thank you for serving. Thank you for giving. Thank you for inviting. Thank you for praying. Thank you for continuing to show up and believe in what God is doing here.
Year one was a year of planting.
As we enter year two, let’s stay connected to the Vine, keep tending the soil, and trust God for the harvest.
We have seen fruit. We are praying for much fruit.
And together, we are believing God for Greater Things.
Pastor Travis

This Sunday at Frontier Church, we studied 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 and were reminded that generosity is not about pressure, guilt, or meeting a budget. It is about the kind of church we are becoming.

Paul writes, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” What we sow today through our prayers, service, presence, encouragement, and financial giving can produce a harvest for years to come.

Many in our church family already give faithfully and sacrificially, and we are deeply grateful. Others may be new, facing a difficult season, or still learning what biblical generosity looks like. Wherever you are, the invitation is the same: prayerfully ask God to lead you forward.

Consider these Steps of Generosity:

Nothing — I am not currently giving.

Something — I will begin with a first step.

A percentage — I will give consistently and intentionally.

Increase the percentage — I will grow in generosity as God leads.

Gifts and offerings — I will give above my regular giving to special needs and kingdom opportunities.

This is not a ladder for comparing ourselves with others. It is a tool for evaluating our own hearts.

Take a moment this week to identify where you are. Then pray:

“Lord, what is my next step in generosity?”

What we sow now, Frontier will reap for generations.

Martha wasn't lazy. She wasn't sinning. She was just busy — busy with good things, at the expense of the best thing. Meanwhile, her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet, and He said she'd chosen what could never be taken from her (Luke 10:38–42).

Here's the hard truth: we are all blind to our own blind spots. We don't drift from Jesus on purpose. We drift because our calendars fill up with good things, and nobody schedules "sit at His feet."

So here's my challenge to you this week.

Start daily. Give God the first, unhurried minutes of your day — coffee, Bible open, no agenda but Him. Even ten minutes of listening will reorder the other twenty-three hours and fifty.

Guard weekly. Sabbath isn't a suggestion; it's a rhythm God built into creation before sin ever entered it. Pick a day, protect it, and actually rest.

Plan seasonally. Consider a personal retreat — a day or a weekend, away from noise, with no agenda but to meet with God. I'm doing this myself soon, and I can already tell you: you cannot give away what you haven't received.

Sit like Mary, so you can rise like Martha.

Church planting is an incredible privilege, but it also has a way of exposing our dependence on God.
There are seasons filled with excitement. We celebrate new families finding a church home, meaningful conversations, answered prayers, and the many reminders that God is at work. Then there are seasons that feel much heavier. Plans change. Progress seems slower than expected. Volunteers grow tired. Questions linger. It's easy to become discouraged when what we envisioned doesn't unfold on our timeline.
That's why passages like Psalm 40 are so encouraging.
David writes:
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock... He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God." (Psalm 40:1–3)
David doesn't pretend hardship isn't real. He acknowledges the pit before he celebrates the rescue. His confidence isn't rooted in his own strength but in God's unwavering faithfulness.
As Frontier Church continues to grow, we'll experience both victories and challenges. That's part of following God's call. Every obstacle becomes another opportunity to trust Him more deeply, every delay becomes a reminder that His timing is better than ours, and every step of faith helps shape us into the church He is building us to be.
When we look back, we can already see God's fingerprints all over our story. He has provided people, opened doors, answered prayers, and remained faithful through every transition. Those reminders give us confidence that He hasn't brought us this far to leave us now.
So if you're feeling discouraged today, remember that the challenge in front of you is not the end of the story. God is still working. He is still leading. He is still establishing our steps.
Let's continue to serve faithfully, love generously, pray expectantly, and trust the One who has called Frontier Church into existence. The best chapters of His story are still ahead.
How have you seen God's faithfulness in your own life, and how does that encourage you to trust Him with what's in front of you today?

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
— Psalm 1:3
There is something I love about the image of a tree planted by a stream. It is not a tree merely surviving—it is a tree thriving. Its roots go deep. Its leaves stay green. When the Texas heat comes—and y’all know it comes—that tree is not worried, because it is not dependent on the weather. It is dependent on the water.
That is exactly what God invites every one of us into.
Jesus told the woman at the well that He could offer something better than anything she had been drawing from—living water that would never run dry (John 4:14). That same offer is extended to you today. When you stay rooted in His Word and connected to His Spirit, you are not just getting by. You are drawing from a source that drought cannot touch and circumstances cannot exhaust.
I know some of you in the Frontier family are walking through a dry season right now. Maybe life has felt more like cracked ground than flowing water. Can I remind you of something? The tree does not produce the stream—it simply stays near it. Your job is not to manufacture fruitfulness. Your job is to stay connected to the One who produces it in you.
Growth often happens underground, beneath the surface, long before we see it in our lives.
Church family, we are building something together in Walsh Ranch, Morningstar, and the surrounding communities, and I believe God is doing something real here. But everything we build will only be as strong as how deeply we stay rooted in Him.
So open the Word this week. Pray, even when it feels routine. Gather with your church family. Come back to the stream. The world will shift and the seasons will change, but those who stay planted by living water will flourish.
Stay planted. Stay connected. The stream never runs dry.
— Travis

In Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul prays a prayer that feels almost too big to believe. He asks God to strengthen His people “with power through his Spirit in your inner being” and that they would “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,” so they may be “filled with all the fullness of God.”
That is not a small prayer.
Fort Worth pastor Jim Essian calls this a dream-big prayer and points out that Paul’s prayer centers on two powerful themes: strength and love. Essian writes, “Deep in your very being, I want you to be strong in the Spirit.” He also reminds us that “Paul wants you to experience God’s love, not just know that it exists.”
That is a word for us.
On the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman explains that muscle growth requires stress, tension, and challenge. Muscles do not grow stronger by being left alone. They grow when they are exercised, stretched, and rebuilt.
The same is true spiritually.
God strengthens His people as they step into obedience. Faith grows when it is exercised. Courage grows when we share the gospel. Compassion grows when we pray with hurting people. Endurance grows when we continue serving even when we are tired. Love grows when we open our lives to others.
At Frontier Church, we are praying dream-big prayers because we believe God has called us to reach new frontiers with the gospel. But that calling requires spiritual strength.
We need the courage to invite our neighbors.
We need the boldness to share our faith.
We need the compassion to pray with people.
We need the endurance to serve faithfully.
We need the love of Christ to move from something we know about to something others experience through us.
So perhaps the next step is simple: exercise the muscle.
Invite a family to church.
Pray with someone who is hurting.
Share your story.
Serve at VBS.
Volunteer at Upward Sports Camp.
Welcome a guest.
Take one step of faith.
God is able to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
And often, He strengthens us as we go.
— Pastor Travis Young

In Luke 17, ten lepers cried out to Jesus from a distance, pleading for mercy. They were isolated, rejected, and considered unclean. Their condition had separated them from their families, their community, and even their ability to worship alongside others. Yet Jesus responded with an unexpected command:

“Go and show yourselves to the priests.” (Luke 17:14)

That command mattered because, according to Jewish law, the priests were responsible for confirming healing and restoring a person back into society. But here is the remarkable part: Jesus told them to go before they were healed. The leprosy was still visible. The pain and scars remained.

Human logic would have said, “Wait until the miracle happens.”

But faith moved before the evidence appeared.

“And as they went, they were cleansed.”

Their healing came on the road of obedience.

I believe that is an important word for Frontier Church right now.

So often, we want God to reveal the entire plan before we take the first step. We want certainty before obedience. Yet throughout Scripture, God frequently works in the opposite order. Noah built before the rain came. Israel stepped into the Jordan before the waters parted. The disciples left their nets before they knew where Jesus would lead them.

Faith is not passive belief. Biblical faith obeys.

As a church, we sense God leading us into what is next—deeper discipleship, greater mission, stronger community, and renewed gospel impact in our area. We may not see every detail yet, but we know Jesus is calling us forward.

The miracle was not found in standing still. It was found “as they went.”

So we keep walking. We keep serving. We keep praying. We keep inviting. We keep trusting that God meets His people on the path of obedience.

Because sometimes the miracle happens in motion.

This Sunday, we were reminded that the gospel doesn’t stay inside our comfort zones—it crosses every boundary.

In Acts 8, Philip leaves a place of momentum to walk a desert road, all for one person. That’s how God often works. He calls us out of what’s familiar so we can step into what He’s already doing in someone else’s life.

For many of us, the barrier isn’t opportunity—it’s comfort. We sense the Spirit prompting us to speak, to engage, to share… and we hesitate.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to have all the answers to share your faith. One of the most powerful ways to point someone to Jesus is simply telling your story—what Christ has done in your life.

This week, ask God to show you your “desert road.” One person. One conversation.

Step out in faith. You might be part of someone’s life-changing moment.

1 Peter 3:15- but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in your heart.

Have you ever stepped out in faith—shared about Jesus, invited someone to church—and been met with silence or rejection? That discomfort can feel discouraging, but Scripture shows us something surprising: opposition may actually be evidence that God is at work.

In Acts 4, the early church experienced incredible growth—thousands came to faith. But that growth came with resistance. Peter and John were arrested, questioned, and threatened for preaching Jesus. Yet the opposition didn’t stop the gospel—it propelled it forward.

When the world pushes back, the Spirit-filled church pushes forward.

Standing before powerful leaders, Peter spoke boldly about Jesus. This was the same man who had denied Christ weeks earlier. What changed? He had been with Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit. His boldness wasn’t manufactured—it was the overflow of intimacy with Christ.

That same truth applies to us: boldness flows from being with Jesus.

You don’t need perfect answers or theological expertise to share your faith. What people can’t argue with is a transformed life. The most powerful witness isn’t a flawless argument—it’s the evidence of God at work in you.

When Peter and John were released, they didn’t pray for comfort or safety. They prayed for boldness. They didn’t ask God to remove opposition but to strengthen them through it.

What if we prayed that way?

This week, think of one person in your life who needs to know Jesus. Pray for them. Look for opportunities to serve them. And when the moment comes, speak.

It doesn’t have to be perfect—just faithful.

And when resistance comes, don’t retreat. Remember: opposition isn’t a stop sign. It’s often a sign that God is moving.

There’s something striking about the early church. They didn’t have a building. They didn’t have a budget. They didn’t even have a band.
But they had devotion.
Not hype. Not strategy. Not personality-driven momentum. Just ordinary, consistent faithfulness practiced together. And somehow, through what looked simple and even unimpressive on the surface, God did something extraordinary.
Acts 2 tells us they devoted themselves to four things: the teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. These weren’t occasional add-ons to their lives. They were the rhythm of their lives. The Word shaped them. Community held them. Meals reminded them. Prayer sustained them.
And here’s what stands out to me: nothing about it feels dramatic. No big moments. No spotlight events. Just daily obedience. Meeting together. Eating together. Praising God together.
Yet everything changed.
God built His church not through flash, but through faithfulness. Not through what was impressive, but through what was consistent.
I think that’s where the tension hits us. We often look for what’s next, what’s bigger, what’s more impactful. But God is asking a simpler question: Are you devoted?
Devotion isn’t showing up when it’s convenient. It’s showing up when it costs you something. It’s choosing the Word when you’re tired. Choosing community when it’s easier to isolate. Choosing prayer when you’d rather just push through on your own.
And when that kind of devotion takes root in a people, something begins to happen.
“He added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Healthy things grow. Not because they strive to grow, but because they’re alive and rooted in the right things.
So here’s the question for us at Frontier: what does devotion look like in our lives right now?
Maybe it’s stepping into a group.
Maybe it’s opening your home and your table.
Maybe it’s taking communion with fresh awareness.
Maybe it’s simply committing to pray daily for what God is doing here.
It may not feel dramatic. But don’t underestimate what God does through ordinary faithfulness.
Because when His people are devoted, He builds His church.

This past Sunday, we stepped into the opening of Acts—a story not just about the early church, but about what God is still doing today. The disciples were in a season of waiting. Jesus had risen. The promise was real. But the mission hadn’t launched yet. And that tension? It’s something all of us experience at different points in life.

I remember being a kid waiting on my dad to get home from work so we could go fishing. I’d have everything ready—gear packed, shoes on, standing by the door. But sometimes he’d be late. And in that waiting, I’d wonder, Is it still happening? Did I misunderstand? But every time, he showed up. The wait didn’t cancel the promise—it deepened my anticipation.

Maybe you’re in a season like that now—waiting on direction, clarity, healing, or purpose. Acts reminds us that waiting is not wasted. It’s often where God does His deepest work in us before He works through us.

Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). That promise wasn’t just for a moment in history—it’s an invitation into a life of purpose, empowered by something greater than ourselves.

Here’s the challenge: pay attention this week. Who around you needs encouragement, truth, or hope? Take one intentional step toward them. You may discover that what you’ve been waiting for is actually the beginning of stepping into what God is already doing.

In John 16:20, Jesus offers a promise that feels both heavy and hopeful: “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”
While these words were a specific comfort to the disciples before the crucifixion, they also reveal the "Divine DNA" of how God has moved since the beginning of time. When God transforms our sorrow, He rarely does it with a magic wand; instead, He works through a consistent, historical pattern that involves time, loss, and mystery.
1. The Element of Time
God’s clock rarely aligns with our calendars. From Abraham and Sarah’s 25-year wait to Israel’s 40-year trek through the wilderness, the "turning" of grief often requires a long season of endurance. God’s timing isn't an absence of movement, but a period of preparation.
2. The Necessity of Loss
Transformation often requires letting go. Whether it was the loss of the old world during the Flood or the exiles rebuilding from the ruins of Jerusalem, the path to rejoicing usually passes through the graveyard of the familiar. We must often lose the "old" to make room for the "new."
3. The Presence of Mystery
Like Job or Joseph, we often find ourselves asking "Why?" while the transformation is in progress. We don't always get the answers in the middle of the grief, but we do get a promise.
Easter is the ultimate fulfillment of this pattern. The grief of the cross wasn't just replaced; it was turned into the joy of the empty tomb. If you are in a season of waiting today, know that you are in the middle of a story God has been writing for ages—one where grieving always, eventually, gives way to rejoicing.
 
A Prayer for the Turning
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are the God of the turnaround. When we find ourselves in the middle of time we cannot control, loss we didn't choose, and mysteries we cannot explain, remind us of the promises found in your Word.
Help us to trust that our current grief is the seed of a future joy. Give us the patience to wait for our "Sunday" and the faith to believe that You are working even in the dark. We lean on Your timing, knowing that Your rhythm of redemption never fails. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Palm Sunday always feels like a collision of joy and longing.

Crowds filled the streets, waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!”—“Save us now!” They believed the King had finally come. And they were right… just not in the way they expected.

For generations, God’s people had chased after kings—leaders, warriors, voices they hoped would bring peace and security. And every single one left them wanting more. Sound familiar? We still do the same thing—looking to success, control, or people to give us what only Jesus can.

But on Palm Sunday, everything changes.

Jesus rides in—not on a war horse, but on a donkey. Not to take power, but to give His life. Not to defeat Rome, but to defeat sin, death, and everything that separates us from God. The King we’ve always needed has come—and He doesn’t leave us longing. He meets us with forgiveness, hope, and new life.

Here’s the invitation this week:
Ask yourself, “Where am I looking for something other than Jesus to satisfy me?” And then bring that to Him. Surrender it. Trust Him as your King—not just in words, but in your life.

Because He’s not just a King worth celebrating—He’s a King worth following.

And the story doesn’t end on Sunday…it leads to an empty tomb.

Join us this Easter Sunday at 10:30am at McAnally Middle School.
We’d love to celebrate the risen King with you.

Why did Judas betray Jesus? It’s a question that echoes through the Easter story—and one that reveals something about all of us. Judas walked with Jesus, witnessed miracles, and heard the truth firsthand. Yet when temptation came, he traded the Savior for thirty pieces of silver. He reached for bread that would never truly satisfy.

Earlier in John 6, Jesus fed more than 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. The crowd experienced a miracle, yet many followed Him only because their physical hunger had been satisfied. Jesus confronted them, urging them not to work for food that spoils, but for food that leads to eternal life. He then made a bold declaration: “I am the bread of life.”

This is where the tension begins. Many who heard this teaching walked away. It was too hard, too challenging, too different from what they wanted. Yet Peter responded with faith: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Judas, however, stayed for the benefits—not the belief. His heart remained focused on temporary satisfaction rather than eternal fulfillment.

Both Judas and Peter eventually failed. Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied Him. But their responses to conviction were very different. Judas tried to fix his mistake alone and fell into despair. Peter ran back to Jesus and found forgiveness and restoration.

This contrast reminds us of a powerful truth: the bread of this world always disappoints. Success, possessions, and approval promise satisfaction but leave us empty. Only Jesus offers what our souls truly need.

At the Last Supper, Jesus made it clear. He broke bread and offered Himself as the new covenant—His body and blood given for forgiveness and eternal life.

The invitation still stands today. Stop chasing what spoils. Come to the table. Receive the Bread of Life.

In Matthew 13:18–23, Jesus pulls back the curtain on one of His most powerful parables. The seed—His Good News—is scattered freely, generously, without limitation. But here’s what determines whether that seed takes root and grows: the soil it lands in. And that soil? It’s us. It’s our response to His truth.

Jesus names two specific things that can crowd out God’s word in our lives: the worries of this life and the lure of wealth. I want to focus on the first one—because if we’re honest, worry is something most of us wrestle with every single day.

Worry Is a Choice—And a Thief
Notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say we’re choked out by pain, injustice, past failures, or life’s hardships. He says worry. That’s not what happens to us—that’s what we do. Worry is a mindset. It’s a habit. And it’s a choice.

In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus is unambiguous: “Don’t worry.” Not “try not to,” not “worry less.” Don’t. Because worry is corrosive. It eats away at faith like a slow cancer, choking out the very truth God is trying to grow in us. When we choose to worry, we’re choosing to crowd God out.

Trust Is the Antidote
So what’s the antidote? It’s not willpower. It’s not positive thinking. It’s trust. God is for you. He cares for you. He is your protector and provider. Worry feeds fear and poisons the soul—but God’s truth brings hope, faith, and peace.

Today, let’s make a declaration: we refuse to let worry crowd out what God is growing in us. We choose to trust Him—with everything—so that His truth can bear real, lasting fruit in our lives.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
God, thank you for the truth of your word about worry. It is a destructive force that must be purged from our lives. Father, grant us the faith and courage to believe the truths from your word regarding battling worry. We refuse to let worry hold us captive and instead choose truth so that good fruit may be produced in our lives.
In the Mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

The Church Is Not a Museum for the Holy
It’s a Hospital for the Broken

“I don’t go to church because it’s full of hypocrites.”
That’s kind of like saying, “I don’t go to the gym because it’s full of people who aren’t in shape.”
The truth is, the church was never meant to be a place where people show off how holy they are. It’s a place where broken people come to experience the grace of God — learning to walk with Jesus one step at a time. We don’t gather because we have it all together. We gather because we know we need Him.
Jesus said it this way:
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:17

When you look around a church, every person in that room is carrying something. Some are dealing with doubt. Others are carrying regret. Some are fighting for their marriage. Some are battling quiet addictions or wounds they’ve never told anyone about.
The church doesn’t gather the perfect. It gathers people who are honest about their need for God.
Scripture reminds us:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23

Yes, hypocrisy can exist in the church — because people are there. But don’t let someone else’s imperfections keep you from experiencing the grace that God wants to give you.
You don’t have to clean yourself up before you come.
Come as you are.
You’ll fit right in.

The final stretch is often the hardest.
Just ask Lawrence Cherono, the Kenyan marathon runner who, at mile 25.8 of his first marathon victory in 2019, felt his muscles begin to lock up. With only 0.4 miles left, another runner pulled alongside him. Victory—or defeat—hung in the balance.
Cherono later said he refused to let the moment slip away. He didn’t want to look back with regret, wishing he had given more. So he reached deeper than he thought possible and won the race by just two seconds.
Sometimes the greatest resistance comes when we are closest to breakthrough.
That’s exactly what we see in the book of Nehemiah. As the wall of Jerusalem neared completion, opposition intensified. The attacks didn’t come strongest at the beginning—but at the end.
Nehemiah’s response in Nehemiah 6:3 captures the heart of mission-focused living:
“I am carrying out a great project and I cannot come down.”
He understood the difference between good opportunities and a God-given assignment. And he refused to come down.
Here are three distractions he overcame—and we must too.
1. Seemingly Reasonable Invitations
Sanballat and his allies repeatedly invited Nehemiah to meet with them in the plain of Ono. On the surface, it sounded harmless—“Let’s talk.” In reality, it was a trap designed to pull him away from the work.
Four times they asked. Four times he said no.
Not every opportunity is from God. Busyness does not equal fruitfulness. Sometimes staying focused means saying no—even to things that sound reasonable—so we can say yes to what God has clearly assigned.
2. False Accusations
When invitations failed, Nehemiah’s enemies escalated to slander. They publicly accused him of rebellion and selfish ambition, hoping fear and division would weaken the people.
Nehemiah gave a simple denial and then prayed, “Now, O God, strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:9).
He didn’t waste energy defending himself endlessly. He entrusted his reputation to God and stayed on mission.
Slander and criticism can easily derail us if we allow them to consume our focus. Unity and obedience matter more than winning every argument.
3. False Spiritual Counsel
The final distraction was the most subtle. A man claiming to speak for God urged Nehemiah to hide in the temple for safety. It sounded spiritual. It sounded protective.
But it would have caused him to sin and abandon his post.
Nehemiah knew God’s Word well enough to recognize deception. Not every spiritual-sounding voice is from the Lord. If it contradicts Scripture, produces fear, or leads to compromise, it is not from Him.
Discernment comes from knowing God’s Word.
Nehemiah stayed the course—and the wall was completed in fifty-two days.
The question for us is simple: What has God called you to in this season? And what distractions are trying to pull you away?
When opposition rises, when criticism stings, when other opportunities appear—remember your assignment.
Like Nehemiah, declare:
“I am carrying out a great project and I cannot come down.”
Stay focused. Stay faithful. The God who called you will give you strength to finish.

There are moments in your faith journey that become defining markers — moments you look back on and remember, God met me there.
Baptism is one of those moments.
Not because it saves you.
Not because it makes you more spiritual.
But because it is a step of obedience — a visible response to an invisible work God has already done in your heart.
At Frontier Church, we believe baptism is an outward expression of an inward connection you have made with Jesus Christ. It is the public declaration that your life now belongs to Him.
What Happens Before Baptism?
Before anyone steps into the water, something far more important has already taken place.
A person recognizes their need for Jesus.
They place their faith in Him as Savior and Lord.
They surrender their life to His leadership.
Scripture says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, and see, the new has come.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)
Salvation is the inward miracle. Baptism is the outward celebration.
The Picture of Romans 6
Romans 6:4 shows us why baptism is so powerful:
“Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”
— Romans 6:4 (CSB)
Going under the water represents being buried with Christ — the old life, the old sin, the old identity.
Coming up out of the water represents resurrection — new life, new direction, and new identity in Him.
You don’t go under the same and come up the same. You walk in the newness of life.
Baptism allows us to physically display what Jesus has already done spiritually.
Following the Example of Jesus (Matthew 3:13–17)
When Jesus was baptized, He was fully submerged in the Jordan River. As He came up out of the water, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father declared His pleasure in the Son.
Jesus didn’t need repentance or forgiveness — He was sinless.
Yet He chose baptism to identify with us and to model obedience.
If Jesus stepped into the water in obedience, how much more should we?
Why Baptism Matters
Baptism declares:
I belong to Jesus.
I am not ashamed of the gospel.
I am choosing to follow Him with my life.
It is your first public step of obedience as a believer — not the last step and not an optional one, but the next step.
Following Jesus was never meant to be private. Baptism is a way of saying, I’m all in.
A Word to the Frontier Church Family
If you have trusted Christ but have not yet followed Him in believer’s baptism, let me lovingly ask:
What are you waiting for?
You don’t have to be perfect.
You don’t need all the answers.
You don’t have to have everything figured out.
You simply need to say yes.
At Frontier Church, we celebrate baptism because we celebrate changed lives. Every time someone goes under the water, we see the gospel on display — buried with Christ, raised to walk in newness of life.
You may not hear an audible voice from heaven, but make no mistake — your Father is pleased with your obedience.
Trust Christ.
Follow Him.
Walk in newness of life.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
If you’re ready to talk about baptism, we would love to walk with you. Talk with a pastor after service or fill out a Next Steps form, and let’s take this step together.
I would be honored to stand in the water with you.

When You Start Building, Expect the Battle
There’s something exciting about new beginnings. A fresh step of obedience. A new calling. A decision to build something meaningful. But if Nehemiah teaches us anything, it’s this: the moment you start building, resistance shows up.
When Nehemiah began rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, the people were united, hopeful, and ready to work. But almost immediately, mockery came. Critics questioned their ability, their faith, and their chances of success. And honestly, that still happens today. When you step out in faith—serve, lead, forgive, rebuild, or grow—there will always be voices that doubt what God is doing in you.
Nehemiah didn’t waste energy arguing. He prayed. Then he got back to work.
That’s such a Frontier reminder for us. We don’t fight battles with noise or defensiveness. We bring our burdens to God, trust Him with our reputation, and keep building what He’s asked us to build.
When the opposition escalated, Nehemiah adjusted the strategy. The people prayed and posted guards. They worked wisely, stayed alert, and kept going. Faith wasn’t passive—it was prayer paired with action.
But the hardest battle wasn’t outside the wall; it was discouragement inside the builders. They were tired. The rubble felt overwhelming. Fear began to spread. And Nehemiah’s response was simple: Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.
That’s the invitation for us, too. When you feel weary or overwhelmed, don’t stare at the rubble—remember God’s faithfulness. Remember what He has already carried you through.
At Frontier, we believe God is always building something—inside us and through us. And if you’re facing resistance right now, that doesn’t mean you’re off track. It might mean you’re exactly where God wants you.
So keep praying. Keep building. Keep showing up.
The wall isn’t finished yet. And neither is your story.

Reflections from I Love My Church Sunday

This Sunday was special.

Not because the room was full. Not because the energy was high. But because we were reminded why this church matters in the first place.

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Not a way. Not one option among many. The way home to God.

On I Love My Church Sunday, we didn’t celebrate a building. We celebrated a Savior.

I shared how, for years, I believed a quiet lie about God—that I had to earn His love. That if I worked hard enough, served enough, did enough… maybe I’d finally measure up. But Romans 5:8 shattered that for me: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That truth changed everything.

This is why I love our church. Because here, we don’t preach performance—we preach grace. We don’t offer self-improvement—we offer a Savior. We don’t point people to religion—we point them to Jesus.

And I watched it happen again Sunday. People leaning in. Hearts softening. Truth replacing lies.

We love this church because it keeps lifting up Jesus—the Way when you’re lost, the Truth when you’re confused, the Life when you feel empty.

And if He really is the way home… then this church is worth sharing.

—Pastor Travis

Nehemiah 3 might win the award for "Most Boring Chapter in the Bible" at first glance. Seriously—it's just names, gates, and construction zones. But hidden in this ancient project list is a truth that'll change your Monday morning: everyone has a place, and no one sits on the sidelines.

Here's what jumped out at me: goldsmiths were hauling stones. Perfume-makers were mixing mortar. Even the high priest—who could've totally pulled rank and stayed clean—grabbed a hammer and got dirty. And get this: people built the section of wall right in front of their own house.

Think about it. If enemies attack, it's your family at risk. You see that wall every single day, so you make it strong. Your neighbors are watching your work ethic. You can't phone it in when it's literally in your own backyard.

Here's the question that messed me up this week: What's your section?

Maybe it's the lonely neighbor three doors down. Maybe it's showing up consistently for kids ministry (yes, even when you're tired). Maybe it's finally starting that small group or just praying for your coworkers instead of complaining about them.

The British won WWII partly because millions of people planted "Victory Gardens" in their own yards. They didn't wait for someone else to feed the nation—they dug up their flowerbeds and planted potatoes. Why? Because it was THEIRS.

Here's the deal: God doesn't need your résumé. He needs your commitment. You don't have to be qualified—just willing.

So this week, stop waiting to feel "ready" and just build your section. The wall needs it. Your neighbors need it. And honestly? You need it too.

What's in front of your house?

The Night I Almost Launched Too Early : Week 3 Nehemiah Blog Post

When I first sensed God calling me to plant Frontier Church, I was ready. I had the vision, the passion, the urgency. I wanted to gather a launch team immediately, start services within months,
and hit the ground running.

But God kept whispering: Wait. Look. Listen.

I'll be honest—waiting felt like disobedience. Shouldn't faith move quickly? Doesn't urgency equal obedience?

During this time, I was studying Acts and the book of Nehemiah. When I got to Nehemiah 2, and everything shifted.

The Leader Who Took His Time

Nehemiah had every reason to rush. He'd just traveled 800 miles. He had the king's blessing, resources, and protection. The people were desperate for leadership. But when he arrived in Jerusalem, he did something unexpected: he waited three days, then inspected the damage secretly at night.

No press conference. No rallying speech. Just quiet observation.

Why? Because wise leaders assess the situation before mobilizing the people.

Nehemiah rode through the rubble-filled streets examining every broken gate, every collapsed wall. The damage was worse than he imagined—so bad his donkey couldn't even get through the
debris at Jackal Well. And he did this privately, without fanfare, before telling anyone his plan.

Facing What's Broken

Here's what hit me: You can't fix what you won't face.

Before I could cast vision for Frontier Church, I needed to honestly assess the spiritual landscape of our community. I needed to understand Walsh Ranch, Morningstar, West Fort Worth and
Parker County as a whole—not just demographically, but spiritually. What were people's real needs? Their real objections to church? Their actual questions about God?

I also had to inspect my own life. What "walls" were broken in me? Where was I trying to build from a place of ego rather than calling? What weaknesses needed shoring up before I could lead
others?

A doctor can't treat what he won't diagnose. Neither can a leader.

The Power of Patient Preparation

After his inspection, Nehemiah finally went public. And when he did, his vision was clear, compelling, and complete. He said: "You see the trouble we're in. Come, let us rebuild the wall
of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

• Honest about the problem
• Clear about the solution
• Focused on the why (identity and dignity)
• Backed by testimony of God's faithfulness
  

The people's response? "Let us start rebuilding!" Immediate buy-in. Why? Because the vision was rooted in reality, not fantasy.

That's what happens when you inspect before you build.

Critics Don't Get a Vote

Of course, the mockers showed up immediately. Sanballat, Tobiah, and now a new guy—Geshem—ridiculed the work before it even started.

Nehemiah's response? "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding. But as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem."

Translation: You don't get a vote. We're building anyway.

For Frontier Church, this has been crucial. Not everyone celebrates what God's doing. Some think we're too small, too ambitious, too new. But our calling doesn't require their approval—it requires God's.

So Here's My Challenge

What needs inspecting in your life right now? What broken walls are you avoiding? What damage needs an honest assessment before you can rebuild?

Maybe it's a relationship. Maybe it's your finances. Maybe it's your faith itself.

Don't rush. Pause. Assess. Face reality. Then build.

Because the God of heaven will give us success—not because we're fast, but because we're faithful.

Let's go.
Pastor Travis

Discussion Questions

1. Where are you most tempted to rush instead of assess? What would "inspecting the damage" look like in that area of your life?
2. What broken "walls" have you been avoiding? What would it take for you to honestly
face that reality this week?
3. Nehemiah's vision included four elements: identifying the problem, casting the vision, explaining the why, and sharing God's faithfulness. Which of these is hardest for you when trying to mobilize others?
4. Who are the "critics" in your life? How can you respond like
Nehemiah—acknowledging them without giving them a vote?
5. What's one area where God might be asking you to wait, observe, and prepare before taking action? How will you practice patient obedience this week?

Blessings,

Dr. Travis Young

When Fear Meets Faith: Lessons from Nehemiah's Boldest Moment

This weekend we continued our "Rebuilding the Walls" series, and honestly, I'm still thinking about Nehemiah standing before King Artaxerxes with everything on the line.

Picture it: Four months of prayer. One dangerous moment. A question that could change everything—or cost him his life.

The king notices Nehemiah's sadness and asks why. In Persian court culture, this was a massive violation of protocol. Cupbearers were supposed to be cheerful, entertaining—the life of the party. Showing sadness implied the king couldn't make you happy, which was basically an insult to royal authority.

Nehemiah's response? "I was very much afraid."

I love the honesty there. No fake bravado. Just raw acknowledgment: This is terrifying.

But here's what gets me—fear didn't stop him from being faithful.

When the king asks, "What do you want?" Nehemiah shoots up what I call an "arrow prayer"—one of those quick, desperate, "God-help-me-NOW" prayers. Then he makes his request. And it's not small. He asks for permission to leave, resources from the king's own forest, letters of safe passage, and a specific timeline.
He asks BIG because he serves a BIG God.

The result? The king grants everything. Why? Nehemiah says it himself: "Because the gracious hand of my God was on me."

But notice—God's provision didn't eliminate opposition. The moment Nehemiah starts moving toward Jerusalem, enemies emerge. Sanballat and Tobiah are "very much disturbed" that someone would dare help God's people.

Here's what I'm learning: When you step into what God's calling you to do, expect resistance. Opposition isn't a sign you're on the wrong path—it's often confirmation you're on the right one.

For our Frontier Church family, this hits home. We're watching God open doors in our community. We've got a summer intern, Connor, who's already 40% funded after one week of asking. We're planning student ministry, VBS, basketball camps. We're seeing new faces every Sunday.

But growth brings challenges. Not everyone will celebrate. Some will criticize. Resources will stretch. The enemy will resist.

So what do we do?

We follow Nehemiah's pattern: Pray long. Step boldly. Ask big. Plan well. Move forward anyway.

This week, I'm challenging myself (and our church) with one specific, bold prayer request for 2026. Not vague. Not safe. Something that requires God to show up.

What's yours? What door is God opening that terrifies you but also excites you? What would you ask for if you knew God was listening and able?

Write it down. Pray it daily. Then plan accordingly—because faith without works is dead, and prayers without plans often remain just wishes.

Nehemiah was afraid AND faithful. That's the combination that changes everything.

Let's go,

Pastor Travis

P.S. - If you're looking for a place to take your next faith step, we'd love to have you at Frontier Church. We meet Sundays at 10:30am in Aledo. Come ready to see what God's building.
 

Blessings,

Dr. Travis Young

Commit Your Way to God’s Way

The start of a new year always feels full of possibility. Fresh calendars. New goals. Renewed hope. But as we begin this year together at Frontier Church, the deeper question isn’t what are we planning—it’s who are we seeking.

Proverbs 16:9 reminds us,
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Planning isn’t wrong. In fact, Scripture assumes that we will plan. The danger comes when our plans are shaped by our own confidence rather than surrendered dependence on God. As we reflected on this past Sunday, God is not just interested in our goals—He’s deeply concerned with the motives of our hearts behind them.

That’s why, before rushing headlong into another busy year, we are pausing as a church family to seek the Lord through 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.

These next three weeks are not about earning God’s favor or checking a spiritual box. They are about alignment. About rolling our plans, our work, our hopes, and even our uncertainties onto the Lord and saying, “If You don’t establish this, we don’t want it.”

Proverbs 16:3 says,
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

To “commit” means to surrender—not to ask God to bless what we’ve already decided, but to invite Him to shape what we decide in the first place. Sometimes that means God confirms our direction. Other times, He lovingly redirects us. Either way, surrender leads us into peace, because our confidence rests not in our strategy but in His sovereignty.

As a church plant, we’ve seen this firsthand. We’ve made plans, worked hard, and prayed bold prayers. Yet God has often slowed us down—not to frustrate us, but to form us. What feels like delay to us is often preparation in God’s hands.

That’s why I’m inviting every person connected to Frontier Church to walk with us through these 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Follow along with the prayer guide. Set aside daily time to seek the Lord. Pray big, God-sized prayers—but pray them with open hands.

James 4:15 captures the posture we want in 2026:
“If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Our desire is simple: plans that are God-formed, not self-formed. Steps that are established by Him. And hearts that are fully surrendered to His will—for His glory and our joy.

Let’s seek the Lord together. The best way forward is always God’s way.


Blessings,

Dr. Travis Young