Connect
Connect is your opportunity to meet our lead pastor, learn more about our church and ask any questions you may have. Connect will take place right after the service outside the auditorium.
You can register for the event HERE.
Connect is your opportunity to meet our lead pastor, learn more about our church and ask any questions you may have. Connect will take place right after the service outside the auditorium.
You can register for the event HERE.
Guilt is powerful. Shame can be crippling. We all have things in our pasts that haunt us. We have sin. It only takes a word, a picture, or a name to bring it all back. We know we can do better from this point forward, but how are we supposed to fix the past? We can say we’re sorry. We can ask for forgiveness. But some of the things we’ve done hang over our lives like a cloud.
What can wash away our sins?
At some point in your faith journey, you will settle into a bargaining posture with God. “God, if you will . . . , I promise I will . . . .” We all do it. That’s just part of religion—every religion. In fact, it’s so much a part of human nature that even some atheists and agnostics do it when they find themselves in desperate circumstances. But is that really how God wants us to relate to him? The problem with a bargaining posture is we never keep up our end of the bargain, do we?
The ability to believe is the most powerful force at mankind’s disposal. Everything that has been done, for good or bad, was done because someone believed it could be or should be done. Every problem that has been solved was solved because someone believed it could be or should be solved.
We constantly look for evidence to support what we believe is true. In the case of religious belief, that means if you believe deeply enough any religious system becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If that’s true, isn’t it possible that Christianity is just an example of groupthink on a massive scale?
Jesus predicted that he would start a gathering, a movement . . . what we call church. And that church would spread all over the earth and outlast the Roman Empire. It would change the world. His prediction must have sounded outlandish to even his closest followers. But here we are, two thousand years later, and the Roman Empire exists only in history books, while Jesus’ gathering is still going strong. The church is the hope of the world because the church is the vehicle by which God is bringing the solution to mankind’s greatest problems: sin, sorrow, and death.
Let's hang out together at the beach! On Saturday, May 4th, 6-8pm at Vanderbilt Beach (park at 100 Vanderbilt Beach Rd), we'll spend the evening together having fun, singing songs, and witnessing baptisms! The entire church (and anyone you invite) is welcome to come enjoy the games, snacks, music and baptisms. Don't miss this chance to get to know people outside of church services. Want to be baptized? Know someone who wants to be baptized? Request more information about the baptism opportunity by using the button below.
Practically speaking, rules are often the centerpiece of religious life. Many people think the Ten Commandments are rules that make a relationship with God possible. If you follow the rules, God will be happy. If you don’t, he won’t. But what if a relationship with God doesn’t depend on our obedience? When it comes to your relationship with God, what is the role of rules?
The three largest faith traditions—Judaism, Islam, and Christianity—claim the same starting point: a man named Abraham. All three agree that sin made a mess of the world and God started his clean up operation with Abraham. God made a series of promises and Abraham’s response to those promises didn’t just have implications for his personal starting point or the starting points of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. It had implications for your starting point as well.
Gulf Kids is excited to host “Meet Me In The Park.” This is a hangout event for families with young children to spend time together. Parents will be able to connect with one another while the kiddos enjoy the playground and splash pad (bring an extra pair of clothes or bathing suit!). We will have waters and gatorades, coffee for the parents, along with light snacks near the pavilion. Look for the black and white balloons! Don’t forget to invite your friends and family to bring their kids as well! We can’t wait to spend an EPIC morning with you!
During childhood, you may have been handed a faith framework through which you began to view the world. For a lot of us, that childhood framework didn't survive the rigors of adulthood. It's not enough to say, "The Bible says…," in the face of real-life tragedy. Adults often need a new starting point.
But the starting point for Christian faith isn't, "The Bible says…" It's better than that. It's Jesus.
Everything that exists had a starting point . . . including you. You may have started on purpose. You may have started by accident (from your parent’s perspective). You may even have started through the magic of medical science. Whatever the circumstances, you had a starting point and it began before you were aware of it.
Physical life is one of many starting points. Your formal education had a starting point. Your career had a starting point. Your romantic life had a starting point. Your experience as a parent had a starting point.
Faith has a starting point as well.
This is your chance to make a direct impact. Come join us in a food packing event to help supply to those in need.
Invite your friends and family to come experience Easter with Gulf Church. Hosted by Lead Pastor Josh Carlson.
Part 3
In all its subtle forms, greed has the potential to rob your life. But the secret to living a meaning-filled life is found across the border from what’s in it for me.
Part 2 - Filled Full
If the only things that concern you are about you, there is work to do. Ultimately, we save ourselves from ourselves by choosing not to be all about ourselves.
Part 1 - About You
If something about the world is broken and it breaks your heart, there’s an opportunity to be a part of fixing it.
We will not hold services on December 31st, in order to give our staff and volunteers a chance to rest and enjoy time with family.
During our regularly scheduled service time, we’ll gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Join us for the third and final part of our LIVE Christmas message series called “An Unexpected Christmas.”
Join us for part 2 of our LIVE Christmas message series called “An Unexpected Christmas.”