In this episode, Colin introduces our Lenten sermon series, Wisdom in the Wilderness: Journey with the Desert Fathers and Mothers. Drawing inspiration from the early Christian men and women who withdrew into the desert to seek God in prayer and devotion, we explore what it means to enter the wilderness in our own time.

The desert mothers and fathers chose isolation not as punishment, but as preparation — a space to lean into God’s presence, to listen deeply, and to learn daily dependence on Him. The wilderness is a place where distractions fade and trust is formed.

Today, we live in a culture marked by constant interruption, low attention spans, and endless distraction. So it's important to intentionally seek solitude, prayer, and Scripture. Like the early desert monks, we must choose to step away and create space for devotion.

Lent invites us to strip back the clutter, to resist excess, and to see clearly again. It calls us into deeper worship — not to earn God’s love, but in response to it. Before we ever enter the wilderness, we are already beloved by God. And because we are loved, we journey into this season seeking Him with open hearts.

In this episode, we reflect on what it means to be deeply rooted in Christ. Drawing on Ezekiel 17 and Colossians 2:6–7, scripture reminds us that even what seems dry can flourish when rooted in God. As Paul writes, just as we have received Christ, we are called to continue walking in him — letting our roots grow deep and our lives be built on his foundation.

Being rooted deeply and reaching out widely are not two separate callings. God does not wait for us to have perfect roots before using us — the disciples certainly didn’t. Instead, growth comes through discipleship, transformation, perseverance, discipline, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

We’re invited to pause and ask: How are your roots? Where might God be calling you to return — or to step into something new — so that new life can flourish?

In this episode, Colin explores the gift of prophecy and how God continues to speak to His people today. Prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit through which God shares His heart and His word, often spoken by ordinary people for the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of us.

Colin unpacks a simple three-step process for understanding prophecy: revelation, interpretation, and application. God first reveals something to us — this might come as a lingering thought, an image, a scripture passage, or a sense of peace, often in very ordinary ways. We then interpret what God is saying through discernment, bringing what we sense back to Him in prayer. This requires patience, waiting, and trust, believing that God is at work.

Ultimately, the gift of prophecy draws us closer to God. It connects back to last week’s message and reminds us that God's desires to have relationship with us.

Does God still speak today? In Part 1 of the God Speaks sermon series, Colin explores the biblical truth that God has always been a speaking God—and that He still desires to communicate with His people today.

From the opening words of Scripture in Genesis 1, “Then God said,” we see a God whose voice brings life, direction, and change. And that voice didn’t fade with the Old Testament; it was fully revealed in Jesus, the Word made flesh. If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, why do so many of us struggle to hear Him?

Colin explains five ways in which God speaks to us, through: Scripture, the Holy Spirit, community, common sense, and circumstance.

Colin ends with an encouraging invitation to consider how life might change if we truly believe God wants to speak to us, cares deeply about our direction, and longs to walk with us every step of the way.

Mark reflected on the story of the Magi, a journey full of mystery. After visiting the infant Jesus, they were warned in a dream to return home by a different route, and Scripture tells us nothing more. Mark used this to remind us that every journey of faith is unique. The shepherds stumbled into their encounter with Jesus unexpectedly, while the wise men were actively seeking truth — yet both were transformed by meeting Christ.

In the same way, when we encounter Jesus, our lives are changed, and we too are called to “return by a different route.” This may mean re-examining our priorities, values, relationships, careers, or sense of purpose. Mark challenged us to consider what idols we might be holding onto, and whether we have truly surrendered our gifts for God to use according to His will. As we look ahead to 2026, we are each invited to respond to God’s call, helping to build His kingdom on earth — worshipping, offering our gifts, and choosing a new way forward.

In this Epiphany Week 1 sermon, Colin reflects on Paul’s message in Ephesians, written while Paul was in prison. Paul shows us how to live faithfully in difficult circumstances by learning to name, frame, and receive God’s grace.

Paul names his situation by fully accepting where he is. He frames it by trusting God in the midst of suffering, knowing he is part of God’s bigger story and refusing to let his time be wasted. And he receives God’s grace as a daily, sustaining gift.

Colin invites us to step into a new reality of grace in our own walk with God, trusting that His grace surrounds us in all times and places.

In this second week of Advent, Colin led us in reflecting on the theme of peace. We turned to Matthew 3, where John the Baptist calls the crowds and religious leaders to prepare themselves because “the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Advent is a season of preparation, an invitation to ready our hearts for God’s arrival.

John’s message is simple and challenging: repent—turn away from false securities—and open ourselves to the transforming work of God. He reminds us that the Holy Spirit baptises with fire, a symbol of renewal, refining, and cleansing so that our lives can reflect God’s love and goodness.

Colin encouraged us to look honestly at our own hearts and approach repentance not with striving, but with surrender. As we yield to God’s plan and purpose, we allow Him to strip away what holds us back and shape us into people marked by hope, peace, love, and joy. Advent invites us to give our hearts to the Holy Spirit and let Him renew and refine us.

On Sunday, Ruth opened the Advent season and launched the Christmas series Let There Be Light. As we journey through Advent’s four themes, hope, peace, joy, and love, she reminded us that this season is about more than remembering Christ’s first coming. It also points us toward the promise of His return.

Ruth’s message on hope centred on waiting and being ready: waiting in hope, living prepared, and walking in the light of the Lord. We live ready by grounding ourselves in the Word of God, staying rooted in community, and sustained by the hope that Christ will come again.