May 4, 2025 - June 8, 2025
Thousands of years of biblical history led up to the main event: the death and resurrection of Jesus, the promised rescuer. But AFTER Jesus had accomplished his mission, his followers needed to take the first steps that would define their growing community. What we find in the Bible is that this new family of God was made up of people from many nations and backgrounds, learning lessons together about breaking down barriers, dramatic life transformation, and finding new common ground. In this six-week series, we explore stories of this âfirst familyâ of Jesus and be inspired to shape our lives after the lessons of connection and unity they learned.
Messages: 6
June 8, 2025
Series: First Family
Speaker: Jill Lewolt
As the first family of Christians was beginning to grow, it turned out their perspective on who was in and who was out of Godâs scope of love was incredibly limited. This week weâll read the story of how God opened their eyes and made it possible for every to be a part of his family â including you and me.
June 1, 2025
Series: First Family
Speaker: Jason Cusick
The earliest followers of Jesus were made up of people who believed the message of Jesus and chose to follow him. But there was one man named Saul, who began his journey as an ardent opponent of Jesus â even arresting and wanting to kill Christians. But God had a different plan for Saul to become one of the most influential and dynamic followers in history â the first Christian missionary. This week weâll read the story of Saulâs dramatic conversion and be inspired to trust God to breakthrough to even the people most resistant to his love.
May 25, 2025
Series: First Family
Speaker: Alex Grahmann
Some of the first followers of Jesus found that their finest moments were defined by how willing they were to cross cultural boundaries to share Godâs love. This week weâll read the story of a man named Phillip who faced the same challenging limitations and prejudices we still face today, but chose to follow Godâs loving plan past his hesitations, with incredible results.
May 18, 2025
Series: First Family
Speaker: Jason Cusick
What does it take to stand strong when everything is against you? The growth of the first family of Jesus-followers was full of joy and excitement â but that first family also faced extreme challenges and heartache. This week weâll read the story of the very first Christian martyr â the first Christian to lose his life because of his faith. From the story of Stephen, weâll learn to be humble and truthful, even in the face of adversity, and find out how we can share Godâs love, against all odds.
May 11, 2025
Series: First Family
Speaker: Jason Cusick
As the earliest followers of Jesus were trying to decide how to keep his movement of love going, they landed on a surprising theme: sharing. They shared meals. They shared their time. They shared their possessions. They shared the journey with one another in order to reach new height of connection and strength. This week weâll take inspiration from the first family of Jesus in order to become more open and generous ourselves.
May 4, 2025
Series: First Family
Speaker: Alex Grahmann
The first and most important thing the early followers of Jesus decided to do was WAIT; wait for the Holy Spirit to inspire and motivate and guide them. Though it may have first seemed like inaction, waiting on God resulted in a explosion of growth and miracles. This week weâll explore the arrival of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the first followers of Jesus, and learn how we can be transformed by that same experience.
PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI
Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.
JERRY & BETH TUCKER
Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.
TOM SHECK
 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as âHuddles.â These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.
CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS
 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Irelandâs complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.
BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN
 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about Godâs design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.
BARBARA LEE
Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.
K & L
L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.
TIM & ERICKA HARRIS
 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiativeâRetreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformationâthey offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.
MARK & BRENDA HALL
Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.
RICH FRAZER
The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organizationâs three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with Godâs love.
MARK & LISA DENEUI
 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christâs love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.
D & J
D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.
JOSEPH BRADFORD IV
Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.
BILL ANKERBERG
Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.
PAT & BETH ANDREWS
 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Patâs teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.
DENNIS & DENISE AHERN
Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.
MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME
Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.
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