S4 Ep11 Gather & Grow - Easter 1

Mark 15:25-41 – Crucifixion

In this episode, Jonny & Sarah are exploring Mark's (Peter as source) account of the events around the betrayal, arrest, trial, death & resurrection of Jesus. Focusing on the crucifixion in this episode & the resurrection in the next.

The cross is such a familiar image to many of us, If an alien were to land and ask what was happening, how would we describe the crucifixion of Jesus?

Why did Jesus die?

What connects with you from this account? How does it impact us as we gather & grow?

How has this impacted you over the years? How has it changed or deepened?

How do we understand this? 34 At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

What’s the significance of, “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” – why does Mark include thisdetail?

Why is Elijah mentioned?

So many questions to chew over!Jonny is Lead Pastor at ELC and Sarah is Head of Prayer & Leadership Development, as well as leading a national role for Elim as head of prayer.

Moving on from last year's theme of Walking Well, they now look at how we Gather & Grow.

You can listen to the Sunday talks at ELC that track the Around The Fire Podcasts here:

⁠⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1gsFbNeUkTaHBAac0_znNk59u_sN-lEM&si=WfT8ndNaepp2TIBc⁠⁠

Resources:

Strength to love - Martin Luther King jr.

https://amzn.eu/d/0h0kc2Im

Jeremy Duncan - Upside down apocalypse

https://amzn.eu/d/020qMVhK

Tom Wright - Simply Jesus

https://amzn.eu/d/08YwCRU9

Got questions? Drop us a line on podcast@elimlifechurch.co.uk or DM us on socials.

We believe the Kingdom of God brings hope to the hopeless, freedom to the oppressed, provision to those in need, welcomes the stranger and invites us to share the good news of Jesus. Perhaps these things have felt like a dream and not a reality all of the time?

In 2026, as we follow Jesus, we want to be an inspired community responding to this Holy invitation. It is a year to build on where we’ve been walking well.

Now is the time to Gather & Grow.

How do we Gather & Grow?

Gathering - building community. From crowd to community. Our mission is always on. Our whole lives are worship. What is Holy Spirit inviting us into?

Growing - becoming more like Jesus; contributing to community formation, centred on Jesus in contemporary culture.We want more people loving Jesus and part of community.

The map is the mission. We are co-missioned to join what God is doing by His Spirit.

Where are you on the map? Where do you live or work? Where do you spend your time? Who do you connect with? How are we encouraging one another and choosing Jesus in all of our places and spaces?

Being on mission together is on purpose and with awareness of how we share Jesus. What is Holy Spirit inviting us into Soul, Home, Near and Far?

We are thinking about:

· People - Who is involved and being reached?

· Places - Where is this happening?

· Presence - How is God’s presence being experienced?

· Practice - What are we doing to live this out?

The Map is the Mission.

As the Kingdom expands, so too does community.

Our direction and intention is:

· Open to an 'always-on' mindset: spiritually and relationally aware. Using our grace gifts for Kingdom and community contribution.

· Gathering can happen anywhere. Community and collaboration is fluid, from shared Sundays to households and community spaces.

· Stepping into the unknown together with courage and faith.

In 2026, what does Gathering and Growing look like for us? Let’s find out!