You are invited to a free Community Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 23rd, 11am at McKee Park in Starkville (across from the Sportsplex on Lynn Lane) - 2,000 eggs, prizes, candy, drawings and free food! For more details call 662-684-9099.

Today we remember the birth of a world-changer born 84 years ago.  After college, seminary, and doctoral studies, he followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps into the ministry.  He said, “The end of life is not to achieve pleasure and avoid pain. The end of life is to do the will of God, come what may.”  This was more than an idea or sermon topic, this was his way of life.  Even after his house was bombed in 1956, he traveled 780,000 miles preaching 208 times the very next year.  Though he was assaulted in Selma and Chicago, stabbed in Harlem, and often threatened and jailed, he persevered.  His perseverance affected the conscience of America like few others ever have.  In 39 short years of life, he became one of the world’s best-known advocates of non-violent social change.  This man was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Like Dr. King, our goal in life should not be to “achieve pleasure and avoid pain,” but rather to “do the will of God.”  What will you do when trials or hardships come your way in 2013?  Will you persevere so that your testimony will be heard?  During 2013, commit to God that “come what may” you too will obey the will of God in your life.

 ". . . because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:3-4)

Life Church 3rd Anniversary from John Daniels on Vimeo.

Welcome back Bulldogs!  If you are new in town, looking for a church or wanting a fresh start with God...I have great news!  Life Church is a place where you belong!  We are a church that seeks to serve God and others in a way that is real, relevant and relational.  Join us Sundays at 10am at the Hollywood Premier Cinemas off Stark Road in Starkville!

As Easter approaches, the age old debate is reemerging!  To what extent has the true meaning of Easter been lost in our consumer-driven popular culture?

This question has become more prominent in the wake of the culture wars raging for the last couple of decades. Do "Easter bunnies," confectionery treats, and, oh yes, those dyed delectables know as "Easter eggs," detract from the real message of Easter as a time to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

The answer is not so simple. Yes such diversions as egg hunts and candy baskets have little to do with the risen Savior, but they do create fond memories and a festive holiday in which everyone, young and old, can come together to celebrate. Of course, it is up to believers to convey the resurrection message of Easter in everything we do. One of the things we do at Life Church is provide a festive Easter Egg Hunt for our community that is both fun and a reminder of the reason we celebrate.

We celebrate the resurrection because it spotlights the good news for humanity. In this sense, we hide eggs for Christ, we play games for Christ. But most importantly, when the eggs are all eaten and the candy is gone, we do our very best to live for Christ because he chose to die for us and has risen from the dead!  He is alive!

Why not celebrate with us at our Easter Egg Hunt? Join us for our free community Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 31st 11am at Moncrief Park in Starkville (North Jackson Street before Hospital Road) - 2,000 eggs, prizes, candy, drawings and free food! For more details call 662-684-9099.

Written by Donald Shaffer and John Daniels (mostly Don!)

When you are at the movies, life seems to stand still.  The message come through clear on the silver screen. Join us as we take a look at heros cheered, villains hated, love found and hope restored from the movies that inspired this Life Church series..."At the Movies" 10am to 11:15am Sundays Jan. 22nd, 29th and Feb. 5th at the Hollywood Premier Cinemas off Stark Road in Starkville, MS! Invite a friend!  Free popcorn and drink!

Welcome back Bulldogs!  If you are new in town, looking for a church or wanting a fresh start with God...I have great news!  Life Church is a place where you belong!  We are a church that seeks to serve God and others in a way that is real, relevant and relational.  Join us Sundays at 10am at the Hollywood Premier Cinemas off Stark Road in Starkville!

Life Church has turned two!  This 3 minute video has highlights from the 1st two years:

Life Church is turning two!  You are invited to the Second Anniversary Celebration Sunday, September 18, 2011. The service will begin at 10am at the Hollywood Premier Cinemas off Stark Road in Starkville. You can reach the church at 662-684-9099, e-mail john@lifechurchms.com, or visit www.lifechurchms.com for more information. We are saving a piece of Birthday Cake for you!

Welcome back Bulldogs!  If you are new in town, looking for a church or wanting a fresh start with God...I have great news!  Life Church is a place where you belong!  We are a new church that is seeks to serve God and others in a way that is real, relevant and relational.  Join us Sundays at 10am at the Hollywood Premier Cinemas off Stark Road!

Here is what he says...

While we do not have “visible” signage that is similar, too often our non-verbal, non-visible and subliminal “signs” are just as poignant as a physical sign. Do you know what signs I am talking about? That’s right….the dreaded “You Must Be This Tall To Ride This Ride” sign.
"We don’t think we are this obvious…but hang around certain “church people” long enough and you will be able to read the signs clearly. Here are some of the signs that I have seen and continue to see (unfortunately):
You must be this HOLY.  You must dress this wayYou must read this kind of the Bible.  You must attend Sunday AM, PM, and Wednesday night service.  You must be baptized this way.  You can not eat this kind of food. You can not drink this kind of beverage.  You must belong to this denomination.
I realize that I am treading on thin ice here…but…do we really think that is how Christ would have been? Did Christ have a set of rules in order to “ride the ride”? Is this how we approach foreign missions? I think not. Generally speaking, our foreign mission efforts address the physical and felt needs of those we are trying to reach before we present the gospel….we live it out first….then speak it. And yet, in our “Country Club” minded North American churches, we like to set rules of “admission” for everyone. We want everyone to be “like us” before they can be a part of us. Why do we do this backwards here at home vs. when we are in a foreign land and culture? Where is the “come as you are”? I just don’t get it.
Lets be clear, I am NOT trying to disparage doctrine or theology or convictions or our understanding of the Scripture. Those are all incredibly important as we mature in our relationship with Christ…but…I want to challenge us on our accepting of those that may not know Christ or are looking to find a fellowship of believers to be connected.
What “signs” are you posting in your church? Do they make guests feel welcome or shunned? Do they let God shine through or throw up barriers in the path of people looking for a new life direction…a purpose…a relationship in Christ? Would your signs be welcoming to the Samaritan women at the well?"

Pastor Steve's words are compelling!  This is why at Life Church, we have worked hard to develop an atmosphere that says, "come as you are."  Our motto, "Life Church: Real, Relevant, Relational" begins with "real" because we want everyone to feel loved and accepted, no matter their background, clothes, hairstyle or place in their faith journey! Isn't that the way it should be?

This Sunday our Worship Pastor and his wife, Jason and Kaile' Minor, share the story of his sudden blindness, kidney failureand transplant. You will be encouraged by their sincere faith, sense of humor and unwavering hope! Click here for more information: http://www.lifechurchms.com/sunday11

Hope you can make it!

Sometimes you have a minute to read, but don't have a Bible with you.  If you have internet on your phone or I-pad, I have a solution for you!  There is a free application to read the Bible on your cell phone or I-pad.  This is a great tool in helping us to read His Word daily!

"You can read Scripture on your phone or I-pad anytime and anyplace. Download this free app and enjoy regular time with the Bible, right when and where you need it. With this free Bible app, you can access your bookmarks and reading plans no matter where you are."

Check it out here: http://www.youversion.com/mobile

If you don't have internet on your cell phone, I would suggest getting a couple extra copies of the Bible and putting them in places you find yourself often (your car, favorite chair, by the bed, etc.).  This has worked great for me!

Though most in Starkville came through the storms with little damage, there are those not far away that have lost it all.  Please pray for them!

There will be an 18 wheeler at Walmart in Starkville this Monday through Wednesday (May 2-4) from 6am-6pm collecting:

Paper goods

Cleaning supplies
Individually packed snack goods
Blankets
Beverages
Ready to eat non-perishable foods
ice chests and coolers

Please call the church if you would like to volunteer on a work crew 662-684-9099 or e-mail john@lifechurchms.com.  Thank you for your prayers!

Some would ask, "Do Easter Egg Hunts and candy baskets distract people from the true meaning of Easter?"I would say, "It's possible, especially when there is no one around to remind us of what Easter is all about." At Life Church, we believe that Easter is one of the two most significant holidays of the year. We believe that children should look forward to celebrating Easter like they look forward to the celebration of Christmas. The Easter Eggs and candy do not provide competition to the Resurrection Message of Easter, but rather an opportunity to make the Season memorable for our children. It is up to us to make sure that our children know what this time of the year is all about! Join us for our commnity Easter Egg Hunt Saturday April 16th!

Free Community Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 16th, 5pm at McKee Park (across from the Sportsplex on Lynn Lane) - 2,000 eggs, prizes, candy, drawings and free food!

We had a great time of spiritual refreshing at Life Church Renewal weekend!  Thank you so much for praying for God to do something great at Life Church.... we were all so encouraged and revived!  What a blessing to have Pastor Ricky Hall, Trish and Aaron with us from Athens, Georgia leading the services on Saturday night and Sunday and to have our prayer team from Birmingham join us!  Here are a few pictures from the Ladies event Saturday night and lunch after church on Sunday.  We are looking forward to what God has in store for us individually and as a church this year!

We are excited about what God wants to do at Life Church during our Renewal Weekend Feb. 5-6! We are praying for a time of spiritual renewal and refreshing!

Saturday Feb. 5th 5-8pm Ladies Covered Dish and Renewal Service with guest speaker & vocalist Trish Hall!  For more information click here: Ladies Covered Dish and Renewal Service

Sunday Feb. 6th 10am Renewal Service with Pastor Ricky Hall of Athens, GA!  For more information click here: Sunday Renewal Service

I am praying that God is going to bring spiritual renewal to you!  Scriptures for prayer this week as we prepare for the Renewal Weekend.

Tuesday - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ez 36:26

Wednesday - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thursday - "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Friday - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Saturday - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Thank you for joining me in prayer!  See you there!

What if Mary & Joseph had the technology we have today?  What if they used their cell phones to keep constantly updating their Facebook accounts during that first Christmas?  Click on the link below to see what it might have been like.

A Social Network Christmas!

The Life Church "Dream Team"...

The volunteers that make the ministry of
Life Church happen. 

 

We had a great time celebrating 2010 with our awesome Dream Team of volunteers at Life Church! They give of themselves, serve others and show God's love through our church throughout the year. We are SO THANKFUL for them and had a great time celebrating what God has done in 2010.

 

     Since the birth of America, veterans have paid a high price for the cause of freedom. Veteran’s Day is more than a day to remember. We express thanks today for Veterans past and those currently serving our country.

     Of the over 1.4 million Americans serving in the armed forces, 298,000 serve on foreign soil. Many have left wives or husbands, parents and children as they departed to places like Iraq, where 4,427 Americans have already lost their lives since March 2003. As our nation’s Veterans watch the news reports, their minds will flash back to the Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, World Wars II, and others, when they were the ones waving goodbye to loved ones. We cannot put into words the sacrifice that these veterans and their families have made. We remember those who fought and returned with stories of trials and victories, sadness and joy. We also remember those who never came home.

     The country we love and the freedoms we enjoy came at a high cost. Veteran’s Day is a day to say “thanks” to those who survived and remember those who have fallen. Today, thank God for those who have sacrificed and are sacrificing for your freedom!

Top Ten Ways to know you are too old to Trick or Treat:

10. You get winded from knocking on the door.

9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.

8. You ask for high fiber candy only.

7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.

6. People say: "Great Boris Karloff Mask,” and you're not wearing a mask.

5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or..." and you can't remember the rest.

4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.

3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.

2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.

And the number one reason Seniors should not go Trick or Treating...

1. You keep having to go home to pee.

I hope this helps you make an informed decision this Fall!

Our first year as a church has been exciting!  Watch the video to see some highlights!

Life Church 1st Anniversary Video from John Daniels on Vimeo.

You mention "birthday party" to my little girls and they get excited!  There is nothing like a birthday party!  Come celebrate with us! We are having a birthday party, because Life Church is turning one! The anniversary celebration is Sunday, September 19th at 10 am at the Hollywood Premier Cinemas off Stark Road in Starkville, MS! You are invited!

Life Church is excited to sponsor Chi Alpha, a Christian Ministry on the campus of MSU!  Find out more on Facebook!

We had a great day at our first Life Church Game Day at McKee Park.  Congratulations Pink Team for taking home the Gold!!!  The Red and Maroon team did a great job on their games coming in second and third. What a fun day!!

We celebrated July 4th early with a Patriotic Picnic at McKee Park. There was lots of great food (thanks for the bbq Nathan) and we all had a blast playing together at the park. Enjoy the pictures!

Memorial Day, first observed in 1868, has always been a day to remember those who died in battle.  We remember those who suffered and died for our nation and the freedom we hold so dear.  Of the over 42 million Americans that have served our country, over 1.1 million have died for the cause of freedom.  In Iraq, where 92,000 U.S. troops now serve, 4,400 Americans have died since March 2003.  We should never take for granted those who gave their lives for America.  The opportunities that abound to us today were born from the death of others’ bright futures and dreams.  Many mothers’ tears have soaked the earth around a young soldier’s grave as taps sounded from a lone trumpet.  What did our freedom cost?  Ask the wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, children, and friends who had to follow a flag-draped coffin to a grave site.  Our freedom came at a great cost.  Today, thank God for those who died for our nation’s liberty, those soldiers who are serving, protecting and defending us today, and the One who died for our eternal freedom.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Life Church Membership Covenant

Having repented of our sins and having trusted in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we make the following covenant with God and one another.

By God’s grace and the help of the Holy Spirit:

We will support the testimony of our church
…by loving God supremely
…by living a Christ-like life
…by faithfully worshiping together on the Lord’s Day
…by demonstrating Christ’s love to all people
…by supporting our missions efforts

We will guard the unity of our church
…by honoring its doctrines
…by showing love for one another
…by ministering to one another
…by praying with and for one another
…by speaking in a way that builds up others
…by following the church leadership

We will support the ministries of our church
…by giving generously of our finances
…by being equipped to serve
…by developing a servant’s heart
…by exercising our spiritual gifts in ministry

We will, if we move from the Starkville area, unite with some other church, as soon as possible, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.