Berea Blog for August 15, 2025
Over the last several weeks, our family has had a unique visitor in our home—a caterpillar we found on a golf course one afternoon. We brought it home, and Lara carefully placed its milkweed branch in a large clear jar. We watched in wonder as it formed its chrysalis, and this morning, Lara sent me a beautiful picture of the butterfly that emerged. What a vivid reminder of the transformation God works in us as we grow in faith!
Just as the caterpillar undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis, we too start our walk with the Lord as "babes in Christ." Through God’s refining work in our hearts, He molds us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Every trial, every struggle, and every interaction is used for our good and His glory, as long as we remain humble and trust in Him. One day, those who place their faith in Christ will be made perfect, clothed in eternal bodies, and will dwell with our Lord forever.
This theme of growth hits close to home this week as we prepare to send our oldest daughter, Jovie, off to college. Like all parents, we’ve watched her grow from a child into a young woman, navigating life’s challenges and joys and sorrow, with increasing maturity. Her journey mirrors the spiritual growth we all experience—step-by-step. God shapes us through His grace, preparing us for the next chapter He has written for our lives.
This week's devotional below is focused on our growth in Christ. May this beautiful butterfly and Jovie's new chapter in life be a reminder to all of you of the Lord's sovereign hand in all things!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday Pastor Miller will be continuing sermon series on the book of Philippians called "Holding Steady in our Storms." This week's message is from Philippians 3:1-11, and is called "Warning Signals."
2. As Fall quickly approaches, many of our ministries with launch once again after a summer break! We are excited about another year of small groups and AWANA! Registration information will be coming soon for both of these, which will begin in September, but for now, we need help! If you've been thinking about helping with AWANA, but haven't in the past, we are in need of several volunteers in different areas of our ministry. Our biggest area of need right now is with Cubbies (ages 3-5), where we need a few helpers, but we also have a need in T&T boys (grades 3-6) as a helper. Helpers are an extra set of hands in the room, and help clubbers complete activities, and also listen to Bible verses, so these positions are great for all ages! Please reply to this email, or stop by the the Gathering Area after church to talk to me about it! I'd love to answer any questions that you might have!
3. Why do we pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child? Operation Christmas Child delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus to children in need around the world who need to hear of Christ's love. Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God’s immense love for the child. Please help us fill these boxes to spread the Good News. Summer is well underway, and we are taking advantage of school supply sales. We are collecting supplies to fill our 800 shoeboxes for OCC. We need just over 400 more notebooks, approximately 1,500 ink pens, and more than 3,000 pencils. Please help us fill our GIANT SHOEBOX which is located in the church foyer.
4. Join us in equipping our newly acquired shed in Resurrection Garden! We're our Tool Harvest to collect new or gently used tools for our Berea volunteers to use. We have tags suggesting items we need or you can let us know what you might like to donate. Pick up tags at our display in the Gathering Area. This is a perfect time to make purchases, as tax-free days run from August 1-14 in stores and on Amazon for items under $500. For those preferring to give monetarily, envelopes are provided at the display—simply place your donation and selected tag inside and drop it in the offering box. We will be accepting donations through Sunday, August 24. For more information, contact Wendy May or Michael Greenwood. A special thanks is extended to all volunteers who have worked at Resurrection Garden this summer and to those who donated to the purchase of the shed!
5. Next Friday, August 22, Berea will be having a booth at
Cedarville University's Involvement Fair. This booth allows us to meet university students and share with them all about Berea, as they look for a church family away from home. This year, we'll be handing out soft pretzel bites as a gift, and need your help! We really need help in preparing and packaging the pretzels. If you'd like to help prepare those items on August 21 and 22, please sign up at the Welcome Center this Sunday, or you can sign up here:
CU Involvement Fair Sign-Up. Our goal this year is to do more intentional events and activities for college/young adults, so if you have a heart to serve in this way, please let me know!
6. Attention parents of incoming 7th graders! Youth group is kicking off for the Fall this upcoming Wednesday, August 20 with a pool party at the home of Bonnie and Stephanie Cummings at 6:30 PM. Your child is invited to come for a fun evening of getting to know current members of the youth group and learning about youth activities this fall! If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Justin Schlatmann.
7. As mentioned above, AWANA will be kicking off soon! AWANA is for children ages 3-6th grade, and meets each Wednesday from 6:30-8:00 PM. There will be an AWANA Open House on Wednesday, September 3 from 6:30-8:00 PM, where families can stop in to meet the leaders, register for their child for the year, try on the AWANA uniform, and hear from Pastor Mark on the plans for the year. The first regular night of AWANA will be Wednesday, September 10.
8. Wholly Smoked is on a new date this year! Mark your calendars for September 13 and 14! The fun begins on Saturday at 3:00 PM with whole group games, a scavenger hunt, dunk tank, cake walks, "Closest to the Pin" challenge, and more! We'll have hamburgers and hot dogs starting at 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM, and a concert from "New Strength Gospel" starting at 6:00 PM. Bring a lawn chair, and enjoy a great afternoon and evening together! This is a great event to invite friends and family to meet our church! On Sunday, September 14, we'll have our morning worship service at 10:00 AM, followed by a meal after church. There is no Sunday School that morning. More details will be coming, along with invite cards that you can give to your friends and family!
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. We have some students who attend Cedarville and other local colleges that will be coming back to campus over the next week. Pray for their safety as they return, and that they might start their school years on a positive note!
2. Pray for our fall ministries! There will be many launching over the next month: AWANA, Sunday School, Small Groups, and more! Pray for the leaders of these ministries, and for those individuals who take part that they all might grow into the image of Christ.
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
Day 1: Starting as Babes in Christ
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (ESV) – “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.”
Every believer begins their journey as a "babe in Christ," needing the milk of basic truths to grow. Just as a caterpillar starts small, our faith begins with simple trust in Jesus. God nurtures us through His Word and Spirit, building a foundation for deeper maturity. Whether you're new to faith or rediscovering it, embrace this stage humbly, trusting God to guide your growth. Reflect on how you can seek His foundational truths today.
Reflection Question: What foundational truth about Christ (e.g., His love, forgiveness, or grace) do you need to revisit to strengthen your faith today?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you embrace your starting point in faith, thanking Him for His patience as He nurtures your growth in Christ.
Day 2: Trusting God’s Refining Process
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV) – “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith… may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Growth in Christ often comes through trials, like a caterpillar’s struggle in the chrysalis. God uses challenges to refine our faith, shaping us into His image. Whether it’s a workplace struggle, a family challenge, or a personal loss, trust that God is at work, strengthening your character and faith. Surrender to His process, knowing it leads to spiritual maturity.
Reflection Question: What current trial is God using to refine your faith, and how can you trust Him more deeply in this process?
Prayer Focus: Pray for patience and trust in God’s refining work, asking Him to help you see His purpose in your challenges.
Day 3: Abiding in Christ for Growth
John 15:5 (ESV) – “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
A caterpillar draws life from its environment to grow; similarly, our spiritual growth depends on abiding in Christ. Through prayer, scripture, and worship, we stay connected to Jesus, the source of our strength. This connection produces fruit—love, joy, patience—that reflects His character. Consider how you can deepen your daily dependence on Christ to grow in faith.
Reflection Question: What specific practice (prayer, Bible reading, worship) can you prioritize this week to abide more fully in Christ?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for being the source of your growth and pray for discipline to abide in Him daily, bearing fruit for His glory.
Day 4: Growing Through Community
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”
Just as a butterfly emerges stronger through its chrysalis, we grow stronger in Christ through community. Fellow believers encourage, challenge, and support us, helping us mature in faith. Whether through a small group, church service, or mentoring relationship, invest in community to spur your growth. Reflect on how you can both give and receive encouragement in your faith journey.
Reflection Question: Who in your church or community can you encourage or seek support from to grow in your faith?
Prayer Focus: Pray for opportunities to build up others in your church, asking God to strengthen your faith through community.
Day 5: The Role of God’s Word in Growth
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
God’s Word is essential for spiritual growth, equipping us to become mature in Christ. Like nutrients for a caterpillar, Scripture teaches, corrects, and trains us, shaping us into Christ’s image. Make time to study and apply God’s Word, letting it guide your decisions and transform your heart. Consider a specific passage or verse to meditate on this week.
Reflection Question: How can you incorporate God’s Word into your daily routine to foster spiritual growth?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for His transformative Word and pray for a heart eager to study and apply Scripture daily.
Day 6: Persevering Toward Maturity
James 1:4 (ESV) – “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Growth in Christ requires perseverance, much like a butterfly’s struggle to emerge from its chrysalis. Steadfastness through life’s challenges leads to maturity, as God uses every moment to shape us. Whether you’re facing a busy season, a personal struggle, or a time of waiting, trust that perseverance is building Christlike character. Lean on God’s strength to keep moving forward.
Reflection Question: What challenge is testing your perseverance, and how can you rely on God’s strength to grow through it?
Prayer Focus: Pray for endurance to persevere in faith, asking God to use your challenges to bring you closer to maturity in Christ.
Day 7: Awaiting Our Perfect Transformation
1 John 3:2 (ESV) – “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
Our growth in Christ points to a future hope—our ultimate transformation when we see Jesus face-to-face. Like a butterfly emerging in full beauty, we will one day be made perfect in Christ, free from sin and clothed in eternal glory. This hope sustains us through life’s trials, reminding us that God is preparing us for eternity. Reflect on how this promise shapes your perspective today.
Reflection Question: How does the hope of your future transformation in Christ encourage you to pursue growth in Him now?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for the promise of eternal transformation and pray for a heart that pursues growth in Christ until that day comes.
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
I'm keeping the same word search link here for this week that I've used in the past, as it goes so well with Pastor Miller's sermon series!
Philippians Word Search
Let us know if there's something we can do for you this week!
Take care,
Mark