Creating Space for God's Miraculous Movement

Eighteen years ago, a small group of us gathered with excitement and nerves, stepping into the unknown as we launched our church. We were young, raw, and full of faith, not knowing exactly what the future would hold. The early days were marked by both growth and setbacks—our numbers initially dropped, but our resolve never wavered. We knew we were following God’s call, and that was enough to keep us moving forward. Our first building was tiny, bursting at the seams with life and laughter, and every inch of space was filled with the presence of God and the energy of a growing community.

As we outgrew that space, we remembered a prophetic word: every space we give to God, He will fill. This became a guiding principle. When the opportunity arose to purchase our current building, it seemed impossible at first. Yet, through sacrificial giving and collective faith, we saw God provide miraculously. What began as a dream—just to fill the space once—became a reality as our church grew from 800 to nearly 5,000 active members. Each step required someone to pay a price, to make room for God to move, just as generations before us did when they built churches that still stand today.

The vision didn’t stop there. In 2017, we sensed God calling us to dream even bigger—a new cathedral, not just as a building, but as a resource and mission station for the city and beyond. Through campaigns like “I Remember Where I Was Sat,” the church responded with extraordinary generosity, raising millions to make this vision possible. Even when the pandemic hit and costs soared, we pressed on, believing that God had not finished writing our story.

Now, as we prepare to break ground on a new five-story facility, the call is the same: to create space for God to move. This is not just about physical buildings, but about making room in our hearts, our lives, and our resources for God’s presence and purpose. When we create space—whether in our schedules, our finances, or our spirits—God meets us there, ignites our faith, and does what only He can do. The invitation is to trust Him again, to give Him space, and to watch as He fills it with His glory and miracles.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faithful beginnings often look unimpressive, and setbacks are part of the journey. What matters is the conviction that God has called us, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when things don’t go as planned. The early days of any venture—whether a church, a family, or a dream—require perseverance rooted in God’s purpose, not just visible success. [14:04]
• 2. God fills the space we give Him, both corporately and personally. This principle is seen in the physical expansion of our church, but it also applies to our hearts and lives. When we intentionally make room for God—through prayer, generosity, or simply pausing in our busy lives—He meets us in that space and brings transformation. [17:13]
• 3. Sacrifice is the seed for future miracles. Every building, every ministry, every breakthrough stands on the shoulders of those who gave, served, and believed before us. Our willingness to pay a price today creates opportunities for others to encounter God tomorrow, continuing a legacy that stretches back through generations. [19:59]
• 4. Vision requires us to dream beyond what seems possible and to trust God for the miraculous. The journey from a small, crowded room to a cathedral-sized vision was marked by moments of doubt and impossibility, but God’s faithfulness was revealed as we stepped out in faith together. Our dreams should always be big enough to require God’s intervention. [24:06]
• 5. Creating space is both a practical and spiritual act. As we prepare to build new facilities, the deeper invitation is to create space in our own lives—space for rest, for listening to God, and for generosity. When we do, God meets us, faith is ignited, and miracles become possible, not just in buildings, but in our hearts and communities. [27:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Remembering Our First Service
• [02:30] - Early Days: Excitement and Setbacks
• [04:15] - Outgrowing Our First Building
• [06:00] - The Principle: God Fills the Space We Give
• [08:10] - Miraculous Provision for a New Home
• [10:30] - Sacrifice and Legacy in Church History
• [12:45] - From 800 to 5,000: Growth and Change
• [15:00] - Dreaming of a Cathedral
• [17:30] - The “I Remember Where I Was Sat” Campaign
• [19:45] - Navigating the Pandemic and Rising Costs
• [21:30] - Ready to Build: The Next Phase
• [23:00] - The Power of Creating Space
• [25:00] - Invitation to Give and Trust God
• [27:00] - Closing Challenge: Give God Space

Bible Reading

Mark 11:17 (ESV) — > And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

1 Kings 18:36-39 (ESV) — > And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”

Acts 2:1-4 (ESV) — > When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Observation Questions

1. In Mark 11:17, what does Jesus say the purpose of God’s house is? How does this compare to how people sometimes view church today? [17:13]
2. According to the sermon, what was the prophetic word spoken over the church before it launched, and how did it shape the church’s journey? [17:13]
3. What practical steps did the church take when they needed more space, and what was the result? [19:59]
4. In 1 Kings 18 and Acts 2, what did the people do to “create space” for God to move, and what was God’s response? [27:23]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized that God’s house should be a “house of prayer for all nations” rather than just a place for ceremonies? What does this mean for how we approach church life? [17:13]
2. The sermon mentions that “God fills the space we give Him.” What does this look like practically in a person’s life or in a church community? [17:13]
3. The church’s journey involved both setbacks and miracles. How does persevering through challenges demonstrate faith, and why might God allow these seasons? [14:04]
4. The idea of sacrifice is repeated throughout the sermon. Why is sacrifice often necessary for God to do something new, both in the Bible stories and in the church’s story? [19:59]

Application Questions

1. The early days of the church were marked by excitement and setbacks, but the leaders kept moving forward because they believed God had called them. Have you ever felt called to something that didn’t go as planned? How did you respond, and what kept you going? [14:04]
2. The church was challenged to “create space” for God, not just in buildings but in their hearts, schedules, and finances. What is one area of your life where you need to make more space for God right now? What would that look like practically? [27:23]
3. The sermon described sacrificial giving as the seed for future miracles. Is there something you feel God is asking you to give up or give away (time, money, comfort) so that others can encounter Him? What’s holding you back? [19:59]
4. The “I Remember Where I Was Sat” campaign encouraged people to give with the expectation that God would use their sacrifice to reach others. Can you remember a time when someone else’s sacrifice made a difference in your faith journey? How might your actions impact someone else’s future? [24:06]
5. The vision for the new cathedral is not just about a building, but about being a resource and mission station for the city. How can you personally be a resource or blessing to your community this week? [24:06]
6. The sermon said, “When we create space—whether in our schedules, our finances, or our spirits—God meets us there, ignites our faith, and does what only He can do.” What is one practical step you can take this week to intentionally create space for God to move in your life? [27:23]
7. The church faced rising costs and unexpected challenges during the pandemic but kept trusting God. Is there an area in your life where you need to trust God despite uncertainty? What would it look like to take a step of faith in that area? [19:59]