We Are In It Together — Palm Beach County Nazarene

Devotional

Day 1: We are in it together for God's glory.

The church is not a collection of isolated individuals but a unified body, working in concert across languages, cultures, and ministries. This togetherness is our strength and our calling, reflecting the diverse yet unified nature of God's kingdom. Our collective efforts are not for our own acclaim but are dedicated entirely to the glory of God. This shared purpose binds us and gives meaning to our every action. [30:04]

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV)

Reflection: Where in your life or in our church family have you seen the beauty of diverse people working together for a common goal? How can you actively contribute to that spirit of unity this week?

Day 2: God calls us to make Christlike disciples.

The mission of the church extends beyond our local community to all the nations. This global call begins with a personal commitment to be formed into the image of Christ, embracing His character and compassion. Discipleship is the process by which we are shaped and matured in our faith, week by week. It is an invitation for everyone, at every stage of life, to grow. [48:05]

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’” (Matthew 28:18-20a NIV)

Reflection: What is one specific habit or practice you could incorporate into your routine this week to intentionally become more like Jesus?

Day 3: Youth are the church of today.

The energy, faith, and potential of young people are not reserved for a future date; they are a vital and active part of the body of Christ right now. Investing in youth is an investment in the present health and mission of the church. Creating spaces for them to lead, serve, and grow is essential to our collective discipleship. Their voices and gifts are needed today. [51:42]

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)

Reflection: How can you personally encourage or create an opportunity for a young person in our church to use their gifts to serve others?

Day 4: God is at work in and through our community.

The Lord actively moves in our neighborhoods, often through the simple, faithful acts of His people. From offering care and compassion to partnering with others for justice, we have the privilege of participating in what God is already doing. His work is evident in both the dramatic stories of rescue and the steady, weekly rhythms of service. [01:57:10]

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

Reflection: As you look at your immediate neighborhood or community, what ‘good work’ do you sense God might have prepared for you to join?

Day 5: Celebrating God’s faithfulness together.

Taking time to recount and share the ways God has moved fosters gratitude and strengthens our collective faith. Celebrating baptisms, growth, and acts of service reminds us of God’s active presence among us. These stories are a testimony to His grace and power, encouraging us to continue in faithful work. Our celebration is an act of worship. [02:00:34]

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:11-12 NIV)

Reflection: What is one specific thing God has done in your life or in our church this past year that you can thank Him for today?

Sermon Summary

Lake Worth Beach Nazarene campus opened with multilingual worship and a focus on communal mission across Palm Beach County. Leadership introduced district ministries for global outreach, discipleship formation, and youth engagement, and invited campus coordination among English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and French congregations. Mission structures received prayer and commissioning, and ministry leaders outlined resources for missions, discipleship, and youth ministry, including an upcoming youth convention with an overnight option and low cost for participants.

Administrative details received clear emphasis: annual certificates of election and electronic reports must be completed online to secure voting rights and representation at district assemblies. Local volunteers and administrative helpers stood ready to assist churches unfamiliar with the new systems. A rhythm of brief, timed reports allowed multiple congregations and new campus launches to share progress, with an intentional three-minute window to keep reports concise.

The congregation reported measurable community impact for 2025. Soulcare classes at a local residential tower began, with plans for a Spanish-language class; partnerships supported school counselors through clothing closets; coordinated care assisted immigrant and refugee families; and a multi-congregation effort reunited a detained member with family across several states. Work with law enforcement helped shut down nearby human trafficking sites. A new campus launch and a community outreach nonprofit soft launch aimed to grow local services and a Life Academy vision.

Numerical growth and discipleship metrics highlighted the year’s fruit: nearly twenty new Christians, eighteen believer baptisms, twenty new denominational members, and increased Sunday attendance. The congregation distributed dozens of Bibles, reported more than seventy people in regular discipleship groups including children, and lifted prayers for over 600 missionaries. Financial obligations to district and global missions met, reflecting intentional giving.

A season of blessing and commissioning concluded with public prayer and the laying on of hands for district leadership and their spouse, affirming mutual care across the district. The gathering closed with an invitation to fellowship and refreshments, reinforcing the repeated refrain that ministry thrives when congregations act together in tangible service, disciplined formation, and shared leadership.

Key Takeaways

1. Worship across four languages Worship and campus life now include English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and French, demonstrating a practical commitment to cultural and linguistic inclusion. This diversity shapes how teaching, prayer, and hospitality get organized, requiring intentional scheduling and translation. The multilingual model also creates fresh opportunities for new campus plants and shared resources. Inclusion becomes a discipline that enlarges mission and access. [31:48]
2. Targeted community care and justice Ministry efforts focused on both compassion and justice: Soulcare classes, school partnerships, refugee welcome, family reunification, and cooperation with law enforcement to disrupt trafficking. These ministries moved beyond charity into sustained relational work, showing that local presence can both heal and protect vulnerable neighbors. Strategic partnerships multiplied capacity, revealing how congregations can leverage networks for long-term community safety and restoration. [117:10]
3. Intentional discipleship across all ages Structured discipleship reached children, youth, and adults with weekly formation groups and placement of dozens of Bibles into new hands. Measured discipleship — tracking numbers, baptisms, and small-group participation — reflected a deliberate approach to spiritual growth rather than incidental programming. Prioritizing formation across life stages ensures that conversions mature into committed, missional disciples. Depth of formation shapes future fruit more than short-term attendance spikes. [119:54]
4. Youth are church today Youth ministry received strategic investment, including a district youth convention with an overnight option and affordable access for teens and leaders. Framing youth as the church of today reframes leadership, training, and resource allocation to include younger voices and responsibilities now. When youth receive real invitation and accountability, congregational vitality and succession planning gain integrity. Engaging youth seriously cultivates a present and resilient future church. [51:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:03] - Opening Worship & Prayer
[13:47] - Translation & Accessibility
[31:48] - Multilingual Campuses
[32:18] - District Ministry Leaders Introduced
[44:59] - Missions Commissioning Prayer
[48:05] - Discipleship Ministries Overview
[51:00] - Youth Ministry & Convention Details
[55:16] - Administrative Deadlines & Online Forms
[57:57] - Timed Church Reports
[116:20] - Local Outreach Highlights
[119:54] - Growth & Discipleship Metrics
[140:33] - Prayer & Commissioning of Leadership
[147:06] - Closing & Fellowship (Refreshments)

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Acts 2:1-11 (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. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

Observation questions

What happened to the disciples when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost?
What was the reaction of the diverse crowd from many nations when they heard the disciples speaking?
According to the report, in how many languages does the campus now worship, and what are they? [31:48]
What are the three core parts of the church's structure that were highlighted, focusing on who is included? [51:00]

Interpretation questions

Why is it significant that the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in the native languages of the diverse crowd, rather than having one language imposed?
The report mentioned moving "beyond charity into sustained relational work" in community care. [01:57:10] What is the difference between one-time charity and long-term relational work, and why does the latter often have a deeper impact?
What does it mean for a church to frame its youth as "the church of today" and not just the church of tomorrow? [51:42] How does this perspective change the way a congregation operates?
The report measured discipleship through numbers of Bibles distributed, people in groups, and baptisms. [01:59:54] Why is it valuable to track these kinds of metrics in the life of a church?

Application questions

The Holy Spirit empowered the church to communicate across language barriers. What is one practical step you could take to better welcome or include someone in your community who speaks a different language or comes from a different culture?
Ministry thrives when congregations act together in tangible service. [02:27:06] What is one area of community need—like supporting schools, assisting immigrants, or protecting the vulnerable—that you feel drawn to, and how could you get involved, even in a small way?
Being formed into the image of Christ is a deliberate process. [01:59:54] Are you currently part of a regular group (like the 73 disciples mentioned) that helps you grow? If not, what is holding you back from joining one, and if you are, how has it helped you become more like Jesus?
Youth are the church of today. [51:42] How can you, regardless of your age, actively encourage, listen to, and make space for the younger generation to lead and serve right now?
The church saw measurable growth because they were "inviting people into their next yes to Jesus." [01:59:36] Who is one person in your life you could lovingly invite to take their "next yes," whether that's attending a service, joining a group, or exploring faith?

Sermon Clips

We supported neighbors in crisis. We coordinated care across congregations, and we prayed for more than 600 missionaries. We gave generously to district and global missions, and glory to God, we met all of our financial obligations. So this year, we have seen God bless our community. We have seen God bring people to Jesus, and we have seen God make us more like Jesus. [02:00:03] (30 seconds) #CommunityBlessings

And along the way, we discovered that while we were praying for him to come home, he was sharing God's word with many who were searching for hope. Glory to God. We worked with law enforcement to help shut down three human trafficking sites within a half mile of our campus. We worshipped together as a unified campus, welcoming more than 200 people, supporting our local students in need. [01:57:41] (27 seconds) #HopeAndJustice

This year, we walked alongside a family in our own congregation after a detention sweep led to a long journey from Riviera Beach to Alligator Alcatraz to Pineville, Louisiana. By God's grace, we partnered with five Nazarene congregations and families to bring our brother home From Pineville to Baton Rouge, to Tallahassee, to Lake City, to Ocala, and finally home to Lake Worth. [01:57:10] (30 seconds) #BringOurBrotherHome

And as a three in one campus, we softly launched Lake Worth Beach Community Outreach Incorporated, working toward becoming the Life Academy, supporting families, seniors, children, and youth by fostering a community where all people and families thrive in holiness and wholeness. In 2025, God enabled us to bring people to Jesus. Glory to God. [01:58:12] (28 seconds) #LifeAcademyLaunch

Glory to God. We launched Soulcare at Lake Worth Towers, now welcoming nearly 20 residents each week and preparing to launch a second class in Spanish. We encouraged our community partners, praying over the new united Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County, empowering our campus school counselors to also bless Lake Worth Middle School through the Schuh school closet. We loved immigrants and refugees through scripture, compassion, and Christ centered welcome. [01:56:36] (34 seconds) #SoulcareAndOutreach

God, he hasn't mentioned it, but I can only imagine seven days of pastor's report is a long week. So I pray that you touch his body as he's traveled throughout our district to be present. I pray that you touch his mind, that you continue to give him strength and clarity. I pray that you touch his spirit. May you encourage in the moments that feel overwhelming. [02:21:27] (22 seconds) #PastorWilsonPrayerMindAndSpirit

I pray that you would touch his soul. Would you continue reminding him of his why, and that you who have called him is still faithful, and that you have still called him. And God, I pray most of all you would continue to touch his relationships. We are so humbled and grateful to serve alongside, to serve and support your mission with pastor Wilson. [02:21:49] (22 seconds) #PastorWilsonPrayerSoulAndRelations

And so, God, I pray that you would touch his beautiful wife, Joan. God, I pray that you would touch her body, her spirit, her mind, her emotions, her relationships. God, would you continue opening the doors that need to be opened, and would you continue to be glorified? May our pastor and our lead pastor here never feel alone, [02:22:11] (20 seconds) #PrayerForJoan

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What are the three core Nazarene ministries?

How does the church define youth's role?

Which languages are worship services offered in?

We Are In It Together — Palm Beach County Nazarene

Devotional

Day 1: We are in it together for God's glory.

Day 2: God calls us to make Christlike disciples.

Day 3: Youth are the church of today.

Day 4: God is at work in and through our community.

Day 5: Celebrating God’s faithfulness together.

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

We Are In It Together — Palm Beach County Nazarene

Share