Zoe community church

What do Hillsong NYC, Vous Church, Churchome and Zoe Church have in common besides Justin Bieber’s sporadic presence at their services? All four churches hail from the same theological tradition, have lead pastors around the same age, and have a dizzying social media presence.“Instagram built our church,” says Chad Veach of Zoe Church in Los Angeles, California.All hailing from the Pentecostal tradition, a denomination which sticks to pretty conservative views when it comes to hot-button social issues such as homosexuality and abortion, these churches have managed to walk a very curious road of appealing to the broader culture. Their pastors have also managed to avoid directly answering questions about their positions on tricky topics. Their aim is to reach “those far from God,” including celebrities and their fans.While there are differences between the four churches, they are most similar in their message to the people they’re trying to reach: We won’t ask you questions about your lifestyle. Just come to church. Judging by their social media pages, the key to appealing to culture is to make church look fun and hipster.The Rise of Zoe ChurchVeach hails from the greater Seattle, Washington, area, where his father continues to serve as an administrator of the Foursquare Church, overseeing some 200 churches. Getting his start by working under Judah Smith of Churchome (previously called City Church in Seattle), Veach made the move down to Los Angeles in 2014 to start his own church.What has become a common thread among a lot of young churches, Zoe started in an unconventional place: a nightclub called 1 Oak. Before that, the group met in houses. Now the church meets at the El Rey Theater on Wilshire Boulevard.Veach estimates the church’s Instagram audience of 65,000 brings in about 1,600 physical attendees to the church’s services each week. So what exactly is so drawing about the church’s Instagram account?A brief swipe-through of Zoe’s Instagram feed produces professional-looking shots of people looking as if they’re genuinely enjoying church. Nothing but smiles. And coffee. From baptism to fellowship time to worship, my goodness it all looks so polished.In addition to the church’s Instagram page, Veach’s personal page is public and only slightly less polished than the church’s page. Plenty of pictures of Veach’s children and household-name friends adorn his account.It’s very clear Veach is trying to appear approachable and relevant, and more important, that he won’t judge anyone. “Our church is a place where our doors are open to people of all backgrounds—regardless of where they are at in their journeys—and we hope all feel welcomed, comfortable and loved,” Zoe’s homepage reads.Appearances by celebrities on the church’s Instagram account and services don’t hurt attendance, either. Actor Chris Pratt regularly attends Zoe, and even promoted Veach’s book on his personal Instagram account. Pratt has been seen at services with his girlfriend, Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver.Megan BriggsMegan Briggs is a writer and editor for churchleaders.com. Her experience in ministry, an extensive amount of which was garnered overseas,

During the days of the early church, Christians were regularly persecuted, especially in Rome. It wasn’t until the early 300’s, under the rule of the Emperor Constantine, that the Roman Empire transitioned into Christianity. Until then, Christians were regularly singled out and martyred for their beliefs.Saint Zoe is one of those individuals who were persecuted in the time period before Rome became predominantly Christian. Her feast day is celebrated each year on December 18th. Those who are named after her celebrate their name days on this day. Here’s more information about Saint Zoe:About Saint ZoeThe Martyr Zoe is usually mentioned together with Saint Sebastian. Zoe was married to Nicostratus, who was Sebastian’s jailer. She was afflicted with a condition that prevented her from speaking for six years. She she saw Saint Sebastian, she is said to have fallen to the ground, gesturing to the saint that she wanted to be healed. She was healed from her affliction after he made the sign of the cross over and she became a Christian on the spot. Not only that, but all the people who witnessed became believers as well, Nicostratus included.The pair asked Saint Sebastian to baptize them. The saint advised Nicostratus to serve God instead of the state. After a long conversation, the saint realized that Zoe and Nocostratus were sincere about their desire to become baptized. Eventually, the couple came to be baptized and they served the Lord. Saint Zoe was arrested and asked to renounce Christ. Instead, she confessed

Her love for Him. She was martyred by being hanged over the smoke from a great fire. After her death, her body was thrown into the river Tiber.Hymns of Saint ZoeSaint Zoe, along with Saint Sebastian and the rest of his companions, share a series of hymns that are sung on their feast day, which is on December 18th. The hymns are sung in many languages and here is the version that is translated from the original Greek:Apolytikion of Martyrs Sebastian & Companions – Fourth ToneThy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.Kontakion of Martyrs Sebastian & Companions – Fourth ToneSince thou wast great in zeal for godly religion, thou didst assemble an alliance of Martyrs, and in their midst, thou shonest like a flashing star. With the arrows that did pierce thy much-suffering body, thou didst slay the enemy, O Great Martyr Sebastian; and thou thyself didst fly as from a bow into the Heavens, where Christ hath received thy soul.As you can see, Saint Zoe is important to the church and her feast day is celebrated each year on December 18th. She is remembered on the same day as Saint Sebastian. Check the Name Day page for more information about

Pastor, Dr. Warren Wiersbe, who greatly influenced his preaching style and biblical knowledge.In 1971, Dr. Jeremiah became the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Schenectady, New York. He served there for four years before moving to California to start a new ministry.In 1979, Dr. Jeremiah began hosting a radio program called The Bible Hour, which aired on KPRZ in San Diego. The program quickly became popular, and Dr. Jeremiah was soon invited to speak at churches and conferences across the country.In 1981, Dr. Jeremiah was called to be the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. Under his leadership, the church grew from a small congregation of a few hundred to a thriving megachurch of over 10,000 members.Click here to preview your posts with PRO themes ››In addition to his role as pastor, Dr. Jeremiah founded Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries in 1982. The ministry’s mission is to deliver the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world through various media platforms.Today, Dr. Jeremiah is a highly respected and influential evangelical Christian leader, known for his passionate preaching style and commitment to biblical truth. He continues to serve as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church and as the host of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries.Shadow Mountain Community ChurchShadow Mountain Community Church is an evangelical church located in El Cajon, California, San Diego County. The church is led by Dr. David Jeremiah, who is the senior pastor. Dr. Jeremiah has been the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church since 1981, when he succeeded Tim LaHaye.The church was originally founded in 1927 as Scott Memorial Baptist Church. It was renamed to Shadow Mountain Community Church in the 1970s. The church has grown significantly under Dr. Jeremiah’s leadership and is now considered a megachurch.Shadow Mountain Community Church is dedicated to teaching the truth of God’s Word. The church offers a variety of programs and services to its members, including worship services, Bible studies, youth programs, and more. The church also has an international radio and television ministry called Turning Point Ministry, which was launched by Dr. Jeremiah in 1982.Shadow Mountain Community Church is a welcoming and friendly place where people can come together to worship and learn about God’s Word. Dr. Jeremiah’s leadership has been instrumental in the growth and success of the church over the years, and his commitment to teaching the truth

First Apostolic Church Maryville is the realization of what has been affectionately termed the “Maryville Miracle” – the creation of an impressive campus spanning over 80,000 square feet. This remarkable achievement, which includes state-of-the-art facilities for worship, education, and community engagement, stands as a testament to the church’s unwavering faith, sacrificial spirit, and dedication to serving its members and the broader community.Becoming a Community HubAs First Apostolic Church Maryville continued to grow and flourish, it evolved into more than just a place of worship. It became a vibrant community hub, offering a range of services, programs, and resources to meet the diverse needs of its members and the surrounding community. From educational initiatives like a preschool and K5-12th grade academy to a welcoming coffee shop and various outreach programs, the church became a central pillar of support and encouragement for individuals and families of all ages.A Beacon of Faith and ServiceAt the core of First Apostolic Church Maryville’s journey is a deep-rooted commitment to faith and service. Guided by the teachings of the Bible and a desire to make a positive difference in the world, the church has been actively involved in supporting missions both locally and globally. Whether through humanitarian efforts, disaster relief initiatives, or community outreach projects, the church’s impact extends far beyond its walls, touching lives and spreading hope wherever it goes.Celebrating Milestones and Looking AheadAs First Apostolic Church Maryville celebrates its milestones and accomplishments, it also looks ahead with a sense of excitement and anticipation. With a rich history of resilience, growth, and community engagement, the church remains committed to upholding its core values, inspiring positive change, and fostering deeper connections with its members and the broader community. The journey from humble beginnings to a thriving community hub is not just a reflection of the church’s past but a testament to its enduring legacy and bright future.Published By: Aize Perez