Hospitality takes a road trip...

After arriving, we set up tents. Some went up more easily than others. Pastor Jeff couldn’t have been more excited to sleep in a tent (that’s sarcasm ?). Meanwhile, Pastor Anthony bounced around like a kid on espresso, full of enthusiasm and probably secretly planning to outlast us all.

Next came the food. We ate like kings (or at least royalty from a simpler kingdom) ?. Fred’s legendary chili warmed our souls, hot dogs hit the spot, and s’mores tasted so good, I think the birds were envious. Fishing, however, wasn’t quite so amazing. Much like the disciples in John 21:3, we cast our lines all evening but came up empty-handed. Still, the effort sparked plenty of good-natured ribbing and camaraderie.

Sleep was pretty tough, but laughter came easily, thanks to some legendary late-night stories and probably a few “Did that just happen?” moments.

Saturday’s float down the Big Elk River was a highlight. As we drifted along, we spotted fish darting beneath the surface (still refusing to bite), tadpoles wriggling, and turtles basking lazily in the sun. The serene beauty of the river gave us space to pause and reflect, soaking in God’s creation.

Ben and Fred brought the weekend’s spiritual focus to life with heartfelt messages that challenged us to deepen our walk with Christ. Their words, shared around the campfire, reminded us that faith grows in community, messy and sometimes unpredictable, much like the trip itself.

The true takeaway from the weekend wasn’t about landing the biggest fish or boasting the best campsite. It was about hospitality, opening our hearts, just as we opened our tents, to build connections with one another. As we welcomed each other into this shared experience, we reflected God’s grace, turning strangers into friends around the glow of a campfire. This mirrors the kind of hospitality we see in Acts 28:1–10, 30–31, where Paul and others extended and received a grace-filled welcome, no matter the circumstances.

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This Sunday, we’ll wrap up our seven-week sermon series on hospitality with a message from Acts 28:1–10, 30–31. We’ll explore how our hospitality, whether around a campfire, on a river, or in our homes, can mirror God’s boundless grace. Just as we experienced on this trip, hospitality isn’t about what we gain but about how we reflect God’s love to others, creating space for transformation and connection.

I hope to see you Sunday, when I look forward to sharing more. We have one last week at our original Church Air BnB, The Harlow Event Space, 1525 Grand Ave., Kansas City, MO. Our services are still at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or on our New Life website at 9:15 am.

See you soon,

Troy

P.S. The Youth will have a pancake breakfast for you to enjoy on Sunday to support their trip to camp. Come a few minutes early and bring a few extra bucks to help them out.

P.P.S. We would LOVE for you to follow us on Socials and even share an invite with your followers?: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram.