This is how the harvest grows – not only through our own labor, but through those we help raise up alongside us. Jesus didn’t carry the mission alone; he invested in twelve people who would carry it further. We are called to do the same.
The story of Christianity is not done. We each have an important part to play. What will be your part?
I spoke this word of encouragement at the memorial service for my father, Dorlan Bales, on 06/06/2026, at Bethel College Mennonite Church. The scripture reading was: Matthew 5:1-16. Listen to the Audio Sometimes there’s a man. I don’t want to say hero, because what is a hero? But sometimes there’s a man. A man for his…
This is a sermon that I preached on Sunday, 7/9/23, at Berkeley Friends Church. The scripture reading for this sermon was: Matthew 10:24-39. You can listen to the audio, or keeping scrolling to read my manuscript. (The spoken sermon differs from the written text.) Listen to Sermon Now I had a really tough time working on this…
This is a sermon that I preached on Sunday, 9/22/19, at Berkeley Friends Church. The scripture readings for this sermon were: Acts 4:23-35. You can listen to the audio, or keeping scrolling to read my manuscript. (The spoken sermon differs from the written text) Listen to the Sermon Now Perfect love casts out all fear. There…
This is a sermon that I preached on Sunday, 5/20/18, at the Berkeley Friends Church in Berkeley, California. The scripture readings for this sermon were: Ezekiel 37:1-14 & Acts 2:1-21. You can listen to the audio, or keeping scrolling to read my manuscript. (FYI, the spoken sermon differs from the written text.) Listen to the…
This is a sermon that I preached on Sunday, 5/6/18, at the Washington City Church of the Brethren. The scripture readings for this sermon were: Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, & John 15:9-17. You can listen to the audio, or keeping scrolling to read my manuscript. (FYI, the spoken sermon differs from the written text.)…
This is a sermon that I preached on Sunday, 6/18/17, at the Washington City Church of the Brethren. The scripture readings for this sermon were: Genesis 18:1-15 & Matthew 9:35-10:8. You can listen to the audio, or keeping scrolling to read my manuscript. (FYI, the spoken sermon differs from the written text.) Listen to the…