Revive Recap December 24'
A message from Pastor Derik
Dear Valued Partner
WE ARE NOT SPIRITUAL CONSUMERS,
WE ARE SPIRITUAL CONTRIBUTORS.
THE CHURCH DOESN’T EXIST FOR US,
WE ARE THE CHURCH
AND WE EXIST FOR THE WORLD.
This is the phrase we have been repeating this past month in our November series
entitled, “We Are the Church.” In this series we discussed how we are designed to be a people
of impact and not just be impacted!
Jesus said, “Freely you have received, now freely give.”
(Matthew 10:8) We are designed by God to be givers, contributors and be fruitful. If you want to
learn more about this series, check it out on our YouTube and Facebook live streams! This
month during our Sunday morning messages we are answering the question, “Why
Christmas?”. Why the wise men, why the shepherds, why John the Baptist, and why
Jesus?? All these questions will be answered this month to help give you a greater
understanding and appreciation for our salvation found only in Jesus Christ!
On top of this, we are having a “Fun Sunday” every Sunday in December.
From flannels to pajamas, there is something special for everyone to have fun with!!
Make sure to check out the calendar of events below for more info!!
As we are going into the closing month of 2024, our year of Reset is coming to an end! I
pray you have accomplished what we have set out to accomplish in resetting our lives around
the principles of God. I believe we will find greater strength in this new rhythm of sabbath and
rest. This is a great month to start reviewing what God has done in you this past year and also
prepare for what He wants to do in and even through you in 2025!! I encourage you to prepare
your heart for something bigger than you can ask or even imagine according to the power that
works within you! (Ephesians 3:20) That power is the power of the Holy Spirit, and I promise, He
wants to do more than you could ever dream of through you! So let’s increase our faith and
believe for the greatest year we have ever seen in Jesus name!
God Bless,
Derik Kerber
Lead Pastor
Revive Church
Where it is our mission to
"Change Lives, Reach the Next Generation, & Impact the Culture for Jesus"
Wearerevive.church/Events
MONTHLY LOOK BACK
His Good is all around Us!
“The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all he has made” Psalm 145:9 Here at Revive
we are constantly growing and increasing the praise to God. We welcomed 11 new guests. In
a very emotional event 10 individuals were water baptised.
Look and See How God is Moving
When Frank and I first met, we were two broken people. I had just had my heart broken after a two-year relationship, and Frank was in the middle of a divorce from his teenage sweetheart and wife of five years. We met in a bar. Frank said I looked like a lost sheep in the midst of wolves.
At first, I was drawn to Frank because of his amazing dance ability and outgoing personality—my very own Patrick Swayze in a Vermont redneck. He could make me laugh like no one else and he showered me with romantic gifts, making me feel like the most special woman in the world. He was thoughtful, caring, and protective. I remember one cold winter night when we saw a car broken down on the side of the road. Frank stopped to help and said, "I may not know much about cars, but we can offer them a ride home or help."
Frank remembers seeing me for the first time at the bar. I was with a mutual friend neither of us knew we shared. He asked who I was saying I looked scared and completely out of my element. At the time, I was still with my boyfriend, but for two weeks we kept running into each other. After my breakup, Frank was there to comfort me, listening as I poured out my heart. He thought I was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen and soon he asked me out. That was the beginning of our whirlwind relationship.
At that time, neither of us had a relationship with the Lord. We moved in together less than a year after meeting. A year later I found out I was pregnant. Frank was ecstatic and proposed, but I agreed only if we got married on Valentine’s Day. I was six months pregnant by then, and although our families disapproved, I refused to budge on the date.
It wasn’t long after moving in together that I realized Frank’s passion for sports. He was on six softball teams at one point, and it felt like I was always competing with his games and hobbies. I hoped the birth of our son, Tyler, would change things, but it didn’t. Frank refused to compromise, and the tension between us grew.
Our financial struggles also added stress. I left my job as a secretary to be a stay-at-home mom. We moved from a beautiful two-bedroom apartment to a small studio. Our arguments became both verbal and physical. I became bitter and turned to my family for support. During this time, Frank started seeing someone at work. He fell for her and asked me for a divorce.
I was completely shattered. After realizing he wasn’t coming back, I filed for divorce. I became suicidal and attempted to overdose, but images of Tyler and Miranda, our second child, stopped me. Frank was angry when he found out.
One night, I heard a firm but gentle voice telling me, “Put your ring back on.” It repeated three times, and I knew it was God. I had taken off my wedding ring when I lost hope of Frank coming back. Shortly after, the other woman ended things with Frank, leaving him devastated. I felt only compassion and love for him, and I realized I still wanted us to be together.
This began our journey of restoring our marriage and family. Forgiving Frank wasn’t easy, and I struggled with insecurity, but Frank was patient, understanding, and determined to rebuild my trust. We started going to his games together and it felt like the early days of our relationship.
Eventually, I sought the Lord again. One Sunday morning after receiving harassing phone calls related to my job as a parent aide, I listened to a message from Pastor Paul Mychak on WVNR. His words spoke directly to my situation, and I knew God was calling me. I began attending his church, and later, our entire family followed.
Frank gave his life to Christ during a New Year’s Eve service. The song “For Those Tears I Died” moved him to tears, and he said, “I don’t know what’s happening.” I hugged him and said, “I do.”
After two years, we searched for a church with more children and found People of Praise Church, led by Pastor Harry Kerber and his family. They became the grandparents Tyler and Miranda never had. Their love and guidance shaped our family and our faith in profound ways.
As of today, we have been members of Revive Church formally known as People of Priase for over 25 years. Here we’ve found a community that teaches Biblical truth with love and grace. God has restored our marriage and our family. We’re so grateful for His unending faithfulness.
If you’re looking for hope and healing, we invite you to visit Revive Church and experience God’s transforming love.
