Author: janicevance

by Justin Morton

Last weekend several of our adults, teens and children attended the Lads 2 Leaders convention at the Opryland Hotel. This weekend is always inspiring. I love watching so many children and young people from all over the Southeast use their talents for the glory God. If your child is not involved with L2L, let me encourage you to consider being a part of this wonderful event next year.

Thirty-five young people from Walter Hill participated in Lads this year. We are so proud of each and every one of these individuals: Josie Cooper, Will Cooper, King Davis, Nova Davis, Zaniyah Davis, Aaron DeMario, Grant DeMario, Isaac DeMario, Olivia Ellis, Colton England, Paxton England, Charlotte Foster, Ian Foster, Ryan Foster, Ellis Harrington, Jansen Harrington, Christian Hutchens, Blake Lancaster, Tyler Lancaster, Braden McNabb, Briley McNabb, Carson McNabb, Savannah McNabb, Kayla Miller, Ella Mitchell, Eli Mitchell, Bennett Morris, Caden Morton, Cameron Morton, Elijah Phillips, Reagon Shambaugh, Reid Shambaugh, Danek Smith, Anna Grace Thomas, and Courtney Wilson.

Each of these young people did an incredible job in every event they participated in, and we couldn’t be any more proud of them! Not only did they represent Walter Hill well, but they gained so much that will help them in the future as they continue to serve the Lord.

Several of our young people did so well that they were either a finalist or placed in some of the events they participated in. Here’s what we have, but if we missed anything, please let us know.

Art: Anna Grace Thomas (1^st Place)

Girl’s Songs of Praise: Kayla Miller (2^nd Place)

Girl’s Speech: Kayla Miller (1^st Place), Olivia Ellis (2^nd Place)

Girl’s Debate Teams: Olivia Ellis and Zanyiah Davis (3^rd Place)

Girl’s Individual Debate: Kayla Miller (1^st Place and highest score)

Boy’s Song Leading: Elijah Phillips (Finalist), Will Cooper (3^rd Place)

Boy’s Speech: Caden Morton (1^st Place), Blake Lancaster (2^nd Place), Will Cooper (3^rd Place), Grant DeMario (Finalist)

Boy’s Debate Teams: Grant DeMario and Blake Lancaster (2^nd Place), Will Cooper and Carson McNabb (3^rd Place)

Boy’s Individual Scores: Will Cooper (1^st place individual score), Blake Lancaster (3^rd place individual score)

Bible Bowl Teams: Grant DeMario, Isaac DeMario, Caden Morton and Cameron Morton (1^st Place in the 9^th-10^th Grade Division), Aaron DeMario, Ian Foster, Ryan Foster, Christian Hutchens (3^rd Place in the 5^th– 6^th Grade Division), Ellis Harrington, Jansen Harrington and Briley McNabb (Finalists in the 5^th-6^th Grade Division)

Bible Bowl Individual Test Top 10 Scorers: Grant DeMario (9^th Grade), Isaac DeMario (6^th Grade), Caden Morton (8^th Grade), Cameron Morton (4^th Grade)

All of our young people representing Walter Hill did a phenomenal job last weekend at Lads 2 Leaders. Thank you to our shepherds for supporting this great work each year and to all the parents, grandparents, mentors and coaches who helped out. May we continue teaching and training our children so they will be prepared to lead in the Lord’s Church for many years to come.

by Justin Morton

This weekend through the Lads 2 Leaders program, several of our young people and adults were reminded that God is worthy of our very best.  Watching so many young people from all over the Southeast give their best while using their talents to glorify God was inspiring.  I am so proud of all those from Walter Hill who participated in Lads this year and represented our congregation so well.

I love this weekend every year not only because of L2L, but also because this weekend is one in which so many people across our land celebrate the most life-changing event in the history of our world: the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  While we focus on and celebrate the resurrection of our Jesus each Lord’s Day, I am grateful that, at least for today, so many hearts and minds are directed toward this great event.

In Matthew 28, we read about how the women went to the tomb early that Sunday morning.  When they arrived, they did not find what they were expecting.  Instead of a closed tomb, they found the stone rolled away and an angel of the Lord sitting on the stone.  Then the angel spoke some of the most comforting words: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.  See, I have told you.”  So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples (Matthew 28:5-8).

In that moment, the angel spoke eight of the most significant words that have ever been spoken: “He is not here, for he has risen.”   The women, full of great joy, quickly went to tell his disciples this exciting news.  Why were they so joyful?  Why go and tell the disciples so quickly?  Because those few words the angel spoke changed everything.  If Jesus could predict His dead and resurrection as He did, if he could actually raise from the dead, then everything else Jesus said and taught could be trusted.  All the promises He made could be taken to heart.

Today we, like so many others, celebrate because the resurrection of Jesus changes everything!  It gives us purpose, hope, and life beyond the grave.  In Matthew 28, an angel announced eight life-changing words.  Those true words must shape not only what we celebrate on Sunday, but how we live every day of our lives.  Praise God for Jesus, our Living Hope!

by Chris Elrod

I love doing youth ministry!  One of the greatest blessings of my role is seeing the way God works through and within our teenagers.  It’s amazing to see all the ways He blesses them and uses them for His glory!  Sometimes I even find myself being challenged by their faith.  Last weekend, at our Spring Retreat, was one of those times where I was both in awe of our God and challenged to be better.  I sat down to study with a small group of students.  One of which is brand new to the church but is eagerly seeking a relationship with Christ.  She was invited to Bible Class by one of our young ladies who had been praying for an opportunity to lead someone to Christ and His church.  What amazed me was the young lady who she invited had also been praying to find good friends as she started at a new school!

HOW COOL IS THAT???  Here we have two teenagers praying to God, one asking for opportunities to share His love and the other asking to be blessed with good friends!  God works in providing the opportunity for these girls to meet, and boom, both prayers are answered.  Our God is awesome and is at work to bring about the salvation of souls.  This left me in awe of our God! 

However, after I reflected more I saw an area where I needed to be better.  How often am I praying for opportunities to lead souls to Christ?  Not as often as I should.  This is my new prayer, and I hope you will make it your prayer as well!  You never know who in your life might be praying for answers, salvation, for new friends, or for a church home.  Maybe you will be God’s answer to their prayer.

Yet on the other hand, maybe there are people who don’t know what they don’t know when it comes to Christ.  Maybe there are people who don’t know what they are missing!  And maybe if we would just look up, we would see the fields are white, ready for the harvest (John 4:35).  We can’t forget, God wants to save everyone (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).  He will provide us with opportunities, but we need to open our eyes to them!  I don’t know about you, but I needed this reminder!  I hope you will join me in praying for opportunities to share the Gospel with others!  I am thankful for our youth and their faithful example! 

The wall is coming down, more chairs will be added, the opportunity is now!

by Justin Morton

This past Friday, March 20^th, marked the beginning of the Spring season.  With this season comes a much busier schedule for many.  During this time of year many of us spend more time on the go than we do at home.  But with all the happenings of this season, let’s remember a few great opportunities we have as a spiritual family in the coming weeks.

This afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. is our annual Walter Hill Egg Hunt.  This is always a fun event for our little ones.  Many of you have already helped out in preparation for this special event by bringing filled eggs to be used in the hunt.  We are excited about this event for all our children and look forward to watching them hunt eggs and have their picture taken with a very special guest. 

April 3-5 is the annual Lads 2 Leaders weekend at the Opryland Hotel.  Several of our young people have been preparing for this weekend over the last several months.  Many of our kids and teens will be participating in this great event by leading singing, giving a speech, debating or participating in the Bible Bowl.  Our Walter Hill kids have spent hours upon hours preparing for all the events they will be participating in.  Please be in prayer for all of the participants, not just those from Walter Hill.  It is such a blessing to see so many young people across the United States participating in such a great training program. 

Lastly, the weekend of April 17-19 is going to be a great weekend.  We have brother Dan Chambers from the Concord Road church of Christ in Brentwood, TN coming to be with us for our annual Gospel Meeting.  Dan is a great preacher of God’s Word, and he will do a wonderful job of presenting truths from God’s Word.  There will be a session on Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 7 p.m. and then we will have worship on Sunday at 9 a.m. followed by a combined adult Bible class in the auditorium at 10:30 a.m.  We will not be having an evening service that day. 

In addition to these events, the Walter Hill Youth, Young Families, Half Timers and Prime Timers also have various events and activities upcoming.  So yes, spring is in full swing and our calendars are filling up fast.  But we want each of you to be part of our family here at Walter Hill, so let’s not forget to take the opportunities we have to be together with God’s people, to encourage God’s people and to learn with God’s people.

by Justin Morton

This week marks the beginning of what I, and perhaps even some of you, believe is the greatest few days in all of sports.  It’s the beginning of the NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournament.  This tournament features 68 teams who are competing in a single-elimination tournament for the right to be crowned the NCAA National Champions.  The tournament takes place over the course of a few weeks and leads up to the Final Four on April 4^th and the National Championship game on Monday night,  April 6^th.

What makes this tournament so special is the chaos and excitement it brings.  The teams who are the favorites to win do not always win the games.  Sometimes the underdogs rise up and pull off the upset.  Every year surprises seem to happen, and an unexpected team always makes a deep run.  Because of this unpredictability, the tournament has fittingly earned the name March Madness.

What truly sets March Madness apart from other sporting events is that every team has a chance when the game tips off.  On any given night, a powerhouse team may struggle: their shots don’t fall, turnovers pile up, or players get in foul trouble.  In that same game, someone on the underdog team has a career night shooting the ball.  That’s what I love about this tournament—when the ball tips off, expectations fade and opportunity takes over.

This tournament reminds me of our Christian walk.  There are times when we face challenges and obstacles that seem bigger, stronger and far beyond our ability to overcome.  Yet, God has given us everything we need to stand firm.  David declared, “For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29).  Isaiah also reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).  Even though on paper it may look like we are overpowered by whatever obstacle or opponent we are facing, with God on our side, we always have the opportunity to overcome. 

As we watch the excitement of March Madness unfold, may we be reminded that no challenge we face is too great for our God.  This week, let’s step forward in faith, trusting His strength, leaning on His promises, and believing that with God, victory is always possible.

The last few months have been one of change with our building.  We are being challenged to Rise Up and Build, and while the theme for 2026 should be focused on our spiritual lives as God’s people, Rise Up and Build also applies to our facility at Walter Hill.

The construction project continues to progress towards completion.  There have been some inconveniences along the way, but you have accommodated the changes gracefully.  In the next two to three weeks the auditorium will rotate to face the new expansion and the wall we have been facing for the past twenty years will be removed as more space is made available for additional seating.

When the chairs are turned in a different direction, we all will be sitting in a different place.  Because we tend to sit in the same area we always sit in, this change can provide us with an opportunity to sit close to people we did not sit close to previously.  New friendships and relationships may be built.

Since everyone will be trying to find their “new” place, kindness will be the key, especially during the remainder of the construction phase.  Not only will our seating be rotated, but we will also be sitting close together.  Showing kindness while we are adjusting to a new seating arrangement will reflect the life of Jesus in us.

In addition to the changes in the auditorium, some of our Bible classes will be changing rooms, some permanently and some temporarily during the construction.  This should also occur in the next two to three weeks.

Yes, there are physical changes being made to our building, but there are some things that will not change.  God’s word will never change.  What God said thousands of years ago was true then and it is true now.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and we can only come to the Father through Him.  We can believe and trust that salvation is found in none other than Jesus Christ.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

May we Rise Up and Build upon these Christian graces.  By doing so, God will be honored and we will bring glory to His name.

by Chris Elrod

  Please take some time to visit a shut-in widow or widower.  It’s a simple task that can make a real difference.  The kind of difference Christ has called us to make!  Ephesians 2:10 describes our purpose as Christians, it says we are created in Christ Jesus for good works.  The type of work that makes a difference in people’s lives.  Galatians 6:10 tells us to do good to everyone as we have the opportunity, but to especially do good to those in “the household of faith.” 

  I believe we all want to do good, and we all want to make a difference.  The problem is with that word “opportunity.”  Our opportunities feel too limited.  We are all super busy.  We work all day.  There are a million and one things to do around the house.  Not to mention we are exhausted.  By the time we get home, all we feel like doing is putting our feet up and trying to relax.  Saturdays are the one day we can finally do what we want to do.  And those come too rarely and end too quickly.

  We can absolutely make excuses.  We can absolutely justify ourselves and rightly declare we have no time. Or we can rise above the excuses and make time for those who could use a visit.  I sometimes think about what it would be like to be in their shoes, rarely leaving the house and often alone.  I know if I were in that position, I would want people to come and visit me.  I know I would love having people come see me.  I know I would be so excited to talk with people and be so encouraged by their visit.  Put yourself in their shoes and then meditate on the golden rule.  “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” Matthew 7:12.  If you would want people to visit you, then it seems you should visit others.

  Making a visit might not change the political landscape, lead to a baptism, or result in world peace, but it will certainly put a smile on a brother or sister’s face.  It will brighten their day or even their week and be a huge source of encouragement to them.  Visiting those who are shut-in is a meaningful and impactful way to make a difference in someone’s life.  Please take some time to visit a shut-in widow or widower this week and in the weeks to come.

  James 1:27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” 

by Justin Morton

Have you ever found yourself focusing on what you lack rather than appreciating all that you have?  This attitude is not unique to our time.  It has been a struggle even for God’s people all the way back when the Israelites were in the wilderness.  Just three days after the children of Israel miraculously crossed the Red Sea and praised God for their success, their gratitude faded and the complaints began (Exodus 15:22-27).  This pattern is repeated throughout their time in the wilderness.

In Numbers 11, the Jews once again expressed their complaints.  After suffering severe consequences, we read: “Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving.  And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! ⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. ⁶ But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at’” (Numbers 11:4-6).

Despite God’s miraculous provision of manna each morning (Exodus 16:4, 35), the Israelites longed for something different.  Their discontentment overshadowed the blessings they received, and they quickly forgot how God had provided for them.  Every step of the way, God had been faithful.  And yet, the Israelites were not appreciative of what God was doing and instead longed for something different. 

The Israelites journey reminds us how easy it is to overlook the blessings we have and become dissatisfied, even though we are surrounded by evidence of God’s care and provision each day.  We can look around at all the things we do not have or all the ways our lives could be better, and we take for granted the blessings God has rained down on us.  When we take our blessings for granted, we risk missing the evidence of God’s care and provision that surrounds us.

God has blessed us immensely (James 1:16-17).  Instead of complaining, let’s worship and praise God for His blessings (Psalm 107: 1, 8, 15, 21, 31).  The more time we spend focusing on what we lack, the less time we have to be grateful for what we possess.

The story of the Israelites teaches us that gratitude is a choice.  By shifting our focus from what we lack to what we have, we can develop a spirit of gratitude and avoid the pitfalls of complaining.  Let us always choose gratitude over grumbling.