Author: janicevance

by Justin Morton

We’re excited to announce that this year’s Lads 2 Leaders Theme is “Faith Works” from James 2:17-19. Bible Bowl and the Pearls study guide will focus on the practical books of James, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter. The debate topic is Resolved: The New Testament teaches that people who have faith must also be baptized to be saved by God’s grace.

This year’s Lads 2 Leaders Convention will take place at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville on April 3–5, 2026. The convention is an inspiring weekend filled with events such as song leading, speaking and debate and also recognizing year-round Bible memorization, service projects and artistic expression that students complete throughout the year at home. The convention weekend also provides a great opportunity to fellowship with other members from Walter Hill as well as brothers and sisters from all over the Southeast. It’s a fun celebration of the hard work our young people have put into their study, service and preparation.

Lads 2 Leaders Bible Bowl is open to students in 3rd through 12th grades and offers an opportunity to grow in God’s Word while participating in a fun, competitive environment. Bible Bowl students will read and study the books of James, 1 Peter and 2 Peter at home over the coming months. Then we will meet regularly as a group to review and practice answering questions to prepare for the convention. Depending on the building construction situation, we are hoping to offer a class for those participating in Bible Bowl during the winter quarter.

We encourage all of you to join in with our students as they learn more about these practical New Testament books. The students might enjoy having an adult team or two to compete with as we get closer to the convention!

Please sign up on the EDW board if your child is interested in participating in Bible Bowl.

We’ll hold an informational meeting on Sunday evening, October 19th, right after class to discuss a suggested reading schedule, practice times, and other details to help students and parents prepare for the months ahead.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to Justin or Miranda. Bible Bowl is a great way to learn more about God’s Word, and we are looking forward to working through these books of the Bible together.

by Justin Morton

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”  Many of us have been there, and maybe we find ourselves there right now.  Whether it’s the loss of a job, financial stress, a broken relationship, a devastating diagnosis, culture, evil, or the death of a loved one, we often find ourselves searching for answers.

In times like these, we try many different avenues to help us cope.  We reach out to friends, family, post on social media, or seek advice from trusted mentors.  But here’s a vital question for us to consider: did you think to pray?

James, the brother of Jesus and author of the epistle of James, emphasizes the importance and power of prayer. In James 5:13-18, the word pray or prayer shows up seven times.  Why?  Because he believed in the power of prayer.  That comes as no real surprise considering historians called him “Camel Knees” because of the time he spent kneeling in prayer.

Let’s be honest though; many believers struggle to pray even though we know we should pray.  The battle is not because we do not want to pray, but because sometimes we doubt prayer will make a real difference.  James said, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).  The CSB translation puts it this way: “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”

Prayer has great power, not because of who we are, but because of the One we are praying to.  Psalm 147:5 reminds us that God is “abundant in power”.  The same God who created the stars and heals the brokenhearted is the One who hears our prayers.  So whether you are battling illness, facing trials, feeling spiritually weak, or just wanting to see our world turn back to God, remember prayer is not pointless.  Prayer is powerful because our God is not limited.

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God responding to prayer: Elijah prayed and the rain stopped for three years (James 5:17-18; I Kings 17 &18); Hannah prayed and God gave her a son (I Samuel 1:1-20); Hezekiah prayed and his life was extended 15 more years (2 Kings 20:1-11).  These were not superheroes of faith.  They were ordinary people who believed in an extraordinary God.

So today, whatever you are facing or worrying about, do not just post about it or talk about it with just anyone.  Pray about it!  Believe that God hears and that He cares.  Then trust that in His power and perfect will, He will respond.

A Few Takeaways from Romans

Last quarter, the Sunday evening auditorium class focused on the book of Romans.  Romans has so much for us to take away, and Romans influences how one views other parts of scripture.  In case you weren’t in that class, this article will recap some takeaways.  For those who were in the class, consider this another reference to aid in further study.

First, we can’t make ourselves righteous.  God does that through Jesus Christ (3:21-26).  Chapter 4 shows that we cannot stand before God pointing to our good deeds to claim He owes us anything.  We are justified by Him alone on His terms, not because of our works.

Second, we serve a Benevolent Master.  As Paul explains, we’re slaves to either sin, leading to death – or obedience, leading to righteousness (6:15ff).  While we can’t make ourselves righteous through works, recognizing what He has done for us ought to cause us to want to do everything we can do in service to the Good Master, who spared nothing from us (8:32).  At the same time, we should strive to leave who we used to be behind (6:4-10).

Third, we can be confident in God’s promises – chiefly, that He will save us eternally.  We should avoid saying things like, “I hope I’ve lived good enough to get into heaven,” which seems to come from belief that our works make us righteous before God.  Instead, we should renew our commitment daily to serve the Good Master who has done and continues to do so much for us.  Biblical hope includes an expectation – and the way we live should demonstrate that we confidently expect God to deliver on His promises – our lives should exemplify the “Blessed Assurance” we sing about.

Fourth, we’re all in the same boat when it comes to sin and justification, regardless of background.  The church at Rome included individuals from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, and Paul’s letter indicates they tended to divide along those lines, effectively rebuilding walls that Christ had torn down with His work on the cross.  Who you were before your conversion is not who you are now, and our transformed lives (12:1-2) ought to demonstrate full belief that God’s promise of salvation is open to all (4:9-12; 9:24-26; 10:12).

Fifth, it is critical to understand the context of any book you read.  Without contextual understanding, one might think they’ve found contradictions between scriptures where none exist.  For example, 1 John 3:7 says “Whoever practices righteousness is righteous”, and Romans 3:10 says, “None is righteous”.  Which is right?  They both are, as a contextual understanding of both passages demonstrates.

It’s been said “If you get Romans, Romans will get you.” It’s our hope that these thoughts will help you in your study of Romans and other books of the Bible.

by Justin Morton

We are so grateful for your presence with us this morning.  Whether you are a visitor or one of our members, we are glad you have chosen to be here with us today.  You could have chosen to be in many different places, but you made a point to gather with fellow believers to worship and honor God.  That says so much about you and your desire to please your heavenly Father.  So thank you for making this wonderful decision.

Today, we are beginning a brand new sermon series called “Still God. Still Good: Faithful through the Fire.”  Over the course of the month of September, we are going to address the topic of evil, pain and suffering.  We are going to consider some reasons why we suffer and look at some of the benefits to our suffering.  We will explore the lives of others who suffered and hopefully see that even through all the evil, pain and suffering, God was, is and always will be good.  I hope you will make plans to join us for this important series.

Tonight we start a new quarter for our Sunday night Bible school program.  We have a variety of classes being offered that I think you will find beneficial.  If you have not been attending a class, tonight is a great opportunity to start.  Just decide right now that you will join us and pick a class topic that sounds interesting to you.  Many of us tend to sit in the same spots and in the same classes out of habit.  Why don’t you consider a new classroom, a new teacher or even a new seat?  Going to classes with different people and different teachers can challenge all of us and help us get to know other members of our Walter Hill family.

If you have any questions about what you see or hear this morning or you just want to know more about Walter Hill, please let one of us know.  We would be happy to spend some time talking with you about why we believe and do things the way we do and answer any questions you may have about our Walter Hill family.  Our prayer is that everyone’s faith is strengthened.  Again thank you for your presence with us today!

by Chris Elrod

Our young men are back at it again today!  After today, we will have had nine teenagers deliver a message from God’s Word publicly just in the month of August, and at least three teens have participated in private Bible studies helping lead others to Christ during this same span.  Once again, they will be leading us in worship, this time during a 1 p.m. service.  Please stick around for this special occasion.  Of course it is always special to worship God, but our youth leading us provides an extra dose of encouragement.

Your presence and encouragement at these services are vitally important.  They provide hope for the future as we recognize these young men will one day soon be leading regularly, in significant roles of leadership.  But perhaps most important at these services the young men develop a confidence that they can indeed lead in the Lord’s church.  Not once a year, but on a regular basis.  This confidence comes not from the experience alone, but from the experience paired with your encouragement!

I believe many of our young men will recognize they have a gift to preach and teach God’s Word and pursue opportunities in ministry all because they participated, maybe even reluctantly, in one of our teen led worship services.  Opportunities like these had a tremendous impact on my walk with Christ and in deciding to be a youth minister.

I think we can all see how God is working in the lives of our young people as our group continues to be evangelistic and continues to grow.  But let’s not miss how God is working in you, using you to encourage these young men (and young ladies also) to continue to serve the Lord boldly, publicly, and full heartedly!  You are making a difference in our teen’s lives, through your encouragement and by providing them the opportunity to lead you in worship.  Thank you, for allowing God to work through you for His glory!  Ephesians 3:20-21

Young Men Lead Worship

Welcome to Worship: Chris Elrod

Opening Prayer: Jacolby Rainey

Song: Elijah Phillips

Lesson 1: Danek Smith

Song: Braden McNabb

Song: Braden McNabb

Lesson 2: Will Cooper

Song: Eli Mitchell

Scripture Reading: Isaac DeMario

Lesson 3: Grant DeMario

Song: Billy Hutchens

Song: Billy Hutchens

Lesson 4: Bennett Morris

Song: Braden McNabb

Lesson 5: Carson McNabb

Song: Braden McNabb

Closing Prayer: Samuel Swift

by Justin Morton

When you think about an enemy, what comes to your mind? Maybe an enemy is someone who has harmed or hurt you, someone who has set out to make your life miserable or just someone you clash with for whatever reason. Sometimes our enemies are intentional, strategic and relentless in their pursuit of destroying us. Satan, the great adversary of our souls, is no different. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10). We must not forget, Satan’s ultimate goal is our spiritual ruin.

And while we would like to think that Satan only sets his sights on the weak and immature, that is not the case. He attacks those who are strong and faithful too. Throughout Scripture, we see Satan attacking individuals and causing them to stumble. David, a man after God’s own heart, fell into the sin of adultery and eventually murder (2 Samuel 11). Ananias and Sapphira were deceived into lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5). Demas, who at one time was a coworker of Paul’s, abandoned Paul and the ministry because of his love for the world (2 Timothy 4:10). And then there is Diotrephes, a brother who fell into the sin of pride (3 John 9). Each of these are examples who allowed themselves to be overpowered by the evil one.

We know our enemy is on the prowl, looking to destroy us (I Peter 5:8), but how does he do that? According to Paul, he disguises himself as “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). In the garden, he took on the form of a serpent, a creature made by God, to attack Eve (Genesis 3:1). Today Satan attacks us through our friends and relationships, our culture and society, and even our own greed and selfishness.

Satan is a great schemer and while some of his attacks are obvious, other times he attacks us in very subtle ways. Sometimes he uses schemes like distraction to shift our focus to worldly things (Colossians 3:1-2) or to become more focused on ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). Other times, he uses something like discouragement to try to make us give up because of our physical suffering (Hebrews 12:3). Satan is crafty and looks for any and every opportunity to attack us in such a way that it will lead to our spiritual ruin.

In sports, knowing your opponent’s next move is invaluable. The more you know how your opponent operates, the better you can defend against them. The same is true spiritually. The more we understand Satan’s attacks, the more equipped we are to resist him. So, as you walk out the door every morning preparing for battle, be mindful of the schemes of the devil and how he will attack you. Pray that God will help you to resist the enemy.

What a remarkable group of young people we have at Walter Hill!  Our ladies are encouraging servants.  I am thankful for their love for Christ and the way they demonstrate the love of Christ to others.  Our young men are attentive to God’s Word and talented.  This will be demonstrated this morning as our young men lead in worship.

The lessons presented this morning will show their love for the truth and for God’s Word.  We will see their love for God demonstrated as we see the songs they have chosen and hear the words they lift to the Father in prayer.  We will see an eagerness to serve as they wait on the table and read Scripture.

I hope we will encourage these young men as they lead worship today.  While at the same time recognizing all our youth deserve encouragement.  Not everyone has a comfort or ability to lead in public worship.  Some folks are more comfortable serving in the background.  It takes both in the Kingdom of God.  While the teens leading worship today, must be commended for the way they are serving, all our teens are worthy of commendation.  Whether it’s a willingness to show up and move tables and chairs or to take out the trash, it is no less a way in which they are serving the Lord.  For all service in the Kingdom, we must be thankful!

Welcome: Randall Smith

Song: Will Cooper

Song: Will Cooper

Opening Prayer: Grant DeMario

Scripture Reading: Jacolby Rainey

Song: Blake Lancaster

Lesson 1: Carson McNabb

Song before Contribution: Will Cooper

Prayer before the Contribution: Bennett Morris

Contribution: Eli Mitchell, Braden McNabb, Tyler Lancaster, Jacolby Rainey, Caleb Ellis, Danek Smith

Song before the Lord’s Supper: Will Cooper

Prayers for the Lord’s Supper: Bennett Morris

Lord’s Supper: Eli Mitchell, Braden McNabb, Tyler Lancaster, Jacolby Rainey, Caleb Ellis, Danek Smith

Song: Blake Lancaster

Song: Blake Lancaster  

Lesson 2: Martin Nance

Scripture Reading: Elijah Phillips

Song: Danek Smith

Song: Danek Smith

Lesson 3: Henry Nance

Song: Billy Hutchens

Song: Billy Hutchens

Lesson 4: Blake Lancaster

Song: Will Cooper

Invitation: Chris Elrod

Invitation Song: Will Cooper

Closing Song: Braden McNabb

Closing Prayer: Eli Mitchell

TRANSFORMED

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  Romans 12:2

This was the theme for the Connect Conference held last week at Crieve Hall church of Christ in Nashville.  This year marked the fifth year for this conference.  There were some seventy sermons or Bible classes taught by men and women from congregations of the Lord’s church from across the United States.  These sessions began at 8:00 AM each morning and ended each evening with a Keynote speaker.  On Wednesday evening Hiram Kemp had an outstanding lesson on “Transformed By Salvation”.  He began by giving a “crash course” on the book of Romans and followed that with five points how we are Transformed by salvation.  In this lesson he reminded us of where we came from prior to our obedience to the gospel and where we are now after obeying God’s word and His plan of salvation. 

The other keynote speakers were Justin Rogers whose lesson was titled “Transformed For The World” and Dan Chambers whose lesson was titled “Transformed Forever”. 

All the lessons are on the Connect Conference website under “Videos”.  I would encourage you to go to their website at www.connectcon.org and listen to these lessons.  Our own Justin Morton had a great lesson on “The Goodness of God”.  He asked a very thought-provoking question “We say God is Good, but do we truly believe that God is Good all the time?”

Plans are being made for next year’s conference which will be held July 29, 30, and 31.  The theme will be “ONE” Lord. Faith. Baptism.  Start making plans now to attend next year’s conference. 

by Justin Morton

             As our students, teachers and other educational workers step into a new school year, they experience a mix of emotions: anticipation, excitement, anxiety and even some fear.  My prayer for each of you is that this year will be a blessing in your life and that you will find ways to share the goodness of God with those around you.

With the beginning of this new school year comes the opportunity for our staff and students to be a light in the middle of a sea of darkness.  Not everyone in your school shares the same values as you.  Not everyone has the same morals as you.  And sadly, not everyone desires to live their lives in accordance with the will of God the way you do.  This means our students, teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and other support staff have a great opportunity to be a light for Jesus.

As Christians, whether we are in the school system or in other areas, we should think of ourselves as a lighthouse.  One of the purposes of a lighthouse is to help guide ships safely through the darkness and fog by providing a bright light to help aid when visibility is limited.  Christians are kind of like a lighthouse.  We have the opportunity to help give light to our fellow students and teachers in the middle of the sea of darkness.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

As you embark on this new school year, allow yourself to be a lighthouse in your school.  Use your influence to be positive, compassionate, kind, trustworthy and faithful.  As the apostle Paul would say, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15).

We are praying for all of our students, teachers and staff this school year.  Let us all shine brightly as a lighthouse of hope and faith in our schools and workplaces, guiding others towards the goodness of God.