Introduction In the landscape of American Christianity, few voices are as prominent—or as perilous—as that of Joel Osteen. From his Houston-based Lakewood Church, a massive congregation exceeding 45,000, and through a global television broadcast reaching millions, Osteen offers an undeniably attractive message: a life free of negativity, filled with health, wealth, and happiness. His ministry…
Category: Religion
The Authority and Compassion of Christ: E.V.I.C. – A Sermon on Luke 7:1-17
At East Valley International Church, we understand that true spiritual transformation happens when divine authority meets radical compassion—and when that powerful combination encounters willing hearts ready to be changed. In our interconnected world, the eternal truths of Christ’s lordship and love deserve nothing less than the most effective communication tools available to reach souls standing…
Could Artificial Intelligence Usher In the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelation?
Download a PDF to print at home: Revelation and the Age of AI The Book of Revelation and the Age of AI The final book of the Bible describes a future where a Beast rules over nations, demanding allegiance and enforcing economic compliance through a mysterious “mark.” For centuries, interpreters debated whether this language referred…
The Keys For an Effective Church Ministry
Evaluating a ministry’s effectiveness requires looking beyond secular metrics like numerical growth or profit. Its true purpose is transformation: nurturing spiritual development and building a community that embodies Christian teachings. This makes measurement both essential and complex. Scripture encourages this diligent stewardship. As Proverbs 27:23 advises, we are to know the condition of what is…
The Sacred Sound in Crisis: A Critical Examination of Contemporary Worship Music
A Theological and Musical Analysis of the Modern Worship Movement The sanctuary lights dim as the opening chords ring out through sophisticated sound systems, smoke machines create ethereal atmospheres, and worship leaders in skinny jeans and vintage t-shirts raise their hands toward LED screens displaying lyrics that would have been unthinkable in churches just fifty…
The Heart of True Discipleship and the Ultimate Decision: E.V.I.C A Sermon on Luke 6:37-49
At East Valley International Church, we believe that the life-transforming call to discipleship deserves the most powerful platforms of our generation. Here, the timeless challenge of following Jesus meets cutting-edge innovation to create a dynamic spiritual community where every believer must wrestle with the ultimate question: Am I advancing or hindering God’s kingdom? Our mission…
The Performance Trap: A Biblical Critique of Modern Worship Culture
Introduction The contemporary evangelical church stands at a crossroads. What was once understood as the sacred act of corporate worship—the gathered people of God offering themselves wholly to their Creator—has increasingly morphed into something fundamentally different: a sophisticated entertainment enterprise designed to attract, engage, and retain consumers. This transformation represents not merely a shift in…
The Purpose of the Church: A New Testament Study
An Exposition of Scripture on Corporate Worship and Community Life Introduction The church, as revealed in the New Testament, stands as God’s primary instrument for His redemptive work in the world between Christ’s ascension and His second coming. Far from being merely a human institution or voluntary association, the church represents the visible manifestation of…
A Theological Counter-Argument to Rev. Dawn Hutchings’ Radical Theology
So. Much. Heresy. Lutheran impastor Dawn Hutchings explains “radical 21st century theology empowers us to move beyond atonement theologies, beyond worship which relies on penal sacrificial teaching…beyond singing hymns which inculcate medieval theologies.” pic.twitter.com/zkL2Z26kM0 — Protestia (@Protestia) August 21, 2025 Introduction A compelling argument to address the concerning theological trajectory presented by Rev. Dawn Hutchings…
E.V.I.C. Study Notes: Living in the Light of Eternity
Download a PDF to print at home: Living in the Light of Eternity. East Valley International Church embraces innovative technology to enhance our biblical education, using Anthropic’s Claude AI to capture and share insights from our Sunday School discussions. Under Pastor Joey Sampaga’s leadership, our congregation recently completed an intensive study on “Living in the…