Awaken Community

Unburdened: Letting Go of the Rapture

Pastor Micah discusses yet another major belief in modern western christianity, the rapture. He unpacks what it is, where it's found in scripture (if at all), and how it gained such a significant following. By looking at the real world implications of such a belief, Micah encourages us to let go of escapism and be reminded of partnering with God on this earth here and now.

Unburdened: Letting Go of Purity Culture

Pastor Jenna and Micah are co-teaching for the first time in Awaken's history on the impact of purity culture in the evangelical landscape. They unpack the shame and guilt that came with viewing our bodies as sinful first, while inviting us to consider what it would look like to let go of the binaries that exist within that framework.

Unburdened: Letting Go of Evangelism

Awaken begins a new lenten series called "unburdened" that explores concepts in faith that have been given to us that we are encouraged to unpack and consider releasing from our experience of Christianity. Pastor Micah kicks off the series by discussing how we might let go of a version of evangelism that places so much emphasis on certainty, the after life, and our personal responsibility for another's salvation. 

7 Days of Creation: Day Seven - Rest

Pastor Micah closes out the series by discussing day seven, the first day humans exist; a day of rest. Day seven symbolizes completion, celebration, and renewal. Rest is not the end but the rhythm that allows everything else to begin again.

7 Days of Creation: Day Six - Humanity and Animals

Pastor Micah discusses our series of the seven days of creation by looking at day six, Genesis 1:24-31. Day six represents relationship and purpose. Creation becomes relational. Within God is the fullness of all humanity and we are invited to embrace it for ourselves and see it in one another.

7 Days of Creation: Day Five - Birds and Fish

Pastor Micah unpacks Genesis 1:20-23 and the way it can symbolize creativity, movement, and abundance.
After four days of preparation in the hope God would move, life flourishes in day five when we participate with God in creating beauty.

7 Days of Creation: Day Four - Sun, Moon, and Stars

Guest speaker Steph Spencer from 40 Orchards delivers a deep dive into the significance of day four during a season in the world where the need for people to participate is so important. How do we engage from a place of grounding rooted in love for our neighbors?

7 Days of Creation: Day Three - Land and Vegetation

Pastor Jenna unpacks the third day of creation in Genesis by looking at the generative nature of good in a world that seems desolate and void.

7 Days of Creation: Day Two - Sky and Water

After a difficult week in MSP, Pastor Micah continues our exploration of the seven days of creation by looking at day two symbolizing separation and space-making. New life often requires creating space — between old and new, chaos and order, what was and what’s coming.

7 Days of Creation: Day One - Light

January 4th, 2025 - Awaken begins another new series on the first seven days of creation. Pastor Micah opens the series by looking at Genesis 1:1-5 and light being named into existence. Every new beginning starts when the lights come on and you begin to see something you couldn’t before — about God, yourself, or your situation.