Jake & Ilse's Story

Different on Purpose | 1 Peter 2

This Father’s Day, guest speaker Todd Kear continues our Different on Purpose series with a message from 1 Peter 2, exploring what it means to build our lives on the only true foundation—Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone. Through personal stories, biblical teaching, and Peter’s encouragement to the early church, Todd reminds us to crave the lasting nourishment of God’s Word, become living stones in God’s spiritual house, and embrace our identity as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. Along the way, he offers a meaningful challenge to fathers to lead their families with faith, sacrifice, and lives firmly anchored in Christ. Whether you’re new to faith, returning to God, or seeking to live more intentionally as a follower of Jesus, this message is an invitation to make Christ the cornerstone of your life.

Different on Purpose | 1 Peter 1

In this opening message of our new series, Different on Purpose, guest speaker, Pastor Jomel, walks through 1 Peter 1 and reminds us that Christians are called to live differently—not to appear better than others, but because we belong to Jesus and have been given a living hope. Through Christ’s resurrection, we have new birth, a secure inheritance, and a salvation that God Himself is carrying to completion. Even in suffering, Peter points us to a hope that is not fragile, distant, or wishful thinking, but alive because Jesus is alive. Because of this hope, we can endure trials, trust God’s work in us, and live with our minds ready for action. This message invites us to recognize what it means to be in Christ and commit to living like it.

Go Into & Preach the Gospel

In this episode, Pastor Amos reminds City Lights of the heartbeat of the church: to help people find and follow Jesus and to experience a disciple-making movement in Chula Vista. Looking at Jesus’ call to His first disciples in Mark 1 and His commission in Mark 16, we’re reminded that following Jesus is not just an invitation to believe, but an invitation to become His apprentices and join His mission. This message challenges us to gather purposefully, grow intentionally, and go missionally—bringing the good news of Jesus into the places we live, work, play, and study. As City Lights launches its first missional communities, we’re invited to take seriously Jesus’ call to go into the world, proclaim the gospel, and be the light of Christ in our city.

God is in Control

In the final message of the “Even Though” series, Pastor Amos walks through the closing verses of Psalm 23 and reminds us that God’s presence does not disappear in the valley—it becomes even more personal. Reflecting on the image of the Lord as both Shepherd and King, this message explores what it means for God to prepare a table in the presence of our enemies, to anoint and heal us in the middle of hardship, and to pursue us with goodness, mercy, and steadfast love all the days of our lives. Through honest reflection on suffering, loss, and the deep valleys we all face, this episode encourages listeners not to give fear, bitterness, comparison, or the lies of the enemy a seat at the table. Instead, we are invited to trust the Shepherd who remains fully in control, who restores our souls, and who uses even the hardest seasons to draw us into deeper intimacy with Him. Even though we walk through the valley, God is still good.

Jake & Ilse's Story

In this episode of the City Light Church podcast, we continue the Even Though series through Psalm 23 with a deeply personal conversation from Jake and Ilse as they share the story of losing their son, Axel. Through heartbreak, grief, and impossible decisions in the NICU, they recount how God met them in the middle of their darkest valley with peace, strength, and His presence. This powerful testimony reminds us that even in suffering, the Lord is still our Shepherd — faithful to guide, comfort, and carry us through what we could never survive on our own.