Jesus experienced hunger and temptation during his time in the wilderness. Our wilderness experiences can be times of testing and preparation as the Holy Spirit leads us through various seasons of our lives. It's important to be patient through the process. Watch Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins speak about the positive sides of being in the wilderness for a while.
Read MoreHospitality is the act of showing generosity and kindness and can be an extension of our worship. In our Forever Forward series, Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins talks about how important it is to look beyond ourselves, and consider how we can reimagine hospitality as an extension of our worship. Reimagine inviting people (guests, visitors, strangers) into our church, spaces, lives, stories, worlds.
Read MoreThe season of Epiphany can help ground us in the light and love of Jesus even during unprecedented times. Watch Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins preach as she opens our new Sermon Series, Forever Forward.
Read MoreAt our Christmas Celebration service, Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins unpacks the hidden meaning behind Angels, hidden figures of Advent. The message of the angels is still with us today. Jesus is the reason for the season and he offers us love, joy, peace and hope in the midst of everything that we are experiencing.
Rev. Venida Rodman Jenkins reflects on the Shepherds and The Great Joy of Good News in our series: "Hidden Figures of Advent". The shepherds in ancient times were deemed to be unreliable witnesses, and these hidden figures received and shared the good news of the birth of the Christ child. There are things in our life which we may deem to be insignificant yet can bring great joy to someone else's life.
Read MoreRev. Venida Rodman Jenkins explores forgiveness in this service. This sermon marks the end of our "Keepin' It Real" series.
Read MoreIn our "Keepin' it real" sermon series, Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins presents a powerful message about fear. "It seems at times action from fear is easier than action from hope - how can we change that?".
Read MoreLove and dignify your neighbor. Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins inspires us to consider how we can embrace others, regardless of differences, and how scripture speaks to this through the passage of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37). Happy National Coming Out Day!
Our discontent with the challenges of life can be channeled into productive actions which can help us find contentment and freedom. Watch Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins in this third sermon in our "This Far, By Faith" series.
Why do you attend church? In our new series, "This Far, By Faith", we explore the underpinnings of faith. Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins starts us off with the basic question, "why church?" The church can be a beacon of hope promoting equity and working to end all forms of oppression. We've been through quite some change at Forefront these past months, but some things never change, especially when it comes to the Spirit.
In this joint sermon with outgoing co-founder of Forefront Church, Jonathan Williams, and new Teaching Pastor, Rev. Venida C. Rodman Jenkins, Jonathan inspires us with the Vision and Mission of Forefront and Venida speaks women in the Church. Why are people so opposed to women leading in ministry when the first preacher of the Gospel was Mary?
In this second sermon of our “What in the…?” series, Joel Field, a “graduate” of our Preaching Bootcamp, tackles one of the strangest scriptures and uncovers how Jesus shows his love through the miracle involving a fish. Joel has been with Forefront for several years and preaching is nothing new to Joel. Originally from Louisville, KY, Joel earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville and, later, a master's of divinity from Cincinnati Christian University. Now living in NYC with his husband, Joel runs a boutique financial practice and serves as Chairman of the Board of The Family Center in Brooklyn, NY, which is a social services organization serving disadvantaged families to help keep them together and stronger when they do not have anywhere else to turn. Joel and his husband are hoping to have children and start a family in the near future.
Unlearning Purity Culture and Shame
Venida Rodman Jenkins joins us again as Guest Preacher and closes our "Sex Positive" series. Many of us have been taught that our "flesh is a mess" which can lead to body shaming. Let's unpack this message and more as we seek to reclaim our bodies.
The Gospel Of: Community
Guest speaker, Venida Rodman Jenkins, joins Forefront for the first time and speaks on "The Gospel of Community". The Gospel of Community is about bringing people in rather than excluding them. Here's something to ask yourself: "How can you work with others to be an agent of change?"
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