1. Hayden 4-9-19

Well it is good to be back from the land down under! We spent time in the beautiful metropolitan areas of both Sydney and Melbourne, soaking in a different culture as well as having some relaxing moments on the sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean and Tasman Sea. We explored new experiences including drinking real coconut milk from newly harvested coconuts on the beach in Seminyak, bumming around with mostly docile primates (except the one who tried to steal my son’s water bottle from him) in Bali’s Monkey Forest, visited the absolutely awesome rice terraces in Bali’s interior, relaxed in the cultural backstreets of downtown Melbourne, and took a launch around Sydney Harbor capturing many angles of the Sydney Opera House.

We took our life in our own hands (surely God was watching over us) as Heidi and I rode a scooter for 3 days in the crazy, scooter-filled streets of Ubud, and swam with the fishes, snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon located on Bali’s east coast.

These holiday encounters were but of few of the many wonderful experiences we were blessed with over the last 3 weeks. However, and I know this may be cliché but, our most exciting and enjoyment filled times were being with our children and their significant others, loving them and being loved by them. Yes, our trip to Australia was a huge success, but mostly because we were able to share it with our family and their friends.

God wants to share these experiences with us as well for we have been adopted into His family. All of His creative order was for us to share together and with Him, our family! Scripture tells us, “God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure” (Ephesians 1:5, NLT). The whole time we were with our children, they kept asking us what we wanted to do. I think we frustrated them a bit because all we could tell them is that we didn’t care what we did, just as long as they were with us to do it! God has given us these wonderful experiences to share with our family, and He wants us to invite Him in to share them together.

By the way, it is so good to be back with our family in Huntington that we can share our adventure with you as well!

May God bless you even more!!

Pastor Chris          

April 22, 2015 Chris Hayden

One thing you may not know about me is that I am a world news junkie! If you ask my wife, Heidi, she will roll her eyes saying, “Oh really, you think!” I watch and listen to several news outlets to keep up on world events. As I do so, I must keep reminding myself that God is sovereign during this mess. It is easy to become pessimistic when it seems like so many things are going wrong and the world continues to seemingly spin out of control. The Apostle Paul is a prime example for us to follow of one person who received bad news and experienced difficult circumstances, yet remained positive that great things would happen regardless. Paul regularly experienced the abuses of an unrighteous, decadent Roman Empire. He saw paganism and idolatry running rampant within the entire known world as well as his own nation of Israel. He endured personal attacks from other “believers”, imprisoned by multiple civic authorities and stoned to the point of death by his own people. What a life!
Amid persecution, Paul declares while in chains in Philippians 1:12-14 & 20 NLT, “And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear…For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.” He always saw the great things God was doing and anticipated great things to happen regardless of what the devil brought his way. Whether he lived or died, God will be glorified and great things were on their way.
You may feel that aspects of your life are being riddled with trials and struggles that are bringing you down. News that you receive from some may not be pleasing to your ears. But God is still in control and he will not allow you to go through anything you cannot handle without providing a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13). And always be reminded, as the Apostle indicated, whether we live or die, have great wealth or live in modesty, like what we currently view or are dismayed by the news, God will be glorified in us and great things are on the horizon for those who keep their eyes on Jesus.

Pastor Hayden

The last two Sunday sermons reminded us of God’s generosity toward His people in the gifts or blessings that have been given to us. We reviewed the gift of grace given to all who choose to receive. Last week we spoke of the gift of reconciliation to those in the world. This week we want to look at a third blessing that we can celebrate at this wonderful Christmas time. That is that God has set us free!
In Galatians 3, the scripture tells us that the whole world is a slave to sin. We are in bondage to sin and every consequence/symptom that results from our separation from God. We are chained to the sin of greed and every symptom of depression and anxiety that comes about from the lust of either having or not having money. We are bound by evil arrogance and pride and the hate that stems from belittling others and the appetite for power. We are bound by wrath and the destroyed relationships and crippled souls this sin leaves in its wake. We are bound by lust, gluttony, sloth, envy and the consequences derived from these as well (Every sin has one or more consequences/symptoms and demons attached).
So where is the joyful Christmas tidings? It is found in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” The Bible tells us that when we give ourselves to sin we become its slave (John 8:34). We are just as much, if not more, slaves needing deliverance as the children of Israel were under Pharaoh in Egypt. But the advent of Jesus our Lord brought about the key that unlocks the prison doors and loosens the chains that bind us. Let’s remember John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” When we see the Baby, Jesus lying in a makeshift manger this year, we are not just seeing one of many Christmas decorations. We are seeing a representation of our very own Deliverer who came to set us free and bless us with the gift of freedom!

Be blessed even more.

Pastor Chris Hayden
Central Christian Church

June 5, 2013 Chris Hayden

Last summer, a wonderful message adorned the Central Christian Church sign. It was taken from the scripture passage Mark 10:27 KJV, “And Jesus looking upon them saithe, with men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” This message conveyed to all of us that even when things seem impossible, God can always turn things around making things work in accordance with His will. When we are ready to give up in a situation because things seem too bleak, God is not even phased.

Throughout our time in this life we come across situations that serve to try our faith. Days when we experience suffering and loss, face persecution and hardship, battle circumstances that go beyond our ability to conquer or even control. Over the past year, most of you have become aware of the battle my son had been fighting that stumped doctors and eluded the intellect of the experts. In the past year, we have made several trips to Riley’s Hospital in Indianapolis trying to pin down what has been ailing my son. Out of all the difficulties my wife and I have experienced while in Huntington, none have even come close to rising to importance in comparison to this one. Several things have been beyond our control, but nothing like this. The thing is, I know that many of you have also experienced situations that have stymied you as much as this one did us.

Even though the previous paragraph is true, it is also true that God loves us very much. And while we face these difficulties, God is with us, He knows are hardship, and tells us we can trust Him. The theme of last summer’s Vacation Bible School was “We Can Trust God.” We can trust God know matter who we are. We can trust God no matter how we feel. We can trust God no matter what others may do to us. We can trust God no matter the circumstance. Why trust Him? We can trust Him because He loves us very much and because with God, all things are possible. No matter how difficult things become or what others may say or do, trust the Lord, because with Him, all things are possible.

Be blessed even more!

Pastor Hayden

A New Venture – C3

1. Hayden 2-02-19

Starting Sunday, February 17^th, we will be launching a new Sunday evening service here at Central Christian Church. On Sundays at 6:30pm, this ministry hopes to embark on a new worship experience with a modern flair, new and current music styles, aggressive outreach, relevant and Biblical preaching and teaching, and awesome times of congregational and personal prayer. It is the wish of Central Christian Church to continue the current Sunday morning worship for those who have been faithful for so many years, and at the same time reach out to a new generation with those seeking a more contemporary worship experience on Sunday evenings. It is an exciting time, albeit stress-filled as we work to plan this new venture (and an adventure it is) God has moved us toward.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” The new service, called “C3”, is a new effort for ministry that we hope to be able to utilize the gifts and ministry personalities of others for the common good, not only of Central Christian, but of the whole Body of Christ in Huntington. Having different style services is nothing new in churches, even churches in Huntington. But we hope to be able to reach into a new niche that has yet to be filled for many in our community and still fulfill the needs of those being touched by God in the present Sunday offering.

Please keep this ministry in prayer. If you are moved by a more modern, contemporary and charismatic style service, come join us Sunday evenings at 6:30pm. If you are being ministered in our present service and not interested in a modern style worship, join us Sunday mornings at 10am and consider being a support help for those on Sunday evenings. And if you are wanting to make Sunday evenings your worship time of choice, consider being a support person on Sunday mornings. We hope to have something for all, regardless of your personal worship style that will provide all a time of relevant ministry, to and by others!

May God bless you even more!!

Pastor Chris