What Defines Movement People

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’”
(John 3:27–28)

I remember a time in the early days of ministry when I felt that subtle pull toward comparison as I heard about what God was doing in another church. It’s so easy to start measuring numbers, momentum, and impact, and before long, comparison can quietly turn into competition. But the Holy Spirit graciously reminded me of a lesson I’ve carried ever since: ministry is not about building my name—or even our church’s name—but about lifting up the name of Jesus.

This is the heart I see in John the Baptist. As I read his story, I’m struck by how consistently he points beyond himself to Jesus Christ. Even when people are drawn to him, he refuses to take the spotlight and instead declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” John understands his role clearly, and I’m reminded that the same must be true of me. My calling is not to build my own platform, but to lift up the name of Jesus.

And I see this even more clearly when John’s own followers begin to compare and compete. Instead of giving in to that pressure, John responds with humility and conviction, saying that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. That kind of clarity challenges me. It reminds me that true effectiveness in ministry is not measured by how many people are following me, but by how many people are following Jesus.

So I ask the Lord to keep shaping my heart in this way. I want to be the kind of leader and follower who celebrates what God is doing in others, resists the pull of comparison, and finds joy in simply pointing people to Christ. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about me—and it never was. It’s about Jesus and making His name known.

Listen to the sermon: The Character of Movement People

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

I want to say this clearly: Chicago is not a hopeless spiritual wasteland. God is on the move, and I’m seeing it with my own eyes.

Recently, I witnessed 17 people take the step of baptism—a former drug dealer, a college student, a grieving widow—all turning their lives toward Jesus. Every story was different, yet each one was marked by the same transforming grace of God.

And right after that, I found myself at a Q’eqchi’ church anniversary in Little Village, worshiping Jesus alongside a community filled with joy in their heart language. This is what I’m seeing in Chicago. This is hope.