Wait for It | Soul Calling | Part 4 This morning, Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell continued our Soul Calling series with a message on Matthew 25:1-13. The parable of the ten bridesmaids is one of hopeful perseverance, but also of sober judgement. The parable begins by saying, “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.” If the bridegroom we, the Church, wait for, Jesus, is on the way, as Scripture says, then that reality changes everything. It changes the way we live. It calls us to be thoughtful and watchful, to prepare in the waiting. It calls us to keep the lamps of our souls burning and to ensure that we fill our reserve of oil to sustain us in the in-between. Jesus Christ is coming to redeem, restore, and make all things new, and we eagerly anticipate that day. As we wait with eternal hope, it would be wise to ask ourselves this question: Are we like the bridesmaids who did not prepare enough oil? Or are we the ones who watched and prepared in anticipation of receiving the King of Kings? We encourage you to dive deeper into messages from this series with discussion questions! You can find them on our website at the link in our bio.…

The Shadow of Righteousness | Soul Calling | Part 3 This morning, we continued our series, Soul Calling, with a powerful message from Senior Pastor David Dwight on the parable of the tax collector. In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus cuts to the core of the human condition. We see the Pharisee, a religious figure of this time, thanking God that he isn’t like other sinners — measuring his righteousness against others — wholly unaware of the sickness pervading his own soul. Meanwhile, the tax collector stands at a distance, overwhelmed by his unworthiness. He doesn’t justify himself or compare his sins to anyone else’s. Instead, he humbly cries out, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus declares that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified before God. “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14) Through this parable, Jesus invites us to repent and examine ourselves not by the standards of others but by the holiness of God alone. Self-righteousness makes us feel safe and powerful, but in repentance, we find life. And here’s the good news: when we turn to Jesus in humility, we don’t find condemnation — we find mercy, love beyond measure, and open arms waiting to receive us.…

The Weight of Forgiveness | Soul Calling | Part 2 This morning, we continued our series, Soul Calling, with a message from Executive Pastor Wes Peterson. In Matthew 18:21-35, Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive someone who wrongs him — seven times? Jesus challenged him to go far beyond, saying, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. He then shares the parable of the unforgiving servant. Out of mercy, a king forgave a servant’s incredible debt. Yet, when confronted with a much smaller debt owed to him, the servant chose not to forgive as he was forgiven. The message is clear: we have been forgiven beyond measure, and in response, we are called to extend that same mercy to others. Forgiveness isn’t about keeping score — it’s about reflecting the limitless grace we’ve received. If you missed today’s message, we encourage you to take the time and listen/watch on YouTube at @HopeChurchRVA.…

Fruitful Teaching | Soul Calling | Part 1 Today, we kicked off a brand new sermon series exploring Jesus’ teachings through the parables. These powerful stories were one of Jesus’ ways of teaching truth — inviting reflection and provoking thought unique to each person. This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight walked us through Matthew 13:1-15, the parable of the sower. Just as the condition of the soil determines whether a seed thrives or dies, so the state of our souls affects how God’s Word takes root in us. Are our souls tended and enriched by scripture, prayer, community, and service? Or are they strangled by this life’s anxieties, distracted and hardened by culture, or weakened by the storms of hardship? In the same way Adam was created to tend the Garden of Eden in partnership with God, we are invited to cultivate the soil of our souls — making them soft, receptive, and fertile ground for the seed of God’s Word to sow and continuously bear fruit.…

Everything New | New | Part 5 This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight concluded our first sermon series, New, with a powerful and hope-filled message. In the beginning, God created the Garden of Eden — a place of perfect peace, unity, security, love, and wholeness. But when sin entered the picture, so did doubt, shame, fear, confusion, brokenness, and death. Over the centuries, humanity drifted further from God’s original design. Yet, in a world marred by disease, hardened hearts, and suffering, Jesus came to redeem and restore it. Through His birth, death, and resurrection, Jesus set the stage for God’s ultimate plan of redemption. And we can hold fast to this promise: God is making all things new. One day, He will restore creation completely — sin abolished, death defeated, every tear wiped away. In its place will be a love so whole, so complete, that it surpasses anything we could ever imagine. You can watch all messages from this series online at @HopeChurchRVA on YouTube, and you can dive deeper individually or in your small groups with discussion guides available on our website.…

New Jerusalem | New | Part 4 This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight shared a powerful message on the vision God is inviting us to behold. In Revelation 3:12, 21:1-2, we get to see the vision of the new Jerusalem — God’s perfect, heavenly city where His people will dwell with Him forever. A city of joy, free from darkness and brokenness. A place of beauty beyond our wildest imaginations. The resurrection is at the center of this vision — the ultimate, eternal miracle for all. Through Jesus’ resurrection, God transforms the hearts of His people, preparing us for eternity like a bride for her groom (1 Corinthians 2:9). Let this vision fill you with hope. The new Jerusalem is coming — don’t lose sight of it! If you missed today’s message, we encourage you to check out our YouTube channel at @hopechuchrva. If you’re looking to dive deeper, check out the discussion questions for this message at the link in our bio.…

New People | New | Part 3 This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight continued our “New” sermon series with a poignant message on what it means to be made new in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” The word “new” in this verse comes from the Greek word “kainos,” meaning something completely new, unique, and unprecedented. Through Christ, we are invited to step into this extraordinary newness — a life transformed by His presence as we surrender ourselves fully to Him. We’re excited to celebrate this new life in Christ at our upcoming Worship and Baptism Night! Join us on Tuesday, January 28 at 6:30 pm in the Main Auditorium for an evening of worship + believers baptisms. If you’d like to be baptized, we invite you to attend a pre-baptism meeting on Sunday, January 26 at 3pm in the Hope Café. This meeting will provide all the information you need to take this meaningful step. Click the link in our bio to register — we can’t wait to celebrate with you!…

New Creation | New | Part 2 This morning, Outreach Director Drew Paulette continued our “New” sermon series with a powerful message on Matthew 19:27-30. If we’re in Christ, we are already a new creation. Yet, Jesus invites us to long for even more. At the renewal of all things (Revelation 21:1-5,) we’ll be whole — our deepest wounds healed, our sorrow gone, and joy eternal. We will be a renewed people on a renovated Earth under the Lord’s fully restored rule and blessing. Cling to Jesus, who offers everything. He walked to the cross, bore our death, and rose again so we could share in His promise of eternal life. To listen to this message and last week’s, click the YouTube link in our bio! We can’t wait to see you next week at: West Creek | 8am | 9:30am | 11:15am The Lodge | 9:30am | 11:15am Livestream | 9:30am | 11:15am…

A New Thing | New | Part 1 Happy New Year, HOPE! We are grateful for another year with all of you to love God, love people, live authentically, gather intentionally, and overflow generosity. This morning, Senior Pastor David Dwight kicked off our “New” sermon series with a message on Isaiah 43:16-19. God’s vision will always be richer, fuller, and better than our own, and He is continuously inviting us into it in new ways. When we walk in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25), we can see more clearly the new things God is working in and through us to draw us nearer to His grand story of redemption, where, in the end, He will make all things new. David closed with a question, which we invite you to think through and pray about this week: What new thing will you do in 2025 to express your love for God? What new song will you sing to the Lord this year? We’d love for you to join us on Sundays at: West Creek | 8am | 9:30am | 11:15am The Lodge | 9:30am | 11:15am Livestream | 9:30am | 11:15am…

Emmanuel — God with us. A baby born. A promise fulfilled. An eternal hope secured. At just the right time. Over nine services, 5,000+ of you joined us in reflecting on the significance of Christ’s birth. We are particularly grateful that we were able to be in community at home — here at HOPE. Thank you for spending Christmas Eve with us!…

Thanks For Listening!

Humble for Home | Promise of Home | Part 2 In December, we decorate our homes with twinkling lights, festive garlands, and trees adorned with ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Yet even amidst the beauty and cheer, a deep longing lingers — an ache for something more, something greater, something eternal. It’s the longing for a true and lasting home. Psalms 90:1-2 says, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” The Lord is our dwelling place—the One who left His heavenly home to take on flesh, die a sinner’s death, and, by His grace, make what is His by nature ours as well. This is the hope we hold onto: we long for heaven and eagerly await our Savior, who will one day bring us home.…

A Child | Promise of Home | Part 1 As we step into the final month of the year, we also enter the season of Advent — a time to anticipate with hope and prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ! This morning, we began our Advent sermon series, Promise of Home, with a message from Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell. The words of Isaiah 9:6 remind us of the incredible promise fulfilled in Jesus: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This week, let’s pause and reflect on this awe-inspiring truth: the God of heaven and earth, in His great love, left His throne to redeem the world — to redeem us. And He came to us in the humblest way, as an infant, bringing peace and enduring hope to a weary world. We invite you to join us in preparing our hearts for Christmas. You can worship with us on Sunday, December 8 and Sunday, December 15 at: West Creek | 8, 9:30, and 11:15am The Lodge | 9:30 + 11:15am Livestream | 9:30 + 11:15am We’d also love for you to come home to HOPE for Christmas! You can reserve your free tickets for one of our Christmas Eve services at the link in our bio🎄…

Over the past six weeks, we have been in the book of Ephesians – Paul’s rich and edifying letter to the church at Ephesus. This morning, we wrapped up this series with a message from Senior Pastor David Dwight reminding us to remain awake and alert in Christ. In Ephesians 6, Paul reminds us to honor each other in the closest relationships in our lives - our families and our colleagues - and to value each other despite our differences and shortcomings. He also writes about the need to prepare ourselves to stand strong against the devil. David reminded us that evil exists in the world, but we can prepare ourselves to stand firm by staying near to God in prayer and to pursue community with each other. God’s strength will protect us when we remain near to him and we will be able to resist temptations that pull us away from encouraging relationships. Watch all messages from this series online at / hopechurchrva or click the link in our bio!…