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“Growing up I don’t remember hearing sermons about Ascension Day, and yet the story found in Acts 1:1-11 is pivotal to the closing of the Gospel Accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit to build up the New Testament Church.  It is a story closing one chapter and opening another.”  -Reverend Jan Custer

The account of Acts chapter 11 reflects a radical shift in the life of the early church. God opens doors that his followers are not ready for! Welcoming those who don’t fit their understanding of faith! While we may differ on what we believe faith requires, how might we all take hold of the challenge of seeing the persons that God would invite to join us as his followers?

The scriptures remind us that there is something essential for followers of Jesus: that we recognize his voice. For those of us living far removed from Jesus’ physical ministry, that is a unique challenge. How do we recognize his voice amidst the competing claims for what folks believe he calls us to do?

In the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection, we find the scriptures describing some remarkable encounters with the risen Christ. These encounters shape the path of Jesus’ followers, and even his opponents with sometimes transforming purpose and direction. How do they continue to shape our path as his followers today?