By Arron Chambers
Two preachers and their preacher sons tell us about a sermon they can”t forget””and maybe you won”t either.
Scott Eynon
Scott Eynon has been pastor at Community Christian Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for 22 years. Community Christian celebrates its international diversity with attendees from 85 nations! Scott loves to say, “We get to be part of a church that looks like Heaven, with people from all over the world worshipping together.” Scott has been married to his wife, Lori, for 33 years and they have two sons, Chris and Steven.
Scott”s Best Sermon: The best sermon on Heaven and Jesus was “Encounter Christ Powerfully” by Matt Proctor, president of Ozark Christian College. The sermon was presented on the opening night of the 2013 North American Christian Convention with the theme “Victorious!” The sermon is available at https://youtu.be/LTaRebRzsL0.
Why Scott likes this sermon: “Matt Proctor is an incredibly gifted communicator, and this is one powerful message! Matt challenges and encourages us to expand our view of Jesus from the book of Revelation. He said, “˜When your vision of Jesus is too small, fear will overtake you. Never, ever, ever underestimate Jesus!” This message is full of humor, hope, challenge, and inspiration!”
Steven Eynon
Steven grew up as a PK in the home of Scott and Lori Eynon and in a healthy church with his dad as senior pastor. He wrote, “I would not trade anything for the foundation this created for me and my brother, Chris. We experienced the power of loving parents and a Christ-centered church, and this experience is what led me into ministry.” He is a graduate of Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. He has been married to his wife Danielle (“Dani”) for more than five years, and they have an adorable 1-year-old, Jeremiah. They live in Phoenix, Arizona, where Steven serves as an associate pastor at Christ”s Church of the Valley.
Steven”s Best Sermon: The best sermon on finances is by Ashley Wooldridge, the executive/teaching pastor at Christ”s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona. It is available at http://ccv.church/watch/message?MessageId=433.
Why Steven likes this sermon: “I think it”s the best sermon I”ve heard on finances for two reasons: (1) the message uses boldness, humor, and story to help people better understand God”s perspective on finances, and (2) the messenger is not only qualified to speak on the topic but has personally exemplified what it means to be generous with what God has blessed him with.”
Shan Wood
Shan Wood has been lead minister at First Christian Church of Orlando (in Florida) for 15 years. Raised in western New York, he”s the oldest son of a preacher. He”s been married for 28 years to Leslie, and they have three children. Shan is a U.S. Navy veteran, the men”s soccer coach at Johnson University Florida, and a lifeguard instructor.
Shan”s Best Sermon: The best sermon on reaching the lost is by Vince Antonucci of Verve Church, Las Vegas, Nevada. It is available at http://parkview.aspireonemedia.com/454/4382/17867.
Why Shan likes this sermon: “Vince began by describing his journey with Christ and the significance of planting churches to reach lost people. He powerfully illustrated his entire message by describing the day his son was briefly lost at a pool. He described his panic and fear and he compelled all of us to have that same urgency and passion to save the lost.”
Connor Wood
Connor Wood, son of Shan Wood, was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, attending First Christian Church of Orlando, where staff and volunteers shared Jesus with him continually. It”s the reason he finally decided to go into ministry during the summer of his junior year after denying the calling for some time. Connor loves listening to music, hanging out with friends and acquaintances, being active, and relaxing. He attended Ozark Christian College his first year and currently is a senior at Johnson University Florida. He serves part-time as student ministry intern at Journey Christian Church, Apopka, Florida.
Connor”s Best Sermon: The best sermon was “Kingdom Praying (Acts 1)” by Matt Proctor, president of Ozark Christian College. It is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC8QIZrrCo4.
Why Connor likes this sermon: “Matt Proctor begins with a clarification of what prayer looks like when we, as Christians, pray for the kingdom to come, rather than personal prayer. He frames the message with three diagnostic questions: “˜Is your prayer deep, wide, and long?” When you combine Matt”s ability to capture the hearts and minds of people through the use of story with the text of Acts 1, the hearer receives an overall picture of what it looks like to pray for the kingdom.”
Arron Chambers, a CHRISTIAN STANDARD contributing editor, serves as lead minister with Journey Christian Church, Greeley, Colorado.
Best sermon I’ve ever heard was by the author of this article. “Gird up or get out” (1 Peter 1:13). It challenged me to leave behind a life that was inauthentic and fully follow Jesus with my whole life.