Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at http://refuge.fm or 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area).

This past Sunday, we began our study in the letter of Paul to the Romans. The letter begins with the author, Paul, who used to be Saul—a former Pharisee set out to completely eradicate Christianity. That is, until Christ met him, and called him to build up the church rather than tear it down.

Paul describes himself as a bondservant of Christ—a servant of Jesus under his own choice rather than compulsion—and called to be an apostle, set apart for a specific purpose.

It’s Paul’s calling we considered in our study—along with our own calling. For we too have been called. Now, what do you think that we have been called to be wholly set apart for?

Watch our study of Romans 1:1-7 as we discovered the nature and purpose of our calling from God.

Join us at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at http://refuge.fm or 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area)

On the first Sunday of every year, we review the history, vision, purpose, and practice of Refuge so that we can confidently answer these questions: What are we doing? Why are we doing it? What does it look like? We turn to the Bible to find the answers to those important questions so we can understand God’s vision for His church.

​Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at http://refuge.fm or 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area).

Scripture is full of unlikely heroes. People you might not otherwise take notice of. People who simply offer up what they have to the Lord’s service rather than using what they don’t have as an excuse for inaction.

At the end of the Gospel of Mark, we meet some unlikely ones, whose hearts were reached by Jesus, whose lives were changed by His ministry, and whose examples show us what courageous faithfulness looks like.

Watch our final study in The Gospel of Mark series as we observe these faithful few who offer up what little they have to serve the Lord, trusting that God will do with it only what God can do.

Join us for a special family Christmas Eve worship service as we gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus—Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN and online at https://live.refuge.mn

In Hebrews 12:3, we are invited to “consider Him”. Jesus—the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2)

As we encounter the cross in Mark 15, we consider Him—we wonder together what (or maybe who) was that joy that empowered Jesus to endure the cross.

Watch our study from this past Sunday as we worked our way through Mark 15 and considered Jesus—what He suffered and what He endured.

​Join us Sunday at 10am as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at http://refuge.fm or 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area).

“If I have to die with you, I will not deny you!”

In our previous study in the Gospel of Mark, Peter and the other apostles made this bold declaration to Jesus after He revealed to them that they would all soon fall away (Mark 14:27-31). And this past Sunday, we see that none of them lived up to their promise.

No one felt this failure more than Peter. His failure taught him some important lessons. Through them, he changed from Simon (which means ‘shifting sand’) to Peter (which means ‘a rock’)—living up to the name Jesus gave him as a prophecy of who he would become.

How many times have we made a similar expression of pride or self-confidence in a vain attempt to impress or earn favor? Unfortunately, this bluster doesn’t bless or impress anyone—not even God.

Peter’s failure can be our teacher too so that we don’t have to repeat his mistakes. Watch our study in Mark 14:37-72 as we learn the lessons that transformed Simon to Peter.

​Join us Sunday at 10am as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online; and on the radio – 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area).

Imagine what it would be like to have been in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. Then to see and hear Him teach and preach as a man on the Judea hillsides. Picture what it would have been like to witness His crucifixion and death just outside of Jerusalem—and wonder what it all meant.

On Sunday, we were blessed to welcome Pastor Bill Welsh as the Shepherd of Bethlehem. In his portrayal of an onlooking shepherd from the outskirts of Bethlehem, Pastor Bill tells the story of the life of Jesus in an incredible presentation of the Gospel.

Watch or listen to Sunday’s message: The Shepherd of Bethlehem

Our journey though the Gospel of Mark has finally brought us to Passover in the upper room—the final hours before Jesus would be captured, beaten, mocked, flogged, and crucified.

For the disciples, no amount of denial could take away the underlaying fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that they would face without Jesus being by their side. For Jesus, the crushing emotional weight of what was about to happen caused His soul to be exceedingly sorrowful.

Nevertheless…Jesus was obedient to the will of God. He looked beyond the shame and suffering of the cross to a greater joy that allowed Him to endure it all (Hebrews 12:2).

Watch or listen to our study from Mark 14:12-36 as we paused and considered the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.

In Mark 14, we read how the religious rulers sought to manipulate people and events to achieve their desired outcome—which was to get rid of Jesus. 

And yet—even though their cunning was in direct opposition of Jesus, there is no doubt that God was in control of what was going on.

In the midst of all of this, we read of a beautiful moment of personal worship of Jesus. It was a moment that shocked many who saw it, and yet blessed Jesus immensely.

Watch or listen to our study from Sunday as guest speaker Pastor David Guzik led our time considering this moment we discover in Mark 14:1-11.

Join us Sunday at 10am as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at http://refuge.fm or 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area).

Join us Sunday at 10am as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at http://refuge.fm or 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area).

Scripture quoted out of context can become a pretext for whatever you’d like it to say. That’s why context is so important. Reading what is before and after can really help us understand scripture better.

Context was especially helpful in our study this past Sunday as we encountered several scenes that may have left us scratching our heads if considered one-by-one. But when read and studied together, we have a clearer understanding of what is going on and what God is saying.

Watch or listen to our study of Mark 11:12-12:12 as we consider the context of the words and actions of Jesus to bring clarity, meaning, application, and most importantly fellowship with our Father.

Join us Sunday at 10am as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at http://refuge.fm or 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area).

“This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

This is something we say and sing to ourselves and each other to remind us that God is still on His throne. He made this day, He saw this day, and He prepared for this day from before the foundations of the world. 

But where does this quote come from? It’s more than a verse from a song—it’s scripture! This declaration of providence is from Psalm 118 and describes the coming of the Messiah.

There was a day that was very special. It was a that God planned and prepare from before the foundations of the world. Watch or listen to our study of Mark 11:1-11 as we considered what made that specific day so special.
Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at http://refuge.fm or 96.1 FM (in the St. Cloud area).

Each and every one of us will stand before the Lord and give an account for every single deed every single word and every single thought. 

For unbelievers, that Day should be something to fear—and should be motivation to turn to Jesus for salvation.

For believers, that Day shouldn’t be something to fear, but something to factor in every choice we make. It will be an accounting—not for punishment or sin, but for authentically motivated service for Jesus. 

This should influence our decisions every day. While life on earth is short, what we do in here and now affects the life to come.

Watch or listen to our study of Mark 10:24-31 as we considered the importance of living in the light of eternity.

It’s important to invite people to repent of their sin and receive Jesus as Lord. And it’s just as important to fully explain the gravity and seriousness of that decision. For if their decision for Jesus isn’t sincere and informed but shallow and uniformed, there’s a greater risk of falling away not long after. 

That’s why great grace and tough truths are so important in evangelism and discipleship. We see both in the life and ministry of Jesus. This past Sunday, we carefully considered the grace extended and truth explained by Jesus during his exchange with a rich young ruler. 

Watch or listen to our study of Mark 10:17-23 and hear this grace and truth so you can truly understand and appreciate the gravity and seriousness of making God your singular priority—so He will be number one on a list of one.

​Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN or online at https://live.refuge.mn.

There is a vast difference between being a religious ruler and a servant-leader. If anyone had every right to be a religious ruler, it was Jesus. And yet, the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve; not to save His life, but to lay it down as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus’ example shows us what servant-leadership looks like. It’s His example that we should all want to follow as His disciples—not just in the church, but especially in the home.

Watch or listen to our study of Mark 9:36-10:16 as we learned about the revolution Jesus initiated from religious rulership to servant-leadership and the blessing that comes to us if we do as He did.

What does it mean to be greatly used of God? How does Jesus view and define greatness? How does someone become great in His kingdom?

These are questions we all want answered. And when we don’t know the answers, we tend to argue about it—just like the disciples. But we don’t need to quarrel and squabble—Jesus answers these questions for us.

He tells His followers that true greatness is found in being a servant and in serving. Being great means serving those who have no ability to bless you back and who can’t make you feel important.

Watch or listen to our study of Mark 9:30-37 as we learned one of the most important lessons we could ever learn.

There is a cosmic battle taking place in the heavenly realm. It is the battle for the hearts and minds of men, women, and children. It’s a battle for cities and nations. And ultimately, it’s a battle for the right to rule this planet.

But it is not a physical battle—and it cannot be fought or won physically. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

So what’s our part to play in this battle? How can we fight by faith for the kingdom of God? Watch or listen to our study from Sunday as guest speaker Peter Warren explains the weapons of our warfare, the tactics of the enemy, and the victory we have in Jesus.

Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.

Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God. Which might seem odd in light of the transfiguration we studied last week. 

If there was one event that would make for an amazing central event, Christ's appearance in radiant glory to three of his disciples would certainly be a top contender.

But it was at the cross where Christ was exalted. In Philippians 2 we learn about what Christ was thinking as He came to serve, suffer, and save. Watch or listen to our study from Sunday as guest speaker Pastor Nate lead our time in Philippians 2:5-9.

​Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord & study His word. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm.

In Mark 9 James, John, and Peter have a mountaintop experience. In their time with Jesus, they receive amazing clarity concerning who He truly is. As Jesus is transfigured before them, they see the divinity of Jesus through His humanity. He is the Song of God, the promised Messiah!

We can also have mountaintop experiences in our regular times of solitude with Jesus. But these times are intended to be temporary—we receive clarity about Jesus so that we can come down the mountain and minister to people who are suffering in the dark.

Watch or listen to our study in Mark 9:1-29 as we considered the importance of solitude before service.
​
Join us Sunday at 10am (central) as we worship the Lord and continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. We gather in-person at 912 W. St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN; online at https://live.refuge.mn; and on the radio at 96.1 FM (St. Cloud) or at https://refuge.fm

Jesus didn’t come to save us from our circumstances. He came to save us from our sins. But in order to do this, Jesus needed to serve, suffer, sacrifice, and die. 

​Once we are saved, He wants us to and calls us to participate and co-operate with Him in what He is doing. Like Jesus, we must be willing to live a similar life—a life of serving, suffering, and sacrifice—not to add to anyone’s salvation, but to lead others to salvation.

This is where the life that is truly life is found—in being a disciple of Jesus, The Messiah. Watch or listen to our study from Mark 8:27-38 as we learned what it means to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.