Berea Update for August 28, 2026
If you mention "demons" or "spiritual warfare" at a suburban dinner party, you’ll usually get one of two reactions: an awkward laugh or a quiet roll of the eyes. Modern Western culture loves its darkness sanitized, packaged, and sold on a movie screen. People pay good money to watch fictional supernatural thrillers in air-conditioned theaters, but the moment someone suggests that an active, intelligent, personal force of evil is quietly at work in our world today, secular intellect scoffs. We consider ourselves far too advanced, far too educated, and far too enlightened to believe in ancient ideas like real spiritual captivity or dark forces.
Satan couldn't be happier with that arrangement. C.S. Lewis famously noted that the devil is equally pleased with two human errors: wild, unhealthy obsession or total disbelief. In our quiet corner of Ohio, the adversary doesn't usually need to scream from a graveyard to win a battle. He works far more effectively through subtle deceptions, quiet apathy, cultural confusion, and driving people into dark, isolated corners of shame, secret addiction, and despair. He convinces us that our spiritual numbness is completely normal and that dark spiritual realities are nothing more than ancient fairy tales. But Holy Scripture refuses to play along with our secular illusions. The Bible pulls back the curtain and shows us that the spiritual war raging around us is dead serious—and that human strength is hopelessly outmatched. Yet when the darkest, most terrifying forces of hell stand face-to-face with King Jesus, there is no dramatic struggle, no equal contest, and no prolonged debate. Darkness does not negotiate with the Light; it trembles, falls to its knees, and obeys a single word of divine command.
This Sunday, as we open Mark 5:1–20, we’re going to step into a fierce, real-world collision between the forces of hell and the absolute, sovereign authority of Jesus Christ. We’ll examine how dark spiritual realities operate in our world today, and why a single word from the Savior breaks the strongest chains in a human soul. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by dark spiritual battles, internal confusion, or brokenness you can't escape, come join us this Sunday morning at Berea. Let’s look at the text together and behold the King who reigns supreme over every power of darkness. See you Sunday!
Keep pressing on!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, as I mentioned above, we'll be in Mark 5:1-20. The message will be called: "Broken Chains, Restored Life." I am praying that you'll all be able to attend as we worship the Lord together! We'll be introducing two new members to Berea as a part of our worship service as well!
2. I mentioned this last week, but it's worth repeateing. As we look ahead to the fall, I believe God is calling us as a church family to take a crucial, intentional step forward together. Starting Sunday, September 13, we will be hitting pause on our journey through the Gospel of Mark to begin a foundational sermon series titled: "Blueprint: God's Vision for the Church." Whether you have been part of our church family for decades or have joined us only recently, this series is designed to lay a clear, biblical foundation for how we will move forward together. Over twelve weeks, from September through November, we will explore what God’s Word says about who owns the church, why our Sunday gatherings matter, how spiritual gifts work, how we shepherd one another, and what it looks like to be on mission right here in Springfield.
Because this series will shape our identity and direction as a church, I want to ask every family and individual in our congregation to make a personal commitment: Plan to be here every Sunday from September 13 through November 29. It is very easy for the busyness of fall—school schedules, weekend travel, and sports—to fragment our routines. But spiritual health rarely happens by accident; it requires intentional priority. When you prioritize being in the room each week you build a shared foundation with your brothers and sisters in Christ. You encourage others simply by your presence and faithful gathering (Hebrews 10:24–25). You model for your children that the local body of Christ isn't just an optional activity on our calendar—it is central to our lives.
If you know you have to be out of town on a specific Sunday, I completely understand—life happens and trips may already be planned! But let’s make a collective covenant as a church family to prioritize our Sunday morning gatherings throughout these 12 weeks. Set a reminder, mark your calendars through the end of November, and pray with me that God uses this fall to build, strengthen, and unite us around His truth. I can’t wait to embark on this journey with you starting September 13!
4. We were blessed to have MANY new college students this past Sunday, and it was great to see those who have returned as well! For those beyond the college years, we need your help! The
Generations of Grace Partnership pairs you up with a college student throughout the entire school year. The partnership is one of prayer and fellowship. We currently do not have enough partners for all of our students! If you are interested, please see Pam Drewery! To sign up, click here:
Generations of Grace Sign Up Form
4. We are going to begin working on repairing the 3rd and 4th grade classroom very soon! The work will be divided into two work days--a "demo day," where we remove the damaged drywall and lights, and a second day where we hang the new drywall. Skip Pulver has agreed to do the finish work on the drywall, so no mudding experience is needed! Days have not been scheduled for this yet--we'd like to begin by knowing who is interested in helping first. If you'd like to help with one, or both of these work days, please contact me by email (markgainer@bereabiblechurch.org).
5. Mark your calendars! We have several "Family Fun Events" planned for the fall! More details will be coming, but you're not going to want to miss these:
September 25: Golf Scramble, Games, and Food at Locust Hills Golf Course (Nine-hole scramble will tee off at 3:00 PM; non golfers arrive between 5-6; dinner at 6, followed by games!)
October 24: Bonfire at the home of Trent and Julie Nourse
November 14: Trivia Night at the Church
We're working on plans for the winter months as well! If you have an idea for a fun activity we can do as a church family, please let us know in the office!
6. Berea Mom's Group! You will be meeting Thursday, September 10 from 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM here at the church! If you are a mom of a toddler or baby, you are invited for this time of fellowship together, and also a time for your kiddos to play together!
7. AWANA Updates! This was shared in church last Sunday, but if you were not in attendance, I want to make sure that you are in the loop! After much prayerful consideration and conversation with the deacons, I want to share that we will be holding AWANA again this fall! We want to begin by extending a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has stepped up to volunteer and serve our kids this year—your dedication makes this ministry possible. To give our team the time needed to prepare, we will be starting two weeks later than our normal schedule. We will be holding our AWANA Open House on September 16, with our first night of AWANA on September 23! Registration will be available starting next week!
We also want to share transparently that this will be the final year for AWANA here at Berea. AWANA has been a wonderfully valuable ministry in the life of our church, and we praise God for how He has used it in the hearts of our children. As we look toward the future, this transition builds on work that has been underway for some time. A couple of years ago, an educational advisory committee met to evaluate our overall educational programming and make recommendations for our future direction. In evaluating our mid-week options, the committee prayerfully envisioned a family-integrated mid-week ministry—a time where young and old can come together to learn God’s Word, hide it in their hearts through scripture memorization, and build community through fun activities and games. After evaluating "pre-created curriculum" options, the committee believed that we might be best suited to design our own program.
Because this type of whole-family ministry will be designed "in-house" specifically for our church family, crafting it well requires significant time, intentionality, and prayer. Continuing AWANA for one final year allows us to maintain faithful ministry to our kids and continuity with everything God has been doing across our church over the last several months, while giving us the runway needed to build what’s next. If you have a heart for this vision and would like to help shape it, we would love your help! We are inviting anyone interested to volunteer to be part of the detailed planning process for this new mid-week ministry. Please reach out to me if you'd like to serve in this way. Thank you for your ongoing prayers, support, and partnership as we walk into this next season together!
8. A new quarter of Sunday School begins next Sunday, September 6! For adults, there will be just one class, and we'll be covering "Old Testament Character Sketches." Through the series, we won't just skim the surface of famous Sunday school stories. Instead, we'll dive beneath the surface to examine how leaders, dreamers, and everyday believers like Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David, and Elijah navigated real-life struggles--from anxiety, doubt, and family conflict to waiting on God's promises and processing grief. In the past, we've done a Promotion Sunday to mark the progression of kids from one class to the next. We will not be doing that this year. We will continue to have just two children's classes this fall. One is for kids ages 2 through 2nd grade, and the other is for kids in third through sixth grade. If your child turned 2, or moved into third grade at the start of this school year, they should join in with the new class on Sunday, September 6!
9. As many of you are aware, Ellen Williams has been hospitalized following a surgery, and is now at Forest Glen in Springfield, where she will remain for a while as she regains her strength. We'd like to encourage her by putting together a "Sunshine Box" for her. Our plan is to collect small items that will be given to Ellen in a large box. Ellen will then be able to open one gift per day, which we hope will be an encouragement to her. We're hoping to collect 30 items so she can open one per day for a month. If you would like to participate, there will be a sign-up sheet at church. If you sign up, we are asking that you also write down the item(s) you plan to put in the box, so Ellen doesn't receive duplicate items.
Items should be small and have a value less than $5.00 each. They can be practical items, or simple items that encourage, comfort, inspire, or bring enjoyment to Ellen. They should be wrapped. In addition to the item, please attach a scripture, a copy of a song, a poem, an inspirational saying, or any words of wisdom that go along with the item and put it on the inside of your gift. Please DO NOT put your name on the item or note. Some examples to help you as you think about what you might include are:
--A soft towel with Psalm 119:67 attached ("May your unfailing love be my comfort")
--A candle with Psalm 27:1 attached ("The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?")
--Honey with Proverbs 16:24 attached ("Pleasant words are a honeycomb; sweet to the soul and health to the bones.")
Other gift ideas include: socks, small books, soaps, tea, popcorn, activity books, etc. Please be mindful that Ellen is a diabetic, so items with sugar should be excluded!
Once you have your gift wrapped, you may drop it off in a box that will be at the church. The box will be available until Sunday, September 6, and then it will be delivered to Ellen. If you have any questions about the Sunshine box, please contact Susan Kirby, or you can also reach out to me. Thank you to everyone for your consideration of Ellen during this time! Above all, continue to pray for Ellen and her family!
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for our AWANA ministry as it launches in a couple of weeks! We are excited to be able to offer this to families and their kids! Pray for our leaders and volunteers!
2. Pray for our youth group and leaders, Wes and Michele Stephens!
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
Day 1: The Reality of the Unseen Battle
2 Corinthians 10:3–4 (ESV) — "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."
Our primary battles in life are never merely physical, social, or psychological; they are fundamentally spiritual. When we evaluate our struggles strictly through human sight, we end up fighting spiritual battles with ineffective, earthly tools. Recognizing the invisible conflict around us does not mean living in fear, but rather recognizing where the real battle lies. Spiritual strongholds of deception, fear, and pride are not dismantled by human debate or willpower, but by taking up divine truth and relying on the power of Christ.
Reflection Question: In what current area of struggle have you been relying on human tactics rather than engaging in prayer and spiritual vigilance?
Day 2: The Myth of Neutrality
Matthew 12:30 (ESV) — "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
Human nature loves the idea of spiritual middle ground—a comfortable place where we can remain neutral, unbothered, and self-governed. But in the spiritual realm, absolute neutrality is a total illusion. Every human heart is either aligned with the authority of King Jesus or yielding to the subtle influence of the darkness of this world. Failing to actively yield our lives to Christ does not keep us "free"; it simply leaves our hearts vulnerable to enemy deception. True freedom begins when we surrender our neutrality and bow before the True King.
Reflection Question: Are there areas of your daily routine or mindset where you have tried to remain "spirtually neutral" rather than actively yielding to Christ?
Day 3: Light Shatters the Shadows
John 1:4–5 (ESV) — "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Darkness can often feel heavy, imposing, and aggressive, causing us to feel small and helpless in its presence. Yet in the realm of physics and faith alike, darkness has no intrinsic power of its own; it is simply the absence of light. The moment light enters a dark space, the darkness is instantly banished without a struggle. When dark thoughts, spiritual heaviness, or enemy lies press into your mind, you do not need to fight them in your own strength. Simply bring them into the glorious light of Jesus Christ and His truth.
Reflection Question: What hidden worry or dark thought do you need to bring out of the shadows today by speaking it honestly to God in prayer?
Day 4: Guarding the Gateways
Leviticus 19:31 (ESV) — "Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God."
Our culture routinely treats pagan practices, astrology, occult entertainment, and hidden spiritual power as innocent fun or harmless self-discovery. But God explicitly commands His people to avoid every counterfeit form of spirituality because He knows the dark spiritual reality behind them. Seeking power, guidance, or spiritual insight apart from the living God opens dangerous doors to deception and bondage. Believers must cultivate a holy discernment, refusing to play with dark spiritual counterfeits that dishonor our Sovereign Father.
Reflection Question: Are there subtle cultural habits, media choices, or spiritual counterfeits in your life that you need to purge in order to honor God fully?
Day 5: The Unconquerable Refuge
Psalm 91:1–2 (ESV) — "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
When we begin to understand the real presence of spiritual evil in the world, the human heart can easily slide into anxiety. But the Scriptures never call believers to live in panic. Our safety is not found in our own hyper-vigilance, but in the absolute security of Almighty God. To "abide in the shadow of the Almighty" means living in constant, trusting dependence on His protection. The enemy has great power, but God is Almighty; under His wings, His children are completely secure.
Reflection Question: How does meditating on God’s status as your "fortress" guard your heart against fear when dark spiritual realities press in around you?
Day 6: Overcoming by the Lamb's Blood
Revelation 12:11 (ESV) — "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death."
The adversary is called the "accuser of the brothers" because he delights in reminding us of our past sins, failures, and unworthiness to keep us trapped in guilt. But the believer's defense against enemy accusations is never a list of our good deeds or personal improvements. We overcome the accuser solely by "the blood of the Lamb"—the finished, perfect work of Jesus Christ on the cross. When Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of your Savior's complete victory over sin and death.
Reflection Question: When guilt or accusation threatens to paralyze your spiritual growth, how can you actively ground your heart in the blood of Christ rather than self-condemnation?
Day 7: Preparing for Sacred Assembly
Hebrews 10:22 (ESV) — "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
As we gather as a church family for worship, we must remember that corporate worship is an act of spiritual warfare. Gathering together to sing truth, hear God's Word, and exalt King Jesus pushes back the darkness in our hearts and in our community. We do not gather as defeated victims, but as a redeemed people standing under the banner of the Victorious King. Step into worship Sunday ready to praise the Savior who has disarmed every power of darkness and brought us into His marvelous light.
Reflection Question: What specific truth about Christ's victory over darkness can you bring in your heart as you step into corporate worship?
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Have you ever been in a pitch-black room at night where you couldn't see your hand right in front of your face? Shadows can sometimes feel big, dark, and scary! In the Bible, Mark chapter 5 tells us about a man trapped in a dark, terrible situation. He was controlled by real bad spirits that made him hurt himself and live all alone in a creepy graveyard. Nobody in the whole town could help him, and everyone was terrified of the dark power inside him.
But then, Jesus stepped onto the shore! The moment Jesus walked up, the bad spirits didn't try to fight Him or argue with Him. They dropped to their knees in fear because they knew exactly who Jesus was—the Almighty Son of God! Jesus didn't need special weapons or a big army. He simply spoke a single word of command, and the bad spirits had to run away immediately! The man was completely healed, calm, and saved. Satan and his bad spirits are real, but Jesus is infinitely stronger! When we belong to Jesus, we never have to live in fear of dark things, because the King of Kings lives in us and protects us!
Family Activity
Take your kids into a completely dark room or closet with the door shut. Ask them: "Can you push the darkness out with your hands? Can you yell at the dark to make it leave?" Of course not! Then, turn on a bright flashlight or flip the light switch. Notice how the darkness instantly vanishes without a fight! Talk together as a family: Darkness cannot fight against light, and Satan cannot stand against King Jesus. Remind your kids that whenever they feel scared or face bad spiritual fears, they can pray and call on the name of Jesus, the Light of the World!
Family Song Idea
Sing "This Little Light of Mine" together! Have fun doing the motions—holding your finger up high for your light, blowing out the "candle" for Satan trying to blow it out, and shouting "NO!" Remind your kids that Jesus is the bright Light who protects us and conquers all darkness! Remember: You never have to be afraid of the dark, because King Jesus is stronger than any evil power in the world!
Have a great weekend! See you Sunday!
Mark