We believe this will be a helpful series for the child of God and give peace where they may be current fears about death. It is interesting that we planned this series two years ago and we had no idea that we would preach it in the middle of a global pandemic, the COVID-19 coronavirus. But God knew.
We feel that many people will be reached for Christ as a result of us looking at what the Bible has to say about death and the afterlife. Many will be very intrigued over the NDEs, or Near Death Experiences that many have had. A couple of years back I read Pastor John Burke’s book Imagine Heaven. John is the pastor of Gateway Church here in Austin. He is a friend and also serves on the CTGA Board of Pastors.
Scripture is authoritative, and every person’s beliefs and experiences are to be judged by Scripture and not the other way around. Millions of people world-wide have had an NDE. Many of those sound a lot like what the Bible teaches about the afterlife, heaven and hell. But when a person’s experience or beliefs contradict what the Bible teaches, then our conviction is to go with the Bible, God’s Holy Word.
Death is not to be feared for the child of God. God has given us clear teaching in His Word and wonderful promises that teaches that heaven is not only real, but it is also a wonderful place where God is and where the people of God and the angels of God reside forever. Jesus said in John 5:24, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
The time to decide for Christ is now, not when you die.
Group Lessons
Click here to download videos for your Connect Group Lesson.
Sermons
Sunday Morning Child and Worship Care
Sunday Morning Connect Groups and Worship
Sunday Morning Connect Group 9:30am Sunday Morning Connect Group 9:30am Sunday Morning Connect Group 9:30am
Sunday Morning Connect Groups 9:30am
Worship Leaders
International Missions Preschool Ministry
Children enjoy age-appropriate activities to help them better understand God’s love in a fun and safe environment. Each lesson focuses on the same biblical text that parents study during the Connect Group hour making conversations at home easier for family discussion.'
Wednesday Night TeamKid
On Wednesday nights we help children learn about Jesus through various games and activities. Children ages 3-5 years of age participate in Bible memory games, engaging mission videos, and fun activity-based learning with trusted adults.
Family Discipleship
At Great Hills, our goal is to take the intimidation out of family discipleship. We do this by partnering with parents to help make spiritual conversations a daily occurrence, setting milestones to celebrate, and equipping parents to lead their children through every season of life.
Events
Children learn through having fun so we work hard to provide age-appropriate events that build friendships while communicating big truths to little hearts. The majority of our Children’s Ministry events take place during the summer to keep our families connected to the life of our church when schedules are most flexible. Special events include park days, movie nights, Vacation Bible School and more.
Kid's Ministry
Kids Connect Groups provide a fun environment to learn & establish a strong biblical foundation as they develop an understanding of God. Connect Groups are divided by grades & are led by trusted adults through age-appropriate lessons that can be talked about at home. During Worship, Kids Ministry offers an optional service time for 1st through 3rd graders with games, songs, & large group lessons.
Wednesday Night TeamKid
TeamKID focuses on Kids in Discipleship and helps them grow to be more like Jesus. On Wednesday nights, we help kids grow in their knowledge about Jesus through various games and activities. Children participate in Bible memory games, engaging mission videos, and fun activity-based learning with trusted adults.
Family Discipleship
At Great Hills, our goal is to take the intimidation out of family discipleship. We do this by partnering with parents to help make spiritual conversations a daily occurrence, setting milestones to celebrate, and equipping parents to lead their children through every season of life. We have many resources & trained staff to help with this task.
Events
Fun & learning go hand in hand in our Kid's Ministry so we work hard to communicate bigger truths through shared experiences. We do this by developing community & friendships through consistent summer events that keep us tied to one another even after the busyness of the school year ends. Special events include park days, movie nights, Vacation Bible School, overnight Kids’ Camp and more.
Student Ministry
Students (6th-12th) meet upstairs to hang out before jumping into the morning’s Bible study which is led by trusted adult leaders. Student Connect Groups have some overlap in age and grade but are separated by gender. Middle and high school students discuss the same lesson as adult groups to help parents continue spiritual conversations at home.
Wednesday Night TeamKid
Midweek fun kicks o at 6:00pm with pizza, games, and fellowship. Afterward Students are led by members of our Family Ministry Team through an intentional time in prayer and discussion aimed to help them apply the Bible to their lives.
Family Discipleship
As a Student Ministry, we believe in partnering with parents to disciple their students. We accomplish this by helping parents set spiritual goals, reinforcing biblical truths taught at home, and connecting students with godly mentors.
Events
Being a teenager is hard but having meaningful friendships makes it easier. Student Ministry events help by providing fun and shared experiences designed to deepen personal relationships that focus on Jesus Christ. We provide summer hangouts, camp, mission trips, and more. Young Adults Ministry
This is where young adults (18-35-year-olds) connect to study God's Word, spend time in prayer, and enjoy fellowship. Whether you're in college, working to master the art of adulting, or starting a family, we have a place for you to belong. Let us help you find the right fit.
Community and Discipleship
We believe in creating community through social events, service, and studies through the Bible in large and small groups. Discipleship at Great Hills consists of small, gender-specific groups to build meaningful relationships, dive deeper into the Word of God, and walk through life together in accountability.
Events
As a Young Adult Ministry, we enjoy participating in our broader church family through multi-generational events throughout the year. The Young Adult Ministry provides six large events annually along with smaller gatherings for intimate fellowship driven by each Connect Group. Adults Ministry
This is where adults (ages 35-60) connect to study God's Word, spend time in prayer, and enjoy fellowship. Walking through the various stages of life, marriage, parenting, and even becoming a grand-parent doesn't have to be alone.
Community and Discipleship
We believe in creating community through social events, service, and studies through the Bible in large and small groups. Discipleship at Great Hills consists of small, gender-specific groups to build meaningful relationships, dive deeper into the Word of God, and walk through life together in accountability.
Senior Adults Ministry
Senior Adult Connect Groups (60+) meet on Sunday mornings for fellowship and a conversation-guided Bible study led by experienced teachers. Whether you’re newly retired, in the throes of grandparenting, or considering your next great adventure we have a Connect Group that’s right for you.
Community and Discipleship
Our Senior Adult community actively enjoys life together through social events, service, and discipleship. A Discipleship Group is small and gender-specific. This helps create meaningful relationships, that dive deeper into the Word of God so that individuals know how to better apply Scripture to everyday life. Join us for funwhile growing closer to Jesus.
Events
As a Senior Adult Ministry, we enjoyparticipating in multi-generational eventsthroughout the year that bring our church familytogether. We also enjoy smaller Senior Adult-only potlucks, concerts, home missions projects, and other experiences tailored to the interests of our community. Worship Ministry
Are you an experienced vocalist with a heartbeat to lead out? This auditioned role serves on Sundays in a rotation and is able to lead songs as a soloist. Worship Leaders, Band & Praise Choir rehearse every Sunday at 8:30am.
Band/Musicians
We are always looking for experiencedmusicians with servant hearts. This auditioned role leads from their instrument at least once a month. Our band rehearses every Sunday at 8:30am.
Praise Choir
This ensemble choir helps in leading worship most Sundays (breaks for Summer) This is an auditioned group, but all voices are welcomed. This choir rehearses every Sunday at 8:30am.
Brass Ensemble
You can join our missional group of musicians/instrumentalists who play at venues around our communities, Christmas at Great Hills, and quarterly concerts at or around GHBC. This group rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:30pm.
Adoration Ringers
We have a unique opportunity at Great Hills to ring handbells for our Christmas season. Whether you are new to reading music or a skilled professional, this is the place for you. Our ringers rehearse on Wednesday at 5pm in the fall. Missions Ministry
We partner with missionaries and ministries throughout the world to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. We send several short-term teams each year to places like South Asia, North Africa, Europe, and Central and South America to work with our partners. Trips o er multi-generational opportunities to serve that include VBS, outreach, pastoral training, construction, and more.
Texas and North America
Great Hills partners with local churches in Texas & through the North American Mission Board by sending teams & by providing financial support to plant churches in under-reached areas. Many of our short-term trips include serving churches in difficult regions of the country, families in need, & the military community.
Community Outreach
We also support several Austin-area ministries, such as River City Hope Street, Austin Disaster Relief Network, Breath of Life Maternity Ministry and more. Great Hills utilizes ESL as a way to engage the diverse population of our city and Celebrate Recovery to help anyone su ering from a hurt, hangup, or unwanted habit. These partnerships provide various opportunities for our church to be involved in hands-on mission work right here in Austin, Texas.
