Milestones & Ministries: How We Are Growing Together This Month
From Employees to Heirs: Why God Wants Sons, Not Servants
On Thursday, Pastor Johnny delivered a powerful message where we have all been. You wake up, look at your spiritual checklist, and start grinding. Read the Bible? Check. Prayed? Check. Avoided that major sin? Check.
Without realizing it, many of us treat our relationship with God like a spiritual 9-to-5. We view God as a cosmic CEO, ourselves as hourly employees, and our salvation as a paycheck we desperately hope we don't lose.
But a legalistic, performance-based faith will eventually run you straight into burnout. God never posted a job opening for your services. He didn't save you to hire you; He saved you to adopt you.
Here is why shifting your mindset from a servant to a child of God changes absolutely everything about how you live, love, and finish your race.
God is a Father, Not a Boss
When you view God as an employer, your security is always tied to your latest performance review. If you have a good week, you feel close to Him. If you slip up, you feel like you are about to get fired.
But the Gospel completely shatters this transactional framework.
"So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir." — Galatians 4:7
A servant works to earn a place in the house. A son or daughter works because they already have a place at the family table. Your position in the Kingdom of God is secure because it was bought by the blood of Jesus, not earned by your resume.
Motivated by Love, Not Fear
If your primary motivation for following Jesus is a fear of hell, you are operating on the wrong fuel source. Fear produces anxious compliance; only love produces true transformation.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment... We love because he first loved us." — 1 John 4:18-19
God doesn't want robot-like obedience driven by fear of punishment. He wants a relationship. When we realize that the Creator of the universe loved us so intensely that He chose to die for us, our perspective flips. We no longer obey to get God to love us—we obey because He already does. Simple obedience becomes a joyful response, not a heavy burden.
It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Finish
The Christian life is a marathon, not a 100-meter sprint. It is incredibly easy to start well—to have high emotional energy at a summer camp, a retreat, or right after baptism. But a lasting faith isn't measured by the enthusiasm of your beginning; it is proven by the endurance of your end.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7
The mark of spiritual sonship is staying power. When we know we are secure in the Father's love, we don't quit when the track gets rough. Grace isn't just the starting line of our faith; it is the fuel that carries us across the finish line.
Expect His Presence, Not a Problem-Free Life
Somewhere along the way, modern religion commercialized a false promise: Follow Jesus, and your life will be smooth sailing.
But Jesus never promised a problem-free life. In fact, He explicitly told us the opposite: "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33).
Our ultimate promise as children of God is not the absence of storms, but the guaranteed presence of a loving Father right in the middle of them. When hardships hit, employees assume they are being punished or laid off. Children know their Father is holding them close, walking them through the valley.
Moving Forward: Drop the Clipboard
If you are tired of trying to earn your keep in the Kingdom, it is time to drop the clipboard. Stop trying to prove your worth to a God who already called you His own before the creation of the world.
You are not an employee trying to avoid getting fired. You are a son, a daughter, an heir to the King. Let’s stop serving out of fear, start living in love, and run our race all the way to the finish line.
Finding Community From Your Couch: Welcome to Houses of Hope Online
In a world that is more digitally connected than ever, it is surprisingly easy to feel completely isolated. We scroll through feeds, exchange quick text messages, and wave to neighbors, but deep, meaningful relationships can be hard to come by.
At Expanse Bible Church, our mission is simple: Leave Changed. We believe that real life change doesn't happen in isolation—it happens in community.
That is why we are so excited to invite you to Houses of Hope Online, our virtual Bible study community designed to bring faith, prayer, and real conversation right into your living room.
What is Houses of Hope Online?
Houses of Hope Online isn't just another livestream to watch passively. It is an interactive, welcoming space where you can engage with others, ask honest questions, and grow deeper in your relationship with God.
When you log on, you can look forward to:
Real Bible Conversation: We dive straight into Scripture together, breaking it down into practical truths you can actually apply to your daily life.
Focused Prayer: A dedicated time to share your burdens, lift each other up, and seek God's guidance as a church family.
Genuine Encouragement: Life is tough, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Connect with a community that genuinely cares about your walk with God.
Event Details
No matter where you are in your faith journey—whether you've been reading the Bible for decades or you're just starting to explore who Jesus is—there is a place for you at the table.
When: Every Thursday night
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Online (Join from any device)
How to Get Involved
Getting plugged in is completely hassle-free. You don’t need to dress up, clean your house, or even leave your couch. Just bring an open heart, an open Bible, and a willingness to connect.
Ready to join us this Thursday?
Click the link below to get the login details sent straight to your inbox. We cannot wait to see you online and watch how God transforms our lives together!
Give Today. Build Tomorrow: Partnering for Our Roof Repairs and Church Expansion
At Expanse Bible Church, we are constantly amazed by how God is moving in our community. Every week, we see new faces, witness transformed lives, and experience the power of gathering together in His name.
As our church family grows, our physical space must grow with it. We are entering an exciting season of faith and stewardship, and we are inviting you to partner with us in our new campaign: Donations for Roof Repairs and Church Expansion.
Our vision for this project is captured in four powerful goals:
More room.
More people.
More purpose.
More of God.
Why Now? Our Core Pillars for the Future
This campaign is about much more than fixing a building. It is about preparing our church to reach the next person who walks through our doors seeking hope. Your financial partnerships will directly fund four key areas:
Roof Repairs: Protecting what God has built. We are believing God for a safe, secure roof that keeps our facility sound for years to come.
Church Expansion: Creating space for more lives to be changed. This expansion allows us to safely accommodate our growing ministries and weekend attendance.
Community: Providing a place to belong, grow, and serve together. A larger facility means more opportunities for discipleship, youth programs, and fellowship.
Kingdom Impact: Reaching our city and the world for Christ. By strengthening our home base, we expand our reach to launch outward and serve our neighbors.
Moving Forward in Faith
Big steps of faith require collective action. When we look at the scope of this project, we lean entirely on the truth found in Scripture:
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." — Proverbs 16:33
We know that a safe facility provides the foundation for decades of future ministry. Every gift makes an impact, no matter the size. When we pool our resources together in faith, we can do far more for His Kingdom than we ever could alone.
How You Can Partner With Us
Pray: Ask God to give our leadership wisdom, protect the laborers, and open doors for our community throughout this construction process.
Give: Financial gifts can be submitted safely online through our giving portal or dropped in the offering boxes during our Thursday and Sunday services.
Share: Spread the word to family and friends who want to invest in a ministry dedicated to sharing the raw truth of God’s Word.
Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your unwavering heart for the Kingdom. Together, let's give today and build tomorrow!
Website: ebcfaith.com/give
CashApp: $ebcfaith
Text Give to: 844-344-9912
Book of the Month: Shifting from Church Attendance to Disciple-Making
Are we running programs, or are we actually making disciples?
It is one of the most challenging questions a church leadership team can ask. It is very easy to measure success by the number of bodies in seats on Sunday morning, the size of the budget, or the energy of our events. But Jesus didn't commission us to pack auditoriums; He commanded us to make disciples.
To help our church family ground our ministries in this biblical mandate, our
Book of the Month is DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples by Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington.
Whether you serve in a ministry leadership role, lead a small group, or simply want to know how to better invest in the spiritual lives of those around you, this book provides a vital roadmap for our church community.
The Core Challenge: Changing the Way We "Do Church"
The central premise of DiscipleShift is that most modern churches need more than just minor programmatic adjustments—they need a total mindset shift. The authors outline five specific foundational shifts that move a congregation from a passive audience to an active, multiplying movement:
From Fellowship to Spiritual Maturity: Shifting focus from just getting people together to intentionally moving them toward Christ-like maturity.
From Attendance to Engagement: Moving from a culture of spectators who consume church services to active participants who take ownership of the mission.
From Leaders to Disciple-Makers: Empowering church leaders to stop trying to do all the ministry themselves, and instead focus on equipping everyday believers to disciple others.
From Programs to Purpose: Evaluating every event, budget line, and calendar item to ensure it directly serves the ultimate goal of making disciples.
From Accumulation to Deployment: Shifting success metrics from how many people we gather inside our walls to how many equipped believers we send out into the world.
The Shift
As we enter a season focused on expanding our physical building and launching new initiatives, DiscipleShift reminds us exactly why we are doing it. We don't want more space just to have a larger crowd; we want more space to train, equip, and deploy people to impact our city.
The book breaks down the practical stages of spiritual growth—from spiritual infants to self-feeding young adults, and finally to spiritual parents who can pour into others. It gives our entire church family a shared language to assess where we are in our own walk and figure out how to help the person standing next to us take their next step.
Sweet Treats. Big Impact: Join Our Summer Sweets Sale!
There is nothing quite like a sweet treat on a hot summer day—especially when that treat helps build the future of our church!
As we continue to raise funds for our vital roof repairs and building expansion, Expanse Bible Church is excited to announce our Summer Sweets Sale! Every dollar raised goes directly toward creating more room, reaching more people, and making a lasting Kingdom impact in San Antonio.
We have a delicious lineup ready for you, so check out the menu, place your pre-orders, and let’s make a big impact together.
The Summer Sweets Menu
Whether you have a craving for rich cake, refreshing fruit, or just need to stay hydrated, we have something for everyone:
Big Red Cake ($4 a slice): A classic Texas favorite with a vibrant, sweet flavor.
Banana Pudding Cake ($4 a slice): All the creamy, comforting flavors of southern banana pudding packed into a cake.
Lemon Pound Cake ($4 a slice): Zesty, bright, and perfectly dense for a refreshing summer bite.
Tajín Cucumber & Watermelon Cup ($5 a cup): Crisp, refreshing, and kicked up with a perfect blend of chili, lime, and sea salt.
Fruit Cup ($5 a cup): A healthy, delicious medley of fresh, seasonal berries and fruits.
Bottled Water ($1 a bottle): Ice-cold hydration to keep you cool.
Pickup Details
Mark your calendars so you don’t miss pickup time! All orders will be ready for collection directly at the church campus.
Pickup Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Expanse Bible Church (2730 West Southcross Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78239)
How to Order Online Right Now
Securing your treats early helps our baking teams prepare. Ordering online is simple and takes less than two minutes:
Go to ebcfaith.com.
Select One-time payment.
Customize the price based on your total order amount (e.g., 2 slices of cake = $8).
Put your exact order details in the comments section (e.g., "1 Big Red, 1 Lemon Pound").
Once submitted, screenshot your receipt and send it to your sales person.
Prefer to order in person? You can also secure your treats directly through any of our church sales members after our upcoming services!
Thank you for your incredible generosity and for partnering with us to protect and expand what God is building here. God bless you!
From Haha to Aha: Strengthen Your Love With Laughter!
Let’s be honest—when was the last time you and your significant other had a real, uninterrupted date night? Between work, family schedules, church ministries, and the daily grind, quality time together can easily get pushed to the back burner.
Well, it's time to dust off your date-night outfits! Expanse Bible Church is excited to invite you to a special community event hitting San Antonio this month: "Funny How Marriage Works (and Dating, too)" featuring nationally touring comedian Michael Jr.
This isn't your average, run-of-the-mill relationship seminar. This is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud comedy experience designed to take you from "Haha to Aha!"
You Need This Date Night
A healthy relationship needs moments of joy, relaxation, and shared laughter. This event is carefully crafted to help you strengthen your love with laughter by using clean, top-tier comedy to reveal deeper truths about communication, patience, and connection.
Whether you are married, engaged, or dating, you can look forward to:
World-Class Comedy: Michael Jr. brings world-class, side-splitting humor that is completely clean and universally relatable.
Fresh Perspective: Discover how shifting your perspective can bring instant joy and better communication to your home.
A Night Out Together: No distractions, no chores—just a night dedicated entirely to laughing together and building your bond.
Event Details
Grab your tickets, book the babysitter, and make plans to meet us there!
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Location: Summit Church, San Antonio, TX
The Experience: A dedicated date-night comedy experience for couples and singles alike.
Make It a Double Date!
Healthy relationships grow best in a healthy community. Don't just go alone—reach out to another couple in your small group, Bible study, or neighborhood and invite them along. It’s the perfect, low-pressure way to introduce friends to a faith-filled, joyful community event.
Let's prioritize our relationships, share a ton of laughs, and learn how to better love one another. Click the button !
Pillows, Popcorn, and Purpose: Join Us for Last Friday Movie Night!
Summer nights are made for making memories with the ones you love. If you are looking for the perfect, budget-friendly way to spend your Friday night with your family, look no further!
Expanse Bible Church is excited to invite you to our Last Friday Movie Night series! We have designed this two-part summer event to be a joyful celebration of community, faith, and family-friendly entertainment.
Whether you came out for our first night in July or you are joining us for the very first time, we have a spot saved just for you on the floor.
What to Expect: Comfort, Community, and Free Snacks
We are taking the movie experience out of the traditional theater and bringing it indoors to our comfortable campus. Here is what you need to know to get ready:
Bring Your Own Comfort: This is an indoor, floor-seating event. No chairs are needed! Be sure to bring your favorite pillows, sleeping bags, and blankets to set up the ultimate cozy viewing spot.
Free Snacks Provided: What is a movie night without treats? We are providing complimentary popcorn and drinks for everyone in attendance.
100% Family Friendly: Both of our summer film selections are carefully chosen to be safe, inspiring, and engaging for kids and adults alike.
Event Details & Show Times
Mark your calendar for our second big summer show!
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Now Showing: David
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Expanse Bible Church (2730 W. Southcross Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78211)
Cost: FREE to the community!
One Church. Two Nights. Endless Joy.
Events like this are the perfect, low-pressure opportunity to invite your friends, neighbors, or co-workers to experience the welcoming community at Expanse Bible Church. It costs nothing to attend, but the memories and connections made are completely priceless.
Let's enjoy these summer Fridays together! Grab your gear, pack up the kids, and we will see you on the floor this August 28th at 6:00 PM.
Faith and Flourish: Join Us for Our Church Anniversary!
Milestones are more than just dates on a calendar. They are sacred opportunities to pause, look back at where we started, and give thanks to God for everything He has brought us through. Every life changed, every prayer answered, and every moment of community has been a gift from Him.
Expanse Bible Church is thrilled to invite you, your family, and our entire San Antonio community to a milestone event: Celebrate the Journey — Church Anniversary!
Whether you have been part of our church family since day one or have just recently walked through our doors, you are an essential piece of our story. This celebration belongs to all of us.
What We Are Celebrating Together
Our anniversary service will be a beautiful reflection on our shared history and a declaration of faith for our future. During this special service, we will look at four major milestones:
God's Faithfulness: Honoring the steady, unchanging hand of God that has guided our leadership, protected our ministries, and provided for us every step of the way.
Spiritual Growth: Celebrating the real, raw transformations we have witnessed in our lives, our families, and our small groups as we study His Word.
Our Shared Community: Giving thanks for the family table God has built here—a place where people from all walks of life can find deep connection and true belonging.
The Next Chapter: Looking ahead with eager anticipation toward our upcoming building expansions, physical renovations, and deepening kingdom impact.
Event Details
Mark your calendars and secure your spot today! Let's pack the house to honor what God has done.
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Location: Expanse Bible Church (2730 W. Southcross Blvd., San Antonio, TX)
The Focus: A joyful celebration of community, worship, and looking forward in faith.
Click the button to get your tickets today!!
God has been incredibly good to us, and the best part is that our journey is just getting started. We cannot wait to worship, remember, and celebrate alongside you this September!
Join the Celebration Early: What is your favorite memory or milestone from your time at Expanse Bible Church? Send a great memory, testimony or experience to smartinez@ebcfaith.com.
Blessing the Community:
Feeding 100 Families This Thanksgiving
As the autumn season approaches, our hearts naturally turn toward gratitude and reflection on the many blessings God has poured out on our lives. At Expanse Bible Church, we believe that true gratitude isn’t just felt—it’s shared. That is why we are thrilled to announce our annual Thanksgiving outreach initiative: Blessing the Community: 100 Families.
Our mission is clear, focused, and full of love. This year, we are stepping out in faith to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to 100 local families in our community, ensuring they can gather around the table and enjoy a hearty holiday meal with their loved ones. When we serve our city, we are serving as the physical hands and feet of Jesus. Let’s come together to make sure 100 homes in San Antonio experience the tangible warmth and love of God's provision this Thanksgiving!
Event Information
Date: Thursday, November 19
Location: Expanse Bible Church
2730 W Southcross, San Antonio, TX 78211
God’s love is meant to be shared, and there is no better way to show it than by stepping into our neighborhood with open hands. November 19 is going to be a powerful day of ministry on the Southside of San Antonio, and we can’t wait to watch God move as we reach these 100 homes.
If you or someone needs a turkey click the button below, God has put us In a place to give!!
EBC Digital Academy
Welcome to EBC Digital Academy! 💻✨
Growth doesn't stop when Sunday ends. Whether you are taking your very first step toward God, building daily faith habits, preparing for baptism, navigating relationship choices, or developing your leadership potential, our online courses are designed to fit your busy life. Explore our self-paced digital tracks below to find practical, research-backed, and scripture-grounded wisdom to help you grow with clarity, conviction, and purpose from the comfort of home. Follow the links to any of our amazing courses, you will not regret It.
Closer to God
A simple, 5-lesson online journey for anyone looking to remove religious pressure and build a genuine relationship with God from scratch.
Faith that Follows: The Foundations of Following Jesus
A welcoming discipleship track designed to help you transition from simply believing in God to actively walking with Jesus in daily obedience.
The Cohabitation Complication
An eye-opening, data-driven look at sociological research and biblical wisdom regarding modern relationships and building a marriage that lasts.
The Blueprint Code
A practical leadership discovery course utilizing the 4D+1™ blueprint to uncover your archetype, manage pressure, and build a 30-day action plan.
Before You Get Baptized
A foundational study clarifying the scriptural meaning, spiritual weight, and life-changing purpose behind one of the most powerful steps a believer can take.
Log On and Join Us This Thursday!
Our anniversary celebration on September 13th is going to be unforgettable, but you don't have to wait until then to connect with our church family. The journey continues every single week right from your living room.
If you are looking for authentic community, deep Bible study, and a place to grow before the big celebration, we want to invite you to join our online community this Thursday night at 7:00 PM.
There is a spot saved for you in our virtual space. Grab your favorite spot on the couch, log on, and let's take the next step on this journey together. We can't wait to see you online this Thursday!
Comments