Stay ConnectedWestGate Church is a community in Silicon Valley learning to live the way of Jesus, together.
Whether you’re exploring faith or have followed Jesus for years, these teachings are an invitation: not just to believe something, but to practice a different way of life. A way marked by presence, transformation, and love.
With campuses in Saratoga, Almaden, and Redwood City, WestGate is a place where you’re welcome as you are, and where we are learning to be with God for the good of all.
The Gospels tell us that Jesus “came to seek and save the lost” - but then later on also tell us that He came “eating and drinking.” Meals play a big role through the story not only of Jesus, but the whole Bible. So why is that? Is God a foodie? Or is there something more going on. Mark Averill stops by to chat with David about the transformative power of meals, why the Last Supper is more than a meal, and how Jesus used the Last Supper both theologically and formationally not only for the Disciples, but for us today. Speakers: David Tieche + Mark Averill
Nobody likes to hang out with arrogant people. Nobody. And we love stories when “important” people are kind and humble. We even say they’re “down to Earth.” But what does it practically mean to be humble? Jay and David talk through professor Daryl Van Tongeren’s research into the three Universal features of humility (from his book Humble), and talk about how Jesus not only models these, but how living that out might look in our modern world (which seems to produce a lot of self-centeredness and self-aggrandizing). Also, in a display that can only be classified as “showing off” Jay sings. Speakers: David Tieche + Jay Kim
In the Book of Matthew, the scene of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is a pivotal moment. This moment, traditionally celebrated the week before Easter on Palm Sunday, is sometimes called “the triumphal entry.” This moment is leading to the central moment in human history, Jesus’ death and resurrection. But this opening scene is one of victory and kingship…is not really that “triumphal.” In fact, it’s anything but. The humility that Jesus shows as he enters Jerusalem, (and throughout the Gospel stories) is shocking. And what’s more, Jesus instructs his followers to embody this same shocking humility. SPEAKERS: Jay Kim (Saratoga), video (South Hills) Bible Passage(s): Matthew 21:1-9 SPEAKERS: Keivan Tehrani (South Hills), Finny Abraham (Saratoga) Bible Passage(s): Matthew 5:14-16
Description: David sits down with Keivan Tehrani and Finny Abraham to discuss what it means to be a global Christian with an eye on the worldwide movement of God. How do you not get overwhelmed by the global need? Also, Keivan shares stories from this past year from our missionary partners across the globe. We also talk about some of our missionaries who have the most dangerous assignments in Afghanistan, North Korea and Pakistan. We also talk about systemic evil (as opposed to personal evil) and how Christians think about and engage with that - including how some of our missionaries are taking on drug cartels(!). Also Keivan reveals that he’s officially banned from traveling to a number of countries. Speakers: David Tieche + Finny Abraham + Keivan Tehrani
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls His followers to be the “light of the world” and to “shine in the darkness.” And then Jesus makes a comically absurd statement, saying, “would you hide your light under a bowl?” to drive home the point: lights are meant to illuminate. In the second week of Compassion Immersion, Global Compassion pastor Keivan Tehrani stops by to share stories of ordinary people who simply let the light of Jesus shine, and in the process, really pushed back some darkness. And in the end, we find that “missions work” isn’t just what happens over there, but it can happen every day in our world right here. Sometimes in the most mundane and even unexpected ways. SPEAKERS: Keivan Tehrani (South Hills), Finny Abraham (Saratoga) Bible Passage(s): Matthew 5:14-16
After a terrible, horrible, no-good very bad week, David invited his three friends from the Compassion Team to help shift his perspective and bring back joy. And it works! Keivan, Finny and Lily stop by to share stories about what God is up to in the world for Week 1 of Compassion Immersion 2024. The team also thoughtfully answers some important clarifying questions, like “Why do we stop and pause for two weeks to focus in on global and local compassion?” How does doing that form us into better followers of Jesus? How does having an international perspective or experience help us understand God better? And how is church “charity” work different than other charity work, like say from a secular company or foundation? Is there any difference? This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation for Compassion Immersion 2024. And yes, David did finally get power back late last week. Speakers: David Tieche + Finny Abraham + Lily Weirich + Keivan Tehrani
Every year, we take some time as a church to slow down and celebrate what God has been doing through our mission partners, both locally and globally. This work would literally be impossible if people in WestGate Church didn’t sacrificially give of their time, talent, and treasure. And yet…there’s still an issue. Many people who are followers of Jesus really want to make a difference in the world by serving and caring for others, but the hustle and bustle of life here in the Bay Area makes it feel impossible. So how can followers of Jesus right here in the Silicon Valley, embody the essence of the gospel, make room for God, find time to serve others, care for others, and share the love of God through actions? The answer is found in a story in the Old Testament, about a man named Isaiah who has an exceptional encounter with God. And as we see how this encounter changed him, we see we’re invited in the same way. SPEAKERS: Finny Abraham (Saratoga), Keivan Tehrani (South Hills) Bible Passage(s): Isaiah 6: 1-9
Well, guys, it’s the final week of our Here to Stay Campaign. As we wind up the public-facing aspect of the campaign, Jay talks about the lessons he’s learned during this campaign (including the months and months leading up to this), and what kinds of things he wants to carry forward with him into the future - both personally and us, as a church family. That’s the important stuff, but we also briefly touch on the theology of praying for the 49ers (or any sports team, really). Speakers: David Tieche + Jay Kim
One of the most famous stories that Jesus ever told is called the story of the Good Samaritan. It’s a story about activated compassion, about helping people who are hurt, even if it’s risky and even if it costs you. This is the way of Jesus. Over the past 16 years, WestGate Church has been haunted by the question “If WestGate Church burned down, would anyone care?” And we’ve tried to answer that with radical generosity, giving to partner organizations and non-profits to build wells, provide families in need right here in the Bay Area with good, and to care for refugees from Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. In the end, the Here to Stay Campaign is also about the fact that we want to be good neighbors, to act like the Good Samaritan, and to show the world that Jesus is Compassion Embodied. SPEAKERS: Steve Clifford (Saratoga), Jay Kim (South Hills) Bible Passage(s): Isaiah 53:4, Luke 10:25-35
One of the most famous stories that Jesus ever told is called the story of the Good Samaritan. It’s a story about activated compassion, about helping people who are hurt, even if it’s risky and even if it costs you. This is the way of Jesus. Over the past 16 years, WestGate Church has been haunted by the question “If WestGate Church burned down, would anyone care?” And we’ve tried to answer that with radical generosity, giving to partner organizations and non-profits to build wells, provide families in need right here in the Bay Area with good, and to care for refugees from Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. In the end, the Here to Stay Campaign is also about the fact that we want to be good neighbors, to act like the Good Samaritan, and to show the world that Jesus is Compassion Embodied. SPEAKERS: Steve Clifford (Saratoga), Jay Kim (South Hills) Bible Passage(s): Isaiah 53:4, Luke 10:25-35
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