Faith@First - October 11, 2024 | Faith@First

Faith@First - October 11, 2024

Posted by Rev. Nicole Caldwell-Gross on October 11, 2024

I hope you'll take a minute to watch this video of Christian comedian John Crist shopping as he thinks a scripture knowing woman would ...

It’s a silly video, but I think that it’s connected to one of the most significant teachings of Jesus: to guard our hearts when it comes to consumption.

We live in a world full of materialism and obsessed with status. If we’re not careful, we can spend our lives focused on what we can possess. Many families struggle with debt and fear of the future, as the need to have more often outpaces the need to save more or give more.

But Jesus invites us into a different way of living. He changes the view of our value from what we HAVE to what we GIVE. It’s this theme that we’ll explore in our message on Sunday as we continue our series: God‘s Got It. And come for a weekly Bible study that begins this week on Adam Hamilton’s Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity, each Sunday after 10:30 worship, October 13 to November 3, with a budgeting workshop on October 27 with Kathy Tomes, creator of “Budget Breakthrough.” Click here to sign up for the study and/or the workshop. Childcare and lunch will be provided!

Keep the Faith@First and I’ll see you Sunday,
Pastor Nicole

About the Author

Rev. Nicole Caldwell-Gross

Favorite TV show or movie
Anything Masterpiece on PBS (Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Endeavour)

Favorite book
Finding Me by Viola Davis

Favorite music or band
Anything Ella Fitzegerald or Beyonce

Favorite Bible verse, parable or passage
“There is a light in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

Family
I’m married to Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross and we are outnumbered by our 3 children: Joshua, Olivia and Isabella and our Yorkie: Nina Simone.

Hobbies
Voracious reading, Zumba, Podcasting, Monon Walking, Non-profit board leadership, Writing (New Book The Big Picture: Seeing God’s Dream for Your Life) and Hosting Dinner Parties (Charcuterie Boards are my JAM)!

Where are you from originally?
Originally from the Motor City: Detroit!

Where do you live now?
Noblesville

What do you like most about living there?
I love the pond behind my house where I get a daily reminder of God’s ecosystem of abundance.

What led you to Noblesville First?
God led me to Noblesville First. It wasn’t something I was seeking but God always has a plan that is bigger than we ask, think or imagine.

What do you look forward to most about your new role?
I am most looking forward to GROWING: Growing new relationships, new ministries and new disciples. Let’s GO and GROW people!

What else do you think the congregation might enjoy learning about you?
I have dared myself to go skydiving for my next birthday. Who is coming with me?

When Pastor Nicole's not serving and leading in the local church she’s innovating and connecting with people in God’s largest mission field: the digital space. In 2018 she founded The Well, a virtual community of women that grew to 500 members in 90 days. She has since transformed this community into a podcast, The Well Unfiltered, which has over 1500 downloads and reaches listeners in 6 countries, 12 states and across Indiana. Noting her ability to connect with people in digital and physical spaces, Nicole has been tapped to develop resources and convene conversations with Amplify Media and Abingdon Press. In 2020 she co-authored Justice or Just Us: A Biblical Call to Confront Racism and in 2022 she will release The Big Picture: Seeing God’s Dream for Your Life with her co-author the Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross. While God’s call has led Nicole to Dubai, U.A.E. Calcutta, India, Johannesburg, South Africa and Havana, Cuba, her most meaningful mission field is in Noblesville, Indiana where she resides with her partner in marriage and ministry: Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross. They are outnumbered by their three children: Joshua Alexander, Olivia Grace and Isabella Joy.