Faith@First - September 13, 2024 | Faith@First

Faith@First - September 13, 2024

Posted by Rev. Nicole Caldwell-Gross on September 13, 2024

Last week we kicked off our sermon series, “No Exceptions: Living & Loving Like Jesus” and focused on the theme Jesus Loves the WHOLE world. After service one of our members shared, “What you preached today is what we all want from Jesus but what we struggle to give to others.” I told her she could have preached the sermon! Because that’s the challenge of discipleship in a nutshell, isn’t it? Living the call to love like Jesus is hard- it’s hard to practice but it’s easy to receive. It’s that challenge that will continue to reflect on in this week’s message as we consider the way that Jesus loved even the “unloveable” and how his grace challenges us to love today.

I pray you’ll join us this Sunday as we keep living into our vision of being an inclusive community of faith that embraces all people with the love of Christ- with no exceptions!

And if you have some time this week, consider watching this documentary on a theologian and pastor who loved like Jesus, even when it cost him his life: Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Fun Fact: This was the film Jevon and I watched on our first date (documentaries on theologians can be quite romantic).

Keep the Faith@First,
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.