Building Blocks That Last

Every house needs a strong foundation. Without it, even the most beautiful structure will eventually crumble. The same is true for our faith. At The Path Church, we’ve seen that discipleship is not sustained by trends, personalities, or programs—it is anchored in simple, time-tested building blocks that have carried the people of God for generations.

From the very beginning, our community was formed around three spiritual practices that continue to shape us today: Bible study, baptism, and brotherly love. These are not optional add-ons. They are the very DNA of who we are as a church. They remind us that following Jesus is about more than attending services; it is about building a life on His truth.

Anchored in the Word

Jesus once said to His followers, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). Notice His words—freedom is not found in vague spirituality or self-help wisdom. Freedom comes when we cling to His teaching.

At The Path, the Word has always been central. In our earliest years, we didn’t have a permanent building. We met in schoolrooms, hotel ballrooms, and sometimes even in a garage. But no matter where we gathered, we opened the Scriptures. We wanted to ensure no one was following a personality or pastor. The goal was always to point people to Jesus.

Bible study is more than reading a verse or two in the morning. It is allowing the living Word of God to shape our hearts, our decisions, and our worldview. It is where we wrestle with God’s truth in community, ask hard questions, and let the Spirit convict us. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that, “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…” It penetrates to the deepest parts of us, cutting away what is false and guiding us in the way of life.

When we build on this foundation, we are not easily swayed by the noise around us. In an age of endless opinions and shifting morals, the Word keeps us steady.

Obedience Expressed in Baptism

Studying the Word, however, is not the end goal. Knowledge without obedience produces pride, but knowledge that leads to action produces transformation. That is why baptism has always been at the center of our ministry.

Jesus declared, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Baptism is how we step into that salvation. It is more than a symbol—it is a surrender, an identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:3–4). Through baptism, we lay down our old life and rise to walk in newness of life.

At The Path, we’ve baptized people in hotel pools, borrowed baptistries, backyards, and even portable troughs. The location never mattered; the transformation did. Every time someone has gone into the water, we’ve seen God rewrite stories—marriages restored, addictions broken, hope reborn.

Baptism keeps us rooted in the mission. It reminds us that the gospel is not just about learning more but about seeing lives changed. It challenges us to ask: Who am I teaching? Who am I helping to know Jesus more deeply?

Love That Lives Out the Gospel

The final building block is perhaps the most challenging: love. Not sentimental love, but real, active, sacrificial love.

Peter exhorts us, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). This kind of love is not surface-level. It goes beyond Sunday greetings. It enters into each other’s burdens, joys, and struggles.

In a culture that often prizes independence and self-sufficiency, God calls us into family. Christianity was never designed to be a “me and God” religion. It is always “we and God.” That means showing up for one another, even when it’s inconvenient. It means offering forgiveness when it’s hard. It means serving with joy and generosity, not because it’s easy but because it’s Christlike.

Some of the most powerful testimonies at The Path have not come from the pulpit but from the way disciples have loved one another. Meals cooked for a family in crisis. Late-night phone calls to pray through anxiety. A group of brothers or sisters gathering around someone who feels alone. These small acts embody the gospel in ways words never could.

Jesus Himself said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Our credibility as a church is not measured by how polished our services are but by how deeply we love.

Staying Faithful to the Foundation

Twenty years in, the temptation could be to chase after the next big thing. But the truth is, the foundation hasn’t changed. The same building blocks that sustained the early church (Acts 2:42–47) sustain us now: the Word, obedience, and love.

The Path Church is not about perfection, but about faithfulness. Each of us is called to return again and again to the basics:

• Open your Bible daily.

• Obey what you learn.

• Love deeply, even when it’s hard.

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These are the practices that will keep us strong as a church family. They are also what will keep your faith steady when life gets shaky.

So the invitation is simple: if you’ve been part of The Path for years, re-engage with the foundations. If you are new, step into these practices with us. Build your life on something eternal.

Because in the end, it is not about buildings or programs—it’s about building disciples who reflect Jesus in every part of life. And when we build on the Rock, we can trust that the foundation will last.