By Naomi Balk

CIU Student Writer

“There is nothing more important than knowing Jesus and loving the things that Jesus loves,” said CIU alumnus Dr. Jeff Baxter, the 2018 Evangelical Unity Week guest speaker.  

Baxter earned his Master of Divinity degree from CIU in 2002 and today is lead pastor at River Church in Lakewood, Colorado. He explored Evangelical Unity, a CIU core value, by addressing broken relationships in the church and considering an awe and radical love for Jesus and His church.

Throughout the week, Baxter invited the student body to see the church as the bride of the Christ, and also consider their role in the church. In John 21, Baxter pointed that after Jesus asks Peter the question “do you love me?” Jesus’ reply to Peter is, “Feed my lambs…take care of my sheep …and feed my sheep.”  He said the constant heartbeat of the message was “If you love Jesus you will love the things that Jesus loves,” and that love is deep enough to restore brokenness between church members.

Tuesday of the week was set aside as a Prayer Day when Baxter challenged students to “stop praying soft prayers. Pray that God would capture people in their inner most being with the love of Christ.” Baxter focused on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:17-19 saying Christians are to be driven by the love of Christ and called to nothing less than a life of passionate love for Jesus. “This love shapes identity and drives destiny,” Baxter said.  

Prayer Day also included a panel discussion with Baxter, Columbia area pastors and CIU’s Missionary-in-Residence Raphael Anzenberger of France.  

During the week, Baxter also probed the student body with questions such as “Will you step up and step out for Jesus? Are we getting after the thing that Jesus wants us to get after and doing it in the way He wants? ” He also challenged with the topic, “Get your awe of God back.” From Psalm 145, he encouraged a heart of praise and an attitude that approaches God with a sense of His greatness and His goodness.

Hear Jeff Baxter's message, as well as the Pastor's Panel discussion on the CIU podcast page.   

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