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What if the very thing that burdens you is something God is calling you to do something about? In this episode of Open Bible. Open Life., Pastor Kyle Mercer and Communications Director Kari Wilson explore that question and introduce the Built to Last Initiative, a vision to build places that better build people through investing in the next generation, expanding campuses, and planting churches. This Initiative is all about building a church to partner with the people of our church to reach the people that they love. They also bring the conversation home personally: What needs do you notice that others might overlook? How has God designed you to respond? And what opportunities has he already placed in front of you? Through a practical framework of desire, design, and an open door, Pastor Kyle shares how to recognize a place to serve and take a next step. In this episode, you’ll hear about: - Why we need meaningful burdens and how they can move us to act - Recognizing your calling through desire, design, and an open door - The vision behind Built to Last and reaching the people you love - Investing in the next generation and sending people to plant churches - Three biblical examples of sacrificial generosity and giving toward a future beyond yourself Subscribe to Open Bible. Open Life. for weekly conversations that bring God’s Word into your everyday life.

What if the very thing breaking your heart is what God wants to use to make a difference? In this message from Nehemiah 1:1-11, we begin our Built to Last series by exploring how God places burdens on the hearts of his people to accomplish his purposes. Through the story of Nehemiah, we see how one man's concern for a broken city became a calling to pray, lead, and build something that would impact generations to come. Pastor Kyle explores what happens when we stop avoiding the brokenness around us and begin asking God how we can be part of the solution. From learning to care deeply about people and places to recognizing the opportunities God has already placed in our hands, discover how our burdens, beliefs, and willingness to act can become part of something far greater than ourselves. In this message, you'll discover: - Why God gives us burdens and how they reveal what matters to him - How to recognize the people and problems God may be calling you to care about - Why prayer, fasting, and time with God are essential to developing a vision - How our burdens and beliefs work together to move us toward action - Why caring for the next generation means investing in places where people can belong, grow, and encounter Jesus - How to recognize the gifts, relationships, and opportunities God has already placed in your hands - What it means to move from simply seeing a problem to becoming part of the solution Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by the brokenness around you or wondering how God could use your life, Nehemiah 1 reminds us that what breaks our hearts may be exactly what God wants to build through our hands. Subscribe for more messages like this!

What happens when a church launches a campus inside a federal prison? In this episode of Open Bible. Open Life., Pastor Kyle Mercer sits down with Brad, our Butner Federal Prison Campus Director, to talk about the realities of prison ministry and what God is doing through weekly worship, prayer, and community groups. Brad shares what a Sunday inside Butner looks like, how relationships develop between volunteers and incarcerated men, and what it means to offer the hope of Jesus to someone who may never walk free. Along the way, we hear about a man reading the Bible with his Satanist cellmate and men’s handwritten prayer requests for family, health, and freedom from addiction. In this episode, you’ll hear about: - What church looks like inside Butner Federal Prison - The fears and misconceptions surrounding prison ministry - How incarcerated men are sharing their faith with others - Bringing hope to men facing decades behind bars - The relationships built through consistent prayer and presence - How prison ministry impacts families, staff, and life after release Subscribe for more conversations like this!

How do you love someone who hurt you when everything in you wants to get even? In this message from Romans 12:10-21, Pastor Nate Young explores what happens when Jesus changes a person from the inside out. That transformation reaches into our motives, our friendships, our church community, and even our relationships with people who have wronged us. This message explores what genuine love looks like beyond being polite or saying the right things. From recognizing the blind spots we defend to becoming the kind of friend who shows up when life falls apart, discover how the love we’ve received from Jesus changes the love we give. In this message, you’ll discover: - How to recognize blind spots in your life, including gossip and greed - Why we need friends who love us enough to tell us the truth - What it means for the church to be a family that shares burdens, celebrates together, and endures conflict - How revenge can hide behind silence, patience, and keeping score - Why trusting God with justice frees us to pursue peace - Practical ways to love difficult people through your words and actions Whether you’re navigating a strained relationship, longing for deeper community, or struggling to release an old offense, Romans 12 shows how the love of Jesus enables us to forgive, pursue peace, and genuinely care for one another. Subscribe for more messages like this!

How should Christians navigate politics, government, and civic duty in an increasingly divided world? In this episode of Open Bible. Open Life., Pastor Kyle Mercer dives into the tension between faith and politics, exploring what Scripture teaches about the role of government, the Christian’s responsibility as a citizen, and how to engage culture without losing our primary witness. Pastor Kyle shares why political conversations become so emotionally charged, how to balance grace and conviction during election season, and what it looks like to view voting as a stewardship rather than an identity. Along the way, they walk through key passages like Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2, addressing tough questions around justice, civil authority, and how believers can maintain unity and hope in a fallen world. In this episode, you’ll hear about: - How much attention Christians should give to politics - What the Bible says government is responsible for - Whether forgiveness and criminal punishment can coexist - Why Pastor Kyle views voting as a responsibility - Whether voting for a candidate means endorsing everything they do - How to handle political disagreements without damaging relationships Subscribe for more conversations like this!

Are you following Jesus, or just "agreeing" with what he says? It’s possible to know the right things, attend church, and still hold parts of your life back from God. Romans 12:1-8 challenges us to consider what happens when the mercy we’ve received becomes a reality we respond to. In this message, we explore what following Jesus looks like beyond Sunday. From our everyday choices to the thoughts shaping us and the gifts we’ve been given, God calls us to a faith that changes how we live. Discover why that change goes deeper than trying harder, and what it looks like to take your next step. In this message, we explore: - What it means to surrender your whole life to God - How ordinary places become places of worship - Why changing your behavior isn’t enough - How to recognize the lies shaping your choices - How to discover and use your spiritual gifts - Why God’s mercy is the motivation for lasting change

What happens when men reject passivity, refuse to settle for coasting through life, and pursue intentional, God-given purpose alongside brothers they trust? In this episode of Open Bible. Open Life, Pastor Kyle sits down with campus pastors Ryan and Luke for an honest, practical, and inspiring conversation on biblical manhood, masculinity, and what it takes for men to stay spiritually alive and purpose-driven. Exploring why so many men lose their sense of wonder and settle into spiritual ruts, the pastors unpack the vital role of authentic brotherhood, intentional mentorship, and stepping into the battles God has called men to fight—while sharing personal insights and looking ahead to the upcoming Men's Night. In this episode, you’ll hear about: - Rescuing Men from Passivity: Unpacking the trap of coasting through life and how men can reclaim fierce purpose, wonder, and mission in their walk with God. - The Power of "The Hang": Why unhurried, late-night fellowship and authentic community create the space men need to drop their guard and grow together. - Moments & Mentorship: The hunger among young men for godly guidance and why older generations are eager to invest in the next generation of fathers and leaders. - Equipping Your "Tool Belt": How reading and discussing transformative books together helps men tackle real-world challenges in marriage, family, and spiritual warfare. - Looking Ahead to Men's Night: Reflections on past catalytic gatherings and what God has in store for the upcoming Men's Night on October 9th. Subscribe for more conversations like this!

What do you do when obeying the government conflicts with following Jesus? Romans 13 calls Christians to submit to governing authorities. But that authority has limits, and our highest allegiance belongs to Christ. In this message, Pastor Kyle explores God’s design for government and what it means to be a good citizen without compromising your faith. From public life to everyday decisions at work and home, following Jesus calls us to honor authority, stand firm in our convictions, and love the people God puts in front of us. In this message, we explore: - God’s purpose for government - The distinct roles of family, church, and government - When Christians must obey God over earthly authorities - Why courage can’t wait until standing up feels easier - How to love your neighbors through words and actions

What happens when a church becomes more focused on the people already inside than the people it’s called to reach? In this episode of Open Bible. Open Life., Pastor Kyle sits down with Pastor Joby Martin, founder and lead pastor of The Church of Eleven22 (https://coe22.com/), to talk about why churches and Christians have to fight the tendency to turn inward and keep reaching people who are far from God. Pastor Joby shares why full rooms aren’t the goal, how the idea of reaching “one more” has shaped his church and his own life, and what it looks like to intentionally build relationships with people who don’t know Jesus. Along the way, he shares stories of everyday evangelism, lives being transformed through prison ministry, and the moment his own son challenged him with a simple question: “Dad, who’s your one more?” In this episode, you’ll hear about: - Why healthy, growing churches can still become complacent - Why reaching people far from God has to remain central to the mission of the church - The story behind Joby’s commitment to reaching “one more” - How to build relationships that create opportunities to share your faith - What happened when 67 men were baptized inside a Florida prison - Why every Christian should consider who God has placed around them to reach Subscribe for more conversations like this!

What do you do when you have questions about God that you can’t answer? We often want to understand why God does what he does and how everything fits together. But Romans 11 reminds us that we can know God truly without knowing him fully. In Romans 11:25-36, Pastor Kyle shows us that mystery isn’t meant to push us away from God. It should humble us, deepen our trust, and ultimately lead us to worship. In this message, you’ll learn: - Why it’s okay to admit there are things about God you don’t understand - How unanswered questions can produce humility instead of doubt - Why God’s mercy should change the way we see and treat others - How what we know about God should lead us to worship - Why you can worship God even while you’re still waiting for answers You don’t have to understand everything about God to trust him. You can bring your questions with you and worship him in the middle of them.

What happens when a leader trades self-reliance for radical dependence on God and steps into a life of genuine spiritual awakening? In this episode of Open Bible. Open Life, Pastor Kyle sits down with Pastor Kevin Myers—founding pastor of 12Stone Church and guest speaker at The Heights Conference—for an honest and inspiring conversation on leadership, faith, and what it truly means to become a walking revival. Drawing from decades of ministry highs and lows, Kevin shares the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey—from the grueling early days of church planting to a transformative encounter in Winston-Salem that reshaped his perspective on the Holy Spirit and wholehearted dependence on God. In this episode, you’ll hear about: - Deepening Dependence on God: Why true spiritual power begins when we let go of control, passivity, and self-sufficiency. - Becoming a Walking Revival: How personal surrender fuels a contagious fire that impacts everyone around you. - The Power of the "Yes": The story behind Kevin’s pivotal trip to Winston-Salem in 1997 and how a simple prompt from the Holy Spirit changed the trajectory of his ministry. - Navigating Leadership Pressure & Anxiety: Practical wisdom on shifting from striving to perform to resting in your identity as a child of God. - Lessons from Decades of Ministry: Candid reflections on church planting, enduring through seasons of testing, and building a culture of multiplication. Subscribe for more conversations like this!

We all have people in our lives that we want to believe and follow Jesus. But when someone continues to reject God, it can be easy to assume their unbelief is the end of the story. In Romans 11, Paul reminds us that God does not give up on his people. Through Paul’s own story, Israel’s unbelief, and the picture of branches being grafted back into an olive tree, we see that God has the power to save all types of sinners and to graft people in again. In this message, Pastor Kyle shows us why we should be humble, hopeful, and hold on, trusting God even when we can’t see everything he is doing. In this message, you’ll learn: - Why you shouldn’t write off someone God may still be working in - How Paul’s story shows that God can save all types of sinners - Why you’re never as alone as you think you are - How God can use rejection as redirection - What it looks like to live a life that makes others want what you have in Christ - Why Christians should respond to unbelief with humility, hope, and perseverance - What it means that God has the power to “graft them in again”

What can happen when a church family reflects on a decade of God's faithfulness and looks ahead to the next generation of ministry? In this episode of Open Bible. Open Life, Pastor Kyle sits down with original launch team members and leaders—Dave, Spencer, Kari, Nate, and Caleb—to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Two Cities Church, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, laughs, and pivotal moments from the last ten years. From humble beginnings around a card table in a basement to worshipping at Goler, Northwest Boulevard, and now Patterson Avenue, this conversation is a tribute to God's miraculous provision, the power of ordinary people saying "yes" to the mission, and the deep relationships formed along the way. In this episode, you’ll hear about: - How It All Began: The original launch team shares how they first heard about the church plant and decided to move to Winston-Salem. - Honest First Impressions: Humorous memories and early impressions of Pastor Kyle's preaching and style. - The Goler Days: Sweet memories from their first meeting space, gritty basement gatherings, and miraculous moments of provision. - Multi-Site Expansion: Bringing the gospel across the region through the Lexington, Butner Prison, and Davie County campuses. - The Next Decade: Hopes for the future, raising up leaders, and multiplying as a sending church. Subscribe for more conversations like this!

How do you trust God with what's next when you can't see what he's going to do? In 1 Samuel 7, Israel looks back after years of waiting, struggle, and uncertainty and declares, “Till now the LORD has helped us.” The stone Samuel raises isn't a finish line. It's a reminder that the God who was faithful in the past can be trusted with the future. As Pastor Kyle closes out The Heights Conference and celebrates 10 years of God's faithfulness at Two Cities Church, he challenges us not to simply remember what God has done, but to let his past faithfulness change how we live today and how we face tomorrow. In this message, you'll discover: - Why God's slowness doesn't mean God has said no - How remembering God's faithfulness builds faith for the future - Why repentance requires more than simply feeling convicted - How to identify what may be competing with God for your heart - Why the moments when God moves should lead to everyday obedience - How to move forward when anxiety makes you wonder, “What if?”

What if Jesus doesn't pull away from your brokenness but moves straight toward it? When life feels messy, heavy, or complicated, the natural instinct is to hide or assume God wants nothing to do with us. But throughout scripture and the life of Jesus, we see the exact opposite: Jesus is drawn to broken people. Night three of The Heights Conference, Pastor Vance Pitman unpacks the raw simplicity of the gospel, what it looks like to encounter Jesus right in the middle of your mess, and how ordinary believers are called to live sent in everyday culture.