September/October 2025
Extended Cut
PAUSE. BREATHE. RENEW.
This fall, we invite you to step away from the busyness of daily life and embrace a sacred pause. Our men’s, women’s, and youth retreats each offer a unique rhythm of prayer, worship, laughter, and quiet renewal. These gatherings create space to rest, reflect, and reconnect with God and one another, grounding us in God’s love and sending us back into our daily lives with a renewed sense of peace, energy, and purpose. For more information about each retreat, click here!
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Five.6 Fall Kickoff!
The heart of Five.6—helping fifth and sixth graders grow in their love for God and people, and preparing them for the challenges and joys of life ahead. Five.6 is ready to get underway for a year of fun, fellowship and of course food! The kickoff will be on Sunday, September 7, at the Promise Road Campus from 4:00-5:30 pm. Check out our schedule!
Youth Group Returns
Youth Group is back! Students in grades 7th-12th are welcomed Sundays this fall for events & activities that will bring us closer to God, our community, and one another. Check out the fall calendar!
LIVING OUR HEARTBEAT: EXPLORING THE CORE VALUES OF GEIST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Every church has a heartbeat. At Geist Christian Church, ours is defined by four core values that guide how we live, love, and follow Jesus: Inclusivity, Faithful Curiosity, Engagement, and Community. These values are more than words on a page. They shape who we are, what we believe, and how we show up in the world as the body of Christ.
This fall, we are leaning into these values together, listening, reflecting, and imagining how they take shape in our daily lives and in the life of our church. They are an invitation to become the church the world needs and the church we are called to be.
Inclusivity: A Radical Welcome
Inclusivity is where it all begins. Every person bears God’s image and is welcome in God’s family and at Christ’s table. At Geist Christian Church, we strive to embody a radical welcome where all feel seen, heard, and valued. This welcome is more than a greeting at the door. It is creating space for authentic connection, where someone new knows they belong the moment they walk in, and where long-time members are continually reminded that God’s table is big enough for everyone. Because Christ has welcomed us, we extend that same welcome to everyone without exception.
Faithful Curiosity: Courageous Seeking
Faithful curiosity is about leaning into questions, not away from them. We live in a world that often craves quick, easy answers. But at Geist Christian Church, we trust that God is present in the questions, in the seeking, and in the space between. This value invites us to grow. To open scripture with fresh eyes. To sit in honest conversation even when it’s uncomfortable. To learn from one another’s stories. It is a reminder that our faith is not static but living, growing, and transforming as we continue to “come and see” where Christ is leading us next.
Engagement: Faith in Action
Engagement calls us to take our faith beyond the walls of our building and into the world. It’s about connecting belief to action through justice, service, and learning that transforms us and the communities we serve. Whether it’s collecting food for local families, traveling to Guatemala for a week of service and relationship-building, or advocating for those whose voices are too often silenced, we believe faith becomes real when it moves from words into a life of action. Engagement invites us to live out what we say we believe: to serve, to give, and to be transformed in the process.
Community: Together as the Body of Christ
At its heart, church is community. We believe we are called to walk with one another through every season of life—celebrating joys, holding space for grief, and lifting each other up in prayer and support. Community happens in big gatherings and quiet moments, in shared meals and shared burdens, in laughter and in silence. Together, we become the body of Christ—stronger, kinder, and more faithful than we could ever be alone.
Becoming the Church We Say We Are
These values are an invitation and a challenge. They invite us to see where God is already at work and to step more fully into that work as individuals and as a church. And they challenge us to keep growing, to keep learning, and to keep opening our doors and our hearts to the world around us. This fall, as we explore these values in worship and conversation, may we be reminded of the unique call God has placed on Geist Christian Church. Together, we are living our heartbeat, becoming the church we say we are and the church the world needs.
JOURNEY TOGETHER
There is power in gathering together to grow in faith. At Geist Christian Church, we believe that study and small groups are where faith deepens, questions are welcomed, and authentic connections are made. Whether you are opening the Bible for the first time or have studied scripture for years, these groups provide space to learn, share, and be encouraged. Together, we wrestle with God’s Word, discover fresh insights, and support one another through the joys and challenges of life. This fall, we offer a variety of opportunities to grow, from Bible studies and book discussions to prayer groups and fellowship circles. No matter your age or stage of life, there is a place for you to belong and grow. Explore our current groups and find one that’s right for you.
SERVING AND GROWING
This summer, the youth of Geist Christian Church stepped out of their routines and into opportunities to serve, grow, and witness God’s love in action.
The first trip took a group of ten, including youth and adults, to Panajachel, Guatemala. There, they moved dirt, laid concrete, and played fútbol (soccer) in the mountains among people they had never met. Despite language barriers, connections were made through broken Spanish and English, hand motions, facial expressions, and plenty of laughter. It was a powerful reminder that God’s love transcends the boundaries we so often place between ourselves and others.
Later in the summer, the youth and their sponsors traveled to Christmount Christian Assembly in the mountains of North Carolina. They immersed themselves in nature, shoveling dirt and mulch, and listening to stories of how floods had reshaped local communities. They witnessed firsthand the power of water to both give life and bring destruction and the strength of communities coming together in the face of hardship.
These experiences reminded everyone involved that stepping away from daily routines opens the door to seeing God’s love alive and at work in the world, calling us to serve and grow together.
Five.6 Summer Service Day
For many of our Five.6 students, this summer marked their first opportunity to serve others in a hands-on way, and they rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and heart.
On July 22, Five.6 gathered for a meaningful Summer Service Day. The morning began at Fishers Youth Initiative (FYI), a local nonprofit that provides resources and support for students in need within the Hamilton Southeastern Schools community. There, students packed lunches, family meals, and snack packs, helping provide food for 318 families across our area. After a well-deserved donut break and some fun at Holland Park, the group headed to The Good Samaritan Network (GSN), a countywide organization that partners with dozens of local agencies to provide clothing, food, and household items to families in crisis. At GSN, students sorted toiletry items and organized clothing donations to help neighbors in need.
The day was filled with teamwork, laughter, and a growing sense of what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ. For many, it was the first step in a lifelong journey of serving others.
FYI (Fishers Youth Initiative)
Geist Christian Church partnered once again with FYI (Fishers Youth Initiative) this summer to provide, pack, and distribute lunches and family meals to 318 families in our community. FYI served 692 children in the Hamilton Southeastern School District who needed a little extra support during the summer months. Each student received five breakfasts and five lunches for eight weeks, and every family received a weekly meal to prepare and share together. On average, 414 students picked up food each week to help carry them through the summer.
When we asked for help, you responded in a big way. Thanks to your generous donations, we not only purchased all the supplies needed for the July 19 family meal but also contributed additional funds to FYI’s Snack Attack program, which supports students throughout the school year. Thank you!
On July 19, volunteers of all ages gathered at 8:30 am to pack lunches and family meals. Later that day, more volunteers returned at 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm to distribute the meals in a drive-thru-style event. The experience was so meaningful that a group returned to help again the following Tuesday. Over the course of those two days, more than 55 members of Geist Christian Church stepped up to serve. Well done, church.
To learn more about FYI and ways you can support their mission, visit fishersyouthinitiative.org.
FINDING YOUR FALL RHYTHM
This fall season is an invitation to re-engage with healthy spiritual practices. Whether it’s starting each morning in prayer, journaling your thoughts, joining a small group, attending worship more regularly, or spending time in nature, fall encourages us to find stillness and seek connection—with God, with ourselves, and with others.
Let the changing leaves be a reminder that release is part of growth. What are you carrying that no longer serves you? What might God be inviting you to let go of? As we shed distractions, we make space for what truly matters.
Fall doesn’t have to be a season of decline—it can be a season of deep renewal. By returning to spiritual habits that ground us, we can align ourselves with the steady presence of God, who walks with us through every season. This fall, may we rediscover rhythms that bring peace, clarity, and joy to our journey of faith.
A MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY: PICKLEBALL AT GEIST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
At the end of August, Geist hosted its first Pickleball Tournament—a celebration of the friendships, laughter, and connections that have grown from our weekly games at Promise Road. For years, pickleball has brought people together for evenings filled with friendly competition, music, and fun. What began as casual games has turned into a ministry of community, where strangers become friends and members from both campuses form new bonds. The tournament not only highlighted these connections but also helped raise money for our youth missions. Along the way, a few winners rose to the top, but the weekend was truly about something bigger. The real spirit of pickleball at Geist isn’t athletic ability, but the joy of showing up, sharing life, and being together in Christ.
You are invited to participate in this part of our community on Wednesdays at Promise Road from 5-7pm. Three courts are open and all skill levels (even newbies) are welcomed! Check the schedule and sign up for pickleball emails HERE, or email Pastor Sam at Samantha.Copeland@geistchristian.org.
A SEAT AT THE TABLE: DISCOVER THE JOY OF THE LADIES TEA PARTIES
There’s something timeless and beautiful about gathering around a table, sharing stories, laughter, and a warm cup of tea. At Geist Christian Church, the Women’s Ministry has embraced that spirit with the Ladies Tea Parties, heartwarming afternoons designed to celebrate fellowship, connection, and the joy of community.
Whether you’re brand new to Geist Christian Church or have been part of the family for decades, these teas are for you. They’re a space where generations come together, where friendships begin, and where memories are made over delicate china and lovingly prepared treats. It’s not just about the tea; it’s about the people sitting around the table with you.
Each tea is hosted by a table leader, who thoughtfully invites guests, decorates her table with special touches, and ensures everyone feels welcome. Many guests bring their grandmother’s china or their own cherished teacups, pieces that carry memories and spark conversation. The result is an afternoon that feels both elegant and deeply personal.
As the tea is poured and plates are passed, connections grow. Conversation flows easily, and what starts as small talk often turns into heartfelt stories, laughter, and even new friendships. Attendees leave with more than a full plate and a satisfied palate. They leave with a full heart and a deeper sense of belonging.
The next tea will be held on December 6 at 2:00 PM at the Mud Creek campus, offering the perfect opportunity to take a pause during the busy holiday season and savor time with friends, old and new. Whether you bring a friend, a family member, or simply yourself, there will always be a seat for you at the table.
If you can’t make the December tea but want to join in the future, let us know. There is always room for more at the table, and we would love for you to experience the joy, warmth, and fellowship that the Ladies Tea Parties bring.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: KATIE KERR
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
A: I love Thanksgiving! The food is my absolute favorite, but I love how it’s all about coming together with family and friends. There’s always room for one more at my Thanksgiving table and for that I give thanks!
Q: What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
A: Chips & Queso
Q: What is one of your favorite memories at Geist Christian Church?
A: The Trick or Treat Trail brings more and more people together from the community. I love seeing the creative spots by church members, kids and parents in their costumes as they walk the trail, stop to roast a marshmallow and get their picture with Santa!
Fast Facts:
TV shows or movies? Shows
Ice cream or cake? Cake (yellow with chocolate icing)
Early bird or night owl? Night Owl
Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor
Burger or hot dog? Burger
NRSV or CEB? NRSV
Beach or mountains? BEACH!!
Road trip or airplane? Airplane
Name: Katie Kerr
Position: Minister to Children and Families
Campus: Promise Road
Personal Life: My husband Patrick works for Fastenal and coaches 8th-grade football for Noblesville East Middle School. We have two wonderful kids, Braydon (a Freshman at Noblesville High), Kendall (a 7th-grader at Noblesville East Middle), and Ivy (my 7-year-old English Springer Spaniel). Braydon and Kendall keep me busy with football, Jazz Band, track, cross countr,y and swimming. I’m a lifelong Cubs and Bears fan!
Q: What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
A.: Relaxing in my hammock and reading a book or binging a show on Netflix!
Q: What is the last thing you read or your latest TV show binge?
A: Just finished a book series by Chanel Cleeton and binged Ginny & Georgia on Netflix.
ROOTED & RISING BUILDING CAMPAIGN
At Geist Christian Church, our goal is to root people in Christ so that they can rise to their fullest potential. One way we do that is through our facilities. Our two campuses serve as mission stations, places where we come to be nourished – rooted if you will – then, with that nourishment, we can be ambassadors for Christ in the world. Rooted and Rising is our new building fund that pays our mortgage and other major building expenses. The building fund runs in a three-year cycle and it will continue to fund our mortgage payments through 2028.
This is our moment to fund a building, but to build our faith, our future, and our fellowship. Let this campaign be a spiritual journey where we deepen our walk with Christ; a unified vision where every gift matters and a joyful offering out of gratitude. Let’s fund, not just a structure, but a place where people meet Jesus, find healing, and grow deep roots so they can rise in mission.