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- #001 – The Life We’re Called To
#001 – The Life We’re Called To
For the curious, the committed, and the coming-back-again.
Ravi Patel
April 27, 2025
Welcome, Family
Whether this landed in your inbox because you signed up, got invited, or stumbled across it late-night scrolling—we’re glad you're here.
This newsletter is your weekly guide to Kingdom life in real time: how to follow Jesus deeply while walking through jobs, relationships, purpose, and all the messy stuff in between.
In Todays Edition:
🔥 This Week’s Word
A passage to reflect on and a deeper dive into what following Jesus truly means on a daily basis.🌍 Living in the World, Without Becoming It
How to navigate life, work, and relationships while staying grounded in faith.🗣️ From the Community
Real stories from real people sharing how their faith has shaped their lives.🌸 Local Blessings: Spring Picnic of Faith & Fellowship
A look back at our recent community gathering and why it’s a reminder of God’s presence.💻 Why Zoom In on Fridays?
An invitation to join the Atlanta Young Adult Bible Study on Fridays for community and growth.🙏 Prayer Corner
A space to share prayers and requests as we support each other in our walk with Jesus.💬 Breakout Takeaway
A reflection to help you focus this week and grow spiritually.📖 Faith in Action
Questions and scripture to ponder as you apply your faith in the real world.🏆 Weekly Challenge
A small habit to help grow your relationship with God each day.
🔥 This Week’s Word
→ One passage. One truth. A fresh lens for daily faith.
You don’t become a disciple by accident.
It’s not a class you audit or a vibe you catch. It’s a practice—one you’re invited to grow in every day.
This week, we’ll look at Luke 9:23:
“Then He said to them all: Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”
That word “daily” hits different. Not when you feel like it. Not just on Sundays. Daily.
Following Jesus starts with a “yes,” but it’s sustained by a thousand little decisions after.
🌎 Living in the World, Without Becoming It
→ Following Jesus through work, relationships, and everything in between.
A word for anyone just starting out—or starting again.
Following Jesus doesn’t mean disappearing from real life.
In fact, He prayed the opposite:
“My prayer is not that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one.”
You still go to work. Pay bills. Deal with group chats. But you walk through it all differently:
🌱 You live a normal life—but with a new perspective.
💡 You’re called to be a light, not a lecture.
🎭 Culture isn’t the enemy—confusion is.
🤹 Struggling to find balance? That’s part of the process.
🤝 You were never meant to walk alone.
The tension you feel? That’s transformation.
You’re not behind. You’re growing.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you…”
—Romans 12:2
You’re here on purpose.
Just remember whose you are while you’re here.
🧠 Quote to Carry
→ One sentence to carry you through the noise.
“Discipleship is more than a decision; it's a direction.”
—Dr. Tony Evans
🗣️ From the Community
→ Stories from real people, walking with real faith.
"Since joining the Atlanta Young Adult Bible Study, my faith has deepened in ways I didn’t expect. It’s more than a midweek gathering—it’s become a lifeline of encouragement, wisdom, and community. I’ve noticed a huge difference in how I handle challenges and how I hear from God.”
Got a testimony, lyric, poem, or reflection? Hit reply to be featured next week.
🌸 Local Blessings:
The Spring Picnic of Faith & Fellowship
This past Sunday at Swift Cantrell Park, the sun wasn’t the only thing shining—God’s presence showed up in full.
From laughter during the games to stillness during prayer, the Spring Picnic hosted by Mogaka Events Ministry became a beautiful reminder of what happens when we gather in His name.
Highlights from the day:
🌤️ The weather held just right
🎤 Luvlan Lee guided us with grace and joy
🗣️ Elijah Marcellus delivered a word that met us where we were
🍉 Food was flowing
🎯 Games and spontaneous dance circles
🙏 Prayer circles formed naturally
It wasn’t just a picnic. It was proof that you don’t need stained glass to experience church—just an open heart and a little patch of grass.
🙏 Don’t miss the next event! Follow our Instagram to stay up to date.
✨ Why Zoom In on Fridays?
The Atlanta Young Adult Bible Study
Friday nights in Atlanta hit different—but so does this.
Every Friday @ 8 PM EST, we hop on Zoom for one of the realest things you’ll experience all week:
💬 Real Talk, Real Life — No fluff. Just the Word and how it lands right now.
🤝 Real People, Real Community — Not a lecture. It’s a living room.
🛋️ Zoom In from Anywhere — Pajamas welcome. Traffic not invited.
🌱 Grow at Your Pace — New to this? You still belong.
🔁 We Do Life Together — Laughter, prayer, encouragement—all of it.
📍 Fridays @ 8 PM -10 PM | 💻 Zoom Link
🙏 Prayer Corner
→ We don’t just talk about prayer—we do it. Together.
Prayers This Week:
🕊️ For courage to be obedient, even when it’s costly
🧭 For clarity in decisions (jobs, relationships, next steps)
🛡️ Protection over minds and mental health
Want Prayer? Simply reply to this email with your request, or share it with us on Instagram. We’re here for you.
💬 Breakout Takeaway
→ A reflection to pray on, write on, or share with someone close.
“Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is be honest about where you are—and invite Jesus into it.”
This week, consider journaling or texting someone you trust:
Where are you pretending? Where do you need Jesus to meet you right now?
📘 Faith in Action
→ Scripture to apply. Questions to consider.
📝 Read Luke 9:18–27 and ask:
What’s one area where I’ve followed Jesus conditionally?
What would it look like to follow Him without the backup plan?
🧠 Weekly Challenge
→ One small step. One spiritual habit. A big impact.
This week’s challenge:
Give God the first 10 minutes of your day.
No phone, no emails, no distractions. Just open the Word, pray, or sit quietly and ask:
“God, what do You want me to see today?”
✝️ Final Word
Jesus didn’t just die for us—He lived for us.
And that life? It’s the blueprint.
You don’t need to be perfect.
Just present.
Just willing.
Just… here.
So this week:
👣 Walk it out.
🗣️ Speak life.
🙏 Stay in prayer.
🤝 Invite someone into the journey.
Because faith was never meant to be a solo thing.
Stay connected with the latest insights, updates, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out on what's next!
📣 Let’s Keep the Flow Going
💌 Forward this to someone who needs it.
If this encouraged you, share it with a friend, a sibling, or that one person who’s been “meaning to come.”
👥 Pull Up a Seat in the GroupChat
You don't have to have it all together to sit with us.
Bring your coffee, your questions, and your heart—we're saving you a spot.
📲 Follow the movement on Instagram
Updates, prayer requests, faith clips, and community vibes:
@chrissmogaka
🧎♂️ Need prayer?
We got you. Drop a request and we’ll lift it up together.
Submit here →
💬 Reply to this email
Yep—we actually read them. Let us know what hit, or what you want to dig into next.
You’re not walking alone.
We’re in this together—curious, committed, and coming back again.
With love,
Mogaka Events Ministry
Written by people still learning, still growing, and still trusting the process.
✨ Sponsored by Atlanta Young Adult Community Bible Study
Friday Nights on Zoom – 8 PM
Come comfy. Come curious. Come connected.