Elevation Church, Scottsburg, IN

 January 28, 2024

My husband and I attended this service as guests of family who really like this church and its pastor. Arriving early we followed them to seats up front. It is not a large sanctuary and was fairly full for the first of two services. This Elevation, we learned, has nothing to do with the famed Elevation Worship from North Carolina, and in fact, these Hoosiers had the name first!

Expressive worship began with a long set including the lovely song “We Are Lovers of Your Presence.” Sometimes words gave way to praying in the spirit. A big man next to me was loud and vocal in his praise. Several from the congregation came to the front to give admonitions as the music ended. “Don’t fall into checklist Christianity.”

The morning’s sermon was entitled “The Principle of Multiplication” with text from Luke 9’s narrative of Jesus multiplying bread and fish to feed a hungry crowd. Enthusiastic Pastor Greg Satterly did a good job relating the story. His message was that Christians too must be willing to give. Resources have to be given away before they can multiply, he said. Release them and see what happens.

Proverbs 3:9-10 appeared on the big screen. "Honor the Lord with your wealth . . . then your barns will be filled to overflowing." The first of one’s income should go to God, not to paying bills. The mortgage company and the light company do not have the power to bless your finances, Satterly eagerly explained. God is blessing the bee keeping business of one couple in the church who always give their first fruits. “If you eat their honey, you’ll be healthy!”

The next example was personal. He and his wife go to God first in everything they do, particularly in purchases. At one point he was convicted, Satterly told us, that their mortgage payment should not be twice the money they give to God. So he doubled their tithe for two years and amazing financial blessings followed despite $120,000 in cancer bills. The church continued his salary while he was sick and he received a free piano, reduced cost for a van, and an amazingly low price on a house he'd thought they couldn't afford. God wants to bless.

Ministry time followed with people coming up for prayer.