The founder and pastor of Elevation Church, Steven Furtick, shared why the Christian faith is unique. His message came from the story of Joshua 3, where the Israelites were crossing the Jordan while the priests were carrying the ark of the covenant. The passage is filled with uncertain situations that require faith.

He shared, “Most versions of faith are generated from within the person and then placed upon the object.” For instance, a person sat in a chair because he had faith in it.

Moreover, he referenced a description of faith written in the 1600s. During the Civil War in England, theologians got together at Westminster Abbey to define faith. The document that resulted became one of the main documents for many denominations, especially in the reformed tradition.

The theologians stated, “…by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto you, and you receiving and resting on him and his righteousness by faith…which faith you have not of yourself, it is the gift of God.”

Pastor Steven reminded the congregation that faith doesn’t originate with us.

“Guess what He’s [God] doing. He’s sending you faith from another place. He’s sending you trust from another realm. He is sending you the gift from another dimension, and it doesn’t come from you,” he said.

Steven Furtick is a pastor, Grammy-award winning songwriter & producer, & New York Times best-selling author. As founder & lead pastor, he has helped grow the multi-site Elevation Church into a global ministry through online streaming, television, & the music of Elevation Worship. He holds a master of divinity degree from Southern Theological Seminary & is the author of Crash the Chatterbox, Greater, Sun Stand Still, (Un)Qualified, Seven-Mile Miracle. Pastor Steven & Holly live in Charlotte, NC with their two sons, Elijah & Graham, & daughter, Abbey.

Furtick was born and raised in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and attended Berkeley High School. At the age of 16, after reading the book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala, he felt called to pastor a church in a major city. He studied at North Greenville University in communication and earned a Bachelor of Arts, then he studied at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity.

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