Author Archives: Steve Simms

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About Steve Simms

I like to look and think outside the box. In college I encountered Jesus Christ and I have been passionate about trying to get to know Him better ever since. My wife and I long to see the power and passion of the first Christ-followers come to life in our time. I have written a book about our experiences in non-traditional church, called, "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia." If you need encouragement, search for: Elephants Encouraging The Room and/or check out my Amazon author page. Thank you!

If You Look Closer, It’s Easy to Trace the Tracks of My Tears

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Steve Simms

Growing in Brokenness (Part 7: The Misunderstanding of Christianity) Our volunteer ministry and start up church in the poorest area of Franklin (that we had given so much time and effort to) was being forced to close due to lack … Continue reading →

Posted in blessed are the feet, Christian spirituality, spiritual growth, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Book Never Ends — Finding True Unity

Posted on July 27, 2026 by Steve Simms

The Misunderstanding of Christianity (Part 6: Finding Unity Across Denominational and Racial Lines) Ernie, our early elementary-school-aged daughter, and I were sitting in a guest room, alone in an African American Pentecostal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on a Saturday night. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian spirituality, Christian unity, Church of God in Christ, COGIC, racial reconciliation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oh That People Would Understand Heart-to-Heart Christianity

Posted on July 26, 2026 by Steve Simms

Finding New Wineskins Beyond a Sermon-Centered Church (Part 5 — The Misunderstanding of Christianity) Abounding Grace was a growing new church with an open mic where anyone could share as they felt prompted by God’s Spirit. It was a new … Continue reading →

Posted in heart care, heart connection, new wineskins, simple church, Spirit-led church | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pursuing the Promise of Experiencing God

Posted on July 25, 2026 by Steve Simms

Looking For New Wineskins (The Misunderstanding of Christianity Part 4) God’s fire that I encountered in the Jesus Revolution and by spending time with radically committed Indian Christians is always burning in my heart. However, I was growing weary of … Continue reading →

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A Real Experience That Reads Like Fiction (The Misunderstanding of Christianity — Part 3: Inspired by Indian Christians)

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Steve Simms

The Misunderstanding of Christianity (Part 3: Inspired by Indian Christians) In 1984, I was a burned-out pastor on fire for Jesus, managing a small retail lumber yard in Murfreesboro, TN. Religious obligation had me faithfully attending a nondenominational, non-charismatic church. … Continue reading →

Posted in Hopegivers International, India, Indian history, Indians | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Misunderstanding of Christianity (Part 2: The Struggles of a Misfit Pastor)

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Steve Simms

“How hard it is to enter the kingdom of God.” How hard it is to do things the way God wants to lead you instead of the way that makes you look good and feel comfortable. The Misunderstanding of Christianity … Continue reading →

Posted in church hurt, church leadership, contemporary church, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, pastoring | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Misunderstanding of Christianity (Part 1: The Jesus Revolution From Southern Style to Southern Cal Style)

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Steve Simms

My roommate, Jimmy Hoppers, and I showed up at a small Southern college in the fall of 1969 — the University of Tennessee Martin (UTM) in rural West Tennessee. Little did we know that it would drastically change our lives … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus calling, Jesus freaks, Jesus Movement, Jesus prayer, Jesus revolution | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Let Living Faith Be Your Go-To App

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Steve Simms

Faith? Faith is faithfully relying on and depending on God with or without a sign! God doesn’t want people to be stuck in an outward form of godliness. (2 Timothy 3:5) He wants us to be inwardly empowered by faith. … Continue reading →

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Be Inspired!

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Steve Simms

Religious traditions or heart-to-heart togetherness? Which truly inspires? Many Christians throughout history have set aside God’s 50+ New Testament “one another” commandments in order to observe their own Sunday morning traditions. (Mark 7:9) Instead of assembling together to “spur one … Continue reading →

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Replacing the High and Low of Hierarchy with the Alternative of M&Ms

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Steve Simms

The High and Low of Human Hierarchy and the Alternative of M&Ms Hierarchy’s high is this. Because it places one person as the head over all the others, it creates a chain of command that can effectively control what goes … Continue reading →

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