2024 Fellowship

05/18/2026

What is a church?

Did you know there is a 14 point checklist created by the IRS to determine if a church is really a church for the purpose of receiving tax exempt status. How does this checklist influence modern churches in the US? Does this checklist align with what God’s Word tells us about churches? As you dig into God’s Word this week to determine qualifies as a church, keep this list in mind.

The goal of this series is to help us all experience profound authentic transformative fellowship with other believers for the purpose of sharing the gospel in word and action.

“I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” — 1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭15‬

05/16/2026

What Is Church?

Thursday morning I attended a men’s bible study hosted by a large local church. One of the attendees shared a testimony about his offshore ministry. He talked about how he decided to host an informal church service on a rig, so needed something to preach on. Not being a trained pastor and new to being bold in evangelism, he turned to Chat GPT. He typed in a few prompts and out came the perfect sermon for him to present. Chat GPT is generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI.

Early in life I struggled in school. Writing was absolutely not my gift. As a young lad I was hyperactive making it a challenge for me to concentrate. Though I’m not sure my hyper energy ever left me, I did learn to harness it. When I graduated from high school long long ago, my ACT scores in English were so low I had to take the english part of the exam over to get into college. Those who knew me as a little boy were often amazed became a physics instructor.

My struggles with grammar would stick with me throughout my life, though the ability to create on the fly with writing blossomed. Honestly, I never saw myself as being a writer, but God works in mysterious ways. Most of my career was spent reading highly technical literature and writing for the purpose of teaching.

My ability to create with pen grew better and better as the years would pass. What accelerated this growth was a burning desire to be an influence for Christ with those we meet along our walks in athletic ministry. I’m absolutely no Chat GPT. I live on the edge when it comes to writing, so I write live. So be patient when you see grammatical errors:)

Something to think about…our ability to create beautiful things improves with lots and lots of hard work. Though a person may be talented in an area of creativity, it is persistent practice, resolve to struggle with the creative process and dedication to the craft that results in their gift blossoming. What will happen when people rely more and more on computers to do the creating and thinking?

Today’s post is a small introduction to a series of writings I plan to create about the idea of “Church.” In addition to this, I will throw some crumbs in the mix to help you get to know me. Let’s get to the question of this post?

What is church?

Please don’t look it up. Write down your thoughts on this question as best as you can. When you are done, come back and finish reading. Save your response to look at in the future.

There are four pictures of the interiors of churches. When asked this question, most have images that come to mind of what church is. For some this image might be a grand cathedral, or maybe a beautiful huge modern church interior. For some church is simple. Most don’t consider their living room or home a church. So what image came to mind when you read the title of this post?

As you enjoy your weekend, dig into God’s Word about the idea of church. What does God tell us church is? Write down the scripture passages you find on church. What was church for the apostles when Christ was with them and once He ascended into Heaven?

Let me tell you upfront the intention of my series is not to criticize modern church, what you consider church or to promote house church. My series will be more of a journal I openly share. In the end I pray our journey to answer this question will deepen our faith, draw us closer to Christ and most importantly, help us to experience profound authentic transformative fellowship with other believers.

Scripture for today: 1 Corinthians 6:19

05/14/2026

Did you know … house churches are experiencing significant growth around the world and in North America, with participation rising from 1% to nearly 9% of adults attending them regularly.

Key Drivers of Growth

Desire for Authentic Community: Many believers are seeking deeper connections and more meaningful spiritual experiences that traditional churches may not provide.

Flexibility and Intimacy: House churches offer a more personal and less structured environment, allowing for spontaneous worship and genuine fellowship.

Response to Traditional Church Limitations: In some areas, traditional church models are seen as ineffective or overly commercialized, prompting a shift towards simpler gatherings.

05/14/2026

Welcome to 2024 Fellowship. If you have been following this page, you are noticing some big changes. First the name is no longer “Cajun Promise Keepers,” but no fear it has not gone away. We have decided to simplify our social media outreach for our ministry work by just having one page. At the same time this page is the launch of something we are excited to share.

Lisa and I are starting a “house church.” Now and then in life moments come where you profoundly realize the ups and downs you experienced have been to prepare you for where God is leading. Forming a house church is precisely that for Lisa and I. Over the summer we will share what inspired us to form a house church, how God has prepared us for this mission and why we are making this move.

Both Lisa and I have been involved in church ministries for most of our lives including, choir, praise team, bible study, youth programs, and collegiate athletic ministry. Our first journey into serving independently in ministry began when we started 2024 Fellowship about fifteen years ago. Originally, 2024 Fellowship was a women’s collegiate athletic ministry. As a couple, we traveled around Louisiana supporting volleyball and beach volleyball athletes in a host of ways, but always focused on sharing the love of Christ both in word and action.

The name for the ministry comes from one of my favorite scriptures… Acts 20:24. ““However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Long ago God would give us intense passion for sharing the gospel. This passage of God’s Word has defined what we are about as a couple living for Christ. Though we had to take a few years off from working in athletic ministry due to my health, we returned this spring. We have rebranded our collegiate women’s athletic ministry as “2024 Women’s Athletic Fellowship. “. You can follow this ministry on Instagram. Our mission remains unchanged, though we have broaden our outreach to serve athletes from several collegiate sports.

Over thirty years ago my life was radically transformed through Promise Keepers. Men from PK ministered to me during some really dark days of my life. To this day, I can remember that electrifying feeling when I heard eighty thousand men singing praise to God in harmony at a PK Conference. Men from all over the nation, multitudes of denominations and backgrounds joined in unity for Jesus…just as it should be. Our local PK group was disbanded when our pastor took on a teaching role at seminary. In 2025 God would lead me back to PK. As I write this post, we are planning our first event for Promise Keepers of South Louisiana.

Our house church will simply be called 2024 Fellowship. This page will be our social media outreach on Facebook for 2024 Fellowship, Promise Keepers of South Louisiana and for 2024 Women’s Athletic Fellowship.

Please follow us. Don’t hesitate to contact us if we can pray for you. Please pray for us as we get our house church going, pray for Promise Keepers and for our outreach to collegiate women across Louisiana. Thank you for your prayers and support.

John and Lisa Sorrel
2024 Fellowship

05/12/2026

When God Says Go!

Dr. Jonathan Murphy • March 22, 2026

Jonah 1:1–3

God says “go,” but Jonah says “no.” This opening scene exposes the pull of disobedience and calls us to reject excuses, trust God’s compassion, and obey His clear direction—no matter the cost.

Men, when was the last time you said “no” to God? I don’t know about you, but my life has been littered by “no’s.” Yet, every time I said no God pursued me leading me back into His grace.

Jonah was a highly respected pastor. Sin affects us all. Satan does not discriminate who he attacks. Often our “no’s” are not as apparent as Jonah’s. They can be suddle beginning in habitual sin. Despite our sin God loves us so much He disciplines us like any good father waiting for his prodigal son to return.

Thank you Jesus for loving me, for forgiving me, disciplining me, restoring me and putting me on mission for you!

Sermon 2: Jonah

https://www.youtube.com/live/kz_AvWG2R_0?si=EqgKRNXoh0VAfY7Q

Prayer Request

1. Pray for PK Ambassador meeting this evening.

2. Pray for Grant who is being treated for aggressive cancer.

3. Pray for John and Lisa as they begin their home church.

Please DM us if you have any prayer request.

March 22, 2026Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3“I’m excited to study this story with you. Culture. Commission. Compassion. Christ. Our missionary diet—hearing of God’s ...

05/05/2026

Jonah is such a beautiful book in the Bible with powerful lessons and encouragement!

Big lessons from the book of Jonah are;

1. We do not deserve God’s Compassion!

2. Yet God is slow to anger and bounding in compassion for us! Why! He loves us!

3. It is for this very reason we are commissioned to go out into the world and share God’s love and compassion by how we live and by what we share with others along our journeys!

05/04/2026

We will begin sharing the current series of sermons by Dr. Jonathon Murphy, pastor of Stonebrair Community Church, from the book of Jonah.

Essential to turning our lives around to be faithful and effective servants for Christ begins with revival. It is our prayer these sermons will bless you immensly.

Soon we will begin meeting weekly for Bible study. You will be able to come in person or join in via zoom. Stay tuned for the announcement on when this will begin.

Today we begin with the first sermon. We will post one per week.

GOD’S HEART FOR REVIVAL CALLS US TO REFLECT ON HIS COMPASSION

A rebellious servant, a storm at sea, and a giant fish. Jonah sets the stage for an epic encounter when an ambassador of the LORD is reluctant to share God’s compassion with a pagan culture. It may be an old book, but it’s very current and relevant for us. Join in and see how God can use even the moodiest of us for national revival in Christ today.

“. . . You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.” (Jonah 4:2b, NLT)

Link to Sermon:

74 likes. "Traditional Service — “Culture. Commission. Compassion. Christ.” Dr. Jonathan Murphy"

04/06/2026

Happy Easter! What a glorious Resurrection Sunday. It is our prayer you are surrounded by those who love you, and no matter your circumstance, find joy in this day and peace in our savior Jesus Christ.

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”” Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭5‬-‭10‬