FRESH LIFE CHURCH
LIFE AND LIBERTY IN JESUS CHRIST
YEAR ONE The year it all began. A call of God calling out a family from California to Montana in the dead of winter to breathe fresh life into the Flathead Valley. The first gathering? Fourteen people above a bar. Within a year the church grew—100 people at Easter, decisions for Christ, the first baptism, and first online worship experience. This is just the beginning.
YEAR TWO Year two begins. We move into the Strand Theatre, holding the first service there on January 6. Attendance doubled in size. Our first special event with Pastor Greg Laurie and Phil Wickham occurs in March, and the first evangelistic message of the O2 Experience results in 270 decisions for Christ.
YEAR THREE Year number three—2009 is a year of beginnings. We launch Skull Church on Wednesday nights, begin Fresh Life Groups, launch Fresh Life Radio, and open the Liberty campus.
YEAR FOUR Four years in. We began our Rock This City outreach initiative in conjunction with the summer-long series on Nehemiah. We see 3,300 hours of community service. We purchase the LAB—a building adjacent to the Liberty Theatre and covert it into a family room for the weekends. In the fall we kill our youth group, adopting the youth-led movement mentality that the next generation is not the church of tomorrow, but the church of right now.
YEAR FIVE Five. This is a significant year. When they first moved to Montana to begin Fresh Life, Pastor Levi and Jennie said they would give it five years. Five years to see if God was moving through Fresh Life Church. Five years to see fruit from their faithfulness, and 2011 left them with no doubt that God was moving. Within the year two new campuses were launched—one in Whitefish, MT and the other in Billings, MT— along with Easter at the Majestic Valley Arena, the O2 Experience in Arizona and Montana, Skull Church in Missoula, a new radio station in Billings, and the first Huckleberry 100 bike ride to benefit Fresh Life Radio.
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YEAR SIX 2012. This was a good year and a hard year. Full of joy and sorrow. On December 20, 2012 Lenya Avery Lusko went home to heaven after a severe asthma attack. Our hearts have always been focused on heaven, but now more than ever before we stand with tiptoes on the edge of eternity. There is so much to celebrate from this year. We celebrate Lenya’s life and impact. We celebrate the lives changed at O2 and Skull Church tours, and during our weekend worship experiences. We remember that Jesus came to turn off the dark.
YEAR SEVEN Seven is a significant number. We had several friends speak into the Fresh Life house, launched our Missoula campus, took Skull Church to Albuquerque and Missoula, and took O2 on a tour of the West Coast.
YEAR EIGHT In the winter and summer it shall occur. Year eight was the first time we took the O2 Experience on tour twice in one year. We also went on two Skull Church tours and opened a campus in Bozeman. Pastor Levi announces his book, “Through the Eyes of a Lion,” on Lenya’s seventh birthday.
YEAR NINE Year nine took the ministry of O2 Experience throughout California and Montana, with Skull Church crossing borders into Canada for the first time. We released our first full-length record from Fresh Life Worship, titled “Fall Afresh,” and also launched our Internship program. Pastor Levi’s first book, Through the Eyes of a Lion, released in the fall with a subsequent book tour across the nation. We ended the year with a special year-ended offering toward expansion in year ten, called Multiply.
YEAR TEN January 14, 2016 marked the beginning of our tenth year of ministry. In 2016 we saw God move in unbelievable ways—from launching three new campuses (including our first out of state location), implementing Crash Course, releasing a new album, taking O2 Experience across the country, purchasing a new building for our Central location, and our second annual year-end offering for expansion. Year ten marked a year of growth, seeing God move mightily as we brought the tears, sweat, and blood.
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Table of Contents IT’S NOT ABOUT US page 6
Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing Kevin’s Story
THE INVITATION STARTS NOW page 12 Baptisms
WE BOW BEFORE THE BATTLE page 18 Fresh Life Worship
WE ARE SNAKEBIRDS page 30 O2 Experience
WE’LL RISK THE OCEAN page 38
Fresh Life Campuses Eric’s Story
WE TREMBLE BEFORE GOD’S WORD page 64 Lenya Avery’s Story Through The Eyes of a Lion
WE ARE AN UPRISING OF HONOR page 68
Garren & Jayne’s Story Dennis & Judy’s Story
WE DON’T WEAR SAUL’S ARMOR page 78 Skull Church John & Kristina’s Story
WE DO MORE BY DOING LESS page 94
Outreach Partners
WE ARE A YOUTH-LED MOVEMENT page 104 Fresh Life Students Fresh Life Kids Kevin & Christy’s Story
IT’S NOT FOR EVERYONE page 122
Internships Katie’s Story
WE’RE ALL IN page 140 Kevin & Alaina’s Story To the Future Acknowledgments
It’s Not About Us C O D E
I T E M
O N E
We are here to make Jesus famous.
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The Main Thing LIFE AND LIBERTY IN JESUS CHRIST
We see Jesus and we see God’s original purpose
the prisoners and captives of our past and He
in everything. In Him we have the invisible God
proclaimed freedom and favor over us. We were
in plain sight. We are His church and we show
those who mourned and He comforted. We
Him off—He is the image of absolute perfection
despaired in our hopelessness and He brought
and the display of immense grace. Fresh Life was
joy. He sees our ashes and forges beauty out of
started in Jesus and finds its purpose in Him.
them. Every broken and disjointed piece finds their restoration and place in Him. His blood
Before Fresh Life, He was there. He drew all the
has washed away our sin and made us whole. His
pieces together; He orchestrated every detail. It
blood, which ran down the cross, bought us life
began as He breathed life into us and even now
and liberty.
He sustains us. In every moment He holds us together. He is the head and we are His body. He
Everything we do is because of Jesus. Everything
works in us to build in and build up His Church—
we do is for Jesus. Everything, every word we
to know Him and to make Him known. We were
speak, every song we sing, every hand we shake, or
the brokenhearted and He healed us. We were
hug we give, absolutely everything traces back to
the poor and He brought good news. We were
our one purpose—Jesus.
Kevin’s Story A STORY OF A LIFE SAVED
Fresh Life gave me the courage and support to
helped me build up the courage to finally ask for
finally understand and follow Jesus. I didn’t grow
help—to know that it’s okay to ask for help. I
up knowing the Lord. I only called on Him when I
made the decision to go into treatment and now I
felt like I had no one else to turn to. There wasn’t
attend Fresh Life Helena every week where I serve
a time He didn’t answer, however it still wasn’t
on the production team, am part of two Fresh Life
enough to persuade me to give my life to Christ.
Groups, and in December I was baptized!
That was until the day I should have died. I’m a Veteran who has served three tours overseas,
This church isn’t just a church to me. These people
which led to severe PTSD and a substance and drug
have become my family. You can feel the love
abuse problem. One day it was just too much and
everyone has for one another, and it’s genuine.
I tried to overdose on pills. When I woke up from
I could call any one of these people in a time of
three days in a coma I didn’t know where I was
need and I know they would be there for me.
or how I got there, but I knew God was watching
There was never once a moment of feeling judged
over me. He wasn’t finished with me yet. I went to
or as if I wasn’t wanted there. God saved my life,
Fresh Life one weekend soon after and everything
but this church has given me more support than I
Pastor Levi spoke about struck me to the core.
could have ever asked for! Now it’s a privilege for
When it came time to say the prayer at the end
me to serve God every weekend and watch lives
of the service I did so proudly and raised my
change! Because it wasn’t too long ago that I was
hand. Then, when I turned back to my addictions
out in that crowd praying and asking the Lord to
instead of turning to God for support, Fresh Life
come into my life and help me.
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The Invitation Starts Now C O D E
I T E M
T W O
Everything we do is infused with eternal importance, therefore, every detail deserves enthusiasm, passion and excellence.
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I became a Christian about 5 years ago in a church that quickly started to fall apart soon after. I found a church in my town that was full of kind and loving people, something that was new to me in a church. I grew up going to a church that basically turned their noses up at me most of the time, so finding one where everyone was so welcoming was wonderful. I started seeing skulls on people’s cars and was fascinated with what they might mean. I first attended Skull Church in 2010 during the High Fidelity series. I immediately fell in love with the unapologetic, bold way that Levi preaches the Truth. I knew that I was not getting enough at the church I was at. I was, however, still attached to the people that welcomed my daughters and I so openly to their families. That all changed drastically for me when I started listening to the At World’s End series. Those teachings opened my eyes and changed my life. I realized that while the church in my town was full of loving people, the True Gospel was not being taught, and I needed to hear the truth. My girls and I have found a home at Fresh Life Church. The truth is not easy, at times it’s very painful, but I have learned to never run away or hide the truth through Pastor Levi’s teachings and his encouragement to always be in God’s Word every day. Thank you Fresh Life Church, Pastor Levi and family. We are all in, Heart and Soul!
Life Change Story / TAMARA
BAPTISMS - We believe water baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change. Raised to new life as a believer, this public confession of faith is a moment to be celebrated—dead to sin, alive in Christ!
We Bow Before the Battle C O D E
I T E M
T H R E E
We are weak; He is strong.
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This week was a difficult week for me. In the middle of our couples counseling session my wife handed me and our counselor a letter stating she wants a separation. I was devastated, angry and hurt but for some reason I took her request seriously and left. I wanted to act out, rebel and make things difficult but for whatever reason I just walked away to be alone. I slept in my office, I kept to myself and prayed. A few nights later I attended a therapy group we were scheduled to attend together on my own. It was the hardest 3 hours I have spent in a long time. Over the last 6 months I have been listening to Pastor Levi online. I would play the online sermons daily receiving the uplifting message of hope. This morning I took the two hour drive south to Salt Lake City and attended service in person. I was thankful for the people there and I appreciated the personal prayer at the end of the service that one of the hosts and the lead singer Brandon offered me. I left with so many uncertainties in my life but I also left knowing that I am loved. This week I hit the bottom of brokenness, maybe it was what was needed to save my marriage, maybe my wife will never want me back, however that true place of brokenness allowed me to reconnect with Jesus. As a Christian I have not been walking with Christ in serving my wife and kids. I am the only person to blame for the place I am at but knowing Jesus will be there with me through this all I am grateful. I don’t expect this week to be much better, my daughter turns 18 tomorrow, I have a birthday I will be alone on and the Thanksgiving holiday is around the corner. But I think it is important for you to know that without Pastor Levi’s messages online, speaking to me and keeping me grounded in the months leading up to this, I am not sure I could have made it through the last six days. Your ministry is working and I am living proof. I just want to say thank you for being a shining light through this difficult time. Your ministry is reaching people. Thank you.
Life Change Story / ANONYMOUS
WORSHIP- Fresh Life Worship is not a band, it is a collective of musicians and songwriters with a passion to see God work supernaturally in our everyday lives. Our desire is to write songs that can be sung while waiting, grieving, or celebrating that will anchor our hearts to heaven and help us live below as in above
We Are Snakebirds C O D E
I T E M
F O U R
We are harmless as doves and yet cunning as serpents. We trust God for what only He can do but we do everything that we can do. Snakebirds are ingenious, creative, and tenacious.
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O2 EXPERIENCE - Like our bodies need oxygen, our souls need God. A fresh look at life, death, sex and romance, the O2 Experience is so much more than a call to abstinence—it’s a call to life in Christ, encouraging young people across the country to hold out for honor and take a stand for purity.
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We’ll Risk the Ocean C O D E
I T E M
F I V E
We take aggressive steps of faith, launching into deeper waters, so that God can do more.
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Eric’s Story A STORY OF IRRATIONAL FAITH
I was living in Dana Point, California, and started
had thoughts about what I would do if something
going to a church called Ocean Hills. I started
didn’t work out, but I had God’s words, and that
serving in the high school ministry there which, at
was more important than a backup. I guess you
the time, Pastor Levi was leading. I began to talk
could say I ‘risked the ocean’ a little bit. The word
to him and eventually developed a friendship with
I always think about that describes that time in my
him as well as respect for him as a teacher.
history, and Fresh Life’s, is faith. For me, because I had the faith to do this, it opened up the doors
On Thanksgiving 2006, Pastor Levi and Jennie
to what I’m doing now. I didn’t do any research
announced they were going to move to Montana
of the area, didn’t look to see how comfortable I
to start a church. When I heard about it, I could
would be, the Gatorade froze it was so cold; I was
feel God telling me to consider moving there
hanging on God’s words. Furthermore, if Pastor
as well. I was immediately like, “No way! I have
hadn’t taken that simple step of faith, I have no
a great job and I’m just starting to get settled in
idea where we would be now, 10 years later.
here.” Nevertheless, I saw God opening doors in my life and I could sense it was time to step out.
I have grown so much in these 10 years. I’ve had
So, I asked Pastor if he could use any help up in
to come to terms with systems coming and going,
Montana, and he said yes.
programs coming and going, community shifting forms, events happening and not happening.
When we started the church I had literally no
Basically, nothing has gone untouched over the
idea what I was doing. I knew technical stuff, but
years and the best way to roll with the punches
I didn’t know how to mix sound, run lights, run
is to just take it day by day. All I know is, if we
ProPresenter, or anything—I had to learn it all
are unwavering in our teaching of the Bible in its
in the field. It was, honestly, pretty crazy and a
entirety, we can keep doing what we do, and God
massive challenge to say the least. But ultimately,
will take us to new places. If we just keep going,
it was one that helped me grow hugely. I never
one step at a time, who knows where the church is
really had a plan B. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely
going to be in the next few years?
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Kalispell From a room above a bar, to the Liberty and Strand theaters, the Kalispell campus has been spreading life and liberty across the Flathead Valley for the last 10 years. Planted by Pastor Levi and Jennie Lusko in 2007, this tiny seed of faith would become a launching point for Fresh Life Church to sweep across Montana and beyond. Utilizing every form of technology possible, Fresh Life’s ministry now spills from this broadcast campus to infuse hope in people all across the country and the world. Built on a desire to bring freedom to those stranded in sin, Fresh Life Kalispell continues to do things no one has done to reach people no one is reaching.
Whitefish Four years after the launch of Fresh Life Church, the Whitefish campus became the first room added to the growing Fresh Life house. As one of three mobile campuses, Fresh Life Whitefish has created a welcoming atmosphere of worship across the city, seeking to love and honor all who walk through their doors and, ultimately, make Jesus famous from the shores of Whitefish Lake to the peaks of Glacier National Park.
Billings In 2011, Fresh Life once again launched into deeper waters by opening our third campus, this time on the opposite end of the state in Montana’s largest city: Billings. Building relationships one coffee date at a time, the heartbeat of Fresh Life Billings is connection—both in their campus and in their community— seeing lives changed as they become rooted in the Fresh Life grove.
Missoula Because the stakes are high and the time is short, Fresh Life continued to spread its branches across Montana, opening our fourth campus in Missoula in 2013. Since then, Fresh Life Missoula has made an incredible impact in their community with a faithfilled environment that welcomes people home. With a heart to love God and love people, their passion is to see Zootown meet Jesus.
Bozeman Fresh Life’s first introduction to Bozeman came in the midst of a fierce winter storm. But just as Brutus and his blizzard couldn’t stop Skull Church from rocking the city, Fresh Life Bozeman has embodied the same “can’t stop won’t stop” mentality since their campus opened in 2014 with a tenacious desire to see the Gallatin Valley awakened.
Salt Lake City In November of 2006, while sitting in the Salt Lake City airport, Pastor Levi and Jennie would make the decision to leave California and start Fresh Life Church. A decade later they would again feel led to take risks and cross borders, making Fresh Life SLC the first campus outside of Montana. The launch of the Salt Lake campus embodies Fresh Life’s desire to reach as many as we can for as long as we can by taking new ground and trusting God for the seemingly impossible.
Helena Located in the heart of downtown Helena—an area historically dubbed “Last Chance Gulch”—the Fresh Life Helena campus offers second chances and new beginnings to everyone who steps through its doors. Launched in 2016 as part of the “Take the Capital” Campaign, Fresh Life Helena seeks to make this house a home and reach Montana’s capital city with the love of Jesus Christ.
Polson Lovingly dubbed the “Rogue Campus,” Fresh Life Polson is destined for impact. What started as a group of people gathering to watch the Fresh Life worship experiences online quickly saw explosive growth, eventually leading to the creation of Fresh Life Network Sites. As the Polson network site continued to expand, impacting lives in their community and the surrounding area, it became clear God was doing something special. In September of 2016, the Fresh Life Polson campus launched alongside Helena and Salt Lake City, marking one of Fresh Life’s most faith-filled expansions to date.
Butte We brought the blood and God brought the thunder as Fresh Life launched three more campuses in the fall of 2017. A city of immigrants and copper kings, Butte’s colorful history is one of booms and busts. With a heart of revival, Fresh Life Butte longs to see restoration sweep not just through the streets of their city, but the lives of its people.
Great Falls From Network Site to Campus, Fresh Life Great Falls has been a beacon of light in the Electric City, seeking to spread a message of love and hope that shines through their city and across the towns and communities of central Montana.
Portland With the launch of Fresh Life Portland, we once again pushed into new and deeper waters, marking our second campus location outside Montana. Fueled by a desire to dispell darkness and despair, these open doors oer life, bringing a message infused with eternal importance to a city in desperate need of hope.
We Tremble Before God’s Word C O D E
I T E M
It’s alive.
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I just want to share how you have blessed us through participation in person in Kalispell as well as worshiping online each Sunday. A couple years ago our son-in-law came to know Jesus by listening to Pastor Levi present the gospel and since then, he and our daughter and six children consider themselves part of the family of Fresh Life. Another son and his wife here in Polson also attend in Kalispell or online and consider themselves a part of this family of Christ. My husband and I have seven children—three natural born and four born of adoption. In the last two years we have adopted two new daughters and both of them have come to know Jesus by listening to Pastor Levi present the gospel. Our 13-year-old Ethiopian daughter has been worshiping with us for two years and our newest 10-year-old daughter raised her hand and asked Jesus into her heart today as we sat in front of our computer screen with Bibles and notebooks listening to Pastor Levi once again. We so appreciate our Fresh Life family and especially the gift of Pastor Levi and his wonderful ability to present the Word of God in a way that so touches each one who listens! Thanks to each one of you who participates in any way...we thank God for all of you!
Life Change Story / SHIRLEY
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We are an Uprising of Honor C O D E
I T E M
S E V E N
We honor those who lead us, those we serve, and those we serve alongside.
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Garren and Jayne’s Story THE STORY OF A RESTORED MARRIAGE
We first heard about Fresh Life through a friend
a turning point. We started meditating on the
who told us through Myspace that Levi Lusko was
Word, serving, giving, and living in transparent
starting a church in Montana. We were instantly
community through Fresh Life Groups. We began
intrigued, thinking back to the Levi that Jayne
to grow slowly and steadily as we were encouraged
had known of years ago back in Albuquerque;
countless times by those around us.
the hyper teenager who was constantly running around the church where his dad worked. We
Now, looking back on nearly 10 years in this house,
thought, “If he is starting a church anywhere near
it all means more to us than we ever would have
us we’re going.” In February 2007, we made it to
thought possible. Ten years of our lives being
our first service above the bar on Main Street. As
changed, rearranged, exchanged, and expanded
the worship started, we asked the Lord to give us
for God’s glory. God has called us to show the
the wisdom to know if we should plant roots here.
unpleasant scars in our lives to help heal the
When the message concluded, we looked at each
wounds of others near us. We are a part of the
other absolutely astonished; we had found home.
thousands upon thousands that were stranded in sin and are now finding life and liberty in Jesus
Since we started attending, God has worked
Christ—and that never gets old. That reality gets
through Fresh Life in our lives in more ways
us out of bed on cold, dark Sunday mornings to
than we can put into words. He didn’t just ‘tune
unlock doors and turn on lights.
up’ our Christianity, He turned it into rubble
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and then asked us to walk through the ruins with
As we continue to grow, we believe that the lost
Him. We had no clue how parched we were until
will continue to be found through this movement.
He began to submerge us in his love through the
This church may have been started with the
warm community and solid Bible teaching of
hope of reaching the Flathead Valley, but it could
Fresh Life. In reality, at the time, our marriage
never just stay here. Lives are being dramatically
was headed toward a disastrous divorce. We
changed by Jesus all around the world every week.
knew we had to make a change now or never.
Being a part of Fresh Life is not comfortable in the
We reached out to Pastor Levi and Jennie for
same way running a sprint is not comfortable, but
counseling and determined in our hearts that
winning is always worth running. We are racing
we would do everything they recommended to
against the clock—and until hell is empty and
us because nothing else was working. That was
heaven is full—we can’t stop and won’t stop.
Dennis and Judy’s Story A STORY ABOUT GOD PREPARING A WAY FOR THE FUTURE
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It all started with the Easter service at the Majestic
greeting guests to making sure the physical facilities
in 2011. My wife, Judy, heard about it, maybe from
are working properly to discipling people who have
a billboard or radio spot, and she convinced me to
made commitments to Christ. God has transformed
go with her. The experience really moved her, but
my life from just getting by to having purpose and
me, not so much. The feeling of that Easter service
fulfillment through serving Him.
stayed with Judy and she started attending the Saturday night worship experience at Fresh Life
For Judy it has been equally meaningful. Her father
in 2012. April of that year she went to the Good
passed away in 2009 and God started tugging at
Friday Skull Church event with our daughter.
her heart at that time. She was overcome with a
It was there that she made a decision to accept
feeling that there was more to life than what she
Christ. We went to the Easter service that Sunday,
had been experiencing. It took a few years and God
but I had no idea of the change in her heart. It took
leading us to Fresh Life to realize what that was all
her over a week to tell me about her decision. She
about. Without the many outreaches of Fresh Life
had no idea that I had made that same decision
she might still be looking. She was able to find the
some 30 years before. That was a part of my past I
answer she was looking for through the amazing
had never shared with her. After a sleepless couple
teachings of Pastor Levi and his very real way of
days of thought and prayer I knew that it was time
presenting the Gospel message. Since we both
to quit running from God so I rededicated my life
dedicated our lives to Christ nothing has been the
to Christ. We were “all in” from that time going
same. We both love to attend worship experiences
forward.
and we make it a point to attend together. It’s a very special time for us as we worship God and feel His
It’s hard to describe the change in our life since that
presence as one.
Easter. Our marriage wasn’t broken, but it wasn’t all that either of us had hoped for when we got
We have only been at Fresh Life for half of the 10
married. Attending church and getting plugged into
years but to see the changes that have happened in
a Fresh Life Group as well as serving has made our
that amount of time is incredible. When we started
marriage so great. We know it’s only going to get
attending there were only three locations. Now they
better with Christ at the center and the fellowship
are all over the state and beyond! God’s favor is truly
of believers at Fresh Life. Personally, I have never
on this church and He has blessed us to be able to
felt so alive since I’ve gotten involved at Fresh Life.
reach so many people. The future is so wide open we
I love to serve and encourage others. God has used
can’t imagine what God has in store! It will certainly
Fresh Life to give me the opportunity to do that to
be bigger and more challenging than we can even
a degree I never thought possible. Through all the
dream of. We are just so honored to be a small part
years I was running from God, He was preparing
of what has happened so far and will surely happen
me for the things I get to do at Fresh Life today. I
in the future!
serve on several teams that do everything from
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“ I knew that it was time to quit running from God. We were ‘all in’ from that time going forward. ”
Impact Team Member / DENNIS M.
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We Don’t Wear Saul’s Armor C O D E
I T E M
E I G H T
We are not afraid to do things that no one is doing to reach people no one is reaching.
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SKULL CHURCH -The responsibility of the reached is to reach. Since its inception in 2009, Skull Church has been yet another avenue to do just that. Named for the hill where Christ was crucified, these free events featuring live music, heartfelt worship, and a life-changing gospel message have led to thousands of decisions for Christ around the world.
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I’m a Kalispell native, but for the last couple of years I’ve lived around the world as an English teacher. I started attending Fresh Life Church back in February. I was skeptical; I didn’t think watching a sermon on the Liberty screen would be as relevant as listening to Pastor Levi in person. I was pleased to discover that I was completely wrong and I am so excited about how this church is using the media to reach even more people. I love how Pastor Levi doesn’t forget that the congregation is scattered all around the city, around the state, around the country, and even around the world. Now I’m living in Russia, and for the moment, I don’t have a local congregation to be involved with. But by listening to the podcasts, I feel like I’m in that moment. I know that I’m not alone in my worship and that just because the pastor and fellow worshipers aren’t there in front of and beside me, it doesn’t mean I’m not being prayed for or thought about. I am so blessed. All of you will be in my heart and prayers as we worship the same amazing God together, no matter where we are or what our circumstances may be. God Bless.
Life Change Story / MEGHAN
John and Kristina’s Story A STORY ABOUT A MARRIAGE BUILT IN THE CHURCH
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“Our marriage was built in the church.” We actually met each other at a Skull Church
nights, and the dizzying high points, the vision is
event through a mutual friend. Neither of us were
never lost: to see those stranded in sin find life and
super stoked about the whole ‘Jesus thing,’ but
liberty in Christ.
looking back, that event changed both of our lives forever. God has brought us back to Him through
We have no words to describe how truly grateful
the sermons and the people. We would not be
we are for Pastor Levi and Jennie and that they
able to hear God’s voice or allow Him to call us
followed God’s call on their lives. Now, it doesn’t
to do what we’re doing without Pastor Levi’s
matter if you are in Montana, Utah, North Dakota,
awesome sermons. The people of our church are
or Canada, you feel like you are home and that you
family. Brothers and sisters united by God to do
belong here. We love it! We also love how Fresh
crazy-amazing things that push us and the people
Life isn’t seeking the approval of man. We are
around us closer and closer to our Father. We are
seeking those who are lost, and we will do what we
closer to our families than we have ever been and
are called to, and if others complain, let them. It’s
our marriage exists because God decided to cross
not for everybody, but Jesus is for everybody, and
our paths.
we won’t rest on our laurels and call it a day. The go-getter attitude that is so prevalent in Pastor’s
Our marriage was built in the church. We served
teaching—we have a mission, and we will do all we
together, attended each week, built friendships,
can to see the lost reached.
and had people helping us along the way. When
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we decided to move to Billings to help support
We are excited to see what God has in store as
the Fresh Life campus there, we knew we would
Fresh Life moves to #tenfinity and beyond. It will
be provided for, even if our families didn’t
be more than we can imagine. More campuses
understand. Ten years of Fresh Life is a story of
in out of state areas like Washington, Idaho and
not backing down from a calling. We know we
beyond. Current campuses like Bozeman are
wouldn’t be where we are without Fresh Life. We
going to explode and we will see fruit ten times
wouldn’t be in Billings, and honestly, most likely
that which was planted. We are making Him
wouldn’t be alive now. It means our lives. It means
famous and we will not be silent. That ocean looks
so much that through all the trials, the darkest
big, but God is bigger!
We Do More By Doing Less C O D E
I T E M
N I N E
This is In-N-Out; not Chili’s. By keeping the menu simple, we can focus and do things extremely well. We see complexity as a weakness and not as a strength.
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OUTREACH AND ROCK THIS CITY -Through our year-round Rock This City initiative, we give our time, talent, and treasure to support local, national, and international organizations that provide disaster relief, food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and rescue for victims of human traďŹƒcking. Together, we are making a tangible and eternal impact in our communities, our cities, and lives across the globe.
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We are a Youth-Led Movement C O D E
I T E M
T E N
We are calling out an under-challenged generation to tap their full potential and change the world.
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FRESH LIFE STUDENTS -We don’t have a youth group, we are a youth-led movement. Fresh Life Students equips, encourages, and empowers the next generation to be leaders—not as the church of tomorrow, but the church of right now.
Kevin and Christy’s Story THE POTENTIAL OF A SERVING FAMILY
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“Serving is a part of our lifestyle.” We started coming to Fresh Life in 2007 after we
indicated an interest in serving. The amount of
were invited multiple times by some friends to
pride that we put into our work at church was not
check it out. Admittedly, we were a little skeptical,
lost on them; they naturally wanted to be a part.
but when we realized that every piece of the
When we showed them that we were committed,
experience was about Jesus, all our defenses went
all in, and having genuine fun in our roles, they
down. That first Sunday, Pastor gave an altar call
wanted to capture that for themselves. Ultimately,
and 10 people received Christ—that was what we
Fresh Life’s culture of being a ‘Youth-Led
needed. God’s presence was in that theatre in such
Movement’ played a huge role in that. While kids
a visibly obvious way.
usually don’t get to play in the deep end, Fresh Life encourages youth to seize the opportunity to
Not too long after, we were dealt some serious
stretch their talents through serving.
blows that made coming consistently almost laughable. We lost our house and then Christy’s
Now, Brayden helps run sound and lights as well
brother was taken up to heaven. We did the
as set up. Sunday is the only day of the week that
memorial service in the Strand and Pastor Levi
we don’t have to fight to get him out of bed. He
ended it with a gospel presentation. The fact that
has such a passion and talent for technology it’s
Pastor was unafraid to tell it like it is and the way
absolutely amazing. Abree is one of the most kind-
that the community surrounded us in that dark
hearted and caring kids you will ever meet, with
time pushed us to make the decision to be truly
a tremendous love for little children, so Fresh
bought in and we’ve worn a jersey ever since.
Life Kids was an instant fit for her. The fact of the
When Fresh Life Whitefish started meeting in
matter is, our kids have found their sweet spot and
2009, Kevin got involved right away with load in
they’ve become bricks fastened into the walls of
and production and Christy got plugged in with
this house, helping to support the greater work
Fresh Life Kids. Looking back now, the personal
God is doing through Fresh Life Whitefish.
growth we saw during this time of transition was astronomical. We went from being stagnant
Serving is a part of our lifestyle. It’s never a
Christians to being true members of the Fresh Life
question and our hope for our children as they
family in Whitefish.
grow into adulthood is the same. We want them to be planted in a fruitful church, putting God first in
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But that’s not where it stopped. Eventually, as
all things, and starting out their marriages better
Brayden and Abree started to get older, they
than we did through having a strong root system.
“ Our kids have found their sweet spot and they’ve become bricks fastened into the walls of this house... ”
Impact Team Member / KEVIN R.
FRESH LIFE KIDS - We asked one of our kids to describe Fresh Life Kids and they responded to this challenge with one word: Awesome. From worship to the Word, kids learn at their level in a fun and relevant way. Because growing in a grove isn’t just for grown ups.
Katie’s Story A STORY OF A HOUSE THAT BECAME A HOME
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“There are some moments in life that seem to stand still, they are too life-altering to forget.”
I found myself in one of those moments my
my seat. That decision on March 2nd, 2011 had a
sophomore year of highschool, as I stood in line
ripple effect that fundamentally changed where
for Skull Church on the invitation of a friend.
my life was headed.
I had a preconceived notion about what I was
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going to find inside those doors and I was pretty
I immediately plugged into Fresh Life Students
sure it wasn’t for me. Coming from a turbulent
where I was included into an amazing community
home I felt like anything that was offered to me
of positive mentors and peers. They guided and
wasn’t going to change my circumstance or fill the
grew me in my relationship with Christ. These
longing within me. I felt bound to continue the
relationships were pivotal to my development;
cycle of abuses that I had been born into. I didn’t
I had never had constants in my life before who
know how to rewrite my story to differ from those
would stand by me both through the sunshine and
before me. As the worship began I was pulled into
the storm. Through their actions they were an
the experience and the passion in the music was
example of Christ. Protecting me from falling back
like nothing I had ever heard before. The barriers
into compromising circumstances and unhealthy
that I had so carefully constructed began to break
relationships. Because of their influence, I had a
down. As soon as Pastor Levi started speaking I
desire to have ownership in what God was doing
found myself on the edge of my seat feeling like
through Fresh Life, which led me to seek out
the entire experience was orchestrated just for
serving in Kids Ministry. Through serving in Fresh
me. It was liberating, but it also left me feeling
Life Kids a spark was lit within me and I found
exposed and vulnerable. So when the altar call
where my passion and talents laid. This greatly
came I ignored the urge to go forward. I let fear
influenced my decision to study early childhood
stop me from taking action. I sat in my seat feeling
education in college. I became a student leader
like I had missed a life-altering opportunity,
after graduating high school and loved the
unsure of how to get it back. God, however, meets
opportunity to invest in the youth led-movement
us where we are, and Pastor Levi gave one last
that had so shaped me. Towards the end of my
invitation. I found myself at the foot of the stage
second year of college I was losing confidence
before my brain had even processed rising from
and was no longer sure of the reason God had me
in my degree. I was feeling lost; although I was
not do what I was doing; I felt that in leaving
passionate about the topic I didn’t feel called to
I was relinquishing God’s plans for me. God
use my degree in a traditional sense.
knew my desire to stay and thankfully allowed me to continue being apart of the work He was
The summer before my final year I was
doing. I joined staff as a part time Fresh Life
encouraged to apply for the internship program.
Kids Coordinator and fully joined the team after
In the beginning I was apprehensive of managing
graduation. There is so much beauty in being
the responsibility of a full time job while fully
apart of the beginning of childlike wonder and
investing myself into the internship. However, I
faith. Seeing the seeds being planted and the
loved Fresh Life Kids and I knew there was more
sprouts beginning to grow. From scheduling and
behind the scenes that I wanted to be a part of. I
cutting out sheep, to teaching bible stories in a fun
wanted to peek behind the curtain for a glimpse
and exciting way; I count it all joy. I love that I get
at the work that went into making the weekend.
to be a part of coming alongside families as they
Carrie, the Kids Ministry Director, gave me the
are raising this next generation. That as a church
opportunity to grow in the calling God had placed
we don’t believe that our youth are the church
on my life. She allowed me to take ownership in the
of tomorrow but that they are the church of the
work that was being done and instilled confidence
here and now. It is remarkably fulfilling being a
back into me. She called me to a level of excellence
part of these kids building genuine and personal
because our God is worthy of the effort. The truth
relationships with Jesus at such a young age. That
of it is that the internship wrecked me, but in the
they walk away not just knowing facts of the Bible,
best way possible. It broke down what I thought I
but who Jesus is to them and that His promises
knew and rebuilt me on a firm foundation of who
are true. Each child has a unique perspective and
God is and what He wants both from me and for
I often walk away learning more from them; to
me. All in all the internship taught me a lot about
simply call this a job would be an injustice. I am
sacrifice; that often the greatest harvest comes
eternally grateful that God has me here for such a
from the hardest labor.
time as this. Allowing me to reinvest into the house that was a constant home for me throughout my
While the internship inspired and fed my spirit,
critical growing years. Watering me, pruning me,
the end date seemed to loom on the edge of my
letting my roots interlock down deep with others
consciousness. I feared leaving this place where
who are like minded in seeing those who are
I had found my sweet spot and returning to a
stranded in sin find life and liberty in Jesus Christ.
place of uncertainty. I truly didn’t know how to
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It’s Not for Everyone C O D E
I T E M
E L E V E N
We know not everyone will get it. We are okay with that. Because the stakes are high and time is short, we refuse to back down.
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Lenya Lion’s Story MORE A PART OF OUR FUTURE THAN OUR PAST.
On December 20, 2012 Lenya Avery Lusko, the precious second-born of the Lusko family, went to heaven after a severe asthma attack. We are thankful for the way her move to Heaven has lightened our touch on this earth. As we stand on tiptoes at the edge of eternity, we have seen the Lord use Lenya’s life to change lives the world over. The pain of the Lusko family has been a microphone. We know Lenya is with Jesus and He is in us, and we can’t wait to see her again. Until that day we look at life through the eyes of a lion.
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THROUGH THE EYES OF A LION - In Through the Eyes of a Lion, Pastor Levi and Jennie have taken the grief of their five-year-old daughter Lenya’s unexpected journey to Heaven and turned it into a beacon of hope for those struggling with suering and loss. Now a bestseller translated into four languages, it has helped people from every walk of life find power in their pain.
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SWIPE RIGHT - There is nothing more powerful on earth than the forces of love, sex, and romance. In fact, relationships are a matter of lifeand-death importance. In his second book, Pastor Levi shares how to regret-proof your marriage bed and your deathbed by training today for the relationship you want tomorrow.
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INTERNS - Our hearts, our souls, our minds, and our efforts are fixated on one thing: seeing God glorified and His kingdom built. Through Fresh Life Interns, we take the most committed, passionate, and faith-filled people ages 17-35, and train and equip them to take ground for the Kingdom and take their place as the leaders of this generation.
We’re All In C O D E
I T E M
T W E L V E
We stand as one behind the vision God has given.
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Kevin and Alaina’s Story A STORY OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS There is no way I could’ve known. The dream was
Down the street was an old movie theater for
there and I wanted to see it happen. My family
sale. It had been on the market for some time but
wanted to lend its weight to the vision. At the
came with a deed restriction stating that no movie
time, it was just myself and my pregnant wife.
could be shown there for 20 years. A movie theater
We drove across the country to Kalispell, our new
that you can’t show movies in. It was the perfect
home and a place we had never been before. We
home for Fresh Life. It had twice as many chairs as
stepped out in faith, into the unknown, with little
people currently in the church. We could go back
savings and no job, trusting God to do what only
to one meeting time on the weekend and have
He could.
room to grow for a long time! Our first Sunday in the Strand Theater was filled to capacity. Literally
The beginning was humble, starting above a bar
every chair was taken. The church doubled in size
on Main Street. There was a very small wooden
that weekend.
platform for a stage, halogen track lights, and decor courtesy of Pier 1 Imports. Our kids ministry was a
It didn’t stop. Jesus was changing lives. The
tiny kitchen in the back and our prep room a utility
church continued to grow literally onto the street.
closet. It was nothing flashy. Nothing crazy, but it
Sunday went back to two meeting times and we
was powerful. The Holy Spirit of God was moving.
even added a Saturday night. Running out of
A professional concert violinist visited our first
chairs in the theater, we set up a TV and speakers
weekend here and I remember her appreciating
outside. There were so many people that chairs
the fact that my guitar was in tune. Pastor Levi
spilled off the sidewalk and onto the road. So
preached the gospel and she gave her life to Jesus.
we decided to send the video signal into another
It was the first life changed for eternity.
theater across the street, the Liberty.
God didn’t move slowly. Two months later we
God was building His church and hell couldn’t
broke fire-code at Easter. I was terrified that the
stop it. It was at this point we realized the power of
old building we were meeting in was going to
God’s word even through video. It paved the way
collapse under the weight of so many people. I
to launch campuses. It pushed the message across
remember legitimately feeling panicked. We had
the internet all over the world and it continues to
to add more times to meet. By the end of the year
change lives everyday. If you would have told me
we had reached capacity for both of our Sunday
10 years ago what God would do, I wouldn’t have
morning worship experiences.
believed it.
“I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next 10 and beyond.”
What’s Ahead Saying the future is bright wouldn’t just be an understatement, it would be a flagrant miscalculation; the future of Fresh Life is ablaze with an unquenchable holy fire. We have seen God expand His kingdom in mind-blowing ways we couldn’t have ever imagined. We will continue to risk the ocean, unapologetically preaching the Gospel and creating more room for people to meet Jesus. Time is too short and the stakes are too high to do anything else. In the decades to come, we’re not expecting an easy ride, but we know that with pain comes power and that our Savior has a plan for us that will defy all reasonable expectation. As we gaze upon the horizon, our hearts are filled with audacity, expectancy, faith and wonder— at Fresh Life Church we firmly believe that the best is yet to come.
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Stay In Touch C O N T A C T
U S
info@freshlife.church F I N D
U S
O N L I N E
freshlife.church G I V E
freshlife.church/give K N O W
G O D
freshlife.church/know-god S H A R E
Y O U R
S T O R Y
story@freshlife.church S O C I A L
M E D I A
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Contributors V I S I O N
Pastor Levi and Jennie Lusko C R E A T I V E
D I R E C T O R
Amanda Minatra A R T
D I R E C T I O N
A N D
D E S I G N
Elisha Guido D E S I G N E R S
Ryan Corbett Ashley Martin C O N T R I B U T O R S
Amanda Minatra Elisha Guido Colton Born Katie Green Ashley Martin Kevin Guido Kyle Heinecke Jess Ekegren I M A G E
C O O R D I N A T I O N
Abby Carlson P H O T O G R A P H Y
Fresh Life Photography Impact Team
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