The Power of One

Growing up, I was the kid who liked science, not sports. I was the kid who worked my brain, not my body. In my teenage years, I became keenly aware of the circles that I fit in, or rather, didn’t fit in. There’s so much pressure, especially when you’re in middle school and high school, to look like, think like, and talk like a certain “group.” Whether it’s drama and the arts, sports, robotics or any of the other various “cliques,” everyone wants to feel that sense of belonging with a group that is like them. But what if you don’t fit those groups? Where do you go?

For me, youth group was my group. Sure, there were still kids that liked things I didn’t, but every week, we would all come to a place with one mission: to worship and learn about God. Okay, okay, maybe there was another mission of snacks and girls (that is, after all, where my wife and I met). But the overall focus that brought us together was God. Fast forward to my first missions’ trip, and I was in a third world country with people from youth group: sporty kids, drama kids, and tech-y kids all coming together to serve in a country that wasn’t our own, and more than that, to worship with people that we didn’t share a language with.

It was a powerful example to a young me of what God really created the church to look like. A church that is full of different talents, cultures, languages, and people. We didn’t need to all be the same to be effective for His Kingdom—I would argue that it was actually our differences that made us effective. That, and the unity that we had despite our differences.

This experience planted a seed in my heart about what unity truly means. At One Church, unity isn't just a nice concept or a word we throw around. It's a living, breathing mission. We’re not talking about one person standing alone, but about one body—a powerful collective, moving together in love and purpose. It’s not just you or me; it’s us.

Paul puts it beautifully in Ephesians 4:3-6: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” This isn’t just an abstract idea; it’s a blueprint for how we are called to live as a community.

Take a moment to let that sink in. This isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that unity isn’t optional—it’s vital. The power of one body, bound by one hope and rooted in one God, is unstoppable. And here's the best part: unity doesn’t erase our differences; it embraces them and binds them together into something stronger than we could ever be alone.

Thinking back to those youth group days and that first mission trip, we came together—not because we all thought or acted the same way, but because we were focused on the same purpose. That’s unity in action: it’s not about uniformity; it’s about diversity working in harmony. It’s about moving as one body, as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Each part matters, whether you’re an eye, a hand, or a foot (and maybe even an appendix). When we bring our different gifts, backgrounds, and stories together, that’s when we become the one God designed us to be.

The early church in Acts 2:42-47 got this right. They met together, shared meals, prayed, and supported each other. They showed up for one another, and that kind of unity—messy, real, and deeply relational—changed everything. It’s a picture of what happens when "the power of one" becomes more than a concept; it becomes our way of life.

So, what does this look like for us? It’s more than just showing up on Sundays. It’s being the body, together. Here’s how we can live out the power of one:

1. Celebrate Differences: Let’s not just tolerate our diversity; let’s embrace it. Your story, your gifts, your quirks—they matter here. They’re part of what makes us us.
2. Pray Together: Have you ever noticed how prayer changes the atmosphere? When we pray as a community, it’s like we’re locking arms with the Spirit. It aligns our hearts with God’s and with each other’s.
3. Serve Side by Side: Find a spot to jump in and serve. Whether it’s helping with children, tech, leading a small group, or simply lending a hand where needed, serving together deepens our connections.
4. Show Up for Each Other: Unity isn’t just about the high points; it’s strengthened in the real, sometimes messy moments of life. Be there to cheer someone on, and be there when life knocks them down.

Unity is more than an idea; it’s who we are. When we come together, embracing our differences and focusing on our shared mission, we are unstoppable. Unity is what turns a room full of unique, diverse people into a community with one heartbeat, one mission: to know God and to make Him known. It's not about being the same—it’s about being together. So, let’s ask ourselves: how can we lean into this calling? How can we contribute to this collective strength?

Together, we are One Church! Let's be one from Akron to Medina and everywhere in between to reach the world around us with the love and hope of Jesus Christ!