Creekside Explore
Summer 2025
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SPRING OF 2025
Let's Explore Together!
Summer courses at Creekside Explore take you to the next step in your walk with Jesus. Invite some friends to join you!
How Do Christians Think About Science
with Tom Goodnow
Class Details
Is there actually a “war between science and faith” and has there always been? What actually is science, and what is Christianity? What do we do when it’s claimed that “the Bible is not scientific” and therefore either should be dismissed or believed without question? What makes something “scientific” or “religious” or “Christian”, and how do we know, and who decides? In our wider culture and in our personal lives, there is often the sense that science governs what is real and trustworthy in the world and religious opinions are essentially ways to cope with personal difficulties with the two rarely talking to each other. When they do talk to each other, the discussion is often rancorous and confusing and often unhelpful both for believers and for non-Christians. Come get your mental and spiritual feet wet with these challenging questions.
Sessions:
Cost: FREE
About the Instructor
Tom Goodnow became a Christian in college as a physics major, though he eventually wound up as a nurse. He has been thinking about religion and science issues for a couple of decades, through his work, through missions and evangelism experiences, and through a couple of trips through graduate school. He has been a nurse anesthetist at UC Davis for most of his professional career, with degrees in nursing and literature and Biblical studies (Western Seminary). He enjoys theological discussions with his wife, four sons and four grandchildren. They sometimes enjoy these discussions as well.
Spiritual Warfare
with Bob Van Allen
Class Details
Pastor Scott recently did a series of sermons on Spiritual Warfare. If you want more background and want more depth in what the Bible teaches about this topic, this class is for you! We will cover the history and the nature of the long war against God. Then we will move on to practical application of our role in this war, how to be effective soldiers for Jesus Christ, and how to deal with direct spiritual confrontation.
Sessions:
June 10 - July 1
Cost: FREE
About the Instructor
Parenting is Heart Work
with Lois Sherwin & Shelby Arrriaga
Class Details
If you're like most parents, you have developed your own parenting strategy—sometimes it seems to work, and other times—based on the way your child behaves—you wonder if it's working at all. There are countless ways to try to get a child's attention and to effect change—but here's the truth—unless you deal with a child through his or her heart, you are not likely to see lasting change.
In this breakthrough book, Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN, reveal how you can learn to truly reach your child's heart to teach, train, and build a tremendous relationship.
Parenting is Heart Work gives you the practical tools an easy-to-follow steps that will revolutionize how you:
Turn Correction times into learning experiences. Equip your children to accept responsibility for their mistakes and meditate on the right things. Influence and adjust the values and beliefs your children hold. Maintain relationship with your children through love and emotional connectedness.
Sessions:
July 15 through August 12
Cost: This class is FREE but will have a fee for the book.
The Instructors
Lois Sherwin
Lois began attending Creekside in 2023 when she was called as Kid's Pastor. She accepted Christ at age 5 with her mom. Coming to Christ as a young child gave her a huge heart for helping connect kids with the love and forgiveness of Jesus, and the joy of life in Him.
Shelby Arriaga
Shelby started attending Creekside in 1997 when she was in kindergarten and grew up here at Creekside and in Elk Grove! She has been very involved in Awana and that in part led her to join the staff of Creekside in 2019 full-time. She accepted Christ when she was 5.
Making Sense of the Old Testament: From Creation to Christ
with Michael Brogna
Class Details
Would you like to understand how Old Testament people and events are connected to one another? Are you interested in seeing how the message of the gospel can be seen within the pages of the Hebrew Scriptures? Do you desire to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Old Testament in general? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will want to participate in this informative five-week course. You will walk away with a firm grasp of the overall message, main characters, theological themes, and biblical timeline of the Old Testament.
Sessions:
July 15 - August 12
Cost: FREE
About the Instructor
Michael Brogna is an ordained minister who has served the church in various capacities for over 30 years, including pastor, university instructor, church planter, and missionary. He holds a M.A. in Exegetical Theology from Western Seminary. For the past decade Michael has served as a theological educator for Global Training Network where he travels to developing nations to educate and equip indigenous church leaders. He has a passion for teaching the Bible in a style that is very personal, conversational, and fun!
Beyond the Good Old Days: Finishing our Course with Joy
with Bob & Nancy Speizer, & Mike Beckner
Class Details
Thinning hair, failing eyesight, and arthritic hands reveal an inescapable truth: we’re only getting older.
But that doesn’t mean we should simply sit back and take it easy. In Finishing Our Course with Joy, renowned theologian and author J. I. Packer challenges us to embrace old age as an opportunity for continued learning, careful planning, and heartfelt discipleship. Packer’s pastoral words and personal stories encourage us to press on toward the upward call of God with endurance and grace—that we might continue to glorify God in our aging and finish our lives with joy.
Sessions:
June 3 - July 1
Cost: FREE
About the Instructor
Bob & Nancy Speizer
Bob and his wife, Nancy, have been attending Creekside since 1991 with a five-year sojourn to Germany as missionaries. Bob accepted the Lord in the fall of 1977. He began his full-time ministry as a high school pastor at Bethany Community Church in Tempe, Arizona, starting there right after seminary in 1982.
Nancy is a Special Ed Teacher for the Elk Grove School District as well as a Registered Nurse.
Mike Beckner
Bio coming soon.
For questions about class content, contact Michael Sim.
For questions about class registration, contact Jennifer Sandlin.