Renaissance Church
Religion & Spirituality
About
Renaissance Church is a nondenominational Christian church located in Providence, RI founded in 2003 by Pastor Scott Axtmann.
Episodes
- Salt of the Earth: Celebration
Celebration Scott Axtmann What if celebration isn’t just something we do, but a powerful way we love others? In this message Pastor Scott explores how joy, honor, and gratitude are actually spiritual disciplines that shape our hearts and r…
- Salt of the Earth: Contemplation
Contemplation Vicky Griffiths In this message from the “Salt of the Earth” series, Vicky unpacks what contemplation really looks like in everyday life. In a world full of noise and distraction, she explains how slowing down and thinking de…
- Salt of the Earth: Scripture
Scripture Scott Axtmann Pastor Scott continues the Salt of the Earth series with a powerful invitation to rediscover the life changing beauty of God’s Word, revealing who God is, how we are saved, and how we are meant to live. He challenge…
- Salt of the Earth: A Life With God Through Prayer
A Life With God Through Prayer Scott Axtmann Pastor Scott opens the Salt of the Earth series with a powerful call to real prayer as a daily, honest relationship with God that shapes every part of life. He challenges both cultural indiffere…
- Salt of the Earth: Introduction
Salt of the Earth Series Introduction Scott Axtmann This opening message introduces the “Salt of the Earth” series. Scott will explore what it truly looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life, often in ways that stand in contrast to cultu…
- Standalone Sermons: Easter Message
Easter Message Scott Axtmann Easter Sunday Message In this Easter message, Pastor Scott reflects on Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus, highlighting her deep devotion, grief, and initial confusion at the empty tomb. Though ove…
- Standalone Sermons: Alonica Worship Band
Alonica Worship Band Alonica Worship Band Before welcoming the band Alonica, Pastor Scott’s short message explores the meaning of corporate worship as a central, centuries-old practice where believers collectively direct their praise and a…
- Standalone Sermons: Thoughts on Mission
Thoughts on Mission Scott Axtmann Thoughts on Mission This message shares a powerful testimony of transformation, from addiction and despair to new life through an encounter with God, made possible by the patient love and persistence of fr…
- Philippians: Fragrant Offering
Fragrant Offering Scott Axtmann Philippians 4:14-23 Scott wraps up our Philippians series by highlighting how the generosity of the Philippian church was a fragrant offering to God, showing that giving flows from a right lifestyle and a he…
- Philippians: The Secret of Contentment
The Secret of Contentment Vicky Griffiths Philippians 4:10-13 The pervasive sense of discontentment with what we have almost fuels the culture around us, but God intends us to live a life characterized by peace and contentment. In this mes…
- Philippians: Thinking and Being in Order to Experience the Peace of God
Thinking and Being in Order to Experience the Peace of God Mark Skillin Philippians 4:8,9 Mark explains that when Paul begins with “finally” in the Epistle to the Philippians, he is offering a concluding encouragement for believers to focu…
- Philippians: Finding Peace in the Midst of Anxiety
Finding Peace in the Midst of Anxiety Scott Axtmann Philippians 4:4-7 Scott reflects on Paul’s encouragement to rejoice in the Lord and bring every worry to God in prayer. He acknowledges that anxiety is a real struggle for many people, bu…
- Standalone Sermons: Living as Citizens of Heaven
Living as Citizens of Heaven Scott Axtmann A small portion of Scott’s sermon was unfortunately not recorded, so the audio begins partway through his message. Scott reflects on what it means to live as citizens of heaven while following Chr…
- Philippians: Paul's Master Class in Handling Conflict
Paul's Master Class in Handling Conflilct Vicky Griffiths Philippians 4: 2,3 Whether trivial or more serious, most of us have experienced differences of opinion among people in the churches we have attended. Sometimes we may even find…
- Philippians: Saved by the Cross through Cleansing and Cross-bearing
Saved by the Cross through Cleansing and Cross-bearing Mark Skillin Philippians 3:17-4:1 In this message from the letter to the Philippians, Mark Skillin explains that the cross not only cleanses believers from sin but also calls them to a…
- Philippians: Run the Race
Because of snow conditions, Sunday’s service was cancelled. Instead, Vicky Griffiths shared this week’s message with newsletter subscribers by email on Sunday morning. Vicky reflects on Paul’s words in his letter to the Philippians, where…
- Philippians: The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ Mark Skillin Philippians 3:1-11 In this sermon on Philippians 3:1–11, Mark Skillin explains how Paul could tell believers to rejoice even while he was in prison. Paul warns against putting confidence…
- Philippians: Genuine Leadership
Genuine Leadership Scott Axtmann Philippians 2:19-30 In this sermon we look at Philippians 2:19–30, where Paul highlights Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of genuine Christian leadership. Writing from prison, Paul addresses the ongoing…
- Standalone Sermons: 2026 Aims
2026 Aims Scott Axtmann In this pastoral talk on “2026 Aims", Pastor Scott encourages us not to shy away from resolutions but to see them as meaningful goals that help us live intentionally for God. Reflecting on the quiet of win…
- Advent: The Greatest Gift
Advent: The Greatest Gift Vicky Griffiths In this interactive Christmas sermon, Vicky Griffiths invites the children gathered at the front of the church to help open a table full of wrapped gifts, each one revealing a deeper truth about th…
- Advent: God With Us
God With Us Scott Axtmann In this message from Pastor Scott, we explore the breathtaking truth at the center of Christmas: God became human and dwelt among us. Walking through John 1:1–18, we linger on the mystery of the incarnation and wh…
- Advent: The Empathetic God
The Empathetic God Michael Caparelli In this sermon, guest speaker Dr. Mike Caparelli explores empathy as a defining attribute of God, revealed most clearly through the Incarnation. Rather than putting humanity “in its place,” God chose to…
- Philippians: Shining Stars
Shining Stars Scott Axtmann Philippians 2:12–18 In this message from Philippians 2:12–18, Pastor Scott explores what it means to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” by taking seriously the transforming work God is doing withi…
- Standalone Sermons: At Home with the Lord
At Home with the Lord Scott Axtmann On November 15, 2025, our beloved Jackie Plante went home to be with the Lord. Pastor Scott shares about the way she loved and ministered to people even in her final hours in the hospital. The good…
- Philippians: The Humility of Jesus
The Humility of Jesus Scott Axtmann Philippians 2:5-11 We all want to make something of our lives—but what if the path upward actually begins by going down? In this message from Philippians 2:5–11, we see Jesus, who had every right to stay…
- Philippians: Loving Like Christ
Loving Like Christ Scott Axtmann Philippians 2:1–5 This message calls us to love with the same humility and selflessness that Christ displayed. Paul’s words in Philippians 2 remind us that nothing is more beautiful than a life poured out i…
- Prayer & Revival: What Fills Us, Spills From Us
What Fills Us, Spills From Us Emily Cordon Drainville Guest speaker Pastor Emily Cordon Drainville from Sanctuary Church shares how God is stirring renewal in the Church through prayer and bold witness. Drawing from Acts 4:23–31, she teach…
- Philippians: Unstoppable Joy
Unstoppable Joy Scott Axtmann Philippians 1:12–30 What if the very things meant to silence faith actually make it stronger? In this message, Pastor Scott unpacks how Paul’s imprisonment—and even the selfish motives of others—became unexpec…
- Philippians: Affection + Prayer
Affection + Prayer Scott Axtmann Philippians 1:1-11 This message reflects on Paul’s warm affection for the church in Philippi and uses his prayer as a model for how Renaissance Church should pray in this season of renew…
- Prayer & Revival: Maturing the Church for the Harvest
Maturing the Church for the Harvest Tim Zulker How do you prepare to get ready for an influx of new believers as a result of prayer? This week, guest speaker Tim Zulker—executive director of New England Urban Church Planting and longtime m…
- Prayer & Revival: Persistance in Prayer
Persistance in Prayer Vicky Griffiths Luke 11 In this sermon on prayer and revival, Vicky Griffiths encourages us to rethink how we approach God. Drawing from Luke 11, the teaching emphasizes bold, persistent, and shamelessly audacious pra…
- Prayer & Revival: This Kind Comes Only By Prayer
This Kind Comes Only By Prayer Scott Axtmann In this message on Prayer and Revival , Pastor Scott reminds us that revival isn’t just emotional hype but a move of God that awakens us to His presence and reshapes everyday life. Looking at ex…
- Prayer & Revival: How to Sustain
How to Sustain Scott Axtmann In part two of our Prayer and Revival series, we focus on how to keep the fire of prayer burning once God has lit it in our hearts. We look at the importance of abiding in God’s love—rejecting condemnation and…
- Prayer & Revival: Reorienting Your Life for a Move of God
Reorienting Your Life for a Move of God Scott Axtmann This sermon launches a three-week series on Prayer and Revival , calling the church to pursue a deeper, Spirit-filled life. Scott explains that revival is not hype or a planned event bu…
- Stories of God: The Fight for God's Fullness in Our Lives
The Fight for God's Fullness in Our Lives Scott Axtmann 2 Samuel 23 In this sermon, we explore what it means to “fight the good fight of faith,” not against people, but against the spiritual forces of evil, pursuing the fullness of God in…
- Stories of God: Ezekiel
Ezekiel Mark Skillin In this message from Ezekiel 24, we’re reminded of the weighty call of the prophets and the surpassing greatness of God’s glory. Ezekiel’s ministry was marked by extraordinary suffering—his very life became a series of…
- Standalone Sermons: Holding Fast to Hope as a Church Family
Holding Fast to Hope as a Church Family Nick Fatato Looking at Hebrews 10:19–25, guest speaker Nick Fatato reminds us that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have full access to God’s presence—not by anything we’ve done, but by His blood. Thi…
- Stories of God: The Secret to Meekness
The Secret to Meekness Scott Axtmann 2 Samuel 16 In this week’s message, Pastor Scott walks us through the painful moment in 2 Samuel 16 when David, broken and weeping, is cursed and attacked by Shimei. Though falsely accused and humiliate…
- Stories of God: The Kindness of God
The Kindness of God Scott Axtmann 2 Samuel 9 Pastor Scott’s message illustrates the radical kindness of God through the story of David and Mephibosheth. Though Mephibosheth was a disabled descendant of Saul—the very king who had persecuted…
- Stories of God: Temptations in the Desert
Temptations in the Desert Mark Skillin Matthew 4 This sermon from Mark Skillin explores the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness, drawing from Matthew 4. Just after His baptism and the declaration of His identity as God's beloved Son, Je…
- Stories of God: What pleases the LORD?
What pleases the LORD? Scott Axtmann 2 Samuel 6 This message from Pastor Scott challenges listeners to reflect on a core spiritual question: Is God pleased with my life? Using the story of David transporting the Ark of the Covenant, he hig…
- Stories of God: Abigail's Beautiful Roadblock
Abigail's Beautiful Roadblock Scott Axtmann 1 Samuel 25 This sermon unpacks the powerful account of David and Abigail in 1 Samuel 25. Abigail courageously intervenes in David’s path of rage and revenge after an insult from the foolish Naba…
- Stories of God: Hearing God's Voice
Hearing God's Voice Vicky Griffiths 1 Samuel 3 Teaching leader Vicky Griffiths explores the story of young Samuel and how he learned to hear God's voice—a journey that invites all of us, no matter our age, to do the same. Through Scripture…
- Stories of God: David + Goliath
David + Goliath Scott Axtmann 1 Samuel 17 Pastor Scott unpacks the story of David and Goliath as more than a boy-versus-giant tale—it’s a blueprint for faith under pressure, showing how David endured his brothers’ contempt, Saul’s doubts,…
- Standalone Sermons: Living by Faith in Mozambique
Living by Faith in Mozambique Joel Charest Joel and Adrienne Charest have come alongside local churches in Mozambique for many years. Joel visited with Renaissance Church and highlighted their work in evangelistic soccer outreaches, childr…
- Stories of God: The Sacrifice of Isaac
The Sacrifice of Isaac Mark Skillin Genesis 22 This sermon delves into the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22, emphasizing Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promises even when asked to sacrifice his son. Drawing from Hebrews 11 a…
- Stories of God: God Sees the Heart
God Sees the Heart Scott Axtmann 1 Samuel 16:1-13 In this sermon Pastor Scott shares the story of God choosing David as the next king of Israel, found in 1 Samuel 16. We walk through Samuel’s fear, God’s surprising instruction, and the pow…
- Spirit: How To Be Filled
How To Be Filled Scott Axtmann This final part of the Spirit series explores how to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit—not just as a one-time event, but as a daily reality. Drawing from Scripture and practical illustrations, we lo…
- Spirit: What It Looks Like to Be Filled
What It Looks Like to Be Filled Scott Axtmann In this sermon, we dive into the vital work of the Holy Spirit—regenerating our lives, transforming our hearts, enabling deep prayer, and giving us boldness and assurance of salvation. The Spir…
- Spirit: Why We Need to Be Filled
Why We Need to Be Filled Scott Axtmann This sermon launches a three-part series on the Holy Spirit by addressing why we need to be filled with Him. Pastor Scott highlights the confusion and extremes often associated with the Spirit—some ch…