How It Started
It started with a nudge from God and a lake minister named Kris Thomas who listened.
Kris had been leading lake church at Lake Kahola for fifteen years when she felt God put something specific on her heart — cast a wider net. She referenced the story of the disciples fishing all night with nothing to show for it, until Jesus told them to throw their nets on the other side of the boat. Suddenly, the nets were overflowing.
So Kris did what Kris does — she got to work. Before the 2026 lake season began, she walked to every single cabin around Lake Kahola and left a personal invitation to lake church. She prayed at every cabin. It took her two days.
When Niki McDowell heard what Kris had done, she knew she wanted to help cast that wider net too — just in her own way. As a regular attendee of lake church, Niki’s family loves the format and misses it when the lake season ends. She thought, what if these sermons could reach people beyond the lake? And so 10 Minute Sermons was born.
What Is Lake Church?
Lake church runs every Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day at Lake Kahola. Church starts at 9:30 and we’re finished by 10:00. Here’s what it looks like:
- We start with a word of prayer.
- We sing two songs together.
- Kris reads the scripture she’ll focus on.
- She delivers a 10-minute sermon.
- We close with praises and prayers.
- Then someone brings food for everyone to enjoy.
Lake attire is completely acceptable, and you’re welcome to bring your leashed four-legged friend.
Why This Site?
Not everyone can make it to the lake on a Sunday morning. Not everyone has a lake. But everyone deserves a message that meets them where they are — short enough to read on a lunch break, real enough to stay with you all week.
10 Minute Sermons is our way of casting the net a little wider. Real faith. Real life. Real talk. In 10 minutes or less.
My Prayer
God, let these words travel. Not just to the people who find this page, but to the ones who need it and don’t know it yet. Let a friend send it to a friend who sends it to someone sitting in a waiting room, or lying awake at 2 a.m., or pretending they’re fine. Let these sermons land at the right time, in the right hands, through the people who love them enough to share. You’ve always worked through each other. Keep doing that here. Amen.