First Watch Foundation

Get Back Up Stronger
In the 1950s, researchers conducted a study on rats that changed the way we understand perseverance. They dropped rats into water with no escape route. On average, the rats swam for about 15 minutes before giving up and starting to drown.

But here’s the twist—just before they drowned, the researchers pulled them out and saved them. A couple of days later, they placed those same rats back into the water again. This time, they didn’t give up after 15 minutes. They swam for 60 hours.
Why? Because they believed rescue was possible. They had a reason to keep going.

This wasn’t a study about strength—it was about hope. The belief that help was coming changed how long they could endure.

As a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ, that is the power our faith. When life knocks us down, we can either drown in defeat or believe that God will lift us out. The same principle that kept those rats swimming is what faith does for us—it gives us hope beyond exhaustion.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” — 2 Corinthians 4:8–9

Paul isn’t denying the struggle—he’s defining the source of endurance. We don’t get up because we’re strong; we get up because God is faithful. We kept up because we are more than conquerors. We get up because he calls us His Mighty Warriors.

Like the rats, we all hit moments where we feel like we’re sinking—spiritually, emotionally, or mentally. But if we’ve experienced God’s rescue once before, that memory gives us endurance for the next storm. That’s why the enemy wants you to forget what God has done, because remembrance fuels resilience.

So when you get knocked down—Don’t lose heart. Don’t lose hope. Remember your rescuer. You can go from 15 minutes of faith to 60 hours of endurance when your trust shifts from your own strength to God’s.

So when you face resistance or discouragement, remind yourself - When you trust that God’s not finished, you will find strength you didn’t know you had, you will find His strength to get back up stronger!

🔥 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 🔥

We don’t just gather.
We 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰, and 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞—on purpose.
Here’s how:
1️⃣ 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬
We create intentional environments where people build trust, share life, and form meaningful relationships.
👉 “We believe transformation starts with connection.”

2️⃣ 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 & 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞
We walk alongside individuals to help develop 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, and 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞—spiritually, personally, and relationally.
👉 “We grow people who live with purpose.”

3️⃣ 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
As people grow, they’re equipped and inspired to give back. We partner with local organizations to care for the homeless, support schools, strengthen families, and restore hope.
👉 “We equip people to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
First Watch exists to foster relationships, grow people, and serve communities—developing purpose-filled individuals who make a real impact for the Kingdom.

Let’s build something that lasts.Let’s live on purpose.