100 Word Stories...Our Stories.

My parents divorced when I was a baby. Although I was loved, I felt it was contingent on me being perfect. The need to perform in order to gain acceptance and favor was stressful. As I got older, it became harder to keep up this people pleasing persona. The pressure caused me to be self-destructive. In college, I learned that Jesus not only loved me in my imperfection, but He died to free me from my destructive habits. I still have trials in my life, but now I have the promise of God's love and the peace from forgiveness.

Shawna

I come from a good, loving family that never went to church. For my family, Church was sailing in a boat on Lake Michigan. When Joe and I married and had our kids but something was missing. When we relocated to New Mexico, we decided that we wanted to make BIG changes in our life and finding a good place to learn more about God was a priority. We found you and we now know that God loves us and has wonderful plans for our lives. I’m so grateful we get to share that with all of you!

Bridget

Life was miserable. I was abused as a kid, drank too much as a teen and adult, wasn't good at relationships, and couldn't keep a job. I didn't fit into this world I was stuck in and didn't care if I lived or died. I was clearly missing something spiritual. I search for deeper meaning in life in bottles and churches, finding only more pain. My life remained dismal until I found people who welcomed me into their church community and lead me to Christ. I found new life. I now have purpose, joy, and fulfillment. Now, life is great!

Larry

I grew up in the church and a Christian family. I accepted Christ into my life at 12. In high school, I began making choices that led me down a destructive path under the banner "experience life, question authority". For the next 6 years, I lived for myself and not for God. After a series of particularly destructive choices, I realized what a disaster my life had become and confessed my sins to family, friends and God. I dededicated my life to Christ and have seen amazing transformation and fruit. Though I still struggle, Christ is clearly my Lord.

JJ

I knew about Jesus Christ for as long as I can remember, but I’ve met Him personally and grown closer to Him down the road of my life. I don’t come close to understanding everything about Him, but I know He is and He has been there for me. Through my divorce, raising my sons, losing my parents, and the journey of adopting my youngest son, I’ve learned so much about His love and guidance. Sometimes I foolishly ignored Him, but He has always been there for me. I know He loves me unconditionally and He continue on the journey.

Lori

I was watching a gospel movie when I was young. When Jesus was crucified I asked my brothers why he was punished. They told me he was innocent, but punished for our sins. I could relate to his suffering and believed in the gospel. After following Jesus for a time, I sinned and felt driven from church, bringing on a time of rebellion, though I still believed in Jesus. When I repented, sinners in the church slandered me, attempting to cover their own sins. Yet God is kind, I'm still God's daughter, forgiven, courageous, and nobody can condemn me.

Elaine

I attended church as a child, where I learned about God, but never really knew Him. After high school I joined the Army and developed some bad habits that followed me into civilian life. After college, and eight years at Honeywell, Bonnie and I got married. We spent five years together before having children. We wanted our kids to know God – but we also wanted them to experience Him. We joined a Christian Church and grew to know Jesus Christ as our family grew. Our family has been immensely blessed with a loving church family and a well balanced life.

Rich

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