Does God still work in people's lives today? Hear these faith stories from real people just like you and me and find out!
Carolyn Bryant was used to the rat race, a hectic, fast-paced life. Learn how one of life's biggest struggles, cancer, has actually brought Carolyn closer to her God, and brought peace to her life.
Carolyn's "Red Sea" Story
Bob Nash is a retored executive from one of Chattanooga's largest companies. An outsider would think he had it all, success, a beautiful family and new home on a golf course, all the trimmings of the good life. Yet something was missing. Listen to Bob's powerful story of life's crossroads, and how he experienced God at each one.
Crossroads with Bob Nash
Coop (Ty Cooper) is a man on a mission. Learn how God gave Ty a wake up call through the Ten Commandments, and how Ty has turned his focus on those who do not yet know Christ.
Watch: Coop's challenge
Watch this compelling and inspiring story of two brothers and their journey to faith.
Watch: The Smith Brothers
Baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace. Here from several teens in our church family who relate how God is working in their hearts.
Baptism video
Cassandra Rhodes:
Watch: Cassandra's Story
Watch Mother's Day Story: Sondra Coffee
Watch Mother's Day story: Becky Bates
Vicki Johnson:
My name is Vicki Johnson and my family and I have been attending this church for about four years now. We became members about two years ago. My husband is Philip, and I have a 10 yr. old daughter, Taylor, and a 4 yr. old son, Reed. As you may know I sing in the Celebration Choir. I’m one of the ones you see up here always moving. I’ll admit, I can never be still when there’s music playing.
Anyways, I was asked to talk about how I became involved in helping with the “Extreme Kid’s Choir.” Well, before I share that part, I would like to share a little bit about how I came to this church and how God has blessed me since I’ve been here.
First of all I’ll say that I grew up in church all my life and like some people, at one point, it became less important to me. That is until I had my first child (daughter, Taylor). It’s funny what having children will do to you or should I say “for you.” It was then when I really realized that I needed to get back in church. After all, I WAS responsible for my daughter’s spiritual well-being. Anyways, we started visiting around to different churches, but none of them ever really felt right (or was it because I wasn’t seeking God’s direction?). I started really praying that God would find the right church for my family. I remember telling my husband one time that I really wanted to find a church where I could get involved in a good Sunday School class so I could be a part of a small group. It was also especially important for my daughter to be involved in a Sunday School class as well.
Also, with my love (or should I say Passion) for music, I remember asking God to throw in a good music ministry as well. I would always imagine myself singing in a choir just like the Celebration Choir. I usually doubted I would do it though, because I couldn’t read music.
Well, anyways, after having my son, Reed, and moving to Ooltewah, we visited this church for the first time. I can honestly say from that day on I knew this was the church God had chosen for my family. We only attended the 11:00 service for a while. It wasn’t enough though. I remember God saying to me, “I gave you this church, now what are YOU going to do? Well, then I remembered everything I had prayed for and envisioned. When I thought about it, it was easy to just come sit in a pew during the service and not get involved, but I knew God had more for me. The question was-would I listen? I knew I needed to step out of my “comfort zone” so to speak. Not too long after that, Kelly Momberg started a Tuesday morning Bible study which I knew I needed to attend. What timing! That was my first leap of faith. A few weeks after that, Sherry Howard started a Women’s Sunday School class. “O.K. God, I see what you’re doing.” Wow, again, what timing. I have learned to much in Sherry’s class and have met so many wonderful women. O.K., so I had conquered two things. Now it was time to face the music. That is, join the choir. I would just tell Pruette that I can’t read music and hope for the best. The best happened because he informed me that we listen and memorize the songs. “No problem” I thought. I’ve done that my whole life. Wow, God is good. He had blessed me in so many areas, but still he had another surprise up his sleeve. I do remember a time when I saw a kids choir performing at another church and thinking how neat it would be to be involved in something like that. But there again, I doubted it would ever happen. Well, God knew what He was doing all along. While in Sunday School class and choir with Dixie Terning, we had gotten to know each other pretty well. So about a year and ½ ago she asked me if I might like to help her with the “Extreme Kids Choir.” I thought about it for a while and again I was a little nervous. But I knew God had placed all these pieces of my life together so far. This is now almost my second year helping with the Kid’s choir and yes there are many challenges, but it has been such a blessing to me. We not only teach the children songs to sing, we make sure they know what the words mean who they’re really singing about. We also pray with them each time and try to incorporate Godly life lessons.
Since I’ve been coming to OUMC, I can honestly say my life has been so much more blessed. God new what He was doing when he brought us to this church. If anyone asked me what my God-given passion is, without hesitation my answer would definitely be music ministry. I also love being involved in my Sunday School class where I can fellowship and have small-group Bible study. Then I love to come to the church service where Pastor David will use the Bible as his instrument of instruction as well.
Listening and obeying God is not always easy. Trust me, I haven’t always followed His direction. I have found myself arguing, resisting, or even down-right ignoring what God sometimes wants me to do. I don’t have to tell anyone who’s done that, where it gets you. His ways are always best for us because He sees the whole picture, and we don’t! I know God is not finished with me and I have long way to go, but I pray that I stay on HIS path. If I don’t I will surely be missing out on something great.
I just want to say to anyone here today that has thought or felt like getting involved in any area, please pray for God’s direction. God has given everyone a spiritual gift to use for the body of the church. I Corinthians 12:4-6 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” So don’t always wait for someone to ask you, just take that leap of faith and God will surely bless you. You won’t regret it.
Matt Burton:
The buzzword today is passion—the definition of this passion describes the sufferings of Christ from the night of the last supper to His death on the cross.
Other definitions include:
1. Intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.
2. A strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.
Synonyms for this word include:
1. Fervor—a warm and steady emotion.
2. Enthusiasm—Lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause or activity.
3. Zeal—Energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.
Those descriptions are from Websters and Rogét. Back in the days B.C. (before children, and before Christ) there were a few passions I pursued with much enthusiasm. If I wasn’t at or on the ocean fishing, I was bowling or playing golf. Even when Dan and Chris were running around, I still found time to pursue these passions. I guess I just took my family for granted.
Moving to Tennessee would change my life. When Dan was in Barbara Graham’s kindergarten class, God used her to bring us to this church. And the following year, in December of 1996, I had a road to Damascus encounter with Christ.
I’ve shared that with you because I don’t have a long history of being in the church, instead, I’ve only known Christ as my Savior for less than eight years. In that short time, He has changed my worldly passions to Godly ones.
Let me tell you how Paul describes the passion we, as Christians, should have for life.
“Ánd whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for your serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
I had no idea that the first and last phrase would become a way of life for me. “Whatever you do” and “you serve the Lord Christ.” I have already told you of one of my ministry passions—operating the sound board. What started out as a job to do at church has become a passion, a way of worship for me. I want every worship service, or any time I operate the sound board, to be 110%, because I’m doing it for Jesus first.
Another passion is missions. I came to the mission meetings, I helped with the Share and Care flea market, and worked a time or two at Miracle Lake. Those were good experiences for me. But God was calling to my heart when David told this church about an orphanage in India that needed a roof. I melted in the pew, David had turned around and was praying at the rail, I got up and knelt next to him and told him I needed to go. That night as I laid in bed, Bonnie asked, “Are you really going to go to India?” I responded, “I don’t see how I can’t, I’m sure god called me this morning.” I felt I would be disobeying Him.
On that first trip, my heart was broken for the people, the environmental poverty, and the spiritual poverty. The need for the good news in India and other countries in the 10/40 window is overwhelming and I feel that I just can’t do enough.
Having experienced four trips to India, my passion for serving in India continues to grow. God just has a great opportunity to work with you while on a short term mission trip. He takes you from the safe zone of the pew and puts you in the faith zone outside of the boat and on top of the waves.
God is opening doors to another mission desire I have—getting more churches to have the opportunity to send a team on a short term mission trip. At our recent GIC, I met people from two churches that have yet to experience God at work in another country, and are excited about going on a short term mission trip.
Lastly, as I grow in my relationship with Christ, He continues to bless me through my two sons, and my marriage with Bonnie which is the one passion she warned me not to share with you, that could be just too much information!
Seriously, I feel that there is so much work to do, and I know God isn’t asking me to save the world, that is what Jesus came here to do AND He has commanded me to go into the world and share the gospel.
Sarah Alsobrooks:
When my grandfather hugged you, you KNEW that you had been hugged. You know what kind of hug I mean. It’s a hug that feels as if the hugger’s arms are wrapped all the way around you. Twice. A bear hug. A hug that you don’t want to end. It’s a hug that says I really love you.
A few days ago, Eric Light and I were discussing a ministry I have come to love, and he asked me to write him a little story about my passion. Sure, OK, I said, as I thought My passion? Ugh, what am I going to say? Just a few hours later, someone else asked me to speak about my passion. Yikes… out loud!? In front of people!?!
My family and I have been at OUMC a little over a year now. Very soon after we started attending, I jumped in feet first. Something about this place compelled me to do so. I dabble in a few things; some might even say that I am “involved.” But PASSION? What is my PASSION? So I started thinking. What am I doing here? Do I have a PASSION? On the first Monday of each month, I take some breakfast foods, generously donated by various groups here at the church, over to Memorial Hospital to share with families in the ICU and Surgery waiting rooms. Invariably at least one gentleman pulls out his wallet. I love saying Oh no, sir, there’s no charge. I smile, he smiles, and I move on. I am involved in trying to identify and greet our visitors on Sunday mornings, with a small bag of goodies to say Welcome, and thanks for visiting with us. Again, smiles and handshakes. Most recently, I am trying to start a card ministry, to allow Amy Nutt to keep a stockpile of greeting cards made by members of our congregation, so as she needs them, she can send warm greetings for a variety of occasions and circumstances to our members. And now it dawns on me- I DO have a passion! I have a passion for hugs, just like my grandfather did. A little hug in the ICU waiting room. A little hug in the narthex. A little hug sent through the mail. Like my grandfather, I want you to KNOW that you have been hugged, by me, yes, but more importantly, by Him who is filling me with the passion to share His love.
Would you like to give thanks to God and encourage others by sharing your faith story? Please send your stories to: eric.light@ooltewahumc.org
