Advent 2024: The Garden

Editor’s Note: Whether he walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden, spoke to Moses through the burning bush, led the Israelites through the wilderness, or let his presence dwell in the Tabernacle, our God has always shown his desire to have a relationship with his people. These instances found in the Old Testament, amazing as they are, are only shadows of what would come when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Each meeting brought us a step closer on the journey to Bethlehem, to the arrival of our Savior. 

Each week in our Advent reflections, we’ll take a look at one of the ways God drew near to his people leading up to Jesus’s birth.

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The Garden

Genesis 3:8-10 – “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ ”

I’ve often wondered what it was like to be Adam. First human being, first man, having the first woman alongside you for the ride. But more than that, I’ve often wondered what Adam’s relationship with the Lord was like and how I would have reacted if, on a cool, breezy, sunny day in that lush Garden all those centuries ago, God had suddenly decided to sidle up to me – as he did with Adam and Eve.

I would have been awestruck. Terrified. Diving for the nearest bush whether I was naked or not. I’d like to believe I would have realized the sheer magnitude and significance of that singular moment in time, but like Adam, I probably would have been ashamed, ignorant, or perhaps too self-involved to truly notice.

The Lord God’s stroll through the Garden that day marks the first time he was literally “with us.” Even though this remarkable appearance wasn’t in literal human form, God revealing himself to Adam and Eve as a sound – like that of an all-enveloping rushing wind – signified His desire to be with us, to share his masterpiece with us. After all, why would He have created us if he didn’t desire our companionship?

It's also important to remember that the Lord God, in all his infinite, boundless power and glory, could have lost patience with humankind right then and there, choosing to snuff out Adam and Eve and begin anew with more compliant, reverent models. But he didn’t. That incredible act of ceaseless love brings to mind the lyrics of an old hymn my childhood church used to sing quite often:

 “He speaks and the sound of His voice, is so sweet the birds hush their singing. And the melody that he gave to me, within my heart is ringing … And He walks with me, and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever, known!”

How magnificent is that? The Lord God of Adam and Eve still walks and talks with us today, and he does so because of another miraculous, selfless choice. He opted to come to Earth as an innocent, pure baby; experience all of the same highs and lows Adam and Eve endured; then sacrifice himself on the cross for their sins and those committed by every single human being since that day in the Garden. He opted to declare, for all to hear, that he desires us forever and without exception.

So as we march headfirst into the usual hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, take a moment – take a few moments – to remember why the Lord God did all that. He didn’t have to. He wanted to. He wants to walk with us, to talk with us, and to continually, forever call us his own. And that’s something worth singing about.

Growing in Faith: Joey Firth's Story

At Riverbend, we are deeply grateful for and encouraged by the college students who call Riverbend their school year church home, as well as those who have grown up here and come home on breaks. We love what God is doing through this generation and through Cru in the Lehigh Valley, and thought you would be encouraged to hear the story of Joey Firth, as shared at the Cru Vision dinner this Spring.

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My life has been one of perpetual change as I have been swept around the world by my missionary parents. Yet amidst the constant change, my parents have faithfully taught me the Christian message. However, as I grew older I searched for something that would satisfy the nagging thirst in my heart. Matters were complicated further by my skeptical mind, which struggled to believe the Gospel without apologetics. It was only at the end of my first college semester that I had seen enough evidence to appease my head, but something else had to happen in my heart. In an undramatic way, God placed in me a mustard seed of faith that Jesus was the person I had been searching for. Despite my lingering questions, I build my life on the belief that I am broken at the core, that I need forgiveness for my prodigal life, and that Jesus has freely given it to me.

That first semester was only the beginning. Indeed, God did not transform me in an instant but has been transforming me throughout my college career. After a tentative email, I soon found myself in the Goose sandwich shop with Ed and the Cru student president, Austen. I was immediately drawn to the affection and selflessness of Ed. Austen, however, made me wonder what I was getting myself into. Yet my fears were soon erased and I was awed by this community of people who cared so much for each other and even more about their Father in heaven. In this environment, God took my brooding heart curved inward on itself, and slowly shifted my focus to love the people around me.

God’s work in me did not stop there. For the past two spring breaks, I have been challenged to attend Cru’s Panama City Beach evangelism conference. When I was first instructed to go start spiritual conversations with strangers, you can imagine my emotions: fear, self-doubt, and a deep desire to just go home. Yet through the experience, I have been able to practice gently but firmly sharing the Gospel, while leaving the results up to God. Not only has the exercise deepened my faith, but I have also been able to support younger students sharing their beliefs for the first time.

Aside from events, the hardest part of my life in Cru has been my role as student president for the past two years. The hardest parts have been speaking up front and taking the lead when someone has to, all the while yearning to keep the spotlight on Jesus instead of myself. These challenges have humbled me by revealing just how deep my selfishness goes, but have also encouraged me by reminding me of the grace that covers it all.

As I soon graduate and enter the “real world”, I step faithfully into it because of Cru’s impact on my college life. All of the experiences I mentioned and more have taught me what it is to live out practical Christianity. Most crucial has been the men and women of Cru who have guided and discipled me, helping my little mustard seed of faith to grow. Truly, the passionate love of God through his people in Lehigh Cru has changed my life, both in my college years and, Lord-willing, in the years to come.

Community and Contribution, Jason McDaniel's Story

Every September, Riverbend takes a Hebrews 11-type pause to look back and then reset for the Kingdom work ahead. Each of us individually, and the Riverbend Church family, collectively, is part of something bigger. As part of our look back this Fall, we want to share a bit of Jason McDaniel’s story. 

Jason McDaniel, his wife, Robin, and their three children now live in New Tripoli, but they haven’t always been Lehigh Valley residents. Jason came here in 2008 as part of an internship with Air Products before returning officially “full time” in 2009. He grew up in upstate New York and met Robin at Cedarville University in Ohio. Jason holds several business degrees from Cedarville and an MBA from Cornell University. Before his time at Air Products and Cornell, Jason worked for three years at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

He and Robin arrived in the Lehigh Valley and were invited to Riverbend just as weekly worship services at the Sheraton Jetport on Airport Road began.  They knew they wanted to find a smaller church where they could connect and contribute.

Jason shares, “I am a firm believer in the idea that we should approach church with the attitude of ‘How can I be a part of what God is doing?’ rather than ‘What can this church offer us?’” And he has been a part of a lot, faithfully serving over their years of involvement here at Riverbend on the leadership team, as an elder, as financial advisor and budget support, and participant and leader of various community groups.

Although Jason recently stepped down from his role as Elder, he is not stepping back from contributing. He, Robin, and Joe and Amy Velarde are leading a multi-generational community group looking at the foundational beliefs of Christianity through the New City Catechism, a resource aimed at helping children and adults learn the core doctrines of the Christian faith through 52 questions and answers. Youth 7-12 years old will be learning with Jason, while the adults will be learning with Pastor Joe.

“I think a lot about how I can ensure that my kids (and others their age) have the opportunities that I did to build a strong Biblical foundation that will stand up to the challenges they will experience today.  I don’t fully know what our next step will bring but seek to commit this next season to the Lord and pray that He will continue to guide our paths.”

This stance is a living expression of one of Jason’s guiding scriptures, Proverbs 3:5-6,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” 

Jason explains, “In my experience, there is seldom an audible voice or ‘feeling’ that guides me to the next step, but I believe if we are faithful with what we have been entrusted with, we can look back and see His hand ‘straightening’ our paths.”

Those guiding paths started in his parents’ home and in a 5-day club where he made his profession of faith in Jesus as a 5-year-old. Eventually the faith that was first nurtured by his parents and his local community church became his own. Studying the Bible was a key way that Jason strengthened and personalized his faith.

A pleasant turn of events for the McDaniels this past year was Jason’s parents’ move to the Lehigh Valley. You may have met or served with them at a worship service this past year. Like Jason and Robin 13 years ago, Gretchen and Richard are looking for a new church home, and it just might be Riverbend.

Jason characterizes Riverbend as a church that empowers people to realize what God has called them to. “We aren’t perfect and don’t pretend to be, but I am excited about what God is doing in our church to impact the Valley and the World for Himself.”

“My hope is that our community will continue to be a place where we empower people to take their next step for the gospel.  I desire to see discipleship and a deepening of our understanding of what and who we believe as we stand with Grace for Truth in a world where the two feel incompatible.  I desire to see that grounding in Grace and Truth in our next generation.” 

May it be so!

I'm Thankful for... Week 3

As we are in our current sermon series for the month of November, “Thank you for _____, A Journey Through the Psalms of Thanksgiving” and approach Thanksgiving, we want to set our minds on gratitude. This is the final week of “I’m thankful for…” posts. Read on to hear what members of our Riverbend community are thankful for at this time.

“This season, I’m thankful for every morning I’m able to open my eyes to receive God’s undeserving mercy, grace, and love. I’m also thankful for my loving family and friends.”

Liz Bell

“When I take time to reflect on my day, my life, the lives of our family and others, it is clear that God has freely given so many undeserved gifts, blessings and lessons in both the big things and the daily details. I do not have the words to express my immeasurable thankfulness to Him, so I choose to try to live my life as a living thank you note.”

Laura Cotes

“I’m thankful for my husband and beautiful girls. I’m thankful for this church community, and how helping my husband in full time ministry has grown my walk with the Lord. I’m thankful that I will be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with my sister this year— something we have only been able to do once since 2009!

Samantha Dean

I am so thankful for how this community has rallied around my family and I as we journey through cancer. The notes of encouragement, the unexpected meal, the random gift card in the mail; all of it has made this journey less challenging. While cancer has challenged and grown our faith, our Riverbend family brought much joy amidst the adversity. We reflect on Psalm 16 and remain thankful for His perfect, healing presence.”

Michael De Selm

“I am thankful for Keith Kaeppel and his efforts towards the teen group he has been working with.”

Xander De Selm    

“I am thankful for my beautiful wife, Rebecca. She is such a loving, caring, kind, and wonderful wife and mother. She is a blessing to my boys and me. We are most thankful for her.

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”

Proverbs 31:10 NIV”

Ryan Geoffroy

“I am thankful for my amazing wife and my two special sons. I am truly blessed with such a wonderful family. I am also very grateful for our church. It is a tremendous community, and it’s a blessing to see God at work as He continues to grow and refine each of us. I am also beyond thankful and in awe of the work our Lord completed on the cross, so we could be reconciled to Him.”

Brian Harris

“I am thankful for my rockstar husband and our two little boys, who each teach me so much, push me to grow and encourage me every day. I’m thankful for community, and the way this church “one anothers” each other in the good and in the hard. And I’m thankful for one perfect, immutable God who loves us and is faithful to complete the work He started.”

Erin Harris

“I am thankful for ideas jotted down on paper napkins. And warm tea on cold days. That God paints a new sky every morning and evening. That we don’t need to form words or thoughts to say a prayer. I’m thankful for things like grocery pick up. And rainy days. And trees going dormant, reminding us that rest is essential and a God-given rhythm. I’m thankful for family tickle fights and toddler belly laughs. And friends. And music. And mint chocolate ice cream. And for a God who knows my heart and gives me an undercurrent of joy, and reminds me to hope, even on days when I’m less than thankful.”

Grace Ross

I'm Thankful for... Week 2

As we continue our sermon series for the month of November, “Thank you for _____, A Journey Through the Psalms of Thanksgiving” and approach Thanksgiving, we want to set our minds on gratitude. Read on to hear what members of our Riverbend community are thankful for at this time. And if you haven’t shared your own response, click here to submit yours!

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Empathy. Patience. Endurance. Strength. Wisdom. None of these grow out of circumstances where I get what I want, when and how I want it. These qualities often develop out of uncomfortable, if not painful, situations. I am thankful for the mixed blessing of adversity. Even if a particular chapter in life becomes ugly, there is a hope and an understanding that God can and will teach me important lessons in these circumstances.”

Sonia Albright

“As we head into the holidays, I’ve been reflecting on and thankful for our Emmanuel - God With Us. In addition, I’m so thankful for an amazing husband and family, a job that give me purpose and provides, and to be very close to finishing grad school!”

Katie Casamassa

“I am thankful for our church pastors and elders as they shepherd and lead our church toward Jesus! I am thankful for good deep friendships, children to raise, and the (few) quiet moments I get to reflect on God's goodness! I am also thankful for leftover Halloween candy, for what that's worth. :-)”

Christy Hanna

“I am thankful for everything. I know that might sound like I am being sarcastic or facetious, but at the core of that statement is deep trust in God. I’ve seen His favor, kindness, and compassion in every area of my life. And yes, the hardships in my life are very hard, but it’s when I can see God working the most, when I can hear Him the loudest, and feel His peace and comfort in tangible ways, and so again, I am thankful for it all. It goes without saying, that I am thankful for my family, my husband, children, friends, and church…they inspire, motivate, and influence me in ways only they can and for that I am grateful. Happy Thanksgiving, all.” 

Kyle Lara

“I'm very grateful for my family and friends in my life. I’m also beyond grateful for having a job with some amazing bosses—they are my second family. Blessing y'all for a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!”

Julia Larkin

“I’m thankful for the ability to read God's Word to learn about Him and for opportunities to serve alongside the church. I’m thankful for music, dancing, and fun times with family. I’m also thankful for good conversation, hospitality, and time spent with friends.”

Tabitha Lewis

“I’m thankful for God and the stuffies and the room and everything and my bed and my books and my mirrors!”

Abigail McDaniel

“I’m thankful for Love (favorite stuffed animal).”

Kaitlin McDaniel

“I am thankful for my wife, Amy, and my son, Ray. They bring so much joy to my life. I am also thankful for Riverbend community and the ways they display living for Jesus and loving the Valley and world.”

Pastor Joe Velarde

I'm Thankful for... Week 1

As we enter our sermon series for the month of November, “Thank you for _____, A Journey Through the Psalms of Thanksgiving” and approach Thanksgiving, we want to set our minds on gratitude. Read on to hear what members of our Riverbend community are thankful for at this time. And if you haven’t shared your own response, click here to submit yours!

“I'm thankful for the promise that God "redeems your life from the pit" (Psalm 103:4). The unchangeable God changes us from season to season. That despair can turn to hope, sickness into health, frustration into thriving, the sinner into a child of God. Thank you, God, that with you our "weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5).” 

Drew Dolan

“I am thankful that I live in a global society, where I know about, can care about, and be cared for by people all over the world that God’s love is available to, and His church is active in every corner of His creation!  No matter where I go, it’s likely that I know somebody or at least have several degrees of connection that can be uncovered. For me that has happened recently in Seattle, Montana, and Haiti.  I’ve watched it happen to dear friends as they traversed the globe in Qatar and Kenya. I am reminded that I am never alone. God’s people are everywhere, so I have family to get to know wherever I go.”

Rebecca Escott

“Thankful for God's provision for all my needs and more. Thankful for God's unfailing promises. Lastly, incredibly thankful for my new husband and my small group for providing godly encouragement, support, and friendship. I have a lot to be thankful for. :)”

Ashley Gorla

“I’m thankful that I can pick up litter at church with Owen, for spending time with Mommy, and Daddy, and Owen; and I’m thankful for my toys.”

Ellis Harris

“I’m thankful for my family, that I can go out and see my garbage men each week, my toys, and that we can go to the beach in the summer.”

Owen Harris

“I’m thankful for my family.”

Kim LaScala

“I'm thankful for the lessons and strength I had this year. And for another beautiful blessing in my family to come!

Emerald Rainey

“I am very thankful for this thing called life. My dear family, my sweet, faithful friends, my pastors who bless me continually. Through trials and learning to trust. I love this life I've been given and the ones who walk beside me. Blessed!”

Monica Tramontina

A Wife Who Models Jesus!

“I am so thankful for my beautiful wife Andrea.  Each day for the past 8 years she has been a true reflection of Jesus.  To me and our three children, Andrea is giving, loving, serving, and self-sacrificing.  I’m overjoyed to be married to someone who walks with such grace and humility.  Her passion for building God’s kingdom in our home is inspiring.  This kind of love brings out the best in each of us—what an awesome gift from our Heavenly Father.” 

Jesse Velarde

Monica Tramontina: A Story about Planting... and Tending

Monica grew up as an only child in Fall River, Massachusetts. Her parents divorced when she was two, and growing up, she lived in modest housing and relished the connections with her Portuguese relatives. When she was 12, her father came back into her life for several years, asking her mother to move to Florida and to try to reconcile.

It was while in Florida that Monica’s Christian faith story really unfolded in a transforming way. Thanks to a persistent invitation from a friend to go to the “Ranch,” a Christian youth gathering, Monica learned that you didn’t have to work your way to heaven.  She accepted the Lord’s gift of salvation and was supported in significant ways by the youth leaders Mike and Kaye Otto.  This immersion in Christian community gave Monica a new frame of reference for how people should treat one another.  As an emboldened teen, she announced to her mother that she was no longer willing to live in the house where her dad was regularly verbally and emotionally abusive.  She declared, “I’m leaving with or without you!”  Shortly after this declaration, adults from the youth ministry moved Monica and her mom out of the house while her dad was at work.

Because of the accumulated memories of hurt and destructive behavior, Monica did not want any contact with her dad.  She worked intentionally to not be connected for many years.

In contrast, the connection with the Ottos positively impacted her life and direction. She attended Florida Bible College and met her first husband Don there.  They felt called to church planting and served as church planters throughout their marriage, first planting Crossings Community Church in Bucks County when they were in their 20s, then a church in Nova Scotia, and finally the Heritage Bible Fellowship Church in the Poconos in the early 90s.  With each call came some challenges. The first involved her dad. 

As they headed to Nova Scotia with their two young children, her husband asked her, “Do you think if we’re going to share the love of Jesus with people, you might want to forgive your dad?”  Monica had held on to anger and pain for many years and this question was a powerful one—one that she didn’t really want to face.  Eventually, that question led to a lunch and then, shortly before his death, a meaningful phone conversation during which Monica was able to say to her dad, “I love you.”  Monica shares that this kind of transformation was only possible by God’s strength and His ministry of grace.

Another challenge involved a very difficult realization around one of their church plants. The team Don and Monica were assigned to was just not a good match for them.  Rather than seeing the diversity and energy that they brought to the ministry, the others worked deliberately to squash, quiet, and squeeze them into a mold that God had not designed for them.   Monica remembers asking, “What are you going to do if we’re really ourselves?”  Those real selves, thankfully, were asked to come back home to Pennsylvania to re-evaluate and find a better place to serve.

Shortly after they began their ministry in the Poconos, both Monica and Don were diagnosed with serious health problems.  Don’s brain tumor would ultimately take his life 11 years after the diagnosis. Monica would undergo many, many surgeries.  Layered on top of the physical challenges were bouts of anxiety and depression.  It took a pointed conversation between her physician and her husband (who was not comfortable with taking medicines for mental health symptoms) to get Monica a treatment plan that allowed her to function. While worry was a common companion for Monica, God has taught her to trust the truth in Matthew 6:25-33, especially “do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ... Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

God has continually tended to Monica—her anxieties, her questions, her needs. She reflects that she had always struggled to trust God about money issues and those concerns became heightened when her husband became ill, but God was faithful.  With example after example of supportive co-workers and friends from other churches, and even in the timing of a new job, God showed His tending provision for her and her family. 

What Monica didn’t know at the time of these trials, but was part of God’s plan for her future, was that a fellow teacher, Mark Tramontina, was walking a similar journey.  His wife had been battling cancer with long hospital stays and difficult declines. Mark’s wife died 5 days after Monica’s husband.  Monica and Mark would first grieve together and later fall in love. They married in 2005.

Monica and her husband, Mark.

Monica recognizes how her life experiences have enabled her to be specially attuned to others who may be asking, “How can I do this?”  Monica currently finds joy and purpose in stepping in to help families with young children.  She knows how difficult it is to ask for help, and she has been the recipient of unsolicited, life-sustaining gifts of assistance, so she finds herself regularly stepping in to provide relief to Riverbend families, neighbors, and to her own children and grandchildren.

She is able to remind a worried friend that while something might happen in the future, “It’s not today,” and today is what we need to focus on for now.  She also reminds exhausted parents, “This isn’t forever. It’s for right now.”  One group of caregivers that she has a special heart for are the parents of children with special needs.  You may know Monica as the local coordinator of Riverbend’s Night to Shine Prom.  Her efforts with this national event are inspired by her unique love for Levi, one of her grandchildren. Levi, who is now six, was born early, weighing 1 lb, 10 oz. at 23 weeks gestation.  He has cerebral palsy. Monica describes him as “the happiest boy you’ll ever meet.” 

Monica with her grandson, Levi.

For her entire life, God has planted her in specific places for specific purposes and has tended her.  And all those experiences have prepared her to both plant and tend the people who are now a part of her life.  It’s a role she is stepping into more fully in retirement, and it’s likely that you will be a recipient of that tending if you spend any time at Riverbend!  I know I have.

Victoria Maxwell: A Young Woman Living with 4:13 Power

When I anticipated getting to know Victoria Maxwell, I had Samuel’s encounter with David as a young man in mind (1 Samuel 16). I didn’t know what the conversation would be like.  I was prepared for a short “Spark notes” kind of experience.  Instead, I got a page-turner with chapter after chapter, much more than a person might expect from a just-turned-20-year-old.

Victoria is adopted, and she lived with her mom, Connie Maxwell, and dad in Tennessee until she was 15.  As a sophomore in high school, she and her mom moved to Breinigsville to live with and take care of her grandmother, as her grandmother experienced increasing needs caused by dementia.  My first introduction to Victoria was seeing her singing on the worship team one Sunday morning, but I learned that her worship leading started years before that. As a young teen, she and two friends formed “The Worship Project” and performed at church events and community festivals. She loved leading worship and the churches and festival goers loved having her lead.

Riverbend’s Adam Pinto is Victoria’s cousin and is part of the reason that she and her mom worship with us.  At holidays and during summer vacation when Victoria was a child, the Maxwells would often worship at Riverbend as visitors.  Victoria grew up in a Methodist church with an aging congregation and a traditional music routine.  She loved the sense of welcome that she received when she attended Riverbend.  When they moved to the Lehigh Valley, she and her mom settled on Riverbend because of its welcoming, “no judgment,” move-to-the-music style of worship.  Unlike some other places, she never felt like she was a disgrace.

One of Victoria’s early tests of faith came at a community youth event in Tennessee where she realized that, although she and her peers were putting on a good show for the public, they were dealing with significant, difficult issues on the inside. At the time, her parents were deciding to divorce and she was dealing with painful experiences.  At this particular retreat, she had the opportunity to stand and see that she wasn’t alone in those challenges.  It was one of many times when her favorite verse, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” came to life for her.

Another “I can do all things” season came as she graduated from Parkland High School and contemplated her next steps. College?  Work? Something else? The “something else” turned out to be a decision to serve as a short-term volunteer on a Mercy Ship.  Victoria had been introduced to Mercy Ships several years earlier when she met Zodi, a member of a family who served with Mercy Ships. The family was visiting Bethann Miller. Zodi was from Ethiopia, and Victoria felt an immediate connection to her because Victoria’s best friend in Tennessee had also been adopted from Ethiopia.  This friendship planted seeds, which grew into an idea when Victoria was looking for a “next step” after high school. During her senior year she had been praying, asking God where He wanted her to be.  Several people kept asking about an experience with Mercy Ships, and one night when she was working a shift at Chick-Fil-A that she didn’t normally work, she got confirmation that she should apply. As she brought a meal to a family, they were praying. Taking a Philippians 4:13 step, she asked if she could join them in their prayer.  She ended up talking with them for an extended time about mission opportunities and Christian college. During this encounter, this anonymous family prayed over her. Soon after, she applied and was accepted for a 6-month service assignment, beginning January 2020. Victoria reflected, “People here exaggerate what Africa is like.  They say it is terrible; people are malnourished; it’s a third world continent.  That may be true, but people are happy!  They may be working three jobs and living in a little apartment, but they are happy.  They have smiles.  They show up for work (maybe not on time 😊 African time is different than our time in the U.S.!). As long as you are respectful of them, they are respectful of you.  They welcome us into their homes. They feed us. It was amazing to be a part of that community.”

Victoria’s Mercy Ship Galley Team

As we all know, 2020 did not go as any of us planned, and that was true for Victoria as well. Her service time—working in the galley, preparing food for the medical teams and patients at a port in Senegal—ended up being three months instead of six months. Being out of country as COVID spread was a scary experience for Victoria, one that again required that she tap into God’s provided Philippians 4:13 power. At first, the ship was locked down. Although the ministry was able to make accommodations for some of the day crew workers to stay, it was determined the best course of action for Victoria was to make her way back to the United States.  This was a challenging time, going through airports that were more like ghost towns, watching boards update flights with cancellations after cancellations, borrowing phones from strangers when hers died, just to reach her mom to let her know that she was still making progress toward Newark.  Looking back, Victoria said “Behind the scenes there were a million caring people watching out for me.”

Coming back from an international experience, especially one cut short by a pandemic, is not necessarily an easy homecoming.  It is usually followed by a time of mourning, and that was true for Victoria.  She needed to allow herself to be sad and to acknowledge all the loss she felt.  She misses her Mercy Ships community. They were always uplifting. She said it felt like “24/7 church camp.”  When she wrestled with faith issues, her team surrounded her and said “Let’s walk through it together. It felt like a hug all the time.”

This is just a recent chapter in a story of how God has been reaching Victoria.  While some people are captivated by studying the Bible, Victoria needed to be reached another way.  The rituals felt empty, but God found her through people.  He came alive to her in contemporary worship.  She reflects, “He brings people into my life that just make sense. He is always there, always there holding my hand. I’m always talking to God.  Sometimes when I’m singing or another person is singing, the sun will hit the window and you know it’s His presence. I know He is here.  He is like the Dad I never had.”

I asked her what the next chapter in her story might be.  She is currently studying photo journalism through University of New Hampshire online (an affordable option for college). She is also working at a horse farm, helping to care for the animals.  Smiling, she said she’s filthy and happy! Her vision of the future includes graduating with a 4.0, moving out of Pennsylvania and getting an apartment with her best friend, Libby.  She hopes to pursue a dream job of working for National Geographic.  Right now, as a self-taught photographer, she is trying her hand and testing her skills, capturing unique sights and sounds as her story unfolds. Clearly the seeds that have been planted and the early experiences are helping to shape the storyline yet to be told. In the meantime, life promises to be captured in a great light!

Victoria demonstrates her photographic skills capturing these moments with friends.

Victoria demonstrates her photographic skills capturing these moments with friends.

Victoria demonstrates her photographic skills capturing these moments with friends.

Letting the Light In: Bethann Miller's Story

Letting the Light in—Bethann’s Story

While many of us may know Bethann Miller as a woman of leadership in the church, a counselor, and the co-founder of Safe Place Ministry, what you may not know is the story of her life that has helped to shape who she is and how she serves.   

Bethann began attending Riverbend Community Church with her husband, Tom, in 2012 when they moved to the Lehigh Valley. Since then, Bethann has served our community in numerous ways, having previously led the women’s ministry, counseled many in the church, and is currently on the teaching team for Sunday mornings.  Throughout Bethann’s life, God’s presence, love and faithfulness have always been her foundations.  Even as a young child, she has a recollection of His presence in her life.  Although there were times when she questioned that love and faithfulness, and even pushed it away, Bethann recalls that especially during those times, He still remained.

 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8  

Bethann’s mother, a member of a convent, left that life to marry her father. As a young child, she remembers attending Folk Mass through the Catholic church and later the Jesus movement of the 1970’s with her mother. This is where the foundation of her faith was laid. 

Bethann recalls several miraculous events in her life where Christ’s power and presence was undeniable.  One such event was when she attended a Women Aglow event with her mom and the speaker talked about Jesus opening the eyes of the blind.  Hearing this impacted Bethann deeply, as she had a degenerative eye disease since birth and doctors had determined there was no restoring it.  But that night, Jesus spoke directly to her through this speaker.  When the speaker asked if anyone needed to be healed of their eyesight issues, she came forward right away.  From that day forward, Bethann no longer needed any intervention to correct her eyesight. It was clear that God had a plan for her life and that she was His.

As a child, Bethann was very excited about her relationship with Christ.  She recalls friends wanting to play sports with her, but before she would agree, they had to listen to her share the gospel.  She had a tract about the end times and the rapture.  She would preach that her peers would repent and be saved so that they would go to heaven.  Only after listening to what she had to tell them, would she agree to play with them.   

Unfortunately, as she moved into the early teenage years, she began to harden her heart.  Bethann began to turn inward.  She would get angry, and her home life became tumultuous due to her internal struggles.  She recalls that this all began around the time of puberty and feels that this is connected to ongoing trauma that she endured during her early developmental years.

As her depression and anxiety worsened, she found ways to try and control the chaos that she felt inside.  Bethann struggled with her weight, truly believing that she was unattractive.  She had a self-hatred that stemmed from her past trauma.  As a means to take control, she decided she was going to change the way she looked.  When she was about 20 years old, she began severely controlling what she ate every day.  She starved her body to the point that she could no longer hold a job, and eventually even getting up to take a shower was such a feat that this was all she could accomplish in a day.  She was diagnosed with Anorexia-nervosa and then later with bulimia. A consistent cycle of binging and purging followed by self-punishment and further starvation along with taking 12-30 laxatives a day, was causing her body to collapse. Her mom, in an effort to try to help, would purchase cases of Gatorade to relieve the terrible muscle spasms and dangerous electrolyte imbalances this caused.

For years, she lived like this. Self-harming, despair and consistent thoughts of suicide were present. In a desperate state, she checked herself into a psychiatric hospital for eating disorders in California. She knew that if she did not do something, she was going to die.  At 23 years old, she came home from that clinic and was determined to live and to make a change.  She was going to fight for her life.  That is how she describes it.  Every day was a FIGHT for her life.  She was on medicine to treat anxiety and depression from a medical standpoint.  She began attending church and two of the Pastor’s wives asked if she was willing to go through biblical counseling with them.  These women would discuss scripture with her, pray over her, and help bring truth and wholeness to her. Bethann would open her Bible and write scripture after scripture down in notebooks using God’s Word as a sword to fight. Unable to concentrate as her anxiety was so high, this is the only way she was able to keep her thoughts on the words.  She found worship music as a tool she could use, too, playing and singing truth into her soul.  

She decided that she was going to let the light in, and bit by bit, that light pushed the darkness out.  God’s Word and his truths and his promises are light to our dark souls, and Bethann can attest to the power of God’s Word.  Writing the scripture, reading it, singing it.  She fought with the power of God’s Word for her life!  Since that time, she has never gone to that dark a place again, but there are still lasting effects to this day.  She compares this to the thorn in the flesh that Paul carried with him throughout his life.  She still struggles with body image and being kind to herself when she messes up.  She still needs medication for her anxiety, but God has redeemed her.  She is no longer a slave to the darkness.  God has invited her to come alongside him to walk alongside others and point them to freedom and the Hope of Christ..   

When Bethann was asked what she would like people to take away from her story, she answered this, “Suffering is real, trauma destroys, intervention is possible, and sometimes we have to fight like hell to break free.”   She wants people to know that light is more powerful than darkness, and as the light comes, the darkness has to flee.  

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a HOPE that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”

A Glimpse at Robbin Hunsberger

Robbin’s Story--Adjusting the lens and finding beauty

Is this “home”? was a question often playing in Robbin Hunsberger’s mind.  And God, in His amazing way, gave her beautiful, unexpected ways to say “Yes.”  Robbin lived in Moore Township, Northampton County her entire childhood. It was there as a young child that she prayed a simple prayer, all by herself, to begin a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Later, as she was graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Robbin wondered, “What next?”  An employment offer to manage the kitchen at Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center came.  Robbin reflects, “The way I’ve seen God talk to me is through the timing of things—the ‘coincidences.’” Could this really be God’s plan? Could this be her new “home”; not a high-end restaurant with complex, elegant menus? She had a certain peace and excitement and accepted the offer, but it took about two years for Robbin to adjust her lens, give up the typical expectation of a CIA chef, and recognize the gifts in God’s placement at the camp. Once she gave up her own agenda, she was able to see the beauty and joy at Pocono Plateau. “I helped my kitchen crew understand that cooking for kids is a ministry.”

This was right for a time, then in 2005, the physical strain and exhaustion from being in food service brought Robbin to a transition. And God in His graciousness connected her to a second career without requiring any training or retooling.  “It’s good I didn’t fight life changes.” Robbin now works as an office administrator at a church in Bethlehem Township.  While working at the church, she connected with youth pastors Shad Gilbert, Joe Velarde, and Ryan Knepp, who were feeling called to start a church particularly designed for young people. This group was seeing youth, raised in the church, drop out of faith families as they finished high school.  After she and the team prayed for about a year, they ventured out, following God’s call to a new “home” for worship and service, and began Riverbend Community Church. “That whole experience got me to see the power of God. We were all doing all we could do, and it wasn’t enough. It was only God who could make it happen. It reminds me of a quote from the makers of The Chosen, ‘It’s not your job to feed the 5,000, only to provide the loaves and fish.’”

Robbin was one of the original members of the Riverbend leadership team as it was being planned. Pictured (l-r) are Jesse Velarde, Amy Velarde, Joseph Velarde, Robbin Hunsberger, and Ryan Knepp.

A Gathering from April 2010, about six months after Riverbend launched. The church was meeting in a rented ballroom at the Sheraton on Airport Road, and would set up and tear down all equipment every Sunday. On the stage leading worship are (l-r) Sam & Pastor Chris Dean and Adam Pinto, Pastor Joe in front preaching, and Robbin running media.

At first, Robbin shouldered many tasks at Riverbend on a volunteer basis while continuing her weekday work with the other congregation.  It has been a joy as more and more people have connected with Riverbend to share some of her original tasks with others.  She loves to see how quickly people come in and start finding ways to be a part of the family at Riverbend, shouldering the work together.  She loves that there aren’t the typical hoops to jump through before people can find a place to fit and contribute here.

From the outside, if people would just read a checklist of descriptors, they might think she has a kind of difficult life.  She is single. She has chronic pain.  But Robbin has a different perspective. She said, “My life is easy.  I’m at peace. My family gets along.” When the chronic pain entered her life, interrupting a life filled with ultimate frisbee commitments and outdoor adventures, she said, “Okay, Lord. This is what we’re doing now.” She remarked, “My whole life is how it is because of my faith…I’ve given up the right to myself, to my own agenda.”

And each time she gives up her agenda and adjusts her expectation lens, God brings more.  “He does a lot that is extra, that is beautiful. The Lord does fun things!” One of the fun things that has evolved is a weekly open house-type gathering. Right now, Robbin and her sister live together in Easton.  She and her sister cook for a group of friends they have met through various connections over the years.  Their goal is to provide a place to belong, a place to be “loved on,” a home.  One person shared, “You guys are lucky. You don’t find this many places.”

Robbin describes herself as a pretty logical, practical person, but even that is being adjusted.  She’s been talking with God about how she doesn’t have something she’s really passionate about…and how did He answer?  Gingerbread houses!  It doesn’t make any sense.  It’s not practical.  It’s not useful. But it is so much fun to do, to plan, to anticipate, and to create.  “God has given me a fun outlet—a pastime.”

One of Robbin’s gingerbread house creations.

Throughout her life, God has been challenging Robbin to adjust her lens of expectations.  Each time she did this, she saw God’s hand at work and received God’s beautiful gifts of joy.  Looking back, she realizes that these seasons and the beauty in them were only visible when she adjusted her lens to align with God’s vision for her.

Psalm 84:5 “Happy are those whose strength is in You.”

Editor’s Note: This story is the first piece in an exciting new project from the Riverbend Writing Team, the Stories Series. We are excited to bring more stories of God at work in our community to you in the future! For more thoughts on the project and how it ties into our recent series on Hebrews 11, read Stories Matter. If you have a story of God’s faithfulness in your own life you’d like to share, leave a comment on this post or on Stories Matter to be contacted by the writing team!