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.

Not by Might

Throughout Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, we shared a reflection series called Return to Me: A Pause for Lent. We had opportunity to, like David, invite God to search our hearts for anything that has caused a breach in our relationship with him. This inspection is heavy work, but it’s also redemptive. Confession and repentance feel painful, but they are a kindness and gift from our loving Father, an invitation to return to him.

This is not, however, work that we do on our own, in a vacuum. The heart-searching of Lent and the salvation offered through Jesus’ death and resurrection on Easter meet in the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, God himself, lives in us, works in us. Beginning April 17th and leading up to Pentecost, we will share a new series on the Holy Spirit. In the meantime, we are honored to share the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in one of our own, Kyle Lara, as she laid a struggle before the Lord and he has begun to redeem it.

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Recently, I took my son to Skate-Away, and I'm grateful to have the experience of doing something like this with him. It doesn't get lost on me how fleeting and special this time is for us.  But it also isn't lost on me that if I hadn't given up alcohol for Lent and if I’d indulged in all the regular St. Patrick's Day "shenanigans," I would be too hungover and tired to even think about taking my son skating. And that would lead to feeling guilty for not being intentional and present with my family, ultimately leading to depression, anxiety, and shame.

Life without alcohol has been awesome, and I can say that as someone who genuinely enjoys the taste of beer.  It's given me a perspective that has completely changed my relationship with alcohol, and for that alone, I feel very blessed.  I keep thanking God for His grace and mercy because if it wasn't for Christ in me, I'd most likely be boastful about the success I have had with how many "dry days" I have had in a row.  There's a word for that, you know?  It's called "striving," and it's exhausting. I know this because of how hard I've been on myself when I wasn't successful at giving it up for longer than a week. I would probably be prideful in my ability to abstain as if willpower had anything to do with it.

The truth is, I am nothing and have nothing without Jesus. It's only because of His selfless and generous gift of salvation that I am not only forgiven of my sins but loved even while wading in sin knee-deep.  When you are loved here, in the wade pool, in a place of disdain for yourself and your actions, it changes you. This is the love of Jesus.  It's transformative. It's a type of kindness that leads to repentance, ultimately leading to a new way of life.  I could stay in this moment forever, because in this moment is a deep understanding that God can, does, and will forgive me.  He has given me more opportunities than I can count to choose Him again and again. See, this is His goodness, the kind that chases you down every day of your life.  This is His kindness and love for you. And this is His desire for my life.  How do I know that? I know that because I'm still here.

As I laced up some rental skates to follow my son around a roller rink for a few hours, it's not without the deep knowing that His Spirit goes with me.  It's His Spirit that is even making this moment possible.  Giving up alcohol for Lent has made it crystal clear that the flesh is weak.  My flesh loves St. Patrick's Day, green beer, and bar hopping; it hates early mornings, headaches, and hangovers.  But when we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us through the temptations of indulgence, I found that the Spirit of the living God is willing to carry me.  And I believe that it's in these moments—when I am surrounded by what truly matters and living joyfully without the one thing I thought only amplified my joy—that allows Christ to be most visible in me.  I am showing up fully present without alcohol on my breath and without regret in my heart.  It hasn't been without temptation and teeter-totter thoughts. It has been challenging and lonely at times. But it's also been incredibly rewarding.  I'm only able to show up because God loved me to this place.  This is the place where fullness becomes tangible:  full of His love, full of His peace, full of His Spirit willing to lead and love me forward. A place where filling myself with the light and love of God I've received can be shared with anyone else who wants to be here, in "this place" with Him too.

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!

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!

Stories Matter

Since I was a child, I have always loved a good story. A voracious reader, I would get pulled into characters’ lives, the unraveling of circumstances, seeing how the various characters involved responded to them. Think back to a book you read, a movie you saw, a news event—the details of which have stuck with you over time.

Stories have the ability to inspire, inform, pierce your heart, educate, fill you with hope.

Stories draw you in. They draw you closer. Close enough to see. See that the neighbor who seems unfriendly has recently received a devastating diagnosis. That the coworker you find hard to get along with is going through marriage struggles that are tearing her family apart. That the other dad on your child’s youth sports team lost his job and doesn’t know how he’s going to make ends meet. That the mom you see on her phone while her kids are at the park feels so alone in this season that she is grasping for lifelines to feel connected in this world. People you know have dealt with these situations and more: chronic illness, infertility, broken relationships, depression, just to name a few.  

Some people are in the valley of their struggle and desperately need a hand to hold or to pull them up. Others are still in the midst of the fight—some days they persevere and some days they feel weighed down. There are still others who have made it through a hard time and are praying for the opportunity to make some beauty out of the ashes by walking alongside someone else in a similar circumstance.

More recently as our country seems to be ever more divided, I think of another aspect of our personal stories that is so important to redeeming the brokenness. We can easily look at the neighbor, coworker, friend or relative that votes differently than we do or holds a position different from ours and boil down our opinion of them to their vote or their position, instead of seeing what lies beneath the surface that has led them to that decision. If we took the time to ask questions and hear someone’s story, it may begin to change things. This doesn’t mean either person’s views have to change, and sometimes there is true evil or deep hurts that need a lot of work to heal, but in many cases, understanding what matters to another person will only help in the work of healing division. When Jesus tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself”, He is not only suggesting that command for when we like everything about a person. We have, in many ways, lost civility and kindness, and I believe the Church is the best equipped—and most called—to lead the charge back. Sharing stories is not the answer, but it is an important step in the right direction.

The fact is, we all have stories. We all have circumstances of our lives that, along with how we walk through those seasons, contribute to who we are becoming. Some are beautiful celebrations and cause for joy, others are more of a challenge, a trial. As I’ve gotten older and my relationship with Jesus has grown—and the stories that make up my life have grown, I began to see that God has given each of us our stories for three reasons: up, in and out. First and foremost, our stories are for His glory—an upward focus. There is also a personal, inward focus to our stories—to teach us something, to grow us and stretch us. The third way our stories can be used is in an outward direction—to walk alongside other people who may need to lean on what we’ve learned along the way or need a hand to hold as they walk a hard path.

Last year, I began reading through the Psalms. As I continued through, I began to note all the times that the Psalmist said to recount, tell, declare, remember, proclaim or in some similar way speak of instances of God’s faithfulness (40:5, 9-10; 44:1; 66:16; 67:2; 71:15, 18; 73:28; 75:1; 77:11; 78:5-7; 89:1; 90:16; 96:3; 105:1-5; 107:22; 111:4; 126:2-3; 143:5; 145:4, 10-12 if you’re curious!). Very notably in contrast, in Psalm 106, verses 7, 13, and 21 all speak, in reference to the Israelites wandering in the desert, as a time that they “did not consider” or “did not remember” God and His works. There is a very real connection to losing our way and forgetting God’s faithfulness. Sharing our stories with one another will encourage our faith and spur each other on when we walk through our own hard times so that we don’t lose our way.

Pastor Joe recently preached on Hebrews 11 in our series, Defining Moments. He talked about faith stories and how they allow us to go to deeper places with God. He posed four questions at the end of the series:

1. What is your faith story and who is Jesus to you?

2. How has God met you in your successes?

3. How has God met you in your suffering?

4. What areas of your character and relationships is He seeking to grow?

With this all setting the stage, the Riverbend writing team is excited to start recording our own Riverbend “Hebrews 11” stories, stories of God’s faithfulness within our community. We hope, as we begin sharing stories over the coming weeks and months, He will get much glory and you will be encouraged by hearing how God is at work in the lives of our church family. Also, in this strange season of Covid, we hope these stories will serve as a way of getting to know others in our church who you may not currently get to see, but who you could say of, as C.S. Lewis wrote, “What! You, too? I thought I was the only one.” If you are interested in sharing a story of God’s work in your life with our community, be on the lookout in the coming weeks for ways to volunteer.  

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

 Your wonderous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

 None can compare with You!

I will proclaim them and tell of them,

 yet they are more than can be told.

Psalm 40:5