The first church I ever stepped foot in was Church on Mill in Tempe, Arizona. I remember begging my dad to not make me go because I was terrified because I didn't know anyone. From the first time I went to that church, I felt at home. People cared about me, about my life, and about who I was going to become. For over 8 years, I was constantly poured into by so many people from that church, mainly our pastor Dennis Wood and my children's minister and youth pastor, Bill and Andrea Heaton. They really cared about me and encouraged me to pursue my passions and even to chase passions I didn't know that I had, mainly working with children. In the most difficult times in my life, they were there. Dennis would come over to my house, pray with our family and whether he knew it or not, I was constantly learning spiritual truths from him. He was the first to speak the name of Jesus to me standing up at the pulpit and Bill and Andrea spent the next 8 years encouraging that relationship. For them, I truly am eternally grateful. As the years have gone on, they gave me the opportunity to work with kids, develop my passions with them, and tell them about Jesus. It was because of them that I am here now...that I am working camp...and that I have the greatest opportunity in the world, to tell kids about Jesus!
Thank you Dennis for teaching me to continually press on, even when times are tough.
Thank you Andrea for giving me my first opportunity to work in children's ministry
Thank you Bill for giving me the opportunity to grow and develop the skills that I now need to teach these kids.
I am grateful for Church on Mill and what they have meant to me over the last 11 years of my life! Ya'll are amazing!
*Oh and I will be an aunt for the second time in January! Congrats Ryan and Anna!
TORI - We are praying for you and know you will have a great summer. Bennett and Beth and the COM folks will be there June 28 through July 3 for FUGE. We'll keep up with you and can't wait to hear what God is doing!
ReplyDelete