The Stories Collective: Recent Episodes
Desert Springs Community Church
A collection of stories about God's faithfulness and how we as believers can engage with God, connect with others, and live on mission.
Sarah Schalow has a lot to share with you in today’s special episode! So grab your favorite coffee or tea and settle in for a heartfelt look back at this year’s journey with The Stories Collective, including a personal update from Sarah and a glimpse into the future of the podcast.
The episode opens with a reflection on the 17 powerful stories shared over the past five months, each one a beautiful testimony of God’s faithfulness. One especially moving moment came when a recent guest revealed how listening to the podcast led to real, life-changing transformation. It’s been an incredible season.
Earlier this year, The Stories Collective took its first break in three years. In this episode, Sarah opens up about the reasons behind that pause and how it connects to what’s ahead. In the final 10 minutes, she reflects on how the podcast has grown over the past three years and the impact it’s had, noting that roughly 10% of the church has now shared their story. That’s a staggering picture of God’s work among us, and there’s still so much more to be told.
While there are no plans to end The Stories Collective, the podcast will be going on an indefinite hiatus following this episode. It’s not goodbye—just a pause—as Sarah steps into a new season of life, which she shares more about in the episode 😊
In the meantime, we encourage you to revisit past episodes, catch up on any you missed, and prayerfully consider sharing your story later this year. Because He is alive. He is working. He is faithful.
A heartfelt thank-you to the incredible team that makes this podcast possible each week: Brandon & Brittany Petry, Hailey Keller, and Brandon Lloyd. The Stories Collective wouldn’t exist without their dedication.
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Gail Hosea’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late for God to bring transformation. A lifelong Arizona resident, Gail is the sixth of eight children. While she holds on to some fond family memories, many are overshadowed by the deep pain of growing up with an abusive father. From a young age, Gail learned to hide behind emotional “masks,” concealing not only what was happening at home but also the turmoil within her own heart and mind. This is unfortunately something that she would carry into adulthood. At 18, Gail left home, and shortly afterward, her father passed away. His death brought a flood of complicated emotions, but it also became the beginning of her journey toward understanding forgiveness. At 21, she met her first husband while serving in the National Guard, and it was through attending church with him that Gail accepted Jesus as her Savior. Looking back, however, she realizes that key pieces were missing, particularly genuine discipleship and community. While she had reverence for God, her daily life wasn’t centered around Him. Instead, she filled her life with idols—family, work, friends, and especially her children became her highest priorities. After her first marriage ended, God blessed her with a second husband, yet Gail continued living according to her own strength and understanding. For years and years, she leaned on self-reliance, still not finding true fulfillment. It wasn’t until living in Prescott that things slowly began to change. A friend came alongside her in a deeply intentional way, modeling what a vibrant relationship with God could look like. When Gail and her husband moved back to the Valley, she says it felt like she finally lost the “box of masks” she had carried for so long. At 63, she truly began her walk with Jesus—and life has never been the same. Gail shares how God awakened her heart to His love and how, despite her past, she now feels like she is living in the best chapters of her life. Though she sometimes grieves the time that feels lost, she rests in the truth that with God, nothing is ever wasted. His redemption is real, His grace is abundant, and all it takes is one intentional step.
Listen to Gail's discipleship journey on The Now Life podcast:
The Disciple's Journey of Gail Hosea + Danya Works Part 1
The Disciple's Journey of Gail Hosea + Danya Works Part 2
Desert Springs will be having baptism services August 23rd + 24th! Don't miss this opportunity to proclaim your faith in Jesus. Email robin@dscchurch.com to get started.
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Karen Frey’s testimony is a powerful reminder of God’s redemptive work. With deep roots tied to the Desert Springs church building, Karen’s story is one of full-circle grace—how God gently led her back to a place she once thought she had left behind for good. Originally from Indiana, Karen fondly recalls how her mother faithfully brought the family to church every Sunday. She cherished that church community, being present whenever the church doors were open. That formative experience planted a seed in her heart, a longing for deep, authentic fellowship with God's people. In 2000, after moving to Arizona, Karen and her sons began attending a church that met at Westview High School in Avondale. It quickly became home. The tight-knit community supported her through one of the most difficult seasons of her life as she went through a divorce. The women in her small group were especially instrumental, surrounding her with prayer, encouragement, and love. As the church grew, exciting plans were made to build a new church and school in Goodyear. The future looked bright. But everything changed when troubling revelations came to light, ultimately leading to the heartbreaking dissolution of both the church and the school in 2006. The loss was devastating. Though Karen never turned her back on God, the disillusionment she felt made it difficult to re-engage with another church. After years of searching and disappointment, she stepped away from church life altogether. For five years, she lived in the tension of believing in God while feeling disconnected from His people. But in early 2019, God, ever faithful, began to stir her heart once more. Through His grace and kindness, He drew her back to community and back into fellowship. And in the most unexpected twist, He brought her right back to the very place where so much had once unraveled. Karen’s journey is a beautiful testimony of healing, restoration, and God’s unwavering pursuit of His people.
Ashley Nochevich's testimony (Karen's daughter-in-law!), Episode 137
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
It was an absolute pleasure to have Tim Dornseif join us in the studio! This moment feels especially meaningful, almost full circle, as just a year ago, Tim listened to a testimony on this very podcast that radically changed his life. You’ll have to tune in to hear how God used that story to begin a powerful transformation in his heart. Tim shares his journey with honesty and vulnerability. Raised in Indiana, his family occasionally attended a Lutheran church. He grew up with his mom and stepdad, not meeting his biological father until he was 25. The absence of a strong, present father figure left a deep wound, one that would later surface in painful and self-destructive ways. In his late teens, Tim had a sweet “meet-cute” with his now wife, Tay, while they were both working at Kroger—he in the meat department, she in the bakery. Though painfully shy, a coworker helped make the introduction, and sparks quickly flew. Not long after, they were married, expecting their first son, and relocating to Arizona. Tim began nursing school, and though life was moving forward, the mounting pressure brought old struggles back to the surface. One of those struggles was with pornography, a battle that lingered for years. Though Tim made efforts to be open with Tay and others, he often felt trapped and burdened by secrecy, convinced he couldn’t be fully known or accepted. After experiencing deep hurt at a church they had attended for six years, Tim and Tay found themselves at Desert Springs. There, Tim met Bradley Chaddick (his story is linked below) during a VBS event, and that connection became a turning point. For the first time, faith felt real. He no longer felt imprisoned by his sin but instead empowered to take steps toward healing. Through this new season, Tim encountered the Father’s love and grace in a way he never had before. Today, he walks in true community with God, with his wife, and with other men, experiencing a freedom and restoration that only Christ can bring.
Bradley Chaddick's testimony, Episode 120
Kyle Moore's testimony, Episode 123
Tuesday night Men's Connect Group at Desert Springs
Fathered by God by John Eldredge
"Holy Heat" with Seth Tramp + Tim Dornseif
If you find yourself struggling with a sexual addiction you are not alone. We want to help. Email Pastor Trevor at trevor@dscchurch.com to get started.
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
We’re so excited to share Michelle Spano’s story with you today! Michelle and her family have been part of the Desert Springs community for many years. She and her husband, Nick, first met in the church’s young adults group back when it was still meeting in Glendale, a sweet beginning to a lifelong journey together. In the first part of this conversation, Michelle warmly reflects on how they met, fell in love, got married, and started a family. For Michelle, marriage brought a deep sense of stability which was something she hadn’t experienced much of growing up. Her childhood was marked by chaos and pain, and although she came to know Jesus at a young age, she was still learning and growing in her understanding of who she was in Christ. As she stepped into motherhood, however, new layers of emotion and struggle surfaced. The fierce love she felt for her newborn son, coupled with relational challenges and the overwhelming transition into parenthood, unearthed wounds from the past she thought were buried. It became clear that healing was not optional—it was necessary. Michelle sought professional counseling, which became a turning point not only for her own well-being but also for the health of her marriage. Through intentional community and deepening time in God’s Word, she experienced profound healing. Her passion for Scripture grew, and she eventually developed a method to teach her children how to study the Bible. This method eventually blossomed into a love for writing Bible studies. Now, Michelle is preparing to become a published author, using her gifts to help others grow in their faith. Looking back, she sees God’s faithful hand in every step of her journey, especially in the healing that unlocked her calling. Michelle’s final words of encouragement to others are simple but powerful: Don’t put off healing and get into the Word.
God's Loyal Love: A Nine-Week Study in Ruth for Teen Girls by Michelle Spano
Connect with Michelle on Instagram @michellespanowrites
Check out Michelle's website
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Nick Spano's testimony (Michelle's husband!), Episode 11 🎧
Larissa Holland's testimony, Episode 82 🎧
Kelly Lashua's testimony, Episode 22 🎧
Mending the Soul at Desert Springs
Celebrate Recovery at Desert Springs
Hard But Beautiful by Mark & Sarah Tillman (song)
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
We were truly blessed to have Jim Brown join us in the studio to share his story! Jim and his family have been a cherished part of our church community for nearly 20 years. You may recognize his son, Sam, who regularly volunteers on the worship team (we've linked his story below!). In this episode, Jim and Sarah spend a few minutes catching up before diving into his story; a journey marked by faith, challenges, and the grace of God. Jim introduces a concept called The Circle of Obedience, something that shaped his own walk with the Lord and became a guiding principle he later passed on to his sons. Jim came to know Jesus at the age of six. His father worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, so the family moved often, but they always stayed connected to a church wherever they landed. It was after hearing some hellfire and brimstone preaching that Jim made the decision to follow Christ, longing to spend eternity with Him. But like many of us, his path wasn’t without detours. In middle school, Jim began stepping outside that circle of obedience, not rejecting God but leaning on his own wisdom and chasing his own ambitions. His journey took him through multiple colleges and even across the Atlantic to play American football in England. Yet despite the adventure, nothing brought lasting fulfillment. Then came a turning point when his mother introduced him to Trisha, a young woman who would become his wife. Jim was returning to the faith while Trisha was beginning her own faith journey. Together, they desired to build a Christ-centered family. But the road ahead wasn’t easy. Marriage proved more difficult than expected. Two years in, they welcomed their first son, Hunter, who was born with severe special needs—a reality they still navigate today. As life picked up speed with the births of their other sons, Sam and Henry, the challenges mounted. But so did God’s faithfulness. What stands out most in Jim’s story is his honesty. He doesn’t shy away from the hard parts—but through it all, he stayed rooted: committed to God, to Trisha, and to his sons. And in that commitment, he rediscovered the fullness of life within the circle of obedience. His testimony is a beautiful reminder that life with Jesus, even in the struggle, is far richer than anything the world offers.
Sam Brown's testimony (Jim's son!), Episode 86
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Liz’s story is one of resilience, rediscovery, and grace—and we’re honored to share it with you today. She begins by telling us she was born in Arizona, but her early years were shaped by her father’s role as a traveling evangelist. As she grew older, Liz came to see how much of her father’s passion for ministry was inspired by the Jesus Revolution. Life on the road wasn’t easy. Liz speaks candidly about the challenges of growing up in a family constantly on the move. For a time, they even lived in a bus—a reality that left her feeling embarrassed and isolated, especially at school. Even after the traveling stopped, her family continued to relocate frequently throughout the Valley. They rarely stayed in the same church or school for more than a year, and this instability began to distort Liz’s understanding of what community—especially Christian community—could be. Much of the faith she encountered in those years felt lonely, restrictive, and at times, judgmental. Liz found herself longing for independence, counting down the days until she turned 18 so she could create a life of her own. That journey began when she enrolled at Phoenix College, where she met her husband, Buddy. Their early years together were sweet, and before long, they were welcoming a baby boy—and shortly after, a baby girl—into the world. With motherhood came a shift in Liz’s heart. She felt a deep desire to raise her children with an understanding of who God is. Though Buddy wasn’t actively pursuing faith at the time, he fully supported Liz’s efforts to introduce their kids to Jesus. This marked the beginning of a slow but meaningful return to God. As the kids started attending a Christian school, a fellow parent invited Liz to visit Desert Springs. She calls it a “visit” that lasted four years—coming regularly but still holding back. And then, something began to change. Liz started to take real steps into community, into faith, and into relationship with God again. Today, Liz speaks with honesty and humility about her journey—about the ways God has reshaped her heart and mind over time. Her story reminds us that faith is often a winding road, but one full of hope, healing, and transformation. We’re so grateful Liz chose to share that road with us.
Pastor Steve's January 2025 sermon on deconstruction
Buddy's (Liz's husband!) testimony video
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Today’s episode is one we’ve been eagerly waiting to share—and it’s well worth the wait! We’re honored to tell the story of Tiffany Alexander, a cherished part of our Desert Springs ministry alongside her husband, James. Born and raised in Arizona, Tiffany shares sweet memories of her early years and how she met James at Southwestern Bible College (now ACU). They married in their early twenties and, just two months into marriage, discovered they were expecting their daughter. Life was full and moving quickly! What Tiffany didn’t know at the time was that she was living with an undetected heart condition—mitral valve prolapse (MVP)—despite regular checkups, multiple pregnancies, and a family history of heart issues. It wasn’t until she experienced severe symptoms during a particularly stressful season that doctors finally diagnosed the condition at age 38. As the severity of her MVP became clear, Tiffany was scheduled for open heart surgery—a shocking and heavy moment. Yet through it all, she experienced a deep, unshakable peace, trusting that God would walk with her every step of the way. She felt called to reflect Jesus through her response and found purpose even in the pain. What followed was far more than anyone expected. Complications and recurring infections led to five heart surgeries over five years. Tiffany opens up about the reality of recovery, the toll it took on her family, and the faith that carried them through. Her story is not only one of survival but of transformation—how God used her experience to touch others in meaningful ways. Eleven years later, Tiffany stands as a powerful, living testimony of God’s heart—His healing, His strength, and His purpose in the midst of life’s hardest trials. You’ll be moved, encouraged, and inspired by her story.
James Alexander's testimony (Tiffany's husband!), Episode 64
Meals & More Ministry at Desert Springs
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Jon Fritts truly has a servant’s heart, and we believe this conversation will challenge and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Since 2021, Jon and his family have been an integral part of Desert Springs, pouring their time and energy into ministry through faithful service. Raised in a small town in Oregon, Jon grew up in a family deeply involved in their church. His mother was a dedicated youth leader, and his father quite literally built part of the church—helping construct the parsonage on the property. In school, Jon was known as “the good Christian kid,” a label that came with both blessings and challenges. As he grew older, he faced a pivotal moment where he had to embrace his faith as his own, not just something he was known for. Seeking a change of pace after high school, Jon moved to Phoenix for school, where he found mentorship from a youth pastor—a relationship that remains strong to this day. It was also during this time that he met his wife. Experiencing genuine Christian community, where people truly walked alongside him in faith, left a lasting impact. His journey eventually led him to Southwestern Bible College (now Arizona Christian University), where he deepened his understanding of faith, realizing that his righteousness came not from himself but from God. Jon’s heart for service has been a defining theme in his life. He stepped into a volunteer youth pastor role at a church plant, and from that point on, he’s done just about everything in ministry. What sets Jon apart is that, despite his deep involvement in the church, he has always maintained a career outside of ministry—serving simply because he’s called to, not because it’s his job. It’s a perspective that offers much to reflect on. Jon also shares about some particularly difficult years in the mid-2000s when he faced economic struggles, a severe hand injury, and his wife’s challenging pregnancy. During that season, someone asked him, “What are you going to do?” His response was simple: “I just have to trust in God and see what He does.” Even in hardship, Jon continued to serve, and time and again, he witnessed God’s faithfulness—not always in ways he expected, but always in ways that proved true. This conversation is for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of what it truly means to serve. Let it challenge and inspire you as you walk with Christ!
Serve at Desert Springs
Pastor Steve's March 2025 sermon on fruit in the life of a Christian
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
We were honored to have Kate Newton join us in the studio to share her powerful journey to Christ. Hailing from Grants Pass, OR much of Kate’s story unfolds in her hometown. Growing up, her parents managed a trailer park that also welcomed RVs, creating an environment where she encountered people from all walks of life. While this upbringing brought a variety of experiences, it also exposed Kate to the harsh realities of crime, including instances of violence and even murder. Tragically, the concept of death became all too familiar. When Kate was just 11 years old, her world was shattered when her 16-year-old brother died in a devastating car accident involving a train. The heartbreak fractured her family, leaving Kate to navigate her teenage years largely on her own. She recalls feeling more like a roommate to her parents than a daughter, shouldering the weight of grief in isolation. Adopting a mindset of “if you’re going to die, you might as well live,” she turned to partying in search of distraction and meaning. Though she occasionally attended church with a boyfriend in her early adulthood, faith didn’t yet hold a significant place in her life. By the age of 25, Kate was facing financial struggles after college and found herself working at a health food store. Her coworkers formed an unusual trio — a prostitute, a self-proclaimed white witch, and an older Christian woman named Sandy. It was through these circumstances that God began to stir something within her. Sandy quickly became a guiding presence in Kate’s life. Eventually, Kate moved into a room in Sandy’s home, and their friendship deepened. It was there, with Sandy by her side, that Kate made the life-changing decision to give her heart to Christ. In an instant, God became undeniably real — present, active, and faithful. Kate shared remarkable stories of how God consistently showed up in her darkest moments, offering comfort and provision. Her testimony serves as a reminder that no matter the struggle — anxiety, fear, loss, or grief — we can trust in Jesus. Her encouragement to listeners is simple yet profound: place your trust fully in Him, because He is always faithful.
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
The Stories Collective is back! On March 9th, we celebrated three years of sharing powerful stories, and it’s amazing to reflect on just how many lives and experiences that represents. God’s faithfulness has been evident every step of the way. We hope you had a chance to catch up on any episodes you may have missed during our break because we’re so excited to be back!
Today, we have a special episode featuring Sarah Underwood, and we believe her story will truly warm your heart. When our host, Sarah Schalow, first sat down with her, she could hardly finish asking how God had been faithful in her life before Sarah enthusiastically began sharing the countless ways she’s experienced His goodness. Sarah’s journey with Christ began at just five years old, and her relationship with God has only grown deeper over the years. However, her life was forever changed at the age of 12 when her father was tragically struck by a car and killed while returning home from a men’s prayer meeting at their church. With remarkable vulnerability, Sarah opens up about how her family navigated this devastating loss and how she learned to rely on her Heavenly Father in the absence of her earthly one. While anxiety has sometimes threatened to overwhelm her, Sarah’s sincerity in casting her cares upon the Lord is inspiring. Her story is a beautiful reminder that God is always near when we come to Him. One of the most impactful themes she shares is the importance of keeping her eyes fixed on Jesus — a practice she intentionally pursues each day. Sarah also speaks candidly about her experiences with singleness and how she continues to trust God’s plan for her life, even when it looks different from what she once imagined. Her steadfast faith and joyful perspective will uplift and encourage you. We’re so glad to be back, and we know Sarah’s testimony will bless you. Tune in and be reminded once again that even when life doesn’t go as planned, God’s plan is always good.
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Jessalyn Bruce is here to share her powerful testimony! She begins by taking us back to her childhood in California, where her faith journey first took root. As the oldest of eight children, Jessalyn’s family became involved in the Institute for Basic Life Principles (IBLP), led by Bill Gothard, when she was just nine years old. Growing up in such a strict, legalistic environment was challenging, especially as a young Christian trying to understand her faith. Through a series of pivotal moments, God began to unravel these beliefs, leading Jessalyn to a deeper understanding of His grace. As she entered high school, Jessalyn felt a strong calling toward missions, deeply inspired by the 1956 Christian martyrs in Ecuador, a story brought to life in the movie End of the Spear. Determined to follow this calling, she pursued missions training at Bible college, where she met her future husband, Davy—though their relationship wouldn’t begin until they reconnected after graduation. Jessalyn shares relatable experiences of navigating faith, relationships, and ministry as a young adult, offering insight and encouragement along the way. Together, she and Davy pursued mission aviation, undergoing years of training while moving between California, Alaska, and Texas. Throughout their journey, they witnessed God’s provision in incredible ways as they prepared for life on the mission field as a young family. However, in 2023, unexpected doors began to close, and by early 2024, after an emotional meeting with their sending church, their mission field journey came to an end. Though it was heartbreaking, Jessalyn and Davy have found peace in Arizona, trusting that God is still leading them forward. Her testimony is a powerful reminder that God uses every season—especially the hard ones—to shape us. Nothing is ever wasted when we walk with Him. You’ll be encouraged and inspired as Jessalyn shares her story of faith, surrender, and God’s unwavering faithfulness!
"Let God orient you to Himself and then you will be oriented to His will. The servant does not tell the Master what kind of assignment he needs. The servant waits on his Master for the assignment. As you obey Him, God will prepare you for the assignment that is just right for you." -Henry T. Blackaby & Avery T. Willis Jr.
"Present your gifts, vocations and talents to the Lord. Press into God. Stay there until you long to go out in His Name. Remain there and nurture the longing to see the earth bathed with His praise. Only then will you be able to trust your heart if you hear God say, 'stay.' Only those who long to broadcast His glory to the nations have the right to stay." -Floyd McClung
That Sounds Fun Podcast with Annie F. Downs
Shiny Happy People Documentary
End of the Spear by Steve Saint
Saturday Family Fellowship at Desert Springs
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Today, we’re honored to be joined by a longtime friend of Desert Springs, Sondra Greenfield! Sondra and her husband, Don, have been part of our church family since before Pastor Steve—truly lifelong friends of this community. Sondra’s testimony is nothing short of incredible, beginning even before she was born. She shares how her mother made the difficult decision to place her for adoption and how she was welcomed into a loving home that provided a beautiful foundation for her life. Despite being surrounded by love and support, Sondra struggled in her teenage years, making choices that led her parents to seek a fresh start. Their move to Montana was a leap of faith, filled with prayers that she would find her way. And on her 16th birthday, she met the man who would become her husband—Don. Their journey took an unexpected turn when they became teen parents, but God was at work in ways they never could have imagined. Married young and raising four children by the age of 22, life moved fast. Yet, through every challenge and every twist in their story, God’s hand was guiding them. Their experiences eventually led them to launch a ministry for pregnant mothers in crisis, a calling deeply rooted in their own story. And that was just the beginning. Over their 46 years of marriage, Sondra and Don have walked through incredible highs and deep valleys—finding her birth family, raising their grandchildren for a season, navigating trials with their children, and witnessing God’s redemption in their lives. The legacy they are building is one of faith, resilience, and trust in God’s unwavering faithfulness. It’s impossible to capture it all in just a few words. You’ll be encouraged, challenged, and inspired as you listen to Sondra’s story. You won’t want to miss it!
50+ Ministry at Desert Springs
Legacy Coalition (Christian Grandparenting Ministry)
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
In today’s episode, we’re joined by a familiar face, Hailey Keller! Hailey served as our Media Intern during the summer of 2024, but her connection to Desert Springs goes back much further—over 20 years! Recent events in her life have prompted her to share her story, and we’re so grateful for her openness and vulnerability. Hailey reflects on growing up at Desert Springs and her deep passion for Jesus, which was evident even at a young age. Like many students, she faced pressures during her middle and high school years, but she chose to fix her eyes on Christ, finding confidence in who He created her to be. She also shares how her experiences on SMI trips played a significant role in shaping her faith and character. In 2020, Hailey’s life was deeply shaken. As a junior in high school, she experienced the sudden loss of her uncle while navigating a world that felt like it was falling apart. These events marked the beginning of her battle with anxiety. By the time she started her freshman year at GCU, anxiety had become a daily and sometimes crippling struggle. We’re so thankful for Hailey’s willingness to take us into this part of her journey. She shares candidly about her resistance to acknowledging her struggle, her questions for God, and how she wrestled with navigating anxiety as a Christian. But in October 2024, during her final semester at GCU, God used an extreme and unexpected circumstance to demonstrate His faithfulness. Hailey shares how, in that moment, she felt God holding her in His hands, reminding her that He is always present and watching over her. Hailey’s testimony is a powerful reminder that God is faithfully leading us, even when we don’t understand His plan. He is greater than the fears and anxieties of this world and brings peace in the midst of chaos.
Live Original by Sadie Robertson
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Our very own Pastor Paul Hocking joins us on the podcast today! Since stepping into the role of Kids’ Pastor in the spring of 2024, Paul has been an invaluable part of our team, and we are so grateful for his leadership. From the very beginning of his story, Paul shares how he has experienced God as his rescuer time and time again. Growing up in Oregon, life was anything but easy. As the youngest of five children in a family facing significant financial struggles, Paul moved frequently and spent much of his childhood in project housing. At just 10 years old, he experienced one of the darkest moments of his life—the heartbreaking loss of his mother. Her passing was devastating, and the challenges only continued, with financial hardships persisting and school proving to be a difficult environment. Then, in an unexpected turn, Paul’s father announced they would be moving to the jungle—specifically, Peru. This drastic and unconventional change surprisingly brought healing and a renewed sense of purpose to Paul as he navigated young adulthood. Eventually, he pursued a career in teaching, working internationally before returning to the U.S. and settling in Buckeye, Arizona. It was there that he met his wife, and for 16 years, he dedicated himself to his career. However, despite his success, Paul felt a deep sense of unrest, believing he was meant for something greater. Unsure of where God was leading him, he remained in a season of waiting—until God opened the door to Desert Springs. Tune in to hear Paul’s inspiring journey and how God’s incredible work has shaped his life in ways he never could have imagined.
Dancing Through Sorrow by Ben Joseph
Interested in our ministry with our local public schools? Email Pastor Daniel at daniel@dscchurch.com.
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
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Desert Springs family, we are thrilled to share an incredible story with you today! Hopefully, you had the chance to hear Pastor Steve’s inspiring sermon at the start of January, where he unveiled the vision and dreams for 2025. A key part of that vision includes partnering with a pre-existing church plant in Palm Springs, CA, called Passion Church. Our host, Sarah Schalow, had the privilege of sitting down with Pastor TJ and Jess McCall, who have been leading Passion Church since 2023. If you call Desert Springs home, we strongly encourage you to tune in to this conversation to learn more about Passion Church and the heart behind TJ and Jess’s ministry. The conversation kicks off with TJ sharing about his upbringing in Monterey, where church was more of a moral obligation than a personal conviction. As a teenager, he began questioning matters of faith and grew deeply skeptical. You’ll have to listen to hear about the path TJ was heading down and how God intervened, radically transforming his heart and life. Jess shares her own story, describing a childhood rooted in faith but lacking that deep passion for Jesus until her late teens. God’s hand was evident as He brought TJ and Jess together, and shortly after marrying, they dove headfirst into ministry. While their journey has been filled with joy, it has also included significant challenges, including experiencing intense church hurt. Despite the pain, their love for ministry never wavered. God eventually led them to serve at a church in Arizona, a season that prepared them for something even greater—planting Passion Church in Palm Springs. There’s so much more to their story than we can summarize here, so don’t miss out on hearing it all! Their testimony of perseverance, faith, and obedience will inspire and encourage your heart.
Learn more about Passion Church in Palm Springs
Follow Passion Church on Instagram
Follow Passion Church on Facebook
Learn more about Venture Church Network (which Desert Springs and Passion Church are a part of)
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
We are looking forward to sharing Don + Kris Tramp's testimony today! The Tramps' oldest son Seth serves at Desert Springs as our Middle School Pastor (check out Seth's story below!). Don + Kris together and as individuals have amazing testimonies. They both share their backgrounds growing up as children of divorce and how they had to find their way into adulthood. They first met at U of A and for Kris it was love at first sight. As a young couple they began to learn more about who Jesus was and committed to each other in marriage and to Christ. The early years of marriage were wonderful but difficult financially and career-wise. Looking back. Don + Kris see how the Lord took care of them and helped them to value hard work. Don settled into his career as a teacher in the Litchfield School District and Kris loved being at home raising their two boys, Seth + Garhett. They reflect on how they grew in their love and appreciation for the church as they put roots in at a local church. In a beautiful way, Don + Kris were breaking the cycles that they grew up in, creating their own marriage and family life that was honoring to God. As a couple they were especially passionate about pouring into their boys and they share some practical things they did in raising them. This eventually spilled into their community as a series of events led them to taking in a boy with special needs that Don met at the school he worked at. That is an incredible story that you have to hear!
Seth Tramp's testimony (Don + Kris's son!), Episode 142
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Happy New Year! We are so excited to be kicking off 2025 with you by sharing an amazing collection of stories and testimonies. Lowell Gordon joined us in the studio to share about God's thread of faithfulness throughout his life. Almost a year ago Lowell's wife Dacia joined us, and we love seeing how God has worked in their lives as a couple and as individuals. Lowell describes that he was blessed to be raised in a Chrisitan home with values that have created a legacy within his family. He shares a few stories from childhood as key events that helped shaped who he is now. Up until a few years ago all of his life had been lived in Washington state. Lowell sweetly recounts meeting Dacia in youth group and how the Lord made it clear that they were supposed to be together. Early in their marriage they began to see God's faithfulness as Lowell shares about their daughters being born and even God's protection from a landslide that completely destroyed their home. Lowell also went into business for himself at a young age and he walks us through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and the lessons he learned along the way while leaning on the Lord. We appreciate how he always kept Jesus at the forefront of his business ventures and was intentional to share about Him with those he worked with. Lastly, Lowell shares about two different major medical events in the last 10 years where God intervened in truly miraculous ways. This episode will encourage and uplift you as a new year begins. God is faithful!
Dacia Gordon's testimony (Lowell's wife!), Episode 103
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Happy Friday! Our host Sarah Schalow invites you to join in for a personal reflection on this podcast and her own recent life. Before we get into those things, we want to wrap up the 4th quarter of this year and reflect on the last 12 episodes that have been released. The episodes covered since the beginning of October include recovery from PTSD, dealing with current unanswered health struggles, leaning into God during intense mental health issues, radical transformation through the gospel. coming to a true understanding of Jesus, getting through difficulties during the holidays and learning to simply say "but God." All of these stories tie together with themes that are important and relevant as we prepare to enter a new year. In the last 10 minutes Sarah gets personal and shares a testimony about how God spoke to her as she was able to spend time by the ocean at the end of summer and mid-fall. At the height of difficulty God reminded her of His faithfulness through the waves returning to the shore. It is hard to summarize all of these stories and Sarah's personal testimony here so we would encourage you to take a few minutes to listen. We can't believe this is our last episode of 2024! We'll see you next year with another amazing story of God's faithfulness 🙂
A prayer as 2025 begins >
"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:5-11
"I Think He Is" by Rita Springer
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Welcome to the 3rd annual Stories Collective Christmas episode featuring Manny Hernandez and Daniel Calderón! As we have in the past, we wanted to share a light-hearted and fun episode with you as we prepare for the year to wrap up. The conversation begins with Sarah asking Manny and Daniel about their favorite Christmas music and movies. We all have those things that we can't skip each season! This year Sarah created a Christmas jeopardy game for the guys to play and we think you'll have fun playing along too (we've linked the board below!). With just 7 days left until Christmas we hope that this episode makes you laugh and lifts your spirits!
Christmas Jeopardy game board
We would love to see you at one of our five Christmas Eve services happening!
December 23rd at 4:30pm + 6:00pm and December 24th at 3:00pm, 4:30pm + 6:00pm
Spanish translation available
Visit dscchurch.com for more information
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next week to hear a recap of 2024!
We have an incredible story to share with you this week! This is our last testimony for 2024 but don't worry, we have a few more episodes to share with you this December! And we'll be back in January with some incredible stories of God's faithfulness. Shannon Cook and her family began attending Desert Springs this year. Before we get into Shannon's testimony, we do want to let you know that some heavier topics like abuse, addiction and sexual abuse will be discussed. Growing up Shannon's home life appeared to be picture perfect but behind the scenes things were a mess as her parents struggled with alcohol and there was abuse within their home. Because of this environment Shannon began looking for love in all of the wrong places. She met her now husband Arren while working at Krispy Kreme and she became pregnant at the age of 16. This itself is an amazing testimony as Shannon was prepared to abort this baby but an appointment at a pregnancy center changed everything. Shannon then takes us through the next decade of life which was filled with some intense trial by fire. Multiple children, addiction, marriage struggles, job loss, discovery of sexual abuse, homelessness - you name it, the Cooks went through it. BUT GOD. God came through in incredible ways. Shannon describes feeling purified and refined by the fire and though there were some years of incredible darkness she sees God's faithfulness in all of it. Where God has them now shows how He can heal, restore, provide and guide. He does not ever leave His children alone and He is faithful. Be encouraged by Shannon's testimony today!
Celebrate Recovery at Desert Springs
The Love Dare by Alex Kendrick
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Merry Christmas! It seems appropriate to say that now that we're officially in December 🎄✨ Today on The Stories Collective our host Sarah Schalow is joined by her brother-in-law and pastor at Desert Springs Trevor Schalow! Trevor came in the studio to help kick off the Christmas season, starting off with talking about some favorite Christmas memories. The main conversation of this episode centers around experiencing hardship and grief in the midst of the holiday season. Trevor shares some pastoral insight, and Sarah gives some practical tips on how to take care of yourself and support those around you who might be struggling. Our hope is that this episode gives you some encouragement and light as the last month of 2024 begins. We'll be back again next week with another amazing story of God's faithfulness!
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Last year Joe Diaz was sitting in a work-related training on what seemed to be a regular day when God spoke to him. God said, "It's time to come back, I have more plans for you - look for Jonah." We have an amazing testimony to share with you today! The past year of Joe's life has been incredibly transformational and we're so glad to have him as a part of our church family. Joe was raised in Tucson and after 9/11 he was greatly inspired to join the military when he graduated from high school in 2004. This led to a 17-year career in the military with five deployments. He struggled with PTSD and acclimating into the corporate word. Though he had been raised in a Christian home having a relationship with Jesus or attending church was not a priority for Joe. A lot of life happened in the course of 20 years, and he felt lost without purpose especially after experiencing a lay off. Then one day God spoke to him. You'll have to listen in to hear about how God led Joe and his wife specifically to Desert Springs and how a fire began in his heart to truly follow Jesus. There are too many spiritual experiences from the last year of his life to sum up here. Joe's passion is contagious, and you'll be challenged and inspired to know Jesus in a closer way after hearing this conversation. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
The Now Life Ep. 26, feat. Joe Diaz
The Now Life Ep. 34 feat. Joe Diaz
Resident Strangers episodes on loving your neighbor, your enemy and your brother and sister in Christ, Episodes 72, 73, 74
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast in 2025? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Donna Lancelot joined us in the studio to share her story! We appreciate her willingness to share so much of her life with us and take us on the journey she took to find God. Donna was raised in Nebraska and lost her Dad in a house fire when she was only two years old. This event started a very difficult childhood, being raised by a single mom in the 1950s and unfortunately experiencing multiple forms of abuse. She describes that church was somewhat a part of her life, but she didn't have an understanding of the gospel. At the age of 17 Donna got married because she wanted to have protection in her life. They had two children together but then divorced after five years of marriage. Later she married another man and began a new life having a daughter together. They were married for a little over seven years, but he died suddenly of a heart attack at age 32. As she experienced so much hardship in her life, she describes that she wanted to be a Christian but didn't know how and honestly didn't feel worthy. She wanted her kids to attend church and tried her best to engage in spiritual things, but life was really hard. Eventually the Lord brought her Trent who became her husband of close to 40 years (their marriage is still going strong!). More years passed and after getting involved with some different churches Donna found herself at Desert Springs. For the first time in her life, she felt she could know and understand who God is. What we love about Donna's story is that it shows that it is never too late to come to know who God is.
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
If you regularly attend Desert Springs, you are probably familiar with today's guest! Seth Tramp joined us in the studio to share about what God has done in his life up until this point. Seth serves as our Middle School Pastor and has been married to his wife Ella for 3 years. We are blessed to have the Tramps as a part of our church family and staff! Seth came on staff at Desert Springs in January of this year and you'll hear as Seth shares that working in full time ministry wasn't always on his radar, but he feels he is now right where God wants him. He was raised in Buckeye and always loved working with his hands and figuring out how things worked. Seth describes that his parents set an incredible example of what a life of service looks like and shared a story about a special needs boy his parents ended up taking in while he was in high school. He also talks about a trip to Africa that gave him a deeper perspective for ministry and serving. While attending NAU Seth made the decision to join the National Guard which Seth still actively serves in. All of these events in Seth's life were leading him to a place of wanting to live a life of purpose. Life took him on some more paths including starting a career in construction, but God had other plans. We appreciate how Seth describes his walk with Christ as being intentional with plans but keeping his hands open to what God might have. We look forward to seeing how God will continue to use Seth in ministry!
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
We have a wonderful conversation with Lori McHugh to share with you! Lori begins her story by sharing about where the foundation of her faith came from. Her parents were both strong believers and she shares many stories about how her Mom in particular modeled faith and trust in God as she grew up in Pittsburgh. Lori caught onto this faith as a child and shares a heartwarming story about how even as a young girl she wanted to trust God with her whole heart. When Lori was out of college, she ended up moving to Florida to work for NASCAR and one of her neighbors ended up becoming her husband, Mike. This brought a new level of needing to trust God as Mike was in the military and would be deployed multiple times and they would move all over the U.S. We appreciate how Lori brings us into the military life and describes the new level of trust she reached with the Lord. The foundation was continuing to be strengthened. When Lori and Mike had kids another level of trust was reached, especially as her husband was passing along his passion for extreme sports to his sons. Lori talks about her journey as a mom and what it looks like to always trust that God is watching over her kids. She talks through multiple accidents that both her husband and kids have been in and how she does her best to overcome worry on a daily basis. Even aside from the many crazy things they have experienced as a family Lori encourages all Christ followers to really lean in and trust. The concept of trusting God can be a very difficult thing for even a seasoned Christ follower to practice. Lori's testimony will inspire and challenge you as she takes us through these different levels of truth in the Lord!
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
An encouraging testimony from Greg Moore is being shared today! Greg grew up in a small midwestern town with his family. All of the family were deeply involved in the Catholic church and those beliefs and principles really laid a foundation for Greg and how he wanted to live his life. He speaks very highly of his parents and admires the way that they consistently lived their lives. When Greg got to college during the Woodstock generation, he was very drawn to the idea of having fun and was all in with sex, drugs and rock and roll. Though he had admired it for a long time the Catholic way of life was no longer appealing to him. He chose to live in rebellion. Greg married when he was 20 and began a new life with his wife. They had children after a few years together and Greg was really enjoying pursuing his career. As life continued, he was drawn more and more into climbing the corporate ladder and unfortunately this had a negative effect on his wife and children. He and his wife divorced, and Greg describes he was the worst version of himself he had ever been. Greg started attending church off and on and it seemed like Christ followers were popping up in his life everywhere. He finally reached a point where he understood that he needed Jesus - not a set of rules but a relationship with the Savior. Your heart will be encouraged as you hear about Greg coming to know Christ and how his life changed from there.
Prayer Ministry at Desert Springs
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Michelle Flores is sharing her incredible testimony with us today! Michelle has been attending Desert Springs for a little over a year. It is special that this episode is being released at this time as this time last year is when Michelle repented and surrendered her life to Christ. Before you listen, we do want to give a trigger warning for this story as drug abuse, sexual abuse and demonic activity are discussed in this conversation. Michelle grew up in the 90s and early 2000s and describes that her Papa was a positive influence on her life. He introduced her to church and provided a safe space for her. Out of the blue Michelle's Papa was diagnosed with lymphoma and passed away just months later. This rocked Michelle as she was barely 13 years old. Her Papa's death ended up being the catalyst for years and years in darkness. Michelle became involved with drugs and sexual relationships at a very young age and felt completely lost. She even describes experiencing demonic oppression that lasted for many years. She became a mother at 19 and tried to get her life on track by joining the Army. That unfortunately didn't pan out though she did meet the man that would become her husband. More years of darkness ensued, and Michelle had reached the lowest of the low. She had a plan to end her life. Then God showed up in an unexpected way, reminding her of who she really was and that He had grace and healing for her. This might be one of the most radical testimonies we've heard on this podcast! Listen in and be encouraged and reminded that our God is alive and active.
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Today you'll get to hear from Aaron Holland! Aaron's Dad Rich co-hosts the Resident Strangers podcast and actually both of his parents have been featured on this podcast! We appreciate Aaron's willingness to share with us as his story is still very much unfolding. He was born in North Carolina and eventually moved with his family to Virginia as his Dad had been asked to plant a church. Aaron shares that his family had a very holistic approach to ministry as his parents desired the entire family to be all-in. He struggled with the transition as they moved, and the church plant became a harder task. A lot of things shifted and changed and soon the Hollands found themselves moving to Arizona in 2018. Aaron fondly remembers this time and walks us through his time in the youth group at Desert Springs. Life was moving in a really great, positive direction. However, on January 1, 2024, life as Aaron knew it was drastically changed. Out of the blue he had a seizure. This was scary as nothing like this had ever happened to him and there was no obvious reason why it happened. Then 2 weeks later he had another one. Aaron was now faced with the reality that something was wrong - and it was serious. We appreciate Aaron's openness and realness as he walks us through these difficult months of his life. He describes the anger and even denial he has felt going through this. Eventually he faced God with all of his feelings and a breakthrough occurred. Though Aaron has not yet been healed and this is still ongoing he now sees this as an opportunity to grow in His trust in God and see His provision through a new lense. Be encouraged as you listen. Would you be praying for Aaron's healing?
Rich Holland's testimony (Aaron's Dad!), Episode 45
Larissa Holland's testimony (Aaron's Mom!), Episode 82
The Resident Strangers podcast
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Topic's covered in today's episode: North Carolina, church planting, mission trips, Japan, seizures, grand mal seizures, epilepsy
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Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
This week we are joined by Ashley Nochevich! Ashley and her husband have been attending Desert Springs for 6 years with their precious children. A fun fact is that Ashley is our producer Brittany's older sister! What we love about the story shared today is the power of what walking with Christ in His church can do. Ashley moved around a lot as a child before her family eventually settled in Arizona. She accepted Christ at a young age but describes that she wasn't really following after Jesus. Middle school was a rough time as she was exposed to drugs, began struggling with self-harm and developed a taste for alcohol. These things continued through high school and Ashley explains that she felt like she was just going through the motions of life, trying to cope. A bright spot during these years was meeting her husband Curtis at age 17. They would marry early in their 20s. After getting married, Ashley and Curits moved to Wisconsin. This is where the Lord really began to work and heal. Though the winters were brutal, and they were isolated from their family and friends, it ended up being a blessing in disguise. Ashley felt the Lord working in her heart and her life began to change. Your heart will be warmed as you hear Ashley tell her story. God has shown up in a lot of amazing ways. Right at the end of the conversation Ashley also shares her journey with infertility and how the Lord blessed through that. God is good and you will take that away from Ashley's testimony!
Abide by Aaron Williams & Aaron Keyes
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Topic's covered in today's episode: Moving, alcohol, Wisconsin, PCOS, youth ministry, women's ministry, infertility
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Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
We are excited to share today's story with you! Ed Simpson joined us in the studio for a very vulnerable, heartfelt conversation. Before you listen, we do want to give a trigger warning for this story as combat trauma and suicide ideation are discussed throughout. Ed is fourth generation military having served as a military police officer in the Air Force. It is an incredible legacy to be a part of but there was also a heartbreaking side as many family members had untreated PTSD and mental health issues. Ed's father had served in Vietnam and unfortunately, he was abusive in many ways to his family after that. He shares about how he was negatively shaped by the verbal abuse he experienced, and that God was not a part of his time growing up. When Ed began attending NAU he made some friends who knew Jesus. This was the first time Ed had ever heard anyone talk about who Jesus was. He began to see love and community for the first time. Ed sweetly recounts how seeing the love families can have for each other showed him who God was. Through this community he met his wife Leah and continued his military career. Ed was deployed to the Middle East 3 months after 9/11 and there he experienced a lot of live combat. He had a few other deployments and developed PTSD after all of the things he saw and experienced. We appreciated how Ed brings us into his experiences and articulates what it is like to live with PTSD. You will be encouraged as he is real with the pain he has experienced but also how he has used his experiences to minister to others. Ed's main message is that there is hope - God is not done with you.
Combat Veterans Support Group at DSCC
Local West Valley AZ therapists (scroll to the bottom of the web page)
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Topic's covered in today's episode: PTSD, deployment, childhood trauma, combat trauma, therapy
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Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Special guest host Hailey Keller joined by Sarah Schalow invites you to reflect on the 3rd quarter of this year! Hailey is a senior at Grand Canyon University who interned with us at Desert Springs this past summer. But she is no stranger to our church as she has been attending since the age of 2 years old! Hailey and Sarah reflect on the summer starting with how Hailey's internship began. The summer was packed with incredible stories that included such powerful themes. A lot of vulnerable testimonies were shared in the studio which we all continue to be blown away by.
The conversations shared included healing from pornography addiction, how to keep following God when you don't know what to do next, living life with a spouse that has terminal health issues, pursuing physical health with Christ in mind, letting go and trusting Jesus, experiencing a call to the mission field, forgiveness in the midst of grief and sudden death, staying strong in job troubles and ministry to the HIV/AIDS community. Hailey shares that a theme she picked up on was to follow the Holy Spirit's prompting on things and to be open to God's will in your life. This felt especially relevant to her as she is wrapping up her time in college. Sarah reflects and shares that what stuck out to her was the process it can take to willingly trust God. Total trust doesn't usually happen overnight. We're glad Hailey was able to join us for this episode and hope it was an encouragement as we fully dive into the fall!
Hailey's episode on the Christ, Culture & Coffee podcast
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Want to share your story on The Stories Collective podcast? Email sarah@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Today on The Stories Collective we have a special guest host, our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram! Jamie is talking with one of the missionaries we help to support, Steve Robenalt. He was actually one of the first missionaries our church began supporting. Steve and his wife Patty have been working as missionaries right here in Arizona for over 20 years. Steve recounts his early years in ministry to college students and how that shifted to eventually ministering to those with HIV/AIDS. Their hearts were suddenly opened to this people group as Patty's mom was diagnosed with AIDS just three weeks after Steve and Patty had gotten married. In 1993 they began a ministry called Compassion in Action that is still active today. Their hearts to reach out to a people group that is so often forgotten is beautiful. Your heart will be touched as you hear many stories of the people who have been ministered to living with this heartbreaking diagnosis. Steve challenges all of us to take the time to listen when ministering to someone no matter what they're going through. Life change often takes time. We admire the way that Steve and Patty serve and hope this conversation encourages and challenges you!
Pray for Steve + Patty: Pray that Compassion in Action will have the necessary volunteers needed. Pray for 3 individuals who are currently getting trained to minister to mental health issues experienced by those suffering with HIV/AIDS. Pray for financial support. Pray for Steve and Patty's granddaughter Jovie and their daughter Karen and her husband Jason - Jovie is 4 months old and is struggling to gain weight while being on a feeding tube.
Learn more about Steve + Patty Robenalt
HIV/AIDS Ministry
Connect with Steve Robenalt - steve@compassioninaction.net
For more information on Missions at DSCC email Jamie at james@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Craig describes himself as "double adopted." He grew up knowing his parents had adopted him but also recognizes that he was adopted into the family of God. We love how Craig describes his experience of being adopted and how it helped him to understand His identity in Christ. You can hear Craig's understanding of God's plan for his life as he begins to share his story, including how he met his wife, Ruth. He gives an overview of a lot of his adult life in California and focuses in on changes that began to take place about 10 years ago. After 30+ years in California Craig made a big leap in his decision that caused him and Ruth to move to New Mexico. This had decision was made with intense prayer and seeking counsel from other believers. What Craig and Ruth didn't know was that the Lord was going to lead them through a season of growth, heartache and change that pushed them to trust in God like they never had before. Craig describes it as learning to give God a "blank check." Learning to live life with hands surrendered and open to what He has. Moving to New Mexico was not the end of the journey - it was only the beginning. Listen in to hear about the amazing work God did on Craig's heart and how he learned to fully lean into God and the agenda He has. This is an encouraging conversation no matter what season of life you're in.
Ruth Hill's testimony (Craig's wife!), Episode 41
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Bradley Chaddick's testimony, Episode 120
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Tuesday night Men's fellowship at DSCC
Connect Groups at DSCC
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Topic's covered in today's episode: Rangers baseball, Royals baseball, adoption, job changes, New Mexico, RV travel
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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Sarah-Ann Chaddick joined us in the studio to kick-off the month of September! Sarah-Ann starts her story by sharing about coming to know Jesus through Cubbies in the AWANA program. It was a special time because her family was all coming to know Jesus around the same time. In college Sarah-Ann met her husband Bradley (he was on the podcast back in June!) and they ended up moving to Colorado early in their marriage. She reflects on this as a sweet time because they had so much quality time as a young family, getting to spend time with her parents too. After about three years in Colorado, they felt the Lord leading their family to move to Arizona. In December 2020 Sarah-Ann describes feeling a sense from the Lord that something was coming, she just didn't know what it was. She felt the Holy Spirit saying, "Something is coming. Be prepared. Simplify your life." Sarah-Ann did not feel anxiety from this but felt a strong confidence in the Lord. Just two months later Sarah-Ann received a phone call on a Sunday afternoon that changed everything. Her parents had both been killed in a car accident due to a distracted driver. This was the event the Holy Spirit had been preparing her heart for. You will be in awe by Sarah-Ann's response and her strength in how she reacted then and how she tells the story now. Even more amazing is what came to light after her parent's sudden death. Were they expecting this to happen? You will be drawn in as Sarah-Ann takes us into the deepest parts of her grief and shares how a fire was lit in her heart to follow God with a passion. The Sarah-Ann before this event and the Sarah-Ann after are not the same person and that is a testament to God's incredible and personal work.
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Topic's covered in today's episode: oceanography, Colorado, adoption, foster care, distracted driving, grief, discipleship
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Bradley Chaddick's testimony (Sarah-Ann's husband!), Episode 120
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
MomCo at Desert Springs
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Brock and Nancy Baker are back with us this week sharing part 2 of their amazing story! Last week we left off with a big cliffhanger. After Brock and Nancy experienced devastating financial circumstances in 2008, they were left wondering what God had for them next. Through everything they were experiencing the Lord was providing and also preparing. The Perspectives class they had taken at their church years before had put seeds in their hearts that were continuing to grow. It was becoming clear that the Lord was leading the Baker family to become missionaries to the Basque people group in Spain. So many pieces fell into place though the process of becoming missionaries and moving to Spain didn’t come without its hardships. But God again provided for their family’s exact needs so they could be effective in their ministry. You will hear amazing stories of their years of ministry in Spain. It is beautiful to see how their whole family was able to serve together and that their prayers were answered so specifically. After 4 wonderful years of doing mission work in Spain, they felt led to come back to the U.S. Listen in to hear about ministry to the Basque people, life as missionaries and what the Lord is doing with them now as they continue ministry here in America. We hope this conversation moves you to pray for the Basque people in Spain. We are so glad to have the Baker family a part of our church family at Desert Springs!
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Topic's covered in today's episode: 2008 financial crisis, Spain, the Basques, missions, Washington State
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Perspectives USA (the class Brock + Nancy took)
Summer in the USA
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
We are joined by Brock and Nancy Baker in the studio today for Part 1 of their incredible story of God’s faithfulness in their lives! Brock and Nancy have a very sweet love story as they have been married for 31 years! They were both Christians from an early age and have a deep love for the Lord which is so evident throughout this conversation. Shortly after college Brock and Nancy started their own flooring business. This business was very successful, and they eventually had over 30 employees and had built their own office park. However, during the financial crisis of 2008-2009, they lost everything. All that they had worked so hard for, all the time they had poured into their employees was suddenly gone. But their faith in God helped them persevere, and He provided for them every step of the way. In the background of the success of their business, God was stirring in them a passion for international missions and the idea that there was something more for them. Through a class they took at their church they learned in a very real way to be open to whatever God had for them. They were so open that they even went to Spanish language school for a summer in Costa Rica because they thought it would be good for them to have that tool in their tool belt. Little did they know, God would use that later to do amazing and unexpected things! Losing their business was incredibly hard and yet God was using it to open some amazing doors across the world. The next chapter of their lives was beginning. Make sure you come back next Wednesday to hear what happens next!
________
Topic's covered in today's episode: Seattle, finances, 2008 recession, financial crisis, Spain, the Basques, Costa Rica, missions
________
Perspectives USA (the class Brock + Nancy took)
Summer in the USA
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Manny Rojas joined us in the studio for another episode of The Stories Collective podcast! We think this is a really great conversation as we are in back-to-school time. Manny is a husband and father and one of his biggest passions is pursuing physical fitness in a Christ-centered way. However, it wasn't something that he was always passionate about. Manny begins his story by telling us how he met his wife and pursued serving in the Marine Corps. He and his wife moved around a few times as jobs changed, and the Marine Corps required his service in different areas. He eventually transitioned out of active service with the Marines and this big change slowly caught up with him making him feel depressed and struggling to know what his purpose was. He sought medical help but was set up with the standard treatment of pills having no other guidance on how to move forward. Something needed to change in Manny's life. One day a friend invited him to work out as he was training to be a personal trainer and needed to get some experience. Manny agreed to help his friend not knowing that this would begin to change his life. Manny offers an important perspective on taking care of our physical bodies to not only benefit in a personal way but in a spiritual way. A concept he talks about is focusing on PIES -Physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Spiritual wellbeing in health. This is so crucial when it comes to having a holistic mindset in following God.
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Other topics covered in today's episode: The Marine Corps, tower climbing, 2008 recession, healthcare, working out, health and fitness journey
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Connect with Manny - SaintNFC@gmail.com
Let him know you heard about him on The Stories Collective podcast!
Lee Patterson's testimony, Episode 5
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
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Cindy Morrison is in the studio with us today! Cindy kicked off the episode by reminding us that saying yes to God opens us up to the beautiful things He has in store. Despite being saved at 12 and growing up in a Christian environment, Cindy struggled with a consistent relationship with God and felt frustrated by the overbearing legalism around her. Some of you may have experienced similar circumstances. After high school, she distanced herself from church, but 12 years later, a visit from her sister-in-law led her back to faith. Building a relationship with Jesus can take time, and He is so patient with us! As Cindy said, it’s been a lifelong journey to get to where she is now as a person and with her faith.
She discussed her long, tumultuous relationship and how she eventually realized that, as her body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, she deserved to be treated with respect and honor. This led her to divorce and move on from her difficult situation and marriage, all while holding onto the good things God had done through it. She emphasized the importance of having community through her healing process—mentors, counselors, friends, and those in various life seasons helped her grow closer to God. God can teach us and encourage us through all different types of people! Now living in Arizona and part of our church community, Cindy’s story highlights the value of letting God define our identity, not the culture or people around us. Tune in to hear her powerful message of perseverance, faith, and the transformative power of community!
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Other topic's covered in today's episode: Wisconsin, hiking, singleness, divorce, community, church life, abuse
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Resident Strangers podcast episode on divorce
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Divorce Care Ministry at DSCC
50+ Ministry at DSCC
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Welcome back to The Stories Collective! It is such a privilege to have Jon Gleason share with us today! We hope his story encourages you that God is the provider and protector. Jon first shares with Sarah that he loves to travel with his wife in their RV. As you listen to his story, you will find that traveling is a prominent theme throughout his life. Jon grew up in a Christian family, and his parents were actually missionaries in the Navajo reservation up North. This allowed him to grow up in an environment that loved God. Even so, there were difficulties since he was an outsider to the Navajo culture and basically lived in the middle of nowhere. He was saved when he was 9 years old. After high school at age 17, Jon joined the Air Force and worked as a jet aircraft maintenance worker for 23 years, with some off time in between. Because of this, he frequently moved around the country and the world. Jon shared story after story of how he faced several near-death experiences, even starting from the time he graduated from high school. One day when he was home working with his parents’ missionary team and a missionary group that came from Southern California, he was asked to drive to King’s Canyon to pick up the wife of someone who was working with them. Jon took her husband, Jon’s brother, and a couple of people from the California team–one of whom happened to be his future wife! On the way there, it had been raining and unfortunately, they hit a mud slick causing their car to roll, and it came within 10 feet of falling off a 200-foot cliff. Meaning that they almost rolled over a very tall cliff and were literally inches away from possible death! But God–don’t you just love those words? God protected him and everyone in the car and they were all safe. Jon witnessed God’s protection over and over again. Also, God really does bring beauty from chaos because that day allowed Jon to get to know Janet, the woman from the California team that he took with him who would later be his wife! Then when Jon first enlisted in the military, he was stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. These scary experiences both in Vietnam and in the U.S. allowed Jon to grow his faith and trust in the Lord. As Jon went through so many life changes, transitions, and hardships, he pushed through each obstacle and continued to follow God’s plan for him and his family with a grateful mindset. He also was intentional in creating community in each location. After moving across the world several times from being in the Air Force and retiring, he moved back to Arizona in the 1990s and started going to the original building of our church, Desert Springs! After a few more job changes Arizona finally became Jon’s home in 2019 and has stayed plugged in our ministries ever since! Jon shared so many other stories of God’s faithfulness, you’ll have to listen for yourself!
For information on Sew + Serve at DSCC email Ginny Lewis at ginnylewis64@gmail.com
For information on the 50+ Ministry at DSCC email Don Greenfield at don@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Today's episode is one that was two and a half years in the making. We are so excited to be sharing our conversation with Janelle Smith! Janelle and her family have been a part of Desert Springs for almost 20 years. The first 20 minutes are so sweet as Janelle shares about her life in California, detailing how she fell in love with a motorcycle mechanic named Rex and became a mom. Though there were challenges that came with being newlyweds and a blended family, Janelle embraced the changes. One of the things that Janelle highlights is how she and Rex established their faith and desired to bring their kids into Christian community. You will enjoy hearing the many stories shared in the first part of this conversation and will feel like you have a sense of who Janelle is (you'll want to be her friend!). Unknowingly in the background of all these stories, Rex was having some serious heart issues. He had his first heart attack at age 40, which was a very traumatic experience not only because he was so young but because he was home alone with their baby son when it happened. One year after the heart attack, Janelle, Rex and the kids moved to Arizona as Rex had gotten a new job. Unfortunately, the career change didn't work out and soon Janelle became the sole provider for the family. She worked two jobs (one being a paper route), cared for her kids and was the full-time caretaker for Rex. Around this time, Rex was also diagnosed with congestive heart failure and given 5 years to live. It is hard to sum up here what that time was like but also how God's faithfulness came through in so many ways. In 2009 after being on the transplant list for a very short time, Janelle + Rex got notified that there was a heart available. They felt like it was a miracle to receive a heart so quickly. Though this heart gave Rex 13 more years to live, life became very difficult afterwards. We appreciate Janelle's openness in how she shares about these years and what it was like to be a caretaker, provider, wife and mom. Janelle's testimony is real and raw and yet filled with hope through God's faithfulness. The fullness of her story and what God has done in her life cannot be summed up here - we encourage you to listen.
Haley Smith's testimony (Janelle's daughter!), Episode 46 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RaxOHfxcxX5wFiL64K8Ti?si=d072e7b7369a406f
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Joel Sinclair joined us in the studio to share his testimony with us! Joel and his wife Rebeccah serve a lot here at Desert Springs, you've probably seen their entire family serving on the Welcome Team together. Joel begins his story by sharing about his life growing up in small town Indiana. His family attended church, but Joel struggled to fully commit his life to Christ. He believed in God but was not walking in that way describing that many around him probably would not have known that he was a Christian. There was a roughly 10-year period that he didn't really have anything to do with faith related things. Joel reflects on the fact that he was never given any concrete reasons to believe in Jesus or the Bible, it was just something that people around him did. He ended up serving in the Marines and during a deployment in Iraq he began to think more seriously about his faith and made the decision to start following Jesus. It was also during this time that he met his wife Rebeccah who was also serving in the Marines. Joel and Rebeccah ended up moving to Arizona and shortly after that Joel was medically retired from the Marines somewhat suddenly. Though it was a difficult shift in his life the Lord used it to create space for Joel to begin walking down a new path. While attending Desert Springs Joel took an apologetics class and this awakened a passion in him for understanding, articulating, defending and teaching the faith. Before he knew it Joel was pursuing degrees in this area and even working in full-time ministry. He shares many testimonies within this story on how the Lord provided for this unexpected path He had him on. We're thankful for Joel's example in being faithful to follow what God has next.
Check out Joel's podcast, E3 Underground - https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZgvyDRwHg9hX7zPbXuf18?si=0b6eae6881b44fbf
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Rebeccah Sinclair's testimony (Joel's wife!), Episode 77 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dMgUCrAGpwQk23K807dyP?si=f96a0378f6af4e59
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Christ, Culture & Coffee podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/259GdUZGwZNgxUzUIsYtGI?si=5c4585e5f5eb4159
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Sarah and Julie Osmundsen begin their conversation with talking about their love of east coast beaches, specifically the beaches in Delaware that they have both vacationed at many times. Another fun fact they talk about is that Julie and her husband Gary used to teach natural child birthing classes! You will get a sense of the ease that comes with talking with Julie. When they get into her story Julie shares that she was the youngest of seven kids. It was a blended family, making the house very busy and unfortunately also dysfunctional. Her parents had actually divorced but they still lived together in the home which created a difficult dynamic. Julie's Dad was verbally, emotionally and physically abusive and her childhood was rough. This experience inspired her to become a special education teacher because she wanted to reach kids that had a hard time. Growing up, Julie had never heard about Jesus but believed in God though she never went to church or had a Bible. Before entering college, she worked at a YMCA where a co-worker who was a Christian introduced her to Jesus. Her conversion experience is so sweet! Later Julie talks about praying for God to use her as an encouragement to others and God used a unique event to allow that to happen. She ended up getting Bell's Palsy from a soccer injury, but God had a plan and purpose for this! He used her injury to encourage and inspire others. Another amazing part to Julie's story is her process of reconciling with her Dad. There are so many wonderful stories included in this podcast! Julie shares about teaching special education in five different states, life with four kids, the power of evangelism, not letting circumstances define you and so much more. You will be encouraged by this conversation with a wonderful woman of God!
Gary Osmundsen's testimony (Julie's husband!), Episode 112 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2e7DwQ5X23AEJzDLzNNqrM?si=fb683d191faf44a7
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Evangelism Training and Opportunities at DSCC - email Pastor Shawn at shawn@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
It was a privilege to have Kyle Moore join us for this episode of The Stories Collective! Kyle was born and raised in Arizona and he and his family began attending Desert Springs last summer. You may have even seen Kyle baptized back in May! In today's conversation Kyle really takes us on a journey through his life. Shortly before he was born his parents had come to know the Lord. Their family began attending church and incorporating God into their lives. Kyle describes definitely feeling that spiritual influence but struggling to fully commit, feeling like he was one foot in and one foot out. At around age 11 he was exposed to pornography, and this started a struggle that plagued him for many, many years. He never opened up with anyone about this struggle and felt like he couldn't even bring it to the Lord. Like many Christians Kyle desired to be married and thought that marriage would help to solve this problem. He met and married his wife Meagan but unfortunately it became apparent how deep this struggle was. Kyle still suffered from this addiction alone, not revealing to anyone around him what was truly going on. After years and years of this secret sin Kyle attended a Men's Retreat where the Lord worked in his heart in an incredible way. Being surrounded by community he finally spoke out loud about his addiction and began to feel this weight lifted. He was joined together with other men and began a yearlong road to recovery. Kyle even shared with his wife and though it was hard his marriage was transformed for the better. This is a testimony of transformation through the healing found in God's grace. Be encouraged as you listen and share with someone who might be in the same place.
For other stories about recovery from pornography addiction, check out our episodes featuring Randy Donithan (Ep. 104), Trevor Schalow (Ep. 106) + Bradley Chaddick (Ep. 120).
If you find yourself struggling with a sexual addiction you are not alone. We want to help. Email Pastor Trevor at trevor@dscchurch.com to get started.
Pure Desire Ministries - https://puredesire.org
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Sarah Schalow invites you to reflect on the 2nd quarter of this year! The last 10 episodes on this podcast have covered a wide range of topics but have certainly highlighted the importance of having faith in God. The stories shared have included loving the Lord through deep thinking, freedom from intense physical and emotional abuse, a marriage saved, mission work in the Philippines, miraculous healing from cancer, seeking authentic community, overseas adoption, recovery from pornography and sex addiction, living a life of service and so much more. If you aren't caught up on our last 10 episodes we would highly encourage you to do so. Sarah shares how these stories have reminded her of the importance of being proactive in routines that bring health in her spiritual life. She also speaks about being challenged to simply have faith no matter what the circumstances are. Being halfway through 2024 it is important to be centered on God, remembering to rejoice, have hope and be constant in His ways. We continue to pray that these stories are reaching you right where you are and are increasing your faith in God who is alive and working.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are really looking forward to you hearing this conversation with Jan Maruska! Jan has been a part of Desert Springs for many years and truly lives a life of service. Jan is a mom of three boys and has eight grandchildren. Some of her grandchildren even attended VBS at Desert Springs years ago and that is where they gave their lives to the Lord. Jan takes us back to her early life growing up in Minnesota. Church was a part of her family life, but it wasn't until high school that she came to truly know the Lord. It was the practice of communion that really caused Jan to understand the Gospel. From a very young age, Jan felt a passion for serving. It's almost like it was in her DNA. You will really enjoy hearing the way she humbly describes all of the ways God led her to serve. If there was a need Jan was there! Eventually Jan grew tired of the cold and snow and made her way to Arizona in 2009. God led her to Desert Springs, and she unsurprisingly jumped right into serving here and has been ever since. If you name a ministry at Desert Springs Jan has probably been involved in some way. We so appreciate her heart and spirit that is so committed to serving the Lord. All in all, Jan encourages all of us to lean into how the Lord has gifted us and to use those talents for His glory. If you're not currently serving, take this as your sign to get to it! The Lord wants to use you!
1 Peter 4:10 - "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
For information on Sew & Serve at DSCC email Ginny Lewis at ginnylewis64@gmail.com
For information on Loving Stitchers at DSCC email Linda Cook at dalelindacook@hotmail.com
Meals & More at DSCC: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/groups/care-support-group/meals-more-ministry
God's Gals Connect Group: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1388386
Ginny Lewis' testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 33: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cVoYNpNQGEIb2WK6txkkh?si=f5207e636cf34686
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Jim Glass' testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 3: https://open.spotify.com/episode/18vqdWPPV2Agzvu1cZctiP?si=436199307dcb4b84
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today's conversation with Brad Chaddick is a great one! Sarah and Brad begin with a classic Arizona conversation - complaining about the heat. Brad starts his story by sharing about his childhood growing up in southern California and attending a mega church. He has many sweet memories associated with that time in his life, but he also says he feels some key elements of a walk with Christ were missing. The community felt surface level and any sin issue was talked about with a lot of shame and condemnation. Around 5th grade Brad was exposed to pornography while serving on a mission trip in Japan. This began a struggle that lasted over a decade. At one point Brad tried to open up about his struggle but he was only met with "just pray about it" or "Jesus will heal you." These statements paired with his sin unfortunately led to a lot of doubts. If prayers don't lead to healing what does that mean? Like many Christians who are addicted to pornography Brad thought that marriage would help to solve this problem. He met his wife Sarah-Ann in college but unfortunately this struggle came into their marriage as well. By the grace of God Brad began attending a 12-step program and for the first time in his life he felt like he had help. Healing began to take place. But why wasn't this found initially in the church? Brad shares more about how he had to confront his disillusionment with the church and how he had to come back to a true relationship with Jesus. We appreciate the way Brad articulates his desire for authentic, deep community centered in Christ. Though he had struggled with connections he did not give up. The Lord came through in some amazing ways. You'll hear about his journey to community and how a lot of that has happened at Desert Springs. We would really encourage you to listen to this story and take hold of the challenges Brad presents!
Tuesday night Men's Connect Group at DSCC: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/groups/connect-groups/tuesday-night-men-s-fellowship
Brandon Baker's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 36: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7AP4LhnEg5mBxtnhJORwoG?si=f566fc3fcc3b4658
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are excited to share today's conversation with Sarah Schraeder with you! We are especially thankful she made time to share as she was 34 weeks pregnant at the time of the recording! This is a unique and miraculous testimony with lots of layers. Sarah and her husband Jared moved to Arizona two years ago from Washington state. Sarah loves being a stay-at-home mom but if you had told her even just five years ago that she would be doing that she would've laughed. At age 19 Sarah had been told that it would be difficult and most likely not possible for her to become pregnant, and she was actually okay with that. Sarah and Jared married in 2018 and spent the first few years of their marriage traveling and enjoying life without being tied down to anything specific. They were fully planning their future without kids. In April 2020 Sarah received a huge surprise - she found out she was pregnant. We appreciate Sarah's openness in describing her reaction and how she and her husband came to terms with this big change. When their son Peart was born 8 months later their whole world changed for the better. It is amazing to hear about the transformation of her heart. But this is only half of Sarah's story! The conversation flashes forward to the fall of 2023 when Sarah found a lump on her breast. She was only 28. The doctors had a very grim outlook telling her that it was a 95% chance that she had cancer as the growth was extremely rare. While Sarah was in the process of getting scanned and tested, she found out she was pregnant again. This time she and Jared were overjoyed even in the midst of this potential cancer diagnosis. Sarah describes it as the doctors almost didn't know what to do with her because she was so faith filled in a situation that for many would seem so bleak. She of course continued with her pregnancy while beginning to move forward with an oncology team. And then suddenly in March 2024 after months of tests and preparation the lump was undetectable. It was gone! Did God work a miraculous healing? As you listen you will be truly inspired by Sarah's faith. The way she articulates the trust and hope she has in the Lord is unlike any we've shared before. Be praying as Sarah and Jared prepare to welcome their second baby boy in July of this year!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are blessed to be sharing today's conversation with Ninfa West with you! Ninfa starts by giving us some background and context for who she is. A unique part of Ninfa is that she is a Sephardic Jew (who knows Jesus as her Savior 🙂) and can trace her lineage all the way back to the tribe of Levi as a descendant of Aaron. That's pretty amazing! Ninfa was raised by a single mother and reflects on how that shaped her into the woman she is now. As a child she always felt a desire to help people and seek justice. Ninfa shares some experiences from her childhood and adult life that led her to pursuing a career in helping people get justice. You will be inspired as Ninfa talks through how she uses her gifts for the Lord. A big part of what Ninfa's story centers on is the death of her son in a trucking accident in December 2016. The devastation was unbelievable as her son had a young wife and children. Unfortunately, his death led to a lawsuit with the life insurance company, but the Lord strengthened Ninfa in an incredible way to use her gifts to help fight this four-year battle. What we so appreciate is her willingness to share this story to bring God glory and provide hope for those going through difficultly and devastation. The conversation ends with Ninfa sharing her life verse, Proverbs 31:8-9. You will be inspired and encouraged by her strength, hope and desire for justice in the midst of challenges.
Reach out to sarah@dscchurch.com to connect with Ninfa West
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Josh and Rachel Fricovsky joined us in the studio to share their testimony of how the Lord saved and redeemed their marriage. This is an episode you're going to want to share with people! Josh and Rachel were married in 2021 after meeting at their office jobs in Colorado. They fondly remember their side conversations on Slack and how they fell in love at work. After getting married Josh and Rachel wanted a fresh start and made plans to move to Arizona. In the process of moving, they found out they were pregnant with their daughter Ruth. A move to a different state, recent marriage and pregnancy was a lot to take in at one time! A key element missing in their marriage was Christ. Josh had a faith background and Rachel did not and when they married God was not something they included in their relationship. Being new to Arizona they also didn't have a solid community, especially one that was centered on Christ. After Ruth was born Josh and Rachel felt their stress escalate quickly. All of the change came to a head, and they ended up separating. They began to take steps to legally end their marriage. But thankfully that is not where their story ends! Listen in to hear about how the Lord worked in their lives individually to bring them back to Him and back to each other. Our culture goes against so much of what God wants and it is amazing to hear Josh and Rachel articulate how they found their way in the Lord. Marriage is such a beautiful picture of Christ and the church!
Divorce Care at DSCC: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2060995
Divorce Care for Kids at DSCC: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1944890
MomCo (formerly MOPS) at DSCC: email Danielle Schalow at elleray1@gmail.com
The Now Life Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DLpahhlEwZvhqAs0GgKWt?si=d64a33fd480e413b
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are happy to share today's interview with Teri Sellers! Teri has been a part of Desert Springs for over 10 years. She has been a huge part of our Care & Support ministries as she facilitates our Alzheimer's support groups. Teri has always had a passion for helping people. She was born in Chicago and her family moved to Oklahoma when she was 12 years old. Teri describes herself as someone who always moved around a lot, with 5 years being the typical length of time she would spend somewhere. She grew up Catholic and carried that belief and her involvement in the church into her adult life. In addition to being a devout Catholic Teri would watch televangelists. One that she watched would always encourage people to get involved in a local Bible believing church at the end of his message. Through that televangelist and some things she began questioning in the Catholic church she was led to start trying local evangelical churches. Though the change was somewhat traumatic Teri explains how grateful she is for that event as she came to know Jesus as her personal Savior and understood what a loving church community looked like. She was even baptized at Desert Springs! A big point Teri makes is the importance of not just attending a church but being fully involved in one. The conversation goes back in time a little bit as Teri walks us through how her 30+ year career in Alzheimer's support began. Working to help the AIDS crisis in Florida gave her an understanding for what families go through when someone in that family unit has a terminal disease. It really is a beautiful story as God revealed this specific calling to care for those affected by Alzheimer's. You will hear some great testimonies as Teri shares some stories from her time in this line of work. A few weeks after this interview was recorded Teri made the decision to move back to Oklahoma. We will miss Teri dearly and are so thankful for her time and service here at Desert Springs!
Alzheimer's Support Groups - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1900233
Care & Support Groups - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882239
Connect with Teri - teri_sellers@msn.com
Resident Strangers podcast on Baptism - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cnvaMZAM7pcXHS2xLJFAt?si=db45ff3845a748b0
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today on The Stories Collective we are so excited to be sharing an interview with our first mother-son duo Janna and Luke Montgomery! This story starts in China with Luke's earliest memories being in an orphanage. He has no memory of his birth mother and describes what life was like in the orphanage. Unfortunately, it was a rough and dingy environment with very little adult supervision or even care. Luke also shares about an older boy who was an abuser to not only himself but some other younger kids. He didn't know what life would look like outside of the orphanage, but he knew that he wanted out. Meanwhile in the U.S. Janna and her husband Jeff were living life as a young married couple with Jeff being in the Air Force. They desired to have children but sadly struggled with infertility. While being stationed in Korea their eyes began to be opened to the possibility of adoption. They quickly ended up adopting a little two-year-old girl from Mississippi named Grace. Jeff and Janna now found themselves with a heart and passion for adoption. They started the process to adopt a child from Russia, but Janna kept coming across this little albino boy in an orphanage in China. God was leading the Montgomerys to this boy. This story is one that is hard to summarize in the show notes! Listen in to hear about how Luke became a part of the Montgomery family, what it looked like to go through adoption while being active military, how Luke began to heal from his trauma and got to have an actual childhood, the Lord's hand and really so much more! Your heart will be touched as Janna describes all of this as the ministry of adoption - in total they have adopted 8 children from across the world. The Montgomery family is moving to Alabama later this month and we will certainly miss them!
Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry Blackaby - https://www.amazon.com/Experiencing-God-2021-Knowing-Doing/dp/1087753678/ref=sr_1_4?crid=JJ002FJ7WXOL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LGPFfpkHEVJqc_Lw7EHl7B11ukW-nwlsUiBjZKL7hTZP2Ltws_pjSkluqpBLJwq-ptP4pfpg0QWaw9L4MKlhbK4oSt8akjZFZNpU3Oc9lIkuL3SY5zaZdBdwmBFZjOVZ74z7KvGUnbiBfAfYuHUSlZEblY1DR1cMOW6_6S3KIf9OrGG_JjZI_7h_rxYqYy0s49yZU-mmMwvYsQMmGsPIzZQTnnVFyBjUibvqJFrWeDk.xovXyQHlvWg_XxjDUamgkb4ku5enL7lj7Z3rhwKOgEU&dib_tag=se&keywords=experiencing+god+by+henry+blackaby&qid=1715109816&sprefix=henry+blac%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-4
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are excited to share another story featuring one of our missionaries we help to support! Melissa Crawford joined our guest host Missions Pastor Jamie Engram in the studio to talk through the ministry she does through sports in The Philippines with Global Surge. Melissa takes us into the specifics of what ministry looks like but first she shares about how she even got to the mission field. This goes back to her childhood in Kansas as her family was friends with three different families who were missionaries all over the world. Having an up-close look at this life gave her a heart for missions at a young age. At age 5 she started helping to support missionaries herself by giving 10 cents a week. As a teenager she came to know the Lord as her personal Savior. This desire for missions only grew stronger but it would be a while before she was ever able to go on a mission trip. Eventually the Lord made a way for Melissa to go on a mission trip to Hong Kong. While on this trip she was able to visit a Filippino church and this is where her love for the Philippines started. After going on a few more mission trips all over the world Melissa got connected with an organization called Global Surge. She was presented with the opportunity to become a missionary, but she wasn't ready to give an immediate "yes." Listen in to hear about how God led Melissa to be on the mission field full-time, how she has been strengthened as a single missionary, how sports ministry is accomplished, what covid was like and so much more.
Pray for Melissa: Pray for her as she leads leaders in another culture and for continued funding support. Pray for safety and health as she travels back to The Philippines later this month.
Connect with Melissa on Social media: https://www.facebook.com/ministeringthroughsports
Subscribe to Melissa's Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ibd8lb
Consider supporting Melissa: give.globalsurge.org/melissacrawford
For more information on Missions at DSCC, email james@dscchurch.com. Don't forget, you can also learn more at our Missions Connect Wall in the Desert Springs lobby. Let's be praying for all of our missionaries!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have a powerful conversation to share with you today. We had the privilege to talk with our new friend Felicia McCurry.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Details of domestic violence and attempted murder are discussed in this conversation. ⚠️
Felicia and Sarah share a commonality, both being from the south. They reminisce on what they miss about that part of the country before getting into Felicia's story. Felicia was raised in a home that was culturally Chrisitan. There were biblical values and conservative ideas held but the love and grace of God was not something that was shown or understood. She details her childhood and explains that her view of God was heavily influenced by her family environment and that wasn't necessarily a good thing. Felicia craved love and acceptance, and this led her to friendships and relationships that were not healthy. As she grew up, she sought validation and safety in relationships with men but because of the unhealthy patterns she experienced in her family life it led her to men that did not have good intentions. A cycle of finding herself in abusive relationships began. Each time she entered a romantic relationship she hoped it would be different than the last but more often than not it was worse. In the back of her mind, she still had her Biblical values and beliefs, but she was not in an active relationship with God. We appreciate Felicia's candidness in sharing where she was at and where these paths led her. Eventually she found herself married with children and this is where she experienced intense emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her husband. Slowly but surely, Felicia found herself drawing close to God - she needed Him so desperately. This all came to a head one night when Felicia almost lost her life. The Lord saved her, body and soul. That night changed everything, and we thank God for how He protected Felicia and her children. Though she is still healing, she now understands what a thriving relationship with Christ looks like and has hope for the future. We look forward to what God will do in her life and how He will use her.
Mending The Soul at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1074699
Kathleen Witt's testimony, Episode 14 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fhR3AQ4HZ5otuhJvb4yLM?si=2a5fc882ddb84ff3
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
National Domestic Violence Hotline - https://www.thehotline.org
Resident Strangers podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5DTNZOJsGBG2C86w646xdA?si=72b124ad2ba347dd
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are looking forward to sharing today's conversation with our friend Gary Osmundsen! Gary and his family have been attending our church for a little over eight years. Gary is a husband, father, runner (a very serious one) and philosophy professor at Grand Canyon University. But this was not always the description of Gary's life. He was raised in Cape May, New Jersey with his career all laid out for him in his family's commercial fishing and clamming business. As he entered his early 20s, he began to think deeper about what his life's purpose was. Suddenly the pleasures of life and plans being all set were causing depression and in this he began longing for connection and purpose. He asked God to show Himself to be caring and an event occurred that made Gary believe God was real and present. Eventually he opened up to his uncle who was a Christian and through conversations with him he came to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Gary's life was radically changed! It is difficult even in the interview to fully articulate how drastically Gary's life was affected as he let go of what he knew and trusted in God. His new relationship with Christ awakened a hunger for learning and ultimately a gift for deeper thinking and how to lead others in that. He began attending Eastern University in PA where he met his wife, Julie. Soon after he ended up at Biola University which is where his passion for philosophy was realized in full force. The Lord had his hand over Gary and provided him with opportunities above and beyond what he could've hoped or imagined. His life on the docks in NJ was becoming a distant memory and he excitedly leaned into the path God had for him. He eventually pursued his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma all while cultivating his marriage and being a father to his young children. The Lord was faithful during the years he pursued his education and He certainly had plans to continue showing His faithfulness. Getting a job in humanities is difficult and Gary recounts how he had to lay his dreams of teaching philosophy at the feet of Jesus. You will appreciate Gary's heart and perspective as he shares about how God came through in his younger days in New Jersey and how he never stopped being faithful even all these years later.
Books Gary recommends (all are available on Amazon):
The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God by Dallas Willard
The Elusive God: Reorienting Religious Epistemology by Paul K. Moser
Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul by J.P. Moreland
A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles: Instruction and Inspiration for Living Supernaturally in Christ by J.P. Moreland
Resident Strangers podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5DTNZOJsGBG2C86w646xdA?si=d51b46ca0efc43f8
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today our host Sarah Schalow invites you to catch up and reflect on 2024 so far. Think of it as a recap of Quarter 1 😉 Since the turn of the year we've been able to share 14 stories of God's amazing faithfulness. The episodes have covered feeling forgotten by God, healing from addiction and abuse, hope in hard times, grieving while walking with the Lord and a whole lot more. We've also been able to share testimonies from our missionaries in Nicaragua, the Philippines and right here in Goodyear. What was really exciting is that we shared our 100th episode in January and were able to feature our very own Pastor Steve Engram! If you haven't caught up on the episodes shared this year, we would highly encourage you to do so. Sarah then gets personal and reflects on what she shared in her recap from December 2023. She shared a lot about Christ-centered community and what it looks like to be open. With that on her heart and mind, Sarah opens up about some things she's been struggling with this year and how the Lord has used the testimonies shared in the last few months as an anchor in the midst of doubts and fears. All in all, we hope that this podcast ministry touches and blesses your heart. We pray it brings hope and trust in the sovereignty of God. He is faithful.
The Last 2%, Made for This Podcast with Jennie Allen - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Ne2Wwl6xlckOFoj9a1VNa?si=847ce119bf1f4262
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen - https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Your-Head-Stopping/dp/1601429649/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37LGJNX7OMLFH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jwhLUoXfnPgYOdNZoEtLGF6I-lefsTLV6oKENNsEfwAu6-xdTt-ZTkkj8vOfcXqxr4cJ6aPKPbruC9o4d4KkSBiNdXNMbkpQMZ8W5Ps9sd6jP2QFoITrUnnBW1XqcPGskR-Jjox7doP9vMO3_WxssSdDOuOujZdMTz-CPXA-DyEWAeNXiIVuCL6gZeq7laspMVIVMSsuSH0IV-k3BQIGkj8cI_F-ud36Ok22ElXT5OI.xoILCJpFzFfFGp4XzCj9T6bNQmE_k954IyPBtqyDHc8&dib_tag=se&keywords=get+out+of+your+head+jennie+allen&qid=1712703165&sprefix=get+out+of+your+head+jennie+allen%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1
December 2023 Stories Collective recap - https://open.spotify.com/episode/01VwN9YaMHWfQrrz20UKeY?si=18d6d09da683472f
The Now Life podcast hosted by Shawn Jones - https://open.spotify.com/show/2DLpahhlEwZvhqAs0GgKWt?si=64b4622d06254ab8
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Resident Strangers hosted by Steve Engram & Rich Holland - https://open.spotify.com/show/5DTNZOJsGBG2C86w646xdA?si=8625ac6bcd124ce4
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today we are featuring Geri Tanzer! Geri's story is one that offers a unique perspective about recognizing the community around you and taking steps to cultivate it. Geri was raised Catholic and shares that she did come to a true understanding of who Jesus is at a young age. She felt a hunger for God and church and attended on her own. However, in college church was not so much of a priority, but she always felt she had that personal relationship. Life went on and Geri found herself married with a son. Her son began attending a new school later in elementary school and this is where Geri was introduced to multiple women from Desert Springs. Slowly but surely the Lord began to build out this community for her. An encounter at Heathrow Airport with Erica Wiggenhorn is what really started drawing Geri into this idea of community and diving deeper into her relationship with God. For the first time in her life, she began to truly study and know the Bible. All of this led up to Geri receiving a breast cancer diagnosis at age 46. This was something that she had feared for years and for it to become a reality was heart wrenching. And yet, God was faithful. He was faithful particularly through His people, the ones He had seemed to specifically place right around Geri. What is even more amazing is that this eventually turned to a ministry opportunity for Geri herself. Suddenly she was able to be this light for Christ as she dealt with this diagnosis all while working in the corporate world. You will be encouraged as you hear about how the Lord revealed community, how He healed and how He strengthened Geri to minister to others then and even more so now. We love Geri's boldness in creating Christian community in a corporate workplace and trust that God is using her in great ways.
Geri wanted to give a special thanks to those who came around her during her cancer journey: Andy & Brienne McDonald, Barry & Carolyn Boehmer and Jonathan & Erica Wiggenhorn
Wednesday night women's Bible study - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2201960
Erica Wiggenhorn's Stories Collective Episode 73 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CAHAJJxgLeyoctUXSxM2A?si=6c9e0ab26d7e42b3
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Meals Ministry at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/groups/care-support-group/meals-more-ministry
May baptism services at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2190355
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We had the opportunity to continue our conversation with Dra Rogers, this time getting into the specifics of what ministry looks like with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). We have a special guest host, our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram who leads the conversation. Jamie and Dra met in the studio to talk through day-to-day life and ministry with FCA here in the West Valley. A lot of this ministry happens so close to our church! It is really amazing to hear just how much reach FCA has, often times into public schools. Dra gets into the specifics talking about ministry not only to young athletes but to fellow coaches. If you remember from his testimony last week Dra was once a coach who desperately needed Jesus. This conversation will encourage you as you hear about how the Gospel is being brought into these environments that our culture has rejected spiritual things. Many Americans highly value sports and it is so cool to see how Jesus is being lifted high in sports settings through these programs. Dra has invested so much time into young athletes and coaches and we're so glad we get to share some of those stories here with you.
Pray for Dra: Continue to pray for funding goals to be met. Pray for work/life balance in keeping family first and then ministry. Pray for additional staff to come and work for the West Valley chapter of FCA.
Connect with Dra - email drogers@fca.org, @fca.dra.rogers, @the_valley_fca
Support Dra with FCA - https://my.fca.org/?form=drarogers
FCA Merch - https://fca.itsonatee.com
Coaches Connect Podcast hosted by Dra Rogers - https://open.spotify.com/show/7rAjPjgVFnCSLHiRoE3WvA?si=515300f96dea4da5
For more information on Missions at DSCC email Jamie at james@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Dra Rogers joined us in the studio to share his story! Dra and his family are a big part of ministry here at Desert Springs and he is also a missionary that we help to support through Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Sarah and Dra begin their conversation with a "sports segment" but quickly turn to how God has worked so greatly in Dra's life. He moved around a lot as a child and though his grandparents were very involved in church, he didn't really have a personal faith or relationship with God. Sports were a big part of his life, and he had big dreams of pursuing football professionally. This all came to a halt when he learned that he would become a father at the age of 17. After graduating high school, Dra dedicated his time to working to support his baby daughter. Something he struggled with was hyper focusing on receiving validation from those around him. Not being involved in sports elevated this struggle. He chased praise and recognition but found that it was never enough. Dra eventually got married and had a son, but he could not escape the battle for validation. Unfortunately, things came to a head and his marriage ended. From here Dra knew that something needed to change. Slowly but surely the Lord was drawing Dra to Himself. Dra met and married Julie and this is where steps towards the Lord really began. You'll hear about Dra's faith journey, including adoption of a child and loss of family, when he was baptized at DSCC and how God paved the way for Dra to begin working for FCA. It became so clear that this was the purpose God had for him. It is hard to express in the show notes just how profoundly the Lord worked in Dra's heart and life, you have to listen! Make sure you come back next week for a continued conversation with Dra and Jamie Engram.
Lori Britt's Stories Collective episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ayBTBAHiACmC13htoUWrR?si=71e0ae3529944cb1
*Episode 50, available wherever you listen to podcasts
Marriage Mentoring at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/900260
Dra & Julie Rogers testimony - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpEHqWfmFUo
Support Dra with FCA - https://my.fca.org/?form=drarogers
FCA Merch - https://fca.itsonatee.com
Coaches Connect Podcast hosted by Dra Rogers - https://open.spotify.com/show/7rAjPjgVFnCSLHiRoE3WvA?si=515300f96dea4da5
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Sarah is excited to be sharing another special interview as she had the opportunity to record an episode with one of her real-life close friends, Megan Bomar.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Murder and crime are discussed in this conversation. ⚠️
Megan is originally from Iowa and after attending GCU decided to put roots down here in Arizona. She was raised Catholic but became a Christian as a high schooler and has walked with the Lord ever since. Megan works as a middle school special needs teacher and has been regularly attending Desert Springs for the past five years. She met Sarah in a Connect Group shortly after graduating college and they developed a friendship after Megan was challenged to meet five new people for coffee. Megan met her husband Tate when a friend from college attempted to set them up through FaceTime and though it was kind of funny at first, they realized they had a connection and soon began talking non-stop over messages. You'll hear Megan sweetly recount their early dating months and how they knew they wanted to be together even as she was preparing to spend some time teaching in Thailand. They were married in November 2019. Like many married couples their first year of marriage had its challenges but overall, it was a great year filled with fun experiences and great conversations. They also had taken a lot of time to be intentional with their family and friends, taking their relationships to a deeper level. On November 29th, 2020, Megan's life was very suddenly changed forever. Late on that Sunday night Tate told Megan that he needed to go help a friend who was struggling. This began a tragic series of events that would ultimately bring about Tate's death. Megan walks us through what the next 72 hours looked like as she discovered things she was unaware of and how she came to know that her husband had died. She was soon face to face with the fact that at age 27 she had become a widow. We so appreciate Megan's openness and vulnerability in sharing this part of her life. There is a lot to be learned from the way she has leaned into the Lord and community through the last three years. You will be amazed as she details God's hand in her life and where she is at now. Megan gives practical advice for someone going through a time of grieving and Sarah also gives advice about being a friend to someone who is grieving. We trust and pray that God will continue to see Megan through this chapter of her life.
GriefShare at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/988313
Care & Support Ministries at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882239
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today on the Stories Collective Sarah is excited to be sharing a special interview as she had the opportunity to sit down with her co-worker and brother-in-law Pastor Trevor Schalow! Sarah and Trevor begin the interview with a lot of laughs, reminiscing on the summer of 2015 when they first met having no idea that they would one day be family. Trevor shares about life growing up in the small town of Show Low in northeast Arizona. He and his two brothers were homeschooled, and Trevor speaks of those years fondly, saying he really valued the close family time. They were very involved in church, and this eventually led to Trevor feeling a calling at a young age to be involved in ministry. He shares a few stories from his time growing up, including a touching story about his Aunt Tammie who died of cancer in 2008. Tammie's faith impacted Trevor in a big way, and he shares that it was a significant time in their family's life. Throughout all of these stories shared, Trevor was going through his own struggles behind the scenes. At a young age he was exposed to pornography which led to years of hiding in shame, feeling that he was held captive by this secret struggle. He felt stuck in this cycle all throughout his high school and early college years. After completing his freshman year at a community college, he transferred to Arizona Christian University. It was there that he began to develop friendships that would ultimately help break this addiction and bring healing. We appreciate Trevor's realness as he emphasizes the importance of real and open relationships that are grounded in Christ. Trevor also shares about meeting his wife Danielle at ACU and how she lovingly responded to this chapter in his life. You will be encouraged as you hear about how the Lord has worked in Trevor's life since this time and how it now gives him a drive to help provide help for others who are struggling with addiction and pain.
Sam Brown's Stories Collective Episode 86 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uAwphB5YWM2M6ZZR60tJ7?si=96cf4cd776e04e8f
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Trevor's episode on The Now Life podcast Episode 28 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4NhXuu8AzOpw7vwdRjCPa2?si=6dab75e5d55745ff
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Care & Support Ministries at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882239
Western Sky Middle School Open Gym - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1364813
Connect with Trevor - trevor@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today on The Stories Collective we have a special guest host, our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram! Jamie had the chance to sit down in the studio with missionaries that Desert Springs helps to support in The Philippines, David and Kenda Jerome. If you were with us at church this past weekend (Feb. 24/25) you probably saw David + Kenda speaking in our services! David walks through what their journey to becoming missionaries was like. It is a unique story involving years of encounters with a missionary to The Philippines. Kenda really felt passionate in pursuing missions, but it took a little longer for David to get there. But once he did it was all systems go! Listen in to hear about how David and Kenda started in leading short-term trips with their church to the Philippines and how it eventually led them to working on the mission field full-time. You'll also get to hear some amazing stories about the work God is doing daily in The Philippines through the Jeromes and their ministry partners. They've not just seen individuals changed and affected by the Gospel but entire villages as well. David and Kenda continue to be excited about the ministry they're a part of!
Pray for the Jeromes: Pray for 7 teams to be able to serve in the Philippines with the Jeromes in 2024, pray for the Filipinos who have accepted Christ to be discipled, pray for their children and grandchildren here in the states, pray for protection of family while they are away, pray for daughter-in-law Ashley to come to know Christ, pray for wisdom for future ministry
Connect with David Jerome on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.jerome.775
For more information on Missions at DSCC, email james@dscchurch.com. Don't forget, you can also learn more at our Missions Connect Wall in the Desert Springs lobby. Let's be praying for all of our missionaries!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are excited to welcome our friend and ministry leader Randy Donithan to the podcast today!
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Pornography and sex addiction is discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
Randy was born and raised in Arizona growing up in the 50s and 60s. His family life was very difficult as his father was an alcoholic, and this caused many fights between his parents. As a child he felt he was in survival mode and didn't want anyone around to know what was going on in his home. At age 11 a friend showed him a stash of Playboy magazines. This unfortunately led to years and years of addiction. Randy describes it as being in a never-ending cycle of shame and low self-worth among other things. Growing up he had heard confusing messages about Jesus and though he called himself a Christian he didn't really know what that meant. As he grew up into his young adult life his pornography addiction only continued, and it affected how he viewed relationships and even caused struggles in pursuing higher education. At one point he thought a fresh start in California would solve his problems, but he soon found that the struggles followed him. We appreciated Randy being so open in walking us through this time of his life. At age 28 Randy found himself back in Arizona running his own flooring business. He reconnected with a friend who knew Christ and this relationship led Randy to a true understanding of who Jesus. He placed his faith in him for the first time and finally understood what love really is. There were still steps to be taken to work on healing his addiction, but he finally had hope for his life. Randy was soon introduced to a woman named Becky who would become his wife. Together they raised adopted special needs children together while also having children of their own. Life had taken an amazing turn! Years later, Randy was once again faced with his addictions and struggles. Now being a husband and father, he knew he had to take purposeful steps towards healing. Listen in to hear about how support groups and Christian relationships helped him to heal and begin recovery. It eventually led Randy to leading Celebrate Recovery groups across the valley, including the group we offer here at DSCC. Don't miss this incredible story of God's healing! Remember that you are not alone. God is ready for you with open arms.
Celebrate Recovery at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1946954
Care & Support Groups at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882239
Connect with Randy - radonithan@yahoo.com
Connect with Pastor Trevor - trevor@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have a story to share with you today that will surely warm your heart! We were joined by our new friend Dacia Gordon. Dacia and her husband Lowell started attending in 2021 after they purchased a part-time home in Goodyear. They haven't quite embraced the term "snowbird" yet 😉 Dacia walks us through not just one but many stories from her life where she experienced God's faithful hand. Her earliest memory included surviving a tornado while living in a trailer in Alabama at age two. One of the greatest stories she remembers with us is when a classmate in the 3rd grade reached out when Dacia really needed a friend. This friendship ended up changing the trajectory of her life as it led to Dacia accepting Christ because of an invitation to attend a Billy Graham crusade. Dacia reflects on how important it was for a Christian to be so present with her in a public-school setting. It stuck with her as she eventually encouraged her own children to be active in their faith in public school in order to reach other students. We really appreciated her challenge and encouragement in that. Dacia shares more stories from her life over the years (like how she and her husband acquired a real-life Dunder Mifflin) and ends with sharing about how recently God worked a miraculous healing her in husband's life. You'll have to listen to hear more but her husband survived something that only 5% of people live through. God's hand continues to be over Dacia's life! You will really enjoy hearing from Dacia and will be encouraged to look for God's hand each day in your life.
Connect Groups at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1391282https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1391282
Western Sky Open Gym program - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1364813
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have a wonderful story of healing and hope to share with you to kick off the month of February! We were joined in the studio by John Ricciardelli.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Domestic violence involving children is discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️ John and Sarah begin their conversation by discussing some mid-2000s reality TV but don't worry they don't spend too much time on it. John and his family began attending Desert Springs in 2021 and love to worship right in the front row. John is originally from New Jersey and that is where his story begins. By the grace of God, he came to know Christ around the age of six or seven in the midst of his family life being very difficult. As early as he can remember John repeatedly witnessed his parents being physically abusive to each other. As he and his three brothers consistently observed this it created some unhealthy patterns, particularly with John's older brother who in turn physically abused him. This was way beyond brothers roughhousing or playful wrestling, which caused John lived in terror in his own home, both of his parents and older brother. While he was in high school, he met his wife Melissa, though they would not date and marry until years later. The story skips forward a little bit to 2018 when John and Melissa move to Arizona. They began to settle into their life with a newborn and made the transition to Melissa working full-time as an Occupational Therapist and John being a stay-at-home dad. Somewhat suddenly in the fall of 2020 John and Melissa realized their marriage was not in a healthy place. In fact, it was in a really bad place, and they teetered on the brink of divorce. Among other things both John and Melissa realized their painful pasts were creating big cracks in the foundation of their marriage. A gift from a friend helped John and Melissa begin their healing journey in marriage counseling. This led John to pursue individual counseling to finally address and create room for healing from his childhood. We really admire John's willingness to be incredibly open and vulnerable with us about his healing journey. He challenges all Christians to really dig in to emotional healing and take the steps to seek professional help with therapy if it is needed. You have to hear this story of amazing change and healing in Christ!
DSCC Care & Support Ministries: https://www.dscchurch.com/care-support
*scroll to the bottom of this page to see the local therapists and counselors we refer to
D|S Kids Parents' Night Out (2/23) - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2114484
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We had the opportunity to continue our conversation with Wade & Shannon Cooperrider, this time getting into the specifics of what ministry looks like in Nicaragua. Sarah gets us into the interview, but we have a special guest host, our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram who leads the conversation. Jamie and The Cooperriders met in the studio to talk through day-to-day life and ministry in Nicaragua. There are so many stories and opportunities that are shared that we can't pack it all here in the show notes. You'll hear about life in Nicaragua, how they were catapulted into leadership with an organization, how the Desert Springs' church plant in La Paz Centro came about, what furlough in the U.S. looks like and so much more (seriously, so much more!). We would highly encourage you to listen to this episode as it will feel full circle to the three episodes shared earlier this month. Wade and Shannon both challenge all of us to closely follow the Lord and do what He says whatever that means in the context we're in. Make sure you check out the links below to connect with Wade + Shannon!
We have a team from our church heading to work with Wade + Shannon in March so make sure you're praying for them! More trip opportunities will be available soon. Don't forget, you can also learn more at our Missions Connect Wall in the Desert Springs lobby. Let's be praying for all of our missionaries!
Pray for The Cooperrider's Family: Reta (Wade's mom), Nathan (son), Natalie + Casey (daughter and son-in-law)
Learn more about The Cooperriders: https://thebridge.bbfimissions.com/wade-and-shannon-cooperrider/
Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cooperriders2Nicaragua,https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009190475585, https://www.facebook.com/shannon.hutchinsoncooperrider
Be a part of supporting The Cooperriders: https://bbfimissions.com/missionary/wade-and-shannon-cooperrider
Subscribe to The Cooperrider's email list: https://cooperriders2nicaragua.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=26665fc52bd0690a399ef67ed&id=58b67b3c8e
For more information on Missions at DSCC, email james@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Welcome to Episode 100 of The Stories Collective! 🎉🎉 We could not think of a better interview to share for our 100th episode than the conversation we got to have with Pastor Steve Engram. Steve was born outside of Detroit as his Dad was leading Youth for Christ. The Engrams were becoming a ministry family and when the ministry led them to northern Ohio that became what Steve refers to as home. Steve shares a lot about how his relationship with his Dad was foundational in developing a heart for the Lord and serving Him in a full-time capacity. Even in grade school Steve had started a club called the "Go-Getters for God" club and he would preach a sermon (as an elementary schooler!) and the club would then go hand out tracts to people. He knew this was what God was calling him to. After high school he attended Moody Bible Institute and through a unique set of circumstances ended up as the youth pastor at the church his Dad was pastoring. He reflects on those early years of ministry and recounts God's faithfulness in how He slowly raised him up. In the spring of 1983 Steve met a woman named Pam who loved Jesus and was studying to be a physicist. They fell in love and were married by the end of the year. About four years into their marriage, they found out they were pregnant with their son Jamie. Three weeks before his due date, Pam and Steve were advised to go to the hospital as Pam had somewhat suddenly started to have some complications. Steve walks us through one of the most difficult and devastating circumstances of his life as over the next few days he began to lose his wife due to complications that occurred during childbirth. He was now faced with life as a widower all while being a brand-new dad. Within months Steve and baby Jamie moved to Arizona to be closer to family as his parents had moved to pastor at Palmcroft Church just a few days before Pam's death. We so appreciate the realness with which Steve tells this story. Steve could not have anticipated all that God had waiting for him in Arizona. A new season of ministry was on the horizon and also a woman named Tami who would become a best friend and eventually his wife. Your heart will be warmed as you hear Steve describe this chapter of his life as he found Tami as his love and ultimately partner in ministry. We hope this conversation makes you even more thankful to have Steve & Tami as the leaders of our church! Steve is our beloved pastor, and we are incredibly grateful for his willingness to share not only in the pulpit each week but here with us.
Sharon Engram's (Steve's mom) Episode 39: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tBaV2jnGH7hjnBLJq6Skb?si=dfd4a9f48c1e418d
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Resident Strangers podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DTNZOJsGBG2C86w646xdA?si=237ca0ce1f154f87
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
This week we're continuing our series in sharing Part 3 of The Cooperrider's story! Wade and Shannon's story picks up with them preparing to attend language school in Costa Rica. As soon as they felt they had received affirmation from God and their community they began to take steps to get to the mission field. They knew it would be a process to get there but very quickly God made it apparent that He wanted them in Nicaragua. It was very important that Wade and Shannon learn Spanish and that led them to attending a language school in Costa Rica for the majority of 2017. December 18th, 2017, Wade, Shannon and their daughter Natalie officially moved to Nicaragua. They were nervous and excited but so ready to begin their new life on the mission field. Tragically, having been in Nicaragua for less than two days, Shannon received word that her mother had suddenly passed away. The mission field was bringing about new trials and challenges. Four months later there was an attempted coup that forced Wade and Shannon to evacuate to Costa Rica and eventually back to the states. They were finally able to live full-time in Nicaragua in September 2018. The Lord's hand and protection was so evident. You'll get to hear some wonderful stories about the Cooperrider's ministry, including how the church plant at La Paz Centro came about. Make sure you tune in on January 31st for a special episode with Wade and Shannon and our DSCC Missions Pastor Jamie Engram. They will dive in more about all the ministry things in that episode. During all of this there were still trials as Shannon lost her Dad, their furlough was extended by 14 months due to covid and Wade almost lost his life to covid in November 2020. You will be amazed at how Wade and Shannon leaned into the Lord through all of this and have continued in the confidence that God has called them to the mission field.
Learn more about The Cooperriders: https://thebridge.bbfimissions.com/wade-and-shannon-cooperrider/
Be a part of supporting The Cooperriders: https://bbfimissions.com/missionary/wade-and-shannon-cooperrider
Subscribe to The Cooperrider's email list: https://cooperriders2nicaragua.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=26665fc52bd0690a399ef67ed&id=58b67b3c8e
For more information on Missions at DSCC, email james@dscchurch.com
Join us on Wednesday, January 31st for Part 4! Next week we are sharing a very special interview to celebrate 100 episodes of The Stories Collective 🎉🎉 Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond.
This week we're continuing our series in sharing Part 2 of The Cooperrider's story! Wade and Shannon's story picks up in the fall of 1998. Moving back to Arizona felt like being in survival mode as they were lost and struggling with their purpose. They struggled to acclimate back to life in Arizona and it felt like their dreams of being missionaries were slowly fading away. Things felt dark and depressing as Wade was particularly struggling. He even considered just walking away from the church and faith related things completely. Thankfully after being asked to teach in a college class at their home church Wade and Shannon stayed connected to ministry. It was not a moment of instant revival, but their hearts were able to remain in the Lord and in church community. Wade and Shannon describe that the next few years of their life were ones where they settled into living as average Americans, focusing on their kids, working and doing their best to be good Christian people. In October 2003, Wade's dad was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. He unfortunately passed away just over a year later and this rocked Wade. Wade was only 33 years old and losing his dad at such a young age sent him into a tailspin that eventually led him to a dark place involving anger and alcohol abuse. Meanwhile, Shannon tried really hard to be a supportive spouse and present mother though she felt she had no clue how to help. Wade and Shannon both reflect and share a lot of insight about this particular chapter in their lives. A key point communicated is the importance of being open and talking about struggles, even if it feels embarrassing. Around the year 2005, Wade and Shannon began attending Desert Springs. This began a new journey that led them back to dreaming and praying about what God might have next. Then one day out of the blue after a random connection on Facebook Wade and Shannon got a phone call that opened a door they thought had been sealed shut. Make sure you come back next week to hear part three of the Cooperrider's story!
Learn more about The Cooperriders: https://thebridge.bbfimissions.com/wade-and-shannon-cooperrider/
Be a part of supporting The Cooperriders: https://bbfimissions.com/missionary/wade-and-shannon-cooperrider
Subscribe to The Cooperrider's email list: https://cooperriders2nicaragua.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=26665fc52bd0690a399ef67ed&id=58b67b3c8e
For more information on Missions at DSCC, email james@dscchurch.com
Join us on Wednesday, January 17th for Part 3! Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond.
Happy New Year! This is our first episode of 2024 and we're excited to tell you that we are kicking off a series with our dear friends and missionaries to Nicaragua, Wade & Shannon Cooperrider! Over the next couple of weeks, you'll get an inside look into the lives of Wade and Shannon. This week we're starting from the very beginning. Wade and Shannon were essentially high school sweethearts and the story of how they got together is sweet. But even beyond their romantic connection they shared a bond over missions. They both had a strong desire to serve on the mission field and as soon as they became a couple, they began working towards that together. It wasn't long before they were on a mission trip together while they were dating! They attended the same Bible college in Missouri and got married in the middle of finishing their degrees. They dreamed of serving in many different places across the world. After graduating they were required to do what was called a Missionary Internship before officially heading out onto the field. They ended up serving in Colorado for two years as "tentmakers", essentially doing full-time ministry while also working full-time. In the midst of this they also welcomed their first child into the world. The experience of the Missionary Internship led to some years that were difficult as the tentmaker ministry became a lot to handle while working full-time. A series of events led them to move to Kansas, but it quickly became apparent that Kansas was not where they were meant to be. Less than 9 months after moving there, they made the decision to come back to Arizona. Being angry, bitter and disillusioned, Wade and Shannon began to settle into a life that they had not pictured. They basically had to start over having no clue where the Lord was leading them in missions. Make sure you come back next week to hear part two of the Cooperrider's story!
Learn more about The Cooperriders: https://thebridge.bbfimissions.com/wade-and-shannon-cooperrider/
Be a part of supporting The Cooperriders:https://bbfimissions.com/missionary/wade-and-shannon-cooperrider
Subscribe to The Cooperrider's email list: https://cooperriders2nicaragua.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=26665fc52bd0690a399ef67ed&id=58b67b3c8e
For more information on Missions at DSCC, email james@dscchurch.com
Join us on Wednesday, January 10th for Part 2! Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond.
It is hard to believe that this episode of The Stories Collective is the last one being released in 2023. But don't worry, we'll be back next Wednesday, starting a series involving God's incredible faithfulness to kick off 2024! We invite you to settle in as our host Sarah catches you up on all that the Lord has done in 2023. Think of this episode as a one-on-one coffee meeting. Sarah reflects on how the podcast has evolved since it launched in March 2022. It is hard to believe we are approaching almost 100 stories shared! At the top of this year, we started off with an incredible testimony from our friend Rich Holland. At the time we had no idea we'd be launching a podcast with him as one of the hosts in the fall of 2023 (Resident Strangers returns on January 2nd with brand new episodes)! Rich's story majorly the highlighted the importance of being involved in the church and community. Sarah points out that we did not plan for that to be a continuous theme but that it was one that was brought out in stories over and over again throughout this whole year. Is it possible that God really wanted us to hone in on this idea? That we're called to be in Christ-centered community? Thinking through the stories shared this year we are blown away by all that was shared. This podcast featured stories on major health issues, losing a child, friendship, motherhood, abortion recovery, freedom from sin, mental health and suicide, racial issues, how to age well, single parenting, foster-care, trusting in God’s timing, navigating the LGBTQ+ lifestyle, the transformation experienced through the Gospel and so much more. Sarah shares some highlights from her year but also gets personal about what life was like behind the scenes. The Lord used the stories shared on this podcast not just for the listeners but to encourage Sarah's own heart and soul. Ultimately, Sarah urges us to take hold of the continuous theme that was shared - we desperately need community and when we lean into one that is centered on Christ it is lifechanging.
Email sarah@dscchurch.com if you have a story you'd like to share in 2024.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! We have another fun Christmas episode to share with you! We were joined again by our friend Sam Brown to battle our host Sarah Schalow in Christmas song trivia. Our wonderful producer Brittany Petry joined in on the fun by moderating the games. This episode has a little bit of a chaotic feel so buckle in and get ready to sing (and laugh) along! Brittany collected two different song trivia games. One features facts about songs and Sarah and Sam have to guess which song she is talking about. We learned a lot through this! For instance, did you know that "Jingle Bells" is technically not a Christmas song but was a song written for another holiday? In the next game, Brittany gives Sarah and Sam a word and the first person to sing a Christmas song with that word in it gets a point. Lots of singing and lots of laughing ensues! We can hardly believe there are only five days left until Christmas and we hope this episode brings a little Christmas cheer to your week. We would love to see you at one of our Christmas Eve services happening too!
Sam Brown's Stories Collective episode (October 2023) - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uAwphB5YWM2M6ZZR60tJ7?si=c8321016601d41e6
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
We would love to see you at one of our five Christmas Eve services happening!
December 23rd at 5:00pm and December 24th at 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am* + 5:00pm
*Spanish translation available
Visit dscchurch.com for more information
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday for a recap of what God has done in 2023!
Merry Christmas! God bless us, everyone! With Christmas approaching we wanted to share a fun and light-hearted Christmas episode with you. Our host Sarah Schalow is once again joined by her friends (and co-workers) Manny Hernandez and Daniel Calderón to share their favorite Christmas stories and play a Christmas story version of the game Balderdash. Daniel and Manny both take some time at the top of the episode to share their favorite Christmas stories - which end up actually being a song and a movie.
Shortly before recording, Sarah and her husband Ryan (we wish he could've joined for this episode!) searched the internet looking for lesser-known published Christmas books and stories and then created their own descriptions of fake Christmas books to mix in. Daniel and Manny are presented with the descriptions and have to make a guess as to which stories are real and which were written by Sarah and Ryan. With just 12 days left until Christmas we hope that this episode makes you laugh and lifts your spirits!
We would love to see you at one of our five Christmas Eve services happening!
December 23rd at 5:00pm and December 24th at 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am* + 5:00pm
*Spanish translation available
Visit dscchurch.com for more information
His Favorite Christmas Story by Capital Lights (song) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgFi2A-FyWI
*Daniel's favorite
Manny's Stories Collective episode (May 2023) - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wVjH03aMtDZqoPBhd5p7T?si=1374b78142d14ff0
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Daniel's Stories Collective episode (October 2023) - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zyjpUHwaHNgsjDMnmtQsv?si=24e198b8d23b4bf0
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Email sarah@dscchurch.com for links to the books mentioned.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday for another fun Christmas themed episode!
We have a wonderful, hope-filled story to share with you today. This is our last interview of 2023 but don't worry, we have some fun and light content for Christmas (with some special guests) coming to the podcast over the next few weeks. Then we'll be back right at the top of 2024 with more amazing stories of God's faithfulness! But today, our host Sarah Schalow is talking with our friend Meagan Ellis.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Pregnancy loss is discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
Meagan met her husband Adam while working at the Flagstaff airport. She and her husband married in 2015 and Meagan already had a timeline of when she wanted to become a mom though they didn't want to have children immediately. When she was in her mid-20s she felt that with everything else that had fallen to place in life she felt like it was the time to start a family. This was the late spring of 2016 and Meagan describes that pregnancy and becoming a mom became an obsession. She planned to become a mom right away and when she became pregnant for the first time within two months, she was buying items for a nursery when she was barely 6 weeks pregnant. Not long after this, Meagan went to a doctor's appointment where she learned that she had lost the baby. This was a shock and something she hadn't been prepared for as she didn't have any knowledge of anyone around her who had experienced a miscarriage. Unfortunately, this would not be the only miscarriage Meagan would experience. We are thankful for Meagan's willingness to bring us into this journey as she shares the depths of an over two journey suffering through multiple miscarriages. The amazing part of the story is when she learned to let go and truly placed her faith and trust in Jesus after a tearful phone call with her mom. Things changed in so many ways when God became the center of these wants and desires. There is hope in this story as Meagan leaned into God and eventually received the blessing of carrying two healthy pregnancies to full term. She loves her life with her husband and two precious children and gives all the glory to God for His blessings. We are again so thankful for Meagan's willingness to bring us into her story in such a vulnerable way!
Moms in the Making: Infertility Support Group - https://form.jotform.com/trustinginduetime/moms-in-the-making-fall-2021-in-per
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday for a fun Christmas themed episode!
We invite you to join in for a transparent conversation about a journey with Christ through sexual identity. It was such a blessing to have Estefany Rodriguez join us in the studio! ⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Childhood sexual abuse is discussed in this conversation. ⚠️ Estefany begins her story by sharing about the sexual abuse she experienced as a child. Aside from the abuse, she knew that she had what she describes as different feelings towards girls. Having a Catholic background, she was aware that same-sex attraction was considered a sin. After high school she officially identified as a lesbian and began a 5-year relationship with a girl she met at work. Estefany eventually wound up at GCU and a class had her reading the Bible weekly for homework. She was adamant that the Christians at GCU would not convert her. The Lord revealed Himself to her as she was studying the Bible and He truly came alive through His Word. Slowly but surely, Estefany was coming to know who Jesus was. Her life was forever changed when she gave her life over to Him. With that came a decision - would she remain in the lesbian lifestyle or fully surrender and live the life Jesus has for her?
Sam Brown's episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uAwphB5YWM2M6ZZR60tJ7?si=cef0b04e821f4fb1 *available wherever you listen to podcasts
Parents of Prodigals Care Group - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1588370
Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry - https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Girl-Good-God-Always/dp/1462751229/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HIK44A3ZP9IL&keywords=gay+girl+good+god&qid=1697389935&sprefix=gay%2Caps%2C536&sr=8-1
Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity by Gregory Coles - https://www.amazon.com/Single-Gay-Christian-Personal-Identity/dp/0830845127/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6DTRN722NYD6&keywords=single+gay+christian+gregory+coles&qid=1697390006&sprefix=single+gay+christian%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1
Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Wesley Hill - https://www.amazon.com/Washed-Waiting-Reflections-Faithfulness-Homosexuality/dp/0310534194/ref=sr_1_1?crid=70Z22K7PRHN6&keywords=washed+and+waiting+wesley+hill&qid=1697390048&sprefix=washed+and+wwaiting%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-1
CHANGED Movement - https://changedmovement.com
Rainbow Revival - https://rainbowrevival.org
Want to connect with Estefany? Email Sarah Schalow at sarah@dscchurch.com to get started.
We were glad to welcome Dave Hauser into the studio with us! Dave and his wife Cheryl began attending Desert Springs in 2022 after moving to Arizona from Oregon. Dave grew up in a big family as a pastor's kid in the Pacific Northwest. Both Dave and Cheryl had long careers as teachers in Oregon and as they reached retirement eligibility, they wanted to seek the Lord about what was next. What is really cool is that Dave and Cheryl actually had these conversations in the 15-20 years leading up to their retirement. Assuming they were healthy and in a good place, they didn't want to just end their time serving and working for the Lord. The idea of spending the rest of his life on a golf course brought no meaning for Dave. He did not want to the waste the years God was continuing to give him. All of this discussion and prayer led to Dave and Cheryl moving to Arizona to work with a program called FORGE Youth Mentoring. FORGE Youth Mentoring strives to connect generations to restore hope in our communities and to help young people discover and pursue their full potential. This conversation will challenge and inspire you as you hear about how the Lord led Dave to work with FORGE, to move to Arizona and how he lives out his conviction that aging and getting older does not mean your time serving the Lord and others is over. Desert Springs is happy to be a part of supporting FORGE Youth Mentoring and we look forward to hearing about how their ministry affects our local communities for the Gospel.
Connect with Dave - dave.h@forgeyouthmentoring.org
Learn about FORGE Youth Mentoring - https://forgeyouthmentoring.org/phoenix/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-AzR-FOKqw
Connect with them on social media -
https://www.facebook.com/forgeyouthmentoring,
https://www.instagram.com/forgeyouthmentoring/
Western Sky Open Gym - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1364813
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Welcome to the 90th episode of The Stories Collective! Today we are joined by our friend, worship volunteer and Care Ministry leader Deb Uhrberg. Deb and her husband Andy have been attending our church since 2019 and almost immediately became a big part of the ministry here. We are so thankful for Deb's willingness to share her story with us today.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Domestic violence and abuse within marriage is discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
Deb was raised in a Christian home, being the daughter of a home front missionary. Her father was an evangelist who would set up carnivals and fairs to witness and minister to people. She shares some sweet memories about being involved with ministry like that at a young age. As many do, Deb shares that she strayed in her early college years. She never abandoned her belief in God, but she made some decisions and spent some time with people who weren't the greatest. While working as a paramedic she met the man who would become her first husband. It was rocky and even destructive from the start with physical abuse being present even in their dating relationship. Despite everything going on Deb went through with marrying this man. This would bring over 20 years of abuse and Deb kept everything hidden from her family and friends. She had a difficult time understanding what divorce meant for a Christian and those thoughts alone kept her in the marriage. Having a passion for worship ministry, Deb was regularly playing piano in churches and God brought a worship minister who eventually helped Deb to understand that she could get out of this marriage. Even more so, he reminded her that she was God's child, and that God did not want these things for her. Listen in and hear about how the Lord led Deb in His way to get out the abusive marriage, heal from years of hurt and pain and how her marriage to her current husband Andy has been a beautiful picture of hope. What is even more special is that God is using Deb and Andy to lead our DivorceCare ministry, ministering to those who once walked the path that they were on. He truly brings beauty from ashes
Mending the Soul - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1074699
DivorceCare - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1399197
DivorceCare for Kids - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1944890
Care & Support Ministries at Desert Springs - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882239
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
On today's episode we had the privilege of being joined by friend to many Rob Ackerman. Rob, his wife Shannon and their children have been a part of Desert Springs for over 15 years. Rob was raised in rural Minnesota and put his faith in Jesus in elementary school when a friend invited him to AWANA. He attended the University of North Dakota where he met his wife, Shannon. It was fun to hear Rob's side of the story as we got to hear Shannon share back in June (we've linked her story below). It was also in college where Rob began to really observe and learn from other's faith journeys. This became something important to Rob as he entered the different phases of his life. Rob and Shannon married and began Rob's army career with seven years of active duty. He couldn't get away from his love for flying and he still flies helicopters to this day. As Rob grew older, he began to recognize the importance of consistency with Christ and cultivating a steady faith. This is where most of Rob and Sarah's conversation stays, talking through that steadiness and consistency in walking with Christ. Whether it's marriage, raising kids, a mid-life crisis or relationship with God, it's always worth it to just show up and try with a genuine spirit. Rob has so much wisdom to share and we would encourage you to take this as a free advice session!
Shannon Ackerman's story - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4AUrp22G810TpCtxrY4AEV?si=49565d2ee6cf418f
Men in Midlife Crisis by Jim Conway - https://www.amazon.com/Men-Midlife-Crisis-Jim-Conway/dp/1564766985/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NVYN1JRE79GK&keywords=men+in+midlife+crisis&qid=1699379773&sprefix=men+i%2Caps%2C3193&sr=8-1
If you're interested, you can read about Chris McCandless aka Alexander Supertramp - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_McCandless
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are so looking forward to sharing our conversation with Bruce Ploeser with you! This is an important conversation for all but if you're in those later high school - early college years we think this is an especially important conversation for you to hear. Bruce and Sarah begin their conversation by talking a lot about Chick Fil A and we promise it'll make sense as to why when you listen. Bruce grew up being mostly homeschooled and shares that even as a young boy he felt the desire to fall in love and be married. He jokingly says that he feels he can chronicle his younger years by who his crush was at the time. Dating wasn't really allowed in the environment Bruce was in but that didn't change his desire. In later high school he began attending community college and during that time his beliefs and thought processes were being challenged as he gained a new independence. In the midst of this change a relationship began that quickly became almost all consuming. It was something that was kept secret and began to create strain between Bruce and his family. Bruce took a gap year before attending university and attended Impact 360 in Georgia. His dating relationship became long distance and for the first time Bruce realized that though he had experienced salvation he did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Slowly, he began to learn what an active relationship with Jesus looked like and furthermore experienced authentic community in Christ. When he came home for a break everything changed. He knew what God wanted him to do. You will be challenged and encouraged as Bruce shares the work God did in his heart when he surrendered his desires, cultivated godly community with fellow believers and eventually pursued a healthy marriage relationship. As Bruce says, you have to allow people to see you. It might feel intrusive at first but that is where real growth and change in Christ will come. Community in Christ matters deeply. Don't miss this conversation!
The Story of the Little Red Lizard, excerpt from The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis - http://www.onthewing.org/user/CS%20Lewis%20-%20Little%20Red%20Lizard.pdf
For information on discipleship and mentoring programs at Desert Springs, email Shawn Jones at shawn@dscchurch.com.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are so excited to share today's story with you! We were joined in the studio by our new friend Danya Works. Danya and her family (she has six kids!) moved to Arizona almost exactly a year ago and quickly became connected with Desert Springs. We jump right into Danya's story starting with when she came to know the Lord at age 17. Danya's upbringing was rough being a child of divorce and growing up in the Los Angeles area in the 1990s. She was raised by a single mom and her grandparents who instilled the values of hard work into her. Going to a top-level school and pursuing a career in the corporate world became her ultimate goal and as a teenager she felt her worth came from how she could perform at school. Having a husband and children was something far from her mind. Danya was saved when she attended a church with her friend and almost immediately after that she met her husband, Eugene. How they met is a crazy story you'll have to listen in to find out about! At age 18, Danya married Eugene and soon after they had their first child. Danya still had dreams of getting a college degree and pursuing a career, but she struggled to balance that with being a wife and young mom. Her husband was intent on having a large family and devoted wife, but Danya struggled to accept that. This created a cycle of trying to do it all - being the career woman, mom and wife full-time and all at the same time. She now felt her worth was tied to her performance at work and home. It began to create strain in the family, particularly between Danya and Eugene. Ten years of marriage and three kids in the midst of this cycle brought a breaking point. You will be encouraged as you hear Danya describe how she came to a deeper understanding of her worth in Christ, how she and her husband cultivated a healthy marriage, how the Lord spoke to her about being a mom and how passionate she is about serving God and His people. There is so much to glean from this story as we all need to remember that our worth and value is in Christ alone. We're thankful for Danya and the Works family and look forward to more ministry with them here at Desert Springs!
Care & Support Ministries at Desert Springs - https://www.dscchurch.com/care-support
If you're struggling and need care and support, please reach out to Pastor Trevor at trevor@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We invite you to join in for this very real and honest conversation about sexuality and identity. It was a blessing to have our friend Sam Brown join us in the studio! What Sam came to share with us is about his struggle with same-sex attraction and how the Lord has worked in his life through that experience. He explains that for him this was something that seemed to always be a part of him. Though some might come to these feelings through abuse or trauma, that was not the case for Sam. He takes us through his childhood and early middle school years explaining how the struggle became more apparent as he grew up. Sam was really struggling as he really wanted to follow the Lord wholeheartedly but felt trapped in how he would express his identity. Pastor Trevor Schalow is someone who began to minister to, and disciple Sam here at Desert Springs. This relationship would be crucial in Sam's journey even after he came out. There were some very difficult years as Sam teetered back and forth between two lifestyles, but February 2020 brought a lifechanging event. This story is hard to sum up here in the show notes so we would encourage you to take some time to listen to the entirety of this conversation with an open heart and open mind. You will be amazed at how Sam came to a place of surrender, encouraged to think about this topic with grace and challenged to love others more deeply. We are deeply grateful for Sam's openness and vulnerability and believe the Lord will continue to use him to minister to all of us but especially a community that needs Jesus just as much as we all do.
Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry - https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Girl-Good-God-Always/dp/1462751229/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HIK44A3ZP9IL&keywords=gay+girl+good+god&qid=1697389935&sprefix=gay%2Caps%2C536&sr=8-1
Single, Gay, Christian by Gregory Coles - https://www.amazon.com/Single-Gay-Christian-Personal-Identity/dp/0830845127/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6DTRN722NYD6&keywords=single+gay+christian+gregory+coles&qid=1697390006&sprefix=single+gay+christian%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1
Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill - https://www.amazon.com/Washed-Waiting-Reflections-Faithfulness-Homosexuality/dp/0310534194/ref=sr_1_1?crid=70Z22K7PRHN6&keywords=washed+and+waiting+wesley+hill&qid=1697390048&sprefix=washed+and+wwaiting%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-1
Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? by Preston Sprinkle - https://www.amazon.com/Does-Bible-Support-Same-Sex-Marriage/dp/0830785671/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3SA65RV8IWUI9&keywords=does+the+bible+support+same-sex+marriage+preston+sprinkle&qid=1697390272&sprefix=does+teh+bi%2Caps%2C263&sr=8-1
CHANGED Movement - https://changedmovement.com
Rainbow Revival - https://rainbowrevival.org
Want to connect with Sam? Email Sarah Schalow at sarah@dscchurch.com to get started.
Brenda Crum joined us in the studio to share about the peace that God has brought continuously in her life. Brenda was born and raised in Arizona. In fact, her family has lived and worked in this state for generations. Brenda came to know the Lord as a young girl at the kitchen table with her mom. She was an only child and had a close relationship with both her mom and her dad. Brenda feels that the Lord began strengthening her faith even at a young age starting at age 12, when she became very ill and ended up being isolated for over a year because of it. There was also a time that a near plane crash helped her to know that she would meet Jesus face-to-face whether it was in that moment or later in her life. A major part of God growing Brenda's faith was through her mom being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. One incredible aspect of this diagnosis is that Brenda had been having dreams that were warning her that something might happen to one of her parents (you'll hear more about that when you listen). The news of the brain tumor was devastating but her mom's faith was contagious, and it only helped Brenda's trust in the Lord to grow. God was gracious and gave their family more time than expected with her mom. What Brenda learned through these trials and other experiences was that God is truly right there. He's so close. He brings a peace that goes beyond understanding. A peace that covers all situations. Knowing this has given Brenda a passion to minister to and encourage people, especially those who are in the process of losing someone to death. Brenda does not fear death because of the peace that she has. A peace that could only come from Jesus. Your heart will be uplifted through this conversation!
For information on Evangelism Training at DSCC email Pastor Shawn at shawn@dscchurch.com
For information on Missions at DSCC email Pastor Jamie at james@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
If you regularly attend Desert Springs, you are probably familiar with today's guest! Daniel Calderón joined us in the studio to share about what God has done in his life up until this point. Daniel has been married to his wife Brianne for almost seven years and serves as our Middle School and Young Adults Pastor. We are blessed to have the Calderóns as a part of our church family and staff! Daniel moved around a lot as a child attending eight different schools as his father was serving in the U.S. Navy. His family would attend churches along the way though it was tough to have a consistent church community due to the moves. Daniel came to understand who Jesus was when he was eight years old and got baptized by his granddad. He describes his understanding as having a head knowledge of Jesus but not making the choice to connect the reality of Christ to his heart. As he grew up, he found himself living as two different people between school and church, describing it as having one foot in and one foot out. Jesus was compartmentalized. It wasn't until his junior year of high school that he began to learn about Jesus in a different way through studying apologetics. Daniel realized that following Jesus was a decision to be made and wasn't something that would just happen along the way. His mind connected to his heart, and he willed to follow Jesus. This choice has certainly changed the trajectory of his life. You'll hear about how he and Brianne met and married, his pursuit of a career in education and how the Lord has brought him to where he is now serving at Desert Springs, all because of the decision to intentionally choose to follow Jesus.
Daniel's sermon from September 2022 - https://dscchurch.nucleus.church/media/stories-of-faith-shardrach-meshach-abednego
Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness - https://www.amazon.com/dp/076422560X?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_CQN57RTZN16YCM6QH6DB
Resident Strangers podcast - https://www.dscchurch.com/resident-strangers
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
It was a blessing to have Caryn Doerksen join us in the studio to share her story! This episode is coming out just a few days before Caryn's birthday (Sept. 30th) so make sure if you see her, you say Happy Birthday! 🎉🎉🎉 We are so thankful to have the whole Doerksen family a part of our church. Caryn was raised on the mission field with some of her earliest memories being in the Philippines and England. Her parents worked (and still work!) as pastors and missionaries all over the U.S. and world. Caryn recounts what it was like growing up as a third culture kid and how she caught onto living a life of service to the Lord even as a young girl. We also talked through practical ways to help support kids growing up on the mission field as it is a very unique experience. When Caryn was in high school, she began to wonder what the Lord had for her. It became stressful as she was trying to determine if she herself would become a missionary or if she should pursue nursing school. A trusted mentor encouraged her to move forward in the Lord and expect great things. This simple statement helped Caryn to think through her decision and also made her realize that ministry happens all the time - not just on the mission field. She walks us through how the Lord has worked in her and used her in the years since then. The conversation wraps up with Caryn sharing about a recent experience in Indonesia that reminded her just how big and worthy of worship our God is. You'll gain a new perspective as you hear about growing up on the mission field and you'll also be encouraged to know that God can and will use you wherever it is that He has you. This was such a sweet conversation, and we look forward to you listening!
Third Culture Kids: Growing up among worlds by David C. Pollock, Ruth E. Van Reken & Michael V. Pollock - https://www.amazon.com/Third-Culture-Kids-3rd-Growing/dp/1473657660/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P6JNXO2QD2CP&keywords=third+culture+kid+david&qid=1695668940&sprefix=third+culture+kids+david%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1
Worthy of It All - The Worship Initiative feat. Shane & Shane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ0bV2t3tUw
Resident Strangers Podcast: https://www.dscchurch.com/resident-strangers
Questions about Missions at DSCC? Email Pastor Jamie at james@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Larissa Holland joined us in the studio, and we are so thankful that she did! Larissa and her family are such a meaningful part of ministry here at Desert Springs. Those of you from military families will relate with Larissa as she feels she doesn't have a "from" due to moving around so much as a child. Her parents became Christians when she was a young girl and shortly after that she herself came to know the Lord at age seven. It took five years for her to be in an environment that she could be discipled but once she was, she thrived and grew so much. It was then that she began to learn the importance and necessity of authentic Christian community. Eventually Larissa settled in Virginia where she met her husband Rich (yes, the co-host of the Resident Strangers podcast 😉) while they were both volunteering at a church event. The way they met and quickly fell in love is like a movie! God so clearly wanted them together. Larissa fast forwards in her story to when she and Rich had been married for 10 years. This was a difficult time in their marriage for many reasons and Larissa was feeling incredibly stuck and, in some ways, blinded by anger. She called a trusted friend for advice and counsel after a particularly rough morning and what came from that conversation changed the entire trajectory of their marriage and family. Larissa explains that had she not be in authentic community with this woman there would not have even been opportunity for this conversation. This is an interview you'll want to intently listen to and take hold of as community in Christ is absolutely necessary. We were not created to live this life alone and God's design for community is heavily communicated in Larissa's story. We really appreciate her willingness to share with us! Don't miss this message!
Resident Strangers Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DTNZOJsGBG2C86w646xdA?si=aed43f254ce74c33
*available wherever you listen to podcasts
Rich Holland's Stories Collective interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4O9jSmbkZgC9taWVeRiqxS?si=2129e5a6fdca496b
When the Church Was a Family by Joseph H. Hellerman: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805447792?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_KFEHP6B4XX6E6J4DKJCD
Just Open the Door by Jen Schmidt: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Open-Door-Invitation-Generation/dp/1433643073/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XP0TTS3SV3PH&keywords=just+open+the+door+jen+schmidt&qid=1695151342&sprefix=just+open+the+door%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
A longtime friend of Desert Springs Warren Potter joined us in the studio to share his life story with us. There is an ease to this conversation that we really loved. Warren spent his early childhood in New York City but as he approached later elementary school, they moved to the countryside of Connecticut. He met his wife Kathy in high school on a double date that they were both on, though they weren't on the date with each other - that's a great story you'll have to listen in to hear. They married two years after high school shortly after Warren committed to serving in the Navy. Warren describes he and Kathy as being equally yoked in the sense that they both were not Christians but did have a sense of moral values. There had been instances here and there where both Warren and Kathy had heard about Jesus, but it wasn't until Warren had an intentional co-worker that he really came to know and understand the Gospel. Talk about living on mission! This changed their family forever. You'll hear about how Kathy also came to know the Lord and their journey as Christians who came to know Jesus as adults. Within that there was a process of moving from the head knowledge to the deeper understanding in the heart. We really appreciate Warren sharing his life's journey with us. Towards the end of the conversation Warren opens up about his surrender of fear and anxiety. It was something that plagued him for years and it wasn't until later in his life after he had retired that he came to a place that he felt he could truly release these struggles to God. His vulnerability is something we're grateful for!
Northwest Christian Counseling: https://www.nwchristiancounseling.com
Fall 2023 Wednesday Morning Men's Bible Study: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882714
Sunday Morning Bible Study Classes: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/995142
October 2023 Men's Summit: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1780506
Care + Support Ministries at Desert Springs: https://www.dscchurch.com/care-support
Resident Strangers podcast: https://www.dscchurch.com/resident-strangers
Greg Huggins' Stories Collective interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6RjQ36JbLrY3o4o5EqbM4W?si=5006c93ffe7748d1
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
It's Wednesday again and we're so glad that you're here! It was a blessing to be joined by Sam Washington in the studio. We feel like today's conversation is a perfect way to wrap up the summer. Sam touches on a lot of things that have been covered in stories this summer and also gives us some challenging things to think about as we head into the fall. Sam has an incredible heart and passion for serving the Lord and His people but that wasn't always his story. Sam was raised in a small town in Washington state. His parents had somewhat of a Catholic background and his mom would take them to church as children. As Sam grew older, he felt like being a part of a church wasn't really his thing, but he still felt like he had a set of values he wanted to live by. After high school he was really into the motor sports world and would spend his weekends snowmobiling and partying with friends. This eventually started to feel pointless, and Sam was left wondering if there was more to life. On 4th of July weekend one summer, he reconnected with an old high school acquaintance named Trisha. Trisha asked Sam an important question - who is Jesus to you? This changed everything for Sam; he understood the Gospel and what it meant for his life. Sam and Trisha married the following summer and began life together flipping houses and working in management at Costco. However, this isn't where their story ends. God had so much ahead for Sam and Trisha. Through being connected at a church community in Texas they began to learn what it looks like to truly live for God each day. Not just checking boxes or being comfortable lukewarm but being in a thriving relationship with God and His people. The moment of salvation is incredibly transformative, but the Christian life doesn't stop there. That is only the beginning. Sam's story will certainly challenge you so get ready!
D|S 101 - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1875869
October Men's Summit - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1780506
Men's Saturday Morning Fellowship - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1920118
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today's interview on The Stories Collective will show just how willing our God is to show up for His people. It was a blessing to talk with Heather Van Sant and we're excited to share this conversation with you.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Intense medical issues, procedures and struggles, some involving pregnancy, are discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
Heather grew up as a pastor's kid living in Arizona. An interest in working in the medical field led her to attend Northern Arizona University as a young adult. It was there that Heather first began to experience some intense medical issues, including a cancer scare at 19 years old. Heather and Mark married in 1998 and you can learn more about their early married years in Mark's interview on The Stories Collective. Heather's first pregnancy with their son Josiah was what most would consider normal but the birth itself was incredibly traumatic. It came to a point where Heather had to fully commit her precious son to the Lord. By the grace of God Josiah is living today and the Lord blessed Heather and Mark with 3 other children, Eli, Hannah and Bekah. Heather talks us through each pregnancy, detailing the struggles but ultimately communicates how faithful God was to see her through and gift their family with healthy children. Unfortunately, after the pregnancies Heather was still experiencing some intense and somewhat unexplainable health issues. You'll hear the emotion in her voice as she talks through the extreme lows she experienced trying to parent her young children and feeling isolated from community. It is hard to encapsulate all that Heather has been through medically but all in all you see God's hand over her life in very specific and tangible ways. There is a joy that is contagious throughout the conversation. You'll appreciate Heather's heart and perspective as she shares. Heather's life is truly a miracle and we're so thankful to have her as a part of our church!
Mark Van Sant's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NBPKEC89pjJZfFRvIUNtj?si=2fb14514dd2740b0
Wednesday Night Women's Bible Study (led by Heather): https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882561
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Many of us as Christians are familiar with the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18, where the shepherd leaves the 99 just to find the one. This is a story that resonates deeply with today's guest on The Stories Collective, Mike Lockwood. Mike was born and raised in the small town of Newfield, NY and his parents were divorced before he could even remember them being together. Growing up in a small town provided lots of opportunities to get in trouble (as Mike describes) and by the time he was in high school he felt like his reputation preceded him. He didn't have much of a faith background but after high school he and his friends began questioning what the purpose of life was. This led to Mike starting to attend church though it took a while for him to place his trust in Jesus. There was a girl at the church named Mindy who would sing special music and he felt almost immediately that this would be the woman he would marry. Mike and Mindy married in 2001 and moved to Iowa for Mike to start Bible college - they also found out they were pregnant with their daughter quickly into their marriage. Life was moving fast, and though they had developed Christian community Mike began to struggle in his faith. He felt that he didn't fit the mold and began to doubt that God could really work in his life. This led to a years long time of rebellion being in and out of his home and struggling to walk with the Lord. Years of some poor choices and alcohol addiction culminated in the fall of 2005. Mike experienced two instances where he could've and almost died. One experience being an accident and the other being a result of choices he had made. He had truly reached the bottom, and this is where God began to pick him up. Mike finally realized that God had never left him. The Shepherd had come to find the one that had left the 99. Though it was not an overnight change, Mike's life began to turn around. Listen in and be amazed as Mike walks us through how he came back to the Lord, how his marriage and family life was restored and so much more. The incredible and miraculous change that Jesus worked in Mike's life is undeniable. God never gives up on us and that is certainly evident in Mike's story.
Mike's interview on The Now Life podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zLkPqiTaKumOfiplrsoRZ?si=ea37bef2da114c7f
Reckless Love by Cory Asbury: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc6SSHuZvQE
Men's Summit October 2023: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1780506
Harvest Compassion Center: https://harvestcompassioncenter.org
Resident Strangers podcast: https://www.dscchurch.com/resident-strangers
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Rebeccah Sinclair joined us in the studio to talk about her faith journey! Rebeccah works with Legacy Family Ministries which is an amazing resource for parents and families. You'll hear a little bit about it at the beginning of the episode. Rebeccah and her husband have five children themselves and it's awesome hearing about their passion for Biblically based parenting. Rebeccah comes from a large military family and grew up as a child of divorce living in multiple places. Both her Mom and Dad had their own Christian faith, but it was tough to settle into one way of thinking when she was splitting time between family and cities. A big decision Rebeccah had to make during her high school years led her to an intense time of Bible study and prayer. After receiving advice from someone close to her, she decided to make that decision based on how she felt which is what eventually began her journey into a more New Age version of Christianity. While serving in the Marines, Rebeccah met her husband, Joel. After they married, they eventually settled in the Goodyear area and began attending Desert Springs. Rebeccah initially struggled as she was still holding onto a lot of her personal beliefs while hearing Biblical teaching each weekend. You'll hear about how the Lord slowly began to work in Rebeccah's heart and what led her to come back to a true understanding of who Jesus is. Being involved in community is a major part of the story! Rebeccah also offers some advice and resources for parents who are trying to help children with the big questions they might have. This is a great conversation in so many ways, listen in and be encouraged!
Legacy Family Ministries - https://legacyfamilyministries.com
Books Rebeccah Recommends:
Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments - https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Scripture-Topical-Teachable-Moments/dp/0802408494/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1D46QD9NGC8C2&keywords=parenting+with+scripture+by+kara+durbin&qid=1691702564&sprefix=parenting+with+scripture%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1
Dear God, I Have a Question: Honest Answers to Kids' Questions About Faith - https://www.amazon.com/Dear-God-Have-Question-Questions/dp/1400223261/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2E7DDU72EG6BI&keywords=dear+god+i+have+a+question+book&qid=1691702590&sprefix=dear+god+i+have+a+%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1
Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science - https://www.amazon.com/Indescribable-Devotions-Kids-About-Science/dp/0718086104/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1USLIZPC73H3H&keywords=indescribable+100+devotions+for+kids+about+god+and+science&qid=1691702624&sprefix=indesr%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1
Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: The Gospel - https://www.amazon.com/Big-Thoughts-Little-Thinkers-Gospel/dp/0892216174/ref=sr_1_1?crid=152D7YQLD8DB7&keywords=big+thoughts+for+little+thinkers&qid=16917026
We have a very special episode of The Stories Collective to share with you! Our host Sarah Schalow recently returned from a two-week mission trip serving in Osaka, Japan with J-House Church. Desert Springs has been able to foster a relationship with this church through the efforts of our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram. As a church we had sent teams of young adults for four consecutive years before coronavirus forced a hiatus. It was such a joy to be able to return for the first time since 2019! On July 25, 2023, Sarah sat down in person with Pastor Katsuya and Miki Iida to talk with them about their lives and how the Lord led them to start J-House Church. Katsuya was raised in Osaka about 20 minutes south of where J-House is now. His mother was saved when he was a young boy, and he had some exposure to church and the Christian life growing up which is very uncommon in Japan. Though he had somewhat of a Christian community he did not come to know the Lord until he moved to Canada for school. He describes living alone in Canada as a very lonely time in his life where he really began to question the purpose of his life. This experience eventually led him to place his faith and trust in Jesus. He then moved to California to pursue a Master of Divinity where he and Miki eventually met. Miki was born in the countryside of Kyushu which is about 400 miles away from Osaka. She did not have any Christian influence in her life growing up and it wasn't until she moved to California for school that she began to hear the Gospel and be around Christians. She did not immediately come to the know the Lord but after a few years her heart began to soften, and she placed her trust in Jesus. Shortly after this Katsuya and Miki began dating and eventually married when they were 27 years old in 1997. This would begin a marriage and partnership that would lead to starting J-House in Osaka just two years later. They were feeling led to be missionaries to their own people, to share the Gospel with people who were living in darkness. How do you start a church in a country that is less than 1% Christian? J-House began in Katsuya and Miki's apartment with its members being Katsuya, Miki and Katsuya's mother. You'll hear how J-House grew from three people to now a thriving community of close to 200 believers. As Katsuya describes it was one by one. Often times over the course of years. Not large groups but individuals who came to know who Jesus is and were forever changed. You'll hear so much about Katsuya and Miki's faith journeys, how they adopted their twin boys, how the Lord has blessed J-House, what ministry looks like in Japan and so much more.
J-House Church: https://www.jhouse.tv/English/
Support J-House Church: https://www.jhouse.tv/questions/donation/
Check out J-House on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialjhouseinsta/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
Check out J-House on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JHouseOsaka
Questions about Missions at Desert Springs? Email Pastor Jamie at james@dscchurch.com.
We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We're kicking off a new month with an interview with our friend Elizabeth Martin! Elizabeth and our host Sarah Schalow met for the first time in the Grand Canyon - you'll hear that story right at the beginning of the conversation. Elizabeth recounted the Lord's faithfulness through stories of the friends God has brought her along the way. Elizabeth first tells us of her friend Abigail in high school who did not give up on getting to know Elizabeth even though she was a little more introverted. Elizabeth and her family had recently moved to Arizona from Iowa and to have someone reach out was meaningful. It was through this relationship that Elizabeth came to know the Lord. The rest of this interview is filled with story after story of God bringing along just the right person at just the right time. From multiple moves to personal struggles, to questions in parenting to teaching during covid, Elizabeth feels that God has been incredibly faithful in providing community for her and her family in each stage of their life. She gives us a lot of encouragement on how to seek out friendships and to ultimately be a good friend to others. She closes with this verse from Philippians 2:4, "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others." We were not called to live in isolation but to live in community. Don't miss out on what God could have for you in His people!
Connect Groups at DSCC: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1391282
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have a very special episode of The Stories Collective for you today! We had the opportunity to hear from one of the missionaries we as a church help to support, Jonathan Banegas. Sarah gets us into the interview, but we have a special guest host, our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram. Jamie and Jonathan met in the studio to talk through Jonathan's story and his passion for spreading the Gospel in Spain. Jonathan is native to Spain, and he provides a very personal perspective on ministry there. We would encourage you to listen to this episode, hear Jonathan's heart and story and learn more about our missionaries by emailing james@dscchurch.com. You can also learn more at our Missions Connect Wall in the Desert Springs lobby. Let's be praying for all of our missionaries!
Visit Jonathan's website: https://younglife.es/en/jonayelena/
Connect with Jonathan: jbanegas@younglife.org
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
The summer is slowly starting to wind down and we could not think of a better person to talk with us at this time than Erica Wiggenhorn! Erica is an award-winning author and is the founder of Every Life Ministries. We're so thankful to have her as a part of our church family! If you are a woman who attends Bible Study at Desert Springs, you have probably been a part of one of the studies Erica has written. In this interview we had the opportunity to speak with Erica on a personal level. We really appreciate Erica's realness; you're going to feel like you're catching up with a friend you've had forever over coffee. Erica's story starts in her time at Azusa Pacific University where she met her husband Jonathan (that's a funny story that you'll have to listen to hear). They married shortly after graduating college and later moved to Michigan for Jonathan's schooling. Moving to Michigan was a big step as Erica had never left California. This move is where she learned to seek out and cultivate real community. Life was bringing Erica a lot as she was trying to balance her husband's demanding schedule with her own career all while struggling with infertility. Having Christian community became vital while navigating all of these things. They ended up moving to North Carolina and then eventually Arizona to care for Erica's ailing father. We're thankful the Wiggenhorn family was able to become a part of Desert Springs after moving to Arizona. Multiple moves, being a new mom, the death of her father and the stresses of work were leaving Erica feeling exhausted and on the verge of burnout. She prayed in desperation to know God in a real way - and God’s answer to Erica was to begin studying Ezekiel. This began the road to becoming the author so many of us know now. You’re going to want to take notes as SO much wisdom is scattered throughout this real and candid conversation about what it takes to develop real and lasting community. God can really move when we being to take those initial steps. You'll hear so much about the groundwork that was laid simply by Erica taking the steps that were in front of her. God is always leading us into community with Him and others; we just have to follow. These show notes can hardly sum up this conversation, you've got to listen!
Learn more about Erica and her ministry: https://ericawiggenhorn.com
Erica's books and Bible studies: https://ericawiggenhorn.com/books/
Connect with Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericawiggenhorn/?hl=en
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Mark Alberti joined us in the studio to talk with us about the incredible transformation that God has worked in his life even after his moment of salvation. Mark was raised in California by a single mom. Though he did not grow up in a Christian home his mom would occasionally send he and his sister out to church. In high school Mark describes doing the "high school thing" of having fun and getting into trouble but in the back of his mind he often wondered what would happen when he died. He would lay in his bed at night plagued by that question. Mark married his high school sweetheart, and they soon started a family. Shortly after this Mark believes that the Holy Spirit really began to work on him though he didn't know it at the time. He was feeling prompted to pray often and a relationship with some neighbors eventually led to Mark and his wife coming to know the Lord. Mark describes that from the moment of salvation he felt like a changed man. Mark and his wife ended up having four children by the time they were 25 years old. You'll get to hear about Mark's involvement in foster care and his heart for disabled children in this conversation too. He began a career in law enforcement and worked for many years to protect his community. What Mark was very passionate about us hearing in this conversation is the incredible transformation God worked in his life. Though he came to know the Lord in his early 20s he felt he didn't fully grasp the depth of God's grace and love. 40 years later he came to understand that, and it changed everything. There is such a sincerity and earnestness in what Mark describes about the transformation he experienced. This is a wonderful conversation about the work God continues to do on us!
Romans Study: https://www.jesuswalk.com/books/christ-power.htm
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We hope that you had a wonderful 4th of July! Today's episode is one that we're really excited to share with you. It was a privilege to have Tammy Baker in the studio with us! She has a story that is unlike any other that we've heard and we're so thankful for her openness in sharing how God worked an incredible change in her heart. Tammy grew up in California and Alaska with a single mom and had one sister. Life was tough and because of the hardship her family experienced Tammy began to view having children as a burden and vowed that she would never get married. She was feeling these things even as a child herself. She was very driven in academics and ended up pursuing aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle while being involved with Air Force ROTC. In her time in college, she met a young man named Glenn and even though she had vowed to never be married her love for him eventually changed that idea and they married. Both Tammy and Glenn were on the same page about never having children and everything seemed to be falling into place. They both had great careers and were moving across the U.S. for various job opportunities and were truly enjoying life together. There would be people along the way who would ask if they were planning to have children and Tammy was adamant that children would never be a part of their plan. She had compiled a whole list of reasons to not have children. But as we know with God saying "never" can be a funny thing. This is an amazing story about how the Lord slowly but surely began to work in and soften Tammy's heart to the idea of becoming a mother. Her list was eventually surrendered. Tammy shares how she was able to fall in love with the idea of being a mother all while still pursuing her career. A major theme in her story is the concept of letting go and what that looks like when you're following God and become truly open to His plans. We encourage you to open your heart and mind as you listen to this story!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
A highly anticipated interview is hitting your feed today! We are so excited to be sharing the conversation our host Sarah Schalow had with our longtime friend Robby Lashua! Sarah and Robby met to record in early May of this year. Those of you who have attended Desert Springs for a while will know who Robby is - and if you aren't familiar with him, you will definitely have the opportunity get to know him today! We loved having him on our staff at Desert Springs for so many years, but we are beyond excited about the work he is now doing with Stand to Reason. We got to hear so much about Robby's heart for knowing God but also about his personal life. We start at the beginning and Robby walks us through growing up in the small town of Pine in rural Northwest Arizona. He was raised in a Christian home, but at a young age was exposed to other belief systems as the area he grew up in has a strong Mormon influence. Even as a boy he learned to examine scripture to understand what was true and you'll get to hear about how his Mom, Grandpa and the AWANA program were a big part of helping him to do that. Robby moved to the valley to study at Southwestern Bible College (now Arizona Christian University) and it was there that his passion for apologetics was ignited and realized. This is where he met his wife Kelly too (her episode is linked below)! He knew that he wanted to always be studying and learning about God but also wanted to teach others to do the same. As you hear about Robby's life, you'll hear some practical wisdom on how to know what you believe is true, encouragement to keep pursuing the Lord, tips on how to learn about other faiths while staying true to your own and so much more (really, there is a lot!). We're so thankful for Robby and that he is a part of our church family! Listen and be encouraged!
Stand to Reason: https://www.str.org
Subscribe to Robby's monthly newsletter: https://www.str.org/subscribe
Connect with Robby: robby@str.org
Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LQuN1m1Kc8YaVn8o7lSIu?si=753ff574e482412a
Christ, Culture & Coffee Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/259GdUZGwZNgxUzUIsYtGI?si=d1882825069f480f
Kelly Lashua's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bUPrke1oEWnxvDETgvIpm?si=4cfe6e089c47445e
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
On today's episode our host Sarah Schalow is sharing a cup of coffee with friend to many Shannon Ackerman. So, grab your coffee or tea and join in! Shannon, her husband Rob and their children have been a part of Desert Springs for over 15 years. Shannon was raised in North Dakota and accepted Christ as a young girl, shortly before her mother died. While attending the University of North Dakota Shannon met her husband Rob and their marriage launched them immediately into military life as Rob was serving in the Army. They were first stationed in Alabama, and it was there that Shannon realized two things: she needed to make her faith her own and she also needed to cultivate community. Shannon and her young family moved a lot with Rob's career, and you'll be so encouraged by the stories she shares of what God did in and through each place. There was a particular relationship in Minnesota that God used to show Shannon that her mission field was not in some far-off place but was right in front of her. You'll also here about how a book really helped her to embrace her identity in Christ and how it totally changed how she serves God. Since living in Arizona, Shannon has sought to cultivate community in whatever environment she finds herself in. She currently works as a teacher at Western Sky Middle School less than a half a mile from our church. Her work there is so important as she is a light for Christ and only strengthens the special connection our church has with that school. You will feel like you know Shannon after this interview but if you don't know her in person, we'd highly encourage you to meet her. You won't regret it. As Shannon says, relationships are worth it - take the time find someone to walk with you in the life God has given us.
Love Does by Bob Goff: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Does-Discover-Secretly-Incredible/dp/1400203759/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G2E29TTKBG0T&keywords=love+does+by+bob+goff&qid=1686866041&sprefix=love+does+by+bob+gof%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1
Kathie Pabst's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6BDi2IJO5q3xsmVyPdRMKs?si=41e6121eb4dc4138
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are so blessed by Mike Meislish and his service with us at Desert Springs as our Head of Security and we're looking forward to sharing our conversation we got to have with him with you today!
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Though specific details are not discussed murder, crime and things of that nature are talked about frequently in this conversation. ⚠️
Mike grew up all over the world - literally! His childhood years were spent traveling all over the world and when he was in high school his family settled in the New England area. Mike was raised Catholic but an event that happened at his church led him to convert to Christianity. One week he was in the Catholic Church and the next he was attending the Baptist church down the street. He came to know the true Gospel and was later baptized in Alaska (you'll have to listen to hear that story!). Mike has a decades long career in law enforcement with the majority of his work being in homicide investigation. Mike is open about how much evil he has seen but repeatedly says that God and the Bible have been what has constantly grounded him in his work and life. We were so encouraged because if someone like Mike who has seen the worst that the world has to offer can trust in God, we certainly have reason to place our trust in the Lord daily. Listen in, you'll be encouraged by Mike's perspective!
If you have an interest in serving on the Desert Springs Safety + Security Team, please email Mike at security@dscchurch.com.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Is this our first official episode of the summer?! That's what we're going to call it! We were so glad to welcome Erin McMahon into the studio to share her incredible story of coming to know the Lord and how that eventually led her and her husband into being foster parents. Erin works with us at Desert Springs as our Preschool Director, and we are so thankful for how she and our D|S Kids staff pour into our little ones. Erin grew up in rural Arizona outside of Bisbee. She describes that she grew up in a culturally Christian home but wasn't really sure of who Jesus was or that she could have a personal relationship with Him. In Middle School Erin really felt the Lord pressing on her heart to know Him and be in community with Him. Growing up in a rural area the options were really limited, and Erin had to be really intentional about seeking out Christian community. In high school she was finally able to make some connections to attend a church and through that church's youth camp Erin came to accept Jesus as her personal Savior. Flash forward a few years and Erin met her husband Benjamin at Southwestern Bible College (now known as Arizona Christian University). After being married for a few years Erin and Benjamin decided they wanted to try and have a baby. In the course of time, they learned that they would be unable to have children. After deciding not to pursue any kind of fertility treatments they felt the Lord leading them to adopt through the foster care system. This led to a years long journey of fostering and loving so many precious children, often for more than two years at a time. The road to adoption was much different than they thought, and the Lord taught both Erin and Benjamin so much about His grace for them but also for the biological parents of their foster children. You are going to be amazed, encouraged and challenged by this conversation. We don't want to waste any more time in the notes telling Erin's story, you have got to listen to this interview!
Erin + Benjamin's Christmas 2020 Testimony Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQEk_0gZb1c
If you are a foster care parent at Desert Springs or in the local Goodyear area, we would love to connect with you - email sarah@dscchurch.com.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Our last episode of May is here, and we can hardly believe it! It was a privilege to have our fellow Desert Springs staff member and friend Manny Hernandez in the studio with us. Manny came on staff as our High School Pastor in December 2021 and we're so thankful that he and his family came to be a part of the ministry that we do. Today we get to get up close and personal with Manny as he walks us through what his life looked like before Christ. Manny was born and raised in Arizona and grew up with somewhat of a Catholic background. As he describes it was more of a base knowledge than any kind of relationship. He had many talents, especially in art and music but in some ways that made it difficult for him to settle on a direction for his life after high school. He struggled to find where his value and worth came from and when a certain relationship crumbled it really sent him into a spiral. He was crushed but knew that he had to move forward and decided to start pursuing a career though he wasn't ready to place his faith in the Lord. Meeting his eventual wife Venesa (we've linked her story below!) was a huge part of the journey that led him to a relationship with Christ. We would love for you to listen to this story as Manny walks us through his moment of salvation, serving as a husband and father, the transition into full-time ministry and the decision that was made to be a part of Desert Springs. You will be encouraged and uplifted through this conversation! Manny challenges us with walking through the doors that God opens but also encourages us to remember that God will walk with us through them.
Venesa Hernandez's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tKFnWTJaNcSXpqQCVncBi?si=070efa02bf974b1b
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Stories Collective! We were joined by our friend Paula Beene. We are very thankful for Paula's willingness to share her life with us.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Specific details of abortion procedures are discussed in this conversation. ⚠️
Paula begins her story by sharing what it was like growing up in Yuma, AZ in the 80s and 90s. She was raised by a single Mom and though it was a rough environment she does have fond memories of her childhood. Her older brother was very protective of her and helped her through the troubles of high school. Paula began seeing a boy her senior year of high school and through this relationship she became pregnant - though she didn't know it. Her brother's girlfriend walked her through the process of taking a pregnancy test and then eventually telling her Mom. Feeling like she had no other choice, Paula, her brother and his girlfriend made the trip to Phoenix so that Paula could have an abortion at around 14 weeks. Paula recalls how horrific the experience was. Unfortunately, years later Paula would find herself back in an abortion clinic in Phoenix. But in God's goodness the story does not end there! Paula very sweetly describes how she met her wonderful husband Clark and how they together have been able to lean into and follow the Lord. Shortly after they started attending Desert Springs, Paula became aware of the ministry Surrendering The Secret. It was through this ministry that Paula began her healing journey, processing what she had been through as a young woman and learning that the Lord had healing, grace, love and forgiveness for her. Paula is now a major part of making Surrendering The Secret happen at Desert Springs! You'll get to hear about Paula's healing journey, her health struggles and how that's grown her closer to God, her life as a wife and mom, how the Lord is using her to minister and so much more.
For more information on Surrendering The Secret, a support group for women who have had abortions, email secrethope@dscchurch.com
Pregnancy centers in the Phoenix area:
New Life Pregnancy Center: https://newlifepregnancy.com
Choices Pregnancy Center: https://www.choicesaz.com
If you are pregnant and needing help, please know that you are not alone. We would love to walk with you in this. Send an email to sarah@dscchurch.com if you need help.
Today's guest is someone who is probably a familiar face to so many of you who attend Desert Springs. We were so honored to have our friend and Worship Leader James Alexander in the studio with us. James faithfully leads each week in our 8am service and we're so thankful for his heart and ministry! James pours out his heart in today's interview and we know that you all will appreciate his vulnerability. James met his wife Tiffany on his first day of college. It was a love at first sight moment and their friendship quickly developed into a relationship that led to marriage. It is sweet to hear James describe the early days of their love and how they transitioned into parenthood shortly after being married. Over a decade had passed and James and Tiffany felt they had come to a place of healthy routine and rhythm in their life when suddenly life as they knew it came to a halt. Tiffany began having issues with her heart and after a few doctor's visits they discovered that the issues were quite serious - Tiffany was going to need open heart surgery. James walks us through what it was like to watch the person you love most in the world go through something so traumatic. He is incredibly open with us as he describes the lead up to the surgery, being in the waiting room for hours, sitting by her bedside and sticking through all of the recovery as it was a long road to trek. Though this was something his wife was going through, James experienced it in his own way as well. The marriage vows "in sickness and in health" became a true reality. He had to cling to Jesus and remember who his wife ultimately belonged to. We really appreciate James' vulnerability and willingness to share with all of us. As James encourages us, when you don't know what to say, just say Jesus.
"Just Say Jesus" by 7eventh Time Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8CLgiYZyZE
90.3 Family Life Radio: https://www.myflr.org/phoenix-christian-music-radio-station/
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Happy Wednesday! With Mother's Day being this upcoming weekend (you're welcome for that reminder 😉) we were so glad to be joined by Sasha DeFrancesco in the studio. Sasha and her family have been attending Desert Springs for seven years and the church was a big part of making Arizona feel like home. Sasha grew up in California and came to know the Lord as a 13-year-old at a church camp. She and her husband Brian were high school sweethearts and as a young married couple had many hopes and dreams for what their life would look like. Sasha was passionate about being an educator and Brian was beginning a career in agriculture. Their dreams changed in a big way when they quickly became pregnant with their first son Jaden. Sasha shares that the Lord put a pause on her dreams as she fell in love with being a mom and being there for her three boys. You'll see how God's hand was in that as Brian's agriculture job became more demanding, causing him to have to be away from the family for extended periods of time. They ended up moving multiple times in a very short period of time and Sasha gets real about how they got through that as parents and as husband and wife. We really appreciate Sasha and how she reminds us that no one's marriage is perfect but that one that is centered on Christ can make it through anything. It all came to a point where they felt they needed to settle down and get some roots in the ground in order to have a family that was together in Christ. This interview will encourage and inspire you as you hear Sasha's heart to always trust in the Lord's timing. You'll also hear about how God took the pause button off on Sasha's dreams to be an educator as she is a recent graduate of Grand Canyon University! He is always working things far better than we could imagine.
Brian DeFrancesco's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JXwnjPBKlabc2keSQBAOP?si=40fc7ace93de4872
"The Faith Journey" sermon by Pastor Jamie Engram: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLpbg7zgwAw&list=PL5zN34EnMKLr7oc5WzKiQlKze7RM2m7Yv&index=4
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
May is here! Friend and fellow Desert Springs podcaster Mark Syhlowy joined our host Sarah Schalow in the studio to share his story. Mark cohosts The Now Life podcast with Shawn Jones and we're so glad that we got the opportunity to get to know him on a deeper level today. Mark begins his story by describing his childhood growing up in Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!). He explains that some of his earliest memories involve him struggling to feel loved and accepted. As early as 14 years old, the feeling and pressure of wanting to belong led him to become involved with drinking and things of that nature. Mark continued on in that lifestyle until finally in his early 20s some people around him started placing their trust in Jesus and he soon came to know the Lord as well. Though Mark experienced salvation it was a process to let go of certain things in his life, but it was from that moment that he felt the redemption of Christ beginning to work. Mark continued to do his best to follow the Lord, seeking Christian community and surrounding himself with people that could help him grow. He moved to Arizona in the early 2000s and started attending Desert Springs shortly after. We don't want to give it all away here, but we really appreciate Mark's vulnerability. You're going to hear his heart on multiple struggles and the way he feels the Lord is continuing to redeem him through them. He also shares that his children are the some of the greatest examples of how he has seen Christ's love. You will certainly see the thread of redemption in Mark's story and will be encouraged to remember the worth that we have in Christ; there is nothing or no one that is too far gone.
The Now Life podcast: https://www.dscchurch.com/the-now-life
Shawn Jones' Stories Collective episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OuNAKEDp73agvxkFVXevV?si=816c1aa44aa1490e
Phoenix Rescue Mission: https://phoenixrescuemission.org
Highlands by Hillsong UNITED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkbxP0rxt6E
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are so glad to be bringing an episode we recorded in January to you today! Becca Cho joined us in the studio near the end of her pregnancy with her third baby - a precious girl born in late February. We're so glad we were able to record Becca's story before Quinn Marie came! Becca begins her story by telling us about life growing up in South Dakota. She was raised in a Christian family, with both parents following the Lord and being actively involved in church. When Becca was entering her senior year of high school, she came home from a church camp and discovered that her parents' marriage had fallen apart. This rocked Becca's world as she began to question why someone following after the Lord would make certain decisions and what her faith would look like moving forward. It was a slow fade, but Becca soon found herself out of church and falling into bad relationships. She moved to Seattle to become a professional chef and eventually moved to Arizona to begin her career. A series of situations slowly moved Becca's heart to actively follow the Lord again and thus a journey to accepting God's grace in imperfection. Her faith became her own, not anyone else's. She was especially drawn the God through the birth of her son and she and her husband Joon wanted God and the church to be a priority in their family's life. Your heart will be encouraged as Becca describes the moments that reminded her of God's grace and her passion to leave a lasting faith legacy will inspire you in your relationships with your children, spouse and overall community. We're thankful for Becca's heart in remembering that imperfection is okay with Christ!
MOPS at Desert Springs: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1583108
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This conversation feels like you're sharing a warm cup of coffee in a diner with an old friend as they share their life and experiences. It was a privilege to have Gary Sanders join us to share many stories from his life.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Violence against children and racially motivated crimes and attacks are discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
Gary was born and raised in St. Louis (if you see him around today, he is most likely decked out in St. Louis Cardinals gear). Being born in the 1950s into a strong Christian family is something that Gary is thankful for as he expresses, he's not sure what life would've looked like without the protection and love of God. At a very young age Gary experienced violence against him because of the color of his skin. Your heart will break as you hear about some of Gary's experiences of violent discrimination, racism and the adversity that brought, particularly in his schooling. You will be amazed at how Gary was able to pick himself up and keep going despite what was happening around him. He was drafted for Vietnam and settled with the Air Force because of the opportunity to play baseball during his time in service. This led to a years long career as an Air Traffic Controller for the Air Force. You'll hear about how Gary was able to achieve his bachelor's and master's degrees, heal from cancer, his passion for young people through coaching, his love for dogs, his desire to serve and love how God loves us - Sarah and Gary cover a lot of ground! You will be challenged and blessed by this conversation. As Gary and Sarah both say, we don't have to allow our differences to divide us but rather we can come together in Christ centered community celebrating that we are all children of God.
Get in touch with Gary about his sports program/ministry: stlouiskid1@yahoo.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today's guest exemplifies what is looks like to engage with God, connect with others and live on mission from the moment of salvation. We were joined in the studio by Betsy Crosson. You might want to take notes as you listen to this conversation! Betsy grew up in California knowing who God was but because of some events in her life was having a hard time understanding the unconditional love of the Lord. It wasn't until she was in her 30s when her neighbor invited her to a Bible study that Betsy came to a true understanding of who Jesus is and gave her life fully to Christ. That changed everything - that neighbor couldn't have known just how much that Bible study invitation would change Betsy's life! We hear about what the next 30+ years walking with Christ in California looked like and what eventually brought Betsy and her husband to Arizona. After moving to Arizona Betsy felt like she had to start completely over in cultivating Christian community. It was a difficult transition, but she knew she had to continue to serve the Lord and be in fellowship with believers. You will be inspired and challenged as Betsy talks us through the steps she took to cultivate that, how passionate she is about gathering for Bible study and how the Lord eventually led her to being a part of prison ministry at Perryville Women's Prison. At age 75 Betsy's biggest challenge is this - there is no retirement with God. Always be looking for ways to serve the Lord in the current season you're in, no matter your age or situation.
Connect with Betsy on Prison Ministry at Perryville Women's Prison: three81st@hotmail.com
Greg Huggins' Sunday Morning Bible Study: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1713274
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It's Wednesday again which means we have another story of God's faithfulness to share with you! Our host Sarah Schalow was joined by her friend and worship teammate Tom Lane in the studio. Those of you who attend our Modern Services may recognize Tom as a frequent bass player. Tom jumped into serving with us almost immediately after he and his wife Jan began attending our church - you'll hear more about that in the interview. Tom's story begins in the San Francisco area in the early 1980s when he was feeling broken and distraught as his marriage was falling apart. He was working for an armored car company and trying to take care of his young daughter while struggling through this separation. During this time his sister-in-law gave him a book called "Unconditional Love" which laid out the love God has for us. Through this book Tom came to know and understand who Jesus was. He gave his life to Christ, but it wasn't until about a decade later that Tom really went all in with the Christian life. Once he started serving and looking to cultivate community everything changed for the better. You'll hear about how Tom met his wife Jan (they've been married almost 30 years!), what it was like to serve and be a part of multiple church plants, how he learned to play the bass, how moving to Arizona got Tom and Jan connected with Palm Valley Church, how the Lord was faithful in protecting Tom during an armed robbery and so much more. Tom is incredibly passionate about living life to serve the Lord and you'll be challenged to do the same through this conversation. We're so thankful for his servant heart!
Serve at DSCC: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/924118
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We are back this week with Part 2 of Jacqui Christianson's story! Last week Jacqui was incredibly vulnerable in sharing the loss of her precious son Teddy when he was only 79 days old. Jacqui and her husband Matt took time to recover from the shock, grieve and continue on with life though they knew they would never be the same. They clung to God and to each other and slowly began to process the thought of having another child. Jacqui got a job, they took a trip to London and let the Lord bring about some healing. In the summer of 2016, they found out they were pregnant again. Because of Teddy's HLHS diagnosis they did early testing for their baby and found that he was healthy and developing normally. As we've said many times, God works in ways we don't always understand and though their baby was healthy Jacqui experienced some pregnancy complications that completely changed their plan for birth. Jacqui and Matt were once again in a situation where they had to totally and completely rely on the Lord for healing and strength. You will hear about how Baby Benji came into this world and what life has looked like since both Teddy and Benji's births. Jacqui is open with us about how she feels the Lord has spoken to her about her future as a mother and gives great wisdom into how to support those that are grieving. One keynote Jacqui gives is this - when someone loses a child, we are quick to reach out to the mother; don't forget about the dads.
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We are truly honored to be sharing today's conversation with you. Our host Sarah Schalow was joined by Jacqui Christianson in the studio to share the story of her precious son Teddy.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Pregnancy complications and the death of an infant are discussed in this conversation. ⚠️
Being raised her whole life in Arizona, Jacqui was ready to get out of state after college and decided to move to the Seattle area to start a career and a new life. She ended up living there for a little over six years while working as a Radiological Control Technician at a shipyard. During that time, she met her husband Matt who was serving in the Navy through mutual friends. They had been married for about three years when they decided to start a family and move back to Arizona to be closer to family. Jacqui was three months into her pregnancy when the doctors told her that her baby had something called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). This is a condition in which the baby's left side of the heart does not form correctly. This diagnosis changed everything. Though this condition was not unheard of it still was considered rare and required a lot more doctor appointments and preparation for birth and life after. Jacqui and her husband had to begin preparing for multiple heart surgeries for their son, the first being just days after birth. In November of 2014 they got to meet their precious son Teddy. His first heart surgery was successful, and Jacqui and Matt did all they could to settle into a new normal being first time parents with a son who needed extra attention and care. There were complications but at the same time Teddy was developing well. There was hope. God at times works in ways that we do not understand, and Jacqui and Matt had to soon say goodbye to their son. We feel privileged that Jacqui was willing to share such a deep point of pain with us, but we know that you are going to be inspired by Jacqui's strength and her willingness to release her pain to the Lord.
Information on HLHS: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypoplastic-left-heart-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350599
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Bill Reeves is someone who goes back to almost the very beginning of Desert Springs as we know it and we are so glad to be featuring him on The Stories Collective podcast this week! Bill came to know the Lord as a teenager when a friend shared his faith with him. Shortly after that Bill moved away but kept in touch with those friends as he really desired to have Christian community. He eventually moved to Arizona for his college career and began attending Palmcroft Church. One day while driving home from church Bill complained to his friend about the radio in the car being too loud - except the radio wasn't on. Next thing he knew he was waking up in a hospital with a doctor explaining he had a brain tumor. This event changed everything for Bill as he became very passionate about finding his purpose in the Lord beyond coming to know Him. You'll hear about what life looked like after recovery, the early days at Desert Springs, being a part of planting Palm Valley Church and the impact of Greg Rohlinger, transitioning to work in the business world and so much more. Bill is a great example of what it looks like to engage with God, connect with others and live on mission in everyday life. You will be inspired by Bill's passion for godly purpose and how he loves to come alongside those who are trying to discover that.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Welcome back to The Stories Collective podcast! Pam Maurer joined us in the studio to share some significant mile markers in her life. The first mile marker is from 1992 when a tragic accident that resulted in three deaths totally changed Pam's life both in the day-to-day and spiritually. At age 36 Pam felt that she had been living a "good Christian life", but this accident caused her to reevaluate everything. She realized that she had been caught up in checking the boxes of the faith versus having a thriving relationship with Jesus. Pam shares about how she came to understand where she was at in her walk with Christ and how life changed moving forward. Pam and Sarah cover a lot of life as you'll hear about some more ups and downs in Pam's faith journey and how serving overseas and snow birding in Arizona has been a gift from God. Through teaching Sunday School Pam became very passionate about Bible study and this passion turned into a desire to ask and answer questions. God is now using Pam to help others when they have questions! She has been a writer for Got Questions since November 2022, and you'll see how even that all connects back to that first mile marker in 1992. We hope that this episode encourages you to look at your own mile markers in your life and fills you with hope as you see how faithful God has been to you. As Pam says in her interview God doesn't require that we understand but He asks that we accept by faith the sovereignty of His Lordship in our lives.
Check out Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org
Kevin Wilkinson's Testimony, "The discipline of God; letting go of the controls": https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ysfV7ixMam0wBgqnx0Q8U?si=9ddf15ee5ec44c21
Rich Holland's Testimony, "The Church as a family": https://open.spotify.com/episode/4O9jSmbkZgC9taWVeRiqxS?si=4e17b402ebed4f43
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have a powerful testimony of God's literal saving grace to share with you today. We're talking with our friend Ryan Risselman and we think this is an episode you're definitely going to want to share with those around you.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Suicide and suicide ideation/idealization are discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
We teased this episode with Ryan back in November 2022 when Kevin Wilkinson in Episode 40 shared about a time when he was able to help lead someone to the Lord. We're looking forward to sharing it with you today! Those of you who have been at Desert Springs for a few years may remember when Ryan was featured in a testimony video in our 2020 Christmas Eve services. Ryan and our host Sarah Schalow begin their conversation talking about the pop punk music scene as that was a big part of Ryan's life living in Chicago. He worked as a tour manager for a band and spent years traveling with them on the road. Growing up as a child of divorce Ryan remembers always having a desire to feel like he belonged. That was tough as he was going back and forth between homes, schools and friend groups. Church was not at all a part of his upbringing. In some ways the road life provided stability and Ryan was all in with everything that the music scene brought. Ryan met his wife Erica at House of Blues in Chicago and they married in 2009. After Ryan and Erica got married they moved out to Arizona and Ryan's focus shifted to being a husband and soon-to-be father. Finances began to overwhelm Ryan and it was something that he felt he had to handle all on his own. The pressures of life and a few cross country moves were weighing heavily. Ryan began to drink to cope with the pressure and felt he was living a double life in trying to provide for his family. He was hiding all of his struggles and felt incredibly alone. He was beyond depressed describing himself as without hope. In September 2019 it all became too much and Ryan had made plans to take his own life. But God in His saving grace used a Post-It Note to stop that from happening. We encourage you to listen to this miraculous story as Ryan describes when he first BELIEVED God was real, how Dave Ramsey's ministry got him and his family connected at DSCC and what life has looked like since choosing to surrender to Jesus. You will truly be amazed when you see where Ryan was and where the Lord has brought him to. Our God is real and He is working; there isn't a moment He misses. That is seen so clearly in Ryan's story.
Christmas 2020 Testimony Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwplGDZvbXM
Email Pastor Trevor at trevor@dscchurch.com for information on FPU at Desert Springs
Learn more about Dave Ramsey: https://www.ramseysolutions.com
Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Text HOME to 741741to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today's conversation is one that has been highly anticipated and we're so glad to finally be sharing it with you. Paige McMahon joined us in the studio right at the beginning of 2023 to share her heart and her husband's legacy with us. Those of who you have been Desert Springs for a while may remember when Paige's husband John McMahon was tragically killed in a plane crash on June 27th, 2017. This summer will mark six years since John went to meet Jesus. Paige gives us the background of how she and John met (it involves TPing a house 😉) in middle school and how their relationship eventually developed in their high school and college years. They got engaged during their time as SMI leaders at Palmcroft Church and had 19 years of marriage together with three wonderful children. John had a passion for ministry, and he pursued that passion both on staff at a church and later working for the City of Buckeye. The McMahon family came to Desert Springs in 2013 and quickly became involved with the youth ministry. John had even served at Xtreme Zone just two weeks before his death. Paige felt that the last four years of their marriage together on earth were some of the sweetest years they shared. She walks us through the events of June 27th, 2017, and explains with a realness how she had to begin to repair all of the different pieces of her broken heart with the help of Jesus. Paige gives us a more in depth look at what intense grieving looks like but ultimately points it all back to Christ - even the moments of deep pain were seen and heard by God. Your heart will be moved by John's legacy, and you will be inspired by Paige's strength and devotion to Christ.
If you're ever in the lobby at Desert Springs, you can check out the Missions Connect Wall which is dedicated to John McMahon who served on our Missions Team. The plaque is displayed in the bottom right corner.
Paige's Interview on The Influencers Podcast: https://cityserve.us/2022/12/14/widow-and-single-mom-shares-about-the-gift-that-got-her-through-an-unexpected-tragedy/
12News Article: https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/buckeye-airport-coordinator-1-other-person-dead-in-plane-crash-near-gila-bend/75-452760854
Meals & More Ministry: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/groups/care-support-group/meals-more-ministry
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today's interview is one where time just flew by - we had so many things to discuss! Our host Sarah Schalow was able to connect with Bill Mansker and we are so glad that she did. Bill has an incredible story and loads of wisdom for all of us to learn from. So much of what Bill shares comes back to being consistent in Christ and recognizing the Lord's continuous grace and faithfulness to us. Bill begins the conversation by sharing a time that he felt the Lord showed up in a miraculous way. Then Bill and Sarah backtrack where we learn that Bill was born in 1949, living all of his childhood in Tulsa, OK. He grew up in a completely segregated community and never attended school or lived life with a white person until he was accepted to Dartmouth College. Bill remained close to the Lord through his entire undergraduate career and excelled in college because of his high school education (you'll understand why when you listen). He later attended law school at the University of Chicago and graduated in 1974. This began a highly successful law career for over 30 years in Chicago, being involved in the political scene. You will be inspired by how Bill describes he was able to practice law in a corrupt environment with integrity and ultimately a focus on Christ and what is true. You will get to hear many amazing stories of how the Lord used Bill, but we love how Bill wants to continue to grow and be mentored even at the age of 74. He desires to pour his heart and wisdom out to others but also wants to continue to be poured into. This is something we can all strive to do, and we would very much encourage you to listen to this interview from beginning to end. We wish that we had more time but are thankful for what we got! God works all things together for good and that is evident in the story of Bill Mansker.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Welcome to Episode 50 of The Stories Collective! We can hardly believe it. It is almost Valentine's Day, and we have a very sweet interview to share with you today! Lori Britt helps to lead our Marriage Mentoring ministry at Desert Springs and we are so glad she joined us in the studio. We've all heard the phrase, "when you know you know" and Lori is a testament to the validity of that phrase. Lori and her husband Quinton will have been married for 20 years this September! Lori describes their marriage as a fairytale and believes that everyone can have hope for their relationships and marriages to be that way. But as we all know life isn't always a fairytale and Lori gets real about the difficult parts of marriage and cultivating a thriving relationship. Lori and Quinton both had been married before but when they met each other they knew that God had something special ahead for them. Lori was a single foster care mom and Quinton was a recent widower raising his boys and baby girl on his own when they met at First Baptist Church in Tempe. A sweet old church librarian introduced them when she noticed they would often pass each other in the halls of the church. Their relationship developed quickly and even in the whirlwind, they wanted to do their best to honor God in each aspect of their upcoming marriage. You will be encouraged as Lori tells the story of how the Lord brought the two of them together and how they both feel passionate about helping others develop healthy and thriving marriages. You will also get an inside look into how Marriage Mentoring (includes pre-marital and marriage mentoring) works and how you might be able to benefit from that.
Marriage Mentoring at DSCC https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/900260
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We have a story of life change through the Gospel to share with you today. Greg Huggins joined us in the studio to share how the Lord brought him to Himself. Greg has been at Desert Springs for many years, leading many Sunday morning classes and Bible studies and now serving as an elder. Though Greg did not come to know the Lord until he was in his early 30s, he feels that God's hand was working in his life even before that. Greg moved to Arizona when he joined the Air Force after high school. He was serving at Luke Air Force Base and began to somewhat settle in Arizona after getting married. Greg struggled in his commitment to his marriage and attempted to live a bachelor lifestyle while also being a husband and father. During those years he would play basketball at a church in Phoenix that opened up their gyms on Saturday mornings. They would do short devotionals in between pickup games and though Greg didn't resonate with the messages then that ministry would meet him many years later after he came to Christ. But before that Greg reached a point where, in his words, he wanted to be free of his marriage and he decided to divorce his wife. He felt stuck in a cycle of sin. Shortly after that process wrapped up Greg was driving on a Tuesday afternoon and while sitting at 51st Ave + McDowell he felt the tangible presence of the Lord come upon him. Though it wasn't audible, he felt the Lord clearly speaking to him saying, "Come to Me." It was a powerful moment that changed his life forever. Greg walks us through what the Lord did in his life after that moment, how God radically changed his heart and life, how being discipled strengthened his walk as a new believer, his desire to serve and how passionate he is about discipleship and the fellowship in Christ.
For information on Men's Discipleship email Shawn Jones at shawn@dscchurch.com
For information on Women's Discipleship email Tracy Walker at twalker@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
As you may know this past Sunday, January 22nd was Sanctity of Human Life Day. Today's guest Nancy Beeman is someone who has done a lot of work and advocacy for ending abortion in the United States and we are blessed to have her be a part of Desert Springs. Nancy was raised primarily in Southern California but in college fell in love with Kentucky and Tennessee when she was serving in a community mission helping children living in group homes. During that time, she met a man who would later become her husband. Unfortunately, after a few years and having some children together the discovery of an affair on her husband's part brought about a divorce. Heartbroken after the split Nancy was adjusting to being a single mom and trying her best to get through the day to day. A male coworker began expressing interest in her and because of the emotional state she was in she gave into his advances and began what Nancy describes as a sexual relationship. This was big for Nancy as she had been very committed to her Christian faith and hadn't exhibited behaviors like this before. After a few months of seeing this man Nancy discovered that she was pregnant. The coworker immediately requested she get an abortion which was not something she ever wanted to do. But feeling completely stuck, confused, hopeless and alone, already raising children on her own, Nancy went through with the abortion. The procedure was done at a clinic that scammed her into paying more money and she spent the weekend alone in a cheap hotel room recovering. For years Nancy lived with intense guilt and shame over the act she had committed and engaged in destructive post-abortive behaviors in the months following which again was extremely out of character for her. There finally came a point where Nancy knew she needed to accept love and forgiveness from the Lord and move onto a new chapter in her life. You’ll hear about how Nancy began to heal, how she started to share her story and how she strongly believes there is grace and forgiveness from God no matter the sin you’ve committed. There are so many lies surrounding what abortion is and what it does to women, and we are so thankful to Nancy for her vulnerability in sharing the truth with us today.
For more information on Surrendering The Secret, a support group for women who have had abortions, click here: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1117386
Pregnancy centers in the Phoenix area:
New Life Pregnancy Center - https://newlifepregnancy.com
Choices Pregnancy Center - https://www.choicesaz.com
If you are pregnant and needing help, please know that you are not alone. We would love to walk with you in this. Send an email to sarah@dscchurch.com if you need help.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have a powerful and important conversation to share with you today. Those of you who regularly attend Desert Springs will recognize today's guest Nate Fish. Nate and his family began attending Desert Springs in the spring of 2021 and it wasn't long before Nate began serving as a worship volunteer regularly singing and playing piano in our Modern Services. We even had Nate's wife Suzanne on episode 2 of this podcast! Nate begins his story by telling us what life was like growing up with his Dad serving in the Army. In his words he moved a "gazillion" times but despite that his parents always felt it was important to be involved with a church. Their family held the belief that the Church was their family no matter where they lived. Nate shares that he even though he came to know the Lord at a young age he felt his faith was more based on following the rules than a thriving relationship with Jesus. He became focused on "what not to do" but had a very hard time reconciling his personal struggles with that. Flash forward to college and these struggles became harder to ignore. Nate became involved with a fairly large church in Pittsburgh, PA, serving on the worship team and being involved with a small group. During his time with the small group Nate felt the Lord pressing on his heart to share his struggles with one of the leaders of the group. He was incredibly scared to share but pushed through his fear and he opened up his heart during a meeting at a Starbucks with the group leader. Though at first it seemed his story was well received by the group leader a painful reality surfaced as Nate's worst fears came true. Thankfully we serve a God who does not give up on us and Nate walks us through what happened next. We encourage you to listen to this story and really lean into what Nate says about who he is in Christ, how he overcame this deep church hurt and what God has done in his life since then through the Church.
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We are so looking forward to sharing today's conversation with you! Our host Sarah Schalow got to record an amazing conversation with her friend Haley Smith. Haley has been at Desert Springs since the early 2000s and has literally grown up at the church. She was involved in the youth group, participating in SMI trips and all of the things we love to offer our students. Though Haley had a relationship with God she explains that she began to feel this tension of living two different lives during high school. She felt that she had to keep her struggles under wraps. After high school Haley attended the University of Arizona and tried her best to stay close to what she knew would be best for her. Being in a new environment brought ups and downs and Haley still had this feeling that she could not be open with those around her, especially those who knew her from home. One day in the spring of 2015 a decision she never thought she would make brought about a pregnancy at the age of 19. You'll hear Haley talks us through how she began to tell people around her, how the pregnancy brought her back to close community, what life was like as a young single mom and how her son Forrest made her want to be a better Christian and woman. Haley also met the love of her life at Desert Springs and became a college professor, you'll get to hear those stories too! Haley ultimately encourages all of us to remember that God never fails us; even when we have moments of failure, He is right there with us ready to walk us through. God and who He is never changes.
Blog post where Haley announced she was pregnant: https://thedeetsonsweets.wordpress.com/2015/07/20/plot-twist/
*Haley has lots of other posts that chronicle her pregnancy with Forrest if you want to check it out!
Testimony video with Erica Wiggenhorn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zskZfYTQDJ0
Connect Groups at DSCC: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1391282
For information on Men's Discipleship email Shawn Jones at shawn@dscchurch.com
For information on Women's Discipleship email Tracy Walker at twalker@dscchurch.com
If you are pregnant and needing help, please know that you are not alone. We would love to walk with you in this. Send an email to sarah@dscchurch.com if you need help.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Happy New Year! We could not think of a better episode to kick off 2023 with than the episode we're sharing with you today. We were joined in the studio by Rich Holland, and we think you are going to be blessed, inspired and challenged by this conversation. Rich and his family began attending Desert Springs in 2018 but the concept of Church (we mean "big C" Church, the body of Christ) has been something that has been extremely important to Rich for many years. Rich was a recent grad from Virginia Tech and serving in the Army when he had a transformational experience that showed him what it was truly like to be an active member of the body of Christ. He had come to know the Lord at age 14 but this season of life in his mid-20s was foundational for the man that he is today. Rich pours his heart out in this conversation as he shares about how God led him to this passion and what he believes through the study of scripture we as Christ followers are all called to do. We also hear wisdom and advice on how to not just personally engage in the local church but how to come alongside your kids in that too. We would highly encourage you to take notes during this episode! There is a lot to take hold of in this conversation as we begin a new year.
When the Church Was a Family by Joseph H. Hellerman: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805447792?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_KFEHP6B4XX6E6J4DKJCD
Connect Groups at Desert Springs: https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/groups/connect-groups?enrollment=open_signup%2Crequest_to_join&filter=enrollment
Email Pastor Trevor at trevor@dscchurch.com for more information on Connect Groups
Rich has also written books and we've linked them here!
Good Arguments: Making Your Case in Writing and Public Speaking by Rich Holland + Benjamin K. Forrest: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801097797?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_3RJG3S9D1T0K44GKWAJ7
God, Time, and the Incarnation by Rich Holland: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1610977297?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_TMNDA0YHG9TX7CEZ4FHR
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
This episode of The Stories Collective is the last one being released in 2022. But don't worry, we will be back next Wednesday with an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness to kick off 2023! In a way this conversation is one with just you. Our host Sarah Schalow recorded a solo episode to reflect on some things that God has done in her life (like how she ended up at Desert Springs), to talk through how The Stories Collective podcast began and to share what this project has meant over the past 10 months. Grab a coffee and settle in for some backstory and encouragement. Our God is good, and we look forward to sharing more stories with you in 2023!
Email sarah@dscchurch.com if you have a story that you would like to share.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Good tidings to you and yours! During this week of Christmas, we have another lighthearted and fun Christmas episode to share with you. Our host Sarah Schalow is joined by her friends (and co-workers) Manny Hernandez and Daniel Calderón to discuss Christmas traditions. The episode begins with Sarah and the guys discussing their own Christmas traditions and then moves into discussing traditions that exist across the United States, from the East Coast, the South, the Midwest and the West Coast. Today (December 21st) also happens to be Manny's birthday which is recognized in the episode too!
You will quickly find out that there are a lot of superstitions and even history associated with Christmas traditions. You'll learn about the origins of the Christmas pickle ornament, a camel named Aladdin owned by a former U.S. President, massive bonfires to help Papa Noel find his way, eating codfish soaked in what seems to be deadly chemicals, Santa rappelling down a mountain and so much more (seriously, Sarah and the guys cover a lot). We hope that with just four days left until Christmas that this episode makes you laugh and inspires traditions that you can share with your family and friends.
We'd love to see you at one of our five Christmas Eve services happening! Join us December 23rdat 4:30pm + 6:00pm and December 24that 1:30pm, 3:00pm + 4:30pm (this service will offer Spanish translation). Visit dscchurch.com for more information.
Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites https://www.jellybelly.com/holiday-favorites-jelly-bean-4-25-oz-gift-box/p/96800
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday for a recap of what God has done in 2022!
Merry Christmas everyone! Over the next two weeks we have some fun and lighthearted stories to share with you. We know that the Christmas season can be hard at times, so we wanted to bring some joy and laughter to your week 🤗 Our host Sarah Schalow and producer Brittany Petry came together to read some hilarious Christmas fails that you all at Desert Springs sent in. Sarah + Brittany share their own Christmas fails they've experienced and then jump right in to share what listeners (that's you!) sent in. You'll hear stories about a missing baby Jesus, power outages, going into the forest to chop down a massive tree (think Christmas Vacation), Santa Clause teaching how to drive a stick shift, multiple stories involving fires on Christmas (we ended up having a Fire Captain weigh in with some advice) and many more. We'd encourage you to take a moment to unwind, laugh and enjoy the season as you listen to this conversation. We hope you have a very Merry and safe Christmas!
Holiday Fire Safety Tips: https://www.phoenix.gov/fire/safety-information/home/holiday
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday for another fun Christmas themed episode!
We have a very sweet conversation to share with you! This is our last interview for 2022 but don't worry, we have some fun and light content for Christmas coming to the podcast over the next few weeks. Then we'll be back in 2023 with more amazing stories of God's faithfulness! But today, our host Sarah Schalow is talking with our friend Ruth Hill. Sarah and Ruth immediately bonded over their love for coffee so we'd encourage you to grab a cup as you listen to this conversation! Ruth shares so much about how she feels redemption is threaded throughout her life story. She feels that her life is full of remembering God's promises, His provision, His faithfulness, His commands and directions for her life, gratitude for what He has done and life eternally. You will hear about each of these things in Ruth's life as she talks about how accepting Christ at the age of 13 totally changed her life and gave her purpose as she grew up. Ruth is very passionate about studying God's Word and being involved in Christian community and challenges all of us to really evaluate where we're at in our lives with that. This is a great interview to listen to as you begin to consider what God might have for you in 2023. Ruth says her main goal for this upcoming year is to intentionally engage with God, connect with others and live on mission - we hope that is a goal for you too!
For more information about discipleship opportunities for men at Desert Springs email Shawn Jones at shawn@dscchurch.com
For more information about discipleship opportunities for women at Desert Springs email Tracy Walker at twalker@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday for a fun Christmas themed episode!
Today we get to hear a story about how God used His discipline to bring a man back to Him. We are talking with our friend Kevin Wilkinson. Kevin's story starts in Michigan where he came to know Christ at the age of 12 after his father who was an alcoholic was radically saved from that life and placed his faith in Jesus. This had a ripple effect on the family and the remainder of Kevin's growing-up years were spent being involved in church. Kevin was heavily involved in sports, playing baseball, basketball and football and eventually got a baseball scholarship to Kansas State University in 1969. He married a week after graduating and began a career in the travel industry. Kevin slowly began climbing the ladder of success and that was a feeling that he began to chase. He struggled to healthily handle the recognition and praise he was receiving and before he knew it his identity was placed in his work and achievements. Kevin eventually started his own business that was centered around youth sports tournaments but behind the scenes his marriage, relationship with his kids and relationship with God were struggling. Then almost out of the blue everything came crashing down and Kevin lost everything. In Kevin's words, God was using discipline to bring him back to where he needed to be - in the arms of the Father, releasing control. We so appreciate Kevin's humbleness and willingness to share about how the discipline of God ultimately brought restoration and healing. Kevin saw that he needed to engage with God in order to let go of control and let the Lord work in his life to repair and restore what had been lost.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Happy Thanksgiving! We are so excited for this week's episode of The Stories Collective as we're sharing the conversation we got to have with Sharon Engram. This conversation is especially pertinent for this week as Sharon shares with Sarah about having a spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude all lifelong no matter the circumstance. So much of what we know as life at Desert Springs would not be possible without the couple and family we're talking about today. Sarah and Sharon met for coffee before recording and the question became, "how do we fit 60 years of marriage and ministry into an hour conversation?" We did our best to do that for you 🙂 You will be greatly encouraged by even just a snapshot of the Engram legacy. Sharon has known the Lord since childhood but in college she really surrendered her life in service to Him. Sharon married Pastor Don Engram in 1959 which began 60 years together of ministry and life serving the Lord. They raised four children together and really desired to include them in the ministry work that they were doing. The Engrams served in multiple compacities across the Midwest, from Michigan to Illinois to Ohio and eventually ended up at Palmcroft Church in Arizona in 1988. Sharon shares so many amazing stories with us about being involved in the early years of Youth for Christ and what it was like being a Senior Pastor's wife for decades and the meaningful ministry that came from that. She reminds us that when you are where God wants you there is a contentment and joy that comes from that. In 2017, Sharon was with her husband when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The doctors said he did not have much time left but God graciously granted him two more years before he went to be with the Lord in August 2019. This loss was felt deeply by many but especially by Sharon. As we now know, just 6 months later the entire world would be thrown into chaos due to the covid-19 pandemic. Sharon walks us through her grief journey and how the isolation during the pandemic turned her to thankfulness and eventually a passion for writing and reaching other widows. Your heart will be uplifted and turned to gratitude, and we encourage you to spend some time thanking God today!
Surviving Widowhood Devotional: https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Widowhood-40-Devotions-Hope/dp/1646456688/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HLAJA7SNCJ0C&keywords=surviving+widowhood&qid=1669057946&sprefix=surviving+widowhood%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1
Listen to the Beautifully Broken Podcast with Lori Rohlinger + Sharon Engram wherever you listen to podcasts 🎧
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Thanks for joining us for this week's episode of The Stories Collective! This week's story is unlike any other we've heard - we really think a movie should be made about this guest's life! We are talking with our friend and ministry partner Christian Cordova. Christian has been attending Desert Springs for a little over a year but very quickly became a big part of our church as he translates our 9:30am service each week into Spanish. We get to hear about Christian's passion for multicultural ministry in this episode which is great! But even greater than that Christian shares with us his life story and how his unique circumstances brought him to know Jesus as his Savior. Christian was born in Quito-Ecuador which is where he lived for the first 20 years of his life. He was raised by a single mom and his existence was hidden to protect the identity of his father who was a Catholic priest in their community. Living in this secret largely impacted Christian's life and especially influenced how he viewed God and religion. He struggled to understand God as a Father when his relationship with his earthly father was so painfully complicated. After high school in December of 1999 Christian moved to the United States where he developed a passion for learning and academics. Christian made a friend in college that eventually became a major part of leading him to the true Jesus. His identity became rooted in his Heavenly Father who saw and loved Christian from the very beginning. This story is truly amazing (that is an understatement), and we would love for you to hear this incredible testimony of God's faithfulness.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are really looking forward to sharing today's story with you! We had the opportunity to talk with our new friend Casey Officer. This story is especially interesting, unique and encouraging.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Self-harm, specifically cutting, is frequently discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
Casey's story is one that we really can't compare to any others. Casey begins her story by sharing with us about her life growing up in California. She had what we would think of being the idyllic California life; growing up surfing, skiing, being a cheerleader, all while being very involved in her church. Casey loved adventure and excitement which led to a few accidents involving head injuries as a young girl and young adult. Casey had the type of personality that people were drawn to, being warm and inviting and funny too. Because of this no one knew what Casey was struggling with behind closed doors and that was cutting. Casey battled with feeling extremely depressed, and this was her way to cope. It was especially challenging because she couldn't pinpoint where these feelings were coming from, and she had a hard time processing the struggle through the lens of her Christian faith. After high school while working at Blockbuster Video Casey had an encounter that deeply affected her; she met an angel. We don't want to give too much of this story away but through this conversation you are going to be amazed at the things our God does and thankful that He meets us right where we're at. You will also hopefully have a better understanding of those who are struggling with mental health issues while being a Christian. We are so honored and thankful that Casey shared with us!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today's guest is a great one, within minutes of being in the studio he was making the whole Stories Collective team laugh. Back in June our host Sarah Schalow got to record this episode with Brandon Baker, right after the birth of his fourth child. We're so glad to finally be sharing this interview with you today! Brandon and his family started attending Desert Springs in 2020 and serves as a part of our Missions Team. We think you are all going to appreciate and be refreshed by Brandon's realness and his down-to-earth personality. We get to hear so much about Brandon's life; being married at a young age, moving all over the southwest working hard to provide for his family and how he stayed close to the Lord through the many changes that life brings. Brandon reminds us that sometimes walking with God doesn't always look perfect, but that life is so much better lived when walking closely with Him. Brandon is very transparent about the ups and downs that walking in faith can have and encourages us to always come back to the truth that God has an overarching plan for everything in this life. You are going to be encouraged as you hear Brandon and Sarah talk, we hope that you'll listen!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We are back with another amazing story to share with you today! Our host Sarah Schalow had the opportunity to talk with a longtime friend of Desert Springs Sydney Walker. This is an inspiring testimony of faith in the Lord when you don't have answers. Sydney has been at Desert Springs for over 15 years and has quite literally grown up here. Sydney is currently 22 but at the age of 14 she somewhat suddenly and out of the blue began struggling with seizures. This began an almost eight-year journey of seeking healing and answers. For years she wondered if she would ever feel relief from these neurological issues that were affecting her every single day. The daily seizures and physical pain were a lot to bear, and it was hard to know what the future held, especially as she was so young. Until one day, after seeing so many doctors and specialists, one doctor felt he had the answer. You will be encouraged as Sydney describes how she had to lean into the Lord in the loneliness of not having answers because He was all she had. She couldn't rely on her own strength, she had to rely on the Lord. You will be inspired as Sydney sought to turn her suffering into a testimony of the Lord's goodness and grace. You've got to hear this conversation!
Sydney + Tracy's Christmas 2021 Testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzq3z53u2dM
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have a very special episode of The Stories Collective for you today! October is National Church Planting month and we wanted to share a conversation we had with our friend Michael Stahl back in May. Michael was on staff at Desert Springs for about a year and a half while he was becoming the church planter and Lead Pastor of Salt Church which launched in January 2021. Michael's desire to plant a church started while he was in high school. He attended Southwestern College (now known as Arizona Christian University) and studied Youth Ministry. After graduating he began working in finance, still being involved in ministry, but his job was starting to turn in to a career and he wondered if God would still have him plant a church. Michael shares so much about what God did in his heart during that time, how he and his family ended up at Desert Springs and how attending Pizza with the Pastor was essentially the start of Salt Church becoming a reality. Michael encourages all of us to just simply obey and follow God. You'll also hear all about what it was like trying to launch a brand-new church during the height of covid and how God continued to work mightily in that. Listening to this interview will leave you encouraged in your walk with Christ and excited about what Salt Church is doing in Waddell!
Check out Salt Church: https://www.saltchurchaz.com
Connect with Michael: michael.stahl@saltchurchaz.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Today's conversation is going to be a joyful spot in your week. We are so glad to share our conversation with Ginny Lewis with you today! At the age of 37 years old Ginny lost her husband to cancer. She felt there were two reasons God took her husband: one was that He had someone else in mind for her and the other was that He had work that He wanted her to do as a single person. Without knowing what God's plans for her were Ginny continued living life and raising her boys the best that she could on her own. Two years after the death of her husband she began hearing about this professor from Biola University named Todd Lewis (whose story you can listen to in episode 28 😉) that was single and might be a good match for her. Though Ginny wasn't necessarily looking to date or be married she decided to go on a blind date with Todd that was set up by their mutual friends. After that meeting, they began a pen pal relationship as almost 400 miles separated them. Over the course of three years a beautiful friendship and relationship developed. All in all, both Ginny and Todd felt that God had a way of bringing them together. We can't wait for you to hear this uplifting conversation!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have a very special episode of The Stories Collective for you today! October is National Church Planting month and we wanted to share a conversation we had with our longtime friend Kyle Powell back in May. Kyle was a Youth Pastor at Desert Springs for many years before becoming the church planter and Lead Pastor of Mission Church in January 2016. Mission Church is special to us here at Desert Springs as it was the first church we were ever a part of planting. Kyle shares his heart with us as he explains what it took to plant Mission Church and how he saw God's direction and faithfulness in that. A lot of this interview focuses on what it was like to experience covid as a church without a permanent building. Kyle gets real and talks about how he had to practice what he preached in keeping his eyes on Jesus no matter the circumstances. Despite the difficulties Kyle and his team remained faithful to the mission God had for them. Listening to this interview will leave you encouraged and excited about what Mission Church is doing in Goodyear!
Learn more about Mission Church: https://joinmission.com
Connect with Kyle: kpowell@joinmission.com
Check out Enroute Coffee: https://www.enroutecoffeeaz.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
This week we're finishing our mini-series on The Stories Collective in sharing Part 3 of The Sullivan's story. If you remember Episode 29, Jenny shared that a few months after her husband Brad had passed away in March of 2009, she became aware of a blog by a man named Brady Sullivan. He was walking through very similar circumstances as his wife Sara was walking through cancer while being pregnant. Jenny felt compelled to pray for Brady and Sara and posted it on her blog (we've linked that below). Sara passed away near the end of September 2009. Eight months later in May of 2010 Jenny reached out to Brady through email. She shared a little bit of her story and that she had been praying for him after Sara's passing. They began a friendship through email and soon emails turned to phone calls and in person meetings. This friendship would mark the start of a healing journey and broken hearts would be filled with hope for the future. The power of prayer and the connection the internet can bring beautifully points to God's plan in this story. We hope that you'll listen to find out where Brady + Jenny are now!
Blogging was an important part of both Brady + Jenny's healing journeys. You can check them out at the links below.
Blog post where Jenny first shared she was praying for Brady and Sara - http://thewims.blogspot.com/2009/09/please-pray-for-sullivans.html
Blog post where Jenny introduces Brady to her followers - http://thewims.blogspot.com/2011/01/two-incredible-blessings.html
Blog post where Brady introduces Jenny to his followers - http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/2011/02/meet-jenny-wims.html
Blog post detailing Brady + Jenny's wedding - http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/2011/08/quick-update.html
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
This week we're continuing our mini-series on The Stories Collective in sharing Part 2 of The Sullivan's story. We left off last week with Jenny in Texas grieving the death of her husband Brad and trying to find a new normal. Meanwhile across the world. Brady Sullivan and his wife Sara were on a similar journey while being stationed in Northern Japan with the Air Force. Brady and Sara had been married for close to 5 years when they felt the desire to start a family. In January of 2009 Sara found a lump on her left breast. In the midst of all the tests and procedures to find out what was going on Sara found out that she was pregnant. In the joy of that discovery the doctors delivered devastating news within weeks - Sara had breast cancer. The next 9 months would be filled with so many visits to the doctor relating to the pregnancy and the cancer. Brady and Sara eventually came back to their home state of Texas to be close to family while going through the chemo treatments and waiting for the delivery of their baby girl Chloe. Brady and Sara began blogging their journey to keep friends and family updated on everything that was going on. Their blog went semi-viral and people from all over the world were praying for Brady, Sara and baby Chloe. We've linked their blog below and have also linked specific posts that Brady mentions in this interview.
In September of 2009, 7 weeks before her due date, Sara went into labor. After an emergency C-Section and time in the NICU Brady, Sara and Chloe were going home. The plan was that Sara would finish her chemo treatments and all of this would be behind them. But as we know, sometimes the Lord has plans that are far beyond anything we can comprehend. While all of this was happening, Jenny had been made aware of the blog that Brady and Sara were writing, and she began to pray. You'll have to join us next week for Part 3 as we share what happened next...
Join us on Wednesday, September 28th for Part 3! That will be the final episode in this mini-series. Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond.
A note from Brady - The blog started as a way to keep family and friends updated (instead of sending bulk emails) and became a platform to share Christ from. It was extremely therapeutic to get thoughts out of my head and onto paper. Seeing the positive impact that our journey was having on others faith journeys was very helpful during the grief process. It was amazing to see the power of social media and the rapid spread of Sara’s story when her health took a turn for the worse after Chloe’s birth.
Check out Brady and Sara's blog - https://bandssullivan.blogspot.com
Here are some of the posts that Brady referenced but didn’t read while recording due to time constraints:
Soon after Sara’s passing, Brady had the overwhelming feeling that he was being blanketed by “The Peace of God” - https://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/search?q=cushion
Refiner’s Fire - http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/2009/10/refiners-fire.html
The Darker the Night - http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/2010/01/darker-night.html (about seeing God’s glory during the darkest portions of life)
Reflections on Prayer - http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/2010/01/sullivans-by-willow-tree-collection.html
We are so excited to be starting a mini-series here on The Stories Collective! Over the next three weeks we will be covering the story of The Sullivan family. Our host Sarah Schalow first met The Sullivans back in March of 2022 shortly after this podcast first launched. After that meeting, we knew we had to share their story.
The Sullivan's story starts off with Jenny Wims in Texas. In May of 2000 Jenny married her college sweetheart Brad. They had been married for six years and had one child with another on the way when Brad began testing for some pain he was experiencing in his knee. What was thought to be an old softball injury turned out to be a rare form of cancer. The next two years would be filled with doctor visits, multiple surgeries, treatment plans, traveling across the world for medical care and more. A major part of this story is how Jenny and Brad's church came around them and helped with meals, childcare, cleaning, encouragement - they showed up in incredible ways. Shortly after Brad's diagnosis Jenny began blogging their journey as a family to help keep friends and family updated (we've linked that below). The blog gained a following and people from all over the U.S. and the world were praying for the Wims family.
Jenny continued to blog and eventually heard of another family with a blog that was stationed with the Air Force in Japan going through a very similar journey with cancer. But you'll have to join us for Part 2 to hear that part of the story...
Join us on Wednesday, September 21st for Part 2! Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond.
Check out Jenny's blog - http://thewims.blogspot.com
Happy Wednesday! Earlier this summer our host Sarah Schalow had the awesome opportunity to have a conversation with our friend Todd Lewis. And we think you're going to feel like friends after listening to this conversation! Todd takes us through his interesting life and shares so many really fun and touching stories with us. We hear about how he learned to play the piano in middle school after his dad won a piano in a contest, continued his higher education studying all over the country, had a decades long career at Biola University, got married after thinking he might be called to singleness - Todd and Sarah cover a lot of life! Through all of these stories shared today you'll be encouraged to remember that what God has is always better than anything that we could ever hope or imagine. We hope you'll join us for this uplifting conversation!
Second Fiddles: A Bible Study on Biblical Characters Who Agreed to Function in Subordinate Roles by Todd Lewis - https://www.amazon.com/Second-Fiddles-Biblical-Characters-Subordinate/dp/1642583081/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MGTS2D97OAP9&keywords=second+fiddles+todd+lewis&qid=1661987374&sprefix=second+fiddles+todd+lewis%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1
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We are honored to be bringing another amazing story of God's protection, provision and peace today. Our host Sarah Schalow is sharing a conversation with Susan Martin-Warren.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Child abuse of an infant is discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
Most parents would agree that something happening to their child would be their worst nightmare. That nightmare became a reality for Susan on April 1, 2005, when she got a call at work that her infant son had stopped breathing. What unfolded over the following hours and days changed the life of not only Susan but her two young boys forever. Susan shares what it was like navigating through discovering her son had been abused, parenting her two boys as a single mom and following the Lord's leading in working in Child Abuse prevention. This conversation will leave you amazed at Susan's strength and how she continuously engaged with God and leaned into the Lord through the years. We are so thankful for Susan's willingness to share her family's story with us, and we hope that this story strengthens your faith in the One who is bigger than it all.
"A New Kind of Normal" by Carol Kent: https://www.amazon.com/New-Kind-Normal-Hope-Filled-Choices/dp/0849964717/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RD87LZJORKZE&keywords=carol+kent+a+new+kind+of+normal&qid=1661884322&sprefix=carol+kent+a+new%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1
The Birth-to-Five Helpline: https://www.swhd.org/programs/health-and-development/birth-to-five-helpline/
Parent, Partners, Plus: https://parentpartnersplus.com/
Dr. Harvey Karp – pediatrician that offers the 5 S’ – techniques to calm a crying baby: https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/the-5-s-s-for-soothing-babies
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today is Wednesday which means it is time for another episode of The Stories Collective! Back in the late spring our host Sarah Schalow had the opportunity to sit down with Mark Van Sant. Mark serves as an elder here at Desert Springs and it was so cool to hear him share his heart and story with us. A major theme throughout Mark's story is the incredible and miraculous provision of God. You can hear the tenderness in his heart when he shares about the care God has provided for him and his family throughout the years. You'll get to hear many stories of when he didn't know what to do and God came through; there was never a moment that God wasn't there. If anything, this story will fill you with hope and bring a positive outlook to the difficult times in life. You too will be thankful for God's provision. We're excited for you to listen!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We have an incredibly powerful conversation to share with you today. Our host Sarah Schalow had the opportunity and privilege to hear from Rachelle Graves and we are honored to bring that to you here.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Child sexual abuse is discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️
In her own words Rachelle feels that she is a modern-day Jonah. She says that because God called her to do something that was unimaginable in her own strength. Rachelle's story starts with her sharing with us that her earliest childhood memories include sexual abuse. For 10 years she was abused in her own home. A painful event in her later teen years finally brought her out of her home and Rachelle was eventually able to get on her feet. She married her husband at the age of 20 and they started their family and moved to Arizona. Rachelle was thankful to God for her new growing family and was ready to move on with her life and leave all of the abuse behind. Then one day while driving to work she heard a story on the radio about forgiveness and that changed everything. A years long process of healing, forgiveness and eventually sharing the Gospel with her abuser began; hence where the modern-day Jonah narrative comes in. This is a truly powerful story, and we feel honored to share it with you here.
Mending The Soul at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1074699
"God Made All of Me" by Justin + Lindsey Holcomb - https://www.amazon.com/God-Made-All-Me-Children/dp/1942572301/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?pldnSite=1
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
SURPRISE! We have a bonus episode of The Stories Collective for you today! We have the opportunity to hear from one of the missionaries that we help to support, Eric Yodis. This episode was recorded on June 8, 2022 and we're so glad that we're getting to share it with you now. Sarah gets us into the interview, but we have a special guest host, our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram interviewing Eric who has served in the Ukraine for over 30 years. We would encourage you to listen to this episode, hear Eric's heart and story and learn more about our missionaries by emailing james@dscchurch.com. You can also learn more at our Missions Connect Wall in the Desert Springs lobby. Let's be praying for all of our missionaries!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today's conversation on The Stories Collective is going to resonate with a lot of you and we're so glad for the opportunity to share it here! Our host Sarah Schalow is talking with our new friend Riley Gardell. Riley, a Texas native, moved to the Goodyear area in May of 2021 for his work as the Site Engineer at a solar farm. Riley talks with Sarah about how a lot of times we gravitate towards testimonies that are about radical change and miracles but so many of us by the grace of God have known Him since childhood and can't necessarily relate to those incredible stories. In this conversation, Riley shares about the power and the blessing that is found in the testimonies of those who came to know God at a young age. Riley walks us through coming to know the Lord as a 2nd grader, the faithfulness of his parents in raising him in a Christian home, coming to a more solid faith in college, being baptized here at Desert Springs and how he has seen the gracious hand of the Lord over his entire life, even in the moments that might be considered "boring." We think this is a very relatable story and we can't wait for you to hear from Riley's heart!
August Baptism Services - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1305269
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Today's episode of The Stories Collective features someone who is probably familiar to a lot of you. We are talking with our friend Kelly Lashua! Kelly and her family have been at Desert Springs for over a decade, and we are so thankful for the ministry that they have been a part of. We get to hear about Kelly's early life growing up in a Christian family and learning what following the Lord looks like, especially in her college years. She shares about how she and her husband Robby met at Arizona Christian University (formerly known as Southwestern College) and what life has looked like raising four children and homeschooling. The importance of knowing the Lord through studying His Word, even when it isn't "perfect" is a major theme in this dialogue with Sarah. Kelly shares so much wisdom with us in this episode, we think you're going to want to take notes! Grab a pen and paper (or the notes app on your phone 😉), some coffee and settle in for this encouraging and challenging conversation!
"Sing The Bible" resources from Slugs & Bugs - https://slugsandbugs.com/collections/music-1
Seeds Family Worship - https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com
We are so blessed by today's Stories Collective podcast guest David Reyna. God's faithfulness was something that was very evident in David's life from the beginning in the early 1960s in west Texas. Being number 11 of 12 kids, David shares how he saw his parents live out their faith each day. The way his parents modeled their faith set a firm foundation for the rest of David's life. David shares with us about how being shy was something he had to work through not only in relationships but in his walk with Christ. We get to see snapshots of God's faithfulness in his life through growing up in farm life, coming to know the Lord, losing his brother in an accident, getting married, mission trips and more. You'll be inspired by David's challenge to obey the Lord's call no matter how you're feeling. We'd love for you to listen!
Panel Discussion - https://dscchurch.nucleus.church/media/playlist/be-radical/be-radical-panel-discussion
Sign up for baptisms in August here - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1305269
For more information on Missions at DSCC email Jamie Engram at james@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
On June 24th, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned giving states the ability to regulate abortions. This historic decision prompted Susan Glass to share her story with us. This is a story that demonstrates how one decision can change the course of a family's life forever. In 1990 Susan was 24 years old and married with 2 children. A lot of life had been lived up to this point despite Susan being so young. Jim, her husband, (whose story you can listen to in episode 3 😉) had been stationed in Guam with the Navy. While Jim was back and forth being out at sea, Susan was taking care of their children which was difficult being so far away from friends and family. She felt alone and exhausted, trying to find strength to go on. Susan was struggling and in a dark place when she found out she was pregnant with her 3rd child only 6 months after her 2nd baby had been born. Susan knew she did not want any more children and she began to consider her options. She was making this decision regarding her baby on her own. But a change in a law halted everything. Through this conversation you will hear about God's incredible grace as Susan shares how one of the most difficult seasons in her life became the biggest blessing, changing her marriage and family forever. We don't want to give anything else away, you just have to listen!
For more information on Surrendering The Secret, a support group for women who have had abortions, email secrethope@dscchurch.com.
Pregnancy centers in the Phoenix area:
New Life Pregnancy Center - https://newlifepregnancy.com
Choices Pregnancy Center - https://www.choicesaz.com
If you are pregnant and needing help, please know that you are not alone. We would love to walk with you in this. Send an email to sarah@dscchurch.com if you need help.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
If you regularly attend Desert Springs today's guest is no stranger to you. We are talking with Shawn Jones! You may not know this, but Shawn came to know the Lord right here at Desert Springs in December of 2006. Since then, he has been a big part of ministry here at the church even before he became a full-time staff member. Shawn gets personal with us today and really shares his heart and passion for living the Christian life every day. We hear about his early life growing up in Phoenix, the first time he heard the Gospel as a boy, becoming a teen parent, being a Marine, walking through divorce, the joy of being married again, working in ministry - Shawn tells all! But as many of you have experienced you can't have a conversation with Shawn without his devotion to Christ and evangelism and discipleship coming up. We get to hear some really exciting things as Shawn shares how God worked in his heart in 2020 through covid and brought a new direction and passion for evangelism and discipleship. You will be uplifted, challenged and inspired to live out life for Christ now. Sarah shares an exciting announcement in this interview that you won't want to miss!
Shawn's Testimony - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn_8EEPidV8
For more information about being involved with Evangelism + Discipleship at Desert Springs email Shawn Jones at shawn@dscchurch.com.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We hope that you had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! We are back with another episode of The Stories Collective and this week we're talking with Jenn Lorn. The simplest way to put it is that Jenn has a story of hope. It is a story that starts in a dark place as her childhood was surrounded by alcohol. Jenn came to know the Lord through a friend at school and her life was changed forever. But as we all know, life can sometimes take us to some unexpected places and Jenn found herself married to a non-believer in her mid-20s. Thankfully that is not the end of her story! Jenn faithfully prayed for years and years for her husband to come to know the Lord and she never gave up. She kept persevering and kept seeking the Lord. This story truly is filled with hope at every turn; we'd love for you to listen to it. We guarantee that you are going to be encouraged by Jenn's heart in this conversation!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Stories Collective podcast! Today we have a really cool opportunity to hear from not only one guest, but two! Sarah Schalow sat down with Ed + Carol McNiece back in April before they left to spend the summer in Minnesota. Ed + Carol have an amazing story to share about how their son was healed after a shocking accident that caused a traumatic brain injury 22 years ago. You can still hear the emotion from Ed + Carol as they recall this story and what it was like to walk through the uncertainty of not knowing if their son would live. They also provide tips and insight on how to get through supporting someone who is going through a medical crisis. The power of prayer is extremely evident in this story as well as the community that tragedy can bring. We admire Ed + Carol as they were so faithful in engaging with God through this trying time. We look forward to them being back with us in the fall!
Streams in the Desert Devotional - https://www.amazon.com/Streams-Desert-L-B-Cowman/dp/0310210062/ref=sxin_10_mbs_w_global_sims?content-id=amzn1.sym.167d0880-9da0-400b-938e-4382731a4102%3Aamzn1.sym.167d0880-9da0-400b-938e-4382731a4102&crid=352BKDLV5A0JI&cv_ct_cx=streams+in+the+desert+devotional&keywords=streams+in+the+desert+devotional&pd_rd_i=0310210062&pd_rd_r=9d2790b6-62a1-4aed-bac5-6edfa695f585&pd_rd_w=OBu1D&pd_rd_wg=QNNN0&pf_rd_p=167d0880-9da0-400b-938e-4382731a4102&pf_rd_r=8S66ZW0ATHK66KXVVQ51&qid=1656355564&sprefix=streams+in+the%2Caps%2C121&sr=1-2-9e7645f9-2d19-4bff-863e-f6cdbe50f990
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Happy Summer everyone! We couldn’t think of a better way to officially kick-off summer than to have a conversation with our friend Lydia Engram. Lydia has been a part of Desert Springs for 11 years as she serves in Women’s Ministry, leads worship, runs our First-Time Visitor Ministry and is married to our Worship + Missions Pastor Jamie Engram. Lydia shares so much heart and wisdom with us as she walks us through her life growing up as a Pastor’s kid in California. Lydia is the oldest of 8 children and her family has quite the testimony as 3 of those kids were adopted during an unexpected tragedy in their church. We also hear about how Lydia and Jamie met, what life has been like since moving to Arizona and just how important mentorship and community is. You’ll be inspired by Lydia’s heart and passion for what connecting with others looks like. Grab some coffee or tea and join these friends for this really encouraging conversation!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We think today's episode is going to be a bright spot in your week! Our host Sarah Schalow is talking with Brian DeFrancesco who has such a refreshing and positive outlook on life. Brian shares a couple of stories with us from coming to Christ after being raised Catholic, moving all over the west coast with the agriculture industry, what it's like being a husband and parent; Sarah and Brian cover a lot of ground. The thread that ties it all together is how God has been faithful all lifelong. Brian shares a positive perspective on marriage and parenting and how being involved in a church is a major pillar for those things. Sarah and Brian even cover what it looks like to engage with God, connect with others and live on mission on a week-to-week basis. The next 35 minutes are going to encourage and uplift you this week!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Hello to all of you! We have a powerful conversation to share with you today. We have the privilege of hearing from Kathleen Witt.
⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode ⚠️
Kathleen has a truly powerful story about how God has worked in her life but unfortunately there are some parts of her story that are heartbreaking and difficult. Sarah and Kathleen talk through Kathleen's experience with child abuse, self-harm, suicide and domestic violence. If that is something you are sensitive to we wanted to let you know ahead of time.
BUT we say all of this to say that God has truly worked powerful healing in Kathleen's life. All of the things that she experienced ultimately showed her His protection over her life. Kathleen is incredibly vulnerable with us but points each difficult experience that she had to Christ and how He brought her through the darkest days. This conversation will give you a lot to think about and will fill you with hope to keep persevering. We look forward to you hearing this!
National Domestic Violence Hotline - https://www.thehotline.org
800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
Arizona Child Abuse Hotline - https://www.azccrr.com/arizona-child-abuse-hotline.html
Mending The Soul - https://mendingthesoul.org
For help at DSCC email Pastor Trevor - trevor@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Happy Wednesday to all of you! Today's episode of The Stories Collective is a special one as our host Sarah Schalow sits down for a conversation with our friend Ron Talley. Ron and his wife Shirley started attending Desert Springs in 2007 and have been a part ever since. Ron and Shirley were married for 60 years (together for 65!) when Shirley died in the fall of 2018. Ron shares with us about their marriage over the years, the ups and downs, the joys and heartache, how they dealt with all that life brings. Ron and Sarah share a lot of laughs from Ron's stories but also touch on the difficulties that can appear in marriage. Whether you're married or not there is so much truth that Ron shares about making sure your relationship with God is your number one priority but then also making sure your earthly relationships are in a healthy place. Good communication is a major theme that is discussed. We don't want to give it away; you just have to listen to this inspiring and encouraging conversation!
Click below for the devotional Ron mentions in his interview:
Surviving Widowhood: 40 Devotions of Hope by Sharon Engram + Lori Rohlinger - https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Widowhood-40-Devotions-Hope/dp/1646456688/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EA08VP8S7LS2&keywords=sharon+engram&qid=1654021206&sprefix=sharon+engram%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today our host Sarah Schalow has a conversation with our new friend Venesa Hernandez. Venesa and her family started attending Desert Springs in November of 2021 after her husband Manny accepted the High School Pastor position here at the church. We would love for you all to get to know Venesa as she has an amazing and sweet story about how she came to know the Lord, how God saw her through a surprising medical diagnosis, being a single Mom and even how God has been faithful to her and to Manny through their marriage and being involved in full-time ministry. Leaving their home church to come and be a part of Desert Springs was a huge decision for their family, but we are so glad that they have joined us. Venesa reminds us that God is always faithful even when it looks different in each person's life. We think you're going to really love this conversation and we hope you'll get to know the Hernandez family even more!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
Wednesday is here which means we're bringing you another great conversation surrounding God's faithfulness! Our host Sarah Schalow is talking with longtime friend of Desert Springs Nick Spano. Nick shares some stories from the early days of Desert Springs going all the way back to being a kid growing up at the Glendale campus. We hear about his walk with Christ and how he has learned that there is no better life than to walk with the Lord. You'll also learn about Nick's love for the Phoenix Suns despite how hard it is to be an Arizona sports fan. The main part of this conversation centers around coping with loss and grief. Nick is very open with us as he shares what it was like to lose his father somewhat suddenly in July of 2014 and how that has impacted him. Though there is sadness and hardship Nick points to the ultimate hope that he has in Christ and how he knows that he will one day see his Dad again.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We'd love it if you'd share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God's faithfulness!
We are so looking forward to all of you hearing this conversation with our friend Tayler Burcham. Tayler and her husband were married for four years and had two kids with one on the way when an affair came to light. In a single moment, their family life was changed forever. Tayler had a choice to make - she could leave and start life completely over or lean into what the Lord would ask her to do. Tayler's choice to engage with God and hold onto faith throughout darkness and devastation brought about a beautiful story of restoration. Tayler challenges all of us to hold onto hope and lean into the Lord as hard as we can no matter the circumstances we are facing. This story is going to lift your spirits! We've linked some resources from Tayler below.
Tayler's website: https://www.theinterruptiblelife.com
How God worked through the infidelity: https://youtu.be/RzbeOLvt55I
Testimony of God's work in 2020: https://youtu.be/-PhgSJwvjgM
DSCC Christmas 2020 Testimony Video: https://www.facebook.com/DesertSprings/videos/232158384979731
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Thanks for joining us for another episode of The Stories Collective! You have probably seen today’s podcast guest all over Desert Springs as he serves in so many different ministries. We’re spending time today with our friend Tyler Pollard. The Lord has been so amazing in Tyler’s life - and that is an understatement! You’ll hear in this interview how Tyler was feeling so lost and broken at rock bottom but a simple phone call from a friend changed everything. Tyler gets real with us about the emptiness that comes with partying and substance abuse but reminds us that God can redeem any situation. His story shows the power about what Christ can do. Tyler encourages us to remember that our true identity lies in Christ and cannot be found anywhere else. We don’t want to give too much away about Tyler’s story but trust us, you’re going to want to listen to this conversation!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
It is Wednesday which means it is time for another episode of The Stories Collective! We are sharing an inspiring testimony of God's work and healing with you today. Our host Sarah Schalow has a conversation with longtime DSCC member, stroke-survivor and author, Lori Vober. Almost 20 years ago Lori suffered from a massive stroke at age 29. Long and grueling months in the hospital followed and even after she began to recover the doctors were not giving her much hope for her quality of life. But through Lori's strength and determination that she received from the Lord, her family and community she has been able to recover with little side effects and continue to live life. Lori is a testimony of what life looks like when you live with a perspective that is focused on the life that God has given you and what He has for you. We're also excited to share that Lori has recently written a book called "Choices" which covers a lot of her story! You can buy her book through multiple retailers which we've linked below!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Choices-When-Faced-Challenge-Choice/dp/1685560873/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=3C04UJTA3N6LP&keywords=choices+by+lori+cober&qid=1650999517&sprefix=choices+by+lori+vober%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1-fkmr0
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choices-lori-vober/1140873875?ean=9781685560874
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Choices-When-You-Are-Faced-with-a-Challenge-What-Choice-Will-You-Make-Paperback-9781685560874/538305410
Christian Book Distributors: https://www.christianbook.com/choices-faced-challenge-choice-will-make/9781685560874/pd/560874?event=ESRCG
Lori's Website: https://lorivober.com
Connect with Lori on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.vober
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today's episode is a little bit different - and we are so excited to share it with you! Our host Sarah Schalow is talking with our friend Steven Martin who shares multiple stories about how God has been faithful throughout his life. Steven grew up in Flagstaff, AZ but has lived all over the U.S. He has experienced a lot of life and the thread through it all is God's leading and His faithfulness. He offers some incredible encouragement about how God can even use painful moments to remind us of His faithfulness. Steven encourages us all to be collecting and piling our own (figurative) stones, just as the Israelites did to remember God's work and faithful hand. Steven even described this podcast as being a collection of digital stones which we absolutely loved! Listen to this conversation and be encouraged!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today our host Sarah Schalow has a conversation over coffee with our longtime friend Kathie Pabst. So, grab your coffee (or tea) and join in! Kathie has been around Desert Springs since the very beginning. This episode not only serves as a mini history of Desert Springs but as an inspiration to always look for opportunities to serve the Lord. Kathie shares with us about how finding God in her late 20s completely changed the way that she lives her life. She never worked in full time ministry but has truly devoted her life to serving Christ and His people. Kathie touches on how engaging with God, connecting with others and living on mission has always been a framework for her life but has been especially pertinent in the recent loss of her husband. We know that you are going to be blessed, encouraged and inspired by this conversation with this amazing woman of God! Kathie is around the church a lot so if you see her make sure that you say hello.
For more information on Evangelism Training at Desert Springs email Pastor Shawn at shawn@dscchurch.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness! Click on the links below to listen to the podcast on your preferred platform!
Those of you who regularly attend Desert Springs will recognize the face and voice of today's podcast guest. We are talking with our energetic emcee and friend Lee Patterson! We knew that this interview was going to be high energy and a lot of fun, but we were blown away by Lee's willingness to be so open with us about God's work in his life. He gets very real and vulnerable as he shares one of the most difficult challenges he experienced in his life. He so clearly expresses to us the importance of engaging with God, connecting with others and living on mission even in the midst of devastation and loss. We know that you'll be encouraged and touched by this conversation!
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We had the opportunity to sit down with our new friend Stacy Bradley. Stacy spent her younger years with her husband in the party scene, struggling to find purpose and direction. But through her husband’s brief connection to a local church, the Holy Spirit moved and they both came to know the Lord. Since then, Stacy has been filled with a passion for helping her children and foster children grow up in a loving and safe environment. She challenges us with the idea of saying “yes” when God asks us to do something. You never know what He’ll do! God working in ways far better than we could ever hope or imagine is so evident in Stacy’s story. We don’t want to give too much away but we know that you’re going to love this inspiring conversation. By the end of this interview Stacy is going to feel like an old friend of yours!
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Today’s interview with Jim Glass is incredibly moving. Jim has been attending Desert Springs since 2001 and has served in many different capacities throughout the years including the Elder Board. However, Jim’s childhood and early life were very tumultuous. His mother was bipolar and his father was an alcoholic which resulted in moving around a lot and being in foster care at times. He himself began to struggle with alcohol at a young age and he fell into the chase of always looking for the next best thing. But even in the midst of those incredibly difficult circumstances you can see God’s faithful hand all throughout Jim’s life. You are going to be so inspired by this interview as you hear about God’s healing and the breaking of generational curses. Jim challenges us to have a perspective of being aware of the positive and good things that God has done no matter what the circumstances are. We hope that you know that God has not only been faithful to Jim but has been faithful to you. God’s hand is in your story too. You do not want to miss this conversation and we think you’ll be filled with hope.
For more information about The Impact Project visit dscchurch.com/impactprojector email Shawn Jones at shawn@dscchurch.com.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
We’re bringing you an interview this week that we know you’re going to be uplifted by. We think you’re going to laugh too! We’re talking with our new friend Suzanne Fish. Suzanne started attending our church with her family around Easter of 2021 when she was about 10 months into treatment for cancer. She walks us through her diagnosis and treatment but ultimately encourages and challenges all of us to remember the faithfulness of God no matter what we’re walking through. Suzanne offers an incredible perspective with us as she has learned to expect the unexpected and trust that God is going to be on her side through it all. She dropped so many truth bombs in this interview that you’ll just have to listen! We’re so thankful that Suzanne and her family started attending this church and we cannot wait for you to hear this conversation.
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Welcome to the FIRST EVER episode of The Stories Collective! We are starting off with someone who is probably a familiar face to a lot of you here at Desert Springs - we’re talking with Shawn “U-Turn” Taylor! Shawn has been at our church for 15 years but long before he started attending DSCC he saw the Lord being faithful to him, even when he wasn’t walking closely with God. I know you’ll be encouraged by Shawn’s story as he shares about how being a teen single father brought him back to his relationship with Christ. Plus you’ll finally hear about his motorcycle ministry and why his friends call him “U-Turn”!
Click here to learn more about Two Thieves Motorcycle Ministry - http://twothievesmm.com
Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!
Welcome to The Stories Collective! This is a collection of stories about how we as believers engage with God, connect with others and live on mission. There are stories about God’s work at Desert Springs all around us and we are excited to share those stories with you through this podcast.