Jenny and her family 

Hal, Conner & Brenna

I am so thankful for God’s grace and  that I was raised in a family that loved Him and felt that church was a priority.  In my beginning years our family attended the Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren on South Calhoun Street in Fort Wayne.  I’m not entirely sure why, but when I was 5, we left the Lincolnshire church and attended Dunfee Missionary Church  on the west Allen County line for a short time .  My sister and I had attended their bible schools there each summer.  My parents were not aware that at that time the church was struggling with a issue that eventually split the church.  Not really knowing the circumstances my parents were torn on what to do.  At about that same time we were invited by our neighbors to attend a special Sunday night  service at the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene.  My parents really enjoyed the service and the Pastor, Rev. Richard Call. When I was 7 we started attending the Columbia City Church of the Nazarene.

When  my sister was 10 years old she suffered from ruptured appendicitis and was gravely ill.  Her body was taken over by infection and she  had  to have many surgeries.   I recall my Dad being  extremely upset because his twin brother had died when they were 8 from complications of ruptured appendicitis.  I was 8 and very confused.  When you are a child and your parents are crying and praying and asking for a miracle from God, it makes you really scared.  I was scared that my sister was going to die.  One day my parents were both at the hospital with my sister,  I was home from school for some reason,  and there was a sitter at our house.  I had been feeling  very alone because my parents had been gone a lot and I had not seen my sister for a long time.  Back in the 70’s children were not allowed to visit patients in the hospital .  I went out to the backyard and sat under and tree and ask God to take care of my sister and to take care of me because I wanted to see her in heaven one day.  At that time I just felt like Jesus was standing right next to me. It was the first time I had really experienced  Jesus’ presence.  I knew at that point that he was a real and living being.    My sister recovered from her illness and we are very close today. 

I had grown up in church and was active in the children’s activities and was a member of a  puppet ministry that traveled all over northern Indiana and Ohio from 5^th grade to 9^th grade.  I enjoyed church but it wasn’t until I was 17 that I felt like I was missing a personal relationship with God.  I was going through the motions but not really feeling anything.   After a very powerful Sunday night service I was called by God to go to the alter and ask him to take over my life.  Since then I have had many rewards and  struggles in my faith.  I’m sure I will have many more in the future, but I know God is always present.  He is always faithful. 

In 1985 God brought into my life a wonderful person, my husband Hal.  God just knew that we needed each other at that time in our lives.  God’s timing is always perfect.  We were married in 1989 and began a search for a home church.  A couple from the Columbia City church, Ralph and Joan Davison, had met and married in the Bluffton church and suggested that we go for a visit.  We really enjoyed the church, and were warmly welcomed.  We slowly became active, serving in the choir at first, and now are very  active in the children’s ministries.  Eleven years later God blessed us with Conner and then two years later Brenna. 

I struggle at times, feeling such a big responsibility, trying to help Conner and Brenna find their own path to the Lord.  I have the hope of glory that the seeds that are planted will someday blossom into a flower of faith and love for Jesus.