Bay Community Church

HER

I attended your church for my grandson's baptism. I had decided before I even got there that I would leave right after the baptism, however I was so inspired by the spirit that I felt, that I decided to stay for the entire service. I grew up in the Baptist Church in Alabama and Tennessee, and at best, I became dissident after my Pastor committed suicide. I did not go back to church for many years. My life was missing something.  The moment I walked into your church, I knew what was missing from my life. I felt peace and tranquility flood my spirit. In a sense, you got my life back on track. May God continue in His grace for you and your ministry. Incidentally, I was there for your HER address, and you said several things I didn't know. I have reminded my wife, with a smile and a short giggle, that she is my helper.

With the UPmost Respect,
VW

Thank You!

I just wanted to say thank you to the group of folks at the BP station on hwy 98 in Daphne who were out celebrating Love Week! I have been having a rough week with my father in the hospital, and when you guys offered to pump my gas and clean my windshield 'just because' it was so sweet. However, what really touched me was when you stopped and said a prayer for my dad and gave me hugs. I really appreciate this random act of kindness, and promise to 'pass it on'.

Bless you and thanks again!
- Anna

County Road 31

I was driving to Mobile one Saturday, and knowing that the Bayway is usually congested during the weekends, I decided to take 181 to the causeway.  As I turned onto County Road 31, I saw a woman and small child standing in a parking lot and holding a sign that read “Family Needs Help”.  I kept driving but I just couldn’t bring myself to pass up this family, so I turned around and went back. I approached the lady and child and asked her to tell me he story. She told me that her husband had gotten a new job at the GM plant in Texas just north of Houston and they were trying to get there, but they were low on money. They were passing through Baldwin County, didn’t know anyone here, and wanted to get out before Hurricane Isaac came through.  I gave her some money and a “Just Because” card and asked if I could pray with them. As we held hands, I thanked God for being our Provider, Deliverer and Comforter, and asked for His blessing and provision for this family as they traveled to their new home.  I continued to pray for them as I went on my way to Mobile. I know that God is faithful and I knew that it was Him who lead me to this family.

Answered Prayer

I moved to Southern AL in May of 2011 because of a boyfriend, but 3 months later, on a Saturday, I was single again and knew no one down here. I was heart broken and utterly alone, or at least felt that way.  So I pleaded with God to please bring some friends into my life cause I couldn't do this alone. A few hours later someone knocked on my door. It was my neighbors from across the hall. Elizabeth had just moved from Canada to join her husband and they brought me cookies to come and introduce themselves. From that day on I had a great friend right across from me.

The next day I went to church at Bay. It was the Sunday when they had the tent up to introduce the different Fusion Groups. I signed up for the 35+ singles group which started meeting the following Friday. All of a sudden I had a whole bunch of friends, all good Christian friends that actually turned into a family for me here. We have been through so much together, we were all broken when we met. We went through Divorce Care together, shared each others hurts, progress and joy there as well as on Friday nights when we met as our singles group, and we would get together on other nights as well.

Many of us have been through so much healing through this group and the Freedom classes at church. New people come into the group all the time and it is so great to be able to pay it forward. We now can be there for those who are where we were 1.5 years ago and help them too. I am so grateful that God listened to me when I cried out to Him. He really is there for you, all you have to do is ASK! And I am just as grateful that He is using me now to help others who are feeling the way I was feeling back then, and that I can give them hope that they too can make it through.

- Christel

Keep Up the Good Work!

I was speaking with a beautiful young woman today who waits tables in a local restaurant; she told me that she is thinking of trying Bay Community. One of the most attractive things about Bay Community, she said, was that every time a person has come into her restaurant wearing a Bay Community shirt, they have been friendly, pleasant, non complaining, AND they have left her a good tip.

How we live between Sundays is SO IMPORTANT! Thanks Bay Community for living what you preach!!

Broken to Blessed

In January 2010, my life changed forever. One night after working a split shift, I was laying in bed trying to go to sleep. Finally at 3 am, I realized sleep was nowhere to be found. I felt my heart racing, my chest ached, and I was of breath. I rocked in bed, crying, and repeated the name of Jesus. He was all that I knew that very moment. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” I called for him. Finally, I called my fiancé to take me to the hospital. I was diagnosed with a heart condition at the age of 29. My doctor advised me to drop one of my shifts at work because my body could no longer handle it. I did as I was told, but only to be laid off because I was no longer able to work as before.

I suffered from panic attacks quite often. During one attack, I backed into a corner and my fiancé was reaching for me to help me. I wouldn’t let him touch me. I kept pushing his hand away as if he was a stranger. I was saying to myself, “Why am I doing this? I know this man.” I cried and screamed and finally we went to the hospital. I will never forget my last attack. I could hear the enemy so clearly. I felt the attack coming. He said to me, “Look at you, your body has let you down. You can’t accomplish anything. You’re sick, you’re nothing.” Finally I made it to the car. I was crying like I had never cried before. I got to the hospital and couldn’t even tell the nurse my name. The enemy wanted me to feel defeated, but I knew he was a liar and a deceiver. I was still my Father’s child.

Not able to find work, I lived on unemployment for a year and six months. In July 2012, I had exhausted all my funds and unemployment was terminated. With no job, a 6 year old daughter, and bills, I didn’t know what to do. I knew times like these where designed to test my faith. I was confused, angry, and so depressed I didn’t even want to get out of bed some days. Finally God gave me my breakthrough. After submitting tons of applications and resumes, I finally got a call. I was offered a position to teach at a local university in my field. I was appreciative, but it wasn’t enough hours. The job was only for Saturdays. Then three days later, I got another call from another college wanting me to teach through the week. I was able to accept both offers. God brought me to an humbling place. I knew He hadn’t left me, I just had to seek Him and believe.

I am so thankful for His grace and mercy. For blessing me with a husband that endured all of this with me. I can truly say, I have gone from “Broken to Blessed.”

Rags to Riches

After this past Sunday, I felt led to share our story of how tithing changed our lives. Okay first a little background on myself. I was raised way out in the country in an old dilapidated house. I remember many nights having to take freezing baths because our power had been turned off for non payment, and let me tell you, there is no colder bath on earth than well water in the middle of January, and no way to heat it. Though my parents were often fighting, both verbally and physically, I have always known that I was not alone. I don't know how I knew it, I guess like pastor Jerry says it "I know it in my knower'.

My mom and dad divorced when I was 17, I had 2 younger brothers, one who passed away a little over a year ago in a motorcycle accident. My mom is a "pill popper", so is her mother, sister, and brother. A generational curse that I stay away from. My life had been tough, to say the least, but I thank God everyday for what I endured as a child. I wouldn't be who I am today if I had had an easy road as a child.

My young teenage years were no better as I followed the path of my parents. I started dating my husband at 16, was pregnant at 19, and married 5 months before our first daughter was born. We lived in a small two bedroom trailer for most of this time. Our marriage was full of verbal abuse and infidelities until finally 3 years later we called it quits and got a divorce. Little did I know 2 years later we would be remarried and though we still have our storms they are only for a season.

I am estranged from my father who is married to a Wiccan. He knowingly went into this marriage. I do pray for them, but I have chosen not to have my children influenced by their way of life. My husband and I have 3 children together a daughter 17, a son 11, and a 3 year old daughter. My 17 year old was headed to Texas A&M this month, but we are now expecting our first grand child July 1, 2013. That is another story in itself. Suffice it to say I am proud of her for choosing life when
so many other young girls don't or can't.

Almost 4 years ago I was in the process of leaving my husband again, had went so far as to put a $2,500.00 non refundable deposit down on a rental house because I just "had to get out". My husband was having "issues", but that is his testimony. The day before I was supposed to move into the rental home I asked God to just give me a sign. Well, He did. The months leading up to this day I had been laying over 3,000 sq ft of tile for our church (the majority laid by myself in the wee hours of the night).

Some how I didn't keep up with my cycle. Needless to say my sign was a + sign on my pregnancy test. I decided then and there regardless of our flaws and regardless of our issues, we had made a covenant before God. We have honored that covenant and God has more than blessed us. 3 years ago on the brink of bankruptcy with a home we had built in short sale I felt a nudging of the spirit to start tithing and a challenge to only do it for ONE year. Only thing was I knew exactly how my husband would feel about it. He had always believed in passing a $20.00 in the offering plate, and as long as you give something, blah, blah, blah. However, I was totally shocked when he said okay.

January 2011 we started tithing. I know that our story is unique in itself but less that 3 months later his salary doubled. Same job same place. I guess it really pays to know Someone in HIGH places, literally. You can't get higher than God. No one could have imagined where He planned to take us but if you can be trusted with a little, then I guess He is trusting us with a lot. Who would want 1 talent when He will give you 5.

Over these past two years, we have not missed a single month with our tithes and we have never been better off. It's like Pastor Jerry said, if you ask someone who tithes consistently, they will tell you there is no way they would go without doing it.

- Wendy

Christmas Blessing

I had been to church yesterday morning and had a nice lunch afterwards. As I was driving home, I noticed a man on the side of the road in front of his house selling home grown greens. I didn't notice at the time, but he was in a wheel chair. As I drove by, I felt a little tug on my heart and said a short prayer that God would bless him. Well.....He said ok, I want you to turn around, go back and give that man $20.

I continued to drive, and felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit again. So I said ok Lord whatever you say, but this is weird! So I turned around, drove up and got out of my car.  He had gone down by the house for a moment, so I waited for him to return. When he did, I told him I had a Christmas present for him, handed him the $20 and said Merry Christmas and God bless you.

He was so grateful and thanked me. I told him God had told me to do it and told him Merry Christmas again and went on my way. What an awesome blessing to me that God used me to bless someone else!  

- Anna 

Starbucks

I was in line at Starbucks the other morning when I noticed a woman in a green Toyota SUV, Highlander I believe, in front of me. Normally I wouldn't think much about the situation, but as I pulled up to pay I was handed the "Just Because" card and was told my coffee had already been paid for. A random act of kindness is not normally found in today's times, and I would like to say thank you for the kind gesture! The act did not go unnoticed. Have a great day whoever you are, and again THANK YOU!

Sincerely,
Philip

Still in the Healing Business

I feel lead to tell this story because it demonstrates that God is still in the healing business. Early in my childhood it became obvious that I struggled to read. Something was not right. By the time I had reached the seventh grade the problem with reading was really effecting my grades. At age 14 my parents enrolled me at Culver Military Academy where the 8th grade was repeated  with a focus  on remedial reading. This didn't make any measureable difference. Had it not been for an interest in math and science there wouldn't have been a chance for graduation.

After entrance exams at Auburn, I was placed in remedial English. Later I agreed to take reading improvement classes. Evaluation followed. It was determined that I had a 5th grade level of reading with no suggestion for improvement. I flunked out in may of 1958. Following a three year tour of duty in the Army, I returned to Auburn on probation. Four years later I graduated in Visual Design.

Fast forward to 2011. A valued friend and brother in Christ encouraged me to read the Bible from cover to cover. I told him that I "couldn't read". A few days later I felt lead to make a commitment to read the Bible. After all God made sure that His Word was written for us. If it is there then it is for us to read. Suddenly it occured to me that it is a matter of obedience to read God's Word.

Before I had read ten verses of Genesis, it occured to me that I was able to read without a struggle. Thank you Lord. At this time I'm up to John 17. A seed was planted by a friend. I felt lead to act, and the Lord healed me. At the ripe old age 75 the Lord has graciously blessed this grateful servant.

- Bill W.