![]() I have the sweetest picture of Jodie holding Katie in his arms. I’m so thankful that I was a believer when I became a parent. I used to stand outside on the deck with Katie in a baby carrier and sway back and forth, trying to listen to Jeff’s teaching through the open back door. I often think fondly of the old days at the Hamilton Street Community Center before we had the nice mother’s room.Watching Jered, Ed and Daryle carry her down to the water was so amazing. After committing her life to Jesus that spring, she was determined to get baptized – even with the foot challenge. In 2005, my mother-in-law, Sue, had recently had surgery on her foot and couldn’t get it wet.Our Touchstone family has been an immense source of encouragement, discipleship, accountability and fellowship.Īs I reflect on the last 10 years, there are a few really special moments that come to mind: Touchstone opened its doors just one month after we said, “I do.” Over the years, I’ve seen my in-laws commit their lives to Jesus and become part of the Touchstone family, I’ve seen my husband get baptized and grow in his faith, I’ve seen my two children dedicated to the Lord, and I’ve learned volumes about God’s love and forgiveness. During that same year, my husband, Jered, and I were married. The direction of my life here on Earth was forever changed. I had never heard anyone teach like Jeff, and it was life-changing. I also began to understand what it meant to lean on Him. It was during this time that I began to know God in a new and wonderful way. I began attending Warehouse Christian Ministries during my last year in college, specifically the “42” service where Jeff taught. As a child and young adult, I knew who God was, but did not have a personal relationship with Him, or a true understanding of what His love and mercy meant for me. It has also been an important part of my family’s journey. Touchstone Christian Fellowship has been a huge part of my walk with the Lord. Thanks to Jeff and all the welcoming people, we have a new church home. Our first day of church shopping was our last. We started church shopping four years ago. Thank you so much, Jeff and Touchstone, for being there when I needed God in my life. When I left church that day, I had God in my heart because I asked him in. I bowed my head and thanked God for bringing me home. When the sermon was being preached, I felt like Jeff was speaking to me. I asked if I could come to Touchstone and check it out. I was so jealous of her! I finally convinced myself that I needed to go to church with her. ![]() Then, she came in after a women’s Table Talk gathering. She came into my ceramic shop after a retreat and had that “Godly glow.” You could just see Him in her. Afterward, I went one direction Sue went another. My friend, Sue, and I had been friends for many years, and we both became Christians about the same time. My Touchstone story starts about 10 years ago. We are blessed beyond measure to be a part of such a sweet fellowship. We went from just sitting in church with a bunch of believers to living life together with our new church family. Then, the church body turned into our church family. We began to serve and connect with the church body. We were not excited about a smaller church, but we were obedient. God called us to move with this new church plant called Touchstone Christian Fellowship. It was the perfect place for us… or so we thought. We were a shy couple who successfully ducked in and out of the big church unnoticed for seven years. I was carried into the water by Daryle, Bridget and Ed, and it was so awesome! Thank you, God. We will make it happen.” So, on that day, into the lake I went. Then the panic came! I realized I had foot surgery scheduled the week before the baptism. Naturally, I wanted to be cleansed through baptism. Touchstone was having a baptism and barbecue, and I had come to follow the Lord the previous Easter. The following stories of how God has touched people’s lives were submitted for the Tenth Anniversary celebration of the church.
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