Pursuing Life

Growing up in an affluent family in New Jersey, Lois knew a world where importance and success were found in flashy things that money could buy. But, even though her parents owned the biggest house and the best car in town, Lois knew those things didn’t lead to happiness. When Lois was a teenager, she witnessed her mother become radically transformed by Jesus, and she wanted that same joy! After making the decision to follow Christ, Lois went to study at a Christian college, where she met her husband, Walt. It wasn’t long before they sensed God calling them to the mission field, and eventually they relocated to the African country of Angola. Through most of their time in Angola, Lois and Walt lived in a war zone. And, though the days were often difficult, Lois ultimately learned that God is faithful.

Check out Lois’ memoir, “Who Me? Following God’s Missionary Call to the War Zones of Communist Angola,” here!

When Kyle Matteson was a kid, he really didn’t want anything to do with the church. While he was raised in a home that knew Jesus, circumstances early in life caused him to become angry towards faith. As a teenager, God got a hold of Kyle’s heart, and it started to soften. As he graduated from high school and has navigated his early 20s, Kyle has started learning that following Jesus means trusting with open hands, and allowing Him to lead in every decision.

Cheyanne Seber serves as the disability coordinator for Calvary Kids, as well as the inclusion specialist for Calvary Preschool. Cheyanne always knew that she wanted to work with kids, but it wasn’t until college that God really gave her a specific passion for kids with special needs. Now, through her role at Calvary, Cheyanne has the opportunity to work with kids and families to help meet their specific needs in a way that also points them to the love of Jesus. Today, Cheyanne is not only sharing with us the ways that God is at work in Disability Ministry, but also how He’s working in her own life.

Chris and Ashley Kresic join us today to talk about navigating discipleship with young children. The Kresics are busy parents, with four children under the age of eight and one more on the way. But, despite the busyness, they seek to live missionally-minded lives that intentionally point their kids, and others, to what it looks like to follow Jesus. Today’s episode is a very real conversation about being obedient to God in every season, even when we don’t quite know what we’re doing, or when things don’t quite go as we expected.

Twins, Becky and Lizzie, are entering their senior year of high school. Not only have they been intentional to be discipled through their involvement with Calvary Student Ministries, but they have also taken seriously the call to make disciples, both actively sharing their faith with their friends, and serving the next generation of kids in grades 1-4. Becky and Lizzie are examples to us all that no one is too young or too old to live out the Great Commission.

Cross Training candidates, Melea, Hadassah, and Allyson, each have a unique story about how God has bent their hearts towards the nations. They also have a unique story about how He brought them together in their pursuit of overseas work – through prayer. All three of these young ladies are actively involved in Calvary’s Young Adult ministry, and have had a front row seat to the ways that God is at work in this community. Together, they are leaning in to what it means to living sent, right now, as they seek to one day be sent to the nations.

Read more about the ‘S’ Project here!

Listen to our interview with Meagan Landis Here!

Ray Huber serves on Calvary’s Facilities Team, and his main responsibility is to work on building projects and construction-related repairs. As a part-time employee, this is Ray’s retirement job – or, as he calls it, his “repurposing.” Today he is sharing about his many years of serving God in church planting and missions, what he’s learned about being an initiator, and how to effectively pass off what’s been started to someone who can better maintain it.

Karl & Eileen Fisher have been leading a group here at Calvary called Essentials for almost four years. Through this study of the Old & New Testaments, and how they weave together into one story, the Fishers have become connected with many individuals in all different parts of their journey towards Christ. Through these connections, they have seen people come to Christ for the first time, strengthened in their faith, and equipped to go and disciple others as they themselves were discipled.

To learn more about the next Essentials group that begins on September 10, visit calvarychurch.org/essentials

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18

This fall on Pursuing Life will be all about stories of life-change, focusing on the ways that Jesus transforms the lives of people who decide to follow Him. We hope you’ll tune in starting next Monday, September 11, and find encouragement in the stories of others, as you consider your own pursuit of Jesus.

Michelle Kirby and Lydia Swarr both serve in Calvary Student Ministries – Lydia as a student group leader, and Michelle as a coach – and were connected with one another through a unique opportunity that arose for female leaders to be individually mentored by women in the church. Michelle had a burden to walk alongside younger women, while Lydia desired to be intentionally growing in her faith as she also walked alongside her group of high school girls. While some leaders only met with their mentors for a season, Michelle and Lydia chose to continue intentionally meeting together, and have both grown in their pursuit of life in Christ because of it. Today they are sharing with us why they feel that one-one-one discipleship is so important, and why it’s not as intimidating as they thought.

Check out Growing Together by Melissa Kruger (Gospel Coalition)