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

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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

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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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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

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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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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!