The Stories Collective

The Stories Collective is back! On March 9th, we celebrated three years of sharing powerful stories, and it’s amazing to reflect on just how many lives and experiences that represents. God’s faithfulness has been evident every step of the way. We hope you had a chance to catch up on any episodes you may have missed during our break because we’re so excited to be back!

Today, we have a special episode featuring Sarah Underwood, and we believe her story will truly warm your heart. When our host, Sarah Schalow, first sat down with her, she could hardly finish asking how God had been faithful in her life before Sarah enthusiastically began sharing the countless ways she’s experienced His goodness. Sarah’s journey with Christ began at just five years old, and her relationship with God has only grown deeper over the years. However, her life was forever changed at the age of 12 when her father was tragically struck by a car and killed while returning home from a men’s prayer meeting at their church. With remarkable vulnerability, Sarah opens up about how her family navigated this devastating loss and how she learned to rely on her Heavenly Father in the absence of her earthly one. While anxiety has sometimes threatened to overwhelm her, Sarah’s sincerity in casting her cares upon the Lord is inspiring. Her story is a beautiful reminder that God is always near when we come to Him. One of the most impactful themes she shares is the importance of keeping her eyes fixed on Jesus — a practice she intentionally pursues each day. Sarah also speaks candidly about her experiences with singleness and how she continues to trust God’s plan for her life, even when it looks different from what she once imagined. Her steadfast faith and joyful perspective will uplift and encourage you. We’re so glad to be back, and we know Sarah’s testimony will bless you. Tune in and be reminded once again that even when life doesn’t go as planned, God’s plan is always good.

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!

Jessalyn Bruce is here to share her powerful testimony! She begins by taking us back to her childhood in California, where her faith journey first took root. As the oldest of eight children, Jessalyn’s family became involved in the Institute for Basic Life Principles (IBLP), led by Bill Gothard, when she was just nine years old. Growing up in such a strict, legalistic environment was challenging, especially as a young Christian trying to understand her faith. Through a series of pivotal moments, God began to unravel these beliefs, leading Jessalyn to a deeper understanding of His grace. As she entered high school, Jessalyn felt a strong calling toward missions, deeply inspired by the 1956 Christian martyrs in Ecuador, a story brought to life in the movie End of the Spear. Determined to follow this calling, she pursued missions training at Bible college, where she met her future husband, Davy—though their relationship wouldn’t begin until they reconnected after graduation. Jessalyn shares relatable experiences of navigating faith, relationships, and ministry as a young adult, offering insight and encouragement along the way. Together, she and Davy pursued mission aviation, undergoing years of training while moving between California, Alaska, and Texas. Throughout their journey, they witnessed God’s provision in incredible ways as they prepared for life on the mission field as a young family. However, in 2023, unexpected doors began to close, and by early 2024, after an emotional meeting with their sending church, their mission field journey came to an end. Though it was heartbreaking, Jessalyn and Davy have found peace in Arizona, trusting that God is still leading them forward. Her testimony is a powerful reminder that God uses every season—especially the hard ones—to shape us. Nothing is ever wasted when we walk with Him. You’ll be encouraged and inspired as Jessalyn shares her story of faith, surrender, and God’s unwavering faithfulness!

"Let God orient you to Himself and then you will be oriented to His will. The servant does not tell the Master what kind of assignment he needs. The servant waits on his Master for the assignment. As you obey Him, God will prepare you for the assignment that is just right for you." -Henry T. Blackaby & Avery T. Willis Jr.

"Present your gifts, vocations and talents to the Lord. Press into God. Stay there until you long to go out in His Name. Remain there and nurture the longing to see the earth bathed with His praise. Only then will you be able to trust your heart if you hear God say, 'stay.' Only those who long to broadcast His glory to the nations have the right to stay." -Floyd McClung

That Sounds Fun Podcast with Annie F. Downs

Shiny Happy People Documentary

End of the Spear by Steve Saint

Saturday Family Fellowship at Desert Springs

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!

Today, we’re honored to be joined by a longtime friend of Desert Springs, Sondra Greenfield! Sondra and her husband, Don, have been part of our church family since before Pastor Steve—truly lifelong friends of this community. Sondra’s testimony is nothing short of incredible, beginning even before she was born. She shares how her mother made the difficult decision to place her for adoption and how she was welcomed into a loving home that provided a beautiful foundation for her life. Despite being surrounded by love and support, Sondra struggled in her teenage years, making choices that led her parents to seek a fresh start. Their move to Montana was a leap of faith, filled with prayers that she would find her way. And on her 16th birthday, she met the man who would become her husband—Don. Their journey took an unexpected turn when they became teen parents, but God was at work in ways they never could have imagined. Married young and raising four children by the age of 22, life moved fast. Yet, through every challenge and every twist in their story, God’s hand was guiding them. Their experiences eventually led them to launch a ministry for pregnant mothers in crisis, a calling deeply rooted in their own story. And that was just the beginning. Over their 46 years of marriage, Sondra and Don have walked through incredible highs and deep valleys—finding her birth family, raising their grandchildren for a season, navigating trials with their children, and witnessing God’s redemption in their lives. The legacy they are building is one of faith, resilience, and trust in God’s unwavering faithfulness. It’s impossible to capture it all in just a few words. You’ll be encouraged, challenged, and inspired as you listen to Sondra’s story. You won’t want to miss it!

50+ Ministry at Desert Springs

Legacy Coalition (Christian Grandparenting Ministry)

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!

In today’s episode, we’re joined by a familiar face, Hailey Keller! Hailey served as our Media Intern during the summer of 2024, but her connection to Desert Springs goes back much further—over 20 years! Recent events in her life have prompted her to share her story, and we’re so grateful for her openness and vulnerability. Hailey reflects on growing up at Desert Springs and her deep passion for Jesus, which was evident even at a young age. Like many students, she faced pressures during her middle and high school years, but she chose to fix her eyes on Christ, finding confidence in who He created her to be. She also shares how her experiences on SMI trips played a significant role in shaping her faith and character. In 2020, Hailey’s life was deeply shaken. As a junior in high school, she experienced the sudden loss of her uncle while navigating a world that felt like it was falling apart. These events marked the beginning of her battle with anxiety. By the time she started her freshman year at GCU, anxiety had become a daily and sometimes crippling struggle. We’re so thankful for Hailey’s willingness to take us into this part of her journey. She shares candidly about her resistance to acknowledging her struggle, her questions for God, and how she wrestled with navigating anxiety as a Christian. But in October 2024, during her final semester at GCU, God used an extreme and unexpected circumstance to demonstrate His faithfulness. Hailey shares how, in that moment, she felt God holding her in His hands, reminding her that He is always present and watching over her. Hailey’s testimony is a powerful reminder that God is faithfully leading us, even when we don’t understand His plan. He is greater than the fears and anxieties of this world and brings peace in the midst of chaos.

Live Original by Sadie Robertson

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!

Our very own Pastor Paul Hocking joins us on the podcast today! Since stepping into the role of Kids’ Pastor in the spring of 2024, Paul has been an invaluable part of our team, and we are so grateful for his leadership. From the very beginning of his story, Paul shares how he has experienced God as his rescuer time and time again. Growing up in Oregon, life was anything but easy. As the youngest of five children in a family facing significant financial struggles, Paul moved frequently and spent much of his childhood in project housing. At just 10 years old, he experienced one of the darkest moments of his life—the heartbreaking loss of his mother. Her passing was devastating, and the challenges only continued, with financial hardships persisting and school proving to be a difficult environment. Then, in an unexpected turn, Paul’s father announced they would be moving to the jungle—specifically, Peru. This drastic and unconventional change surprisingly brought healing and a renewed sense of purpose to Paul as he navigated young adulthood. Eventually, he pursued a career in teaching, working internationally before returning to the U.S. and settling in Buckeye, Arizona. It was there that he met his wife, and for 16 years, he dedicated himself to his career. However, despite his success, Paul felt a deep sense of unrest, believing he was meant for something greater. Unsure of where God was leading him, he remained in a season of waiting—until God opened the door to Desert Springs. Tune in to hear Paul’s inspiring journey and how God’s incredible work has shaped his life in ways he never could have imagined.

Dancing Through Sorrow by Ben Joseph

Interested in our ministry with our local public schools? Email Pastor Daniel at [email protected]. 

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!

Desert Springs family, we are thrilled to share an incredible story with you today! Hopefully, you had the chance to hear Pastor Steve’s inspiring sermon at the start of January, where he unveiled the vision and dreams for 2025. A key part of that vision includes partnering with a pre-existing church plant in Palm Springs, CA, called Passion Church. Our host, Sarah Schalow, had the privilege of sitting down with Pastor TJ and Jess McCall, who have been leading Passion Church since 2023. If you call Desert Springs home, we strongly encourage you to tune in to this conversation to learn more about Passion Church and the heart behind TJ and Jess’s ministry. The conversation kicks off with TJ sharing about his upbringing in Monterey, where church was more of a moral obligation than a personal conviction. As a teenager, he began questioning matters of faith and grew deeply skeptical. You’ll have to listen to hear about the path TJ was heading down and how God intervened, radically transforming his heart and life. Jess shares her own story, describing a childhood rooted in faith but lacking that deep passion for Jesus until her late teens. God’s hand was evident as He brought TJ and Jess together, and shortly after marrying, they dove headfirst into ministry. While their journey has been filled with joy, it has also included significant challenges, including experiencing intense church hurt. Despite the pain, their love for ministry never wavered. God eventually led them to serve at a church in Arizona, a season that prepared them for something even greater—planting Passion Church in Palm Springs. There’s so much more to their story than we can summarize here, so don’t miss out on hearing it all! Their testimony of perseverance, faith, and obedience will inspire and encourage your heart.

Learn more about Passion Church in Palm Springs

Follow Passion Church on Instagram

Follow Passion Church on Facebook

Learn more about Venture Church Network (which Desert Springs and Passion Church are a part of)

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!

We are looking forward to sharing Don + Kris Tramp's testimony today! The Tramps' oldest son Seth serves at Desert Springs as our Middle School Pastor (check out Seth's story below!). Don + Kris together and as individuals have amazing testimonies. They both share their backgrounds growing up as children of divorce and how they had to find their way into adulthood. They first met at U of A and for Kris it was love at first sight. As a young couple they began to learn more about who Jesus was and committed to each other in marriage and to Christ. The early years of marriage were wonderful but difficult financially and career-wise. Looking back. Don + Kris see how the Lord took care of them and helped them to value hard work. Don settled into his career as a teacher in the Litchfield School District and Kris loved being at home raising their two boys, Seth + Garhett. They reflect on how they grew in their love and appreciation for the church as they put roots in at a local church. In a beautiful way, Don + Kris were breaking the cycles that they grew up in, creating their own marriage and family life that was honoring to God. As a couple they were especially passionate about pouring into their boys and they share some practical things they did in raising them. This eventually spilled into their community as a series of events led them to taking in a boy with special needs that Don met at the school he worked at. That is an incredible story that you have to hear!

Seth Tramp's testimony (Don + Kris's son!), Episode 142

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!

Happy New Year! We are so excited to be kicking off 2025 with you by sharing an amazing collection of stories and testimonies. Lowell Gordon joined us in the studio to share about God's thread of faithfulness throughout his life. Almost a year ago Lowell's wife Dacia joined us, and we love seeing how God has worked in their lives as a couple and as individuals. Lowell describes that he was blessed to be raised in a Chrisitan home with values that have created a legacy within his family. He shares a few stories from childhood as key events that helped shaped who he is now. Up until a few years ago all of his life had been lived in Washington state. Lowell sweetly recounts meeting Dacia in youth group and how the Lord made it clear that they were supposed to be together. Early in their marriage they began to see God's faithfulness as Lowell shares about their daughters being born and even God's protection from a landslide that completely destroyed their home. Lowell also went into business for himself at a young age and he walks us through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and the lessons he learned along the way while leaning on the Lord. We appreciate how he always kept Jesus at the forefront of his business ventures and was intentional to share about Him with those he worked with. Lastly, Lowell shares about two different major medical events in the last 10 years where God intervened in truly miraculous ways. This episode will encourage and uplift you as a new year begins. God is faithful!

Dacia Gordon's testimony (Lowell's wife!), Episode 103

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!

Happy Friday! Our host Sarah Schalow invites you to join in for a personal reflection on this podcast and her own recent life. Before we get into those things, we want to wrap up the 4th quarter of this year and reflect on the last 12 episodes that have been released. The episodes covered since the beginning of October include recovery from PTSD, dealing with current unanswered health struggles, leaning into God during intense mental health issues, radical transformation through the gospel. coming to a true understanding of Jesus, getting through difficulties during the holidays and learning to simply say "but God." All of these stories tie together with themes that are important and relevant as we prepare to enter a new year. In the last 10 minutes Sarah gets personal and shares a testimony about how God spoke to her as she was able to spend time by the ocean at the end of summer and mid-fall. At the height of difficulty God reminded her of His faithfulness through the waves returning to the shore. It is hard to summarize all of these stories and Sarah's personal testimony here so we would encourage you to take a few minutes to listen. We can't believe this is our last episode of 2024! We'll see you next year with another amazing story of God's faithfulness 🙂 

A prayer as 2025 begins >

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:5-11

"I Think He Is" by Rita Springer

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!

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

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 week to hear a recap of 2024!