We are excited to share today's story with you! Ed Simpson joined us in the studio for a very vulnerable, heartfelt conversation. Before you listen, we do want to give a trigger warning for this story as combat trauma and suicide ideation are discussed throughout. Ed is fourth generation military having served as a military police officer in the Air Force. It is an incredible legacy to be a part of but there was also a heartbreaking side as many family members had untreated PTSD and mental health issues. Ed's father had served in Vietnam and unfortunately, he was abusive in many ways to his family after that. He shares about how he was negatively shaped by the verbal abuse he experienced, and that God was not a part of his time growing up. When Ed began attending NAU he made some friends who knew Jesus. This was the first time Ed had ever heard anyone talk about who Jesus was. He began to see love and community for the first time. Ed sweetly recounts how seeing the love families can have for each other showed him who God was. Through this community he met his wife Leah and continued his military career. Ed was deployed to the Middle East 3 months after 9/11 and there he experienced a lot of live combat. He had a few other deployments and developed PTSD after all of the things he saw and experienced. We appreciated how Ed brings us into his experiences and articulates what it is like to live with PTSD. You will be encouraged as he is real with the pain he has experienced but also how he has used his experiences to minister to others. Ed's main message is that there is hope - God is not done with you.

Combat Veterans Support Group at DSCC

Local West Valley AZ therapists (scroll to the bottom of the web page)
________

Topic's covered in today's episode: PTSD, deployment, childhood trauma, combat trauma, therapy
________

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!

Special guest host Hailey Keller joined by Sarah Schalow invites you to reflect on the 3rd quarter of this year! Hailey is a senior at Grand Canyon University who interned with us at Desert Springs this past summer. But she is no stranger to our church as she has been attending since the age of 2 years old! Hailey and Sarah reflect on the summer starting with how Hailey's internship began. The summer was packed with incredible stories that included such powerful themes. A lot of vulnerable testimonies were shared in the studio which we all continue to be blown away by.

The conversations shared included healing from pornography addiction, how to keep following God when you don't know what to do next, living life with a spouse that has terminal health issues, pursuing physical health with Christ in mind, letting go and trusting Jesus, experiencing a call to the mission field, forgiveness in the midst of grief and sudden death, staying strong in job troubles and ministry to the HIV/AIDS community. Hailey shares that a theme she picked up on was to follow the Holy Spirit's prompting on things and to be open to God's will in your life. This felt especially relevant to her as she is wrapping up her time in college. Sarah reflects and shares that what stuck out to her was the process it can take to willingly trust God. Total trust doesn't usually happen overnight. We're glad Hailey was able to join us for this episode and hope it was an encouragement as we fully dive into the fall!

Hailey's episode on the Christ, Culture & Coffee podcast
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

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 on The Stories Collective we have a special guest host, our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram! Jamie is talking with one of the missionaries we help to support, Steve Robenalt. He was actually one of the first missionaries our church began supporting. Steve and his wife Patty have been working as missionaries right here in Arizona for over 20 years. Steve recounts his early years in ministry to college students and how that shifted to eventually ministering to those with HIV/AIDS. Their hearts were suddenly opened to this people group as Patty's mom was diagnosed with AIDS just three weeks after Steve and Patty had gotten married. In 1993 they began a ministry called Compassion in Action that is still active today. Their hearts to reach out to a people group that is so often forgotten is beautiful. Your heart will be touched as you hear many stories of the people who have been ministered to living with this heartbreaking diagnosis. Steve challenges all of us to take the time to listen when ministering to someone no matter what they're going through. Life change often takes time. We admire the way that Steve and Patty serve and hope this conversation encourages and challenges you!

Pray for Steve + Patty: Pray that Compassion in Action will have the necessary volunteers needed. Pray for 3 individuals who are currently getting trained to minister to mental health issues experienced by those suffering with HIV/AIDS. Pray for financial support. Pray for Steve and Patty's granddaughter Jovie and their daughter Karen and her husband Jason - Jovie is 4 months old and is struggling to gain weight while being on a feeding tube. 

Learn more about Steve + Patty Robenalt 

HIV/AIDS Ministry

Connect with Steve Robenalt - [email protected]

For more information on Missions at DSCC email Jamie at [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!

Craig describes himself as "double adopted." He grew up knowing his parents had adopted him but also recognizes that he was adopted into the family of God. We love how Craig describes his experience of being adopted and how it helped him to understand His identity in Christ. You can hear Craig's understanding of God's plan for his life as he begins to share his story, including how he met his wife, Ruth. He gives an overview of a lot of his adult life in California and focuses in on changes that began to take place about 10 years ago. After 30+ years in California Craig made a big leap in his decision that caused him and Ruth to move to New Mexico. This had decision was made with intense prayer and seeking counsel from other believers. What Craig and Ruth didn't know was that the Lord was going to lead them through a season of growth, heartache and change that pushed them to trust in God like they never had before. Craig describes it as learning to give God a "blank check." Learning to live life with hands surrendered and open to what He has. Moving to New Mexico was not the end of the journey - it was only the beginning. Listen in to hear about the amazing work God did on Craig's heart and how he learned to fully lean into God and the agenda He has. This is an encouraging conversation no matter what season of life you're in. 

Ruth Hill's testimony (Craig's wife!), Episode 41
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Bradley Chaddick's testimony, Episode 120
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Tuesday night Men's fellowship at DSCC

Connect Groups at DSCC
________

Topic's covered in today's episode: Rangers baseball, Royals baseball, adoption, job changes, New Mexico, RV travel
________

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!

Sarah-Ann Chaddick joined us in the studio to kick-off the month of September! Sarah-Ann starts her story by sharing about coming to know Jesus through Cubbies in the AWANA program. It was a special time because her family was all coming to know Jesus around the same time. In college Sarah-Ann met her husband Bradley (he was on the podcast back in June!) and they ended up moving to Colorado early in their marriage. She reflects on this as a sweet time because they had so much quality time as a young family, getting to spend time with her parents too. After about three years in Colorado, they felt the Lord leading their family to move to Arizona. In December 2020 Sarah-Ann describes feeling a sense from the Lord that something was coming, she just didn't know what it was. She felt the Holy Spirit saying, "Something is coming. Be prepared. Simplify your life."  Sarah-Ann did not feel anxiety from this but felt a strong confidence in the Lord. Just two months later Sarah-Ann received a phone call on a Sunday afternoon that changed everything. Her parents had both been killed in a car accident due to a distracted driver. This was the event the Holy Spirit had been preparing her heart for. You will be in awe by Sarah-Ann's response and her strength in how she reacted then and how she tells the story now. Even more amazing is what came to light after her parent's sudden death. Were they expecting this to happen? You will be drawn in as Sarah-Ann takes us into the deepest parts of her grief and shares how a fire was lit in her heart to follow God with a passion. The Sarah-Ann before this event and the Sarah-Ann after are not the same person and that is a testament to God's incredible and personal work. 

________

Topic's covered in today's episode: oceanography, Colorado, adoption, foster care, distracted driving, grief, discipleship
________

Bradley Chaddick's testimony (Sarah-Ann's husband!), Episode 120
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

MomCo at Desert Springs

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!

Brock and Nancy Baker are back with us this week sharing part 2 of their amazing story! Last week we left off with a big cliffhanger. After Brock and Nancy experienced devastating financial circumstances in 2008, they were left wondering what God had for them next. Through everything they were experiencing the Lord was providing and also preparing. The Perspectives class they had taken at their church years before had put seeds in their hearts that were continuing to grow. It was becoming clear that the Lord was leading the Baker family to become missionaries to the Basque people group in Spain. So many pieces fell into place though the process of becoming missionaries and moving to Spain didn’t come without its hardships. But God again provided for their family’s exact needs so they could be effective in their ministry. You will hear amazing stories of their years of ministry in Spain. It is beautiful to see how their whole family was able to serve together and that their prayers were answered so specifically. After 4 wonderful years of doing mission work in Spain, they felt led to come back to the U.S. Listen in to hear about ministry to the Basque people, life as missionaries and what the Lord is doing with them now as they continue ministry here in America. We hope this conversation moves you to pray for the Basque people in Spain. We are so glad to have the Baker family a part of our church family at Desert Springs!

________

Topic's covered in today's episode: 2008 financial crisis, Spain, the Basques, missions, Washington State
________

Perspectives USA (the class Brock + Nancy took)

Summer in the USA 

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 joined by Brock and Nancy Baker in the studio today for Part 1 of their incredible story of God’s faithfulness in their lives! Brock and Nancy have a very sweet love story as they have been married for 31 years! They were both Christians from an early age and have a deep love for the Lord which is so evident throughout this conversation. Shortly after college Brock and Nancy started their own flooring business. This business was very successful, and they eventually had over 30 employees and had built their own office park. However, during the financial crisis of 2008-2009, they lost everything. All that they had worked so hard for, all the time they had poured into their employees was suddenly gone. But their faith in God helped them persevere, and He provided for them every step of the way. In the background of the success of their business, God was stirring in them a passion for international missions and the idea that there was something more for them. Through a class they took at their church they learned in a very real way to be open to whatever God had for them. They were so open that they even went to Spanish language school for a summer in Costa Rica because they thought it would be good for them to have that tool in their tool belt. Little did they know, God would use that later to do amazing and unexpected things! Losing their business was incredibly hard and yet God was using it to open some amazing doors across the world. The next chapter of their lives was beginning. Make sure you come back next Wednesday to hear what happens next! 

________

Topic's covered in today's episode: Seattle, finances, 2008 recession, financial crisis, Spain, the Basques, Costa Rica, missions
________

Perspectives USA (the class Brock + Nancy took)

Summer in the USA

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!

Manny Rojas joined us in the studio for another episode of The Stories Collective podcast! We think this is a really great conversation as we are in back-to-school time. Manny is a husband and father and one of his biggest passions is pursuing physical fitness in a Christ-centered way. However, it wasn't something that he was always passionate about. Manny begins his story by telling us how he met his wife and pursued serving in the Marine Corps. He and his wife moved around a few times as jobs changed, and the Marine Corps required his service in different areas. He eventually transitioned out of active service with the Marines and this big change slowly caught up with him making him feel depressed and struggling to know what his purpose was. He sought medical help but was set up with the standard treatment of pills having no other guidance on how to move forward. Something needed to change in Manny's life. One day a friend invited him to work out as he was training to be a personal trainer and needed to get some experience. Manny agreed to help his friend not knowing that this would begin to change his life. Manny offers an important perspective on taking care of our physical bodies to not only benefit in a personal way but in a spiritual way. A concept he talks about is focusing on PIES -Physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Spiritual wellbeing in health. This is so crucial when it comes to having a holistic mindset in following God. 
________

Other topics covered in today's episode: The Marine Corps, tower climbing, 2008 recession, healthcare, working out, health and fitness journey
_______

Connect with Manny - [email protected]
Let him know you heard about him on The Stories Collective podcast!

Lee Patterson's testimony, Episode 5
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

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!

Cindy Morrison is in the studio with us today! Cindy kicked off the episode by reminding us that saying yes to God opens us up to the beautiful things He has in store. Despite being saved at 12 and growing up in a Christian environment, Cindy struggled with a consistent relationship with God and felt frustrated by the overbearing legalism around her. Some of you may have experienced similar circumstances. After high school, she distanced herself from church, but 12 years later, a visit from her sister-in-law led her back to faith. Building a relationship with Jesus can take time, and He is so patient with us! As Cindy said, it’s been a lifelong journey to get to where she is now as a person and with her faith. 

She discussed her long, tumultuous relationship and how she eventually realized that, as her body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, she deserved to be treated with respect and honor. This led her to divorce and move on from her difficult situation and marriage, all while holding onto the good things God had done through it. She emphasized the importance of having community through her healing process—mentors, counselors, friends, and those in various life seasons helped her grow closer to God. God can teach us and encourage us through all different types of people! Now living in Arizona and part of our church community, Cindy’s story highlights the value of letting God define our identity, not the culture or people around us. Tune in to hear her powerful message of perseverance, faith, and the transformative power of community!
________

Other topic's covered in today's episode: Wisconsin, hiking, singleness, divorce, community, church life, abuse
________

Resident Strangers podcast episode on divorce
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Divorce Care Ministry at DSCC

50+ Ministry at DSCC

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 back to The Stories Collective! It is such a privilege to have Jon Gleason share with us today! We hope his story encourages you that God is the provider and protector. Jon first shares with Sarah that he loves to travel with his wife in their RV. As you listen to his story, you will find that traveling is a prominent theme throughout his life. Jon grew up in a Christian family, and his parents were actually missionaries in the Navajo reservation up North. This allowed him to grow up in an environment that loved God. Even so, there were difficulties since he was an outsider to the Navajo culture and basically lived in the middle of nowhere.  He was saved when he was 9 years old. After high school at age 17, Jon joined the Air Force and worked as a jet aircraft maintenance worker for 23 years, with some off time in between. Because of this, he frequently moved around the country and the world. Jon shared story after story of how he faced several near-death experiences, even starting from the time he graduated from high school. One day when he was home working with his parents’ missionary team and a missionary group that came from Southern California, he was asked to drive to King’s Canyon to pick up the wife of someone who was working with them. Jon took her husband, Jon’s brother, and a couple of people from the California team–one of whom happened to be his future wife! On the way there, it had been raining and unfortunately, they hit a mud slick causing their car to roll, and it came within 10 feet of falling off a 200-foot cliff. Meaning that they almost rolled over a very tall cliff and were literally inches away from possible death! But God–don’t you just love those words? God protected him and everyone in the car and they were all safe. Jon witnessed God’s protection over and over again. Also, God really does bring beauty from chaos because that day allowed Jon to get to know Janet, the woman from the California team that he took with him who would later be his wife! Then when Jon first enlisted in the military, he was stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. These scary experiences both in Vietnam and in the U.S. allowed Jon to grow his faith and trust in the Lord. As Jon went through so many life changes, transitions, and hardships, he pushed through each obstacle and continued to follow God’s plan for him and his family with a grateful mindset. He also was intentional in creating community in each location. After moving across the world several times from being in the Air Force and retiring, he moved back to Arizona in the 1990s and started going to the original building of our church, Desert Springs! After a few more job changes Arizona finally became Jon’s home in 2019 and has stayed plugged in our ministries ever since! Jon shared so many other stories of God’s faithfulness, you’ll have to listen for yourself!

For information on Sew + Serve at DSCC email Ginny Lewis at [email protected]

For information on the 50+ Ministry at DSCC email Don Greenfield at [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!