Today on the Stories Collective Sarah is excited to be sharing a special interview as she had the opportunity to sit down with her co-worker and brother-in-law Pastor Trevor Schalow! Sarah and Trevor begin the interview with a lot of laughs, reminiscing on the summer of 2015 when they first met having no idea that they would one day be family. Trevor shares about life growing up in the small town of Show Low in northeast Arizona. He and his two brothers were homeschooled, and Trevor speaks of those years fondly, saying he really valued the close family time. They were very involved in church, and this eventually led to Trevor feeling a calling at a young age to be involved in ministry. He shares a few stories from his time growing up, including a touching story about his Aunt Tammie who died of cancer in 2008. Tammie's faith impacted Trevor in a big way, and he shares that it was a significant time in their family's life. Throughout all of these stories shared, Trevor was going through his own struggles behind the scenes. At a young age he was exposed to pornography which led to years of hiding in shame, feeling that he was held captive by this secret struggle. He felt stuck in this cycle all throughout his high school and early college years. After completing his freshman year at a community college, he transferred to Arizona Christian University. It was there that he began to develop friendships that would ultimately help break this addiction and bring healing. We appreciate Trevor's realness as he emphasizes the importance of real and open relationships that are grounded in Christ. Trevor also shares about meeting his wife Danielle at ACU and how she lovingly responded to this chapter in his life. You will be encouraged as you hear about how the Lord has worked in Trevor's life since this time and how it now gives him a drive to help provide help for others who are struggling with addiction and pain.  

Sam Brown's Stories Collective Episode 86 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uAwphB5YWM2M6ZZR60tJ7?si=96cf4cd776e04e8f
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Trevor's episode on The Now Life podcast Episode 28 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4NhXuu8AzOpw7vwdRjCPa2?si=6dab75e5d55745ff
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Care & Support Ministries at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882239

Western Sky Middle School Open Gym - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1364813

Connect with Trevor - [email protected]

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Today on The Stories Collective we have a special guest host, our Missions Pastor Jamie Engram! Jamie had the chance to sit down in the studio with missionaries that Desert Springs helps to support in The Philippines, David and Kenda Jerome. If you were with us at church this past weekend (Feb. 24/25) you probably saw David + Kenda speaking in our services! David walks through what their journey to becoming missionaries was like. It is a unique story involving years of encounters with a missionary to The Philippines. Kenda really felt passionate in pursuing missions, but it took a little longer for David to get there. But once he did it was all systems go! Listen in to hear about how David and Kenda started in leading short-term trips with their church to the Philippines and how it eventually led them to working on the mission field full-time. You'll also get to hear some amazing stories about the work God is doing daily in The Philippines through the Jeromes and their ministry partners. They've not just seen individuals changed and affected by the Gospel but entire villages as well. David and Kenda continue to be excited about the ministry they're a part of!

Pray for the Jeromes: Pray for 7 teams to be able to serve in the Philippines with the Jeromes in 2024, pray for the Filipinos who have accepted Christ to be discipled, pray for their children and grandchildren here in the states, pray for protection of family while they are away, pray for daughter-in-law Ashley to come to know Christ, pray for wisdom for future ministry

Connect with David Jerome on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.jerome.775

For more information on Missions at DSCC, email [email protected]. Don't forget, you can also learn more at our Missions Connect Wall in the Desert Springs lobby. Let's be praying for all of our missionaries!

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 excited to welcome our friend and ministry leader Randy Donithan to the podcast today!

⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Pornography and sex addiction is discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️ 

Randy was born and raised in Arizona growing up in the 50s and 60s. His family life was very difficult as his father was an alcoholic, and this caused many fights between his parents. As a child he felt he was in survival mode and didn't want anyone around to know what was going on in his home. At age 11 a friend showed him a stash of Playboy magazines. This unfortunately led to years and years of addiction. Randy describes it as being in a never-ending cycle of shame and low self-worth among other things. Growing up he had heard confusing messages about Jesus and though he called himself a Christian he didn't really know what that meant. As he grew up into his young adult life his pornography addiction only continued, and it affected how he viewed relationships and even caused struggles in pursuing higher education. At one point he thought a fresh start in California would solve his problems, but he soon found that the struggles followed him. We appreciated Randy being so open in walking us through this time of his life. At age 28 Randy found himself back in Arizona running his own flooring business. He reconnected with a friend who knew Christ and this relationship led Randy to a true understanding of who Jesus. He placed his faith in him for the first time and finally understood what love really is. There were still steps to be taken to work on healing his addiction, but he finally had hope for his life. Randy was soon introduced to a woman named Becky who would become his wife. Together they raised adopted special needs children together while also having children of their own.  Life had taken an amazing turn! Years later, Randy was once again faced with his addictions and struggles. Now being a husband and father, he knew he had to take purposeful steps towards healing. Listen in to hear about how support groups and Christian relationships helped him to heal and begin recovery. It eventually led Randy to leading Celebrate Recovery groups across the valley, including the group we offer here at DSCC. Don't miss this incredible story of God's healing! Remember that you are not alone. God is ready for you with open arms.

Celebrate Recovery at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1946954

Care & Support Groups at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1882239

Connect with Randy - [email protected]

Connect with Pastor Trevor - [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 story to share with you today that will surely warm your heart! We were joined by our new friend Dacia Gordon. Dacia and her husband Lowell started attending in 2021 after they purchased a part-time home in Goodyear. They haven't quite embraced the term "snowbird" yet 😉 Dacia walks us through not just one but many stories from her life where she experienced God's faithful hand. Her earliest memory included surviving a tornado while living in a trailer in Alabama at age two. One of the greatest stories she remembers with us is when a classmate in the 3rd grade reached out when Dacia really needed a friend. This friendship ended up changing the trajectory of her life as it led to Dacia accepting Christ because of an invitation to attend a Billy Graham crusade. Dacia reflects on how important it was for a Christian to be so present with her in a public-school setting. It stuck with her as she eventually encouraged her own children to be active in their faith in public school in order to reach other students. We really appreciated her challenge and encouragement in that. Dacia shares more stories from her life over the years (like how she and her husband acquired a real-life Dunder Mifflin) and ends with sharing about how recently God worked a miraculous healing her in husband's life. You'll have to listen to hear more but her husband survived something that only 5% of people live through. God's hand continues to be over Dacia's life! You will really enjoy hearing from Dacia and will be encouraged to look for God's hand each day in your life.    

Connect Groups at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1391282https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1391282

Western Sky Open Gym program - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1364813

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 story of healing and hope to share with you to kick off the month of February! We were joined in the studio by John Ricciardelli.

 ⚠️ Before you listen, we do want to give you a trigger warning for this episode. Domestic violence involving children is discussed throughout this conversation. ⚠️ John and Sarah begin their conversation by discussing some mid-2000s reality TV but don't worry they don't spend too much time on it. John and his family began attending Desert Springs in 2021 and love to worship right in the front row. John is originally from New Jersey and that is where his story begins. By the grace of God, he came to know Christ around the age of six or seven in the midst of his family life being very difficult. As early as he can remember John repeatedly witnessed his parents being physically abusive to each other. As he and his three brothers consistently observed this it created some unhealthy patterns, particularly with John's older brother who in turn physically abused him. This was way beyond brothers roughhousing or playful wrestling, which caused John lived in terror in his own home, both of his parents and older brother. While he was in high school, he met his wife Melissa, though they would not date and marry until years later. The story skips forward a little bit to 2018 when John and Melissa move to Arizona. They began to settle into their life with a newborn and made the transition to Melissa working full-time as an Occupational Therapist and John being a stay-at-home dad. Somewhat suddenly in the fall of 2020 John and Melissa realized their marriage was not in a healthy place. In fact, it was in a really bad place, and they teetered on the brink of divorce. Among other things both John and Melissa realized their painful pasts were creating big cracks in the foundation of their marriage. A gift from a friend helped John and Melissa begin their healing journey in marriage counseling. This led John to pursue individual counseling to finally address and create room for healing from his childhood. We really admire John's willingness to be incredibly open and vulnerable with us about his healing journey. He challenges all Christians to really dig in to emotional healing and take the steps to seek professional help with therapy if it is needed. You have to hear this story of amazing change and healing in Christ!

DSCC Care & Support Ministries: https://www.dscchurch.com/care-support
*scroll to the bottom of this page to see the local therapists and counselors we refer to

D|S Kids Parents' Night Out (2/23) - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2114484

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!

After hearing Wade and Shannon Cooperrider's incredible story over the past few weeks, we had the chance to sit down with them again, this time to talk about what ministry in Nicaragua actually looks like.

Sarah kicks off the episode before handing things over to our Missions Pastor, Jamie Engram, who leads a great conversation about everyday life on the mission field. From leading a missions organization to planting the Desert Springs church in La Paz Centro, you'll hear stories of God's faithfulness, the realities of furlough, and so much more. There's simply too much to fit in these show notes!

This episode brings their story full circle and will leave you encouraged to follow wherever God leads. Be sure to check out the links below to connect with Wade and Shannon.

As you listen, also be praying for our Desert Springs team heading to Nicaragua in March to serve alongside the Cooperriders. More mission trip opportunities are coming soon! You can also learn more about all of our missionaries at the Missions Connect Wall in the Desert Springs lobby.

Pray for the Cooperrider family: Reta (Wade's mom), Nathan (son), and Natalie & Casey (daughter and son-in-law).

Learn more about The Cooperriders

Connect on Facebook

Be a part of supporting The Cooperriders

Subscribe to The Cooperrider's email list

For more information on Missions at DSCC, 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 Episode 100 of The Stories Collective! 🎉🎉 We could not think of a better interview to share for our 100th episode than the conversation we got to have with Pastor Steve Engram. Steve was born outside of Detroit as his Dad was leading Youth for Christ. The Engrams were becoming a ministry family and when the ministry led them to northern Ohio that became what Steve refers to as home. Steve shares a lot about how his relationship with his Dad was foundational in developing a heart for the Lord and serving Him in a full-time capacity. Even in grade school Steve had started a club called the "Go-Getters for God" club and he would preach a sermon (as an elementary schooler!) and the club would then go hand out tracts to people. He knew this was what God was calling him to. After high school he attended Moody Bible Institute and through a unique set of circumstances ended up as the youth pastor at the church his Dad was pastoring. He reflects on those early years of ministry and recounts God's faithfulness in how He slowly raised him up. In the spring of 1983 Steve met a woman named Pam who loved Jesus and was studying to be a physicist. They fell in love and were married by the end of the year. About four years into their marriage, they found out they were pregnant with their son Jamie. Three weeks before his due date, Pam and Steve were advised to go to the hospital as Pam had somewhat suddenly started to have some complications. Steve walks us through one of the most difficult and devastating circumstances of his life as over the next few days he began to lose his wife due to complications that occurred during childbirth. He was now faced with life as a widower all while being a brand-new dad. Within months Steve and baby Jamie moved to Arizona to be closer to family as his parents had moved to pastor at Palmcroft Church just a few days before Pam's death. We so appreciate the realness with which Steve tells this story. Steve could not have anticipated all that God had waiting for him in Arizona. A new season of ministry was on the horizon and also a woman named Tami who would become a best friend and eventually his wife. Your heart will be warmed as you hear Steve describe this chapter of his life as he found Tami as his love and ultimately partner in ministry. We hope this conversation makes you even more thankful to have Steve & Tami as the leaders of our church! Steve is our beloved pastor, and we are incredibly grateful for his willingness to share not only in the pulpit each week but here with us. 

Sharon Engram's (Steve's mom) Episode 39: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tBaV2jnGH7hjnBLJq6Skb?si=dfd4a9f48c1e418d
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Resident Strangers podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5DTNZOJsGBG2C86w646xdA?si=237ca0ce1f154f87
*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!

This week we're wrapping up our series with Part 3 of Wade and Shannon Cooperrider's story!

After years of waiting, God made it clear He was calling them to Nicaragua. They spent most of 2017 in Costa Rica learning Spanish before officially moving to Nicaragua on December 18, 2017.

But their new chapter began with unimaginable hardship. Less than two days after arriving, Shannon learned that her mother had suddenly passed away. Just four months later, political unrest forced their family to evacuate. They finally returned to Nicaragua full-time in September 2018, where they witnessed God's faithfulness and saw Him establish incredible ministry opportunities, including the church plant in La Paz Centro.

The challenges didn't end there. Shannon later lost her father, their furlough was extended by 14 months because of COVID, and Wade nearly lost his life to the virus in 2020. Through every season, they continued to trust God's calling and experienced His provision in remarkable ways.

Be sure to tune in on January 31st for a special bonus episode with Wade, Shannon, and DSCC Missions Pastor Jamie Engram as they share even more about the ministry happening in Nicaragua.

Learn more about The Cooperriders

Be a part of supporting The Cooperriders

Subscribe to The Cooperrider's email list

For more information on Missions at DSCC, email [email protected]

Join us on Wednesday, January 31st for Part 4! Next week we are sharing a very special interview to celebrate 100 episodes of The Stories Collective 🎉🎉 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.

This week we're back with Part 2 of Wade and Shannon Cooperrider's story.

When they returned to Arizona in 1998, life felt like survival mode. Their dream of becoming missionaries seemed to be slipping away, and Wade wrestled with discouragement to the point of questioning his faith altogether. While there wasn't an instant turnaround, staying connected to their church community helped keep them anchored through a difficult season.

Over the next several years, they settled into everyday life, raising their kids and faithfully serving where they could. Then everything changed when Wade's dad was diagnosed with ALS. After his passing, Wade found himself battling grief, anger, and alcohol abuse, while Shannon did her best to support their family through it all.

Looking back, they share powerful wisdom about the importance of being honest about our struggles and letting others walk alongside us. Around 2005, they began attending Desert Springs, where God slowly started restoring their hope. Then, out of nowhere, a random Facebook connection led to a phone call that reopened the door to the mission field they thought had closed forever.

You'll have to come back next week for Part 3 to hear what happened next!

Learn more about The Cooperriders

Be a part of supporting The Cooperriders

Subscribe to The Cooperrider's email list

For more information on Missions at DSCC, email [email protected]

Join us on Wednesday, January 17th for Part 3! 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.

Happy New Year! We're kicking off our first episode of 2024 with the beginning of a special series featuring our dear friends and missionaries to Nicaragua, Wade and Shannon Cooperrider.

This week, we go back to the beginning of their story. From their high school sweetheart days to a shared passion for missions, Wade and Shannon quickly realized God was calling them to serve together. They attended Bible college, got married before graduating, and completed a missionary internship in Colorado, balancing full-time ministry, full-time jobs, and welcoming their first child.

But the road wasn't as straightforward as they expected. After difficult seasons, an unexpected move to Kansas, and eventually returning to Arizona, they found themselves feeling discouraged, disillusioned, and unsure if missions was still part of God's plan for their lives.

How God met them in that season is a story you won't want to miss. Be sure to come back next week for part two of the Cooperriders' journey!

Learn more about The Cooperriders

Be a part of supporting The Cooperriders

Subscribe to The Cooperrider's email list

For more information on Missions at DSCC, email [email protected]

Join us on Wednesday, January 10th for Part 2! 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.