Leadership

Hello, extended family. To tell you about my journey will take a novel, so I will condense it for everyone. I grew up on a farm in Jackson County, Alabama. My dad instilled in me hard work and integrity. I was brought up in church, but as a large percentage of teens, I thought I knew it all. I fell away from my upbringing after high school graduation, and it began a very rough four to five years of my life. Knowing where I was at that time was not where I was supposed to be, I began getting small “nudges” that led to my now-long career path in criminal justice and obtaining a college degree. It brought me to meeting my wife, my rock.  I now know that it was the nudges from God getting me back on his path for me. My wife and I were heavily drawn by the Holy Spirit to Life Chapel to be with Pastors David and Morgan.  The way the Bible is taught and broken down by everyone at Life Chapel has led me to finally understand the role of the Holy Spirit and Worship in my life. It has led to a major maturing season for me. Also, the understanding of Biblical finances finally clicked in my life and has led to financial peace for my family. This peace has led us to be able to be active in the community and just serve God’s people in any way we can. - JON

I was raised in a Christian home. I was saved at home around 7 and baptized at 9. God was leading and guiding through church members who became close friends, vacation bible school, and camp experiences. When my focus went off Christ and on myself, I began to experience some problems. in 7th grade developed an eating disorder, got involved with the wrong crowd as a teen, divorced in my mid20s. I pushed away from God because I thought I had blown it that I was too far gone anyway but, God drew me back. He told me I couldn't live on the fence, I had to chose. I had to put God first and let Him be in control. I am learning to let God lead. I experienced forgiveness instead of just knowing about it. God was faithful. Like the Israelites, I rebelled and wanted my way but Jesus' love drew me in. He never left me. Living life as a follower of Jesus wasn't problem free though. I experienced infertility, problems at work, cancer battles of my mom and sister, anxiety about my daughter's safety, and people pleasing tendencies. God was faithful through it all and I am certain He always will be. My issues with selfishness are becoming less as serving and giving are bringing me real joy and satisfaction. God's ways and plans are always best. I want to partner with Him for whatever He wants to do in and through my life. - Amanda

Our family became members of Life Chapel in 2017.  At that time, it was called Destiny Church.  From the first time I stepped into the building, it felt like home.  The place my children would grow up in. There was freedom.  A freedom to worship and not feel judged.  A place and a people that was truly welcoming.   

I started serving in the nursery, then about 8 months later moved up to the 5–11-year-old age class. In July of 2021, I became the Children’s Director. 

In the early spring of 2018, our oldest daughter gave her heart to the Lord and wanted to be baptized. During the conversations with her about what “being baptized meant” she asked if I had made this act of faith. I grew up in and out of church as a child and knew that Jesus Christ is my savior and died on the cross for my sins, but I had not been baptized.  On April 1, 2018, we were baptized together.  From that day forward, my life changed.   

I had suffered from depression and anxiety for years and was treated with medication. Suddenly, after making my declaration, God’s presence manifested in my life. I had a relationship with him.  He had always been there, but I hadn’t been aware.  It was as if a veil had been torn and I was seeing things from a whole new perspective.  God healed and delivered me from depression and anxiety. Life situations that would have terrified me before and sent me into a downward spiral became an act of faith knowing that he had my back and that I am never alone.   

There is an adversary that wants to kill, steal, and destroy, but my God is so much bigger! With each new day, there is a new testimony of the Father’s goodness. The only thing that I would change about my decision to follow and trust Jesus would be that I had done it sooner!  - Brittany