Tim & Gail's "Faith Story
June 2008

I am Tim and I am Gail, We are here today to share with you our Faith Story of discipleship. Our Faith Story comes out of the context of Matthew 28:18-20 and I Peter 3:13-16

From this we believe Christ wants us to make disciples, knowing it is done through the context of living life, following how He leads us at home, in our neighborhood and workplace.

We want to share briefly about our early years in the military, living in Fresno California on Brown Street, and then take a bit more time telling you about walking in faith here.

I. In 1976 I joined the Air Force and was stationed in Texas at Sheppard AFB: During those early years as a follower of Christ I was exposed to discipleship. My pastor began to mentor me and I also got involved with a group of men associated with The Navigators. During my single years I went to the Air Base dorms to share the good news of Christ, held Bible Studies, and most importantly began taking new believers through the basics of the Christian Faith, just as I had been taught and modeled. I was learning how to disciple. When Gail and I where married the same activities occurred but with other couples. Five years later we were leaving the Air Force on a new adventure in public life and discipleship there.

II. In 1981 we Moved to Fresno Ca. and settled in a home on Brown Street. We began trusting God for something new. God connected us with a couple older than us who continued to disciple us, teaching us how to reach out into our local world. We began by walking the neighborhood - Praying, saying hi, meeting needs, and getting know the neighbors. We had small children at that time. Our next door neighbors did also. Through the children I got to know the mom Kerry, and, in time, through various activities Tim and I started an investigative Bible Study with Kerry and her Husband Ken. They both came to faith in Christ. I began to meet with Kerry and take her through the basics in the Christian Faith. Tim did the same with Ken. This same thing was multiplied several times in other peoples lives in our neighborhood. Time will not allow us to talk about those now. After several years on Brown street in California, God saw fit for us to move to the Detroit area.... can you believe God would do that.!

III. Yes, God in his special way moved us to Michigan. We ended up in Lathrup Village living on Redwood Avenue. Once again we sought out others who could disciple us. Gail and I met Roger and Joan VanNoord who took us under their wing. They helped us transition into the Midwest Culture and exposed us to others who had discipleship on their hearts.. But, I had my own ideas about discipleship. We had seen God do wonderful things in Fresno. So why not do the same thing on Redwood Ave. Well, God does not always work that way. To make a long story short, what worked in Fresno was not working in Lathrup. Why? Because I was trying to make it work. God quickly showed us it is not about us and what we can do, but about Him and what he wants to do. He took us in a different direction. For Gail it began a season of extensive care for our child Adriana, who has Spina Bifita. For me it was a time of personal evaluation and learning that my call in life is to know God and follow Him where he leads. That leading brought me in relationship with several men who had a common heart to see men discipled. God put on our hearts to start a Men's Ministry here at HPBC focused on discipling men who could be leaders in their home, community and church. From this Ministry many men have come to Christ and are being discipled because they, and other men, take seriously the command "Go make Disciples".

IV. This takes us to where we live now, Kendry Avenue. From our experience in Lathrup Village we came to our new home Trusting God for something new, again!
Once again we began walking the neighborhood - Praying, saying hi, meeting needs, and getting know the neighbors. I began walking our dogs, Baba and then Sadie, everyday. During our walks I met other women of the neighborhood. Over time I got to know our direct neighbors (Christian and pre-Christian) and partnered with them to have Dinners, Picnics and lunches to get know other neighbors and build credibility. I got to know the neighbor women I would give baked goods to them, especially the widows, and those in need. Several of us women now walk together everyday. Over time as trust has been built, when people would go on vacation, or have a emergency they call us to take care of things. In short God was giving me a heart and passion for the neighborhood. When Christmas rolled around a two years ago I partnered with Betty King to speak at our home for a Christmas Coffee. From this several women now meet in our home . In time Tim has been able to get to know the Husbands and men in the neighborhood doing things with them. In fact, just yesterday we took two of the pre christians from our neighborhood to Home Plate. What a great time.

And the Faith journey continues as we follow Him. Gail and I want to thank you for hearing our Faith Story and the journey he is taking us on making disciples as we follow Him.