At Sent Out, we are focused on real-life change through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Enjoy reading or listening to some of our congregation’s stories right here!
Mike Hendrickson: My family taught Jesus was important for my life. However, I was never able to put Jesus front and center. As an adult, I walked my own way. Every Easter I would attend church at my late mother’s request, but nothing changed. On Easter 2022, something changed. That day I decided to return the next Sunday to church, and the Holy Spirit kept speaking to me weekly. My desire for God grew tremendously. I started reading my Bible, and my prayers began to change! Today, I am living in God’s forgiveness and grace, and the Spirit reveals to me how to put Jesus front and center day by day.
Katie Flowers: At sixteen, I was saved and baptized, but I had difficulty in my walk. I struggled finding the right person in my marriages, and my last husband had perversions. His inability to change and continual deception drove me to a place of pure hatred and a deep state of depression. In my insanity, Jesus provided me a place of clarity to call out for help in His name. In Christ, I found forgiveness for my poor choices and help to overcome my past sinful ways. Today, I am discovering a better way to live my life in Christ. I find support from Christian friends, direction from the Word of God, and much prayer. My hatred has become love, and my depression has been replaced by joy.
Shelly Vandendries: My parents divorced when I was young. From a young age, I was a control freak. Recently, our family derailed. I realized I needed something more than I had to offer. I was left to trust God and turn my control over to His control. I am a work in progress, but I found grace in the cross ofChrist to let go, let God, and seek forgiveness for my errors. Today I am a Christ follower. Jim and I committed by faith to pray together and praise God daily, and attend church, read the Bible, and tithe, even with changing income. We are trusting God and giving Him control of our lives. I am looking forward to my walk with Christ working through me to others.
Miranda Blanton: Five years ago, mine and Dustin’s marriage hit rock bottom. My world was shattered, leaving me completely broken. I was challenged in my faith not to run but to trust God in a new work of grace in the name of Jesus for my family. Today, I have a husband who is following Christ in a way I never thought was possible. I have experienced the redeeming power of the cross that is truly greater than anything I could ever imagine. As a family, we have turned from our past to a transcending hope as we follow Christ. Our desire is to share the opportunities of Christ with all of those around us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Abbt Koenig: Until this year, my life has been damaged by my closet relationships. This led me to a rebellious life that produced many bondages and abuse. I was angry, rejected, and had major trust issues. I met Jesus in the month of May at SOCC in 2025, as I heard the song Abandoned by Brandon Lake. I decided then I wanted to live my life completely abandoned for God at that moment, and Pastor Dana preached on salvation that morning, which solidified my decision. I am still a work in progress, but being restored in Christ and having my earthly relationships rebuilt.
Jim Ingersoll: I used to come to church as an obligation; however, outside of church I was fitting in with the crowd. After a couple nights of drinking in early October, I came home ashamed and full of guilt. The next morning, I worked the sound booth at church, buzzed and sleepless. I felt horrible physically, even more so spiritually. That day, I prayed for forgiveness in the name of Jesus before I took a nap. Since then, I have turned from my sins and to God’s prenatal purpose for me and felt the Holy Spirit leading me. Now, coming to church and worshiping Jesus is an opportunity. My life has been changed!
Amy Robinson: I had reckoning with God after my daughter, Matison’s death and saying I was all in. Although, my all in was about me being right with God. I was passive and careful to make sure I looked right in the eyes of God and others. I met Jesus in a new way through a new leadership position with ladies. I started reading my Bible not for myself, but for others, and discovered I could touch others in Jesus’ name. This made me feel alive and discovered a greater purpose than just being self-righteous. Today, I have a growing passion to declare Jesus to others and a shrinking fear of how others view me.
Jim Vandendries: Most of my life, I have been a prisoner of my past. As a young child, I was molested. This has haunted me. The hiding of my past has led me to be a workaholic and alcoholic. This built walls in my family. Recently, I have been dealing with depression. I lived a messy life, hidden from most, including myself. This crisis led me to lean on Christ like never before. I am still messy, but now experiencing freedom in Christ’s grace. He has removed my guilt for my silence of not reporting this injustice and my feeling of responsibility. It was not my sin to bear. I have been empowered to forgive my perpetrator. I have asked and received forgiveness for my attempt to do things on my own and now look to Christ and the work of theHoly Spirit to become a more consistent man of God. Day by day, God is cleaning up my mess and making me new in Christ. When I was an infant, I was baptized in my parent’s faith in God. Today I am getting baptized because I have faith in God’s grace through Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Jeff Novak: I was raised in a Christian home, but I lost my way. I started to live on my own terms instead of God’s, rejecting Him. This left me feeling alone, confused, and broken. I tried fixing myself, but this only led me further in the wrong way. In May 2024, I turned to God and followed Him to Sent Out Community Church, and I could feel God’s love surrounding me. That day I turned from my sins and old ways and asked for forgiveness. Over a period of time, I started to understand God’s repurposing of my life. My brokenness was God’s opportunity to work through me to others. Today I am experiencing God’s healing and walking daily with Jesus in the power of His Name.
Jillian Reddy: I’ve always believed in Jesus, but as a person in the crowd. In college, I felt alone and pressured to fit into culture. I made decisions I no longer agree with. I joined a Christian group where I felt accepted without judgment and learned forgiveness in Jesus, but I was conflicted. Before taking a test, I prayed with intentional faith for God to help me. This changed my relationship with Jesus. I felt His peace and knew I wanted to follow Him. As a follower of Christ, I am now a person leading the crowd to Jesus. I pray with purpose, and I’m learning to let God be in control of my life.
Jazmin Pilmore: As a child, I felt vulnerable and exposed in certain situations. This left me damaged, fragile, and scared. In addition, I had severe postpartum depression with my first child. I carry guilt for the mother I could not be! At SOCC, I found acceptance and grace to forgive those who hurt me. I realized forgiveness is part of my healing. I believed in Jesus for my salvation. I no longer feel held hostage by my past. He is my safe place and agent of peace. As I follow Jesus, I know grace will repair my relationship with my son and others. My future is bright as the Holy Spirit’s power cleanses and creates new opportunities for me and my family!
Dustin Blanton: Broken relationships are in my past, as they existed in my immediate family, and followed me into my current family. I never intended it that way, but brokenness was within me and causing pain to others and myself. At the lowest time of my life, I heard the voice of God from an unexpected source—a broken radio. God spoke to me, and I became aware that God was real. Almost a year later, I got a second chance with my current family. Not being able to trust in myself, I trusted Jesus with this second chance. Jesus is currently renewing me, and we, as a family, are being renewed on the foundation of Christ.