I showed up at Mountain Park on the very morning that Greg Battle was announcing that the church would be soon leaving on their yearly mission trip to Honduras. I had always felt called to missions however was held back by many things in life, some my own, some placed on me by others. On this day I decided it was time. I signed up to go. Little did I know how my life would change. The day of the trip came and I was terrified but determined. I didn’t know anyone going, I was quiet and reserved, with challenging personal issues oftentimes rising to the surface as I faced uncertainties both on the trip and in my own life. Based on my past failures how could God use me? I didn’t feel worthy to be there or be with this group of wonderful people who obviously loved God and had no other problems in life.

BUT SOMEHOW I KNEW I WAS MEANT TO BE THERE.

What I would learn on this trip and what God has done since then is a testimony of his love, compassion, and kindness toward us. I not only met other wonderful believers who listened to my story and treated me with kindness and compassion, I found that others too had struggles in life. Instead of keeping everything in and pretending that everything was fine they chose to talk about it and seek advice from others who did not judge harshly or cast them out but rather came alongside them and walked with them through their times of trouble. God showed me his incredible love through each of them.” - Susie Butler-Ching

It all started with too much alcohol and not enough higher power! I was ten years sober and an active member of a 12-step program when my second child was born. Children.... they sure do have a funny way of changing things..... right?!?! 

I found myself with all this parental responsibility and fear.... lots of fear. And suddenly the thought occurred to me.... What if the God of my own understanding wasn't big enough to help me navigate this new world. The fear and that thought led me to a place I had vowed I'd never go.... church! 

I didn't grow up in church, not that my parents were anti-God, they were just more Sunday football and less Sunday Mass. So for me, church was a foreign, scary place filled with Jesus Freaks. And I most certainly didn't want to become one of them. 

But.... there was that fear and those thoughts that just wouldn't go away. Which led me on a journey that would change my life forever. 

When I first came to Mountain Park, I was an unchurched new mom and was in search of something.  But I wasn't sure what it was. 

WHAT I FIRST LOVED IS THAT RIGHT AWAY I FELT SAFE... SAFE IN MY UNCERTAINTY, 

in my beliefs and lack of biblical knowledge. What I loved next was that they pulled me right in. Literally! The children's Pastor didn't even know my name but she shook my hand, told me I had a great smile and suggested that I'd be a fabulous Sunday school teacher. A what?!?!? I didn’t even own a Bible. She told me not to worry and said she would  give me everything I needed. 

That was almost 17 years ago and my church, has walked me through so much: a divorce, two of my children being injured and severely sick. My oldest two children and I were baptized together in the lobby. I met my husband in the cafe and a year later he proposed to me in that same space.  We were married there several months later.  And I was even on staff for a few years.  What I have learned is that "church" is not perfect but that God is.  I stay, because it's where my people are. It's my family.

Today I still serve at MPC. I am blessed to lead the Women's HOPE group and volunteer in Student Union. And I can't imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn't come and literally been pulled into a serving role. 

To be honest I don't always "feel" like going to church. Growing up, Sundays were for sleeping in and football. But it never fails.... Every time I go, I give a shout out to God for bringing this once unchurched, lost mother of two to a safe yet dangerous place that I now call home!

Each Sunday we go to church and I think I don't want to go. But every single Sunday my Mom and Dad come to get me from class and I never want to leave." - Kolton, 8 years old

When Neal and I first got married we started out at Mountain Park Church.  We absolutely loved the way the message was shared every week.  However, despite that, we did not feel connected to the church body. Looking back and reflecting, we were lost and did not know what we needed or where to turn at that time. 

Our friends went to another church so we thought we would try it. The kids enjoyed the youth program but we still felt like we were missing something.

We made a decision that we wanted  find our 'Church Home.' We took a second chance at Mountain Park. It feels like God's timing allowed us to find a place to belong as a FAMILY.   

WE ARE HAPPY TO SAY WE HAVE FOUND OUR 'HOME.' 

Kolton, our 8 year old family critic, absolutely loves Entourage and Sunday mornings. He heads into the kids ministry space ready to spend time with the staff and volunteers, especially the high school boys in the room. Kolton looks up to and admires Gordan, especially.  

I'm not saying our boys don't still give us a run for our money some Sunday mornings (boys will be boys. I guess.) However, even though Kolton may give us a little bit of a difficult time some days, by the time we go and try and get him out of class he never wants to leave.

Our entire family looks forward to continually growing together as a part of the Mountain Park community." - Kinsey, Neal, Kolton and Kade Kendrick

In the spring of 2016, I met an amazing family (who attend Mountain Park) when I began dating my girlfriend, Amanda. One Sunday I tagged along with them to a service at MPC.  I wasn't really a believer, but I did call myself a Christian. On that Sunday I begin to really FEEL a connection to God.  It was amazing; And with Amanda witnessing to me, I knew it was time to get my faith really started. 

When school started again in the fall, I joined in with the High School Student Union group. That was a big step in helping me grow in my faith. My group leader, Jesse, really became my spiritual mentor. My experiences in SU small group that Fall changed me and that is when I truly considered myself saved.  

AFTER SU'S WINTER CAMP, I MADE THE AMAZING DECISION TO BE BAPTIZED. 

I felt ready to openly declare myself a follower of Christ. I even got involved with volunteering at the in the children's ministry! 

My family isn't really one of faith, and Mountain Park, the Adkins family and my church group has really helped me have courage to start to try to witness to others.  It's been a great journey and I'm grateful for the people in Student Union who have walked it out alongside of me.