Tracy Takes A First Step
Tracy shares her story of how First Step has changed her family’s life……
My Mother-In-Law Karen and I are not new to Eastside Christian Church, but we found ourselves stuck in a season of grief that became even lonelier during the pandemic. Little did we know, God was slowly but surely leading us back to Him. We started watching Eastside’s services online, joined a virtual small group, and began reading “Hinds’ Feet on High Places.”
Last fall a friend invited us to attend church on campus. The messages felt like they were speaking directly to me. Gene’s message about how God designed us to “Make a Difference” and that the best way to overcome challenges is to find a place to use the gifts God has given each of us. Jodi Hickerson’s message about how the Lord meets us right where we are, even in the messiness. He just wants us to glorify Him because He loves us so much. Each week’s message about how much God loves us, inspired us to ask what is something little that we can do to step out in faith.
John 3:16 tells us, ”For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that EVERYONE who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Tracy and her mother-in-law, Karen (pictured left). Karen with CeCe, a Change Maker who is on the Welcome Team (pictured right).
In May, we attended First Step. It was so well organized, immediately after service, they provided a meal, and it was only about an hour. Together we went and enjoyed the First Step experience. It was such a welcoming and friendly environment.
My Mother-In-Law and I chose to serve on the Welcome Team, inspired by our lovely, sweet Greeter Cecilia (Cece). Rob and Patricia, our Volunteer Team Leaders, welcomed us with open arms.
It has been an incredible blessing for me and I am so thankful to my Mother-In-Law to have the opportunity to greet Eastsiders coming and going, the two of us side by side. I truly get so much joy from seeing all the friendly smiles each Sunday. My Mother-In-Law says what she truly enjoys most about being on the Welcome Team is the ability to meet many new people. She says, “EVERYONE is so friendly,” and I say the same. I can honestly express with so much JOY that serving on a team at Eastside has made a difference in our lives. We are spiritually fed in service, and we are truly blessed by sharing a welcoming hello and smile with others. It is heartwarming and makes us smile. We are meant to bless others by sharing love, but others have truly blessed us, and it is a wonderful feeling. As Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another daily,” and it is such a JOY and BLESSING to be on a Change Marker team!
If you’d like to learn more, please visit eastside.com/first to take the next step on your spiritual journey.