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On a recent flight home from Virginia, I prayed that the Lord would seat me next to someone I could share the Gospel with. Once on the plane, a guy in his thirties with tattoos and a mohawk asked if he could sit next to me. We exchanged a few words, and he pulled a book out of his backpack. I asked what the title was, he said, Hyperion by Dan Simmons and told me how excited he was about locating it in a used bookstore. The lady in front of us turned around and said, "I love that book!" I prayed and was reminded of the power of asking questions. Thank you, Pastors Trey, Shohei and Tim for teaching that great class on Evangelism, such a great reminder, and so timely!

It was time to buckle our seatbelts and we settled into reading our books. Mine was on Evangelism, and as I read, I prayed, asking for direction. The Lord put it on my heart to give him one of the New Testaments I carry with me. I felt the engines pull back, so I put my book away and noticed that he was not reading but pondering with disappointment. I asked him how his book was; he said, it was just a lot of people telling their stories. Then I offered him a book I had with a lot of stories in it. He asked who the author was, and I said "God'.



The conversation opened as he told me he had a book of Psalms by his bed and that his father was a Methodist minister. He said, "I don't know why, but I have this turmoil in my heart." Then came a boldness that is unusual for me, and I said, "that is Satan trying to keep you from Jesus". I proceeded to share the Gospel with him and as his eyes became wide like saucers, I knew he had heard the Gospel in the depths of his heart.

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Shannon's Baptism | Barrington

March 28, 2025
At my baptism, I shared my testimony with The Orchard Barrington, and I am so excited to share a bit about my journey leading up to this moment. In middle school, I decided to come to faith at the Orchard Winter retreat. During worship service, I became so overwhelmed by the love for Jesus I felt by everyone around me and made the decision to commit my life to him. Since then, having gone through the majority of my time in High school, it has been hard balancing my faith and desire for Jesus, with the worldly ideas and attitudes I often feel so surrounded by. I have been challenged by the comparison, loneliness, and jealousy that can often seem to overshadow God's presence in my heart.

Barbara May Baptism | Arlington Heights

February 13, 2025
At my baptism, I shared how God has worked in my life, and how He continues to work to this very day. I was baptized as an infant in the Catholic church and had some early religious upbringing. I always knew of God and cannot remember a time without this faith. However, I took it for granted. I did not live my life in relationship with Christ; rather I lived in utter disobedience. I was a sinner, and while a sin is a sin, I counted many of mine as absolutely unforgiveable. I never humbled myself to even ask for forgiveness. I just kept living my wild life. I would cry out to him for help when I was in dire straits, and despite my sinful ways …. he would rescue me. Time and time again.

The Orchard North Shore | Children's Ministry

January 10, 2025
In 2024, The Orchard North Shore hosted their very first Orchard Kids Week, a VBS-style program geared specifically toward unchurched kids and families. The Orchard North Shore had 61 kids attend (21 of whom were unchurched!). Their hope was twofold: that kids would hear the gospel and that some who don’t know Jesus would sign up for Awana in the Fall. One young girl did sign up for Awana and was given her first Bible. When she was told that the Bible was hers to keep, she couldn’t wait to start reading it! From an invitation to VBS, to signing up for Awana, to consuming God’s Word, it’s evident the Lord is at work in this young girl’s heart. Praise God for all the work He has done at The Orchard North Shore!
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