Share this article:

I grew up believing I had a “boring” testimony. I was raised in a Christian home, attended church and Sunday school regularly, and went to a Christian school. I don’t remember a specific moment of putting my faith in Jesus, but for many years, I had a recurring feeling that something was missing. That feeling continued through high school, college, and graduate school. When I moved to Illinois in 2017, I had no idea what to look for in a church, but I began searching. I started attending The Orchard Arlington Heights in the fall of 2017 at the suggestion of a friend. Several weeks later, I was welcomed into a LIFE Group of other women in their 20s.

Through the gospel-centered sermons at church and the LIFE Group I joined, I had finally found what I had felt had been missing for so many years – a place where people were actively studying God’s Word and being transformed by it. Over the past several years, The Orchard has become my primary community, and the Lord has used its people and ministries to draw me nearer to Him. When the Vernon Hills congregation was getting ready to launch, I was excited to be a part of this new community. It has been a huge blessing to see God at work in Vernon Hills already. I recently had the opportunity to be baptized, publicly declaring what God has done for me through Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for a church that feels like home and consistently points me to the gospel. I have been especially blessed by the words of Romans 5:1-5, which remind me that I am justified by faith in Jesus, have peace with God, and have hope for the future. My testimony is ongoing, and I am excited to see what the Lord will do next!

Connect with Us:

Matt Zabawski's Testimony | Arlington Heights

May 30, 2025
Matt shared his testimony with the members and attendees of The Orchard Arlington Heights, and how he has seen God work throughout his life. My name is Matt and I grew up here at this church. I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart on the first day of second grade but I never really thought more about Jesus until my sophomore year of high school when Pastor Brad gave me a book on theology. With that book I grew to understand more of who Jesus is and what he had done. Unfortunately, that only lasted until I went away to college. 

Vince Massei's Testimony | Itasca

May 16, 2025
Vince shared with the staff at The Orchard Itasca how God has been moving in his life, and how Vince's life has been turned around through faithful obedience. Coming to The Orchard Itasca has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Pastors Ryan Potelicki and Ryan Coburn have been everything I’ve ever wanted in spiritual leaders and then some! Through them, God has really let Himself be known to me. Having grown up Catholic, becoming an atheist for 10 years, then rediscovering the Lord, the deep-dives into scripture during the sermons have been exactly what I felt was missing in my past. Ever since God led me to those doors on George Street in Itasca back on Mother's Day 2024, I went from reading my Bible because that’s what a “good Christian” is supposed to do, to now looking forward to

Irene Mosias | SHINE Video

May 1, 2025
Irene Mosias, an American Ukrainian, is a shining example of faith in action. Using her unique skills and unwavering compassion, she has been orchestrating the delivery of both furniture and food to Ukrainian refugees affected by the devastating war. In her efforts, Irene seeks to extend the love of Jesus to those seeking asylum and safety from war-torn countries. Through her dedicated work, she reminds us all of the call to serve and care for those in need as Christ's hands and feet. Do you, or someone you know, have a SHINE story? Let us know!