How Did The Unity Service Impact You?

We'd love to know how you were impacted by the Unity Service.

Take advantage of the interactive nature of blogging and leave a comment here. 

We really want to share in the excitement of what God is doing!  

Scroll down to "Post A Comment", click and share your story.  You can register with blogger, or you can sign in as 'annonymous' and just leave your name on the post....

Looking forward to hearing from you!

God Stories

Recently, Angie Frame shared a few "God Stories" with the staff and her leadership team, demonstrating the ways in which she's seen growth and evidence of God moving in the lives of students at PCC. Here are a few examples:

Facebook Notes 25 Random Things About Me
A current craze on Facebook is the "25 Random Things About Me".  People write any 25 things about themselves that they want and share them with the Facebook community. Look at how PCC and its student ministry made the lists of a few kids:

"I go to the best church in the world, PCC."
"I love Jesus, He's the man!!"
"JAM is my favorite thing during the week to go to."
"I love my small group."
"Phusion and JAM get me through the week."

Giving 

An anonymous student gave Angie his Christmas money when he learned that she was going to be part-time at PCC. He wrote a long letter about how much Sammy and Angie have meant to him and his spiritual growth. The gist of it was that they'd devoted their whole lives to serving other people, even when they are often ungrateful, and he figured it was time for him to serve them.

World Changers Knoxville
On the morning of the deadline to register, there were 30 spots and 15 people. By the end of the deadline, 30 spots were filled and we had to call to see if we could get some more! Eleven students who’ve never been on a trip with PCC before have signed up. Four adults who’ve never been on a trip with PCC before have signed up. Our guest speaker for the fall retreat saw on Facebook that PCC was going, and she wants to come along. Three college students are also attending!

If you are a student in 7th - 12th grade, Phusion Student Ministries is a great way to get plugged into doing life as a Christ-follower.  If you are an adult looking for a place to serve, there might be an opening for you in student ministry.  Either way, it's a great way to connect with others and be part of the exciting, life-changing things happening at PCC!

Interested? Want more info?  Contact Angie Frame (pccangie@gmail.com)

Overcome

One of the most powerful messages I have ever heard was from Jamie Rasmussen called 'Life Isn't Fair, Nobody Owes You Anything, But God Loves You Anyway'.  A long, rather daunting title - but a true and powerful message.  

It's true that life is not fair.  We discover this truth through experiences and through observation.  Many of us are in the midst of painful struggles even now that illustrate how difficult life can be when things seems unfair, unjust or just wrong.

A foundational part of faith rests in the hope that there is someone who understands, who holds things together, who has the answers; that there is someone with us in the midst of our most difficult, incomprehensible days.  It is often - and sometimes only - when struggles come that we are able to dig into the core of that faith.

New Life Church in Colorado Springs learned to lean deeply into these truths recently.  The very public moral failure of their senior pastor, coupled with unimaginable violence at their church, combined together to give the entire church community - and even the world - cause to question and doubt their faith, their calling, and even their God.

They sought answers, from a God who is big enough to handle any questions.  And their answer came, in a way that provoked an unbelievable outpouring of worship.

To hear the story, click here.

To hear the song, click here.

Thanks to Jan for sharing her own thoughts...

God Story From Chicago

Several PCC Arts and Worship Team members are at the Willow Creek Arts Conference in Chicago this week, learning from one another, from teachers and artists and Willow and from God.

Our first amazing God enounter was in the taxi ride from O'Hare airport, where we were blessed by the tales of a Christian church planter from Pakistan. Baptized in Saudi Arabia in the late 70's in the Lockheed Martin swimming pool, Albert Francis helped to plant churches in Pakistan and now helps to lead a church here in the city. He told us story after story of God's healing, and emphasized his passion for God's ability to work medical miracles. He holds fast to the scripture that says, "By His wounds we are healed", and takes this literally to mean physical healing.

His deep faith and love for the Lord Jesus Christ was evident. As we pulled up to the hotel, he said, "It is no accident that the mini-van you requested was not available. God wanted us to meet one another."

He refused to accept the money we gave him for the fare; he waved us off and thanked God. We pressed cash into his hand and asked him to share it with the church.

We feel your prayers here; can't wait to see what else God will show us!

God Story #4

Mary Elizabeth Dickerson (pictured at left with her PCC small group) has a powerful God Story she wanted to share...read below and then take a moment to share your reaction in the comments...

When I was fifteen I was given the last sentence from the passage, Isaiah 11:6. It states, “And a little boy will lead them.” Even though at the time I wasn’t a practicing Christian I remembered that piece of the verse. Now, of course I do know that they were speaking of Jesus, but it would take on new meaning eleven years later. Another little boy would help lead me.

In 2006 I had the honor and privilege of being a first grade teacher to Eli Tiller. I knew that Eli would make an impact on my first year of teaching; however, I never knew the role that he and his parents would play in leading me back to Christ. In the fall of 2006 the Tillers invited me to their church, PCC. They spoke highly of it and Eli really enjoyed sharing the songs from Power Jam. After speaking to them and Matt Morin (another PCC member) a few times I decided that I would check it out. Little did I know that those individuals and the decision to go would change my life.

My first service at PCC was on October 29, 2006. This date would end up being a spiritual marker - funny how God does that and we have no clue. I wanted to remember this date because in a year I hoped to still be at PCC. I thought that if I could plant my feet at a church for a year that would be a huge step for me. God had a much bigger plan. I attended the service with my boyfriend of three years. My intentions were that my boyfriend and I would become stronger together and stronger with Christ at the head of our relationship. I prayed hard for fulfillment, marriage, and children with this person. God heard my prayers, but He had a much bigger plan. For the first eleven months I attended every service, developed an understanding of His word, what it meant to follow God’s will, and what it meant to really be a Christian. It was an entirely new world - a better world.

In September of 2007 I was still at PCC. My three year relationship had just ended and I was devastated. I needed God to fill me. God and I had many discussions about my loneliness, and how broken I felt. Then I felt God nudging me to a small group. I went on PCC’s website and searched for a group where I knew no one’s name. I was scared to be connected because I had learned that connections really didn’t mean a whole lot. God knew better. I attended my first young adult small group on September 18, 2006. That night I reconnected with Sammy Frame and Matt Towler (two former classmates - so much for not knowing anyone!) I immediately felt connected and was drawn to this group of people. I knew that they would be critical in my walk with Christ but I had no idea how critical they would be.

After being in this small group for less than a month my dad became ill. He had been suffering from cirrhosis of the liver for about three years. His body was breaking down and I always thought we would lose him way too early but even I could not imagine how early. He entered the ICU at Johnston Willis hospital in mid-October. During that time my small group would call, take me to dinner, listen to me cry, pray diligently for his health, and for God’s will in this matter. Some days my dad was better than others.

I knew the prayers were working but I knew that I wasn’t being honest about what I wanted my small group to pray for. God told me to be honest and I knew if I was then He would be faithful. I called Sammy Frame, Andy Vaughn, and Lana Brown and I said, “I want you to stop praying for his health. I can handle his death but only if I know that he will be saved. Please pray that God will speak to him and change him.”

My dad had been in and out of consciousness for several days. I began to panic because in my mind I had no idea how to measure if there was any change. You never know someone’s relationship with the Lord, but I hadn’t heard my dad mention too many things about God. The fear set in. One night on the phone with Andy I began to panic. I told Andy that I was scared that he would pass away and I’d never know if God reached him. I’ll never forget Andy’s words, “I’ve always heard that we hear God best when we are at our quietest.”

Wow. A couple of days later my dad woke up. He was a different person. He was calm, he seemed at ease, and I heard him say the words “I love you.” It was a change that only his family would’ve recognized. He seemed at peace. It was then that I realized God had answered prayers. God was the only answer for the sudden change in him.

On October 26, 2007 I drove to work like it was any other day. I was so excited because my dad was getting out of the ICU and he was being moved onto another floor. I remember praising God that morning for all that He’d done. I sent out three or four emails that morning updating people on my dad’s progress. Around 12:30 that afternoon my boss came in with one of my family members to let me know that my dad had passed away. My entire body went into shock. This was not supposed to happen! God had made him new - I saw it! He was too young - only 51. I was too young - only 26. What about my mom? What about my brothers?

That was the day that I knew my life would never be the same - but not in the way that I thought. I thought I would end up being broken for forever; that I would never recover and that life was over. God showed me differently.

Within an hour of his passing I was at the hospital. The ICU waiting room filled with people who came out of love and concern. Kevin Salyer came to pray with us. I called members of my small group and we prayed, cried, and they listened. The next several days would be a blur.

On the morning of my Dad’s funeral I opened my Bible. I was hoping for some sign that it would all be okay. The bulletin from my very first service at PCC fell out. I looked at the date on the top: October 29, 2006.

The day of my Dad’s funeral marked my one year anniversary at Powhatan Community Church.

I cried. Thank you, Jesus. I had prayed for fulfillment, for strong relationships, and for a deeper understanding of His love for me. All of that was delivered on what should have been one of the saddest days of my life. What a blessing to praise Jesus in the storm.

My dad’s funeral was a moment I will never forget. You see, Brian Hughes performed the service, Kevin Salyer, Beth Brawley and Andy Vaughn did the music. What a gift those four people are. Brian had never met my Dad and never pretended that he did. He spoke honestly, he told stories, he made us laugh, and he allowed us to cry. He honored the man that my Dad was without ever knowing him. That is a gift.

Kevin, Beth and Andy did a phenomenal job on the music. I had always heard “Amazing Grace” but I had never understood the significant impact that it would have that day. “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed…” They also sang, “I Can Only Imagine.” I had this beautiful image of my Dad dancing with ease, and having an amazing feast with our Lord. No more pain, no more anxiety, no more fear. His chains were gone and I knew that only Jesus could do that!

I knew that Powhatan Community Church’s mission was “to reach those who had been unaffected by traditional churches.” I saw that mission lived out - not only in my own life but in my dad’s as well. I can’t help but smile when I think of my dad’s funeral. Odd, isn’t it? Brian performed a service for a man that had not been affected by any church. However, through prayer and the dedication of PCC’s members he found God in the last moments of his life. That gift is priceless. A man that had been unaffected was delivered into the kingdom of heaven. Amen! I once heard that “God makes a way through the pain.” That has been more than evident in my life.

I remember sitting at the burial site, hearing Brian’s words and looking around so that I could take it all in. I looked around and saw each member of my small group, I saw faces of those who loved my Dad and my friends from college; and, quietly standing over to the side, John and Tricia Tiller. Amazing how God works. God had brought my entire year full circle. God had used everyone from a seven year old child to people who barely knew me.

He continues to walk through the fire with me and He does it all with grace, with love, and He has remained faithful even when I am not.

God Story #3

Becky Edwards is a volunteer in our Resource Ministry and one of the welcoming faces you see on Sunday mornings in the hallway. This past weekend, she had a powerful God moment during the worship service. Here's her God Story:

I just thought I needed to pass on to you the blessing God gave to me today. I know "we" (meaning most church members) tend to point out the things we don't like in a service and somehow forget to notice or relate how we are blessed.

Saturday night, during a very difficult moment, God kept giving me a song to show Himself to me. I sang it over and over. Then He prompted me to ask Him to have that song be sung in church this morning. I can't think of a time I would ever even think to ask Him that so I am so certain that He was the one that even gave me the idea to ask that of Him.

On Sunday morning, I thought we had missed worship time (for being caught in the hall talking!) I must say my faith was probably as small as a mustard seed- but fortunately my God says that is all He needs!

The song we walked in on was wonderful - can't remember what it was but I felt God's presence and was willing to accept less than all He had to offer. I was certain it would be the last song since I had heard probably two others from the hall. But Kevin got up and said something about singing "Hosanna". My heart sparked, but the beginning wasn't familiar so I thought it was a false alarm- a silly childish whim rather than a real request of God. Then we got to the chorus and it was exactly the song God had given me last night! I could not stop sobbing. God, in His infinite soverignity, would have already known that song was going to be sung. He simply wanted me to know that He cared that much about me to give it to me as a gift amidst hundreds of people.

It was more powerful than I can possibly describe in words- but you get the picture. The service was so perfectly God's message to me today.

God often works in ways beyond our expectations - sometimes WAY beyond. Sharing stories like this is part of 'doing life together', learning from one another about our faith journeys and what it really means to be a Christ follower.

If YOU have a 'God Story' of your own, email dennis at powhatan community church dot org or beth at powhatan community church dot org.

And meanwhile, thank God for the blessing in Becky's life!

God Story #2 - What A Year A Difference Makes

Here is Copeland Lanzillotti's God Story...

April 28th will be one year since God turned my world upside down! This is a copy of a letter I sent to my family last May.

Let me tell you what happened. They say the Lord works in mysterious ways..well, not always. Around the end of February I decided I wanted to get to know my pastor better so I asked him to meet me for lunch. After our meeting I knew that God wanted me to do something. Well, a few weeks went by and things for me seemed to be getting harder personally. I knew that Satan was panicking because he could see me pulling away so he was throwing a lot at me. I decided to get more involved in church and decided I would try to cut out some things that I knew I shouldn't be doing...well, easier said than done.

On Friday the 27th of April I was on my way home from work and decided I needed to have a long talk with God. Basically, what I said was, I have been trying for years to do what I know I am supposed to do and I have prayed a thousand prayers for help and for forgiveness and I can't change my ways. Let me say that I have had some heart to heart talks with God before and always felt better and that I would go forward from that day and really change.....well, it didn't work. Don't get me wrong - some things changed for a while, and I know now he heard me; it just was working in his time, not mine. So anyway, this prayer was mostly the same except I asked for something. Basically I said I need a push, a sign - something. I think in retrospect I was asking for proof.

The next morning I got up and my neighbor called asking if I could give him a hand digging holes for his new horse pen. I jumped on the four wheeler with my son Luke and took off. We had dug all the holes and were down to the last one. We had been using a tractor with an auger on the back and I was guiding the auger with my hands to make sure the holes were straight. This hole was almost finished when BAM - I got shocked. Now, we have all been shocked before and I know what it feels like. This was more like I just got hit by a linebacker at full speed; the power traveled through my right arm across my chest and out my left arm (which was holding a steel digging bar) and back into the ground. I will spare all the details and get to the point: the line was a 14,400 volt primary power line for our power grid. It killed power to about 30 homes, blew a 1-1/2" power cable apart and burnt the bottom of the steel auger....but didn't harm a hair on my head. I have since talked to power company people and doctors who say that this just does not happen. Typically that many amps will stop your heart immediately and the voltage...well, it cooks you. By that I mean you become a welding rod. Long story short - you die and it ain't pretty.

So since that day God has changed me. I have been able to put away the things I have struggled with. I still struggle with some things but this time I am winning daily instead of falling down every hour or minute of the day; now I stumble sometimes often through the day sometimes only once or twice a day and sometimes I fall right on my face but the point is with God I have beaten these demons and they have left me! Sure, I see them around and sometimes they get a grip on me but when I feel that grip tighten instead of me "tapping out" and giving in, Jesus steps in and I am able to pick that evil up and slam it flat on the ground... and walk away! I know I will always have this fight but it gets easier and easier by the day.

I will tell you all and anyone who gives me a chance that GOD IS REAL. He is and has been always there and is in my corner 1,000 % and He is in your corner too, but... you have to throw the towel in and admit defeat before He will step in and show you how to win. He is my rock and my stronghold, and nothing - I mean nothing - can stand in his way. If you read this and feel that funny feeling in your stomach and up your spine, that's Him.... and if you could see the look on the devil's face as you read this, it's the same look he had when Jesus stood up and walked out of that tomb. I believe it would be a look of fear and anguish because he knows that he has lost again. I want to stand in front of God's throne on judgment day and look down the line and see your smiling face because you and I know that we are getting ready to go home.

Today is April 17th 2008: This letter was written almost a year ago today. Wow - what a year a difference in my faith has made, what a year God has made! Has it been all fuzzy and happy? Not even close, but joyful and eye opening - absolutely!!!! Have the demons left me alone? Well, not exactly. You see, the enemy spends all the years that he has control over you and weaves a web. Through God's mercy and his strength I am still climbing through that web. The longer we stay away from God, the more ammo we give the enemy. And he will use it when we least expect it but I will say that with God that ammo has a bite....a painfull bite... but it is only temporary. He will run out and I will still be here protected by God and fully healed! I still have a lifetime of learning but one thing is sure - God will restore the broken years to us. AMEN!

Psalms 86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me, for thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

God Story #1

Brandee Shafer emailed me in response to our request for your 'God Stories' and answered prayers. Here is her story:

Let me tell you a story! Jimmy (my husband) went to Atlanta for training at the tail end of February. I had keys to our new house and wanted to move as much as possible while he was gone. I had these visions of his returning and being unbelievably proud of me, absolutely stunned at what I'd accomplished.

I loaded the back of my truck the afternoon Jim flew south, and my son Cade and I drove over to the new house. But I couldn't get the door unlocked! My keys wouldn't turn the deadbolt! I tried to get in until my fingers were red and sore. I punched Jim's number into my cell phone, but he was still on the plane. I tried my friend David's number, but he didn't answer. I called my ex-husband; he was cooking chicken and said he'd try to help in a little while. I called my friend Rachel. She said, "I'll send Scott (her husband) over."

Now, Scott is a manly man. He's one of those guys who works outside all the time, and I believed him when he looked at me and said, "I'll get you in. No problem." But, 45 minutes later, the door was still locked tight. He shook his head and said, "I don't think you're getting in this house without a different key. I thought sure if I pulled or pushed the door a certain way, I'd be able to get you in, but I can't. If Jim calls with a trick, I'll be more than happy to come back over and try again."

I called Alice the realtor. She offered to drive out, but I assured her that--if she didn't have a trick for unlocking the door--she would just be wasting gas. I called my ex-husband and told him not to rush through his dinner; I promised him that, if Scott couldn't get in the house with my keys, no one could. Defeated, Cade and I drove back to the old house and waited for Jim to call.

It started to get dark, and I was afraid the items in the back of my truck would get wet. I looked at Cade and said, "Honey, let's go back over to the new house and put this stuff in the shed. Mommy doesn't want it to get wet, and I don't see the sense of bringing it back into the old house."

Parked in the circular driveway at the new house, I said, "Cade, before we carry this stuff into the shed, Mommy is going to try to unlock the door one more time. But, before I do, let's pray." Cade agreed and bowed his little head, and I prayed aloud that God would help us get into the house. I climbed the porch steps and put my key into the lock. I leaned into the door (no harder than I had fifty times earlier that day), and...it swung open.

Just like that, the door was open!

Cade jumped up and down and said, "I knew it, Mommy! I knew God would open the door if we asked for His help!"

And I thought...what a merciful, splendid Father to take time out of His busy day to open a door for my little boy and me! Then I thought, how wonderful: for the rest of my life, I will be able to look at Cade and say, "But son, we know God is capable of opening doors that men can't open."

Amen.