HCC Stories

Michael Holliday

During my life, Jesus has stood at the door and knocked…and knocked…and knocked again. Even the times that I opened the door and let him in, I soon drifted away because I didn’t have any spiritual support system to help keep me growing, or even stable, in my new relationship with Jesus. Several times He tried, finally He sent me two boys to care for. I figured kids needed to go to church to help them learn about Jesus, right from wrong, and for some socialization with kids their age.

So we went to where I went when I was growing up; my grand-dad had been a preacher there. I got nothing out of the service; it was just an hour of free baby-sitting for me, quiet time. Then the children’s director said my boys were too hyper and I needed to be a teacher if they were going to continue coming to Sunday school. She said, “Where do you think Sunday school teachers come from!?” So we stopped going to church.

Then about two months later, my friend, Bonnie, started telling me about a new church that she was going to. She didn’t stop, she said it was perfect for me and the boys; we would fit right in and love it. We went, just because I wanted to shut her up. I was very disenchanted with churches right now, and this church met in a school auditorium on Sunday mornings. But when the pastors spoke, I understood what they were talking about; it actually made sense in a practical way that I could put into action in my daily life. That was in 1998 and we’re still here, praise God!

To sum up my ramblings, I think people need a spiritual support system where we can express what we're thinking, and to be around people that speak in a way we can understand and will help guide us along the right path with wisdom, understanding, and love.

I told the preacher at my old church that we were going to Heartland now and that we really liked it and we got it when they spoke. He said, “That’s why God has a church on every corner, you gotta find one that fits.”

Tracy Johnson

Tracy describes how God used Heartland to impact her life:

God most certainly blessed the very broken road that led me to Heartland Community Church. Upon coming to Heartland, I was struggling just to find a way to live within my own skin. I never imagined I could find grace, comfort and a sense of God's love. At Heartland, the doors were open; the hearts were full of kindness; the services were full of God's truth and the answers to my troubles. I was able to open my heart and let some much needed healing begin.

I am forever grateful to Roger and the members of the church who personally reminded me that I was forgiven and loved by a God whose grace cannot be measured. Thank you Heartland for welcoming me. Your fellowship and acceptance allowed me to take down the walls and let Jesus Christ into my heart and life. YOU have given me the greatest gift of all. I am no longer broken.

To hear Tracy's story, click here and listen to the message from December 14, 2008

Tim Graham

Tim wrote a poem that tells his story:

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
By Tim Graham
Reproduced by Permission


Two years ago on the 14th of December,
It is a day I’ll always remember,
It happened in the coach’s office right then and there,
The time that she and I together said that special prayer.

Before the prayer I was dead and after started living.
I received the gift from God that just keeps on giving.
He gave me the gift of eternity, one that I hold dear.
He gave me joy and happiness and took away my fear.

When I left that office that day, I was a brand new man.
After 49 years of nothing, I finally had a plan.
He started the wheels in motion, with no apparent end in sight.
He gave a gift that keeps on giving, and I thank Him day and night.

They say that gift was absolutely free,
But a man had to die on a cross before they could give it to me.
I have no idea how much this gift actually cost,
But I do know I was found when before I was lost.

Along with this gift I received a guarantee,
That I have a place to stay for eternity.
So forever and ever I’ll just keep on living,
Because I received the gift that keeps on giving.