HOPE Talks

Jenny was born and raised in Shenandoah, Va. and was one of seven children. Jenny married her husband Rick and moved to Elkton, Va. at the age of 20. Jenny joins us on Hope Talks today to share her testimony. Also Jenny shared about working for Hope Distributed for eight years and about how she still volunteers there. For more information on how to get involved as a volunteer or if you and in need org know of someone in need of clothing, food or furniture you can visit their website https://www.hopedistributed.org/ Also below is a link to an anonymous six question survey that will help give us a little feed back on our podcast https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJWXDS6

Today Pastor Margaret Michael & Grayson Willis share on Hope and the importance of it. At Church of the Nazarene our mission statement is that we are Transformed by God to bring Hope to others through Christ. Also going forward our podcast will have a new name Hope Talks. Some of the scriptures that we share today are Ephesians 3:14-20, Jeremiah 29:10-14, 2 Kings 6 and Revelation 12:11.

Debbie's parents are from Jeffersonville, Pa. outside of Philadelphia. Debbie was born in Dayton, Ohio and her sister was born in Chicago as here family moved around a lot as her dad served in the Air Force. When Debbie was five her family moved to Fairfax county Virginia where she grew up. Debbie now lives in Shenandoah Valley. Debbie has two grown kids Aaron and Kathryn. Debbie joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share her testimony. Also we invite you to take a quick six question anonymous survey to give us some feedback on the podcast. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJWXDS6

Steve was born and raised in Maxton, North Carolina and has lived in Harrisonburg, Va. with his wife Stephanie for the past 28 years. Also they have four grown kids. Steve got his degree in engineering and has worked as a CEO as well as a few other position in the plastic manufacturing industry for many years. Steve joins us today to share some of the principles that he has learned in church over the years and how he has been able to apple them to minister in the workplace. Also we invite you to take a quick six question anonymous survey to give us some feedback on the podcast. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJWXDS6

Michelle was born in Manhatten, New York. When she was three years old she moved with her mom to the Shenandoah Valley. Michelle joins us to share her testimony, how God freed her from addiction and how he is using her to minister to woman battling the same addiction as she serves as Program Case Manager for the Gemeinschaft Home. For more info. on that you can visit there website https://www.gemeinschafthome.org/women.html Also we invite you to take a quick six question anonymous survey to give us some feedback on the podcast. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJWXDS6

Today we are joined by the Campus Minister Jared Link on the official launch day of our East Rock campus for Church of the Nazarene. Jared shares about why we have planted a campus in Eastern Rockingham county and also about how God has proven faithful and brought hope while planting a campus even during a pandemic. For more info or to get involved with the East Rock campus visit https://www.cotnaz.org/eastrock/

Today we are joined via the phone by Pastor Adrian's mom Sue Mills as she shares her testimony and how God has brought hope and healing in her life. Sue Mills was born in North Carolina into a pastors family. Her family later moved to Virginia. She currently lives in Richmond with her husband Rob who is a pastor. Also Sue mentioned about how God is using here to help minister to others though Celebrate Recovery. Below is the link to Celebrate Recovery at Church of the Nazarene in Harrisonburg, Virginia if you are interested all are welcome. https://www.cotnaz.org/celebraterecovery/

January is slavery and human trafficking prevention month. Sydney Hayslett joins us to talk about her call to minister to girls who are survivors of human tracking, her experience working with girls who have been rescued from human trafficking. Sydney also shares about a non-profit that she is starting in the valley to minister to girls that have been trafficked called Stone Haven. For more info. on Stone Haven you can visit their website https://www.stonehavenva.org. Also we want to share the National trafficking hotline phone number 1-888-373-7888. We invite you to take a quick six question anonymous survey to give us some feedback on the podcast. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JP55VX7

Walt Adams born in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was adopted at six months of age. He spent the first few years of his life in Marion, Virginia. When Walt was three years old his family moved to Roanoke, Virginia. Walt is married to his wife Eyde and they moved to Harrisonburg in 2001. Walt joins us today on Front Porch Talks to share his testimony. We invite you to take a quick 6 question anonymous survey to give us some feedback on our podcast.https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJWXDS6

Tony Lawson was born and raised in Elkton, Virginia. Tony is married to his wife of 47 years Carolyn. They Have two grown kids, three grandkids and one great grandkid. Tony joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share his testimony. Also we would ask you would take this short six question anonymous survey to give us some feedback on the podcast. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JP55VX7

This broadcast originally aired on December 30, 2018. It seemed very timely so we decided play it again today. On this particular broadcast Pastor Margaret Michael & Grayson Willis shared from John 19:28.

Brittany was born and raised in Hedgesville, West Virginia. She moved to the valley to attend and play softball at Eastern Mennonite University. She currently works at Turner Ashby with Behavioral Support which is a pilot position. She joins Grayson Willis and Pastor Olivia Michael on Front Porch Talks to share her testimony.

Pastor Cameron was born and raised in Indiana. He is married to his wife Allyse and they have a new born son Myles . Pastor Cameron services as Lead Pastor at Roanoke First Church of the Nazarene. He joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share his testimony as well as about how he ministers to those in his Church and community.

Rene is from Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he lived until he was 26. When Rene was 26 he moved to the Shenandoah valley of Virginia, where he has lived ever since. He started attending Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg, Esperanza Viva campus in 2005 and started working at the church on the facilities team in 2007. Rene is married to his wife Eli and joins Front Porch Talks today to share his testimony.

Mark was born and raised in Waynesboro, Virginia. Mark is married to his wife Sharon and they currently live in Harrisonburg with their three kids. Mark and his family are part of Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg and are planning to to be part of the East Rockingham campus when it launches. Mark joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share his testimony with us.

Susan grow up in San Diego, California as the youngest of five children. Susan attends Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg. She joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share her testimony with us today which includes loosing her husband in a car accident that they were involved in.

Pam grew up in the south eastern part of Virginia in the Newport News, Tidewater area. Pam is married to Brian and they have to grown daughters Suzanne and Aubrey. Pam joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share her testimony.

Kris is the Pastor at Rockbridge Community Church of the Nazarene. Kris grow up on the family farm in eastern North Carolina. Ruth grow up in Staunton, Virginia and they join us on Front Porch Talks today to share their testimony with us.

Today Jared Link joins Front Porch Talks to talk with us more in-depth about Romans 5:1-5. This passage was the focus of one of our Life group studies as we are studying the book of Romans this semester. Jared led the study in this session. Also here is a link to a commentary on the passage by NT Wright that Pastor Margaret references. https://vimeo.com/165350359

Cecil Wright was born and raised in Weyers Cave, Virginia where he has lived his entire life. He is married to Cindy. They have two kids. They also have grandkids and now great grandkids. Cecil joins Front Porch Talks today to share his testimony.

Mike was born and raised in Dumfries, Virginia, right outside of Manassas, Virginia. This dad was an FBI agent. He has an older brother and two younger sisters. Mike started and runs a local nonprofit called Communities for Christ, where they go around and share the Gospel with people. Mike joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share his testimony with us.

Jamie was born in Maine. Her dad was in the Navy, so they moved around a lot. They also lived in Maryland and Massachusetts before moving to Virginia Beach. Jamie attended JMU which is how she ended up in Harrisonburg. Jamie is married to Steve and they have a daughter Reagan. Jamie joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share her testimony.

Today Pastor Margaret Michael & Grayson Willis will be sharing an outline by Jennifer Heeren from crosswalk.com on 10 reasons to share your testimony. We will also be adding our thoughts and scripture to go with each point. Your Story is unique (even if you don't think so)God's word tells us to share our hope as a believerPeople love to hear stories- both believers and unbelievers It Removes fear and gives courageUnbelievers will have a hard time disputing what you say is your storyIt creates transparency within the churchYou become a resource for othersYou keep your initial salvation testimony alive in your mindYou deliver more testimonies as God continues His work in youIt Glorifies God

Leslie was born in Fulks Run, Virginia and was raised in Broadway, Virginia. Leslie has not lived in the same place more than four years since she turned 18.She has traveled to England multiple times, Mexico multiple time and she also spent six weeks in Colombia. In addition to her travels Leslie lived in New Jersey for a few years before moving back to the Shenandoah Valley. Leslie joins us on Front Porch Talks today to share her testimony.

We will be praying together specifically for five key areas. FOCUS 1, Pray for one another (I Timothy 2:1): Who is hurting around you? Who is in need of hope and redemption? Who has a physical need? A financial need? A spiritual need? What we’re fighting: Sickness, discouragement, hopelessness. FOCUS 2, Pray for peace (Philippians 4:7): We are living in an unprecedented time of uncertainty. Many are attacked and some paralyzed by fear and anxiety. Peace does not come from our circumstances, but from our God who is our peace. Where is an area you are needing to experience peace? Where are you currently seeking peace from other sources than In Christ? Where is disruption and the Lord is inviting you to speak prayers of peace? Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. How can you embody His peace during these days? What we’re fighting: Anxiety, worry, timidity. FOCUS 3, Pray for courage (Joshua 1:9): Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather obedience in spite of fear. The source of our strength and courage is not found in ourselves, but in Christ. Where is God asking you to trust and walk in obedience in spite of your fear? Where is it that you are walking in obedience but not yet seeing God’s answer, His provision, or His next step? What we’re fighting: self-focus, disobedience, doubt. FOCUS 4, Pray for unity (1 Corinthians 1:10): We don’t seek unity for the sake of unity but unity in Christ (as we make Christ the focus, he can bring unity). Is there anywhere you see disunity in your life? In your family? In your community? What is it today that you are seeking instead of God? In place of God? What we’re fighting: discord, pettiness, negative talk. FOCUS 5, Pray for our church (Acts 1:8): Pray for us to be faithful in living out of mission: Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ. Pray for us to be obedient even in times of uncertainty. Pray for unity in the body as we seek the Lord and trust in Him to lead us. Pray for our leadership and volunteers. What we’re fighting: weakness, irrelevance, ineffectiveness.