A testimony from Jill Schuerman:
God's story in my life began way before I knew Him. I knew all about Him, being raised in the Catholic church and having attended Catholic grade school, but I didn't really know Him. I thought of myself as a "good person". I was nice but perhaps not kind to others. I said and did the right things, I followed the rules, but I was pretty judgmental. More than anything, I wanted to belong and be known. I was a people pleaser and an approval seeker. I drank a lot of alcohol because I thought it gave me all of those things I wanted.
Toward the end of 2009, my family and I started attending Faith Community Church. My husband and I had experienced some marital difficulties in the years leading up to that time, and I was thrilled that he showed an increased interest in his faith. Up until then, I had been the one to initiate church attendance on Sundays and to make sure our children were enrolled in religious education classes. In 2009, our kids were 12, 10 and 6 years old. They loved the children's and youth programs at Faith and were excited to attend. So was I. It was such a change from feeling like I had to force everyone to go to church. I remember feeling that this is how church was supposed to be. I felt a longing to learn and know more about Jesus and signed up to participate in the Real Zeal program at the start of 2011. I was blessed to be mentored by Mary, who was so kind and patient with me. She knew that I wasn't ready to receive Christ in my life but we kept going through the workbook. When I look back at some of the notes I made, I was holding onto a lot of bitterness from events in my marriage as well as from my childhood. I questioned the Bible, wasn't sure how to pray, and the absolute last thing I wanted to do was to share my faith with others. But Mary came alongside me in my faith journey. She helped me to see my short-comings and my need for a savior. She invited me to join her at the women's retreat at Fort Wilderness in the fall of 2011, and it was there that God removed the bitterness toward my husband and my mom, both of which I had held onto for many years. I was then ready to receive Him into my life. I belonged to His family. I was fully known by Him.
Even after we completed the Real Zeal program, Mary continued to walk alongside me. She suggested I join her on the Women's mission trip to the Dominican Republic. She encouraged me to be a counselor for our Kidz Camp and to help lead our youth. I have been blessed to be a part of these ministries for many years. Mary helped me through some of the most painful years of my life, as my marriage fell apart and ended. This wasn't the plan I had for my life and I was devastated. She reminded me to remain focused on my faith and to trust God's plan, despite not knowing what that meant for my future. I'm so grateful that God had her in mind when I needed someone the most. Over the years, she has provided guidance on being a spiritual influence for my own children. And nearly 4 years ago, she celebrated with me when I remarried a man of God. She has shared life with me for 14 years, and even though we don't see each other as regularly anymore, I know I can count on her when I need prayer, when I need Godly guidance or when I just want to have coffee with a friend.
God's story in my life began way before I knew Him. I knew all about Him, being raised in the Catholic church and having attended Catholic grade school, but I didn't really know Him. I thought of myself as a "good person". I was nice but perhaps not kind to others. I said and did the right things, I followed the rules, but I was pretty judgmental. More than anything, I wanted to belong and be known. I was a people pleaser and an approval seeker. I drank a lot of alcohol because I thought it gave me all of those things I wanted.
Toward the end of 2009, my family and I started attending Faith Community Church. My husband and I had experienced some marital difficulties in the years leading up to that time, and I was thrilled that he showed an increased interest in his faith. Up until then, I had been the one to initiate church attendance on Sundays and to make sure our children were enrolled in religious education classes. In 2009, our kids were 12, 10 and 6 years old. They loved the children's and youth programs at Faith and were excited to attend. So was I. It was such a change from feeling like I had to force everyone to go to church. I remember feeling that this is how church was supposed to be. I felt a longing to learn and know more about Jesus and signed up to participate in the Real Zeal program at the start of 2011. I was blessed to be mentored by Mary, who was so kind and patient with me. She knew that I wasn't ready to receive Christ in my life but we kept going through the workbook. When I look back at some of the notes I made, I was holding onto a lot of bitterness from events in my marriage as well as from my childhood. I questioned the Bible, wasn't sure how to pray, and the absolute last thing I wanted to do was to share my faith with others. But Mary came alongside me in my faith journey. She helped me to see my short-comings and my need for a savior. She invited me to join her at the women's retreat at Fort Wilderness in the fall of 2011, and it was there that God removed the bitterness toward my husband and my mom, both of which I had held onto for many years. I was then ready to receive Him into my life. I belonged to His family. I was fully known by Him.
Even after we completed the Real Zeal program, Mary continued to walk alongside me. She suggested I join her on the Women's mission trip to the Dominican Republic. She encouraged me to be a counselor for our Kidz Camp and to help lead our youth. I have been blessed to be a part of these ministries for many years. Mary helped me through some of the most painful years of my life, as my marriage fell apart and ended. This wasn't the plan I had for my life and I was devastated. She reminded me to remain focused on my faith and to trust God's plan, despite not knowing what that meant for my future. I'm so grateful that God had her in mind when I needed someone the most. Over the years, she has provided guidance on being a spiritual influence for my own children. And nearly 4 years ago, she celebrated with me when I remarried a man of God. She has shared life with me for 14 years, and even though we don't see each other as regularly anymore, I know I can count on her when I need prayer, when I need Godly guidance or when I just want to have coffee with a friend.