LOVE IS WHY

I want to express my gratitude to everyone at Christway. I recently found refuge there after escaping an abusive relationship while pregnant. The support I’ve received has been overwhelming and truly life-changing. Unlike previous experiences, Christway has embraced me and my situation wholeheartedly, providing practical help and a sense of belonging. From temporary housing to donations and emotional support, the community at Christway has been instrumental in helping me and my children through this challenging time.

Moreover, the impact of Christway’s kindness extends beyond our immediate needs. By sharing my story, I’ve seen loved ones in Pennsylvania strengthen their faith and even had a friend rediscover their connection to church. It’s a testament to the power of compassion and support in expanding God’s kingdom.

I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone at Christway for being a beacon of hope in my darkest moments. Your kindness and generosity have not only helped me but have also touched the lives of many others. Thank you for standing with me during this chapter of my life.

I walked into ChristWay with my Toddler during a season of change in January and I actually had reached out for prayer when I first attended due to my family situation. In June I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and again reached out for prayer because yet again myself and my toddler were entering another change. My surgery was scheduled for July 24th and I attended service on July 23rd. I was invited to the Living Room for the elders to pray over me before surgery. As soon as I walked into the Living Room I almost cried because the room was filled with people I’d never met before and they were there for me! The Elders and Pastor anointed and prayed over me. I was at complete peace. It was such a beautiful thing that everyone did for me…..a complete stranger. ChristWay really did show me Love is Why. Praise Report – the lymph nodes they tested live during surgery tested negative for Cancer.

Love Is Why as a church we have worked to make a significant difference in the lives of the teachers, staff, and students at Clifton Hills Elementary School. As a gathering, we have chosen to “adopt” this impoverished school to share the love of Christ in tangible ways.  We have gathered sweatshirt gifts for every student, we’ve attended parent teacher conferences and translated, we’ve hosted holiday parties and provided snacks and school supplies.  We as a gathering continue to try to meet the needs of this school right here in Chattanooga.

I struggle with PTSD from a very traumatic childbirth a month before Covid shut the world down and becoming very sick days afterwards. I almost died twice. I got deeper into depression and anxiety and PTSD. It didn’t take long for me to consider and attempt suicide twice, very publicly. I was arrested and sent to the mental hospital where I received treatment. I ended up going to mental health treatment centers four times over the last two years. But through beginning to come to Christway, I have learned my worth, how deserving I am to be here and how to cope with my myriad of stresses. I am commonly found in the living room discussing my journey. I was baptized and saved in June of 2021 and since then I have felt a joy that I cannot even begin to explain in words. My God has been so good to me and has forgiven my sins every time and I am so blessed for the support of all of my friends at church. I would be willing to share this testimony during the church sermons if it is deemed appropriate. I feel I have a very emotional, relatable and powerful testimony that could resonate with others who are in similar boats.

It was a little touch from heaven because what this person doesn’t know is that I have struggled with depression and PTSD this past year and been in a pretty dark place again recently. I’ve needed God to show me that He is working even when it feels like my world around me is crashing. So, thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ and listening to a prompting to pay for our drinks tonight because you paid for so much more than that.

An elderly gentleman on oxygen who had been a victim of the tornado, sobbed as our team tore down the destroyed playground in his yard. It had been crushed by trees and was irreparable. He was devastated as he thought that he might not get to see his granddaughter play any longer. As he wept, the team placed the damaged structure by the road….BUT GOD…had another plan! This week, our team was able to return to that home and rebuild a playset and fill the sandbox so the grandchildren could once again play! Don’t you just love how God connects people to one another and is interested in even the seemingly little things?

I am a single mother of 4 and I work 2 jobs to support my household and I am very grateful that I am able to do so. As my second job I work in a local restaurant as a server. I had a table of 6 adults that were seated in my section. I gave them good service but did not expect what they did for me. They gave me a Christmas card with a substantial amount of money in it and told me to have a Merry Christmas. They were gone before I could get back to their table to thank them. With their gift I was able to buy my children winter clothes and coats. I’ve been working 70 hours a week and was still not able to do this on my own. I wish I knew who they were because I would love to thank them in person and let them know their gift saved my children from being cold this winter and took a weight off my shoulder I was not able to lift myself. I dont know why they chose me, maybe they could see the exhaustion in my eyes or how hard I was working. Maybe they were told by God I was the one. Whatever it was, it has changed my life.