Elizabeth’s Story

I began searching for social work jobs shortly after I passed my board exam. The search was grueling and there were barely any companies that would hire an associate licensed clinician. Not long into the search, my dad got diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. My world was completely shaken. Of course, God knew this was going to happen so instead of keeping our vacation plans we ended up booking a flight to see him instead. As soon as I saw my dad, the Lord said to me “walk by faith, not sight.” The trip was filled with priceless memories and the opportunity to lay hands on my dad and pray for healing.

The job hunt continued when we got back. I received multiple rejections because I wasn’t independently licensed. I was so angry but I held on to the fact that the Lord has a purpose for everything. I prayed for healing for my dad more times than I could count. I know that no job would have allowed for the hours I spent at the Lord’s feet interceding on my dad’s behalf. I continued looking for jobs and instead of being angry about being repeatedly rejected, I saw the rejections as the Lord’s protection. I felt like my most important role at that time was praying for my dad. I trusted that the job the Lord wanted for me would come at the perfect time.

After making some connections, I had an interview for a school based mental health therapist position. I received a job offer the following day. I did not feel peace about it, and I called my husband to discuss. The first thing he asked me was “Did you pray about it?” and I hadn’t. I hung up the phone and prayed. Within seconds the Lord said, “I don’t want you there.” We were struggling financially so it was tempting to be disobedient. But I knew that if I just held on, the job He wanted for me would be even better than I could imagine. A week or two later I interviewed for the same type of position, but at a Christian non-profit. I was praying the morning of the interview and the Lord said, “I keep my promises.” The interview went really well, and I was supposed to hear by that Thursday whether or not I got the job. I hadn’t heard anything, so I went for prayer walk and pounding the pavement because I was so angry. The Lord kept reminding me that things happen on His time and not my own. Low and behold, I received an email the following day with an offer. The benefits, pay, and job responsibilities were superior to the job offer I turned down.

I could not have made it through last year without my amazing community group. I sat in the “prayer chair” week after week sobbing as I received prayer for a job and healing for my dad. They carried the burdens with me while encouraging me along the way. I don’t have an official testimony on my dad yet since he has not received his post treatment results, but I believe that the Lord has healed him.

McKenzie’s Story

Like many others, I’ve been hurt by people. For a long time I carried a deep wound left by someone who was supposed to protect me, and for years I prayed forgiveness for them, and asked God to heal the bitterness in my heart. I did therapy, but the hurt still had a hold on me. It colored the way I viewed myself, the way I viewed my calling. But this is the grace and faithfulness of Jesus: I was recently driving down the road and he changed my heart towards that person. It was like a weight was lifted. I wasn’t worshiping or praying or doing anything to “earn” it. He just met me, exactly where I was, and freed me from a bitterness I was a slave to.

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6)‬

Holly’s Story

In previous years fasting (specifically from food) has felt like a practice that was too hard for me. I went into it with the mindset that I couldn’t possibly do it and be ok so I need to fast something else. 

During this time of fasting in the church I felt God push me to try something more difficult. I came up with the number 7 and so I decided to fast from food for 7 days. During this time my relationship with Jesus was set ablaze into a bigger fire. I would get up early to read scripture and worship and I felt as though I was dancing with him in my kitchen. I wasn’t only falling more in Love with Jesus but I was also more easily in tune to the things he wanted me to feel convicted about during this time.

I ended up ending my fast early at just short of 5 days…I started to hear words creeping into my mind about how disappointing I was for not accomplishing my goal. These thoughts were then met with a rush of celebration from the Holy Spirit…he just spoke “Rejoice! Rejoice!” And so I did just that.

He has shown me how attainable fasting is, how distractions from everyday life effect the way I can hear Him. I ended this knowing there is still more in Gods plan to build strength in me and I feel so ready to just open my hands and obey his direction.

Elizabeth’s Story

At the end of Wes Pickering’s healing service on August 20 I asked The Hooper’s for prayer to be healed from fibromyalgia. After being prayed over, Adam told me that he saw an image of me standing, like a tree, next to a stream. He referenced Psalm 1. I took one step away from them to leave and then was convicted to turn around and say out loud, “I believe in healing.” I have always struggled with receiving any blessing from the Lord. I went back to my seat to grab my things to leave until I was convicted to sit down and write in my journal. As soon as I sat down my entire body felt warm, from head to toe. The feeling stayed as I wrote in my journal, throughout the afternoon, and it continues to come and go throughout my days. The fibromyalgia pain has always been the worst in my legs, like the ache you feel in your body when you have the flu. Now my body is HEALED from fibromyalgia! The only thing I feel now is some underlying stiffness in my legs that I think has been there all along. I firmly believe that this stiffness is just an indication from the Lord to move, and not just to exercise, but to take the next steps with the calling that He has placed on my life. 

Below is a picture of my journal entry that I wrote after I was healed. It states what the Lord had spoken to me with my proclamation of “I believe” in front of it.

Elizabeth’s Story

In May of 2022 I graduated with my masters in social work. I applied to take my board exam and had until August 15, 2023 to pass. During this time my now husband and I were planning our wedding. Needless to say, studying was not my top priority. On November 1, 2023 I got diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, two weeks before our wedding day. Fast forward to December of 2022, one month after our wedding, I quit my job and began studying for my exam. I registered to take it on January 31. A week prior to that date my husband got covid and shortly after, I did. I was sick for nearly a month so I had to reschedule my exam. During that month I really struggled with my relationship with God. I was angry that my body had shut down at what I thought was such an important time. I finally got to a point where I fully surrendered how I felt and let Him take control. I started reading my Bible daily, praying, and asking for prayer.

Once I finally started to feel better I began praying before each study session. I took the exam on March 1st and failed by 9 points. I was upset but only for a second because I knew that it was part of God’s plan and I trusted Him. I was healthy for about a month and a half before I got sick again. This time I was sick for 6 weeks. Instead of shying away from God, I pressed in. I read my Bible and prayed more than I ever had. My exam was originally scheduled for June 5th and I had to reschedule it to July 10th. I failed again by 9 points. I had such confidence that I was going to pass that I was angry, embarrassed, and I felt such shame. Instead of running from God, I ran to him with all of my feelings. I dove into scripture and began to memorize it. I started telling people that I failed again, despite how I felt, and I asked for prayer. Sometimes going up for prayer full of tears unable to speak but the Holy Spirit knew what to say through those people. 

At this point, I wasn’t sure how to study and I wanted to take a study course but I knew we couldn’t afford it. But God! My parents sent me the money for it without me asking. There was a month left in my authorization period and the only available exam date was August 4th and I knew I wouldn’t be ready by then but I registered for it so I could keep checking to see if any later dates opened. The night I went in to cancel that exam, there was an opening on August 15th, the last day of my authorization period. It was an 8am exam so I began waking up at 6am to spend time with God before I got ready for the day. The morning of my test I had an overwhelming feeling from the Holy Spirit that I was going to pass but I kept that between Him and I. The exam was exhausting and I kept repeating scripture as I took it. I finished the test and read my score report: PASS. The lobby was filled with people and I said “Thank you Jesus” out loud. 

As difficult as that season was, my relationship with God has never been stronger. The community I have found at The Dwelling partnered with God to walk me through it and I am forever grateful. He deserves all the glory.

Marissa’s Story

Back in June, one Sunday when I was serving on the expressive worship team, Amanda came and grabbed me during the worship set. She had received a word that the Lord wanted to heal me, right there and then. I wish I had written it all down then, but she prayed regarding the thyroid and autoimmune issues she knew about. Then she began to pray specifically about hormones and women’s health. (Interestingly, I was diagnosed with PCOS the following month) While I did see less muscle aches, joint pain, and swelling over the next week, it wasn’t the instant supernatural healing Amanda and I expected.

Also during this service, the Lord also gave me revelation regarding Mark 5:34, where the woman with the issue of blood is healed by touching the hem of his garment. He reminded me that her healing came from faith; not Bible study, daily prayer, etc. Even more profound, He revealed that he did not say her faith healed her, but made her ‘whole’ or ‘well’, depending on translation. To me that is more than fixing a problem, but full restoration. So, over the last few months, I’ve clung to that promise, but really struggled with not seeing it yet. In this time, I developed migraines that interrupted my life, and emotionally struggled with the PCOS diagnosis. I’ve always expected that I’d be a mother, even as a young child, so the threat of infertility terrified me and was constantly on my mind. I was reminded of this fear every shift, as I am a labor and delivery nurse.

Fast forward to yesterday, it started like any other Sunday that I serve on the expressive team. During rehearsal, I certainly felt that ‘Yeshua’ by UPPERROOM was going to be powerful, but really didn’t think anything of it. Once we reached that point in service, the flag I planned to use didn’t feel right, so I switched to another, and shortly thereafter, found myself down on my knees worshiping. I knew it was the Holy Spirit – but it was different than I ever experienced. Usually I experience Him as a sweet, tender, nearness – but this was heavy, like a dense fog settling, and didn’t have an emotion associated with it that I could identify. During this time, he revealed to me that the “ahh ah ah ahhh” portions of the song are the moaning and groaning in the Spirit – when there aren’t words to pray. The next thing I knew, I heard Gunter come up and said “Jesus the healer is in the room and wants to do some things.” I raised my hand for healing prayer and was quickly surrounded by people praying over me. Holly came and began praying against the various issues I’ve been dealing with (we are in community together and I have shared a lot with her) and she shared with me that the Lord specifically said “don’t worry” about my PCOS, that he gives the desires of our hearts. I had a vision for the first time – I saw a toddler playing on the floor as I held a baby in my arms. It was so realistic, I could nearly feel the weight of a baby in my arms. I moved from weeping to absolutely sobbing, and all I could do was cry out “Holly, my babies! My babies!”

Now if that wasn’t enough, Gunter began calling out specific conditions for healing, and migraines came up. Not only was that the most recent development in my health saga, I had the worst one I have had on Friday night, requiring multiple medications & comfort measures and lasting for hours. I raised my hand and was surrounded again. I specifically heard Maude beside me, praying “not halfway, not 80%, not 90%, but complete healing because that’s what you do.” 
After service, I talked with Holly and thanked her for supporting and praying over me. I shared some of this experience with her, and it turned out she had also received the word of “moaning and groaning in the Spirit.” I have never received confirmation like that! When I shared all of this with Gunter, he said when he received the word of knowledge about migraines, he specifically felt pressure in his right eye – which is exactly how my migraine auras begin. 

I am amazed at how God saw me yesterday. I’m so excited to see how He continues to move and what He does in my life in the days and weeks ahead. I can’t wait to share a testimony of complete healing, but for now, I am keeping the faith and seeking Him.

Ian’s Story

My life has been defined by identity. As a service member, our reputation, or ‘identity’ drives the perception of our success. I allowed my successes, my ‘identity’, to define my character. I was aggressive at work, and I became aggressive at home. It created worldly success in my job. I was rewarded, often handsomely, for giving everything I had to my job. Over the past few years, I was offered a new challenge professionally. I dove into this challenge deeper than I had anything in the past. Working long hours, working from home, always taking phone calls. I’d find myself on vacation taking work meetings. I’d find myself on hikes with family, taking phone calls. I had found a skill I didn’t know I had, an ability to rapidly recall obscure information normally kept in various aviation regulations. This separated me from my predecessors, and my peers, and was leaned on by my Army leadership heavily. This…was who I was. But God had a plan…

I thought my testimony was going to be from a dramatic event from 2014. My marriage with Lisa fell out hard, and I handled It poorly. I thought to myself that the only answer to this…attack on my identity…was to take my own life. And, after deciding that that was not that answer, I dove into a deep depression. Four years later, Lisa made the decision to start repairing our marriage. But it depended on my willingness to find God, and to lead our family to God. I believed in God, but I had no relationship with Him, and I didn’t like the idea of “Church” or religion. Yes, to me, God exists. But the gates I had to walk through in order to gain his favor seemed…wrong. It was easier to ignorantly know that God existed than to research and learn about his word. But God was in pursuit…

2022 became the year that I can fully and confidently say that I am saved by the grace of God. Again, ignorantly, I would say that for the first time in my life I’d started to see the signs God was putting up for me. At this point, there are countless examples of his work in my life. And I’d be selling God short if I attempted to keep his work in my life only in 2022…

I’ve listened to sermons from numerous Pastors, as well as PG, talk about the shift in our heart and in our life when we fully surrender. Pshhh, that’s what us “real” folks would call magical mumbo jumbo. Having not experienced it at all, keeping my guard up, that type of stuff is all make-believe. If you want to see a shift in your heart, tell God his work is magical mumbo jumbo…I dare you!

On our trip back from Lisa’s family in Tennessee, we ‘randomly’ put on a podcast. Questioning Christianity by Dr. Tim Keller. The specific episode that was on was about…get this…identity. Without going into detail (LISTEN TO THE PODCAST!!!!), humans are defined by two general identities, Traditional and Modern. As Dr. Keller describes these identities, he offers a third option, the Christian identity. Sign me up! That’s where I want to be! The very next morning, during service, PG unintentionally challenged me and my soul…”The line between Christians and everyone else is Baptism”. The what??? I have not been Baptized, and for my entire life I’ve been ashamed of it. But, if it’s a line I need to cross, then I’ll cross it.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect. But here’s what I’ve come to realize. A man who has been ugly, prideful, broken, who’s hurt people, treated people like crap, broken relationships with people who needed relationship, who’s treated his family as second to literally everything else. That man…he’s been pursued by God. I didn’t ask God to help me with my depression. My pride, and the enemy, lied to me. They made me think that MY strength carried me through it. Wrong, God was there. He helped me. He held my hand and walked me through it. God has always been there, pursuing me. He lit a fire in my life for His word. He’s shown me that the gifts he’s given me aren’t meant for this world, but they’re meant for the Kingdom. My talent to reference obscure stuff in the world of Aviation has been misused. I’ve been studying for the wrong test. And, after being Baptized, after the heavy pursuit of me in 2022, after hearing him speak to me, having dreams about his greatness, and seeing the enemy truly flee, I can say that God has pursued me. He’s torn down my prideful identity and given me a different purpose in life. A large chunk of that purpose is in leading my family in our life with God. And the first step in that purpose is rebuilding my relationship with Christopher, and his relationship with God. He’s shown me that the life I have had, that I’ve worked so hard for, isn’t meant for His Kingdom. And He’s shown me that the ‘magical mumbo jumbo’ is no parlor trick. My heart has softened, my defenses are removed, my anger is leaving, and I am submitting the remaining challenges I have, and future ones I’m not even aware of, to him. 

If 2022 marked God’s full pursuit of me, his attack on my identity, and the defining of what magical mumbo jumbo is, then 2023 is the year that I pursue Him. And if the past is any indication of what the future holds, a future with God in my life, then there will be a whole lot more of illogical magical mumbo jumbo to come. God is good!

“After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.” - Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Rachel’s Story

Sunday night, I suddenly felt terrible. There was no warning. One minute I was fine, and the next I was laying in bed, shivering with a fever. I couldn’t get warm. My whole body body started to ache and lock up. I was having intrusive thoughts at the same time. It was clearly an attack. I kept refusing the sickness and declaring out loud that it had no power over me.

At about midnight, I asked Matt to pray for me. I was in too much pain to sleep.

He laid his hand on my head and commanded the sickness to come out and the fever to leave me in the name of Jesus. He prayed peace over me. I immediately started sweating under his hand, and my aching body relaxed. Within the next few minutes, the fever had completely broken, and it never came back! I was healed instantly. Praise God, our Healer! All we have to do is ask.

Trey’s Story

Growing up in church, it always felt like you had to follow the rules, wear certain clothes on Sunday, make sure to do your Bible study every day, memorize this verse by next week. Conformity was expected. And don’t think about expressing emotion in Sunday service, except maybe one hand raised during Praise and Worship or an “Amen” after a good word from the pastor.

Years of this, and having little to no discussion about God at home, other than more reminders about what to do and what not to do, lead me into a deep dark shell, shielded by layers of suppression of feelings and a desire to freely understand who God is. I got away from that type of religious environment as I grew up and moved out of my parent’s house, but every time I considered churches I felt it was going to be much of the same, only with slight tweaks in the “rules”.

After some time Holly and I were blessed to arrive in Savannah and come into the space made at The Dwelling, where people at first seemed kind of the same, but something was different. I felt a genuine kindness when being greeted, a real interest when talking about my life and experiences, and true encouragement when looking for somewhere to serve. Then I saw worship and I was shook! I thought “this is one of those churches that doesn’t follow the “rules of worship.” “You can’t wave your hands around and sing really loud.” Back into my shell I went, for a time.

Then I started spending more time around the members of our church, through community groups, serve team practice and events, and most recently the youth retreat. Day after day I started to realize, in a combination of watching those around me, and God penetrating my shell, that this is what freedom in Christ looks like. This is what Joy in Christ looks like, and I don’t have to finish a quest to partake in that freedom. Through the teachings, conversations, and worship, God showed me that I can arrive at that place whenever, but I can’t bring my shell. So slowly, over the last two years, God has been working. In simple moments: encouragement of others in circle up, penetrating lyrics during worship, seeing genuineness in those around me, and an unmatched joy I haven’t found anywhere else. It’s much more than a shallow, fake layer of protection that I was used to. During the youth retreat, after hearing God use me and the other leaders give great words around our devotional time, and having great conversations and worship with people who are over the moon for Jesus, it just clicked: I can have that freedom, right now! And so I thank God that this wayward son has found his way back home, and I left my shell behind.

Sha’s Story:

Tonight at Prayer Night I had an urge to ask for prayer for my right shoulder and neck area. It had been giving me trouble for a month and a half in that specific area. The theme of the night was about being bold with strong faith when praying. So, even though we had wrapped up, I knew that was my moment to ask. I went to Alex because I heard him say, "If anyone needs me to pray for healing or anything I am willing". So I went to him and he prayed three times. Each time the pain dulled! He was determined and his faith activated mine! On the last prayer the feeling of warmth from the second prayer took over the entire right shoulder front to back, up my neck on the right side, and down my right arm stopping at my elbow. It felt like I had Icy Hot on, but with more heat. I haven't been this pain free in what feels like ages. Each day was hard getting up, especially being active or working. I'm so amazed and in complete awe that God saw me in my desperate need of relief. I am full of gratitude ! I am healed!

Rachel West’s Story

I've struggled with depression for most of my life, starting around middle school. It's always been lingering in the background, some days stronger than others. I've grown up in church and knew that Jesus healed, but it wasn't something churches around me did. I struggled quietly. I noticed a stronger wave during pregnancy, and during the loss of a loved one after my son was born. I couldn't shake the sadness I was carrying or binge eat enough to make it tolerable. 

Around May, I bought tickets for Maverick City for my Mom and decided to buy one for myself, too. I'd honestly never listened to them much. The Sunday before the concert, I came to The Dwelling for the first time. I noticed how happy everyone seemed. I kept thinking to myself; I want to feel that joy. At the concert, I earnestly broke down and asked God to heal me from my depression and give me the joy that I could feel radiating off of people I had met the Sunday before. 

Pastor Gunter spoke about depression and anxiety the Sunday post-concert, and Addison gave her story about being healed from depression. I was overwhelmed with God's presence over me the entire service. When the community leaders lined up to pray over people, I felt God tell me to get prayed over. Addison prayed over me, and we claimed healing over me.

After church, I went to the park with my son and felt a lightness I'd not had since I was younger. It's been almost two weeks, and I have not had one relapse of depression or intrusive thoughts whatsoever. I can't believe it. I am living proof that he can heal and STILL will! Praise God! I am so thankful.

Lauren’s Story

Going into More Conference, I was skeptical. I really wanted to understand healing and work through some of my misconceptions. Wes came out the gate saying our obedience cannot be dependent on our understanding and I knew I was in for a whirlwind day.

When we left the conference that day, I was telling my husband I felt really challenged and convicted. I wasn’t sure WHAT the next step was, but I just wanted more of whatever God has and I wanted to really trust His goodness.

For months, I’ve been experiencing a lot of pain in my arches and heels of my feet. Debilitating at times. In the morning, every morning, I’ve barely been able to walk down my stairs - I have been walking down one step at a time, wincing in pain. I’m not sure if it’s been plantar fasciitis or what but it’s been horrible! I’ve tried new, fancy shoes, stretching, massage, etc and nothing has helped. That night after the conference, I asked my husband to pray for my feet. I mean we knew what to do - we just learned about it - so what the heck? 

He prayed three times. Every time I could tell they were getting better. We both just started laughing because it’s really bonkers when something is happening to you that you have no grid for.

Saturday at lunch I had told my friends I didn’t know how I’d SEE healing happen if I couldn’t get past some of my own intellectualism. I couldn’t get out of my head about HOW and WHY and WHY NOT and then that night… it was ME that was receiving healing! 

The next morning, I got out of my bed, walked downstairs totally normal and was totally blown away how I barely had any pain left! I hadn’t walked down stairs normally in the morning in MONTHS! That morning, Gunter wanted the community group leaders to pray for people to receive healing and I would’ve been unsure except of my own experience, my husband’s experience, and watching God move right in front of Saturday, so I was READY TO GO. 

We got to pray for multiple people Sunday morning and all of them noticed marked differences. I am blown away that God can use someone who still doesn’t have answers to all her questions, can’t explain really what is happening, but is willing to trust His goodness anyway. He doesn’t need our perfection, but our willingness. He needs us to obey without full understanding and He’s so good that we won’t be put to shame.

Amanda’s Story

For 7+ years I’ve been battling with health issues that gave me several severe food sensitivities (to gluten, dairy, preservatives & more), constant painful headaches, chronic fatigue, muscle tightness, neck pain, frequent sickness that felt like food poisoning, stomach pain, etc. I had to eat super careful and rest a lot and even still I often didn’t feel good. Sometimes I had to cancel plans last minute with people because the fatigue was so real or the feeling of food poisoning had me glued to my bed. I had been to several doctors and none of them could ever quite figure out what I had or how to treat it. Although I was diagnosed with a more chronic condition of Epstien Barr Virus, it still didn’t fully explain a lot of the symptoms I was having. I ended up in urgent care multiple times from being so sick, thinking I had a severe case of the flu and would get overly dehydrated.  

About six weeks ago at church I received prayer for healing and felt such peace overcome me. I felt different internally and physically. I ate a sandwich that night and woke up the next morning with no headache or body aches. It’s been about 6 weeks and still no terrible headaches. I can eat gluten again without feeling overly lethargic and sick afterwards. I haven't had any food poisoning kind of reactions or sickness or even thrown up since I received prayer. My neck pain is so much better, and the constant bump that was always on the back of my neck is gone. My family and friends have started to notice the dark circles under my eyes lightening and my energy level increasing. How cool is God!?!?! He touched me and healed my body!! Praise Jesus for his healing powers!

Jessica’s Story

Just over three weeks ago, I had two bad days in one week at work. It felt like I was pushing and struggling against something but couldn't get anywhere. I started to wonder if I need to leave my work or go to a different department. I kept wrestling with that thought for the rest of the week. The only person that knew about this was my husband and my parents.

That Sunday, at church, a young boy came up to me and said, "God wanted me to come and ask you if you have been wrestling with something?"
I said yes and explained in simple terms what I was wrestling with. He prayed for me twice and told me to pray about it also, like a parent would...so cute. Anyway, I did what I was told and prayed several times a day for a week on this. I was seeking God's guidance on this because it's a big decision and leap of faith to leave a stable income and familiarity with things.

That next Sunday, I was alone in my bedroom between awake and asleep. I actually felt a hand on my right shoulder blade and it gave me a push. There was no question about the action and what I needed to do. I went to church and prayed some more on it. However, I had no doubt in my mind that I was to leave my work.

I turned in my resignation that next day and I have been at peace with the decision since then. When people ask me why I'm leaving, I tell the truth. I've had one lady who told me that she was encouraged by my story on how God is still speaking to people. She apparently is waiting for an answer and had new hope to be patient on God's timing. This is not the end of the testimony but the jumping board to proceed with what's next and leaning on God and His faithfulness.

Tina’s Story

Anxiety, it controlled the majority of my adult life. Always on edge, always looking for something wrong or off in every situation in my life. My thoughts controlled my every move, every emotion. I was trapped inside a shell that I couldn't get out of. It made me quite literally a miserable person. I was always angry and irritable, always nit picking little petty things, always filled to the brim of negative emotions because my mind always thought of the worst possible thing, always. I felt defeated on a daily basis, and depression kicked in. Being in the cycle of anxiety and depression is torture.

Stuck between caring to much and not caring at all. It made me hate who I was, and because I hated who I was it made me reflect that hate on the ones who loved me most. I went to the Dr and got put on medication, at first I thought it was helping, but after a few months I had to up my dose. And for a while that new dosage "worked", but I would once again start feeling intense Anxiety and depression creeping in. Again and again, over and over, a vicious cycle. Even with the medication I would still feel a little on edge but it was better then it was so to me it was working, until it didn't. The same hate filled angry person would always come back. It ruined me, and it tore my marriage apart. I didn't want to live anymore. The thought was always there, if I just left this world then everyone would be better off because I wouldn't be causing them anymore pain. I wanted to stop taking the medication but I couldn't because I became so dependent on it that I would go through terrible withdrawals from it. A vicious cycle I couldn't break. I was stuck. 

One day it all came crashing down with so much force that all I could do was fall to my knees and cry out to God. The first time I've ever done that. Tears pouring out of my soul streaking down my face and leaving droplets on the floor. I remember crying out "God I can't do this anymore" "please help me God" "I dont want to live like this, I can't live like this anymore". That was the first day ever that I finally turned to him. I still struggled in the days after, turning to alcohol and try to numb me but eveynight I found myself in the same position, on my knees turning to Him. I began reading my Bible, listening to worship music, watching sermons on YouTube and I began to feel better. I surrounded myself with Him. His truths. His love. It was maybe 2 weeks later that I realized that I haven't felt any anxiety nor have I taken my meds and I didn't have any withdrawal. My mind was blown. For the first time I noticed the goodness of my Father. And i began thinking back on situations in my life and I realized He was there all along. I was just to distracted to notice.

It's been a year now and no meds needed! I still have moments when I feel anxiety trying to creep in but I now have a "battle plan" to stop it in its tracks! To say I'm different now is a understatement, He has completely transformed me (and still working)! If it was not for His love, and His grace, I wouldn't be who I am now, I know that without a doubt.

I've been sitting on this testimony for a while now, afraid in a sense to share it, but at Sundays service as I was worshiping and talking to him I asked, "What do you want me to do? How can I bring more people to you?" Then Gunter started his sermon and it was about testimonies. I knew that God was telling me that it's finally time for me to share His goodness. So if you deal with anxiety, depression or just feel lost within yourself, turn to our heavenly Father, talk to him because he listens and cares and he will help you make it out of the dark. He will always be there working in every situation.

Michelle’s Story

I attended Wednesday night prayer last night which had a focus on healing. I have had lung issues for many years. I have been diagnosed with COPD, restrictive lung disease and asthma. My doctor mentions at every visit, “You sure don’t move much air.“

Last night, Pastor Gunter mentioned that someone needed healing in their lungs. I raised my hand and two gentlemen sitting next to me prayed for me.

I could feel more air in my lungs and it was easier to breathe. I kept praying and I could feel more air coming into my lungs. I couldn’t say that it was immediate healing, but it was pretty close to that!

As I drove back home, I was thinking about everything that had happened. I wanted to “prove” that something had happened. One of the things that I have missed being able to do is a very simple thing…to blow up a balloon. It seems like a silly thing but it’s important to me since I love to entertain.

I waited until my daughter got home tonight to see if I could do it, and I made this video…

Rosa’s Story

I have struggled so hard with my faith over the past year or more. I disconnected from friends and family for the past month or so, in that time I was able to realize what I was missing—God.

I've started to open my Bible a little more these past 2 weeks or so. I downloaded the bible app and have started a plan with my amazing friend, and one with my husband. I can feel the hunger for His word starting to take over. I just didn't realize how much until Sunday came along.

Yesterday was the most awakening day I have ever felt. I felt the message speaking to me loud and clear.  During prayer, I bowed my head, lifted my hands and prayed hard. As tears streamed down my face I prayed He would pour into my heart like never before. I prayed that He would pour into my marriage and my family. I prayed that He would help me heal from all the pain that my heart has been dealing with. As my prayer went on I could feel like my soul was draining, but not in a bad way. My arms got heavy and my legs felt weak. I felt him in that moment telling me, reminding me, "My daughter, I have never left you." “Wow,” is all I could say. I was in complete awe that for the first time in my life I could feel his warm fatherly embrace and reminder. No matter how hard I fell or tried to push Him away he, never left me.

After church I felt like I was in desperate need of sleep with just how draining (in a good way) it was on me. This morning (the next day) I woke up with such peace, a feeling of REVIVAL.

Heidi’s Story

If you know me, you’d know that for the past 6 years, I have not been able to eat gluten. It literally went straight through me and made me so sick almost instantly after eating it. On the other hand, not eating gluten didn’t really make me feel like I was missing out until recently. In the last few months, I’ve found myself sort of conversing with God about if I could be healed or if I even wanted to be healed. The thought of purposely eating gluten felt terrifying - knowing what could happen.

Well let me just tell you how cool Jesus is because He healed me! I have eaten gluten two days in a row with absolutely no symptoms or terrible after affects - and I’m talking Krispy Kreme donuts and pizza! I sat in church this morning questioning, “did God really heal me?” But it was quickly confirmed through a friend who had been healed of Celiacs disease, who I happened to ask pray for me! Guys, God is still a miracle working God, and even if it doesn’t seem to matter, if it matters to us, it matters to Him!

Josiah’s Story

I have battled with pornography for more than half of my life. I was first exposed when I was 10 years old and was pretty consistent for many years. From that time, porn shaped a number of decisions and behaviors, some that did not affect much and others that were catastrophic to relationships I had with others. When I first got involved with porn, I did not yet realize what I was viewing or the impact it would have on my life moving forward.

When I truly became saved at 13, I dove deep into scripture and began to realize the gravity of what I was viewing. I knew that porn was not the Lord's will for me, in fact, I was to run the opposite direction. From that moment on, I ran, and I ran hard. Though, more often that not, it seemed that I just couldn't run fast enough. I was trapped just like I was at 10 years old, this time, I knew it was wrong and just couldn't shake it. At 15 I met my first girlfriend who was sweet but certainly not the perfect picture of a godly woman. Naturally, as a hormonal teenage boy with a history of sexual sin, running away from this did not work well for me. For a while I was trapped there too, I fully knew that I was in direct opposition to where the Lord was calling me, but I couldn't shake this either. Simultaneously, I had gotten involved with a college ministry where I led student discipleship weekends. While I was tormented on the inside, I did well to present myself as a well-read, mature man of God.

Shortly before I turned 18, the ungodly activities of my then girlfriend and I reached a peak, then quickly were brought to an end. "Finally free!" I thought, yet that still seemed to not be the case. I thought that once I got free from her, I could truly be the man I knew God wanted me to be, the man that could be a Godly husband and father. Instead, I went into a tailspin and grasped at everything I could to fill the gap she left, except for the only thing that actually could have. It was at this time I was introduced to The Dwelling and God began to redeem and repair all the damage done by the enemy's rampage in my life.

I spent time alone with the Father and began to experience Him in ways I never had before. Shortly thereafter, I met the woman who would one day become my wife. With the newly transformed relationship I had with the Father and love of my now wife, everything the enemy tried to take away the Lord redeemed, a magnificent declaration of the love and salvation He promised me.

I thought I could never escape and that I would be trapped forever, destined to be a broken record. I am writing this because the Lord miraculously set me free and I am tired of hiding my past. He has brought me hope, He has brought me victory, and He has brought me peace.

Neal’s Story

I have always struggled with sharing personal testimonies because I feel like they aren’t necessarily worth sharing – I have a long history of experiencing God’s faithfulness but I always feel like my testimony isn’t exciting or groundbreaking. I also struggle with faith – I am very technical and analytical, and a lot of times I discount the amazing things God does, writing it off as coincidence.

I am in the Army and back in March I was in Louisiana for a month of training. I got incredibly sick, unable to put on my body armor or walk anywhere without getting light-headed, nauseous, and needing to lay down. I couldn’t hold most food down; even looking at food would make me nauseous. I was evacuated from the training site and the doctors thought maybe I had a stomach ulcer. I was given medication to treat stomach ulcers and it helped for a couple weeks – until it didn’t. The medication made me lose my appetite and I became very weak and the nausea started to come back. I stopped using the medication and things started to get better. I got tested for everything – they took blood, urine, and stool samples to try and figure out what was wrong with me. All the tests came back negative. I was referred to a gastroenterologist and they did an upper endoscopy where they stuck a camera down my throat. They found that my GI tract was inflamed which is gastroenteritis, but that nothing else was abnormal. They took a couple biopsies – again, normal. No stomach ulcer. No infection. No explanation. I just… got better over time. I convinced myself it was probably something my body fought off somewhere over the months of testing, but in the back of my mind a glimmer of faith said that it wasn’t a coincidence.

More recently, a couple of weeks ago I hurt my back working out and it just kept getting worse. I am a helicopter pilot and the vibrations tend to cause back problems over long periods of time. The pain got to the point that I was dreading going to work out in the mornings. On the morning of last Sunday, August 8th, I decided I was going to go to the doctor because I just couldn’t keep pushing through the pain. It just so happened that the message that morning was on healing, and I decided to come forward to ask God to heal my back. While I was standing in line waiting for someone to come pray over me, I started praying over myself. I heard a voice in my head say that “This pain is not from God. Rebuke the pain in Jesus’ name.” And I did. Over and over again I cried out in silence, rebuking the pain in Jesus’ name. By the time Gunter and Alex came to pray for me, the pain had gone but I still doubted. Maybe it was the excitement, maybe it was adrenaline, maybe it was just temporary. But Gunter and Alex came over and prayed for my back and told me to try to do something I couldn’t do before. I squatted down (which had been almost impossible before) and I just started ugly crying in front of everyone, I couldn’t believe it. I was healed.

A couple days later the pain started creeping back in and I was tempted to think “I knew it! It wasn’t real! It was just a trick!” But I knew that voice was not God’s. So I decided to try again, in my car, on the way to work – “God I know this pain isn’t from you. I rebuke the pain in Jesus’ name.” Over and over. And the pain went away and stayed gone! God cares about the small things. He cares about the aches and pains, and He cares about the “big ones.” My testimony is not too small, and my experiences are not insignificant. Whoever is reading this – yes it is weird. No I can’t explain it. And yet here I am without pain – I truly believe it was Him all along.