“I knew God. At least I thought I did. I accepted Christ as my Savior in 1979. I was 13. I know he saved my soul that night. It was real. I heard Jesus call to me as clear as if He was standing beside me. He said "Come to me and I will save you? I will, but you must accept me and trust me."  And I did. That night God gave me a new heart and a Love for others I had never known before. 

But Satan decided I would not be a would not be a warrior for God if he could stop it. He knew I was already a child of God just like Adam and Eve but he was determined that I would not be in fellowship with my Father and he used others abusive ways to deceive me. And like Eve, I believed him. He told me that God was pure and righteous (all true) and how God wouldn't want someone like me for His daughter who was tainted and damaged. (Not true, but I believed Satan.) How could God accept me after the things I had allowed others to do to me? I didn't fight against them I accepted it, so I must be bad, right? I desperately needed to make up for my impurity. God would try to draw me to Him, and I would only think of how unworthy I was, how ashamed I was, and how I could never be clean. I searched for someone who could love me even though I was damaged. Maybe if I was a good enough person, and strong enough for long enough, I could convince God to accept me as a servant in His kingdom. 

Just like the prodigal son I would be happy to be a servant. That was the best I could hope for right? Thank God that He wasn't content to let me be just a servant. He protected like He protected Job, even though Satan accused me before God, He said, "No. You may not have her soul. My son Jesus had paid for her and she is my righteous and pure child whom I love. I WILL restore her.”

Just like Job, I lost a lot but God HAS restored my soul to Him. And the love and atmosphere of worship at The Dwelling is one of the best gifts God has given to me.. I am thankful for the past hurts in my life for they are my compassion to others now. As God forgave me I have, through His love and strength alone, forgiven those who have hurt me. He tenderly restores my soul. Part of this restoration process is that God is allowing me to be a part of a family that knows God and makes room for Him so that lives can be restored and His glory can shine into the darkness. I can only praise Him and give Him all glory!” - Nita

Moving back to Savannah was not my plan in 2018. However, due to life circumstances, I found myself moving back to Savannah as a working, single mom of four. Even though this was a tough time and move, I saw God in every move. I needed to find a job. I found one within a week. I needed a place to live. I found one under budget. God gave me a peace before each tough move and decision I had to make. Everywhere I turned God was providing for me! I hadn't had a church family for years before this but knew I needed one. And boy did God provide!

Walking through the doors of The Dwelling in January 2019, I have never felt more at home. I felt so cared for, loved and welcomed. I cannot even count the number of times God has spoken directly to me through the words of a message or the conversation with others at The Dwelling. There have been times when God was telling me to do or say something and wouldn't you know it, the message spoke right to that thing. One of my children told me this past Mother's Day that I am a “believer in miracles.” I thought it was strange, but whatever. I would always say, “Well, miracles can happen,” but sarcastically. Y'all, I am here to say that my God is a God of miracles! Hearts can change. Though my miracle is still a work in progress, I know that God is with me every step of the way. I just have to keep listening. He knows my heart and what my heart desires. Though parts of my testimony are not easy, I am SO excited that God is not done writing my testimony.

Having so many people, speaking God’s life giving words over me has truly changed my perspective. I know God sees me. I know that God cares for me more than I will ever know. I am so thankful for people and church who show God's love and word unashamedly! - Amanda

My MORE testimony: I received a text from my oldest son this morning saying that he forgot to let us know that he was on a jump at 11 a.m. I immediately felt my stomach drop as I looked at the clock to see that I only had 30 minutes to pray for his safety. As I walked over to the door to close it, I plainly heard Theresa’s voice saying exactly what she shared at the conference that God had spoken to her: "Do you honestly think that the only thing keeping your son safe is YOUR prayers?"

It was such a powerful encounter that I had to close my door anyway to regain my composure. I sat with God for a few minutes and thanked Him for growing me. It was such an awesome, and humbling, reminder that He cares for my children more than I ever could. And that while He LOVES for me to pray, it's not where His power comes from! - Kathi

In 2016 our neighbors moved out. There was never a kid base in the neighborhood for Noah to play with and I really wanted that for him. Over the few years prior, I was trying to get back into church and wanted to find a church for my family to belong to. I tried a few times at a local church, even "becoming a member" in hopes of gaining a church community. I enjoyed the messages from the pastor, but the community never came. So, I stopped going to church, again!

Back to 2016, I prayed specifically for God to send a family with children the same age as mine and that we would mesh well. Boy did God answer! In comes Gunter and Bethany with their amazing kids. I instantly connected with them and Noah found instant friends. Not only did God answer that specific prayer, but he also answered my pray of many years of finding a church home. Gunter shared with me the day we met that he and Bethany were sent here to plant a church. Instantly, I told him, "I'm on board." I wanted to do everything I could to see this dream of theirs come to fruition. This is what I had been looking for! It became abundantly clear that God was all over this. Over the last 2 years, my bible knowledge has grown by leaps and bounds and my relationship with God has as well.

Another way God revealed himself to me was after a conversation I had with Gunter about God's miracles. I had expressed to him that I couldn't wrap my mind around miracles. This was a Tuesday. Gunter sent me a podcast that night. The next day I went to work and God showed me miracles that day. It's true what the bible says, "ask and you shall receive." Here are the miracles that took place on that day. ALL IN ONE DAY! First, A friend of mine's grandmother had been diagnosed with leukemia the week before. She went in for a bone marrow aspiration procedure and the doctor came back with the results and said, "I know no other explanation, other than through the power of prayer, but there are no leukemia cells present".

Next, As a labor and delivery nurse, I see the devastating side of childbirth and pregnancy. On this particular day, a patient was sent to our unit because the office could not find fetal heart tones. They even did an ultrasound to confirm that the baby had passed. She was sent to us for an induction. Upon arrival, the doctors did another ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. Well, when they placed the ultrasound on her abdomen, the baby was moving and had a heart beat. Not only that, but they performed a biophysical profile to test the baby's well-being. The best result is an 8/8. That baby had an 8/8 biophysical profile! This woman was coming in after being told the worst news possible and God showed up big time.

And finally, my dog was diagnosed with a liver shunt and almost died. We went to the emergency vet and to specialists in Florida. Obviously, the result was a crazy expensive ordeal. I was so worried, as I did not have the funds for this and was torn as to what to do. That afternoon I received a text from my husband stating he got a raise that more than covered the cost of my dog's bills.

I am here to tell you, that God is so GOOD! He really showed up for me that day. He knew that I needed to see those things to put the doubt from my mind. He is a wonderworking God and a WayMaker! - Abby

“As a believer of God, there aren't too many things that blow my mind. However, my mind is blown. 

Yesterday afternoon, my son wanted to get some batting practice in. While Shane was getting machine set up, I pitched to him to warm him up. Anyone who has ever watched him play ball knows he can slam that ball. I was comfortable pitching to him because he normally hits straight down 1st base line. Of course, he hits line drives every pitch. The first two, I was able to just duck as they weren't that hard hit due to him warming up. However, the 3rd line drive came hard and fast straight at my face. I instinctively put my arm up to protect my face and when I did, the ball hit my wrist bone on the side my pinky is on. The ball hit so hard on that bone that it busted the skin open over that bone. My wrist, pinky finger and ring finger immediately swelled. My hand and entire wrist immediately bruised. I knew it was either fractured or broken but also knew there was zero point in me going to urgent care or ER just to be told to see ortho. My husband finally got my rings off of my swollen fingers, we iced it and I decided to just hold my arm up (it throbbed all of the way through my fingers when I put it down) until morning when I would call and make an appointment to have it seen......but GOD!

As we said our nightly prayers, my husband and my sons prayed for healing over my wrist. I woke up this morning, reached for my phone to make an appointment and notify my office I wouldn't be in this morning. As I was googling the phone number to my doctor, I realized I was holding the phone and typing with my left hand and IT DIDN'T HURT!! I turned the light on and there was no bruising, no swelling and ZERO pain. The only evidence of my getting hit with a line drive is a little cut over my wrist bone.” - Amanda

“My niece had cancer at age 2. She is healed and has been cancer free since, but she contracted the influenza A. I asked for prayers to help her heal. She did so well that she went to school today!” - Jessica

“Yesterday, it had to have been more than some coincidence, as I experienced my first “God Moment” since I made the decision to follow and devote my life to Him two weeks ago. This actually started earlier this week, when my friend encouraged me to go down to the front and receive prayer after confiding in him that I had a very stressful and draining week. I’ll be honest, I always believed this time of the service was more for show than actually praying for the people requesting prayer. However, I told him that I would consider it.

When you began listing things that God had laid on your heart, as well as The Dwelling Team, the first thing you said, was “back and neck pain.” I have scoliosis and have dealt with this kind of pain a lot recently, but it was the least of my worries. I was sitting in my seat, and said “Nice try, God. That’s not enough.” Later, you began listing names. I honestly started to phase out, but towards the end, you listed Jeffery followed by Linda, in order. Those are my parents’ names. Saturday night, I was up late praying to God, because I have been experiencing an immense case of homesickness, due to being away from home for the first time (my parents live several states away). I am very close to my parents, as I am an only child. I prayed very hard the night before for my parents and they were on my heart the majority of the service.

I immediately began tearing up and went down with my friend to pray. This was the first time I knowingly and willingly was okay with someone I barely knew praying for me.” - K.H.

“In the four Sundays that I have attended The Dwelling, this is how I would summarize The Dwelling:
The Dwelling creates a safe and welcoming space for others to make room and encounter God, in ways that seem unfathomable. It is a space of humility, hope, compassion, and kindness. It is a space of love, laughter, and hugs. It is a space of worship, teaching, praying, and growing. It is a space of support, accountability, and honesty. It is a space of healing, forgiveness, rest, and renewal. Most of all, it is a space that is illuminated by God’s presence and spirit from the moment you walk in.

The Dwelling church has vividly and radically changed my life. When I was first given the offer to come to The Dwelling, I was close to saying, "No", as I was exhausted of going through the motions and seeking but never finding God’s presence within the church. However, it was not long before I found Him in The Dwelling. I told my friend yesterday I have never experienced excitement to attend a church or would get butterflies when I thought about God. Church was never the highlight of my week. However, with The Dwelling, that is simply not the case. I think that's one of the best parts of my experience with The Dwelling. In addition, that hunger to learn and serve God, began to fill me too.

I would like to thank you and The Dwelling Team for creating an experience like this for other people. I am amazed to witness a church of individuals that create this environment for others to also encounter God, the way I have. Finally, thank you for demonstrating what it means to live your faith, rather than just to have faith. I have never seen a group of individuals do it so well, as I have with The Dwelling.” - Karlee

“I decided that I needed my life turned around and out of the turmoil. I have not been to a church since 1999. I stopped attending the many different variations when I was being judged for being me, for what I was wearing, and how I was as a person. My wife and I have had several hiccups in our marriage and it was time to take the leap of faith with my Father to lead not only myself but lead my family in the right direction. The Dwelling has opened my eyes better than any other place I have attended and it feels like a home away from home. I am still an introvert, but being a part of the Dwelling and attending the connect groups is helping me step out of my comfort zone a little more.” - Quinn

“We have lived in Savannah for almost two years. We moved from Virginia, where we had a great church family. My daughter and I went to several area churches and just did not find the right fit. I was depressed and told my husband in December that I was probably going to have to talk to the doctor about going back on antidepressants. 

One day this past January, when I came home from work, my mom said, ‘You got some mail that I think you will like over there.’ I looked at it, and it was a mailer from The Dwelling Church! I read over the information and burst into tears! My mom smiled and said, ‘That’s the one, isn’t it?’

I came the first weekend and loved the service and the people. I came the following week, and when I walked in, some of the serve team remembered my name. I felt like I belonged here and that this was God fulfilling a promise that I would again have a church family to worship with and do life with! 

I am so grateful that the Akridges listened to the call to plant here in Savannah and for everyone on the launch team who made room for me. You all are the best!”  - Bobbie