Paul's Story
I am so excited about The Purpose Driven Life Series at CVC because God used this book two years ago to minister to my heart and to draw me closer to Him. Two years ago, I was lost, I knew about God, but I had not surrendered my life unto Him. My wife, (then girlfriend) gave me a copy of Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" with a note on the inside cover about how God had used the book to change her life... more
Lori's Story
This last spring my sister, myself, my daughters and her 3 year old son took an early morning drive to UC Davis. My Nephew was very sick and the doctors in Carson had no idea what was wrong. Kyle is autistic and can not tell us what he feels. At the same time my brother-in-law's dad was dying back East and he was struggling with responsibilities and fear. He met us at Davis the second day and I returned home with my daughters. When I left the hospital I didn't know if I would ever see my nephew again... more
Noel's Story
I grew up in a very, very disfunctional home and, as a result, stuffed old emotions and numbed new ones by any means it took. This behavior led to my recent divorce. This loss opened the floodgates of my emotions, but I had no idea how to handle them.
Since I had been restrained from returning to the church which had my husband and I attended for ten years, I had nowhere to turn. A friend told me about CVC and since I'm not real fond of crowds, he warned me that it was a huge church. I walked into CVC in April of this year and haven't missed a Sunday... more
"I live in Oregon City in Oregon - but have been working in Las Vegas since beginning of January. I'm just passing through and depend on refueling (God's nourishment) and appreciate your open doors and friendly staff. Thanks." - Terry Cravens
"We just got back from the Freedom Festival and we wanted to let you all know it ROCKED! It was so much fun, the whole family had a great time! Thank you all for doing such an awesome job, we appreciate it!" - Nicole Gibson & Family
"We have attended Sr. Ambassadors happenings for quite a while now, and all in all, we have just a delightful time on each occasion. The entertainment provided is always exciting, upbeat, yet sometimes brings us to tears. It's a wonderful way to meet new friends, couples and singles alike, and what a great bunch of people they are. We encourage anyone over 55 to come to our next affair and check it out. We are absolutely sure they will be back for the next one. Our group just keeps growing and growing, and that makes it that much more fun." - Kerry & Jim Partridge
Taking life now one STEP at a Time - By Alan Rowe
Even with all of God's power behind me, if I try to walk alone, I will be devoured by the enemy. I have come to realize that I cannot do things on my own. STEP has brought accountability into my life. I am not perfect, but I am healing and growing.
My focus is shifting off of myself and onto others. (I know now) this is God's purpose for my life - to help others and to be willing to accept the fact that I need help, too... more
Crystal's Story
"If you haven't heard about the Scrap'n Sisters, have I got a story for you ... On May 3, 2005, the Scrap'n Sisters welcomed Crystal Heimgartner to the group for the first time ... Crystal was just a few days away from giving birth to her second child ... As the evening closed, it was obvious that Crystal had 'connected' at CVC. Three days later, tragedy struck Crystal's family. When Crystal arrived home from a Mother's Day dinner, she found that her home had caught fire ..." more
Sandi & George Scheer's Story
Dear Pastor John, I needed to write you this email this morning because I am so in awe of what has happened in our lives. As I told you at one time George and I were splitting up. Anyway, we had been somewhat talking but not getting anywhere for the last couple of weeks. So I guess one thing you need to know is that we are both alcoholics, addicted, etc. Another thing you should know is that many years ago I did ask Jesus into my life. Granted I have not been a good example, have backslid continuously ... I guess you could have called me a roller-coaster Christian... more
Kathy's Story
Although I'm very thankful that I was raised in a Christian home, there was a lot of dysfunction in our home. My mother was a control freak and a rage-aholic, so there was a lot my mother did for me what I could have done for myself, and it caused a lot of insecurity issues for me. I've also struggled with trust issues most of my life due to sexual abuse at an early age. I was married at 18, two weeks after graduating from high school, and we had three beautiful children by the time I was 22. My life had definitely become unmanageable, and I tried coping by controlling everything and everyone around me. After all, that's what a loving mother and wife does, right?.. more
Georgia's Story
I just celebrated my 1-year anniversary with CVC. In this last year, I have gone through so many miraculous changes, I don't think there is room in an email (to include it all). God led me to CVC to receive and then give His glory. Before I came to CVC I was a single mom who had been divorced 3 times...more
Scary to extraordinary! (Ensenada Mexico 2004)
My mission trip last year to Ensenada was amazing! There is no real way to describe how it affected me, all I can say is I was forever changed. If I were to sum up my whole trip into one word it would be extraordinary! It was one of the scariest things I've ever done. I mean I left my friends and family behind and I went to a foreign country where they didn't really speak much English. But my fear disappeared as soon as I got our of the car in Mexico and realized I was there for God and even if I couldn't speak the language God would help me find a way to tell people about Him. Just as I realized that this verse popped into my head -- Matthew 10:20 "for it will not be you speaking, but the spirit of your Father speaking through you." This gave me so much reassurance that I didn't fear anything the whole rest of the week... more
Gabrielle's Story
My fiance and I had been attending CVC for about 2 months (when you started the Whose Dime Is It Anyway series). Your sermons on money, time and relationships have been so helpful to us, as young adults and as a couple. We are trying to implement the 10-10-80 plan in our budget and our lives. Every week when the tithe plates are passed around Greg and I try to give some money, most times it is nothing significant ($5-10), but we know it is "the thought that counts." During the third week of that series, as the plates were being passed around Greg and I were debating whether or not we could afford to put in the only cash he had in his wallet, which was a $20 bill... more
Michelle's Story
Growing up, I only knew two other Christians who were my age, my sisters ... and my other church was pretty much content to let ourselves stagnate. When I turned eighteen, I decided that I could not do life without God; it was too hard. I needed to find support and friendship, not only with God, but with other Christians around my age. I heard about River. I was really afraid to go to River to begin with. I prayed that somehow God would show me that I was doing the right thing, going out on a limb, going to a new place. What really opened my eyes was how utterly friendly everyone was... more
Cynthia's Story
In January of 2002, I signed my attendance slip at church that I was willing to go where ever God wanted me to go. I didn't know how God would use me or even if He would use me. Nine months later I moved from Escondido, California, my home town since birth, to Gardnerville, Nevada and CVC. Within 2 weeks I was in a small group going through the 40 Days of Purpose. Six months later I was in the Wounded Hearts class at STEP. God allowed me to do a face plant in October 2004 and I ended up in West Hills for a night... more
One Day At A Time - by Larry Biller
At about age 13 I started just smoking cigarettes, and I believe this opened the door for me to try other things. My family was about as dysfunctional as they come. My mom, my dad and my grandpa are all alcoholics. I was raised as a Catholic and believed in God my whole life. I prayed at night, went to church on Sunday and to Bible School on Saturday... more |
