Evergreen Life Stories

“Evergreen Academy has been a blessing to our family. Our son experiences a faith based learning environment with a strong discipleship program. This school provides rigorous academics, character building, and a Christian community that is unmatched in Tulsa. This has led to exceptional growth for Jax in academics and his walk with Christ. He loves the enrichment experiences, the STEM lab, and biblical base that is woven into every piece of the school. Evergreen Academy is a place where faith, knowledge, and love converge and we are so grateful to be a part of it. We are elated our daughter can attend next year with the expanding grades as well."- Eric & Sarah Jameson

"Darryl and I have been married 40 years. We decided to take Re-engage last fall because, even though we have a great marriage,
we knew there is always room for improvement. Through the course, we realized there were some minor things missing from our marriage. Adding those things in has been so sweet. What was very evident to us was how this material class would have been
incredibly useful earlier in our marriage. We learned through years of trial and error how to communicate effectively. The information in the course gets right to the heart of things and we believe we could have avoided many late-night arguments had we learned these skills early on. We encourage every couple, regardless of where you are in your marriage, to take this course.
It will help you draw closer to the Lord and closer to your spouse." - Kelly Caldwell

“The parent resource night was incredibly informative! I appreciated the focus on biblical parenting at home. The Early Learning Center staff shared wonderful tips and resources on numerous parenting topics that left me feeling encouraged. They provided practical, faith-based examples of ways to overcome challenges parents face everyday. I highly recommend this event to all parents!” -Morgan Greiner

“Three years ago we decided to join Evergreen because we wereattracted to the idea of Life Groups. We wanted to experience achurch family who stays connected, not just on Sunday, but throughout the week. We were soon in a group with ten other church members who meet weekly to pray together and who encourage and support each other. Life Group for us has been a true blessing as we have bonded and shared life’s trials and joys. We would encourage everyone to explore joining a Life Group— we love doing life with the family of God."- Don & Patsy Akin

“Attending the 201 class was so helpful for me. It gave me a simple, biblical understanding of discipleship and a simple, biblical way to begin discipling others. Now, when I meet with young ladies, I walk them through the material so we are on the same page and we both know what to expect. I also know that I am unified with Evergreen’s heart and design for discipleship. I highly recommend that every person should take 201!"- Megan Schell

“On my first trip to San Miguel I was a scared and shy freshman. I wasn't the most qualified for the trip by any means, but God was calling me to be obedient in going. The thought of sharing my testimony or even praying aloud before meals on the trip filled me with fear. One evening, on the way to a village, I was told that I was going to share my testimony in front of this village. I did not feel prepared or qualified to be doing this, but God saw something different. He knew that He had changed my life, and I needed to be obedient in sharing what He had done. Getting up in front of this small group of around 40 people may not have been that big of an accomplishment, but it was an important step in surrender to God, made possible by a church being obedient to God, in the call to spread the name of Jesus to the nations."- Wyatt Campbell (11th Grader)

“My wife, Teresa, and I were raised by godly parents, so church life has always been important to us. Since joining Evergreen Church two years ago, it has been a blessing to watch our children serve. Our oldest daughter, Nina, and her husband, Ben, serve in The Venue worship service, while our youngest daughter, Pauli, and her husband, James, serve on the medical team. It’s been a true joy to see our family serving together. We've also been part of a multi-generational Sunday School class with all our children, and the lessons we learn there often flow into our everyday discussions. The relationships we've built remind us that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone. I wouldn’t trade this class for anything and encourage everyone to find a class that fits them. Our family, spanning four generations from ages 7 to 90, is incredibly blessed to be part of Evergreen."- Jack Whipple Jr.

“For the people of Evergreen, Children’s Ministry Expo (CME) is like having a treasure chest of ministry resources in our own backyard! We are blessed beyond measure to have a conference like this hosted by your own church on our own campus. CME has helped equip me and other parents who are on the front lines of the spiritual battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of our own children and family members.Through attending CME in 2022, I learned about the National Center for Biblical Parenting, which has in turn blessed not only my family but others in our church as well through their resources and training. I encourage you as my Evergreen family - if you are a parent or preschool or children’s ministry worker - to make whatever changes in your schedule are necessary to attend CME one year. You will not regret it!"- Danny Rockwell

“When I first came to Evergreen, I was incredibly impressed by what my children were learning in their preschool Sunday school class. Listening to my 4 year old tell me stories about Jesus made me cry walking out of church one Sunday. After that day, I signed up to be the VBS craft teacher in the preschool. I loved watching these little ones hear about Jesus and learn about Him through stories, songs, and crafts. That fall, I volunteered to teach a kindergarten class on Sunday morning. Watching kids come in with such a hunger to learn God’s Word is so encouraging in today’s world. Evergreen has also given me the opportunity to teach at the ELC where my two youngest attend while our oldest attends Evergreen Academy. I am so thankful God led our family to Evergreen."- Gabby Reagan

“The men’s ministry is the heart and strength of Evergreen Church. At the Wednesday morning prayer breakfast, Manventure, and other Evergreen men’s activities, I found truth, transparency, accountability, brotherly affection, and encouragement. Some of my initial conversations and connections grew into deeply intimate spiritual friendships. If you participate in Manventure, you can find the same things. Twenty-four hours, $95, and a little effort could change your life."- Brett Jackson

“Since my first Manventure, I have been encouraged, challenged, and grown in my walk from both formal and informal teachings from men across Evergreen. Now, getting to see how the men of Evergreen are making connections at Manventure that continue and grow stronger is inspiring. Additionally, seeing men invite friends, family, and co-workers to Manventure shows that this weekend for the men is more than just getting away. This is a great training ground and launching pad for the men of Evergreen to be refueled, energized, and reminded of the role we have in the Kingdom, this body, and this community. "- Levi Mattes

"Yesterday the youth ministry sent down 22 people to beautiful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, to work along side two local missionaries, Ben and Susie Argil, and their mission organization, Brilla Life. Over the next week we will
be doing a multitude of jobs such as prayer walking, maintenance of builds and grounds, and putting on a student conference for local students in a few villages outside of San Miguel. The name of our student conference is Expo Peligro (Expo Danger) and will focus on several different topics that students in these villages are struggling with; such as motorcycle safety, drugs, alcohol, and biblical sexuality. Along with these topics our students will get a chance to share the gospel with these Mexican students that are draped in a culture that glorifies a very Virgin Mary-centered Catholicism. My hope and prayer is that God would be glorified and the good news of Jesus would take root in the hearts of all of the people we encounter in San Miguel. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated!"
- Pastor Christian Kemp

"The SHINE Ministry has been a transformative experience for our family and our sweet Will who has Down syndrome. Through its compassionate and inclusive approach, Will feels accepted, valued, and loved for who he is. One significant way the SHINE Ministry has helped is by providing a Buddy or as he likes to call them “best friend” who helps Will navigate his Sunday mornings. Having someone waiting for him and excited to hang out with him brings him so much joy! This Buddy helps Will connect with his peers and develop friendships which can be difficult sometimes for children with special needs, as well as help him experience a deeper understanding of the Bible and God. We are grateful for the kindness and generosity of everyone involved in SHINE and love the way this structured yet flexible ministry has helped Will grow in his love for Jesus in a way that speaks directly to his heart." - Cathy Wandel

"Last year, my son Liam and I attended ManVenture for the first time, and it turned out to be an incredibly meaningful experience for both of us. We had no idea what to expect, but from the moment we arrived, we were welcomed into a brotherhood of men who were genuinely invested in faith, family, and personal growth. One of the biggest takeaways for us was the connections we made—meeting so many men from Evergreen who we now see and talk to regularly at church has helped us feel truly part of the church family. Beyond the relationships, the teaching sessions were deeply impactful. The messages shared during the opening and closing sessions, as well as the breakout discussions, spoke directly to where I was spiritually and challenged me in the best way. It was exactly what I needed in that season of life. On top of that, the retreat gave me dedicated time to bond with Liam—something that can be hard to do in the busyness of everyday life. I would strongly encourage every man to attend, and if you have a youth-age son, bring him with you. ManVenture provides an incredible opportunity to strengthen your faith, build lasting friendships, and invest in your relationship with your son. As men, we need to stand together, supporting and sharpening one another so we can effectively lead our families in the right direction." - Nathan Carter

"Have you ever wondered how you could share your convictions about the love and salvation of Jesus to your neighbor, friend, classmate, co-worker, relative or acquaintance? Do you know what those persons believe about eternal life and how to receive it? Evangelism & Apologetics (Class 401) teaches you how to share your conviction that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life with people who hold to other worldviews such as atheists, Latter Day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, LGBT persons and others in a friendly and compassionate manner to help them see the truth of Christ and His work on their behalf. This course provides you with a written workbook along with comprehensive individual pamphlets for each of the other worldviews that explain how they differ from Christianity and how to reach people who hold those beliefs. I love the course so much that I have attended it 4 times, as each time I receive reinforcement, not only of the teaching, but also an impartation of Phil’s heart of compassion for those who don’t know the Truth." -David Mains

"On March 30th, as we were getting ready to head to church, we were met with an unexpected surprise — a large section of our neighbor’s Bradford Pear tree had fallen into our driveway during the overnight storm. Without a chainsaw and with no family in Oklahoma, we found ourselves unable to handle the situation. We reached out to our Life Group, and the response was immediate and overwhelming. Chris and Susan Richey quickly came to our aid, bringing their chainsaw and willing hearts. Together, we worked to cut up the branches and clear the driveway so we could make it to church — a little late, but grateful nonetheless. That evening, the Richeys returned with a trailer, and we were able to haul away a large portion of the debris from our front yard. It was such a blessing to experience the love and support of the body of Christ in action. Our Life Group is truly our family away from home. We’re so thankful for their help and the beautiful reminder of what it means to carry one another’s burdens." - Shawn and Elizabeth Cheney

"In 2017 a group of men decided it was time for Evergreen to set aside dedicated time for our development. After weeks of prayer, Manventure was born. We call it that because men don’t retreat! Since then, we have dedicated 24 hours each spring to equip each other with practical tools to lead ourselves and our families. The first gathering of 68 men has now grown to nearly 300. God continues to challenge, equip, and build godly friendships through Manventure. I highly encourage all of our men to attend this time away. It will refresh your soul and build you up to be the man God has called you to be!" - Pastor Philip Jackson

"Through this trip, I saw how important it is to reach out to the Deaf in personal, intentional ways. A sermon at the Deaf church reminded me how Jesus pulled the deaf man aside, showing deep care and attention. I had prayed for clarity about how God might use my passion for the Deaf and sign language, and while I’m not sure if Deaf missions is a lifelong calling, I do know I’m on the right path— starting with Deaf education. The kids I met in Jamaica truly changed my life. It broke my heart to learn that many of their parents don’t know or try to learn sign
language. Since returning, I’ve been able to video call some of the girls, and even with the connection issues, it’s such a joy to see their smiles. This trip gave me a renewed passion to serve the Deaf. Thank you for your prayers and support— please keep the Deaf community in your prayers. They remain the most unreached people group for the Gospel, and there’s only one Christian Deaf school in America, serving only young children. Pray that God raises up more people to bring the Gospel to the Deaf." - Lydia King

"Falls Creek my 7th grade year was the first time I met Jesus. It was on Thursday during night chapel and the song Run to the Father was playing after a sermon on how God sees each person and will meet them where they are. After years of going through the motions of church and treating it the same way I treated school, I finally understood and accepted that God was real and not this foreign concept that I couldn’t touch. He was someone that I could let into my life and someone I could let lead my life. This realization changed my life forever. With the help of a friend leading me down to the altar, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Through this decision, Jesus has taught me how to love others and myself in the same way He did and still does." - Avery Theissen (10 Grade)

"Our daughter has been to Kids Camp the last 3 years. From Worship and Bible time, to snack and game time, to craft and bunk time, to small group time – she loved EVERY aspect of camp. She came back with incredible stories of how much fun she had, but more importantly, the lessons she learned throughout the week. As a parent, I love the intentional interactions that the leaders have with each child and how they pour into them throughout the week." - Kathryn Carter

"Daughters of the King is my favorite event in Women’s ministry. God answers prayers here. It’s obvious our leadership team approaches this event prayerfully guided by the Spirit because I find the Lord speaks to each one of us through His Word, timed in His faithful way. The first year I registered, my 21-year old brother suddenly died in a car accident that week. Throughout that next year, I had the hardest time of my life in my walk with Christ. When Daughters of the King rolled around again, I hesitated to sign up. I was not in a good place spiritually. I went anyway, and it felt like the Lord wrapped me up in His arms and used my sisters and His Word to build me up in a way I hadn’t allowed the Church to do in months. There’s something powerful about a group of praying daughters in one place, worshipping our King." - Julea Merriott

"During the Fall of 2024, I attended Evergreen Institute’s class on Systematic Theology. The class was taught primarily by Pastor Philip Jackson with periodic guest speakers discussing specific topics. For me, the subject matter was presented in a way that not only captured my interest but challenged me to strive more diligently to gain a more meaningful understanding of Christian doctrine. As a result, I’ve gained greater insight to the truth of Scripture and how it is so very important. Attending Evergreen Institute had a direct impact on my personal walk with the Lord and how I live my daily life. The teaching challenges the student to grow in spiritual maturity and to BE Christian as they not only teach the mind, but strongly impact the heart for God. It was a true blessing and I want more." - Jeff Hill

"Camp Barnabas is an incredible place where we are able to truly lay our lives down for a week and serve the special needs community as well as grow in community with our fellow missionaries. God showed me what a blessing it is to forget about my own life and serve others during this week. Through my camper, Colton, I learned how to be present in the moment and thankful for whatever you have whether that’s a house, food or healthy legs to run. Camp Barnabas is a challenging mission, but an endlessly rewarding one. Colton had severe head trauma, used a walker, helmet, AFO’s, glasses, and couldn’t walk successfully without assistance from someone, but he still showed so much goofy joy with fake burps and peek- a-boo, or singing gratitude with our cabin. Colton will forever be on my heart and in my prayers until I can see him someday with a brand new body in Heaven." - Jake Hayward

"I have been teaching 1st and 2nd graders in Vacation Bible School for the past three years at Evergreen. I LOVE it! When you teach children Bible stories and share the love of
Christ with them, you're not just giving them knowledge; you're helping to shape their understanding of who they are in God's eyes. The lessons learned during VBS can stick with them long after they’ve grown up. You never know how a Bible verse, a song, or a meaningful conversation might be something that the child holds on to, even in tough times down the road. God promises that His Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11), so every lesson shared can have eternal value. Working with kids is not a quiet, calm experience and that’s what makes it fun! There are amazing themes, crafts, games, music, and skits to help make the Word of God come alive. It’s a beautiful thing to think about—teaching kids in a way that not only affects their present but also their forever."
- Tia Bennett

"Camp Barnabas is the highlight of Joy’s year! She can’t wait, especially to hang out with her counselor, Kyndall! She loves the activities, especially swimming & karaoke! For us as parents, it means so much to us for her to have a place where she can just be a typical kid. It’s a blessing to know she’s safe, loved, and not just accepted, but celebrated! Camp Barnabas gives us a rare chance to rest and recharge. We’re so grateful for Camp Barnabas & Evergreen to make this experience possible for families like ours."
- Amy White

"Falls Creek has been a transformational experience for me, and it’s had a lifelong impact on my life. When I attended for the first time, I hadn’t yet made many connections and was unsure of what to expect. However, by the time I left, everything had changed for the better. I was able to form relationships with some incredible people who encouraged me then and continue to do so today. The community of Christ-followers that develops at Falls Creek inspires us to bring that same spirit back to our youth group. Each year, God has taught me so much through the camp itself, but also through the people that are around me during that week. If you’re considering attending, I encourage you to take that step! I was hesitant at first, but can confidently say it’s an amazing and fun experience where God truly moves in powerful ways." - Brielle Rockwell

"I have been a member of Evergreen for 4 years now, so I have been to 3 DOTK. This is my favorite women's event that I will never miss attending. Each year has been such a great day of learning and encouragement! The last conference we had was a day I will never forget. In a breakout session, one woman was vulnerable and shared part of her testimony that she never even planned to say, but the Holy Spirit told her to share. Through her, I heard God speaking to me about what our family was going through. I talked to her after the breakout session and walked away with hope, encouragement, and resources to help. That day, I went home and talked to my husband about what I learned and the resource I was pointed to. We made plans to seek this out, take care of business, and not let it sit unattended to anymore. That day changed the trajectory of the spiritual health of my marriage and my family. So, I encourage all of you women to go to DOTK and see what the Lord has for you." - Kailyn Jackson

"I wanted to help behind the scenes, so I offered to make copies for the preschool department's Sunday school classes. That’s how a Wednesday afternoon preschool prep ministry started. Now, a dozen folks who wanted to serve Jesus but didn’t know where they fit meet in a resource room weekly. We make copies of lesson sheets and prep supplies for crafts, supporting 18 classes, Awana, and Sunday night child care. We’ve also been known to assemble cribs, high chairs, and black out shades for nursery rooms. We pray for our teachers and preschoolers to know how deeply they are loved, and we pray for each other. We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, too. And we laugh - a lot! I asked our group what they liked about our preschool prep team and if anything had surprised them about being part of this community. The common thread among replies was gratitude for the gift of close friendship and surprise at how doing seemingly insignificant things could be a meaningful service advancing the Kingdom." - Jamie Tufts

"When I came to Reach the first time, I wasn’t expecting to love it, or for it to change my life. I was in a job I knew wasn’t purposeful for me, in a rut with not feeling connectedness to the Lord, and struggling deeply with a personal relationship issue at my former church home. I had no idea that the Lord was about to change nearly every aspect of my life! A friend invited me to join her because she was new to Evergreen and didn’t want to go to Reach alone. I walked in and was so excited, and almost instantly felt like I was at home. Reach (& Evergreen) carries the same spirit as my former church of 6+ years that I knew the Lord was leading me away from for my healing journey, but I was sad and didn’t think I would ever love another church the way I did that one. I quickly fell in love with the deep authenticity, precious community, radical discipleship mindset, and bold gospel preaching at Reach. It drew me in and convinced me that Evergreen must be the place for me. Since joining Reach I have made deep friendships with women I know will be lifelong sisters, and have encountered so much healing! I have been so surprised and blessed at every turn! I have been encouraged by Taylor and the leadership team to boldly pursue Christ, and my passion for areas of ministry that I hadn’t pursued since graduating college has been challenged and renewed! If you’re in a community here at Evergreen but longing for more, press in and open up to those around you. Reach has taught me that my community depends on me, needs me, and requires more of me. The extent to which you receive from others depends on how much you’re willing to let your community see into the real you, and how open you will be to accept what they have to give!" - Lauren Blair

"When my older kids were young, I worked in the preschool hall as infrequently as I possibly could. At that time, I felt that I had already spent enough time with littles during the week without watching other kids on Sunday mornings, so serving in that way felt like a chore. Needless to say, I was not super excited when God told me to sign up to serve every week in 2021, but His call was undeniable. Let me tell you—God truly blesses obedience! He quickly gave me connections with the kiddos in our class, and I actually loved it! We have a schedule and routine in our room. The kids are taught the Word of God and have a lot of fun. Serving only sometimes is helpful, but it is richer and more rewarding to serve every week. The kids get to know you as a leader, get more comfortable coming, and you get to know all of their personalities. I would encourage every member (parents or not) to pray with an open mind and heart about serving in preschool ministry. Lee Ann and Julea` do a great job of providing all of the resources needed for success, and they strive for community within the group to really feel like a team. I’m not saying that every moment is easy in that ministry, but God is faithful to meet your every need along the way. If He is telling you to serve there, jump in and watch Him move in a mighty way!" - Shanna Dietz

"Our daughter had the opportunity to spend a week at Camp Barnabas for
the second time this summer. She loved being able to spend a week away at camp and was able to experience things that weren’t otherwise possible for her , like archery and ziplining for the first time. Her missionary was the hands and feet of Jesus to her all week and it is humbling as a parent to see your child being poured into and celebrated. We are thankful to be a part of a church who value our special children and provide groundwork for them to thrive." - Addi Roberts

"I’m so grateful for the Evergreen Women’ s Dwell Bible Study! After being away from church for almost 25 years, God brought me back. I was so hungry to know Him and learnmHis Word. I jumped right in with Sunday School, Life Group, and the Women’ s Bible Study. One of the first things I did was go through Terri Willms’ Bible study tools class, and it completely changed the way I read Scripture. I learned how to dig into God's Word, and before I knew it, I was hooked! My daily quiet time became more meaningful as I learned more about who God is and what it means to follow Jesus. I had always believed, but it wasn’t until I started studying the Bible that I truly came to know Him. I look forward to joining the women’ s Bible studies each season and have loved learning alongside so many amazing women. I am so thankful for Evergreen and for the Women’ s Dwell Bible Study. It’ s been such a big part of drawing me closer to the Lord." - Stephanie Eckman

"The Venue is a very special place for me. I love the intimacy and intentionality I get to experience in a smaller space upstairs with a unique pocket of the Evergreen community that is intentional about doing life together. With a dedicated prayer team and pastors, it feels like a special, yet different, kind of expression of Evergreen culture that is truly life-giving, without missing out on the bigger picture of Evergreen Church." - Andrew Layden

"It was about a month before the last Guatemala mission trip meeting and I felt God was telling me to go. So I sat down and made a list of friends and family members I would like to send mission letters to. When I made the list of my family, I became hesitant about sending the letter to my dad's side of my family. My dad has 8 siblings and all of his family members except him are very devoted Catholics and believe you are saved by works. So I started praying and asking God what He wanted me to do. I heard a subtle whisper of the Holy Spirit say "Share the Gospel in your letter". Then I was EXCITED! Now instead of just telling them about my mission trip, they got to hear the Gospel as well! God ended up providing the most money of all my family through my dad's side of my family. God is in control and all the money in the world belongs to Him. We are simply to share the Gospel and obey what He says." - Justin Kraus

"Evergreen Apparel exists to mobilize our church family in celebrating and sharing God’ s work. Through apparel and merchandise, we provide tangible ways to point others to Christ and to Evergreen Church. Each item serves not just as clothing or gear , but as a conversation starter and a visible expression of faith and community. A portion of every purchase (10% of all proceeds) directly supports Evergreen missions, while the shop as a whole functions as a tool to raise funds for ministry initiatives. In this way, every item purchased contributes to the greater work of the gospel, both locally and globally. The Apparel Shop also plays a vital role in equipping and blessing ministry volunteers. By providing apparel that represents Evergreen and highlights areas of service, we strengthen our identity as a church family and celebrate the unique ways God has called each person to serve." - Evergreen Creative Department

"Back in Spring, I was going through the process of joining Evergreen and looking for avenues to get involved and find community in the church. During this, I was invited by Pastor AJ to sit in on his Sunday School class. I was amazed at the warmth and intentionality I received by the members after one visit. At Evergreen I have seen several different SS class options to cater to various walks of life, such as Pastor AJ’s multi-generational class. In Sunday Schools you will find a loving community, enjoy engaged discussion centered around exegetical teaching, and experience an abundance of fellowship! Through Christ’s love, I have been blessed with so many incredible relationships through my Sunday School community and encourage everyone to check one out if you haven’t done so!" - Colton Burnett

"We first came to Evergreen looking for a church that would pour into our kids and partner with us in discipleship. From the very first Sunday, we felt peace in the service, were grateful for clear preaching of God’s Word, and saw our children quickly connect in their classes. A highlight has been watching them grow through Awana, Ramp56, and student ministry opportunities. Seeing them excited to memorize Scripture, build faith-filled friendships, and even step into worship ministry has been a huge answer to prayer. As a family, we’ve also loved getting plugged in ourselves — joining a life group, serving in preschool ministry, and being part of Evergreen’s heart for missions. We’ve really missed being part of a church with a strong global focus, and it’s refreshing to see that heartbeat here. God has already used Evergreen to bring peace, joy, and excitement into our home, and we are so thankful for the way He is working through this church to shape both us and our children." - Chris and Aimee Esau

"We want to thank you for your continuous prayer and support as we serve here in Mexico. For the last eight months, we have been living in the city of Puebla, growing in the Spanish language. We have made connections with a local church and have served alongside them in various ministry opportunities. It has been a season of learning the culture and the Lord breaking our hearts for the lostness in Mexico. We are excited to say that we are graduating from language school! In the second week of October, we will move to our field of service, Guadalajara, Mexico. It is considered the most “Folk-Catholic” part of the country. Please pray for us as we transition cities, pray for opportunities for connections and Gospel conversations, and pray God will stir the hearts of the “Tapatío” people of Guadalajara." - Nick and Anna Buford

"Mini Manventure is a special event that takes the culture of Evergreen and makes it accessible at a young age! My son and I had an incredible time of connection and bonding—not only through fun activities, but also through meaningful conversations that came out of what we were learning together. The event gave us practical tools for survival both physically and spiritually, helping us see how everyday experiences can point us back to God. Best of all, it created space to slow down, step away from the busyness of life, and invest in quality father-son time. If you have young boys, I can’t recommend this enough. Make it a priority—you’ll find it to be an amazing resource for discipling them and laying a strong foundation as they grow into men of God." - Andrew Layden

"All throughout my childhood and early teenage years, I struggled to find a career that I was
passionate about enough to spend my entire life doing. Nothing piqued my interest or sparked
joy in my soul until I met Jesus. After a difficult year dealing with various mental health issues,
I finally fully surrendered my life to Jesus and put my “Yes” on the table to follow Him. I began to pray and ask God what He wanted from me, knowing the only two things I cared about were people and Jesus. As the summer was coming to an end, my prayer was answered in a sermon Pastor Michael preached on Ezekiel. The question of “who will go and stand in the gap for my people?” weighed heavy on my heart and I felt God asking me to respond. So I said yes! Shortly after, I got the opportunity to serve in the youth ministry and three years later, I am in awe that I get to be a Resident in our youth ministry! The Lord has been faithful every step of the way and I am humbled to be a part of something so beautiful!"
- Lily Fuller (Student Ministry Resident)

"I used to say “My calling is not to preschoolers.” But then God blessed me with three grandchildren. My greatest desire in life is for them to know Jesus, and follow Him wholeheartedly, so I jumped in with both feet to help teach preschoolers the truths of God’s Word. Hopefully the truths being planted in their little hearts will make it easy for them to give their hearts to Jesus at
an early age, and equip them for life in a dark world. The staff support and the resources available to us as volunteers make it so enjoyable, and I happily do what I used to think would be impossible for me to enjoy. God equipped me to do what He asked
me to do, and there’s never a Sunday that I don’t go home thanking Him for the awesome privilege to serve in this way."
- Lynette Layden

"Have you heard about the Quilter’s Fellowship at Evergreen? This dedicated group of women have no fear of a sewing machine. They love to quilt (or, are learning) and eagerly set their hearts, hands, and foot pedals to the metal to meet various needs within the body of Christ. While enjoying fellowship & occasionally working on their own projects, you will also find them working furiously to create quilts for foster kids, items for Christmas Shoeboxes, or HUNDRED’S of tote bags & baby blankets for missions. Last month, we partnered with the Threads Ministry to make 500 bags for the Guatemala mission trip! We currently meet the 2 Mon/Tues of each month. For more information, feel free to reach out at 918-607-1189." - Cindy Kok