Legacy of Hope
8/28/2024
Written By: April Mills
I was scrolling through social media, and spotted Victory’s post highlighting the six baptisms that took place on Sunday. Wow-six people made the decision to change their lives forever! What a beautiful and miraculous moment for each of them. Reading that post caused my heart to be flooded with gratitude for all the good things happening at Victory. From children’s ministry, to the high school ministry, small groups, the café, to the sports ministry, Vicory has so many areas to serve the people that enter the doors. Not only offering service to others, but giving an opportunity for others to serve. This caused me to reach back into the filing cabinet of my memory, and search for that moment when I first came into contact with Victory. Looking back, I can clearly see the path of connecting dots that led us to land where we are today.
Years ago, my husband used to play in basketball leagues when the church was known as Franklin Memorial Christian Church. I believe he first joined a league roughly 10-15 years ago. We were already engaged in a church at the time, consequently we visited the building solely for recreation purposes. My husband really enjoyed the league, and he often recommended it to others when the subject of basketball came up. About the same time, we signed our oldest daughter up for soccer at the church. She enjoyed running in the wrong direction, as most of the littles do at that age, and putting on her “big girl” uniform.
She enjoyed soccer for a few seasons, and then moved onto volleyball. Having watched her older sister on the court, our youngest daughter decided it was her turn. We enrolled her, and thus began the Saturday morning ritual of hanging out in the gym on Saturday mornings. It was then I came into contact with a woman who would help change the trajectory of my walk with the church.
At that time, I was going through what I refer to as my church rebellion era. Our family had left a church, and I was nursing a canyon size chip on my shoulder. I didn’t want to attend church, and I didn’t want anything to do with “church people”. I was raw, wounded, and angry; and felt justified in staying away. And yet, a very small part of me, buried down deep, longed to be connected with others. I missed the corporate praise and worship desperately, as well just being with other believers. I absolutely wasn’t going to admit this to anyone, and was prepared to die on the hill of stubbornness. As only the Lord can do, He sent a cheerful and passionate ambassador of Jesus and His church my way. I was sitting on the gym bench, watching my daughter on the court, when a woman sat down close to me. She smiled brightly and said hello. I already could tell she was outgoing and had a joyful presence. I knew immediately I was doomed.
She didn’t invite me to church that first week, but did the next time we happened to meet up in the gym. She struck up a conversation by asking if we attended church anywhere, and I simply replied that we were not attending. She began to speak about her love for Victory, the programs, the people and how it all was a great blessing to her. She was very genuine, and filled with love for her Savior. When she invited us to attend, I gave a very dry, “I will think about it”. My hope was that would be enough to satisfy and she would lose interest in talking to me. Well, she didn’t! As we gathered in the gym over the next few weeks, she freely shared about her life, and it always ended with her saying, “I hope you will consider giving us a try!”. Content in my offense, I wanted to be irritated, but I just couldn’t as she spoke with such genuine and kind intention.
One day, she must have sensed my hesitancy, or perhaps, even my broken heart. She looked me dead in my eyes, laid a gentle hand on my arm, quietly said, “I really hope you give it a try here. I really feel, in my heart, you will love it here”. She held my gaze for a few beats, and then went off to gather her daughter from the court. That moment planted and took a deep root in my heart where it began to grow. It became bigger and bigger until it overshadowed the hurt I had been lugging around for so long.
It was a long time before I was brave enough to walk inside the building on a Sunday. It was her kindness and 1000-watt smile that gave me courage to get out of my car and move my feet. It was her words that I carried with me through the front door that first day, and it was her acceptance that propelled me forward. She took the time to connect with me and that connection played a vital role in my retuning to the church body. To this day, those moments with her haven’t left me or faded over time. They will be my motivation and reminder that one invite can make a powerful impact. One moment of connection, no matter how big or small, can be the catalyst for change to be born.
Oh, and that woman that sat next to me all those years ago? The one that joyfully shared her life and faith, who laughed easily and had a quick sense of humor? Her name was Samantha Trueblood. Her words and actions will remain alive in me, as they will in others, and will live on to glorify His name.