Life Change Stories
Their journey has changed the way they view suffering. While they would never choose the pain they endured, they have learned that God's presence can meet us even in our darkest moments. They have also discovered the power of simply showing up for others who are hurting, sometimes not with answers, but with love.
Watch their story to hear how God carried them through unimaginable loss, taught them to find beauty in the midst of grief, and continues to use their experience to shape their faith today.
Amy's story is a powerful reminder that God often works through ordinary people who are willing to take the next step. You don't need a title, a platform, or a perfect plan. You simply need a willing heart.
Every one of us has something to contribute. Every one of us can bring hope, compassion, and the love of Christ into our community. Amy's example shows what can happen when someone simply says yes.
Recent Stories
Baptisms
“Everybody was so welcoming and so kind,” Zach recalls. “I found that everybody was very accepting. Everybody would answer your questions about the Bible. It was just a really good thing — something I needed to do for myself.”
Their journey has changed the way they view suffering. While they would never choose the pain they endured, they have learned that God's presence can meet us even in our darkest moments. They have also discovered the power of simply showing up for others who are hurting, sometimes not with answers, but with love.
Watch their story to hear how God carried them through unimaginable loss, taught them to find beauty in the midst of grief, and continues to use their experience to shape their faith today.
Their journey has changed the way they view suffering. While they would never choose the pain they endured, they have learned that God's presence can meet us even in our darkest moments. They have also discovered the power of simply showing up for others who are hurting, sometimes not with answers, but with love.
Watch their story to hear how God carried them through unimaginable loss, taught them to find beauty in the midst of grief, and continues to use their experience to shape their faith today.
Jen has experienced many ups and downs, but the biggest challenge was a few years ago. Looking back, Jen realizes that God prepared her to walk through that challenge and used it to grow her and her family’s faith.
At a young age, Cheryl was burdened with a secret she swore she’d take to the grave. God walked with her in small steps from this terrible experience to her life now, where she is able to talk about this hurt.
Mary placed her faith in Christ in March of 2023 and is really excited to celebrate Christmas this year because of how much more meaning it holds as a Christ follower.
Before knowing Christ, Christmas was always about gift-giving and presents—there was little emphasis on faith. But since trusting in Jesus this past February, Dylan has a new understanding of Jesus, his birth, and everything that means for him. The idea of Christmas really hits him differently now that faith has really become a part of who he is.
Jose’s first Christmas as a follower of Christ is very exciting for him. His Christmas will look different this year, as he’s not just looking forward to time with family and presents. He’s looking forward to celebrating the birth of Christ and giving God the glory for saving his life.
When Katie walked into Northridge on Easter morning, she knew immediately it was where she was meant to be. For years, she tried to reconcile her suffering alone. But, she finally felt calmed by the overwhelming presence that someone was protecting every one of her steps. Jesus ended up being the only person left to turn to in the middle of loss and mental health struggles. Katie’s story is a true testament to how God is sovereign over our deepest trials and can lead us to trust Him with all we have.
A Present God In All Circumstances
Outreach Stories: Going Beyond Our Walls
Amy's story is a powerful reminder that God often works through ordinary people who are willing to take the next step. You don't need a title, a platform, or a perfect plan. You simply need a willing heart.
Every one of us has something to contribute. Every one of us can bring hope, compassion, and the love of Christ into our community. Amy's example shows what can happen when someone simply says yes.
With a heart burdened for the lost and a deep longing to serve with unwavering faithfulness, Kristen returned from a missions season overseas forever changed. Feeling the burden of the world's unmet needs, Kristen was ignited with an unwavering passion to share the gospel with those who had never experienced its hope.
What started as a small yes, the Lord grew into something greater. As a busy parent, Sarah offers what she has, and the Lord is using her time to build something greater. Between navigating the art of naptimes and mastering the occasional meltdown, she makes service a steady heartbeat in the life of her family.
Tim has never been one to merely sit on the sidelines. He takes action, lends a hand, and it doesn’t take long to recognize his warm and humble spirit. Even as a public accountant, his quiet office and endless spreadsheets are a means of connecting with clients. He acts as a problem solver, helping others navigate financial roads they don’t understand. His mind may be filled with numbers, but his heart is for people.
Giving generously is a blessing! A few weeks ago, we shared that our church family was able to respond to a crisis at one of our local partners, World Relief Western New York, with a gift of $75,000. These funds went to help 212 families with the basic needs of housing, clothing, food, transportation, and health care. Click here to read the whole story, including the testimony of one Christian Venezuelan family who received the help they were promised.
Our church family cares about making Jesus known by strengthening families ending poverty and seeking justice. One of the reasons we love partnering with Compassion International is the way they invest in children and families through the local church!
If you can’t wait for the U.S. Open to start, or if the thought of it makes you want to head out to the golf course yourself, then you’re in luck because Caring Choices, a local non-profit connected with Northridge Outreach, will be hosting a Golf Fore Life tournament on August 16 at Morgan’s Crossing Golf Course.
This past Sunday, Nate talked about the parable of the Good Samaritan and posed this question: do we look out for the next person who needs mercy?
This year, Northridge will be giving $5000 to Malawi through World Relief for disaster restoration after drought and flooding from El Niño.
Do you enjoy sipping a nice hot cup of coffee while Drew preaches on a Sunday morning? If so, then you have New City Cafe & Roastery to thank.
As we go through our parenting series Because I Said So, there is a topic that often gets swept under the rug when it comes to families: youth and family trauma.
This week, we’ve invited our Brighton Campus Pastor Noah Bixby to talk a little bit about his trip to Malawi last month, where we are working with the Global Lift Collective.
Many families at Northridge sponsor children through Compassion in the Central American country of Honduras. This year’s gifts enabled Compassion to aid in updating a local childhood center.
Throughout the month of May, our Webster Campus did a campaign called “Loving Our Neighbors,” where they partnered with our Beyond partner, Caring Choices. This organization empowers women and families facing unexpected pregnancies in Rochester and Webster.
One of our Beyond partners, Agape International Missions (AIM), a justice focused organization in Cambodia that actively works against sex trafficking, recently rescued three adult women and one girl from sex trafficking. AIM is currently caring for all of these survivors in various ways to help them heal from these traumatic events.
In May, Northridge’s Beyond Director, Michelle Gerringer, had the opportunity to visit a church near Lilongwe, Malawi. The church is an active partner with HOPE International and Tearfund, which guide American churches to provide financial support for vulnerable families in the communities. They create groups that provide each family with a safe place to save their finances, small loans, and a supportive community. One of the families that HOPE International and Tearfund were able to bless was the Philimon family.
Regina is a young woman living in Malawi who faced shame and isolation after discovering she was pregnant while still unmarried. She had very little support before finding a Savings Group to join. Now, she has a community to help and has been able to mend the relationship with her family. She has been able to provide for herself and her baby and can once again dream of the future.
Hanna Telela, a woman in southern Malawi, found a deeper faith in God with the help of a Savings Group through Hope International.