Three Reasons Your Story Matters

by John Eiselt

Sixteen years ago on Black Friday I was standing in the middle of the main corridor of a mall in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

It was the final semester of my senior year in college and while I finished my degree, I was working at a mall kiosk selling “zoom-copter” toys.

The job consisted of standing in the middle of the corridor next to the kiosk “flying” the helicopter.

The mission was simple and was based on the reality that people were more likely to purchase something when they can see or experience how it works.

I tested this theory and discovered that they were right!

When I stood next to the kiosk holding the helicopter inside the package, people walked by like I was invisible, presuming it was a junky plastic toy.

However, when I assembled the helicopter and was able to successfully launch the helicopter out of my hand, it would make a swooping radius high in air and return back to my hand like magic.

When this happened people would flock to the kiosk like pigeons on to breadcrumbs and would buy the zoom-copters by the arm-full.

In the marketplace, a strong testimonial is one of the strongest marketing tools there is. It tells a story that connects us to something bigger, to the mission behind the “product.”

In our lives, and more specifically in our faith and journey with God, our stories and our lives have the same effect.

However, the strongest testimonies are not always “successes” or “wins.”

It’s the journey behind the story that points people to a bigger truth, purpose, and ultimately to the God who is writing the story.

This weekend, come discover the three reasons your story matters in the grander story that God has written.

We will discover together how our lives and stories are at the heart of God’s mission to our world.

Photo by Anna Dziubinska on Unsplash.

This is Us

We are the church, whether we are gathered or scattered--each one of us, a part of the body of Christ, wherever we go, whatever we do.

So, where can you find us, and what are we doing?

Ever wonder what we do with the Communication Cards after you fill them out and drop them off each week? Well, it all starts with Denise Olson. Over the last 14 years (!!!), every Sunday after the last service, she picks up all of the cards that were filled out and dedicates upwards of three hours that same day processing them, organizing them, and compiling the information into one concise document that gets passed onto our staff, board, and elders each Monday. This helps us reach out to new visitors, get people plugged in, and pray for the needs of our congregation. She loves to work behind the scenes in this way, and we are so grateful for her commitment to such a vital role!

Community is so important in Scripture and in the life of our church. A great place to get to know others and participate in community is the Women’s Ministry monthly meal gathering for fellowship, connection, and catching your breath. It’s called The Table. It’s every generation gathered together growing in Christ-likeness, and a fun and easy way to meet others, to grow deeper in friendships, or to invite neighbors and friends.