| Owosso Church of the Nazarene |
| 1865 South M-52, Owosso, MI 48867 Phone: 989.723.2229, Fax: 989.936.5908 Email: OCNoffice@michonline.net |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Tell Your Story: Esther Dodson
Describe your life before you accepted Christ.
Childhood was great. I was raised by Christian parents (Daddy was a Methodist
preacher) and there was nothing I lacked regarding safety, love, and the necessities of
life. Unfortunately, I grew to view Christianity as a list of “do’s and don’ts, and did not
want any part of it. Upon turning 18 I went to a Baptist college in Arizona and
proceeded to rebel against a Christianity I understood to be only “restrictive,” with no
joy in it. Due to immoral living I was removed from there. Imagine my
embarrassment! However, my parents promised that if I would come home they would
never mention it to me. And they didn’t... ever. I came home for a while, but then
moved out on my own, which only gave momentum to my spiral downward. I
continued the immoral living and tried to drown my conscience in alcohol. I made some
very foolish choices which resulted in 3 marriages and 3 divorces... and I never finished
college.
Share how you met Jesus.
I’ve always known who Jesus is; I just never knew Him. On Thursday, May 11, 1978, I
couldn’t find anyone to go to the bar with me, and all day I’d felt like there was a dark
cloud over me. I paced the floor that night like a caged animal, but I finally realized
that what I was feeling was conviction... the “drawing” of God to repentance. After
several hours of pacing and crying I flung myself face down across my bed and cried
out for Jesus to come into my life. For the next 10 years I lived morally upright, but I
was trying to “be good” to “keep my salvation.” I had more fear than joy, and
consequently there were several periods of time when I would relapse into my sinful
ways. Finally, about 5 years ago I returned to the Owosso Nazarene Church; and
then... in 2004 I came under the teaching of Vicki Bryant and was inspired to fervently
search for what I was missing. After a year of absorbing what she taught, hearing
messages from Pastor De Vore that reinforced her teaching, and ultimately listening to
a sermon at home on DVD from Dr. Charles Stanley (The CROSS: Where the Wrath of
God and the Love of God Meet), I finally UNDERSTOOD!! I really and truly GOT IT!! It
was like my eyes, ears and mind were miraculously opened! That night in my living
room I cried, laughed, danced... you name it. (If anybody had been looking in my
window they would’ve called the men in the white coats!) Praise God for Vicki, for Dr.
Stanley, for Pastor De Vore, and for my mother’s prayers that followed me for SO many
years!!
How has your life changed since?
Words cannot adequately explain it, but the best way I can describe it is that “I fell in
love with Jesus,” and when you love somebody you WANT to please that one. The do’
s and don’ts are no longer burdensome because I instinctively desire to do God’s will
(that’s the Holy Spirit!!). I’m a human being who still experiences physical/emotional
pain, has financial & family problems, and yes... can still mess up, but my Jesus walks
beside me all the time now and His blood continually cleanses me because He knows
my desires and motives. The trials on this earth are but for a moment... compared to
the eternity I’ll spend with my beloved Jesus!! Gotta tell you though...I will have a LOT
of questions for Him...for Paul...for Abraham & Moses, for Mary... for King David...and...
well, you get the picture.
Childhood was great. I was raised by Christian parents (Daddy was a Methodist
preacher) and there was nothing I lacked regarding safety, love, and the necessities of
life. Unfortunately, I grew to view Christianity as a list of “do’s and don’ts, and did not
want any part of it. Upon turning 18 I went to a Baptist college in Arizona and
proceeded to rebel against a Christianity I understood to be only “restrictive,” with no
joy in it. Due to immoral living I was removed from there. Imagine my
embarrassment! However, my parents promised that if I would come home they would
never mention it to me. And they didn’t... ever. I came home for a while, but then
moved out on my own, which only gave momentum to my spiral downward. I
continued the immoral living and tried to drown my conscience in alcohol. I made some
very foolish choices which resulted in 3 marriages and 3 divorces... and I never finished
college.
Share how you met Jesus.
I’ve always known who Jesus is; I just never knew Him. On Thursday, May 11, 1978, I
couldn’t find anyone to go to the bar with me, and all day I’d felt like there was a dark
cloud over me. I paced the floor that night like a caged animal, but I finally realized
that what I was feeling was conviction... the “drawing” of God to repentance. After
several hours of pacing and crying I flung myself face down across my bed and cried
out for Jesus to come into my life. For the next 10 years I lived morally upright, but I
was trying to “be good” to “keep my salvation.” I had more fear than joy, and
consequently there were several periods of time when I would relapse into my sinful
ways. Finally, about 5 years ago I returned to the Owosso Nazarene Church; and
then... in 2004 I came under the teaching of Vicki Bryant and was inspired to fervently
search for what I was missing. After a year of absorbing what she taught, hearing
messages from Pastor De Vore that reinforced her teaching, and ultimately listening to
a sermon at home on DVD from Dr. Charles Stanley (The CROSS: Where the Wrath of
God and the Love of God Meet), I finally UNDERSTOOD!! I really and truly GOT IT!! It
was like my eyes, ears and mind were miraculously opened! That night in my living
room I cried, laughed, danced... you name it. (If anybody had been looking in my
window they would’ve called the men in the white coats!) Praise God for Vicki, for Dr.
Stanley, for Pastor De Vore, and for my mother’s prayers that followed me for SO many
years!!
How has your life changed since?
Words cannot adequately explain it, but the best way I can describe it is that “I fell in
love with Jesus,” and when you love somebody you WANT to please that one. The do’
s and don’ts are no longer burdensome because I instinctively desire to do God’s will
(that’s the Holy Spirit!!). I’m a human being who still experiences physical/emotional
pain, has financial & family problems, and yes... can still mess up, but my Jesus walks
beside me all the time now and His blood continually cleanses me because He knows
my desires and motives. The trials on this earth are but for a moment... compared to
the eternity I’ll spend with my beloved Jesus!! Gotta tell you though...I will have a LOT
of questions for Him...for Paul...for Abraham & Moses, for Mary... for King David...and...
well, you get the picture.
Tell Your Story: Dan Bryant
Describe life before you accepted Christ.
It goes back farther than when I accepted Christ. It goes back to all the choices He
gave me before I accepted Him. I’m a dry alcoholic of 23 years. As I look back at all the
chances He gave me He knew what the outcome would be even if I didn’t.
Share how you met Jesus.
13 years ago during an altar call something drew me to the front of the sanctuary. The
Pastor was speaking a salvation message. I confessed and accepted the Lord. It was
like a wave came over me and the weight of the world came off my shoulders.
How has your life changed since?
Life itself was different. What was important before wasn’t anymore. When the Lord is
number one, it changes your whole outlook on life, family, work, money and who would
believe fourteen years ago that I’d own a Bible store.
It goes back farther than when I accepted Christ. It goes back to all the choices He
gave me before I accepted Him. I’m a dry alcoholic of 23 years. As I look back at all the
chances He gave me He knew what the outcome would be even if I didn’t.
Share how you met Jesus.
13 years ago during an altar call something drew me to the front of the sanctuary. The
Pastor was speaking a salvation message. I confessed and accepted the Lord. It was
like a wave came over me and the weight of the world came off my shoulders.
How has your life changed since?
Life itself was different. What was important before wasn’t anymore. When the Lord is
number one, it changes your whole outlook on life, family, work, money and who would
believe fourteen years ago that I’d own a Bible store.
Tell Your Story: Vicki Bryant
Today I know what it means to have the “hounds of heaven” nipping at your heels,
trying to get your attention; but for the first thirty seven years of my life I ignored that
nipping. I was not raised in a Christian home. I doubt very much that anyone prayed
for me and my coming to know Jesus… that is why daily prayer for the children in my
life is so important. As a result, I grew up to be vulgar, unrestrained and independent.
I didn’t need God in my life and couldn’t understand why anyone else would either.
Today I remember countless examples of making fun of believers, telling off-color jokes
about them and using the Lord’s name constantly as a cuss word.
After my first marriage failed, I was even more bitter and hardened. I spent four nights
a week at local bars never giving a thought to the legacy I was writing for my young
son. Dan and I met at one of those bars and were great drinking buddies before we
ever had serious talks about a future together. After a year of sobriety for him, we
were married and began a seemingly “normal” life together. We had a nice home, a
solid marriage and a secure income. Then, he lost his job of twenty-six years.
Jesus was nipping at us; but we didn’t need Him in our lives. He began to direct
believers into our paths who became instrumental in our coming to Christ. While
working at local furniture store (The Carpenter’s Corner), I began to overhear frequent
conversations about Jesus and the plan of salvation He calls us to accept. During the
fall of 1995 we attended this church for the first time. It surely wasn’t love at first sight
between Jesus and me as I was convicted by every sermon, song and Sunday school
lesson.
One day I opened the Bible and my purpose for living was uncovered before my eyes.
My purpose was to learn, study and apply the truths of God’s Word… and then to
teach others of the life-changing impact of the passages within its pages. On February
14, 1996 I gave my heart to Jesus all by myself in a $5.00 garage-sale chair in my
bedroom. My journey for the past twelve years has been exciting, unpredictable and
eventful. Today, I own a Christian bookstore just a block from that bar where I first
met Dan. Jesus has directed me into a writing, teaching and public speaking ministry.
The “hounds of heaven” are no longer nipping at my heels. God is running the show…
and what a show it is!
trying to get your attention; but for the first thirty seven years of my life I ignored that
nipping. I was not raised in a Christian home. I doubt very much that anyone prayed
for me and my coming to know Jesus… that is why daily prayer for the children in my
life is so important. As a result, I grew up to be vulgar, unrestrained and independent.
I didn’t need God in my life and couldn’t understand why anyone else would either.
Today I remember countless examples of making fun of believers, telling off-color jokes
about them and using the Lord’s name constantly as a cuss word.
After my first marriage failed, I was even more bitter and hardened. I spent four nights
a week at local bars never giving a thought to the legacy I was writing for my young
son. Dan and I met at one of those bars and were great drinking buddies before we
ever had serious talks about a future together. After a year of sobriety for him, we
were married and began a seemingly “normal” life together. We had a nice home, a
solid marriage and a secure income. Then, he lost his job of twenty-six years.
Jesus was nipping at us; but we didn’t need Him in our lives. He began to direct
believers into our paths who became instrumental in our coming to Christ. While
working at local furniture store (The Carpenter’s Corner), I began to overhear frequent
conversations about Jesus and the plan of salvation He calls us to accept. During the
fall of 1995 we attended this church for the first time. It surely wasn’t love at first sight
between Jesus and me as I was convicted by every sermon, song and Sunday school
lesson.
One day I opened the Bible and my purpose for living was uncovered before my eyes.
My purpose was to learn, study and apply the truths of God’s Word… and then to
teach others of the life-changing impact of the passages within its pages. On February
14, 1996 I gave my heart to Jesus all by myself in a $5.00 garage-sale chair in my
bedroom. My journey for the past twelve years has been exciting, unpredictable and
eventful. Today, I own a Christian bookstore just a block from that bar where I first
met Dan. Jesus has directed me into a writing, teaching and public speaking ministry.
The “hounds of heaven” are no longer nipping at my heels. God is running the show…
and what a show it is!
Tell Your Story: Mary Helmer
Tell Your Story: Dan & Gretchen Yoder
On Wednesday, April 19th, we went to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing to have our son
Nathan. Nathan was breech so Gretchen had a scheduled c-section. We arrived at the
hospital at noon and her surgery was at two o’clock. For two hours we sat in
anticipation for the surgery and laughed at Dan in his scrubs. We had no idea what the
next hours held for us. Nathan was born at 2:38 p.m. He weighed 8 pounds and was
21 1/2 inches long. Shortly after birth we noticed he was grunting. The nurses
explained he was struggling to keep his lungs open. So they took Nathan to the
nursery for observation. Once Gretchen was in recovery they told us they were taking
Nathan to the NICU because he was requiring oxygen. They expected him to be there
a couple of hours and then be joining us in our room. Nathan ended up staying in the
NICU overnight.
The next day our room was full of family anxious to meet Nathan. We got a phone call
from his doctor saying that he had stopped breathing three times and had to be put
on a ventilator. His condition progressively got worse. In the middle of the night his
physician came to our room and told us they were putting him on Nitric Oxide to try to
keep his lungs open. He was also put on an oscillator which is a kind
of ventilator that gives about 300 puffs of air a minute. They thought this would be
gentler on his lungs. We went to visit him and he was on the maximum support
Sparrow could offer. He was sedated, on numerous medications, and had received 2
blood transfusions. We weren't allowed to touch him or talk to him. He was diagnosed
with PPHN which is a condition where the pressure in his lungs is too great for the
heart to pump his blood in, so his blood wasn't getting oxygen. We had a meeting with
his doctors where they told us that the Nitric Oxide was the last thing they could do for
him. If the treatment wasn't successful he would be transported to Ann Arbor and put
on an ECMO machine. This machine takes blood out of the body, oxygenates it and
puts it back in the body. It was after this news we realized our baby might not live.
One particular morning Nathan was having trouble so they put him back on a regular
vent. We were upset by this but it turned out to be a miracle. About an hour after he
was switched the power went off twice in the NICU. The normal vent has a battery
back up so Nathan was fine, but the oscillator has to be manually restarted by a
respiratory therapist who wasn't in the NICU. If he had not switched vents it could
have been a disaster. Nathan was able to come off the vent after 7 days and put on a
nasal cannula. He was able to start eating and was on his way to getting better. The
next day he had a fever, a high heart rate, and was very lethargic. After numerous
tests including a spinal tap, they found that he had a staph infection. This required 10
more days of antibiotics and was not allowed to eat. After a couple of days he started
to get better and continued getting better until he was able to come home after 31
days in the NICU. He came home with no medicines or machines. The staff at Sparrow
reassured us what a miracle he is.
Our church family and the Lord have blessed us more than we could have imagined.
We know hundreds of people were praying for our family, especially for Nathan. He is
an amazing gift and this experience has strengthened our relationship with the Lord. It
is hard to stay positive when you are facing such a tough situation, but we knew the
Lord loved us and would heal our son. Today, Nathan is no different than any other
baby. He had his first check up on April 22 and the doctor said he is perfect! We thank
the Lord and pray we will always remember what He has done for our family. Thank
you all so much. It is great to feel loved in a time of need. We appreciate the love,
prayers, cards, food, financial gifts and encouragement from all of you. We are glad to
be a part of such an awesome church family!
Dan, Gretchen, Natalie & Nathan Yoder
Nathan. Nathan was breech so Gretchen had a scheduled c-section. We arrived at the
hospital at noon and her surgery was at two o’clock. For two hours we sat in
anticipation for the surgery and laughed at Dan in his scrubs. We had no idea what the
next hours held for us. Nathan was born at 2:38 p.m. He weighed 8 pounds and was
21 1/2 inches long. Shortly after birth we noticed he was grunting. The nurses
explained he was struggling to keep his lungs open. So they took Nathan to the
nursery for observation. Once Gretchen was in recovery they told us they were taking
Nathan to the NICU because he was requiring oxygen. They expected him to be there
a couple of hours and then be joining us in our room. Nathan ended up staying in the
NICU overnight.
The next day our room was full of family anxious to meet Nathan. We got a phone call
from his doctor saying that he had stopped breathing three times and had to be put
on a ventilator. His condition progressively got worse. In the middle of the night his
physician came to our room and told us they were putting him on Nitric Oxide to try to
keep his lungs open. He was also put on an oscillator which is a kind
of ventilator that gives about 300 puffs of air a minute. They thought this would be
gentler on his lungs. We went to visit him and he was on the maximum support
Sparrow could offer. He was sedated, on numerous medications, and had received 2
blood transfusions. We weren't allowed to touch him or talk to him. He was diagnosed
with PPHN which is a condition where the pressure in his lungs is too great for the
heart to pump his blood in, so his blood wasn't getting oxygen. We had a meeting with
his doctors where they told us that the Nitric Oxide was the last thing they could do for
him. If the treatment wasn't successful he would be transported to Ann Arbor and put
on an ECMO machine. This machine takes blood out of the body, oxygenates it and
puts it back in the body. It was after this news we realized our baby might not live.
One particular morning Nathan was having trouble so they put him back on a regular
vent. We were upset by this but it turned out to be a miracle. About an hour after he
was switched the power went off twice in the NICU. The normal vent has a battery
back up so Nathan was fine, but the oscillator has to be manually restarted by a
respiratory therapist who wasn't in the NICU. If he had not switched vents it could
have been a disaster. Nathan was able to come off the vent after 7 days and put on a
nasal cannula. He was able to start eating and was on his way to getting better. The
next day he had a fever, a high heart rate, and was very lethargic. After numerous
tests including a spinal tap, they found that he had a staph infection. This required 10
more days of antibiotics and was not allowed to eat. After a couple of days he started
to get better and continued getting better until he was able to come home after 31
days in the NICU. He came home with no medicines or machines. The staff at Sparrow
reassured us what a miracle he is.
Our church family and the Lord have blessed us more than we could have imagined.
We know hundreds of people were praying for our family, especially for Nathan. He is
an amazing gift and this experience has strengthened our relationship with the Lord. It
is hard to stay positive when you are facing such a tough situation, but we knew the
Lord loved us and would heal our son. Today, Nathan is no different than any other
baby. He had his first check up on April 22 and the doctor said he is perfect! We thank
the Lord and pray we will always remember what He has done for our family. Thank
you all so much. It is great to feel loved in a time of need. We appreciate the love,
prayers, cards, food, financial gifts and encouragement from all of you. We are glad to
be a part of such an awesome church family!
Dan, Gretchen, Natalie & Nathan Yoder
My story takes many twists and turns so hang in there. I was born on Easter morning
tenant farmer and we moved many times. My parents were 'religious', not Christian,
but they did attend church. Neither accepted Christ until many years later. In the
church we attended I don't remember hearing anything about salvation or the blood of
Christ, nor did I hear it at home. What I remember is that I should walk in a way as not
to cause anyone to stumble and fall. That didn't make much sense to me, but I did
learn to repeat it. I have always been told that I was contrary and stubborn and
because of this I did receive spankings from my teacher at school. My parents did not
have a phone, but my mother always seemed to know when I had been in trouble and
got another spanking. I knew (from experience) that my father did not like giggling
girls, therefore I learned not to smile as that might make me laugh or giggle. It has
taken years to make myself smile, I'm still not very good at it.
In January when I was not quite nine, we moved to Michigan. For awhile we lived with
my Grandmother, later the next year we moved to a small cabin on my Grandfather's
farm. He walked me to church, weather permitting, about three miles each way. Never
liked that church as they did not accept people except their members. My Grandfather
didn't care but I was picked on in church and in school by the same children. It was an
unhappy situation for me, it made me less and less social, I would not try to make any
friends and I became a loner.
By the fifth grade we moved near Grayling, and there we went to a Baptist church.
They had many rules to follow and I did follow these rules as they were not different
than at home. One of my classmates was sent home as she dared to wear slacks to
church.
The good thing that happened to me while in that area was that I got my first paying
job - 25 cents an hour. I washed glass milk bottles, enjoyed myself, and did tend to
relax at work. A couple years later we moved to Saginaw area, and lived near a Latter
Day Saints Church. My parents did not like the church, and before long moved to a
different farm closer to Saginaw. There we were close to a basement Nazarene
Church. Later my parents moved to Carruthers chicken farm. While there, we went to
the Free Methodist Church in Durand. That church had more rules and me being the
isolated, stubborn, angry, non-smiling teen just didn't fit in. I literally walked away from
the church.
In January following High School I went to St. Lawrence School of Nursing for two
years and dropped out to get married. I was pregnant and married women were not
allowed to become nurses at that time. I drifted even further from the Lord. Had two
girls within two years. I did take them to the Army Chapel. The sermons meant nothing
to me, but I felt my children needed to be in a church. We were overseas in Germany
three different times. During the second time, at New Years Eve we went to a party.
We were 'short timers', meaning we had less than 60 days before returning to the
States. That night I drank everything that was set before me. I was sick for much of
the next day. That was almost the end of my drinking history. A couple of years
later I had just one drink at my sister-in-laws house but couldn't stomach more than
that. God was with me even when I had turned my back and didn't feel I needed Him.
After Ed retired from the Army we lived here in Owosso. A few years later he left me for
another woman. He didn't think I was fun to be with, lacked a sense of humor, was
stubborn, and so forth. That was the lowest point in my life and I knew I had to
change. I went to a very liberal church, but didn't find any answers. Finally, I went to
the church on the corner, where I was sending my children. They had the answer,
JESUS. That was the Nazarene Church at the corner of Williams and Dewey. I've had
my ups and downs, and back to the altar many times. I tend to try and do things "my
way", that old stubborn child rears it's head at times and I still have to talk to the Lord
about it and depend on Him for help. This is my story such as it is. My life after being
saved has been the happiest part of my life and I know there is more to come. Praise
the Lord!
tenant farmer and we moved many times. My parents were 'religious', not Christian,
but they did attend church. Neither accepted Christ until many years later. In the
church we attended I don't remember hearing anything about salvation or the blood of
Christ, nor did I hear it at home. What I remember is that I should walk in a way as not
to cause anyone to stumble and fall. That didn't make much sense to me, but I did
learn to repeat it. I have always been told that I was contrary and stubborn and
because of this I did receive spankings from my teacher at school. My parents did not
have a phone, but my mother always seemed to know when I had been in trouble and
got another spanking. I knew (from experience) that my father did not like giggling
girls, therefore I learned not to smile as that might make me laugh or giggle. It has
taken years to make myself smile, I'm still not very good at it.
In January when I was not quite nine, we moved to Michigan. For awhile we lived with
my Grandmother, later the next year we moved to a small cabin on my Grandfather's
farm. He walked me to church, weather permitting, about three miles each way. Never
liked that church as they did not accept people except their members. My Grandfather
didn't care but I was picked on in church and in school by the same children. It was an
unhappy situation for me, it made me less and less social, I would not try to make any
friends and I became a loner.
By the fifth grade we moved near Grayling, and there we went to a Baptist church.
They had many rules to follow and I did follow these rules as they were not different
than at home. One of my classmates was sent home as she dared to wear slacks to
church.
The good thing that happened to me while in that area was that I got my first paying
job - 25 cents an hour. I washed glass milk bottles, enjoyed myself, and did tend to
relax at work. A couple years later we moved to Saginaw area, and lived near a Latter
Day Saints Church. My parents did not like the church, and before long moved to a
different farm closer to Saginaw. There we were close to a basement Nazarene
Church. Later my parents moved to Carruthers chicken farm. While there, we went to
the Free Methodist Church in Durand. That church had more rules and me being the
isolated, stubborn, angry, non-smiling teen just didn't fit in. I literally walked away from
the church.
In January following High School I went to St. Lawrence School of Nursing for two
years and dropped out to get married. I was pregnant and married women were not
allowed to become nurses at that time. I drifted even further from the Lord. Had two
girls within two years. I did take them to the Army Chapel. The sermons meant nothing
to me, but I felt my children needed to be in a church. We were overseas in Germany
three different times. During the second time, at New Years Eve we went to a party.
We were 'short timers', meaning we had less than 60 days before returning to the
States. That night I drank everything that was set before me. I was sick for much of
the next day. That was almost the end of my drinking history. A couple of years
later I had just one drink at my sister-in-laws house but couldn't stomach more than
that. God was with me even when I had turned my back and didn't feel I needed Him.
After Ed retired from the Army we lived here in Owosso. A few years later he left me for
another woman. He didn't think I was fun to be with, lacked a sense of humor, was
stubborn, and so forth. That was the lowest point in my life and I knew I had to
change. I went to a very liberal church, but didn't find any answers. Finally, I went to
the church on the corner, where I was sending my children. They had the answer,
JESUS. That was the Nazarene Church at the corner of Williams and Dewey. I've had
my ups and downs, and back to the altar many times. I tend to try and do things "my
way", that old stubborn child rears it's head at times and I still have to talk to the Lord
about it and depend on Him for help. This is my story such as it is. My life after being
saved has been the happiest part of my life and I know there is more to come. Praise
the Lord!