Stories from Our Community
God is at work in us day to day and moment to moment. One the greatest parts of being in a church family is getting to hear from others what He is doing in each specific life and how he is moving in specific ministries. In hearing these stories, not only do we get to know each other better, but we also get to know our God better.
Tell Us Your Story
Live Oak 17th Anniversary, "I Praise God for..." contributions:
I praise God for the ability to be the mother of two amazing children, his neverending love and forgiveness, and the daily lessons we are taught. Ami Daniels
Our small group family an extension of Live Oak Community Church. I would like to thank Chuck and Sherry Mathews for visiting my sister Stephanie when her son Bronson took his life. It was the most devastating event in my family. He was 21 years old and we did not know he was in such pain. Mike and I visited Live Oak at the invitation of Brian Finley. I was not interested in attending a Rock n Roll church and was certain I would not like it. Boy was I wrong. It is just what we needed. We have grown in our walk with Christ and love praise and worship at Live Oak. Rusti and Mike Wisian
Live Oak has been a Rock in my life for the last 11 years. I have been amazed at how God builds His Church. Looking forward to the next 11. Thanks for the blessings, David Lookingbill
I was experiencing judgment from my former church ten years ago when going through a divorce. I decided I needed my own church, and God led me to Live Oak. Here, I found authentic people who surrounded me with love and led me to Christ. Kay Weston
I've been invested in and encouraged by my Live Oak family to become a stronger, deeper and authentic follower of Christ. Robyn Green
I'm so thankful God brought me and my family to Live Oak. I've experienced the most loving and accepting people of my life -- people who have accepted me as I am and have encouraged my growth in God. It feels like home to me, and I've never had an experience like it. Page Heisser
God has saved my life throgh Live Oak and has blessed our family in amazing ways! I don't even wanna imagine my life without the people that are in the trenches with me because of this church! Thank you Live Oak! Brian Findley
When I joined Live Oak, I was aimlessly drifting along in the Sea of Life. Because of Adam and Jerry and several others in the Church. I immediately taught Vacation Bible School and active in teaching the young children. I had the priviledge of Singing with the band which was the highlight of my life. I am now in the 4th and 5th grade Sunday School. I guess that God has shown me that my service to him will be through the children whose life I touch. Praise God !!! He works his magic through the least of us. Lynn Simmons
Sherry and I came to Live Oak after 20+ years at another local church. Sherry had been on staff there in different positions for most of that time. God began to give me a feeling of uneasiness and a feeling that something was missing for me and I felt it might be time for us to look for a different place to worship. So I visited Live Oak alone during the first service and attended our church during the second for a few weeks. The first time I attended Live Oak I felt a great excitement for what was happening. It might also have something to do with the worship style and the fact I could wear shorts to church. I was hooked after a couple of visits but after convincing Sherry to visit with me, it took her MUCH longer. We continued to visit but plugged in to a small group. We attended our first picnic/baptism that summer and WOW!!! We had never seen anything like it, there must have been between twenty and thirty adults baptized that day. Their testimonies were great and powerful. After this event Sherry said this is where we are supposed to go. So we came on board and fully committed. God has allowed Sherry to come on staff and be a vital part of the staff and allowed me to serve as an elder. I am currently on a sabbatical from the elder board but the plans are for me to come back on in 2011. Live Oak has become a huge part of our live and we wouldn't change anything. Bobby Matthews
Live Oak has shown me that I do not have to be a follower of Christ alone. Brooke Perryman
I praise God because the power of prayer changes lives and He is more than able to bless us with more than we can ever expect and certainly more than we deserve - for our family, their names are Daniel, Rachel, and Hannah ... Jerry & Sarah Adams
It's at Live Oak that I have learned the songs of my heart, my new hymns. What comfort they can be! Leslie Smith
I cannot imagine my life without the friends I have made over the years at Live Oak. The Lord knows the people we need in our life, and He has blessed me with this church family called Live Oak. Leslie Smith
I praise God for my friends. I struggled finding my "group" of friends at Live Oak recently going into High School. Starting High School has really changed me and I can encourage others more because I have a higher self-esteem. :) Becca Burkhead
God has allowed me to be in a closer walk with HIm. He has showed me how to trust Him in all things. He has allowed me to be involved in small groups that have built long lasting relationships as we learn to trust in God together. He has given me great joy in seeing my granddaughters being raised in the church and learning at an early age about their Savior. David Tate
My children accepted Jesus Christ as their savior after we made Live Oak our home about 9 years ago. Live Oak has provided opportunites for us to exercise our spiritual gives and give back to the community and other believers. God has used us and that's what makes life important! Debbie Herring
I praise God for bringing joy back in my heart. The people at Live Oak showed me that there are people in the world who can and will accept you as you are, broken and beaten, and will help you re-build a life torn down by sin. --anonymous
He taught me about real, authentic community through my friendships at Live Oak. Jennifer Halcomb
Live Oak has strengthen my relationship with Christ, and I have learned through Live Oak that serving the Lord can bring you so much joy and peace. My son Tyler recieved Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was 9yrs old,it was the teaching of the Tree House Club that taught him about who Jesus is and how complete he will make your life if you just recieve him into your heart. Tyler is 15yrs old now and has a stronger and deeper connection with the Lord than ever before, Tyler and I owe it all to Live Oak Community Church and to an awesome God who is present every time you walk through those doors. Happy 17th Anniversary Live Oak, I can't wait to see what God has in store for us all! Many Blessings, Maria & Tyler
Live Oak connected me to a small group. They are not only my friends but a loving family. Grace Chambles
I praise God because though fellow believers at Live Oak I received wise councel on healing my marriage. My wife is such a precious gift and I had lost sight of this. --anonymous
I came to Live Oak 13 years ago and found a family. I found a place to use my gifts and to be the real me. I found a place to stand shoulder to shoulder with others who love Jesus and care about Kingdom things. Mindy Porter