Walking in Faith

I accepted Christ when I was 13 years old. I pursued Him throughout my life and honored my purity up until I got married at 22 years old. We were married for five years and served with the youth group at our church until I found out he was having an affair. I was devastated but forgave him and remained obedient to our marriage. Divorce was never an option for me, but he eventually left anyway. My faith never wavered, but I marinated in how to be a better wife next time. I remained faithful and pure again until I married my forever person.

Anonymous
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

Ladybugs. That is what I was decorating her nursery in. Our daughter was stillborn. I remember the pastor of our church at the time came to the hospital and as he walked into the door, the first words out of my mouth were, “I feel God in you.” That was 2009. It feels like yesterday. Since that day, nothing but trials and tribulations have happened to my family. Job loss. Financial issues. Depression. By God’s grace I have finally begun to live for Him. “You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)

Anonymous
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

Twice now, I have been blessed to live through incidents that take life away. Every day, I wonder, pray, and ask to understand the acceptance of illegal turmoil that my “blessed” life has, and continues to have in it – physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. Today’s service helped me understand more. I am alive for a reason, and God is the only reason why my life is continuing. God will always be in my heart, mind, and soul for everything. Thank you Austin Ridge…and God!

Dre Z.
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

God is so good. I was in an abusive marriage, my son was struggling with drug addiction, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma, and was on the brink of being laid off. I was desperate to create a peaceful life for me and my daughter, to find serenity in all the chaos. I surrendered my life to Jesus, laid my burdens at His feet, prayed for wisdom, peace, direction. Jesus redeemed my life. I have a beautiful blended family now, loving husband, 5 healthy, happy kids, cancer is in remission, recently celebrated 25 years at my job. I’m overwhelmed by God’s grace. Jesus never left my side.

Anonymous
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

Looking back, God was giving me many blessings. In middle through high school, at my church’s youth group, I brought God into my life. At UT, I met Thomas. As I asked God if I should marry Thomas, I saw a falling star. We were married and had two children Kyle and Ann. On 2/8/2013, at age 18, Ann passed away. On 11/22/2015, Thomas died. After both of their deaths, I realized that God had left me many blessings. I remarried on 2/13/2021 to Trey. We had met 42 years earlier at my youth group. God has always been walking beside me.

Sally M.
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

Our daughter got kicked out of college her freshman year and then turned to drugs. We went weeks at a time not knowing where she was, and then she would come home, detox, and repeat it all again. During this time, we thought that every ringing of the phone was going to be the call telling us she was dead or arrested. We lived every day using Philippians 4:6-7 and Matthew 11:28-30 to sustain us and bring us peace to get through every hour that she was gone. It certainly reduced our worry/anxiety quotient and got us through this terrible time.

Matt C.
SOUTHWEST

Walking in Faith

My generation’s war was the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). I served five GWOT tours before I was medically retired. Earlier this year, I got to experience what is clinically called PTSD, or as my military buddy calls it “spicy memories.” In war, you have a mission; it is defined. Once you’re out of the service, your mission isn’t clear or defined; this can really mess with you. God allows us to have both good and bad experiences in life; these experiences season you. I believe this seasoned version of you is to be used as a force multiplier for Him – God defines the mission, that’s your purpose.

Anonymous
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

I moved to Austin to start an internship with Ridge Students at the beginning of this summer. This was two weeks after I graduated college, and I was leaving behind a city where I met and fell in love with Jesus through the people there. I am walking in faith that the Lord will provide community for me here, and that He will show up in big ways just as He did countless times in Denton. Although I can’t always see Him moving amidst loneliness and change, I know He holds me and cares for me deeply.

Emma P.
SOUTHWEST

Walking in Faith

Accepted Christ at age 17. College and young professional years happen-my faith and walk with Christ aren’t the focus. This past December my wife suddenly wanting out of marriage (and later affair) brought me to the Ridge. I could’ve gone down a dark path, but God called me back to be all in. I’ve learned not to trust my own emotions, thoughts, or understanding, but daily dependence on Jesus and to love and serve others like Jesus loves me. I fall short, it’s in His grace I choose to follow Him and His peace that’s carried me through my storm. Philippians 4:4-7, Romans 5:1-5, Acts 20:24

Walking in Faith

God shows me every day that I am worthy of His love. I should not, would not, could not be living the joyful and fulfilling life I am, without His redeeming ways. I grew up not knowing anything about God nor anyone who knew Him. It took the miracle of the birth of my two children and His faithfulness to me through divorce and the death of my family members, to really put me on a faith and healing path that only He could provide. He is my all-in-all every day now and for eternity.

Kim M.
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

I recently traveled to Egypt with a team from Austin Ridge to visit a ministry to individuals with special needs. I wasn’t sure what to expect or what we would experience, but felt confident in my calling to go. The worship gathering of 2,000 individuals reminded me of how good the good news of Jesus really is to those who are marginalized, cast out, and otherwise forgotten. Jesus opened my eyes to new ways to reach our special needs community here in Austin. In the weeks following our trip, He has increased my dependence on prayer and stirred my heart to seek the lost here in Austin.

Amy S.
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

God is doing so much in my life right now. A few years ago, I began to realize I have a low EQ. I started getting burnt out and angry, only to realize that my problem was actually being sad and fearful. Since I didn’t allow myself to feel, I would just get frustrated and express anger. I am on a journey now of healing trauma and letting myself feel and express emotions in healthy ways. This is a hard journey, but necessary. God and my family deserve a more healthy me, so I can love people better. God is graciously changing my heart.

Matt T.
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

I was raised on military bases around the US. I’d visited a church before but always had an uncomfortable and awkward feeling with the Jesus stuff and prayer stuff. I “believed” I was a Christian in a “well-I’m-not-any-other-religion” kind of way. But in high school, some friends invited me to their church. I didn’t want to go to another one of “those” kinds of churches, but they insisted. Jesus used those friends and that church and spoke to me in a real and life-changing way. I gave my life to Christ and never looked back!

Brad B.
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

Worthy. Valued. Approved. Who defines these terms? How do the circumstances of life affect perception? As a shy and quiet child, I was raised with overwhelming measures for accomplishment, while also dealing with alcoholism, abuse, and rejection. These informed and formed in me lies about my value and worth. Rebellion followed. Seeking others to validate and approve of me was a moving target. An obviously unrealistic way of living, yet my guide—even as I knew the One who found me worthy and approved. I continue on the journey now to make true in me what has always been God’s truth over me: worthy, valued, approved.

Sheji W.
DRIPPING SPRINGS

Walking in Faith

This time last year, I was wrestling with God’s direction for my life in a major way. I sensed He was bringing some changes, but I was uncertain what that would mean. After countless conversations with God, my awesome wife, and other close mentors, I felt God was leading me to serve here at the Ridge. Already I am seeing that God has been working to build a marriage and parenting ministry at the Ridge for a long time. I feel so blessed to be a part of the great things He is doing!

Jason O.
BEE CAVE

Walking in Faith

My family and I have moved over to Austin Ridge to be on staff after being on staff at another church for 5-6 years. It was a difficult transition leaving lots of really close friends. However, we are walking in faith that God loves his children and will take care of us. He has promised to give us abundant gospel life and we are trusting He will!

Austin D.
SOUTHWEST

Walking in Faith

Pregnant at 20 and single mom by 22, I relied only on myself and was determined to prove I could do it all. Even when I married and found success in my career, I never felt secure. On the outside, things seemed great. But my husband was battling depression, and I couldn’t fix it. Desperate, I made list of ideas to solve it – one was church. I was raised in church, but never personally followed Jesus. That summer, God showed me that salvation, contentment, and security can only be found in Jesus plus nothing. I finally gave up the illusion that I could do it all and found peace following Him.

Anonymous
BEE CAVE