Winter 2018

Volume 5, Issue 3

FREE

Lending Courage to Others

In This Issue: “Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the L��� your God will be with you wherever you go.”

– Joshua 1:9 Discovering God's Joy in Uganda Community Connector LLC • Connect@TheCountyConnector.net www.TheCountyConnector.net • www.facebook.com/TheCountyConnector

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Volume 5 | Issue 3

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On the Cover:

6

FREE

Lending Courage to Others

There's No Place Like Home

In This Issue: “Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the L��� your God will be with you wherever you go”

The Thurman Brisben Center provides our community with caring comfort and restoration.

– Joshua 1:9

Discovering God's Joy in Uganda

Community Connector LLC • Connect@TheCountyConnector.net www.TheCountyConnector.net • www.facebook.com/TheCountyConnector

Cover photo: Susan Fowler, Fowler Studios Inset Photo: Keri Bumgarner

Volume 5, Issue 3

Meet Katie Hawkins and Susan Wanderer, the “She” behind the podcast “She Speaks Stories.”

The Kingdom in the Camp

10

Children, cheetahs and God’s incredible light in Uganda.

2 | Welcome 4 | Fighting for Joy Linda J. White Writer, Novelist

14

You Say I am Loved Theresa Mills of WPER shares wisdom about God’s goodness, hope and love.

© 2018 by Community Connector LLC. Published three times a year by Community Connector LLC, PO Box 2, Hartwood, VA 22471. 540-845-3787, Connect@TheCountyConnector.net, www.TheCountyConnector.net. Copies are available at local churches/businesses at no charge and subscriptions can be ordered for $7.99 per year to addresses in the United States. Additional postage fees apply to addresses outside the United States. Unsolicited manuscripts and other materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. All contents © 2018 by Community Connector LLC. (Neither publisher nor its representative nor its subcontractors assume liability for errors in text, charges in advertisements or any published materials.) Views and opinions of the authors are not necessarily those of the publisher. For permission to reprint or reproduce an article via print, electronically or any other means, please contact our editorial offices. Printed in the United States of America. Postmaster: send changes of address to Community Connector LLC, PO Box 2, Hartwood, VA 22471. Send subscription inquiries to same.

6 | There’s No Place Like Home!

David Cooper

8 | What Now, Lord?

Cindy Dussia

10 | The Kingdom in the Camp Keri Bumgarner

12 | TCC Q&A

Katie Hawkins & Susan Wanderer

14 | You Say I Am Loved Theresa Mills

16 | TCC Asks

Answered by Various Local Pastors

18 | Regional Church Directory 20 | Community Connections

Like The County Connector on Facebook

www.TheCountyConnector.net |1

WELCOME Published by:

Community Connector, LLC

Hopes Expressed

BY COLLEEN M. GEYER

A

Photo: Lillian Rivera

t the close of our Sunday church service, the congregation was invited to write prayer requests to the “Hopes Expressed” board.

As I was writing, I could feel the space around me filling up with people. I turned to walk away as more were making their way over. Once seated, I glanced over to pray for all of them, who, like me, poured out their hearts through a pen to paper … hoping, praying.

It overwhelmed me with gratefulness that we do have hope—Jesus Christ. There is nothing too big for Him. We are given that promise in Luke 1:37.

That same gift of hope is shared in the beautiful articles within this issue of TCC. Be blessed by: the work Colleen M. Geyer done by a local homeless shelter to provide necessities for individuals and families—and so much more; the journey of a local Christian radio personality who leaned hard on the promises of God during a very difficult time in her life; the adventures of two women who give listeners life-changing, courage-providing stories.

Whether you are writing your prayer requests onto a board or silently saying them to a risen Savior, know that God loves you and cares about you. May the stories within this issue share the hope and love we have— in Him! Amen!

He Restores My Soul

R

BY LORI SCOTT PIKKAART

Photo: Tommy Miles

ecently, I was anxious about something, feeling like my soul needed some spiritual repair. I floundered in typical Lori fashion because I was trying to deal with the issue in my own strength, forgetting to ask God for help. When I finally did ask, familiar words from Psalm 23:3 came to mind: “He restores my soul.”

I’d always thought of that phrase in terms of salvation (as in restored from death to life), but it suddenly took on a new meaning. The NIV translates the word “restore” as “refreshes,” suggesting that God is in the business of restoring souls on a continual basis. The Strong’s definition of the word is to “bring back, repair, answer.” What an incredible way to experience our loving God, who Lori Scott Pikkaart repeatedly and patiently reaches into our hearts and fixes our deepest parts, answers our deepest needs.

So many of this winter’s articles are about God’s restoration. As you read and pray, open up your heart and ask for His sweet restoration. Is there anything more valuable than your soul? (See Matthew 16:26.) May God’s goodness and mercy follow you all of your days in 2019! 

2 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

PO Box 2, Hartwood, Virginia 22471 www.TheCountyConnector.net Publisher Colleen Geyer 540-845-3787 cell Connect@ TheCountyConnector.net Editor Lori Pikkaart Lori-TCC@pikkaart.com Advertising and Distribution opportunities please contact Publisher: Connect@TheCountyConnector.net Produced by Key Media & Research Debra Levy, President Extension 111 • deb@glass.com 20 P G A Drive, Suite 201 Stafford, VA 22554 540/720-5584 • fax: 540/720-5687 www.glass.com

Art Director/ Dawn Campbell Managing Extension 150

Editor dcampbell@glass.com Art Director Saundra Hutchison Extension 132 shutchison@glass.com Advertising Erin Harris Coordinator Extension 110 eharris@glass.com

Mission Statement:

To provide the Fredericksburg region with a Christian magazine that shares inspiring stories which unite and celebrate our community of local churches, ministries, charities and residents.

Statement of Faith:

The County Connector: The Region's Spiritual Source of Connection believes the following statement of faith to be an accurate summary of what the Bible teaches. We recognize that there are other viewpoints and we want to come together on essentials of the Christian faith. Jesus Christ is the son of God. He is coequal with the Father. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory, and will return again someday to earth, to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

(Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15: 3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6: 14,15; Titus 2:13) All scripture passages are the New International Version unless otherwise indicated.

Permissions:

Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any format without publisher’s permission. Request for both print and PDF reprints should be directed to the Digital Media Services department, 540/720-5584; dms@glass.com.

LIFE APPLICATION

Fighting for Joy

By Linda J. White

W

When faced with joy-killing trouble, I’ve learned to find a promise and stand on it.

4 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

hen the whole world is shouting, “Merry Christmas!” but you’re stuck in a gray fog, the holidays can be overwhelming. My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer in early December, 2008. We spent that Christmas season going from doctor to doctor, from one medical procedure to another, receiving difficult news in offices trimmed with lit trees and sparkly garlands.

Rejoicing seems impossible when your mouth is desert-dry with fear.

I’ll be honest, though: I don’t need a mountain like cancer at Christmas to deflate me. I tend to be anxious. Unlike my ebullient friends (God bless ‘em!), I do not have a perpetually cheerful heart.

But even in that bleak December, I could not escape the clear commands of Scripture: • Psalm 64:10, “Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him” (ESV).

• Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

• Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice.”

Over and over throughout the Bible we are told to rejoice. The disciples were “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). The Macedonians overflowed with joy despite a “severe test of affliction” and their “extreme poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:2). Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Joy is what motivated Jesus to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

Joy is an inescapable element of the Christian life.

But if you’re not feeling it, what’s a Christian to do?

Fake it ‘til you make it? Nope. What I’ve learned is that you have to fight for joy. Here’s what I do: First, I accept the fact that I am a sinner with

emotional ups and downs, a sensitive deep-thinker traveling through a storm-tossed life. I yam what I yam, as Popeye would say. When I’m in the doldrums, I ask the Lord to “restore to me the joy of my salvation” (Psalm 51:12), that sweet passion I felt when I first received Christ. I spend a lot of time in the Word and listening to worship music. I try falling in love with Jesus all over again.

Second, I now recognize that each affliction, each trial, is an opportunity to deepen my trust in God. Has He not said that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28)? Has He not promised never to leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5)? When faced with joy-killing trouble, I’ve learned to find a promise and stand on it.

Third, I check my gratitude meter. Have I been failing to give thanks to the Lord who created me, saved me, and granted me eternal life with Him? As Ann Voskamp so ably points out in “One Thousand Gifts,” the New Testament word for “giving thanks” (eucharisteo) includes the word for grace (charis) that is linked to the word for joy (chara). As we give thanks, we receive God’s grace and experience joy in Christ—even if, at that moment, we are also feeling like broken bread.

Fourth, I’ve learned to bounce quickly to an eternal perspective, to “set [my] hope fully on the grace that will be brought to [me] at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). In this world we will have tribulation, as Jesus said, but He has overcome the world, so be of good cheer (John 16:33). And if Paul can count all of his stellar achievements, and all of his subsequent losses, as “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3: 8), can I not do the same?

There are probably many ways to fight for joy, but these are my favorite four. I’ve had lots of practice with them: After nine years of cancer, Larry died last year right before Thanksgiving. The last decade has been the most difficult of my life and yet I can truly say I know God better, experience him more deeply, and love him more fully because of this journey.

I’m almost to the point I can “count it all joy” when I meet “trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). Almost.  Linda J. White is a writer, speaker and novelist.

She lives in Fauquier County and can be reached through her website, lindajwhite.net.

Growing With God! If you are thinking about becoming a Christian, or would like to walk more closely with God, here are a few steps you can take:

· Accept Him as your Lord and Savior. "God, thank you for showing me grace. I am a sinner and I thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ for me that I may be forgiven.

Thank you that Jesus Christ rose from the dead to give me new life. Forgive me and change me. Amen!" · Pray; talk to God about anything · Read your Bible · Get connected with a church · Be baptized · Set up a meeting with a local pastor to help you with questions.

www.TheCountyConnector.net |5

COMMUNITY CAUSE

There’s No Place Like Home!

BY DAVID COOPER

The Brisben Center is located at 471 Central Road, Fredericksburg, Va.

T

hese words are often spoken by weary travelers.

They also serve as a tribute to the infant niece of a 19th century writer. In 1898, Frank Baum memorialized his little niece Dorothy in his book, “The Wizard of Oz.” As Baum writes and the movie of the same name conveys, Dorothy awakens, after being swept up in the vortex of a powerful storm, to say, “I’m so glad to be home again!”

For those who are threadbare the storms of life are especially pronounced: when homes are whisked away after the loss of a job, insurmountable medical expenses, lack of transportation, the tragedy of mental illness, the scourge of opioid addiction. With adequate financial resources, steadfast love and the empathetic support of family and friends, survival and rebuilding may be achieved. However, for many, namely the 25,000 poverty-stricken persons across the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Stafford and Spotsylvania (known as Planning District 16), devastating winds howl and press against the doors of their homes.

6 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

In fiscal year 2018, nearly six hundred homeless souls, women, children and men from across Planning District 16 sought and found respite at the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter in Fredericksburg.

They come to the Brisben Center seeking comfort and restoration after sleeping in cars, tents and the undersides of bridges, behind them are tragedies that threaten to sweep them into a seemingly inescapable vortex. The Brisben Center’s doors and its volunteers’ hearts are open to receive them.

In the spirit of the Good Samaritan who offered tangible care and ongoing restorative supports for a threadbare stranger (Luke 10:25-37), the Brisben Center walks with people to provide safe, clean, temporary shelter and nurturing supports for women, children and men— in families and singles. Lately, the storms have become so powerful and the tragedies so great that those seeking shelter are straining the eighty-bed facilities beyond capacity. Nevertheless, from God’s abundance and guided by the vision cast over thirty years ago, our ministry with and for those without a home continues.

The Brisben Center offers much more than temporary shelter. Through its many supports, lasting results are realized. In FY 2018, the Center saw a 111% increase in the number of people with income-producing jobs. There was a 70% increase in residents connected to Veterans Administration benefits. Overall, 26% achieve increased connections with hand-up supportive services. The innate goodness and potential within every resident to rebuild and thrive is a central focus.

Thurman Brisben Center

Brisbencenter.org • 540-899-9853 P.O. Box 1295, Fredericksburg, VA 22402 How to help (see website for details): • Financial contributions • Donations of FRED bus passes, new bath towels, ground coffee, coffee creamer, metal dinner forks, spoons and knives, leaf rakes, copier paper.

• Volunteer to mentor/coach adults, read with children, job coach, serve with Nutrition Coalition.

“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

Jesus knows well the vagabond life of a “poor wayfaring stranger, traveling through this world below” (as Johnny Cash sang) and He knows the kindness offered by neighbors that seemed once to be strangers. When swept up in the whirlwinds, when facing seemingly insurmountable odds, when the journey is long, there’s no place like home! With God’s help, Thurman Brisben provides a temporary address with the goal of getting folks into a permanent place they  can call home.

David Cooper is Executive Director of Thurman Brisben Center. He has coached, trained and facilitated Asset-Based Community Development nationally with United Methodist Communities of Shalom, Drew University, Uniting Church in Australia, Communities First Association, Habitat for Humanity International, New York and Virginia Annual Conferences of the UMC, and Shalom Makers.

www.TheCountyConnector.net |7

WALKING WITH GOD

What Now, Lord?

BY CINDY DUSSIA

B

usy, busy, busy, that was my life. That was my life for as far back as I can remember.

I have always enjoyed spending time with family and friends, exploring beaches, camping, hiking, kayaking and participating in church activities. I loved it all!

But seven years ago I started noticing changes in my body that could no longer be ignored. A group of women from my church were planning a day hike on Old Rag Mountain in May. It’s a challenging hike, so in April, I started increasing the distance of my weekly walks. Walking became exhausting. And what was up with my eyes? So much blinking.

That July I was in bed or resting 18-20 hours a day, totally exhausted, and legally blind because my eyelids could not stay open. By that fall I started experiencing painful, debilitating muscle spasms. My life as I knew it was gone.

What do you do when you are blindsided by unexpected, unwanted events in your life? Maybe your spouse tells you he or she no longer wants to be married. Your teenager is spending time with

people who are pulling her away from the faith. Your sister just can’t get past her relentless addiction.

You have been diagnosed with an illness that isn’t going to kill you, but there is no cure. Worry and fear threaten. Our physical or emotional pain can be so severe that we can no longer function. In the face of such adversity, what do we do?

• Talk to God. Pour out your heart; He can handle it. Psalm 34:15,

“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry” (NKJV).

• Stay in God’s Word. Look for passages that remind you of God’s promises. Commit them to memory or write them down to read when feeling discouraged.

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

• Pray for wisdom. There will be decisions that have to be made.

No one knows better than God how to provide for your needs.

James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

• Ask God to Lead. Ask God to provide people who know God’s word to comfort and encourage you on your journey.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation,

What do we do when we are blindsided by unexpected, unwanted events in our lives?

8 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” • Stay Focused. Look for ways to improve your situation. Allow God to lead you to professionals who can provide guidance, support and encouragement.

Many things will be out of your control; focus on the things you can do.

Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”

• Give Thanks. God instructs us to give thanks in all things. This is difficult to do when physical or emotional pain overwhelms.

But the more you search for His blessings, the more they will become apparent.

Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Living with a chronic illness is very hard. Many things in life are hard. But no matter how our current circumstances appear, God is the one who made us and therefore knows exactly what we need and how He plans to use the pain in our lives. He knows the final outcome; I am choosing to trust God.  Cindy Dussia is a retired middle school teacher.

As she continues to work towards improved health, she is grateful for God’s abundant provision.

www.TheCountyConnector.net |9

MISSION MINDED

THE KINGDOM A

frica has long suffered from negative assumptions and stereotypes: it is full of warlords, there is rampant crime, there is witchcraft and paganism, there are dangerous animals, everyone is poor, it is not safe, it is barren, etc. Some of those are rooted in fact, but have become twisted and warped in people’s minds to the point that Africa can start to seem like a place born in and molded by darkness.

While perhaps I did not hold the strong opinions mentioned above, I did not know exactly what to expect when I decided to go to Africa. My parents and brother felt the Lord calling them to go too, so we joined a team heading to Uganda to work with South Sudanese refugees in a camp. The scripture we chose as our team verse comes from 1 John 2:8 “The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.” We hoped, as I am sure most mission teams do, to help bring light to the dark.

When we first landed, it was late at night. It was too dark to see much of anything and we were all too jetlagged to care. But the next morning, we crammed into a van and took off for a day long drive across the entire country of Uganda. We drove out of the city and glimpsed the tall buildings that made up the capital city of Kampala and watched the sun rise over Lake Victoria (It should be noted that while we were enjoying our first views, our driver had gotten on the brandnew freeway in the wrong direction. Nothing like driving against oncoming traffic for a few miles to

wake you up in the morning!)

There were markets, shops, and food stands all along the roads leading into the countryside. We watched people walk to work in suits and dresses next to others with fruit and water expertly balanced on their heads. Once we were outside the city, the land was lush and green. Trees grew on top of hills

shouts from the kids who knew we were there, as the head of the school put it, to “make their day colorful.” While working on the tukul, or mud hut, we laughed with the workers as we struggled to haul bricks. They allowed us to help, though it would have been easier for them to do it themselves. When the others went to train and teach

After a lesson from the Bible and reciting a memory verse, children from the school and others from the camp played and danced outside. and in some places, grass reached up to my head. From time to time, families of elephants could be seen slowly making their way across the landscape. We stopped at a zoo where I paid twelve dollars to pet a cheetah—and get this: they purr!

When we finished the grueling two-hour drive into the camp to the school each day, we were greeted by squeals and excited

10 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

the local pastors, before starting, they participated in joyful worship, dancing on the dirt floor of the church, surrounded by chickens but also new friends. At every restaurant, house we visited, and family we met, we were greeted with

Views from inside the Rhino Refugee Camp in Arua, Uganda.

BY KERI BUMGARNER

M IN THE CAMP warm smiles and the phrase, “You are welcome.” And each time, I really felt like they meant it.

There is darkness in Africa, like anywhere else; there is hurt and pain and violence and sin.

But there is also joy and fun and beauty. We met so many believers who know their hope is in the Father of the Heavenly Lights and His eternal goodness.

Though countless people in Africa have so little and

have endured so much, they have not been overcome by darkness. I went so I could help and encourage others, but left feeling encouraged and inspired myself. As my team and I shared the Gospel with these people, as we ate with them, talked with them, worshipped with them, played with them, and loved them, it was clear: True Light is already shining in Africa. 

Keri Bumgarner graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Psychology. She grew up attending Mount Ararat and was an active leader in Young Life throughout high school and college. In her free time Keri enjoys photography, reading, baking, and snuggling with her cats.

Children from the Harvester’s School inside the camp.

TCC Q&A

Your Story Will Lend C The County Connector caught up with Katie Hawkins and Susan Wanderer, the “She” behind the podcast She Speaks Stories.

Katie Hawkins

TCC: Katie:

Katie, how would you introduce Susan?

Susan and I met when she interviewed at our church for the Children’s Minister position. From the moment we met, we knew we were kindred spirits. We talked and laughed nonstop like we’d known each other for years. She’s full of wisdom, humor, creativity, kindness and frankly is just a lot of fun to be with. She’s an extremely effective leader in our church, running a huge ministry. She’s a mom to three incredible kids, a wife to an amazing godly man named Ed, a treasured only daughter to her parents, and a friend to many. She is also the indispensable cohost of our She Speaks Podcast. She does all the editing (or hires it out), the graphics, makes most of the initial contacts with our guests, and has the best laugh that listeners continue to tune in just to hear!

TCC: Susan:

Susan, how would you introduce Katie?

Katie is a people magnet. We met 13 years ago and were immediately kindred spirits.

Her love for people is absolutely evident. She’s passionate about military ministry and her husband and boys are military. She has that knowledge about the military that oozes out of her pores and she wants to connect with them on a deep level. Every decision she makes centers around how it will help her introduce someone to Christ. She doesn’t compartmentalize, knows her passion and where she’s heading. We laugh a lot! She’s loads of fun. We have a natural chemistry. God balances it out for us, where one of us is weak, the other is strong.

TCC: Katie:

How did the podcast get started?

I was doing a Bible study on 2 Timothy that brought home the truth that we are entrusted with the gospel and then gifted to share it with others.

We were all challenged to pray sincerely that the Lord would ramp up our effectiveness. I fervently prayed, “Lord, make me better at what you’ve called me to do.”

The next day, I ran into Susan who invited me to go to a conference with her in Nashville. I said yes, not realizing at the time that God was about to answer my prayer.

The conference ended up being a live podcast taping and Susan declared she thought we should host a podcast together. I wasn’t really sure what a

12 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

Courage to My Story podcast was until I watched Annie Downs interview and record her guests. I figured it really wasn’t much different than an old-fashioned radio show. So again, I said yes—with fear and trepidation!

I was doing a lot of writing and it wasn’t filling my tank. But following podcasts I noticed how they get to talk and not have to grind out [written] words. Story telling is in my blood. I remember loving to sit and listen to my parents’ friends tell stories. Katie and I both love to tell stories.

The whole way back from Nashville, we brainstormed about our podcast. From the end of August to November we planned and got everything together to launch in December.

[Editor’s note: A full account of how they got started is in Episode #1.]

Susan Wanderer

Susan:

TCC: Susan:

How do you find the guests you are going to feature?

Multiple ways: word of mouth, someone who has a friend with an amazing story, Instagram, weird unexpected encounters and many through my mentor, Susan Blunt.

TCC: Susan:

What is the mission of the Podcast?

To share stories. We’re not interviewers; we just set an environment where guests can share their story. We try to put them at ease, warm them up. We are the “She” in She Speaks Stories, but men can be on it too. In fact, we would love to have more male guests.

We can’t believe we get to share these stories. Our tagline is, “Your story will lend Instagram @shespeaksstories courage to my story.” The layers of elements Twitter @SheSpeakStories in each story are fascinating—one part of the Facebook: She Speaks Stories story will speak to another person. Different Wish List: people get different things out of them.

We are the stewards of these stories.

• A sound editor • Venues and hostesses There’s no room for pride. After every epfor live events • An accountant to help us isode, we say, “Look what God has done!” decide how to best finance • More listeners who will In Luke 1, Elizabeth could have focused on the costs involved share and comment herself, but she focused on God. We want God to speak to the listeners. People find • Donations to cover the • More fabulous guests the podcast interesting even if they don’t cost of a business coach willing to share their stories know God. They hear stories about how we want to hire God was faithful. 

www.TheCountyConnector.net |13

Photos: Susan Fowler, Fowler Studios

She Speaks Stories

FAITH BUILDING

YOU SAY I AM WPER’s mid-day on-air personality shares about God’s goodness, hope and love.

BY THERESA MILLS

I

always dreamed I’d be on the radio someday—but I thought it would be as the person singing! However, little did I know that I truly would be on the radio one day. I volunteered at WPER for a fundraiser. Being there in the station, seeing the passion of the team members, I thought it would be amazing to be able to work in that kind of atmosphere and I stepped out in courage and asked them to consider hiring me. Eight months later, just as my contract as a school principal was ending, I heard back from them. I was hired as an office manager, and 9/11 was my second day on the job.

Listeners were calling in worried about loved ones, and when I witnessed the hopeful and comforting ministry here, I knew immediately this was where I needed to be.

Five years later, Frankie Morea our general manager said, “You have a good voice.” They let me try nights as an on-air host, then I went to the mid-day shift. Even though I wasn’t a seasoned DJ, Frankie saw the value in a heart that wanted to connect with and encourage people. I’m so thankful for his foresight in seeing a place I would thrive.

My husband’s passing in 2006 is significant to my story. He died suddenly by way of an accident when our kids were 9 and 13, just six days after our son’s birthday.

Instantly, I was a single mom and had nowhere to turn except to lean hard on God’s promises. I knew

Representatives of the radio station WPER at the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball game, making cards for troops. the promise that said God would “work all things together for good” (Romans 8:28) and I told Him, “I don’t know how You’re going to do it, but You have to keep Your promises.” I was astounded by the peace and strength he gave me and I came to understand His promises more than ever.

Looking back, holding onto His words kept me on the right track.

I had to keep believing that He wasn’t going to let me down. When these situations hit, if you don’t believe deep in your heart that God is good, instead of running to Him you’ll run away because you’ll be angry. His promises are true—run to Him, not away from Him. God’s goodness came through all the cards, letters and financial

14 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

help that arrived from listeners.

John and I were in our early 30’s when the accident that took his life happened and we had not yet even considered such things like life insurance. A biker organization, 2nd Thief Ministries, took up a collection for a headstone. Our listeners are like family. Because of all this, I’ve had multiple opportunities to encourage others whose spouses or loved ones have passed.

At WPER, I love watching what God does. Knowing God said something through me that connected with someone, I literally can take no credit for it. It’s He who gave the thought and the promptings—life-changing, hope-giving words for someone. Even if I didn’t work for WPER, I’d have the same

Veterinary Care with Heart

LOVED Dogs • Cats Birds • Exotics desire to share hope with someone or encourage someone. This venue allows me the opportunity to affect multiplied thousands of lives for Christ. God’s words have the power to unlock, unveil the vision in people so they can see a perspective they’d never seen before. I love to connect and have fun—sometimes, maybe it’s just to let you know you’re not alone in the simple things like that huge pile of laundry we all have, or water bottles lying around in the car—me too!

Listening to Christian music is important because it helps nourish our spirits—like food for the soul it refills our tanks, and can turn us around from wrong or fearful thinking. The music played here helps us remember who God is and what He has to say. The song lyrics contain truth to live confidently, victoriously and with his peace.

God doesn’t just give hope, but He wants to fill us with joy and peace too! “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).  Theresa Mills lives in Fredericksburg and is a mother to two children. She’s an on-air personality for 89.9 & 90.5 WPER, speaker and an “almost” author—working on two books. To view the full article and read about Theresa’s current favorite song, go to TheCountyConnector.net.

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Website

• Read the full article of You Say I am Loved and a touching story about Theresa Mills' current favorite song.

• Read more unexpected answers in the full She Speaks Stories interview.

Go to TheCountyConnector.net

www.TheCountyConnector.net |15

TCC ASKS

TCC Asks Local Pastors

Other than the Bible, is there a book that has truly inspired your faith journey?

T

he most influential book in my faith journey has been C.S. Lewis’s “Mere Christianity.” This amazing work captures both heart and mind, and presents the truth of the Gospel in a manner that challenges the reader to think deeply about their faith, but also realize the grandness of God’s love.

—Pastor Rich Pennington, Horizons Church

“C

hase the Lion” by Mark Batterson has truly inspired my faith to trust that what God wants to do in us and through us is more than I can think or imagine, and to think bigger about God and better about people.

—Pastor Andrew Segre, The Mount Fredericksburg

“P

ROOF” by Daniel Montgomery. It’s been a book that has helped me understand God’s grace. It’s helped me stop trying to prove my worth to God because He showed the greatest act of love at my worst. Grace isn’t what God would do in response to what I do... it’s what He did in response to what Jesus did for me.

—Jeffrey Geyer, South Ridge Church

A

s a teenager I read “The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life” by Hannah Whitall Smith and it impacted me greatly. The simplicity of the message really gave me tools to live a joyful Christian life. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is in a place where they feel like their walk with Christ is filled with more shame, discouragement and struggle than freedom, hope and expectation.

—Pastor John Gordon Corrigan, Fredericksburg Full Gospel Fellowship

16 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

“T

ramp for the Lord,” the story of Corrie ten Boom. She was a Dutch woman who hid Jews from the Nazis during World War II, ended up in a concentration camp where her closest family members died, and upon release travelled the world telling of the love of Jesus Christ.

—Pastor Dick Jackson, Highway Assembly of God

W

arren Wiersbe has a commentary called “The BE Series,” which covers every book of the Bible. It is the most practical and thorough set of books and I use it weekly.

—Pastor Tim Wilcox, Choice Baptist Church

P

astor Gordon P. Gardiner wrote a biography about a mentor of his, Martha Wing Robinson, and the book is entitled “Radiant Glory.” It tells of the amazing experience that God desires to bring every believer into.

—Pastor Mike Corrigan, Fredericksburg Full Gospel Fellowship

I

prefer listening to messages and testimonies over reading books. As a result, no specific book other than the Bible I can recall has impacted my life. Many messages have. The best messages are the ones that describe the overwhelming love that God has for us and how He has empowered us to live an overcoming life here on earth now. I love to hear grace and faith teachers and preachers.

—Christopher Gayle, Zoe Life Christian Church

“T

he Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson. It shows that as ordinary people, we can see extraordinary things happen in and through our lives. We just need to trust God and His plans and purposes for us and be willing to step outside of our comfort zones to see those things come to fruition.

—Pastor Phil Howard, Berea Baptist Church

Real Hope.

Real Encouragement.

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www.TheCountyConnector.net |17

REGIONAL CHURCH DIRECTORY

Your Guide to Local Churches Agape Fellowship Ministries 26 Perchwood, Dr. Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-657-5771  www.agapefellowship.com Alive Church 3451 Jefferson Davis Highway Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-693-0761  www.alivechurch.cc Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church 1732 Brooke Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-2461  andrewchapel umc-staffordva.com Aquia Episcopal Church 2938 Jefferson Davis Highway Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-4007  www.aquiachurch.com Awakening Community Church 5024 Southpoint Parkway Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-834-2340  www.awakeningcc.org Berea Baptist Church 28 Fleet Road Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-752-4406  BereaBaptistChurchVa.org Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church 135 Chapel Green Road Falmouth, VA 22405 540-371-0366 or 540-373-4303  www.bethlehempbc.net Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church (OPC) 9304 Onyx Court Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-898-8081  BethelRPC.org Branch Fork Baptist Church 6930 Stubbs Bridge Road Spotsylvania, Virginia 22551 540-854-7354 Chancellor Christian Church 11409 Brock Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553 540-786-4025 chancellorchristian.com Choice Baptist Church 16 Burton Loop Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-752-7370  www.choicebaptist.org Christ Episcopal Church 8951 Courthouse Road Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553 540-582-5033  www.ChristChurchSpotsy.com

Community Baptist Church 44 Lorenzo Drive Falmouth, VA 22405 540-373 – 4738  www.communitybaptist.biz Cornerstone Baptist Church

56 McWhirt Loop

Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-373-6245

 www.cssbchurch.org

Ebenezer United Methodist Church 161 Embrey Mill Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-1349  www.ebenezerumc.org Encounter Church 12240 Five Mile Rd. Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-786-3335  www.encountercog.com Falmouth Baptist Church 302 Colonial Ave Falmouth, VA 22405 540-373-8050  www.falmouthbaptist.net Ferry Farm Baptist Church 1 Westmoreland Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-371-2954  www.ferryfarmbc.org Foundation Church P.O. Box 791 Stafford, VA 22555 540-288-2009  oundation-ministries.org Fredericksburg Full Gospel Church 708 Prince Edward Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-850-9009  www.fredfullgospel.com Fredericksburg Wesleyan Church (FredWes) 130 Mosby Street Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-520-5396  www.fredwes.com Grace United Methodist Church – Hartwood 13056 Elk Ridge Road Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-752-5462 GraceUMCHartwood.net Hartwood Presbyterian Church Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-752-4671 hartwoodpresbyterian.com Highway Assembly of God 2221 Jefferson Davis Highway Fredericksburg VA 22401 540-371-4343  www.highwayag.org

18 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

Hope Chapel 540-207-9836  www.hopechapelsva.org Hope of Christ PCA Meeting at Stafford Seventh Day Adventist Church 550 Joshua Rd, Stafford, VA 22556  www.hopeofchrist.net Hope Presbyterian Church 11121 Leavells Road Fredericskburg, Va 22407 540-898-4673  www.HopeChurchVA.org Horizons Church 12 Flatford Road Stafford VA 22554 540-288-0018  www.horizonschurch.com Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church 420 Enon Road Fredericksburg, VA 22406.

540-371-4124  www.hullsbaptist.org Iglesia Cristiana El Getsemani 1739 Jefferson Davis Highway Stafford, VA 22554 (703) 546-4662  www.elgetsemani.org Journey Fellowship 1120 International Pkwy.

Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-295-0965 journeyfredericksburg.com

Mount Hope Baptist Church 6823 Harrison Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-786-4274  www.mthopeva.org Mount Hope Baptist Church 1653 Brooke Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-4219  mounthopebaptist churchstafford.org Mount Olive Baptist Church 395 Mt.Olive Road Stafford, VA 22555 540-752-4296  mobcstafford.com Mount Peniel Church of God in Christ 1409 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 703-980-3429  mtpeniel.com New City Fellowship of Fredericksburg (PCA) 200 Prince Edward Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-899-5349  www.newcityfellowship.org New Hope Christian Ministries 1103 Potomac Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-368-2909  www.newhopechristian ministries.org

Lifepoint Stafford at Colonial Forge High School 550 Courthouse Road Stafford, VA 22554  www.lifepoint.org

New Hope United Methodist Church 164 New Hope Church Road Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-370-4875  www.newhopeva.com

Living Hope Lutheran Church 325 Courthouse Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-657-4105  www.livinghopestafford.org

New Life Community Church 1449 Courthouse Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-5356  www.new-life.net

Messengers of The Lord Christian Church Inc 32 Bells Hill Road Stafford, VA 22554

North Stafford Church of Christ 500 Shelton Shop Road Stafford, VA 22554 (540) 659-2456  www.nscofc.org

Miracle Faith Ministries International 14 Miracle Valley Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-361-7777  www.miraclefaithmin.com Mount Ararat Baptist Church 1112 Garrisonville Road Stafford, VA 22556 540-659-2554  www.mtararat.org Mount Ararat Baptist Church Fredericksburg Location 115 Riggs Rd. Fredericksburg, VA 22405  www.mtararat.org

Now Faith Fellowship & Deliverance Ministries 29 Stafford Ave. Stafford VA, 22554 540-300-1318  nffchurch@gmail.com Ramoth Baptist Church 478 Ramoth Church Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-4588  www.rbcstafford.org

REGIONAL CHURCH DIRECTORY

Your Guide to Local Churches St. Peter’s Lutheran Church 1201 Courthouse Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-6366  www.splctoday.org

Regester Chapel United Methodist Church 85 Bells Hill Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-2642  www.regesterchapel.com

Salem Fields Community Church 11120 Gordon Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407 (540) 786-6212  www.salemfields.com

Revive Outreach Center 411 Chatham Heights Road #101 Fredericksburg, VA 22405 877-540-5562  www.reviveoc.org

South Ridge Church PO Box 310 Hartwood VA 22471 469-713-7970  www.southridge.us

Richland Baptist Church 2482 Warrenton Road Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-752-9352  richlandbaptist.com

St. Luke’s Anglican Church 65 Warrenton Road Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-371-8405  fredericksburganglicans.org

Stafford Crossing Community Church 1420 Forbes Street Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-656-2040  www.staffordcrossing.org

Rock Hill Baptist Church 12 Van Horn Lane Stafford, Virginia 22556 540-752-0336  rockhillbaptistchurch.org

St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 250 Stafford Lakes Parkway Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-373-6491  www.stmaryfred.org

Summit Presbyterian Church 256 Shelton Shop Rd. Stafford, VA 22556 540-659 2306  www.summitpresbyterianchurch.org

St. Matthias United Methodist Church 426 Deacon Road Fredericksburg VA 22405 540-373-8759  www.stmatthiasumc.org

Temple Baptist Church 300 White Oak Road Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-373-0944  www.aboutTBC.org

Salem Baptist Church 4044 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-786-7320  www.salembc.com

Stafford Church of God 649 Garrisonville Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-3854  www.staffordcog.org

You Can B Sure

The Refuge Church Meeting at: St Michael High School 6301 Campus Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-693-4238  www.refugeva.org Trinity Bible Church 6331 Campus Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-548-3444  www.TBC.me United Faith Christian Ministry Stafford, VA 22554 540-288-9253  www.ufcm.org Zion Church of Fredericksburg 2222 Jefferson Davis Hwy Fredericksburg Va, 22401 540-693-0207  www.zionfredericksburg.org Zoe Life Christian Faith Center 2011 Princess Anne St. – Suite 202 Fredericksburg, Va 22401 703-209-3394   www.zoelifecfc.org

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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Your Guide to Local Charities & Ministries The County Connector invites you to get involved with the community through local charities and ministries.

516 Project. Inc. 10908 Courthouse Road Suite 102148 Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-512-8467  www.516project.org

Central Virginia Justice Initiative 1-866-620-2889, Ext.1  www.centralvajustice initiative.com  JusticeCVA@gmail.com

Fellowship of Christian Athletes 10835 Tidewater Trail Fredericksburg, VA 22408 540-899-3422  www.battlefieldfca.org

Aquia’s Table 2938 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Stafford, VA 22554 540-659-4007  www.aquiachurch.com

Choices Women’s Center Fredericksburg Pregnancy Center 1616 Stafford Ave. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-370-1800  www.Fredericksburg PregnancyCenter.org

Gideons International (Stafford Campus) P.O. Box 3361 Stafford, VA 22555 (540) 737-8352  www.gideons.org

Bethany Christian Services/ Fredericksburg 5610 Southpoint Centre Blvd.

Suite 107 Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-373-5165  www.bethany.org/ fredericksburg

Compassion Restoration Ministries P.O. Box 1074 Stafford, VA 22556-9998 540-841-4502  www.compassion restoration.com

To help one of these charities, contact TCC at Connect@TheCountyConnector.net.

20 | The County Connector | Winter 2018

Greater Habitat for Humanity 2376 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-891-4401  www.fredhab.org Micah Ecumenical Ministries 1013 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-479-4116  www.dolovewalk.net

S.E.R.V.E. 15 Upton Road Stafford, VA 22554 540-288-9603  www.serve-helps.org Stafford Junction P.O. Box 5405 Fredericksburg, VA 22403 540-368-0081  www.staffordjunction.org Thurman Brisben Center 471 Central Road Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-899-9853  www.brisbencenter.org Tun Tavern Fellowship (TTF) P.O. Box 900 Quantico, VA 22134 540-840-8654 www.tuntavern fellowship.orgTop of Form 