But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. - 1 Peter 3:15

Testimonies - We must speak the Truth, the Gospel, "The Good News." Always putting God first is a testimony in itself. Just as King David was not afraid to dance before the ark we should never be afraid to testify of God in our lives.

Cunnyngham Testimonies

Steve and Marcie Cunnyngham were traveling home from a church leadership breakfast and were in a terrible accident, a head-on collision.  They are beloved members of our church and are very active in many of our ministries.  What Satan tried to steal was turned about by the faith of two beautiful believers in Christ. 

Click here for Steve's testimony

The Cunnyngham family legacy doesn't end there. Stephanie Cunnyngham is active at the Honor Academy for Teen Mania and is currently giving two years of her life to the ministry. 

Here is the latest from Stephanie (emailed April 24th, 2008).

Hello family and friends!

This update is looong overdue! As I sit here in our new intern lounge (which has couches, and CARPET, and yes, wireless internet), I'm listening to Misty Edwards and feeling like an entirely new person.

As you know, we occasionally have these Life Transforming Events (kind of like ESOAL, climbing the mountain, etc.), and the past couple of weekends have been full of LTE's. A month ago I ran a 10K marathon, and finished at a time of 1:15. My only goal for that marathon was not to stop, and it was so challenging, but it was incredible to be able to finish that thing! We also had another fasting LTE, with many people doing an extended 7 day fast. Let me tell you, fasting is so rewarding; it greatly expands your heart to hear from God. (Go check out Joel 2...it has INCREDIBLE things to say about fasting!)

BUT, this past weekend, I think has been the most life changing LTE since ESOAL. It was the Unreached People Group LTE. All of the interns were split into many groups, and you were either a tribes person or a missionary. Then there was the government, made up of staff and 2nd year interns. It was a huge 'real-life' drama, to get a taste of what it would be like to go into a closed country (against Christianity) and preach to people who have never heard the name of Jesus before. I had the opportunity of being a missionary for this nearly 48 hour experience living out in the woods.

I'm not going to lie, I was anything but excited to be a missionary. I mean, the tribes people just get to run around like barbarians all weekend while we have to learn their language, be subject to their crazy customs, tell them about Jesus, and get chased by the government and thrown in jail! But, it became incredibly real to me. The spirit of God was completely in this, despite it being a staged drama. I remember one instance of being so close to leading two of these two tribes women to Jesus when the government showed up and I had to run. I was wearing capris, running through trees, my legs getting caught in thorn bushes, with two men yelling and chasing me. They caught up, but I had the most divine appointment to tell them about Jesus. And you know what? Because of my boldness, they left me alone in the woods and didn't haul me off to jail! However, not long after I made it out of the woods, more government showed up and threw me and my whole missionary group in the back of a truck to go to prison.

I remember being thrown in the 'prison cell,' in this cold, dark, wet shower house that was dead silent. I sat there crying for my tribe; they were lost and had no one to tell them about Jesus. I began praying for missionaries all over the world, and for the lost tribes everywhere who were afraid, and lonely, and didn't know the hope that I have. It was so real to me. And I couldn't understand what was going on in my heart! I've never been stirred for missions - I thought that was for other people. But I knew things were completely different in that moment.

So yes, my heart was changed this weekend. I've discovered this boldness that I've never had. I mean, why should I EVER be afraid to tell someone about this incredible hope when I have nothing to fear. I'm in America, I'm not going to get hauled off to jail (yet, anyways), I may look a little ridiculous to some, but who cares! This hope is to great to keep a secret. And I also believe that if God were to call me to overseas missions, I would be okay with it. I mean, in worship we cry out with such conviction that "this world has nothing for me," but really, do we honestly believe that? Are we even willing to give up the little things in order to seek God? I believe it's a reality we all must face.

In other news, some of you may know already, but I'm staying here a second year. I'm going to be what's called a management associate, which is basically middle management at Teen Mania. It still costs money (paying to work...new concept, I know), but it's going to be so good! I'm really excited!

Well, I would really love to hear from each one of you! We will talk soon,

Ephesian 1:16-19 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Stephanie