Matt's testimony

I was lucky enough to be born into a Christian family on a small rural farm in Wisconsin. My parents sent me to Lutheran grade school K-8^th grade. My parent’s number one concern for me and my siblings has always been that we know and have a relationship with Christ. Earthly treasures like a good career and money were never of concern for them.

I was lucky to have this guidance as I watched most of my classmates fall away from the biblical truths they had learned at a young age. Like most young adults I had many questions and doubts about the world and God. I was always able to find comfort and truth in God’s word, helping me navigate all of life’s hardships.

Me and my wife have dealt with many years of infertility and some health scares. Our faith in God has helped us through these times of difficulty. Through the ups and downs of life, I have found refuge in the fellowship of the church community, a place where I’ve experienced both spiritual and emotional nourishment.

In moments of doubt, I’ve turned to the Bible and prayer for guidance. I have hopes and dreams of one day being a father myself and teaching my children the same biblical truths that my parents taught me. I also know that I might never be a father and without me knowing the truth of God’s love for me that would be an even harder pill to accept. I give my life to Him and try to accept whatever my future holds.

I am grateful for the blessings that my faith has bestowed upon me. I am humbled by the unconditional love and grace God has promised a sinner like me. I pray that I continue to follow his path until my last breath on earth.

May we all be guided by Christ teachings and may our lives be a testimony of his grace.

Matt Buck

Jessica's testimony

I grew up in a traditional Catholic household which included belonging to a local Catholic church, attending mass, as well as, getting baptized and confirmed. This upbringing instilled in me the importance of a Christian lifestyle, the values that come with it and laid a foundation in my life. I then went off to college and discovered how to really live and lead a Christain lifestyle. 

Starting in college, I began to grow deeper in my faith. I met a few people on my floor in the dormitory, who quickly became good friends. These friends invited me to a Christian-themed book club. This was the start of a deeper connection to Christianity. From here, led to participating in the campus Sunday evening worship group that included university students. Also, I went on to join the local Catholic church where some of my friends were members. In addition to Sunday services, we participated in the choir. Through the trials and tribulations that college-life can bring, my faith carried me through and was strengthened. I went on to meet my husband and we share the same Christian values, which has been the foundation for our marriage. Life was typical during this period.  

A couple years into our marriage, we were faced with unexplained infertility, which left us facing the unknown for our future of a family. We resorted to our faith for hope, comfort, and strength. This infertility journey went on for a decade and included me coming face to face with a medical emergency. My faith in Christ certainly brought light to the situation on some of my darkest days. It also gave me a kind of hope to focus on and took away my fears. Faith is truly a weapon for survival and I’m a testament to that.  

This journey in my faith has really given me deep roots in Christ and no matter what life throws at me I know I can stand firm in my faith to face the joy-filled moments in life as well as the harder times.