Our Stories Unleashed

Finding Hope in the Valley

"I started to trust that He has a reason for my situation and a plan for it — that it wouldn’t be something I have to go through, but something I get to go through in order to show a different community what it means to trust Christ.” – Lance Parker Lance Parker received his third kidney transplant three weeks after his wife Lindsey gave birth to their first child. That was ten months ago. “I don’t recommend having two life events in one year,&rdquo...

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Giving from the heart

"There have been days and weeks when we looked at each other and thought, oh my goodness, how is this going to work? But the Lord was there and He was faithful to help us work through and navigate those waters.” – Karen Gilstrap Tommy and Karen Gilstrap met at University Baptist Church in 1990. Karen was attending seminary, while Tommy was working night shifts. They met one Sunday during Bible study, and within a year they were married. Together they spent the early years of...

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Worship is a balance of both ‘emotion and knowledge’

“Looking back, I can see God's hand leading me as I prayed and grew in my faith. He is challenging me now to understand my role at UBC, ministering to a diverse group of people and creating a balanced worship style.” – Matt Bowen “I have felt a nearness to God since I was a young child. Even when my family did not take me to church, I prayed each night. I had a Godly grandmother whose faithfulness led me to a profession of faith when I was 13 years old. My faith...

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