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Eastside Christian Church
This is for EveryoneBaja Trip Baptism Story 7 Apr 2025, 9:00 pm
Baja Ocean Baptism.
Liz's Baptism Story
Sometimes, the most life-changing moments begin with a simple “yes.” For Liz Turner, it started with a connection to Eastside Church—one rooted in her husband’s childhood memories of attending Eastside Christian School in Fullerton. That connection planted a seed of curiosity, one that would eventually grow into a profound faith journey marked by compassion, service, and spiritual renewal.
What began as an interest in her husband’s former church soon blossomed into much more. Liz began attending services and learned about Eastside’s heart for global impact through their Compassion partnerships. Inspired by the church’s mission to serve both locally and globally, Liz signed up for a Global Compassion trip to Baja, Mexico—something she now describes as “life-changing.”
On the trip, the team worked together to build a home for a local family and began constructing a playground for the community. But what was being built during that week wasn’t just physical—it was spiritual. Relationships were forming, walls were coming down, and God was moving. For Liz, it was on this dusty, joy-filled, purpose-driven trip that her heart was stirred in a new way.
“I had been baptized when I was younger,” Liz shares, “but I wasn’t fully surrendered back then. I wasn’t truly walking with God.” Something had shifted. She began to sense that God was inviting her to rededicate her life—to take a new step of faith. And this time, it would be in the ocean.
The conversation around baptism actually started during the car ride to Baja. Liz carpooled with a family who hadn’t been baptized yet, and as they talked, they dreamed aloud about what it might be like to make that decision together. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to be baptized in the ocean?” Liz said, not knowing just how soon that dream would become a reality.
During a night of worship on the trip, Irvine Campus Pastor Brendan shared that he felt God speaking to him—prompting him to invite a group of people to be baptized. “I believe there are seven people God is calling to take this step,” he said. Liz immediately felt a tug in her spirit. She knew she was one of them. Incredibly, the family she had carpooled with also said yes to baptism, along with others, and the number of those who stepped forward matched exactly what Brendan had sensed. “It felt like God was speaking directly to us,” Liz recalls.
The next day, they headed to the beach. Surrounded by teammates, new friends, and even children from a local orphanage who had joined them for the day, Liz and the others were baptized in the ocean. It was a powerful, joy-filled moment—a public declaration of faith, renewal, and surrender.
And just when it seemed like the moment couldn’t be more special, something unforgettable happened.
“A pod of dolphins swam by,” Liz says with a smile. “It was like God was putting an exclamation point on the whole experience.”
That day on the beach became a turning point for Liz. Her faith deepened, and her commitment to serving others grew even stronger. She returned home not only with memories but with renewed purpose.
“I came back to Eastside because it felt like home—a spiritual home,” she says. “The values of compassion, service, and community resonate so deeply with me. I wanted to be part of something that’s making a difference.”
And she is. Today, Liz serves as a worship leader and a small group leader for Kidside at the Anaheim campus, guiding second and third graders as they grow in their own faith journeys. Her life is a reflection of the very heartbeat of Eastside: to be people who pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion.
But perhaps the most powerful part of her story is this: it all started with one decision. One “yes.” One step toward something unfamiliar led to something unforgettable.
“A pod of dolphins swam by,” Liz says with a smile. “It was like God was putting an exclamation point on the whole experience.”
What About You?
Maybe you’ve felt the tug, too.
Maybe you’ve been exploring faith or attending Eastside for a while. Maybe something inside you is saying it’s time to step into a new season. Maybe you’ve never been baptized, and you’re wondering if now is the time.
It is.
This Easter Weekend, you have the opportunity to say yes—to baptism, to faith, to something more. Whether it’s your first step or a fresh one, we want to walk with you.
And if you’ve been feeling the nudge to serve, to get out of your comfort zone, or to live out your faith in a tangible way, our next Baja trip is right around the corner. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing.
Take Your Next Step
Let Liz’s story be your invitation: God is already pursuing you. Maybe your yes is what’s next.
Ready? Sign up for the next baptism
There’s no better time than Easter. Click below to learn more and sign up.
Interested? Join the next Baja trip
Come build hope and community—while discovering more of who God made you to be.
Students Unleash Compassion in Baja 1 Apr 2025, 8:22 pm
Students unleash compassion in baja
high school students
serve in baja, mexico
Make life-changing plans this summer! You, your friends, and family will come home feeling inspired, more grateful, and with new friends! Parents, looking for a creative way for your kids to have more empathy and gratitude? Experience firsthand how you can make a difference just two hours away from SoCal. Help with building, children's programs, and other projects for every age and skill set. Read below from some students who were impacted by this trip.
Ready to Begin Your Own Transformation Story?
Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of these transformative journeys.
Visit eastside.com/global to explore trip options this summer.
These trips aren’t just about what we give—they’re about discovering that God’s timing is perfect, and His plans for our lives are greater than we could ever imagine.
The Weeds in My Garden: A Testimony of Redemption and Healing 30 Mar 2025, 9:51 pm
the weeds in my garden
testimony
My life has often felt like a garden overrun with weeds—shame, guilt, and pain that seemed impossible to uproot. These weeds took root early, shaped by a childhood of rejection and trauma. I was adopted at 10 years old after being in the foster system since I was three. At 11, my stepdad entered my life, and by 12, the abuse began. It continued for years, leaving scars that ran deep into my soul.
At 17, I finally ran away, hoping to leave the pain behind. I thought I had escaped, but at 18, during a brief visit home from college, he found his way back into my life. Though he no longer lived in the house, he somehow gained access to the new home. That was when he abused me one last time.
Adding to the pain was the fact that he was never convicted. The church I turned to for help didn’t believe me. They believed him instead. The rejection of my truth, especially by people who claimed to love Jesus, left me shattered and questioning everything I thought I knew about trust and faith.
For years, I suppressed the trauma, pretending it hadn’t happened. I lived as though the abuse didn’t affect me, determined to survive and navigate the world of pain sober and alone. But in 2019, my secret came out. Two people who should have known long ago about what happened to me finally learned the truth—not from an adult who should have told them, but from me. Their worlds were shattered, and it hurt deeply to know the pain my truth caused them. I had spent my life carrying the weight of this secret, but seeing the devastation it brought to others added another layer of guilt and heartache.
As I reflect on my journey, there is one verse that stands out—so much so that I have it tattooed on my arm. It comes from Mark 5:41, where Jesus says, “Talitha koum”—“Little girl, I say to you, rise.” Those words have taken on deep meaning for me. I see them as Jesus’s constant reminder not to give up on myself, just as He didn’t give up on the little girl in that story.
Looking back, I can see how Jesus was with me all along, even when I didn’t realize it. He began to remove people who didn’t have faith in Him, just as He removed the doubters and unbelievers from the room before He performed the miracle. These were people who weren’t adding tools of healing to my life but instead were reinforcing the weeds that were choking me.
At Eastside Christian Church, the series “Weeds in My Garden” felt as though it was created just for me. My journey has been a constant reminder that God is the one in control of my garden. No matter how many weeds try to creep back in—old core beliefs, fears, and reminders of my past—I’ve learned to surrender them to Him every single day.
I now picture myself sitting on a bench in the middle of my garden, allowing God to prune and care for it. I don’t have to handle the weeds alone anymore. He knows how to remove what doesn’t belong and plant what will flourish. Every time I surrender to Him, I feel His peace.
It was during this time that God intervened in ways I couldn’t have imagined. He sent me my now-husband, a man who showed me what love, patience, and understanding truly looked like. For the first time, I felt seen—not as someone broken or beyond repair, but as someone worthy of love and respect.
Through his encouragement and the consistent messages at Eastside, I began to surrender my heart to God in a way I never had before. Each sermon became a lifeline, a reminder that I wasn’t alone in my struggles. I began to see my life for what it truly was—a garden overrun with weeds. On the surface, I had fake flowers that appeared beautiful. I had learned how to mask my pain, to appear as though I had it all together, even spraying on the artificial fragrance of happiness for others. But underneath, the weeds of shame, fear, and despair were choking the life out of me.
When I finally surrendered to God, everything began to change. I fell to my knees and told Him, “Take it from me. This isn’t my burden to carry anymore.” I claimed His promises, like Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Slowly but surely, He began to clear the weeds in my garden—not all at once, but one by one.
God showed me that healing wasn’t about covering up the pain or pretending it didn’t exist. It was about allowing Him to tend to the broken places, to pull out the weeds by the root, and to plant seeds of love, patience, and forgiveness.
Today, my garden is far from perfect, but it is growing. The Lord is my Northern Star, guiding me through every darkness, and He is the compass of my heart, always pointing me back to His truth. I pray every day that my story will one day help others who feel like their gardens are overrun with weeds. Until then, I will continue to fall deeper in love with God, trusting Him to guide me and care for my heart.
If you are struggling with the weeds in your life—whether they are trauma, mental health battles, or the weight of your past—know this: You don’t have to carry it alone. Surrender it to God. He is the master gardener, and He can create beauty from even the most broken places.
STRUGGLING WITH YOUR PAST?
you are not alone
find resources and support groups
A Story of Faith, Family, and Baptism 30 Mar 2025, 3:25 am
A New Lease on Life:
A Story of Faith Family and Baptism
Most stories don’t start with: “And then he lay in a coma for three days.”
But sometimes, life gives us wake-up calls we never saw coming. And in the middle of the most terrifying moments, God’s presence becomes undeniable.
This is a story about healing, hope, and the powerful decision to say yes to Jesus through baptism.
Kurt is a husband, father, and follower of Jesus. Raised Catholic, he was baptized as an infant and spent his early years attending church regularly with his family. While he grew up with a foundation of faith, it wasn’t until adulthood that he began to truly experience a personal connection with God.
That shift happened 20 years ago when Kurt met his wife, Sarah. Together, they began attending a Christian church and building a new spiritual foundation as a family. After relocating to a new city, they visited several churches before a friend invited them to check out Eastside. Kurt, Sarah, and their two daughters instantly felt at home.
“My 12-year-old usually sits with us in service, and my 9-year-old loves going to Kidside,” Kurt said. “It’s been great for all of us.”
For months, Kurt had been thinking about getting baptized—this time as an adult, by his own choice. It wasn’t about rejecting his past. It was about stepping freely and intentionally into a deeper relationship with God.
“I wanted to be closer to God and be a better role model for my family,” he said. “And our older daughter had been wanting to get baptized too. I thought it would be incredible to do that together.”
Kurt planned to wait for the perfect moment. He wanted to invite extended family and friends and make it a celebration. But as he sat in church last February, hearing the message, he felt a strong prompting in his spirit.
“I seriously considered getting baptized that day,” he recalled. “But I talked myself out of it, thinking it would be better to wait until everyone could be there.”
What happened next changed everything.
Later that afternoon, while watching the Super Bowl at home, Kurt suddenly collapsed. His heart had gone into ventricular fibrillation—a life-threatening condition that causes the heart to beat erratically and stop pumping blood. Moments later, he went into cardiac arrest.
Thankfully, Sarah immediately called 911 and began CPR until the paramedics arrived. First responders shocked Kurt’s heart with a defibrillator, stabilized him, and rushed him to the hospital.
For the next three days, Kurt lay in a coma.
Doctors warned his family that the prognosis was grim. Most people who experience what Kurt went through don’t survive. And those who do often face lifelong complications. His loved ones waited, prayed, and held on to hope.
On the fourth day, doctors implanted a defibrillator device in Kurt’s chest. Later that same day, he miraculously woke up.
“I was told my recovery was nothing short of a miracle,” Kurt shared. “Aside from two incisions for the device, I had no damage. My organs, my mind—everything was functioning. There was no explanation for why my heart did what it did, and no explanation for why I recovered the way I did either.”
Kurt and his daughter getting baptized.
Just six days after his cardiac arrest, Kurt was released from the hospital.
A few weeks later, on March 16, fully healed and full of gratitude, Kurt and his daughter stepped into the water and were baptized—together.
“God saved my life,” Kurt said. “He clearly wasn’t done with me yet. I feel like I’ve been given a new lease on life. And being baptized with my daughter—that moment meant everything to me.”
Kurt’s story is a powerful reminder: faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trust. It’s about obedience. It’s about listening to that quiet voice prompting you toward Jesus—and having the courage to respond.
If you’ve been considering baptism, we’d love to invite you to learn more. Baptism is a celebration of new life and a public declaration of trust in Jesus. And there’s no better time to do it than Easter Sunday.
Why get baptized?
Are you ready to take the next step in your faith journey?
Crossing The Bridge To Find Freedom And Recovery 19 Mar 2025, 11:27 am
The miracle is that God shows up in our lives.
Greg was fifteen when he tried meth for the first time. It took hold of Greg right away and put him on a dangerous path. The next thing he knew, he was at rock bottom. He was in and out of jail a dozen times.
Greg tells the story of how he miraculously found his way out of a hellhole and into recovery. “When I was growing up, there really wasn’t much to keep the youth occupied so a lot of us turned to using drugs. I first met Laura at a party. At that time, she was on Adderall for ADHD and she had learned pretty quickly that she could abuse it. She entered treatment a couple of times for Adderall abuse but ran away. She just cycled downward and continued experimenting with other drugs. When we got together we began living really fast and got addicted to even more drugs.
One day, I actually had a vision. I was sitting outside and it was a gorgeous day. We’d just taken a couple of hits of acid. I had a feeling come over me. And I said to myself, ‘If you keep this up, you ain’t going to make it!’ I had such a horrible feeling that I broke down and I started crying. Laura came outside and asked me what was wrong. I said, ‘I just can’t do this anymore.’ I never really felt like I had a relationship with God so I didn’t know what it would be like if He spoke to me. But right at that moment, sitting outside, I realized this had to be God speaking. Right then and there, we made an oath together that we would never use again. Laura and I realized that we needed to find our way back to God. Laura had just gotten pregnant with Willow and she wanted to be a good mom – she’d always wanted to be a mom.
When we first started coming to Eastside, it was like coming home to family. It was such a good feeling. One of the biggest ways that God has been using me right now is through mentoring. I have gone through so much in my life and I now I can give back and show others that there is a way out — a way to find freedom from addiction. I can relate to a lot of these people who need help to become a cycle breaker in their families. It helps to hear from someone who has actually made it to the other side, that there is hope. We share with others how to take those next steps towards recovery and find a way to cross that bridge to freedom. We trusted God and prayed, one day at a time.”
The miracle is that God does show up in our lives. He is present, and He shows up! It’s obvious how He worked in the lives of Greg and Laura. They said they put everything into God’s hands and saw miracle after miracle. They can look back and see all the ways God provided hope and healing. They wanted to share this story to inspire others, to offer hope to anybody out there who’s dealing with something similar. It’s amazing what God can do with open hearts.
If you or someone you know is in a difficult season, we invite you to check out the Care & Recovery groups at Eastside. We don’t have to navigate these seasons alone. There is a caring community of people who have walked the path to recovery and would love to walk beside you on your journey to hope and healing. There are so many groups to choose from. Check it out here: eastside.com/care.
Greg said, “It was like coming home to family,” when he and Laura first started going to church at Eastside. We would love to invite you to visit us! We believe that this is a place for everyone, wherever you are on your journey. If you would like to find out more about Eastside, please visit eastside.com/about.
FIND A GROUP to help you navigate this season:
Let’s face it: Life can get difficult… complicated. But you don’t have to navigate this season alone. There is a caring community of people, who will walk beside you on your journey to hope and healing.
We have groups for people who are going through a divorce, have lost a loved one, or struggling with relationships, mental health, or addiction.
Global Trips A Journey Of Transformation 19 Feb 2025, 5:13 am
Global Trips A Journey of Transformation
Hope Has A Name
“Don’t go on a mission trip unless you’re ready for your life to change. These words echoed in Rebecca’s mind as she stood at a crossroads four years ago. It was the height of the pandemic, and her world had crumbled. A devastating family crisis, coupled with her ongoing heart condition, had left her feeling lost and fragile. But sometimes, God reveals His plans in the most unexpected places.
“I remember sitting in my house during lockdown, feeling completely adrift,” Rebecca recalls. “Everything I thought I knew about my life had been pulled out from underneath me. That’s when I decided to return to Eastside Compassion, simply looking for any sense of purpose. Little did I know, God was already preparing my path.”
What started as volunteer work organizing materials and facilitating leadership groups soon blossomed into something far greater. In 2022, despite concerns from friends about her health, Rebecca felt an undeniable calling to join a global mission trip. Her doctors advised caution, but her heart—both literally and figuratively—pulled her forward, guided by faith.
“The moment I stepped off the plane in Ecuador for my first trip, something shifted,” she shares. “I saw children living in challenging circumstances yet radiating pure joy. It made my own struggles feel different, more manageable somehow. God’s presence was unmistakable in their smiles.”
"I was the oldest person on the team, but I built, cleaned, played, sang, and even managed to communicate in Spanish. God taught me to let go of my carefully planned agenda and embrace each unexpected moment. His plans were far better than anything I could have organized." - Rebecca
That initial journey sparked a transformation that nobody could have predicted. Rebecca’s eyes regained their spark, and color returned to her cheeks. Her social media account, aptly named “Hope Has a Name,” began chronicling not just her journeys but the stories of lives touched by God’s love across continents.
In Thailand, she witnessed the power of divine protection. “The children at the orphanage lined the road waiting for us,” Rebecca remembers, her voice softening. “These kids had escaped unimaginable situations—trafficking, war, extreme poverty. Yet there they were, celebrating Christmas in October with pure delight. My sponsored child, Nacha, taught me more about God’s faithfulness in one day than I’d learned in years.”
Kenya followed, where Rebecca discovered the transformative impact of education through Missions of Hope International (MOHI). “It’s not just about teaching,” she explains. “It’s about breaking the cycle of poverty, one child at a time. Watching MOHI’s graduates return to lift up the next generation—that’s when I truly understood what God’s hope looks like in action.”
Between trips, Rebecca helped launch Compassion at Eastside’s Irvine campus, where you’ll find her most Sundays, inspiring others with her story. Her latest adventure in Mexico proved that age is just a number when it comes to serving God’s kingdom.
Fellow trip leader Maria Martinez has witnessed the ripple effect of Rebecca’s journey. “People see her story and realize that God can use anyone willing to step out in faith,” Maria shares. “She’s inspired countless others to trust His timing and purpose for their lives.”
Ready to Begin Your Own Transformation Story?
Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of these transformative journeys.
Visit eastside.com/global to explore trip options, or click on the “Let’s Talk” button below to connect with experienced trip leaders like Rebecca.
As Rebecca often says, “These trips aren’t just about what we give—they’re about discovering that God’s timing is perfect, and His plans for our lives are greater than we could ever imagine.”
Reading The New Testament Changed My Life 11 Feb 2025, 6:54 am
From Frustration to Following - The Journey of Carissa coming to Faith.
In a world where we often seek belonging through achievements and superficial connections, Carissa’s story demonstrates how the simple act of reading the New Testament can lead to profound transformation. Carissa’s testimony is a powerful reminder of how God’s Word can pierce through our carefully constructed facades and reveal the authentic relationship He desires to have with each of us.
Growing up in a spiritually diverse household with a formerly Catholic father and Jewish mother, my early understanding of faith was primarily cultural, centered around holiday celebrations rather than a personal relationship. I lived my life through a “performance mindset,” finding validation through academic success and athletic achievements. Like many of us, I built my identity on the foundation of others’ approval.
But God had been quietly placing people in my life—seeds of faith that would later bloom in unexpected ways. During graduate school, I found myself surrounded by a few Christians who shared not just their time but also their authentic faith through simple game nights and conversations. It was during one of these evenings that my curiosity was sparked —not from a crisis of faith or a rock-bottom moment, but from a simple desire to understand the biblical references my friends were making.
I came home and had this thought that just kept stirring in my mind for days, and I felt like I had to do something. So I finally got a Bible out and started reading. Mostly out of curiosity. And then, while I was reading, I felt it piercing something deep inside me. Now I realize it is because the word of God is so powerful. It’s not just human words, it’s literally God’s word. As I continued to read day after day I began to wonder, how do people not know about this? How do people not believe this? As I started reading about Jesus and the miracles he performed, and the things he did, I was blown away. I thought to myself, I’ve been living my whole life without this?! In that moment, I decided to give my life to Jesus and accept Him as my LORD and Savior. I remember bawling my eyes out as I prayed I accept you, Jesus, and I want you in my life, and I want you to lead me.
The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Carissa’s story reminds us that God’s Word has the power to change lives not through rules or obligations but through revelation and a relationship. Whether you’re a skeptic, a seasoned believer, or someone simply curious about what the Bible says, the New Testament Challenge offers you the same opportunity that Carissa took—to open the Scripture and allow God’s Word to speak into your life.
The New Testament Challenge presents a unique opportunity for you and those you care about —a chance to open the Scripture and allow God’s Word to work in your life. It’s not about religious obligation or checking boxes; it’s about beginning a journey that could completely transform your understanding of who God is and who you are in Him.
The invitation is simple but profound: take the New Testament Challenge. Don’t approach it as another task to complete. Instead, approach it as Carissa did—with curiosity and openness to what God might reveal. You might find, as she did, that what begins as reading words on a page becomes an encounter with the living God who loves you not for what you do, but for who you are.
It can start by simply opening the Bible and allowing God’s Word to do what it does best—pierce through our carefully constructed walls and reveal the truth of His love and the authentic life He has planned for each of us.
Sign up today for the New Testament Challenge, and take the first step in what could be your own transformative journey with God’s Word.
Join us for The New Testament Challenge, a 10-week journey into the greatest story ever told. From the humble manger in Bethlehem to His glorious return, this series will help you grasp the sweeping narrative of God’s redemptive love.
What makes this journey particularly special is that we’re taking it together – from our youngest Kidsiders to our most seasoned believers, from our students to our young adults.
Global Trips Changed My Life 23 Jan 2025, 4:39 am
Global Trips Changed My Life
By Shannon Teague
In 2016, I walked into Eastside carrying the invisible weight of PTSD from my service in the Marine Corps. Eight years and seven global compassion trips later, I’m not just a different person – I’m a healed one.
As a single mother of two boys, I was deep in therapy when I first boarded a plane to Nairobi in 2017. I thought I was going to change others, but Africa’s humble people ended up changing me. During a break from home visits, a conversation with a local teacher transformed my perspective on trauma and healing. His words, guided by God’s timing, broke through years of fear and struggle. When I returned home, my PTSD no longer controlled my life.
That first trip ignited a passion for global service that has taken me across continents. In Africa’s heart – Nairobi and Turkana – I’ve conducted home visits, equipped schools, delivered bedding, and introduced solar energy solutions. I’ve built homes, led Vacation Bible Schools, and spoken at women’s conferences. One of my proudest moments was baptizing our hotel manager, a testament to how these missions touch lives unexpectedly.
In Thailand’s villages of Kae Noi and Pai, I’ve planted mango trees, tiled school floors, and worked in orphanages. Each project, whether bringing clean water to a village or sharing Christianity with eager listeners, has deepened my connection to God’s work.
Over the years, I've sponsored eight children and an infant, intervening in critical moments to save one from malaria, another from starvation, and a third from a forced marriage. These children have become extensions of my own family, reminding me that God's love knows no borders.
My own children have witnessed their mother’s transformation from a struggling veteran to a purpose-driven servant of God. They’ve seen firsthand how serving others can heal our own wounds. The friends I’ve made and the lives we’ve touched across the globe have enriched my life beyond measure.
To those who doubt their ability to embark on such a journey, remember: I was once where you are. If a global missions trip is part of God’s plan for your story, He will provide the way. The same God who led me to Eastside, healed my PTSD, and opened doors to serve internationally, is calling others to step out in faith.
As I prepare for my seventh trip, I’m grateful for how far I’ve come from that first uncertain journey to Nairobi. These missions haven’t just changed my life – they’ve shown me why God placed me at Eastside and gave my pain a purpose. I can’t wait to see which of you might join me on the next adventure God has planned.
No More Lies 7 Jan 2025, 9:30 pm
It's okay to not be okay.
Have you ever felt trapped behind the words “I’m fine” when you’re anything but fine? Maybe you’ve spent years hiding your pain, looking for a safe place to be honest about your struggles and trauma. Maybe you’re seeking healing but don’t know where to start. Read below to hear Jill’s journey from decades of silence to finding her voice and healing through faith.
For 58 years, I lived behind a wall of lies. Every time someone asked, “How are you?” I’d paste on a smile and say, “I’m fine” – the biggest lie of all. The truth was, I was drowning in trauma from years of abuse, first from my parent and then from my ex-husband, who banned me from finding support and dismissed my faith as “junk.”
PTSD became my constant companion, but I kept burying the pain deeper, adding more lies to the pile. Then, one day, I couldn’t bear the weight of deception anymore. I made a decision: no more lies. I started attending Eastside Church and found a support group. For the first time in decades, I was being honest with myself about what I needed to heal.
Finally, I had a safe space to peel away the layers of lies I’d wrapped around myself like protective armor. Each session was like peeling an onion – sometimes painful, always revealing another truth that needed addressing. Whether it was confronting old resentments or facing buried trauma, I learned to stop right there and pray, letting God help me release the painful truths I’d hidden for so long.
The lies that once suffocated me – that I wasn’t enough, deserved the abuse, that I had to face everything alone, that I would never heal, I’ll never be accepted – have been replaced with God’s truths. Healing isn’t overnight, but it’s worth everything to live in truth.
We’re all hurting in some way, grappling with depression, anxiety, shame, or thoughts of self-harm. But we don’t have to hide behind lies anymore. Care Groups at Eastside are a place where we can share our authentic stories, be truly heard, and learn to connect with God. Through His help, I don’t have to repeat the past or live in lies any more. The truth has set me free.
Mental Health Series including:
- Practical tools for your mental health journey
- Resources for supporting loved ones
- Hope and guidance through Scripture
- Real stories of healing and growth