My Story:



My Story:

What People Are Saying About Faith Assembly of Lacey

Bruce Bennett

 It wasn't until six years ago when I began attending a small Bible study group at Faith Assembly that I really began to grow in my Christian faith. Through a business relation I started attending a Wednesday night small group Bible study at Chuck and Melanie Stewart's home. There my wife, Kelli, and I have found a connection with friends and the Word of God.

 It's easy to get lost in a crowd, but in our small group people don’t ask, "Where were you?" And no one is saying shame on you when you share something.  I like the question-and-answer format of small group studies. It allows for an opportunity to share problems and answers to prayer. You find out that other people struggle with what you're struggling with. You have someone share what you're going through. Plus, there’s a lot of discussion.

 As a result, we've grown close to these friends and we do things together. I've been encouraged by the honesty of others in the group. Walls are lowered and you end up thinking, "Yeah, I've got that problem, too." It's not the pious, I'm-better-than-you stuff that turned me off from church earlier in my life. I've grown so much. 

Diane Bergt

For over six months, Diane Bergt had a migraine headache. Sometimes she could function, but at other times it was debilitating. She struggled to work and care for her family, attend church and help lead a ladies small group. It was stealing her joy and her life.

On Sunday, May 11, Diane Bergt was in Sunday morning service, still enduring the headache, but faithful to attend church anyway.

During prayer time, God told Pastor Dan about a woman who was in the service suffering with a headache. Pastor Dan shared God’s revelation, rebuked the headache, telling it to ‘go away right now,’ and asked God to heal the woman.

When Diane heard Pastor Dan pray, she thought, surely this isn’t for me; I’m sure someone else in the service has a headache. She also thought, someone must’ve told him about my headache and that’s why he prayed that way.

But for some reason, she couldn’t just let it go – maybe the prayer was for her. Another thought assailed her, this headache is not going to just go away after six months. But the thought persisted that she could be healed by God. Her small group had been praying for her, too. Faith grew in her heart and mind. She realized that even if someone else did have a headache or even if someone had told Pastor Dan about her headache, she still wanted to be free from it. She said to herself, “No! I want that healing just the same as anybody else.”

Within five minutes, the headache was gone. 

James 4:7 says “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” Diane submitted to God when she refused to believe the doubts that came into her mind. She chose to believe God could and wanted to heal her. She is healed! Jesus still does miracles today!

Kristin Ericson

I came to Faith Assembly of Lacey in the fall of 2004. At that time I had been in a deep depression for a month, believing no one could ever understand my circumstances. I just laid on the couch and did nothing. On a Sunday morning in late September, it was almost like God Himself rolled me off my couch and sent me to FAL. I wasn’t searching for a church and I wasn’t new to Lacey, but I knew I was supposed to go to Faith Assembly.

When I got there, I was warmly greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Bowen who were sitting behind me. That day, God started cleansing my heart. For the first several months all I could do was listen to the sermons that Pastor Dan preached and cry. I knew God was working in me and speaking to me through those sermons.

Today, FAL is my church home. I keep coming back because I have a “family” here – I attend three small groups, come to the Saturday conneXion service and the Sunday 9:00 am service. All of these help me to grow strong in faith. I really enjoy the fellowship and Pastor Peter’s preaching at conneXion on Saturday evenings. Pastor Dan’s Sunday sermons are like food to my soul.

I would invite anyone of my friends to Faith Assembly because I know they can meet with God and learn the truth about Him.

Jeremiah Gorsuch

Faith Assembly of Lacey is my home even though I am currently stationed in Iraq.  Seriously, I am at peace here.  I feel this is where GOD wants me to be.  I can feel His hand upon me and the troops around me.  I know this is due in part to the diligent prayers of my friends and family there at Faith Assembly. I am truly blessed to be able to call Faith Assembly my home. I thank God for bringing me to Lacey and to the church where my family and I were immediately accepted and loved by the family of God there.  I know this is where He wants us to be.  God has allowed me to speak to both US and Iraqi soldiers about God and His Love.  I am praying that before I leave here, I will lead at least a couple of Iraqi soldiers to God and start an outpouring of the Gospel here.  It is easier for them to spread the Gospel than it is for an outsider, but I will remain faithful to His call and listen for His voice.  I thank you all for the prayers.  I think that is one thing God does not mind us coveting: the prayers of the faithful.  I miss you all and cannot wait to return to see you all.  Thank you for the letters and support.  God Bless you.

Your Friend and brother, Jeremiah

John Hunter

 I come from Detroit. I come from a tough past. I come from hardships. But God is generous. So, I wanted to be generous to God. We came to Faith Assembly several years ago, joined the church and got involved in ministry.  Our kids are growing spiritually and we want to help others experience what our family is experiencing.  When the vision for the new church building was presented we wanted to give.

First off, we're not a rich family. I work swing shift as a janitor at South Puget Sound Community College, Monday through Friday. My wife delivers newspapers. So, when we were celebrating with the whole church at Saint Martin's Pavilion this past spring, I began thinking about how much I could commit to the church's building fund. I took time out and went into a corner and said, "Lord, I want to be able to give to my church." But I wasn't sure how much.

The Lord impressed on me to give a certain amount each month for three years. Now, I pledged that, not know where it would come from. It's tough to make ends meet. As I said, we're not rich. But I try to be a blessing to others just like God has been a blessing to me.  You know what? Right after my wife and I made our pledge to the church I received a retirement fund check from a former employer. It was the whole amount of my pledge!

God said don't store up your treasures here. I said I don't need to hang on to this retirement because God is going to take care me anyway. Everything works out for His glory. Trusting in God works. Having a background of being a bona-fide sinner, a heathen of sorts, it's amazing not to have that shame on me anymore, I get to be one of God's saints and pray for others. He's brought me a long ways over the years I've been saved. He said seek Him and His knowledge.

New believers need to know that if you seek Him you will find Him and He will provide for you as you learn to be a blessing to others. I am seeing how God is alive in me. Christ is alive in me. That's awesome.

An Huynh

Thirty-three years ago my family celebrated Independence Day for the first time in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, where we were waiting for the US Immigration and Naturalization Services to approve our entry into this country as refugees.

Though I knew a little bit of the US history, July 4th didn’t mean much to me at that time. But, by the way people celebrated that day I knew it meant a lot to the Americans.

After living in this country for 33 years I started to understand why the US did not let Ho chi Minh take over all Vietnam after he defeated French in 1954, and why Americans wanted to have two Vietnams, and accepted to defend South Vietnam at great expenses.

If it was not because of liberty, of human rights, America just minds her business, and does not care for the world around her. If Americans did not get involved in the Vietnam War, my family and I are not here.

As we celebrate the Independence Day I’d like to take this opportunity to say “Thank you” to the 50,000 Americans and many servicemen of other countries who lost their lives in Vietnam. Next, my family and I would say “Many thanks” to the members of the church who did all they could to help us to enjoy freedom and blessings of this country. Last, we wish to say, “Thanks” to those who entered our lives.

It’s not surprising that China has become a Super Power because she has 4000 years of history. It’s true that “God bless America.” If He had not blessed this country, America cannot be what she is now when she has only 200 years of history. Vietnamese say that “birds land on good field.” Many people from other countries love to live in America because she is a good field. I believe we landed on good field. 

We came to the US at the end of June 1975, and the people who love freedom welcomed us. However we did not experience true freedom until June 1984 when we invited the Lord Jesus into our heart. Since that time we have been blessed and we’ve wished to witness the spiritual freedom to those who are in bondage.

A big “THANK YOU,” and please pray for our mission.

Cyndi Langston

My husband, Dave, and I came to FAL in August 2006. We were searching for an alternative to the traditional Sunday morning service. Our first impression was that the sanctuary was a weird shape, but we were hooked by Pastor Peter’s authentic and relevant preaching. Even though we’ve attended Sunday morning services at FAL, we’re really sold on the Saturday night service – it fits very well with our family’s schedules and we just love the people here. We met some old friends and made new ones. We are sold on the concept of small groups and have grown with each group we’ve been involved in. Dave and I enjoy greeting people each week at the kiosk during the break time. Our sons, Kyle and Jake, are getting more and more involved with youth group – Pastor Justin has a great ministry to teens. This isn’t the church you remember growing up in. It’s interesting, real life and easy to relate to.

Lynn Lendzion

In the spring of 1989 I came limping into Faith Assembly in need of healing in my spirit.  Back then Mark and Kristy Schaufler were my next door neighbors.  One afternoon Kristy and I were visiting with each other at the fence separating our backyards.  I was weeping and she was feeling my pain.  She encouraged me to come to Faith Assembly with my children and just sit. The first morning I came here, I knew I was home.  I knew that God had given me this beautiful church as a gift for my healing and His good pleasure. 

As the months passed, Christ poured His life into my life. The kindnesses and affirmations of His body at this church, coupled with scripture and prayer, brought wholeness.  And now, 18 years later, a different kind of disease attacks me.  Before it was cancer of my spirit, now it is cancer of my physical body.  But this church is as strong now as it was then.  It continues to move, alive and active.  Once again the saints here rise up to fight for one of their own.  I know that prayers are being prayed, scriptures are being claimed and the love of Christ comes bursting through in my life. 

I fell in love with the body of Christ at Faith Assembly of Lacey those 18 years ago and I am still in love.  My experience here has changed my life, given me ministry opportunities and connected me to a community of friends.

Donna Maynard

 In March of this year, I received an electricity bill for the amount of $536. I am 70 years old and live on a fixed budget. At first, I didn’t know how I was going to meet this unexpected expense. When I looked at my budget, I realized I could skip paying my tithe to cover the bill, but decided that I couldn’t do that – it wouldn’t be honoring to God. I was reminded again that God has been so good to me, even in the little things, and that He has always been faithful to take care of me. After I thought about it a bit more, I realized I could use my income tax return to pay the bill, but I had earmarked that for some items I needed around the house – like a new front door. I resigned myself to the fact that I may have to use the tax return for the electricity and started paying my bills, starting with my tithe and saving the electricity payment for last. By the time I got to that last bill, I realized I would have money to cover it, with $500 leftover! AND I didn’t have to use any of my income tax money! I’m not exactly sure how God works it all out, I’m just glad that He does.

Jeanne Montgomery

I first came to FAL in 1986. My church in E. WA prayed me to this church. I didn’t have a car, but found an apartment very close to the church, which was an answer to their prayer and mine.

My first impression of FAL was that it was friendly. I really liked Pastor Dan’s preaching and Dave Stocker’s worship leading. Music was and still is an important part of worship for me, so it felt very authentic and touched my heart. Pastor Dan’s preaching was simple and to-the-point, which I really needed as a new Christian.

Convenience, friendliness, great kids’ programs and much-needed fellowship all added to my decision to stay at FAL. Sue Secrist made me feel loved and accepted. I also had the great privilege of being discipled by Sue and that helped me grow in the Lord.

I’ve been attending FAL 21 years now, give or take a couple. I stay because this is my church home and family. The people are so important to me.

I’ve had many opportunities to serve at FAL. It’s kind of a joke that I’ve done everything except preach on Sundays here. Right now I lead a ladies' Bible study and work at FAL as an Administrative Assistant.

If I was going to invite a friend to FAL, this is what I would say, “If you’re looking for a church family, this is a good church. If you want great music and good preaching, this is a good church. If you want to hang out with real people, this is a good church. If you want perfection – keep looking.”

Mike Noyes

I first came to Faith Assembly on Easter Sunday in 2007 with my dad, and instantly felt at home. I had been involved in worship ministry in the past, but when I saw the worship pastor leading the congregation into the presence of the Lord, I had to go ask him if I could be a part of the worship arts ministry. He invited me to join and, since then, I have really grown in my walk with Christ through the weekend sermons, the young adults group, and worshiping God as a member of the worship team. The people are loving, the staff is helpful, and the presence of God is heavy at this church. What else can I say? I LOVE THIS CHURCH!

Laura Parvi

Seventeen years ago, Scott and I began to establish our home and family here in Olympia. As we visited churches and came across FAL, we were wowed by the worship and the kids’ programs. We really felt that this was a church where we could really get to know people. In addition to the worship and kids ministries, we joined a group for young married people, led by Rick and Jill Forcier. Friendships developed quickly. This was very important since Scott was still in the Air Force and I was alone quite a bit. After all this time, our roots go deep; our relationships here at FAL have seen us through many stages.

Our family has grown from two to six – our children are involved in Children’s ministries and WAVE youth group. The teaching our children receive at FAL is a huge balance to public school, especially the Junior Prep program and the Student Internship (leadership) program.

I’m excited about FAL and tell people all the time that this is a fantastic place for families to flourish – whether you’re a single person or have lots of kids! FAL is a place for everyone!

Clara Riggle

I grew up going to church, mostly Baptist churches.  My parents were spiritual people and although they didn’t attend church with us very often they encouraged us to go with our friends and neighbors growing up.  I was saved as a child but never baptized. 

I understood baptism as a way to become a member of a church and the idea of picking the wrong church scared me.  By the time I was in high school I had stopped going to church.

Before my husband and I decided to get married he was moved by the military to Italy.  God had never had a role in our relationship.  Before I joined him in Italy I considered joining the Mormon church.  I had a spiritual void and the LDS church seemed to be a good fit.  I realized that if I was ever going to marry my husband the LDS church would not be the answer I needed so I again stopped going to church altogether.

When my son was about 3 he started asking questions about God that I couldn’t answer.  I knew very little about the Bible and only a few basics about Christianity.  So I started talking to my husband about going to church and found out that he had no interest in attending church.  So, I had to motivate myself to get me and my son into church.  I made my New Year's resolution of 2006 to find and start going to a church.  Once I found out I was pregnant in March I knew I needed to start going before my second child was born but I had no idea where to start.  I didn’t want to go back to a Baptist church and was overwhelmed by the other options of churches.  So, I did nothing.  In June I started working at a clinic up the road and would drive past the readerboard out front every day for a couple of months.  I loved what it what it would say but never paid attention to what it was for.  One day I checked it out and realized that there was a church here.  I realized that over half of the year had gone by and I still wasn’t attending church.  So I started the first of many baby steps.  I got online after thinking about it for weeks and wrote a letter to the church asking some very specific questions about acceptance.  I decided to pick a couple of hot button topics – abortion and homosexuality to see what the church’s views were about how people in these situations deserved to be treated.  The e-mail got passed on to Pastor Peter and because of his answers I decided to check it out.  In October, almost at the end of the year and only a month before my daughter was born I finally started attending church.

I kept taking baby steps but after a year of attending most Sundays I realized that I wasn’t growing spiritually and didn’t know anybody.  I knew I needed to join a small group but didn’t want to create tension at home working it out so I didn’t join one or even try talking to my husband about it.  Last September the church did the 40 days “Get out of the boat” thing.  I decided that if the church was going to get out of the boat, I would too.  So I picked a small group on Wednesday nights so that my son could go to Royal Rangers and my daughter could be in the nursery creating almost no tension at home provided I didn’t ask my husband to participate. 

I had been going to a small group for a few weeks when on Monday, October 7 last year I got a phone call from a friend of mine.  She was calling to let me know that our friend Casey was on a plane that had lost signal near White Pass and had probably crashed.  I had been friends with Casey since high school.  He was one those guys that is larger than life and you couldn’t help but be in a good mood when you were around him.  Since the plane hadn’t been found my husband and I drove up to White Pass so that he could assist in the search and rescue and I could be supportive for my friends. 

As soon as we arrived we got the official news.  A search and rescue team had smelled fuel and followed the smell to the crash site.  The word used to describe the crash was “horrific” and there were no survivors.  Casey along with 9 other passengers died that day on their way home from a skydiving event in Idaho.  Everybody in that room was absolutely heartbroken.  Spiritually I found myself torn.  On one hand I was mad.  I wondered how God could take someone like Casey by letting something this tragic happen.  The other side of me needed God’s comfort and guidance.  I finally came to terms that God didn’t let this happen; it just happened and as soon as I had the chance I got on my knees and prayed.

The next morning my husband joined the search and rescue group to see if he could help.  It was heart breaking for me to watch him start the hike up the mountain knowing that he would see things that I couldn’t even imagine.  As I watched him head off I grabbed my sister’s hand and asked her to pray with me.  My husband may not believe in God but I know God believes in him.  I found out only recently that he decided to keep from me the things he saw up there and I know only God could have helped him deal with that experience on his own. 

The day after I got back I was still feeling very raw but I really wanted to attend my small group.  I knew the group would pray and care about me.  What I didn’t realize is that they not only prayed for me but for everyone else affected by this crash.  Friends, families, people they didn’t even know and it meant so much to me.  For at least the next few weeks I had very little to talk about besides the crash and they understood and were supportive.  They never seemed annoyed and were always supportive.  These people were strangers to me until only a few weeks before and yet I needed their friendship and prayers and looked forward to Wednesday nights.

This plane crash started something in me spiritually.  Everything spiritual in my life started growing and needing more.  I wanted to start truly growing in God and stop taking baby steps.  I needed to start leaping.  I don’t want to find myself with only a few minutes to get everything straight with God.  I started paying attention to the things God was saying to me.  My first big step was getting baptized.  My fear of baptism started melting away as I realized that baptism was about me and God; NOT about me and the church.  I was baptized this past January with the support of my family, including my husband.  After being baptized my husband and I came to a point of mutual understanding.  He was finally able to see how important this part of my life was to me and we both saw the effect the tension of different beliefs was having in our house.  So we came a point where we could respect our differences.    

Things have started coming together for me spiritually.  I have been able to share the comfort God gives me with other people and that no matter how difficult life is God is always with us and wanting to help us through the hard days.  We just have to ask.

I am by no means a “super-Christian” as I have learned doesn’t really exist.  I just keep listening for God to direct me and do the best I can.

Tracy Spitler

My family and I have been involved with Faith Assembly for the past five years.  We were initially attracted by the reader board, so we were ready to respond when a neighbor invited us.  But the biggest attraction came when our son was invited to Vacation Bible School.  He loved the experience and the church.  Before long, his younger sister Riley wanted to attend, too. 

Naturally, we wanted to go where our kids would be happy.  But we were also looking for support for our marriage.  Faith Assembly provided both.  Since then, we have grown in a lot of areas and the church is now a big part of our lives. 

 It has been fun meeting new friends in our Sunday school classes and home groups.  We have enjoyed the Bible Basics class and the “Thirty’s and Forty’s” Sunday school.  For the past two years, we have assisted with Sunday morning preschool classes; and this fall, we will be helping with the 11:00 am children’s ministries. 

 My husband Jeff and I enjoy playing co-ed softball on one of the church teams -- Jeff also likes to help with Royal Rangers, which gives him a special activity with our son, Koleman, who is now 11. 

Although we usually attend Sunday mornings, we sometimes attend Saturday night and appreciate the flexibility.  We are grateful for the good teaching, wonderful friends, and genuine sense of joy we have found at our church.

 I would recommend Faith Assembly to anyone wanting a strong, Christ-centered, family-based church.

At Faith Assembly of Lacey, we celebrate the work that God is doing in the lives of the people of our church. That’s why we’d love to hear your story! Don’t feel like you have to follow a set format or be an accomplished writer to tell your story. Instead, just let us know how God is working in your life, helping you grow closer to Him — no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. Click here to send an email with your story. It will be an encouragement to staff and volunteers at FAL. And you may even find yourself on FAL's website one day!

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