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Cheryl's Personal Discipleship Journey
We may not remember who won the gold medal at an Olympic event 20 years ago, but we can still recall the names and faces of those that loved us well. They were our champions.
Who would be on your list? Here is a part of mine:
Danae Sollenberger (2nd Grade); Carol King (4th Grade); Cathy Umlauf (10th grade); Mary Rients (23 years old); Fran Mann (26 years old); Elizabeth Mitchell and Kris Colucci (28 years old); Fran Idziak (32 years old).
Our hope is that PLL will be part of the list for those who journey with us: That the people in those small groups experience something so personal and profound during their journey that their souls are marked with spiritually indelible ink.
PLL’s ministry is very much shaped by the names listed above. Below I give you a brief glimpse into my journey with Jesus. This is not a complete list, for I believe that everyone I meet teaches me more about Jesus, my faith and how to love. Yet, to understand the backbone of the ministry’s intention, design and focus, I believe it is helpful to get a glimpse into who shaped me that subsequently shaped our work.
Let’s begin with Danae. Danae showed me Jesus before I knew who He was. Danae was safe. Danae saw me. And she didn’t think I was an inconvenience.
Danae’s influence on PLL ministry was to make sure people know they are seen.
Carol brought me to Jesus. I recognized Him because of what Danae had shown me and I decided, at Carol's invitation, that I wanted Him because I wanted to be with Someone Who loved me.
Carol’s influence on PLL ministry was to make sure people knew the love of God no matter how they choose to respond.
Cathy saw me in band. Cathy helped me see myself in a more favorable light. A young lady who had spent years on crutches. Years being called names. Years not being able to do what other kids did because of health issues. Yet, she saw a leader. She invested in a leader. She risked something in her own reputation to create an opportunity for me. I became not only the drum major of our high school band but one of four drum majors at the University of Illinois Marching Illini because of Cathy’s shoulder tap.
Cathy’s influence on the ministry was to take risks with people.
Mary Rients introduced me to the heavenly Father. I grew up Catholic, I taught Catechism, but I could not see through the rituals to the holy heavenly Father. Mary taught me that I could pray to Him. That I could trust Him. And she showed me how to truly revere Him. This was new for me.
Mary’s influence on the ministry was to encourage people to turn to God in their time of need and to train them how they could do that.
Fran Mann was my business mom. She brought me into the fullness of my adulthood as a businesswoman. Since I was in fourth grade, I knew I wanted to run a company. God made that possible through Fran. She was shrewd and generous. In the business world, I also sensed something was missing and it made me wonder – is this all there is to life – making money and cutting business deals? Fran made me hungry for something more.
Fran’s influence on the ministry was that no matter what I could do in life, no matter the power or the money accumulated, nothing was more important than discipling God’s Church. I found my vocation through my work with her.
And when my hunger had fully ripened, God brought Kris Colucci and Elizabeth Mitchell into my life. I guess I was such a handful that God thought I needed two spiritual mammas to help me walk out my faith. Elizabeth knocked on our apartment door one day after we moved to Florida and shared the gospel. I told her I knew all that already. She was kind to me, but I knew she didn’t believe me. That made me angry and a little confused. What did she know that I didn’t know?
Kris taught me about sin and hell and redemption. My husband, Tom and I attended Bible study with Kris and her husband Dan. I didn’t believe there was a hell. Not my God who I was taught loved me. But then a moment occurred, too long for this print, that I came to realize with a wave of profound drowning grief, the depth of my sin and in that moment, I cried out to Jesus and was lifted from my sorrow. He planted my feet firmly on His gospel Truth. The integration of the holiness of the heavenly Father with the love of the Son now gave birth to the Holy Spirit’s life in my soul. I was forgiven! I was whole! I was free!
Kris’ influence on the ministry was to love someone enough to be bold with the truth and not apologize for it.
Elizabeth became a spiritual guide for me. I spent hours and hours with her. She didn’t have to teach me with words. She taught me through how she interacted with her family; how she smiled while she washed the dishes or wiped a runny nose; how she greeted her husband when he would arrive home. I saw Jesus in everything she did! Completely insensitive to how much my continual presence was demanding of her, in an exasperated cry she asked one day, “Cheryl, what more do you want from me?” Still not clued in, I said with complete innocence “I need nothing from you, Elizabeth, I just want to spend time with you.” With five children of her own, time was a most precious commodity, and she gave it lavishly.
Elizabeth’s influence on the ministry was to make sure we take our time with the people we work with.
Fran Idziak became my Bible instructor/teacher. Under her tutelage I studied the Bible for 12 years, line by line. I have read the Bible many times now. Fran gave me the gift of tearing down the image I had of a false god and trained me to think rightly about God and myself in true worship. I worshiped a God I did not know for many years. Then, I worshiped a God I grew to know.
Fran’s influence on the ministry was to ensure everything we shared, designed, and offered, was laid on the foundation of the truth of the gospel and nothing else.
Would you be willing to write down those who have shaped your journey with Jesus? It is not always those that poured in that shape it. The people on the sidelines are sometimes the naysayers. Sometimes it’s those that we feel take something from us. Each relationship, no matter the challenges, can serve as a way for our life with Jesus to become more fulfilling and more profoundly expressed.
In The Chosen, there is a scene that stands out to me. God was trying to reach Peter through Matthew. Peter wanted nothing to do with OCD Matthew who had penetrated the ranks of Rome to become a tax collector. Peter thought Matthew a traitor and useless to the other eleven. In the series, The Chosen, Peter is dismissive of Matthew. Matthew’s insecurities and outcast feelings become exacerbated by his antagonistic relationship with Peter. Then, one day, Peter sees Forgiveness Himself. Forgiveness becomes expressed. If you haven’t watched the moment, I’ve shared the link here for you. If you don’t have time to watch the entire clip, just scroll to 16:50. Make sure you have your Kleenex.
After watching the video, ask yourself this: Who were the Peters (the strong and guiding) and the Matthews (the irritants) and the Frans (one that knew truth and one that denied truth) in your life?
Promised Land Living eats, lives, breathes and yes, we die to ourselves, for moments like this one in this video clip. And each of us in this ministry, each day, must surrender ourselves to Him Who is growing in us. We love imperfectly. We pray sporadically. We understand Truth imperfectly. We stumble as we follow. And we don’t quit.
We thank those that partner with us through service, funds and prayer. You are with us on this journey of helping followers live into the abundant life in Christ.
And, as we close - to those who happen upon this article - would you be willing to explore Promised Land Living further? Men's and women's groups launch in the spring, summer and fall. Perhaps, just perhaps – PLL can be one of the trainers on the side, cheering you on in your journey of faith. Our faith is built upon One person – the person of Jesus Christ. And our faith is built through many of His people.
Jesus said to go and “make” disciples. We are in the “making” business:
Watching God take each of us and make us into His likeness.
Our team is ready and would be honored to support you!
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