Stories and testimonies of God
at work among us.
Approximately once a month, we will be highlighting a story of how God is working amongst his people at Eternal Church. It may be a personal testimony or an event that is creating an opportunity for a communal testimony. We pray that these stories will be encouragement to see how God is at work through his steadfast love and faithfulness.
Table of Contents
Jacob & Angela Collins
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. - Isaiah 62:3-4
As I was putting this article together, the thing that struck me about Jacob and Angela Collins was their strength, trust and wisdom that shone forth in humility. They have a clear dependence on God and are looking to Him for guidance.
Jacob has been working at Eternal Church for 10 years, which they recognize as a long time for a pastor to spend in one location. Months before they got the official news that Jacob’s position was being eliminated due to financial concerns, God had begun preparing their hearts. They know God has been present in it all, and in some ways it almost came as a relief once they knew the specifics around the transition. They both feel so blessed by our church family and have formed deep relationships here. They don’t know what’s next, whether it will be local or in Florida, closer to family. Angela’s position is remote, so that is nice as Jacob is searching for a new job. He is open to another pastoral position, working in a parachurch organization or something in the private sector.
As I was putting this article together, the thing that struck me about Jacob and Angela Collins was their strength, trust and wisdom that shone forth in humility. They have a clear dependence on God and are looking to Him for guidance.
Jacob has been working at Eternal Church for 10 years, which they recognize as a long time for a pastor to spend in one location. Months before they got the official news that Jacob’s position was being eliminated due to financial concerns, God had begun preparing their hearts. They know God has been present in it all, and in some ways it almost came as a relief once they knew the specifics around the transition. They both feel so blessed by our church family and have formed deep relationships here. They don’t know what’s next, whether it will be local or in Florida, closer to family. Angela’s position is remote, so that is nice as Jacob is searching for a new job. He is open to another pastoral position, working in a parachurch organization or something in the private sector.
Angela mentioned that some of the things she has valued most over the last decade have been the non-Sunday events where people get personal and learn alongside one another. She said, “It’s wonderful being part of a community where people are real and brave enough to share it.” One of the most important lessons that Jacob learned is from his co-worker Keith Dudley: “Don’t let anyone else out do you!” Meaning that each of us have unique gifts and experiences that God has blessed us with as an individual, and we are meant to embrace the voice God has given to each of us. Jacob readily admits that as a “tech geek” in a pastoral position there have been times he’s had trouble finding what God has called him to. In recent years, he’s more comfortable in “the language God has blessed him with, so he can speak into others’ lives and be able to connect with them.”
One of the highlights that Jacob and Angela both brought up was being part of the re|engage marriage ministry. They expressed that it was challenging, humbling, and meaningful. The experience helped them address issues in their marriage that they didn’t even know were a problem, which prevented division in their relationship in the future. Sharing their marriage story in front of the group was both vulnerable and liberating. It healed aspects of their union and empowered them to become ministry partners in a new way.
Jacob has the knack for connecting with people on a relational level. He was often the first to know when someone was heading to the hospital, in need, or facing a challenge. Many times he had already visited before other leadership had a chance to work it into their schedule. As Chad Hollowell put it, “Jacob is well connected and on the move.” We have all seen Jacob grow so much in his teaching, finding his unique voice and way of expressing it to the congregation. I personally love his use of multiple visuals, including maps, pictures, and renditions of what a structure may have looked like in Biblical times. This allows the congregation to visualize what he is talking about.
In closing, it’s important to hear their desires moving forward. They long to see our church body continue to lean into God and trust Him each step of the way. For Eternal Church to have holistic health across all ministries, recovering and flourishing in the years to come. Both Jacob and Angela long for their children, Zane and Zoe, to know they are God’s and not get their identity from anyone but the Lord. Their heart is that as their children grow and mature and that their love for God would exceed their love for their parents. Their family is holding onto Isaiah 26:3, seeking God each step of the way forward and His rest over their hearts and minds. They still consider Eternal their church home, and Jacob will still be working here for the next several weeks. Continue to keep them in your prayers as they seek the next chapter in life.
“Take heart today. Your Savior sits in active, sovereign control over all the things that would confuse, overwhelm, surprise or disturb you.” - Paul David Tripp
Jacob has the knack for connecting with people on a relational level. He was often the first to know when someone was heading to the hospital, in need, or facing a challenge. Many times he had already visited before other leadership had a chance to work it into their schedule. As Chad Hollowell put it, “Jacob is well connected and on the move.” We have all seen Jacob grow so much in his teaching, finding his unique voice and way of expressing it to the congregation. I personally love his use of multiple visuals, including maps, pictures, and renditions of what a structure may have looked like in Biblical times. This allows the congregation to visualize what he is talking about.
In closing, it’s important to hear their desires moving forward. They long to see our church body continue to lean into God and trust Him each step of the way. For Eternal Church to have holistic health across all ministries, recovering and flourishing in the years to come. Both Jacob and Angela long for their children, Zane and Zoe, to know they are God’s and not get their identity from anyone but the Lord. Their heart is that as their children grow and mature and that their love for God would exceed their love for their parents. Their family is holding onto Isaiah 26:3, seeking God each step of the way forward and His rest over their hearts and minds. They still consider Eternal their church home, and Jacob will still be working here for the next several weeks. Continue to keep them in your prayers as they seek the next chapter in life.
“Take heart today. Your Savior sits in active, sovereign control over all the things that would confuse, overwhelm, surprise or disturb you.” - Paul David Tripp
Story written by Kristy Fleming
June 2026
A Day of Service
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
There is a special bond that occurs when you serve alongside another person, whether that individual is a friend, a family member, or a new acquaintance. Serving together brings unity as people are able to give of themselves expecting nothing in return.
Following the example of Jesus, Eternal Church longs to serve the community around us. Not to earn our way into heaven, nor because we hope to get something in return, only because we want to show how Christ lived and exemplify him. About 150 people obeyed God’s call to do just that back in November and will be doing it again tomorrow (on April 18). From staining fences, to making Christmas cards, to yard work, to pressure washing...and of course the infamous picking up poop [Thanks, Rungaitis family! :) ]. That’s just a few of the opportunities we had to bless our greater Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Charlotte community.
There is a special bond that occurs when you serve alongside another person, whether that individual is a friend, a family member, or a new acquaintance. Serving together brings unity as people are able to give of themselves expecting nothing in return.
Following the example of Jesus, Eternal Church longs to serve the community around us. Not to earn our way into heaven, nor because we hope to get something in return, only because we want to show how Christ lived and exemplify him. About 150 people obeyed God’s call to do just that back in November and will be doing it again tomorrow (on April 18). From staining fences, to making Christmas cards, to yard work, to pressure washing...and of course the infamous picking up poop [Thanks, Rungaitis family! :) ]. That’s just a few of the opportunities we had to bless our greater Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Charlotte community.
A few special instances I would like to highlight would be serving a single Mom, Gretchen. She had begun praying months ago for some projects that needed to get done around her house. Her Dad used to help with these larger tasks but he passed away 3 years ago and since then she has not had family support to get them done. God answered that prayer through a men’s group that was able to dig up shrubs, paint and seal window boxes, winterize the yard, hang Christmas lights and even a little added bonus of providing and leveling gravel for the driveway. The amazing thing is that I think the men were just as positively impacted as Gretchen and her family.
Tom Keith has been volunteering with our youth for years now and has particularly enjoyed the service projects. He and a well-organized team of about 50 other people (7-8 of those were from Eternal) got to stain miles and miles of fences out at Agape Acres in Charlotte. Their passion is rescuing horses in need, mentoring youth and conducting outreach in the community to bring out the best in each person - mentally, physically, and spiritually. Tom loved his Day of Service experience so much that he has now joined the team of Eternal Church volunteers that will be helping mobilize and organize our future Days of Service.
Tom Keith has been volunteering with our youth for years now and has particularly enjoyed the service projects. He and a well-organized team of about 50 other people (7-8 of those were from Eternal) got to stain miles and miles of fences out at Agape Acres in Charlotte. Their passion is rescuing horses in need, mentoring youth and conducting outreach in the community to bring out the best in each person - mentally, physically, and spiritually. Tom loved his Day of Service experience so much that he has now joined the team of Eternal Church volunteers that will be helping mobilize and organize our future Days of Service.
Two of the key visionaries behind this idea were Kristen Zepplin and Melissa Woodruff. Kristen started a nonprofit organization called Do Good Now (www.dogoodnowhow.org) as a tribute to her Daddy, whose mantra of “do it now” inspired her to make serving others “now” a focus for her own family. This has served as a catalyst for ministry partners all across York County for years now. Melissa, a Mom with young children herself, had a passion for families to be able to sacrificially serve alongside one another. That evolved into our November 15th Day of Service with hands and feet being mobilized for Christ. She longs to see “community serving community while building a deeper community.”
None of this is meant to shine a spotlight on any one individual, rather to show how we can listen to God’s call, be the answer to prayer, and mobilize in order to do the work of Jesus Christ. This is just one of the ways we can be a witness, making an outward focus a priority among our family at Eternal Church. “but through love serve one another.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13b-14
None of this is meant to shine a spotlight on any one individual, rather to show how we can listen to God’s call, be the answer to prayer, and mobilize in order to do the work of Jesus Christ. This is just one of the ways we can be a witness, making an outward focus a priority among our family at Eternal Church. “but through love serve one another.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13b-14
Stay tuned for photos from the Spring Day of Service and get prepared now to participate in the Fall ‘26 Day of Service.
Story written by Kristy Fleming
April 2026
The God Who Sees
Niemah’s story is one of God reaching his hand into a terrible situation to bring his daughter safely out. It is an account that proclaims hope, redemption, and the providence of God.
Niemah’s mother, Salima, a young girl of 14 years old, found herself pregnant and scared. She was living in Palestine, a Muslim culture where women have very limited rights. In Arab cultures like this one they practice honor killings for unwed mothers. Her parents sent Salima away to another city, Jerusalem, in order to preserve her life as well as the child’s. Salima chose to give her daughter, Niemah, up for adoption and she was placed in a Jewish orphanage where a nurse named Aida, nurtured and cared for her. Although Aida could not adopt her, she convinced a loving American Christian family to consider meeting Niemah. From the moment her adoptive mother saw her, she knew Niemah was meant to be part of their family and at 2.5 years old Niemah had a family of her own.
This process was a rare and miraculous one because Muslim countries don’t believe in adoption. God had to intervene, lining up unique wording and unusual paperwork, to get this precious little girl back to the United States with her family. There were obvious situations where typical government practices were overlooked in order to give this sweet child a new life. Niemah has happily shared her story of God’s divine intervention and orchestration with others throughout her life. She was born in a place Jesus himself walked and lived. Her life’s journey reveals a God who is actively and intimately involved in every detail of our lives, even when it appears he is silent.
Niemah’s mother, Salima, a young girl of 14 years old, found herself pregnant and scared. She was living in Palestine, a Muslim culture where women have very limited rights. In Arab cultures like this one they practice honor killings for unwed mothers. Her parents sent Salima away to another city, Jerusalem, in order to preserve her life as well as the child’s. Salima chose to give her daughter, Niemah, up for adoption and she was placed in a Jewish orphanage where a nurse named Aida, nurtured and cared for her. Although Aida could not adopt her, she convinced a loving American Christian family to consider meeting Niemah. From the moment her adoptive mother saw her, she knew Niemah was meant to be part of their family and at 2.5 years old Niemah had a family of her own.
This process was a rare and miraculous one because Muslim countries don’t believe in adoption. God had to intervene, lining up unique wording and unusual paperwork, to get this precious little girl back to the United States with her family. There were obvious situations where typical government practices were overlooked in order to give this sweet child a new life. Niemah has happily shared her story of God’s divine intervention and orchestration with others throughout her life. She was born in a place Jesus himself walked and lived. Her life’s journey reveals a God who is actively and intimately involved in every detail of our lives, even when it appears he is silent.
Her adoption story had always been a positive reminder that celebrated who God is. But three years ago, she found out more of her Mom’s story through a relative she came in contact with through Ancestry.com. That relation secretly filled her in on the details of her conception, including that her mother was raped.
During further investigation she found out her mother was still alive but her biological Mom didn’t want to meet her out of fear for her life, even after all these years. This new information led Niemah to wrestle with God and struggle with her identity. It was during these last three years that she came to know God on a different level, one that revealed The God Who Sees. The same God that met Hagar in the wilderness now saw her in her pain…in her darkest hour. He held her through it and strengthened her relationship with Himself which she can now share with others who feel unseen.
While Niemah still wrestles with the unknowns or her past and the cruelty behind her conception, she has allowed these tragic circumstances to weave a thread of advocacy for the marginalized, along with love and compassion that she freely gives to others. This immense pain she has had to bear, she has also allowed God to transform into a deep well of hope. Niemah is currently writing a book and will be our speaker at the women’s retreat in March. Her prayer is that through her story, others will recognize God’s faithful presence throughout their own stories, and find comfort in knowing they too are seen, known, and held by El Roi, The God Who Sees.
During further investigation she found out her mother was still alive but her biological Mom didn’t want to meet her out of fear for her life, even after all these years. This new information led Niemah to wrestle with God and struggle with her identity. It was during these last three years that she came to know God on a different level, one that revealed The God Who Sees. The same God that met Hagar in the wilderness now saw her in her pain…in her darkest hour. He held her through it and strengthened her relationship with Himself which she can now share with others who feel unseen.
While Niemah still wrestles with the unknowns or her past and the cruelty behind her conception, she has allowed these tragic circumstances to weave a thread of advocacy for the marginalized, along with love and compassion that she freely gives to others. This immense pain she has had to bear, she has also allowed God to transform into a deep well of hope. Niemah is currently writing a book and will be our speaker at the women’s retreat in March. Her prayer is that through her story, others will recognize God’s faithful presence throughout their own stories, and find comfort in knowing they too are seen, known, and held by El Roi, The God Who Sees.
