A warm and welcoming church fellowship scene where people are gathered in conversation and encouragement, reflecting the shared stories, hope, grace, and community found through faith at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church.

Every story of faith points back to the faithfulness of God.

Stories of Faith

Real People. Real Grace. Real Hope.

Faith is not only something we study.
Faith is something we live.

At Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, we believe stories matter. When people share how God has worked through their lives, we are reminded that grace is real, hope is possible, and no one walks alone.

These stories come from real people in our church family and community—people who have walked through grief, illness, uncertainty, change, healing, and spiritual growth.

Some stories are joyful.
Some are difficult.
All point toward God’s faithfulness.

Why We Share Stories

Stories of faith help us:

  • See God’s grace at work
  • Encourage one another
  • Remember that hope is still alive
  • Learn from the faith journeys of others
  • Grow in trust, courage, and perseverance
  • Discover that God walks with people through every season of life

A testimony does not have to be perfect to be powerful.

It simply points to a faithful God.
 

Faith Through Hard Seasons

Stories about grief, illness, hardship, recovery, waiting, or difficult change.

Song Reflection: “Way Maker” by Leeland.

Way Maker: Some seasons of life leave us searching for hope in the middle of grief, uncertainty, loss, illness, waiting, or unanswered prayer. The testimonies shared on this page remind us that even when life feels overwhelming, God is still present, still faithful, and still working.

“Way Maker” reflects the heart behind these stories of faith. Even when we cannot yet see the answer, God continues to guide, comfort, strengthen, and carry His people through difficult seasons. These testimonies are reminders that God is still making a way — one step, one prayer, and one season at a time.
 

A testimony of faith, cancer, prayer, family support, and learning to trust Christ through difficult days.

Ginger Jones — God Has Been Faithful Through Every Season
Faith through hardship, recovery, prayer, and new beginnings.

Jan Plyler — Saved by the Hand of God

A powerful testimony of survival, community, rebuilding, and God’s faithfulness following the April 27, 2011 tornado in Pleasant Grove. Jan shares how God protected her family during the storm and continued to bless them through the years that followed.
A testimony about grief, adoption, surrender, Christian community, and discovering God’s faithfulness through life’s most difficult seasons.
 

Lucy Thrailkill — Persevering Under His Wings

When Gene Thrailkill was diagnosed with leukemia, Lucy and Gene began a long journey filled with treatments, uncertainty, prayer, and perseverance. Through the support of their church family, Emmaus community, reunion groups, and the steady presence of Christ, they discovered God’s peace even in difficult seasons. Lucy’s testimony is a powerful reminder that God remains faithful and continues to carry His people through hardship. Read Lucy’s Story: Persevering Under His Wings
 

Susie Travis — Faith in the Waiting

A personal testimony about trusting God through grief, unanswered prayers, ongoing hope, and learning to see God’s faithfulness even in seasons that did not unfold as hoped. This story reflects the journey of continuing to pray, trust, and walk with Christ through loss, waiting, and spiritual growth.

Susie Travis: Seasons of Loss, Seasons of Growth

Trusting God through grief, health struggles, family changes, and spiritual growth.
 

Susie Travis —Saved By the Truck: God Was There in the Wreck

After a serious truck wreck, Susie Travis experienced God’s presence, protection, and faithfulness in a powerful way. This testimony shares how faith provided strength, peace, and hope during a difficult and unexpected season.

Susie Travis- Walking Through Grief With God

Finding comfort, hope, and God’s presence through seasons of loss and change.

 

Stories of Trust and Perseverance

Susie Travis- When I Lost My Singing Voice

Learning to worship God in a different season after losing a voice connected deeply to music, praise, and identity.
 

Susie Travis- Trusting God When Family Lives Far Away

A testimony about family distance, motherhood, prayer, and learning to trust God with the people we love.

Stories of Spiritual Growth and Renewal

Susie Travis- Walk to Emmaus and My Faith Journey

A testimony about spiritual renewal, Christian community, encouragement, and learning to walk more deeply with Christ through the Emmaus experience.
 

Spiritual Growth and Discipleship

Stories about growing deeper in faith, study, calling, or commitment.

Mel Travis- From Coasting to Growing

Susie Travis — Grow Through Study

From childhood dreams of becoming a teacher to a lifelong journey of discipleship, Bible study, worship, and spiritual growth, this testimony reflects how God uses Scripture to guide, strengthen, and shape faith through every season of life. Through joy, grief, unanswered prayers, and learning experiences, God’s Word remained a steady source of wisdom, hope, and encouragement.

 

Faith and Spiritual Growth

Some testimonies tell of dramatic turning points. Others reveal the steady work of God over a lifetime.

These stories share how faith grows through worship, prayer, Bible study, Christian friendships, mentors, church involvement, and everyday experiences. They remind us that spiritual growth is often a lifelong journey of learning to trust God more deeply and follow Jesus more faithfully.

Whether through seasons of challenge or seasons of blessing, these testimonies show God’s ongoing work in shaping His people.

Vicki Cater_ Saying Yes to God Again

From family devotions and church youth gatherings to a lifelong walk with Christ, Vicki Cater’s story is one of deep roots, faithful mentors, and the daily choice to keep saying yes to God.
 
 

Explore Stories of Faith

Each testimony below reflects a personal journey of faith, struggle, growth, and hope.

We invite you to read, reflect, and discover how God continues working through ordinary people and everyday life.

Your Story Matters Too

Every believer has a story.

Sometimes faith grows through joy.
Sometimes through hardship.
Sometimes through quiet faithfulness over many years.

God often uses personal stories to encourage others, strengthen faith, and remind people they are not alone.

Our prayer is that these testimonies help others see the hope, grace, and faithfulness of Christ more clearly.
 

Related Pages

Come and see how God continues to work through ordinary people and everyday faith at PGUM.org.

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