An Answered Prayer - Katie Nebergall

We’re coming up on celebrating Easter this Sunday which is always such a joyous celebration. I grew up attending church but a few years back I strayed away, and I admit I only attended church on Christmas and Easter. It’s not something I’m proud of, but my faith in God never faded away. I knew he was always present, loving me through my faults and I continued to believe his plans for my life are always better than what I think my plans should be, but I needed to find my way back to Jesus. To grow spiritually and to fulfill the emptiness that I was attempting to fill without him.

I’d like to share with you why Easter has an even deeper meaning for me and my family. Easter morning of 2022 God had some big plans for us that I never expected!

The night before Easter my husband asked me where we were going to church. My truthful answer was I didn’t know and I would have it figured out by morning (at least I was hoping so!). We had previously attended services at other local churches but had not attended a service at Hope City. My family and I had yet to find the church we all felt was right for each of us and we were hopeful to find a sense of peace that only comes from him above with a sense of belonging. We wanted to find a place of worship that challenged us to grow in our relationship with God, to share his good news with others, and to find our faith as a family.

Easter morning came and my husband asked me, “What church are we going to?”. I paused and heard God’s voice say: “Go to Hope City.” I was given a direction, a plan, an answer to my prayers. The overwhelming feeling of peace that came over me when those four words were spoken, told me God knew exactly what my family and I needed more than I ever could. That moment in time reminds me of one of my favorite bible verses: For I know the plans I have for you; declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.

This Easter marks our two-year anniversary with finding our church, our hope, and future, that God led us too. God’s plan of us attending Hope City was so much greater than I ever could have expected. After that first service, we came back the following week as we felt at home, a belonging that our hearts had been longing for was now fulfilled. I’m extremely happy to share that my faith has grown abundantly and so has my husband’s and our two boys. Our boys were recently baptized, our oldest loves youth group, our younger son enjoys the kid’s services, my husband attends men’s community, and I attend women’s and we both love serving in various roles.

My list could go on and on about how God’s plan has unfolded in that one answered prayer over these last two years. Sharing this story with you about our journey as a family to God and to Hope City is such a joy and I ask you to reflect back on your faith journey. Where has God shown you he has answered your prayers? He declared giving you hope and a future, where has he shown that in your life?

I pray that God guides you, your family and your friends in his plans. I pray that the verse of Jeremiah 29:11 brings you a sense of peace knowing that God has a plan for you and he hears your prayers. And I hope that this Easter is a reminder for you as it is for me of how he answers prayers, he brings us peace and loves us unconditionally.

Blessings,
Katie Nebergall

Volunteer | Hope City Church