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Staff/Leadership

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Mary Horning

Former Deacon

  1. Briefly share the story of how God has been at work in your life. When did you become a Christian and how has that had an impact on your life?
    I grew up in a Christian home, and God called me to himself at a young age. As I grew up, I lived a moralistic life and strove for perfection in everything I did. I knew that I was saved by grace—not works—but I continued on a dangerous path looking to control my life. I believed that suffering would never touch me since God would fix any problem that got in the way of my plans. He owed me that much, so I thought.

    But God had other plans. He awakened in me a deep dependence on him when my first child was born with a debilitating disorder. As my life spun out of control, for the first time I looked to God to find out who he truly is. I found a Savior who paid the penalty for my sins and suffered in my place that he might bring me to himself (1 Peter 3:18). I turned from my sin and trying to do life without him. I don’t dream of a perfect life here any more. Suffering is doing its good work. It drives me to worship Christ, not in moral perfection, but in gratitude that “Jesus has made me his own” (Philippians 3:12).
  2. Why do you want to be a Deacon?
    My role as a deaconess will be to serve people experiencing disability and suffering. I want to walk with people through sorrow with love as my aim. I hope to help people be honest about suffering and begin to see how relevant God’s grace is to every part of our lives. I will serve in practical ways that will point to Christ and his care. The final goal is worship—adoring Christ in the middle of pain.
  3. What do you see as the gifts God has given you to serve others?
    As I’ve dealt with great sorrow in my own life, I’ve learned to feel the pain of others. I want to take action and help, just as God has helped me. God has given me the ability to go deep into people’s lives and speak with compassion and boldness about suffering and life in Christ. Because I’ve “been there,” people tend to listen and take my counsel seriously. I’m also aware of the many physical and emotional needs that disabilities present, and I look for ways to come alongside with support.