When Amanda Pennington began experiencing personal struggles, she felt compelled to get closer to God. Elmdale Church of the Nazarene in her hometown of Alto, Michigan, helped her find joy and freedom in Christ and cultivate a passion to share that freedom with others.

Pennington attended church from a young age thanks to her grandmother. She knew God existed and understood Christianity but hadn’t committed to seeking God and living a Christian life. 

Around five years ago, she and her husband, Mike, hit a rocky point in their relationship. It served as a wake-up call for Amanda, and she says “My brokenness brought me to God’s wholeness.”

Amanda, who grew up in a nontraditional family after her parents’ untimely death, treasures the family she had created with her husband. When that felt threatened, she turned to God.

“I’ve spent a lot of time being quiet with God and giving Him my pain so that in return, I could get His rest,” Pennington said. “I’ve been able to stop worrying, stop overthinking, and just be able to trust God.”

One of the formational pieces in Pennington’s faith journey has been Elmdale’s use of The Discipleship Place courses as a way to discuss and understand one’s faith. 

“We made an intentional effort in our vision and mission to be discipleship-oriented,” said Lead Pastor Nathan Gray. “We are taking deep care in how we’re forming and shaping disciples who make disciples.”

Gray said that Pennington was begging to learn and grow deeper in her faith.

"She had a hunger inside of her that God put there and was even wrestling with a possible call to missions,” Gray said. 

As church leaders began to use the courses from The Discipleship Place, they saw the impact it was making. Amanda and Mike began diving into these courses and became involved in the discipleship groups. Amanda pointed out that the “How to Study the Bible” course helped her understand what God was trying to say to her through His word.

“A lot of times, we just start reading the Bible and glossing over different things,” Amanda said. “It’s been nice to go through the Old Testament, see yourself as the nation of Israel, how you mess up and go through things, and how God meets you in the midst of that. It’s helpful to take that and make it practical for my everyday life.”

Amanda wants to see others grow as she has and aims start that discipleship process with people who don’t see themselves as “serious Christians” who are “hungry” in their walk with God. Amanda’s decision to reach out to others is the next part of the discipleship process — the disciples making disciples.

“I want to show other people your life might suck, and that’s ok,” Pennington said. “But God loves you, and He’s here with you.”