Faith Stories

Faith Story | Cameron T.

January 22, 2026

I grew up Methodist, and my early idea of God was pretty literal. God was in the clouds. Heaven was “up.” And Bible stories were history class with characters.

One of my favorite childhood misunderstandings happened when I learned that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan. I was stunned. Not spiritually but geographically. I remember being genuinely upset with my parents. “You mean to tell me Jesus was baptized right down the road at Jordan Lake and no one told me?!?” I felt robbed of a major field trip opportunity.

That was my faith back then. Sincere, but simple. I went through confirmation, stayed a believer, and showed up to church. But I wasn’t challenging my faith or letting it grow. Like a lot of people in college, I drifted. I didn’t abandon faith, but I didn’t lean into it either. Then I met Susanna, and everything changed.

Through her, I became reinvested in church, found a real passion for teaching with the youth group, and officially joined HBBC. We were married, and soon after, we were blessed with our first daughter, Millie. Life felt full, my Faith felt strong.

Then came October 12, 2022.

We were expecting our second child, a son we had already named Harry. At Susanna’s 16-week appointment, we heard the words no expecting parent ever wants to hear: “You’ve lost the baby.” I was devastated. Confused. Full of rage. I didn’t understand why this had happened, and I wasn’t shy about telling God how I felt. I wrestled with Him, like Jacob, refusing to let go without answers.

As our families and our HBBC family rallied around us, I realized something important. God wasn’t punishing me. He wasn’t turning away. He was inviting me closer. He was meeting me in the ring, welcoming my questions instead of rejecting them.

In time, we were blessed with another pregnancy. This time, I approached it with a deeper, more honest faith, one that had stared into loss and had chosen hope.

When Louisa was born, we knew something wasn’t right. She had trouble breathing and feeding.

One day, during that window of awaiting a surgery slot, Louisa choked in my arms and stopped breathing for a terrifying moment. We rushed her to UNC Children’s Hospital. And strangely, even in that fear, my faith didn’t crumble. I felt God’s presence, steady, quiet, and close.

It was late one night, listening to the hum of machines helping Louisa breathe, that I noticed butterflies painted on the ceiling of her hospital room. I felt compelled to write. 

And this is part of what I wrote: “I muse on the effect they say these wings have, how one flutter of those delicate wings can cause a hurricane across the world. There is no doubt, we are in a hurricane now, and so I ponder the butterfly wing that got us here. My mind wanders to the mystery of God and his plan. How small imperceptible happenstances interweave with masterly precision to guide us to exactly where we need to be.”

That moment helped me see God differently. Not just in the big miracles, but in the tiny, almost invisible connections that guide us when we don’t even realize it.

Louisa came through surgery beautifully. And my faith had grown again. Not louder, but deeper.

I had seen the peaks and the valleys. I had walked with God, wrestled with God, and trusted God.

My faith had gone through a metamorphosis. It started as an unremarkable caterpillar. Then shut itself off in a cocoon of anger and grief. And now, it has emerged as something lighter, stronger, and more aware.

I see God differently now. I see Him in the butterflies, unexpected, beautiful, quietly asking you to notice.

I see Him in my girls. In their laughter. Their songs, and when people say Louisa looks like me. I smile and think she must look like her brother, Harry. To me, that’s a gift from God.

Faith Story | Christian T.

January 20, 2026

A Promise Kept to a Grandmother

After a gentle nudge from Pastor Kristen Muse to our Yost Men’s Bible Study group, I asked my family if I had ever shared my Testimony. To my shock, I never had. They asked me to share this very personal testimony.

When I was seven years old, my grandmother, Rose, called me “obdurate” over a broken promise. She explained why it is vital to keep our word, just as our best friend Jesus always keeps His. Here’s the story of why she believed that a promise wasn’t just a social courtesy; it was the foundation of her survival and her faith:

When my father was fifteen, he and my grandparents were traveling through Americus, Georgia, in a converted bread truck. My grandmother was in the back making sandwiches with my father when she saw a drunk driver run a red light. She had just enough time to dive over my father to save him.

During the horrific accident, she experienced a divine moment. Jesus made her a promise: she could choose to come with Him and have no more pain, or she could choose to live in constant, agonizing pain to enjoy grandchildren (plural, and who had not even been born).

She chose us.

She defied the doctors that she would never leave the hospital and when she did, that she would only live for a year or two. When I turned 14, my brother Frank was born, followed by my sister Kelley and my youngest brother Zachary.

Our grandmother, who, despite being a double amputee above the knees, who had 90% of her bones broken, partial paralysis of her vocal cords and a lung ablation, taught us to read the Bible, to pray before every meal and bedtime. She taught us how to swim, took us to the library, how to fish on the pier in Emerald Isle, taught us how to cook, clean, and be self-sufficient.

Jesus kept His promise to my grandmother. That promise became a sacred bond that bridged the gap between heaven and earth. In return, she asked that I make a promise to her, that I become a Christian. 

How could I refuse? As Joshua 23:14 says. “Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!”

Faith Story | Ron O.

January 15, 2026

I grew up in a strong Christian family in Portsmouth, Virginia. My parents and grandmother (who lived with us) taught and grounded me in Christian values. We attended Sunday school and church each Sunday and went back Sunday evenings for Training Union, where I was active with the youth. We also attended Family Nights and Bible study on Wednesdays. My grandmother was a significant influence on my faith. I recall her reading the Bible each day, often reading verses to me. My father was a deacon, which inspired me to follow in his footsteps.

I graduated from the University of Richmond, a strong Baptist-affiliated university. My faith in the Lord never waned, but my values were often tested as I became very involved in fraternity and social activities. I felt like I veered off the pathway, but my belief and faith never suffered. I met my wife, Debbie, in 1981, and we were married in 1985. Debbie had a strong faith and conviction, and she was a strong influence on me until her passing in 2012. Shortly after moving to Raleigh, I had to have major heart surgery, and while recovering at home we discovered HBBC as TV viewers. We commented that HBBC reminded us of the churches we grew up in, and as soon as I was able, we became members and have never looked back. I often tell church members that the first person we met was Helen Cashwell, which was a blessing.

My faith and Christianity have gotten stronger over the past 25 years as an HBBC member and deacon. When Debbie passed away, I began to question her death at a relatively young age and why God would bring such a devoted and solid Christian to Heaven, and then I recalled something Debbie said while suffering. She said, “God has a plan for me, and I’m just going to follow the Lord.” Her statement is still one of the most inspiring things I have heard in my long lifetime, and I often repeat it to myself and pass on her faith to others. Debbie was such a devoted child of God, and I will always remain inspired by her strong love of the Lord. Since her passing, I have been motivated to help others and have chaired three nonprofit boards in the Triangle area. By serving those in need, I feel that I am helping them to achieve and realize their missions. My service to HBBC has grown as well. As noted above, I currently serve as a deacon and as a member of the Stewardship Committee, and am very honored to be serving as co-chair of HBBC’s Centennial Planning Committee. I often refer to the church as “my happy place.” When I am at church, no matter what day it is, I feel inspired, motivated, and worthwhile as I serve the Lord.

Over my lifetime, I have grown to know that I am secure in Christ and I will not be judged and separated from God for eternity. I believe I will live with him in a perfect paradise when I join Debbie in Heaven. I am confident in my belief and faith that the “Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Faith Story | Denny F.

January 13, 2026

My father and mother were both in the military when I was born. After they retired, we moved around a lot for my dad’s job. We went from Maine to Florida, then on to North Dakota and settled for a while in upstate New York, in the town of Saugerties. Our growing family joined First Baptist Church of Saugerties, and there is where my most important memories began. My mother and a close high school friend planted the faith seeds, and for the next 12 years I learned about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is where I became a believer, came to love God and was baptized at the age of 10. I attended Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and the church-sponsored Explorer troop. The first verse I committed to heart was John 3:16.

It wasn’t until I graduated from high school that I realized my mother was very sick, and my father decided to move his four children and wife to Virginia to be closer to family. Three years later, we moved again to Raleigh. Three years after we moved, my mother went home. During this time I began to drift away from church. I visited different churches but never joined another church until I got married. My wife and I felt a conviction to find a church home. One Sunday, we discovered Hayes Barton Baptist Church on TV. After many visits, we finally joined in May of 2013. It felt like a real church and we both felt very welcomed here. I am sure it is where we are supposed to be.

Shortly after we joined, my wife went home. During this time I came to lean on Romans 8:28. I continue to grow as a Christian at Hayes Barton Baptist Church. I know that God is with me during my grief and suffering and in my celebration. His grace is enough.

Faith Story | John B.

January 8, 2026

When I look back on my life at 85 years of age, I am struck not by my own accomplishments but by my beginnings. I was born into a family that lived its faith every day, expressed through hope, and hope made visible through love. Those lessons did not come from books alone; they were taught patiently, lived faithfully, and handed down by the people who loved me most.

My parents nurtured those values quietly and consistently, but I would be remiss if I did not mention my grandfather, Judge H.A. Bland, who played an influential role in shaping my understanding of how to live well within a community. From an early age, he guided me thoughtfully and with wisdom, helping me recognize the importance of fairness, compassion, and responsibility toward others.

My grandfather earned a solid reputation throughout Raleigh and beyond. Before becoming a charter member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church with my grandmother Ruby and their five children, he served as a lay leader at Tabernacle Baptist Church, often called the “Mother Church,” in downtown Raleigh. His work as Circulation Manager of the North Carolina Biblical Recorder gave him a deep familiarity with Baptist churches across the state. Many knew him as a modern-day circuit rider, faithfully traveling and serving wherever he was needed.

In 1926, he helped establish a new church in the expanding Five Points community, where his real estate company, Bland Realty, was constructing homes. Just three years later, the optimism of the Roaring Twenties gave way to the hardships of the Great Depression. Those early members learned firsthand what it means to live by faith, to hold onto hope, and to love one another with a deep, all-encompassing love.

My personal confirmation of faith came in April of 1951, when I was baptized at the age of 11 at First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount by my pastor, Dr. Kincheloe Sr. He was the father of Dr. Kincheloe Jr., who served as pastor of HBBC until the sanctuary burned in 1962.

As a boy, I was given many opportunities to practice making the right judgments. Through our church-sponsored Boy Scout Troop 239 (later led by my father as Scoutmaster) and through my work as a paper carrier, I learned responsibility, integrity, and accountability. One incident remains etched in my memory. While collecting payments one Saturday, a widow with failing eyesight overpaid me. When I realized her mistake, I immediately returned the five-dollar bill. That small act of honesty became a quiet compass that guided me throughout my life.

During my seminary years, one verse from Scripture was stamped upon my heart: Matthew 28:20. Jesus did not promise us easy answers or trouble-free lives. His promise was simpler and far more profound. He would always be with us, in good times and in bad, as a constant presence, a friend, and a mentor. That promise has sustained me through every season of my life.

This reflection is written in loving memory of my family, my first mentors, all of whom walked before me and helped shape who I became. Their love extended not only to me, but also to Anne for many years. Though they have all since ascended to their heavenly home, their faith, wisdom, and love remain alive in my heart.

I remember them with gratitude and humility:
Judge H.A. Bland Grandfather, Charter Member
Mrs. H.A. Bland (Ruby) Grandmother, Charter Member
John Henry Bland Sr. Father, Charter Member
Jessamine Bland Aunt, Charter Member
Daniel A. Bland Uncle, Charter Member
Saranna Bland Aunt, Child Member
Herman Bland Uncle, Child Member

Their lives taught me that faith is not merely believed – it is lived.

Faith Story | John C.

January 6, 2026

Growing up in a small town in eastern North Carolina meant attending church for any church-related activity at all times. So, I grew up attending Sunday school and church every Sunday morning, plus services on Sunday night, Wednesday prayer meeting, all revivals, and Royal Ambassador meetings. There were no soccer games, baseball, football, or basketball games scheduled for Sunday or Wednesday nights. Everybody knew better!

At an early age I learned about the baby Jesus, Daniel and the lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Jonah and the whale, Joseph and his coat of many colors, and our crucified Lord. To say I grew up in a Christian home would be an understatement.

But I didn’t always act like a Christian. In my late teens I became disenchanted with my church and my fellow Christians. I strayed off the straight and narrow path and quit going to church services of any kind. It fell to the women in my life to bring me back into the fold. These women were my mother and my grandmother. They never harassed me about church. They never fussed with me about it. They never tried to make me feel bad about myself. No. Instead they showed me the way. They lived the way they wanted me to live. They demonstrated their faith every day. They didn’t just talk the talk. They walked the walk as well. Seeing them live their faith made me want to live that way, too.

Susan and I had many discussions about church before we were married. We agreed we wanted a church that felt like home. A church whose members were welcoming, friendly, accepting, and loving. A church where no one looked down on a person because their beliefs were different. We attended services at many churches in the Triangle area. Then we heard about Hayes Barton Baptist Church and decided to give it a shot.

As soon as we walked into the narthex, we were greeted by several folks who introduced themselves and thanked us for attending the service. Then, as we entered the sanctuary, Susan saw several people she knew from her hometown of Smithfield. Meeting those members of HBBC and conversing with them made us feel right at home. Later that day, John McClendon came by our home and delivered a loaf of “friendship” bread and thanked us for visiting. He invited us to visit again and to try one of the Sunday school classes. John also pointed out that Dr. Hailey and family lived just a block down the street from us. We could feel the call to join the HBBC family!

We knew we had found a home when, on our next visit, we discovered there was a Sunday school class named the “Cashwell” class! Started by and named after HBBC Pastor Emeritus T.L. Cashwell, the class welcomed us with open arms. I’m happy to say we’ve been members for 28 years.

HBBC has been a blessing to Susan and me. I have been encouraged to study the Bible more deeply and thoroughly. My faith in God has grown as my trust in Him has become deeper. John McClendon is and has been one of my best friends over the years. He is one of the strongest Christians I have ever known and a man I look up to. I count my blessings every time I step into Hayes Barton Baptist Church. I thank Dr. Hailey and the ministerial staff, and every member for creating a place where I can worship, learn about God, be in fellowship with other Christians, and, hopefully, help someone else find their way.

Faith Story | Sally G.

December 16, 2025

My faith story actually began in 1942, the year my grandparents and my mother and her two sisters moved to Raleigh from Gastonia. The Denny family found a church home at Hayes Barton Baptist Church less than a mile from where they lived. My mother, Sarah Denny Williamson, was married at HBBC, and I was raised in this church. My grandparents usually sat on the seventh pew on the right hand side of the sanctuary and for many years my mother, sister and I sat there with them.

I am grateful for the Sunday School teachers I had growing up who taught me familiar Bible stories and encouraged me to memorize scripture and to learn in order the books of the Old and New Testaments and the names of Jesus’ 12 disciplines. I do not remember all their names, but I do remember being taught by Jane Spencer as a young child and Betty Griffin, Crystal Potter, Sue Ashley, Katherine Brady and Shirley Stennis while in elementary school, all of whom invested their time in me and gave up being in an adult Sunday School Class so that they could teach me that by believing in God and trusting Jesus I would gain eternal life and forgiveness of my sins.

I am also grateful for the teachers who taught me during my junior high and high school years, Martha Bunn, Martha McAdams, Jimmy Lassiter and Ed Gaskins, among others. As I grew older and particularly as I participated in in-depth Bible studies, I began to understand that Jesus calls us as Christians to act – to feed the hungry, house the homeless, love the stranger. Not only are we to believe but we are to do.

My favorite Bible verse comes from Chapter 6 (verse 8) in the prophetic Book of Micah in the Old Testament.

He has told you, O mortal, what is good:
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and walk humbly with your God?

I am grateful that there are places in the Raleigh community where I have had the opportunity to live out my faith and serve the children of God about whom Jesus had so much to say.

Faith Story | Julia L.

December 11, 2025

As a Protestant believer, I was discipled in five traditions. Each phase has been an essential part of my life development as a follower of Christ with an ecumenical vision.

I was introduced to Jesus and salvation by Grace through faith in the revivalistic Nazarene church of my childhood era when I was 7. I was nurtured in ways of integrating faith in my life through the Methodist tradition from age 8 to age 19. During that same time frame, I was influenced by my stepmother’s Catholic faith. I was grounded in the evangelistic and missionary vision of Southern Baptists from age 20 to mid life, when I became aware of a call to ministry and was simultaneously introduced to the contemplative pathway.

I knew what it was like to feel as a Christian that I had touched all the bases but still had a sense that there was more in God’s calling. I became disillusioned with the informational approach of studying about the Bible and about Jesus. I didn’t need more information and suspected others did not either. I wanted to know Jesus, in a more experiential walk WITH Jesus. I wanted to be more spiritually alive, formed in Christ, and found that others do, too. I wanted and still want to help those who are hungry for a deeper walk with Christ to enter into it.

II Corinthians 5:17 has been my life verse: “If anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” I have been on a relentless search to live into that fully. There have been key movements of Grace in my life, in which the longings of my soul were matched by the work of God’s Spirit – times when I needed forgiveness, assurance of redemption, peace and joy to fill a deep abyss of fear, anger, doubt or guilt that is often the lot of those who are raised in dysfunctional families as I was.

All along the way, the scriptures have been as the Psalmist described them: “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” And the church at large has been the organic family of God to me.

The single most foundational enlightenment for me was a call to surrender to trust Jesus, not just believe He existed, not just be enamored by his story, not just claim his salvation as a contract. Along with that awareness, was the revelation that Jesus is One with God and therefore His death truly brings atonement, for the Divine One received my guilt into his sinless life and died a death that the sinless one could not otherwise experience, for God has declared “the wages of sin is death.” The wages of righteousness is life. Jesus made a great exchange for us.

My calling into Christian ministry grew out of a longing to help others grow in faith in Christ to the point that they truly follow Him as Lord of their lives. It was, and is, rewarding to help others pay attention to what the Lord is bringing to birth in their lives. When I retired, I knew I was not retiring from that vision but from the formal ministry aspect. My ongoing quest is to satisfy the deep longing in my soul to know God and be attuned to His ways. I have a long way to go as I continue to become aware of ways in which I fail, but I am loving the journey of faith, hope and love.

Faith Story | Ann P.

December 9, 2025

I grew up in the Baptist church. For the first many years of my life, I just followed along with what I was supposed to do. When I got to college, my church activities slowed down, and I’d only attend with my family in Raleigh.

But things changed suddenly, in an instant, so to say.

I went from being an active person to someone with physical challenges that will last for the rest of my life. I felt sorry for myself. Why did this happen? I wanted a do-over.

Okay, so no do-over was in my future, but I did have times when I felt that God was looking out for me in this new iteration of my life. First, my leg rebroke, which allowed doctors to straighten it. That was a prayer answered, even though it took a bit to understand that I had to take the bad in order to get the good. Another strong impression of God’s love and attention came when I physically felt him envelop me, hold me in his arms. It was a peace that I had not experienced in years. I can only explain it through faith.

I know that God has been with me.

Faith Story | Karlyn J.

December 4, 2025

When I was about 4 years old and attended church every Sunday with my parents and three siblings, the name Jesus was introduced to me. In Sunday School I learned about Jesus by listening to my teacher read Bible stories, reciting memorized Bible verses, coloring pictures and singing “Jesus Loves Me.” I was taught to respect, praise, and talk to Jesus by praying with head bowed and eyes closed. Oh, how much I learned about this special man when I was very young. Throughout my childhood I learned more and more about this man named Jesus, from his birth celebrated at Christmas to his death and resurrection at Easter.

As I, now at 91 years old, remember my childhood days of learning about Jesus, I realize how important the stories of his way of life influenced my little mind. Continuing through adolescence and adult life I have learned about Jesus by attending church services, reading and studying the Bible, reading daily devotionals and singing, and listening to church music. Singing words of praise, thankfulness, and adoration always brings me comfort and joy!

In early adulthood my journey with Jesus became more serious, more real. He had become my friend, always with me through the ups and downs of life. As an adult I worked with many different people, different personalities, attitudes and habits. Some of these people seemed to stand out from the others; they seemed happier, more confident and at peace. I soon realized they were on their journeys with Jesus; they were Christians.

It was time for me to decide if I wanted to live as Jesus taught his disciples and followers or as the ways of the world. To live as Jesus taught, I knew I had to truly believe in Jesus, believe his virgin birth, believe he walked on this earth teaching a way of life called Christianity, believe in his healing power, believe he was God’s only son whom God sacrificed on a cross for my sins and the sins of the world that we might have everlasting life, and believe that Jesus was resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion.

Oh, what love and peace I felt when I chose to Believe. It is a love and peace that only God can give!

My profession of believing Jesus is the Son of God, repentance of my sins and acceptance of Jesus as my Lord and Savior was carried out in a baptism service many years ago.

Learning and Believing are never-ending parts of my journey. I practice them every day as I read the Bible, devotionals, and pray. Taking time to talk to my Heavenly Father is so important. Praying to praise him, thank him and even bring him my problems are so comforting. Praying about a problem and then having that problem resolved the same day when I read the Bible or a devotional is truly “answered prayer” and has strengthened my belief and faith in God.

Truly believing in Jesus led me to having Faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 reads “Walk by faith, not by sight,” which means trust in God’s promises and guidance rather than surely on what you see or understand. My faith developed from the Learning and Believing areas of my journey; in other words as a Response to God’s Word.

Jesus taught that Faith comes from Hearing and Believing God’s Word. I have heard, I do believe, and I have faith in God’s promises – and oh, what peace and joy have filled my soul.

Faith Story | Shirley A.

December 2, 2025

My father decided it was time for his family to join the church, so my mother, brother and I were baptized September 16, 1956, by Dr. Kincheloe. We became members of Hayes Barton Baptist Church. My journey to becoming a Christian was just beginning. I remember attending Vacation Bible School, Sunday school, Training Union, choir, drama productions, GAs (reaching the position of Queen Regent.) I helped in the office, took bus trips to choir festivals with our leader, Carolyn Brockwell, attended summer camp at Fort Caswell and participated in the Living Nativity every Christmas. I loved being involved in the church – it was safe being with good, solid believers. This ALL laid a solid foundation for my faith journey.

After I went off to college, I started to drift. In 1969, I was married by Dr. Cashwell and moved to Oregon. My husband was not a Christian and did not “need” church; and my church involvement ended. I reconnected with HBBC when my father died. Through some faith challenges in 2006, Dr. Hailey restored my faith. Our son’s personal search led him to the Catholic Church and, impressed by his peace, my husband was baptized and I converted to Catholicism. Still searching, I joined a women’s group and BSF, where I was hearing about a “loving God” and a personal relationship with Him.

Then COVID hit and everything shut down! I clearly remembered the night before the shutdown being anxious and struggling not to be afraid. That morning, just as I was waking up, I heard Jesus telling me not to be afraid, He was with me and would protect me. I realized I was smiling and felt at peace because I knew I was not alone. Rather than giving into fear, I pulled out our church directory and called each member, letting them know I was thinking of them. It brought such peace to me.

Then Zoom became part of our vocabulary! I located churches across the country, HBBC being one of them. I attended a service each day, but hungered for more. I still wanted to have a personal relationship with Jesus, but I just did NOT know how to connect. I saw Jesus helping others but did not feel worthy. When my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I went through all the emotions, including anger and resentment! I began to attend a support group I started when my mother-in-law had her memory journey. God had given me a dress rehearsal. A new Alzheimer’s Association facilitator joined us and emphasized that the group was for all of us in the room, NOT just the person at home.

Finally, someone was here for ME! She said if we allowed it, we would experience every possible feeling and emotion. The goal was to look for the “nuggets” along the way and hopefully at the end we would come out stronger and healthier. As I turned to God asking for help, I moved toward surrender and acceptance. With the help of a coach, I am learning to turn to Jesus, and He is bringing healing into my life. I am active again in the church and continue to learn about Jesus and His love. I never had a light bulb moment, but instead the blessing of a solid foundation as a young child, learning Bible stories and the basics. As this year comes to an end, I have been married 56 years and will be 80 years old. I can honestly say I am grateful for the journey God has given me. His provisions have proven better than my requests. His timing is perfect! I know I am where I am supposed to be.

Faith Story | Susan T.

November 27, 2025

My life at Hayes Barton Baptist Church began when I married my husband, Jim, in 2017.

Ironically, my mother was a lifelong Baptist before she married my Lutheran father in 1964. Mother joined Hayes Barton in December 2022, just two months before her death. I was happy she had “come home,” and she was, too.

In turn, I was a lifelong Lutheran before I married Jim.

I came from a church that had a strong music program, strong preaching, and strong programs for all ages — much like Hayes Barton. Mother and Daddy had always sung in the choir at whatever congregation they attended. Mother and I were especially pleased to endow the Shinn-Turner Cello Two Chair in Daddy’s memory, as well as in memory of Jim and Ann Turner, Jim’s parents.

I’d always thought I’d be a lifelong Lutheran. Then I went to Cuba in September 2016 on a visioning trip with Tom Beam, one of my (many) Baptist cousins. There, I met Jim, and we got married four months later — Jan. 6, the Day of Epiphany.

After much discussion between my husband and me as to whether I’d be baptized by immersion — his idea, not mine, as I’d already been “sprinkled” as a Lutheran — I officially joined Hayes Barton on Aug. 11, 2019.

As I wrote shortly afterward, I’d always wondered what I’d find beneath those waters. It was worth the experience.

Over the last nine years, it has been a beautiful experience being part of a such a warm, welcoming — and large — congregation. That means there are myriad opportunities to plug in.

Several years ago, I kind of fell into being a part of the Bereavement Committee. The year 2026 will be my third year of co-chairing one of the teams with my fabulous friend Debra DeCamillis.

First of all, I want to share what a joyful experience this has been. There is joy in serving our fellow members and their families in a time of need. And there’s never a funeral service our team has assisted with that we are not thanked profusely by the family.

But all we do is greet and direct family members and non-members to Hailey Hall or the parlor or the columbarium or the sanctuary or to restrooms. We put out trays of cookies, and napkins, and pitchers of ice water. We clean up afterward.

I’ve thought about this a lot. For me, it calls to mind the Bible verse in Matthew 10:42 in which Jesus says: “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

I’ve not consulted anyone on our team, but I don’t think any of us is concerned with our rewards in Heaven. It’s just a wonderful opportunity to serve for those of us who are able.

To me, it’s an example of “many hands make light work,” because our team is working together. Maybe not a well-oiled machine, but close. We have learned that, like each person, each funeral or memorial service is different, and we strive to fill whatever needs there are for each occasion.

That saying isn’t a biblical verse, incidentally. It’s from a book of proverbs first published in 1546. So if it’s still being used today it must still be relevant!

But working together does make our task lighter, and dare I say, fun — even at a funeral. It’s a time for our team to get to know one another and catch up with one another.

Thanks be to God!

Faith Story | Marsha H.

November 25, 2025

A Calvary Baptist mom from Asheville and a First Methodist dad from Charlotte got married and had babies. Me included. They moved to a small town for Daddy’s career. What did they do? Joined First Presbyterian of course!

From cradle roll on through high school I learned to love Jesus. I memorized Children’s Catechism in the bathtub with Mama as my coach. Every night we worked on it. 

I loved Sunday school and children’s choir and youth group. I was an angel in school plays and the Christmas pageant until I outgrew two costumes.

My parents held practically every church office possible. Often the meetings were in our living room. Nosey me sat quietly in the hall and listened in! 

Our pastor, Dr Carl McMurray, was an intellectual. University of Edinburgh and Princeton Theological. My dad talked me through his sermons til I was old enough to “get it.” Dr. McMurray prepared me for profession and first communion in Communicants Class. Membership Matters for kiddos.

I went to a Presbyterian college. Went to First Presbyterian during college years and after. Met a Baptist guy. Had a Presbyterian wedding. Then the push pull. It lasted years! Zig zag from Presbyterian to Baptist over and over. Guess who won out? Hayes Barton Baptist Church. 

Thank you Dr. Hailey for coming to our home at my husband’s request and winning me over. I have been at home here 23 years. He said I was predestined to be a Baptist! The friendships and the opportunities to serve my Lord and Savior have been golden.

I love my Sunday school class. Many of them are as treasured aunts and uncles to me. I marvel at their faith and courage and joy as years go by.

So to close, Dr McMurray gave me 2 Timothy 3:14-15 as my verse: “….Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through Jesus Christ.“ Amen.

Faith Story | Meredith K.

November 20, 2025

My faith in Christ has shaped who I am today. It has shaped how I approach every part of my life. Because of my relationship with God, I live with a deep sense of confidence and peace, knowing that I never face anything alone. Life is full of challenges and unknowns, but I trust that God is always with me, guiding my steps and giving me strength for whatever twists and turns come my way.

This confidence is rooted in my belief that, when I ask, God equips me with the one thing I need for life, which is Him. When I step into something new or difficult, I remind myself that His presence goes before me and stays beside me. That assurance allows me to approach every challenge with courage instead of fear, and hope instead of doubt.

My faith was strengthened in a profound way as my dad fought Alzheimer’s. There were days when the weight of it all felt overwhelming. I remember feeling helpless at times, unsure of how to handle the demands. It was during that time that I truly learned what it means to surrender everything to God.

Instead of carrying the worry and fear alone, I chose to put my trust in Him. I prayed constantly — sometimes for strength, sometimes for patience, and often simply for peace. God answered and gave me comfort when I felt broken and calm when life seemed chaotic. Even in moments of sadness, I could sense His presence and His love surrounding both me and my dad.

Being a Christian means that I don’t measure my life by what goes right or wrong, but by how God is working through it all. I’ve learned that every challenge is an opportunity to grow closer to Him, to rely on His strength, and to share His love with others.

There’s a line from the hymn “Because He Lives” that says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” This song reminds me that my strength and courage don’t come from my own abilities but from knowing that Christ lives within me. No matter what tomorrow brings, I can face it without fear because I know who holds the future.

Faith Story | Bob H.

November 18, 2025

I didn’t grow up in a church-going home. My first experience with church happened at age eight. Playing outside on a Sunday morning in our small town, I could hear the most beautiful music. I followed the sound a few blocks and sat down on the church steps and was mesmerized. Suddenly the door opened and it scared me, so I ran all the way home.

Fast forward two years. A little girl named Carolyn, a friend and classmate at Winchester Avenue Grade School, invited me to church. So I had a little boy crush on her. But when she told me they had baseball and basketball and scouts, I was all in.

Yes, I met her that Sunday at First Baptist Martinsburg,West Virginia. My mom made sure I was well dressed. As Carolyn and I walked down the aisle, we held hands! A big deal for age 10. Her mom and dad were the greatest. I love them to this day.

Over the years, I became the starting pitcher for baseball and starting forward for basketball. Became a Sea Scout and learned a lot about lakes and rivers and creeks.

At twelve, Carolyn Clohen and I gave our lives to Christ and were baptized together. You may think we ended up together, but it was just a young love thing. After growing up together at FBC, she married a golf pro and I joined the Air Force. Then a degree in Architectural Design from Chicago Technical College.

My membership stayed with First Baptist all the years. In 1985, I got married and for quite a while I thought I would be Presbyterian. But my roots kept calling me back.

It wasn’t easy to get my bride to turn in my direction, but God was in it. Here we are decades later, Marsha and I, serving God together at HBBC. Together.

Faith Story | Polly L.

November 13, 2025

Imagine playing Twister combined with finding Wheel of Fortune’s missing letters while wrestling with Jeopardy’s intricacies. Then you may have some grasp of my convoluted Faith Journey. When I sing   “I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus… and Wonder How He Could Love Me,” I reflect on how often I have experienced my Savior’s wonderful, marvelous, unconditional love during turns/detours before I formally joined Hayes Barton Baptist Church in the last year. Jesus long ago decided the world needed another Army brat who, under His guidance, would become a singer, teacher, lawyer, stepmother, and, best of all, mother. Me!!! 

At an early age, I learned about Jesus. My churchgoing maternal grandparents were blessings! During Vacation Bible School at their Baptist church, I made my baptism decision at age 7, joining several young friends. Mama, my grandmother, sang hymns with me. Papa, my grandfather, quiet as Mama was chatty, always attended church with us and rejoiced in my very existence. I lost these Saints during law school but smile thinking of them.

During my Raleigh years, following military deployments to Japan (where my sister was born), Alabama, and Ft. Bragg (where my brother was born), I attended HBBC at times, then another Baptist church, then Emmanuel Baptist Church, which Mother joined. College was at Meredith with required religion classes, on-campus chapel, and off-campus church. 

My church attendance was sporadic for the one year I taught high school biology in MD. When I returned to pursue my M.A. in American history at UNC-Chapel Hill, I had no interest whatsoever in anything church related.  But when I moved to PA to teach high school American history, Jesus knew that my churchgoing days had simply been on hiatus. A singer friend led me to the best church choir in York, PA, at the Lutheran Church downtown. Jesus had led me back to church, mostly for the music, but He was persistent.  

If I wanted to attend law school, the time had come. I tackled three years of legal studies, followed by lawyer work. Robert Frost, in “The Road Not Taken,” reminds us that the road chosen makes “all the difference.” God remained present in my life during my PA years. I joined Harrisburg Choral Society, attended a small Baptist church, was married there, then moved to VA, singing in our church choir and helping start a community choral group.

After relocating with my daughter to NC, my marriage irretrievably broken, then facing the death of my brother, I was led to fulfilling legal work plus services for my child. God also encouraged my music interests through Capital Area Chorale and Concert Singers of Cary. During the pandemic, God whispered it was time for church ties. The HBBC broadcast ministry was key to my attending and later joining. 

My most significant lifetime event was my child’s unexpected death in the summer, 2024. No grief compares to a parent’s loss of a child of whatever age. But God had been preparing to receive her and has provided many comforts I still need. He has focused me repeatedly on Psalm 18:28, which states, “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning. My God turns my darkness into light.”  Equally important is Psalm 46:1, proclaiming, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 

A quote attributed to Fannie Brice, Sophie Tucker, and others, says, “I’ve tried it rich, and I’ve tried it poor.  And believe me, rich is better.” I’ve tried life with this church, and I’ve tried life without it.  And believe me, being at Hayes Barton Baptist Church (and choir singing) is better!

Faith Story | Shirley F.

My mother is the reason for my strong faith. I saw Jesus at work in and through her every day of her life. What a blessing! She was a member for nearly 60 years and missed being a charter member by 2 weeks.

In looking back over the years, I realize how significant the many devoted Sunday School teachers, ministers and Christian friends are who have influenced, supported and loved me. I have been led by 5 senior ministers – all different and special in their own way. Of course, I have some favorites. I have served on many committees during my lifetime and was privileged to have directed weddings for some 40 years.

I have a great love and respect for the Bible. I don’t know that I have a favorite verse but through it all I know that Jesus loves me.

Faith Story | Brian R.

Then, an acquaintance invited me to Sunday school … and somehow, deep down, I felt that was where I needed to be. Yet I balked; “I won’t have slept off my hangover by then, you gotta be kidding me,” and I dismissed it.

But that feeling remained … that I needed to be there. I’d purposefully stay out till 4 a.m. yet was wide awake in time for Sunday school … so I started going. I was instantly aware of the “community” experienced by that group of kind, thoughtful Christians. I enjoyed meeting them and getting to know them. Such a stark contrast to those I met at clubs. This new group cared about each other, on a fundamental level.

I began to think more … where will I be in twenty years? Ten years? Five years? And with whom? I know there are right ways to fly a plane, to be a leader of Marines, to exercise … is there also a right way to live my life, too? And, what if I don’t live that way? Beyond that, I looked at the evidence of the Christian truth claims … history, psychology, sociology, and particularly science (“Intelligent Design” and “Irreducible Complexity”) … and it all fit perfectly.

So, not knowing what I was getting myself into but trusting this God that I was beginning to know, I prayed for God’s forgiveness and that Jesus would indeed be my Savior, to lead me as I sought Him. And I discovered the possibility and the intensity of a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe, who has guided me over the next 30 years, proving Himself over and over.

Throughout my career and after, whether overseas or here in the U.S., I see that it’s not that there are God-forsaken places, it’s that places have forsaken God. And I saw what happens to a society that does so. It’s not that I’ve been delivered FROM challenges, it’s that I’ve been delivered THROUGH them, and I am learning and growing as I do. The meaning of life has been proven to me … to realize there is a loving God, and to spend my life getting to know Him and becoming like His Son, to be able to spend eternity in the presence of a perfect, holy God.

How will our families, neighborhoods, communities, cities, nation, and world thrive, or even survive, without Jesus? I realized that God isn’t keeping any good thing away from us (like Satan alleges in Genesis 3:4), but is giving us a clear path and opportunities (John 10:10) … that life is about what we give, not about what we get.

Oh, and when that acquaintance invited me to Sunday school: His friend said to him, “Why bother inviting Brian … he’s a lost cause.” At one point, I was a lost cause! But Jesus found me. Also, I later learned that my mom had been praying intensely for me as well. No coincidence, just God-incidents. Lastly, my home church of HBBC hasn’t just been a “refuge” to recharge, but also a “launching pad,” where I refit to continue and grow! Romans 8:28, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:25, 2 Timothy 1:7.

Faith Story | Mark H.

Imagine God. If you think you can, you’re really not trying. Our best scientists can’t unravel the atom or this vast universe. So how can one comprehend the creator of the universe, and then add infinite love and the supposition that this God also cares about us as individuals?

Fortunately, along comes Jesus – the incarnation of this incomprehensible God. Fully God yet fully human, we like to say. Sharing our feeble bodies and lovingly helping us wrap our feeble minds around what God wants from us.

This is the basis of my faith. Not the promise of heaven (whatever that might be) or the threat of hell (ditto), but Jesus as the foundation, showing how I might build a life in which I can do at least some good.

It’s odd to think about what “influenced my commitment to Christ.” It’s like asking what made me an American. I’ve been a Christian (and an American) since birth, and I have no intention of giving up on either. But that hasn’t stopped me from growing and doing serious questioning in both roles.

That growth has had twists and turns. As a child, worshiping with my parents, I served as an Episcopalian acolyte and then learned to stay awake during Quaker meeting. I attended a Presbyterian college, married the daughter of a Presbyterian minister (in a New England Congregational church) and became a Presbyterian elder. And now, in retirement, I’m an active Baptist here at Hayes Barton!

Growing in my faith has meant being less afraid to ask questions and acknowledge my doubts. My many doubts. If Jesus’ hand-picked disciples failed to “get it” time and time again, certainly I can be excused as well.

“Foundation” is the word I come back to.

Through my doubts and my uncertainties, Christ is there (even if as a sometimes inaudible whisper), giving me a foundation – for dealing with my fellow humans, making workplace decisions, raising two children (both of whom are now church leaders) and maybe helping others.

Is that a faith story? Maybe just the start of one — with a long, long way to go.