5 /5 Whitney Huettemann: I have gone to EWO for 23+ years. It’s been one of the most important parts of my life. AWANA taught me Bible verses that I remember to this day. Sunday school allowed me to meet other children and grow up with them at church. My Sunday school teachers still keep in touch and genuinely care about their former students. Youth ministries kept me sane in junior high and high school. It grounded me and pointed me towards Jesus. Youth ministry nights are fun, encouraging, and purposeful. Pastor Walt and youth leaders are intentional, wise, and committed to their youth students. I can’t even count all of the trips I’ve been on with the youth ministries…CO, Boston MA, WI, MI, PA, and local retreats to name a few. Some of the most memorable moments of my life were on these trips. We have visited the Niagara Falls, hiked a 14er, camped, white water rafted, evangelized in the streets, and many more amazing experiences. My only true, genuine friends in this world are my friends from EWO. Most of them I have known for 20+ years. It’s been fun to live life together and stay in touch with friends who have moved away. It’s also been fun to welcome new people into the church and meet young people all across the Bloomington-Normal area. Now I actively attend the Bridge, our church’s new-ish young adult ministries every Thursday. It has that same feeling of “being at home” as youth group did. We meet at a house that is hosted by the most gracious couple at our church. The community at the Bridge is a blessing. After a hard day’s work, it’s nice to rest with people who let me be my weird self. There is good food, mostly home-cooked meals. Teaching is based on the Bible, but it also gives room for us to share our testimonies, feelings, and thoughts with each other in a safe circle. Our church puts a big focus on missions and lives up to its preaching. I’ve had the opportunities to go on a couple of local + international mission trips with my family and friends. It helped shape my worldview and majorly Influenced my vocation as an RN. The Bible teaching is theologically sound and based on Scripture as it should be. Every Sunday we stand to read the Word of God together as a church. Typically church sermons are preached by passages/books and not preached by topic. Our pastors are great at sharing the contexts of each passage to make sure we understand the true meaning and don’t make false assumptions. We sing hymns + contemporary songs that that glorify God alone and not “self”. The country feel to the church makes it seem like an oasis away from the city. I love my Church family. EWO has helped my family and I during some of the most darkest days. Our church friends never make us feel bad for the long-suffering we’ve gone through. They encourage my family and I in our suffering not just for a little while, but for as long we need it. This is a testament to EWO’s mission to serve others, especially those who are gentle and lowly.
