Hi, we're Amber, Tammy, and Luke.  He also facilitates a Damascus Road men's group (Men's Fraternity/Authentic Manhood) on Sundays at 5pm.  Though it was quite unplanned, we met in Damascus Road and eventually became a family.  We have a passion for what this ministry is all about. Damascus Road has a primary focus in people ministering to others through eyes of grace, mercy, and Spirit-filled love (Galatians 5:22, I Corinthians 13).  We do this in several ways. If you are around our Sunday School class very long, you will pick up on key phrases that we use to encourage each other.  

For instance, we will say, "It's not about looking good.  It's about being real."  We don't put on the Sunday School smile unless we mean it.  If we're not feeling well, or we have wrong attitudes, we know that we are in a place where it is safe to admit it.  Those in class accept that this is o.k. and take us to God in their prayer. 

We also say, "It's about meeting people where they are." This is very important to Damascus Road.  This means that we accept people in gentleness and patience, even in their anger towards God and others, and in the personal struggles that they face.

We're Karen, Matt, and Scott.  We facilitate the Blended-Families ministry in Damascus Road.  We often remind visitors that "We love children."  Families in crisis or struggling from brokenness are free to attend the class together.  It may seem strange sometimes to come to class and see children seated in various places, but we are proud of the diversity, and welcome parents to do what they deem best for their particular situation.

One thing that we try especially to emphasize is, "You are not alone." We strive constantly to help new people get 'grafted' into our family community, and 'plugged in' to some kind of ministry in the church.  Not all are ready to do this.  We know that "Some in the class need time to heal and reflect." We are there for that too.  Yet, it is amazing to us.  Several ministries in the church have been started from people in our class, simply because one of us came to feel led by God to do something that the church did not yet offer.  This dynamic continues.

Hi, I'm Dwight, one of the Damascus Road missionaries (Africa is my passion!) and a Sunday School teacher for young people.  As a member of this group, I believe in a vision that pursues a passion for getting involved in the local church.  We like to tell people, especially those who feel unworthy or beaten down, "If you wait until you have it all together to do something for God, you'll never get around to it."  It is a mystery, but God uses people with "Feet of clay" to do some of his mightiest works. "He uses whom He chooses."  This great mystery often keeps us humble and going back to the cross on a daily basis.  Paul once said that he was the least of the apostles because he persecuted the church of God.  We in Damascus Road often have that same attitude.  Yet, out of our humbleness we find that God can do mighty things.

Hi, my name is Mary.  I work in the church library.  I love Damascus Road because of our focus. We often say, "It's all about Christ, not about us."  That's why we will tell people that we are involved in "His ministry," not ours.  It's all about God and being used by the Holy Spirit to help build "His Kingdom," all to "His glory."  

I love Damascus Road because it is not the central focus.  We have no superstars among us.  We are servants led by God to glorify Him.  We do this by being Spirit-filled, surrounded by His ever-flowing healing-grace, and having a willingness to take those gifts and be used in ministry for His glory and honor.

Hi, I'm Tammy.  I help to facilitate our 'Prayer line' email ministry.  We have come to believe that people often must first go through a Damascus Road experience before they are truly ready to be used by God in powerful ways.  Even though your crisis or valley may cause you to feel that God is finished with you.  We say, "What Satan means for evil, God can use for the good."  For us, this means hope!  When we finally surrender ourselves to Christ and His purpose for our lives, God takes the details of our past, no matter what they are, and finds a way to use those things to draw people to Him!  Wow!

It is from this Damascus Road concept that we get our mission; to love God with our heart, mind, and soul, love people as Christ loved us, and to participate in His ministry, to build His Kingdom, for His glory!

Damascus Road Name

Hi, we're Vicky (below) and Alice (right).  We both facilitate women's group-ministries in Damascus Road (Falling in Love with Jesus & Lies that women believe and the truth that sets them free).  Acts 9:1-19 tells how Saul of Tarsus was on the road to Damascus.  As he neared the city, he had an encounter with Christ that would change him forever.

Suddenly, Saul was in the crisis of his life.  In a moment's time, he went from powerful and in-control, to scared, helpless, and blind.  The event could have left him alone and impoverished, even unto death.  Instead, it became the starting point for all the wonderful things that Christ did through him. 

Paul's experience is a testimony of God's grace and power.  It's about faith, overcoming fear, and following God, even when it makes no sense.  And, it shows how God uses regular people, just like Ananias, to help carry out His plan of healing and blessing.

In our Sunday School class, many of our members have gone through their own Damascus Road.  Some are having a Damascus Road experience now.  Others will travel that road in the future.  In any case, our Sunday School is committed to helping people not only survive the crises and losses of their lives, but to use those very experiences as opportunities to become involved in Christ's ministry.  Our members often say, "What Satan meant for evil, God can use for His good."  By supporting each other through our difficulties, in love and prayer, this hope in Christ is made real.