Below are stories of people who have given of themselves in extraordinary ways or who have been specially touched by their experiences at Chapel Hill. We hope that the examples from their lives will inspire yours.

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Children | Missing Chapel Hill

Above and beyond

The second year of Upward Basketball and Cheer at Chapel Hill is now complete. Great stories inevitably come out of a program like Upward where many people donate hundreds of hours to encourage, mentor and share the gospel with kids. Here is one of them.

Jenny Patterson is a 16-year-old cheerleader at Peninsula High School who volunteered this year to be an assistant coach for two K/1^st grade cheer squads, the Dazzlers and the Starlights. She invested two weeknights and Saturday each week to work with her girls, a large time commitment for a high school student with a cheer career of her own.

As if this was not enough, Jenny went above and beyond her call by inviting the 19 girls in her Upward squads to attend home games at Peninsula High. They got to watch her cheer, and were even invited to perform their Upward cheers during halftime. What a thrill that was for the 5 and 6-year-old girls in Jenny’s care!

Jenny’s generosity and willingness to be used of God by making herself available and sharing her talent with others is one of many inspirational tales to come out of Upward Basketball this year. Kudos to all the coaches and assistants and parents who worked as hard as Jenny to make our second season our best one yet! 

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Dear Pastor Mark,

I love everything about Pennsylvania except for missing you and your family and Chapel Hill. As I have had a chance to settle in here, I look back with gratitude at all the joy I got by being a member of your church. I wasn't always the most active, but your church gave me a passion for Christ I never had before. When I think of the happiest days spent in Gig Harbor, they all included serving at Chapel Hill.

I was at BSF this morning answering a personal question about how much time I spent in daily worship of the Lord. The answer truthful, but painful also. I spoke about this wonderful Pastor I had in Washington and how I realized I was grieving for the loss, not able to realize you would want me to find a "home". As far as you are concerned, I know there will never be another Pastor Mark. Christ has work for me to do, however, and I know he can use my willing heart.

I stopped by a church today in Williamsport. They have contemporary services, Wednesday night dinners and an active youth program. My oldest Ben, said, Momma that sounds like fun, that sounds like Chapel Hill. They all 3 chimed in after that about how they loved Chapel Hill and all the fun things there were to do. AMEN! And so it is, God lovingly guides us, with hurting hearts to a new place to serve. It may not be Chapel Hill, but it is the same loving Lord Jesus Christ.

My point being, you will never know what beautiful truths and lasting friendships I found in your precious church. I must find them here too, but quite honestly....I really miss you and your lovely mother too. I hope you know you helped Chris and I through many dark times, and we are so thankful to have been a part of Chapel Hill.

Love and Blessings,

Connie Coyner