Updated 5/20/26
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BABIES
Elizabeth and Bobby Jacobs welcomed Lola Grace 5/12/26
Ale and Skyler Seidman welcomed Kellen Christopher 5/19/26
Kimberley and Clayton Corbett welcomed Tyler James 5/19/26
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NEW
Vance Smith's sister, Aly Damiani, 5/20/26
Aly has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She is 34 years old with a 3 year old and almost 1 year old. Please be praying for doctor's wisdom and unity in deciding on treatment plan. Pray for Vance and Hailey as they care for Aly and her family. For all to find comfort in the Lord, to trust him throughout this process, and to grow closer together.
Staff/Elder: Stacie, Pastor/Elder Needed
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UPDATED
Jessica Marshall's mom
Updated 5/19/26
The tumor has shrunk a little, but they won't really know much until she gets her PET scan end of June. She went to the hospital this last week due to a lot of bleeding and weakness. She's very frail, and can't do much. Please pray for her body and healing.
10/29/25
Jessica's mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 anal cancer in September. The chemo and radiation were hard on her, but she was able to head home mid-November. The treatment did initially shrink the tumor, but then it grew back to where it was. She seems to be feeling even worse compared to before treatment. She is in a lot of pain and discomfort, and not eating or sleeping much. They saw a new specialist in Feb 2026 and were moving forward with brachytherapy. She had 5 treatments, and are praying it would be effective. Please pray for God's nearness in all of this, for doctor's wisdom, and for Jessica's moms healing.
Staff/Elder: Stacie, Amy, Travis
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FOSTERING FAMILIES
Aaron and Heather Brisendine are fostering Estephany, May 2025
Alex & Becky Massey – started fostering Kingsley, 12/2024
Alexis and Blaine Coutant, in process 8/27/25
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ONGOING
Chris Fabian and Sarah Prewett's dad, Mike
Updated 5/7/26
Mike's condition unexpectedly took a turn, and he died on May 6th. Pray they would feel God's nearness, comfort, and peace as they grieve.
4/27/26
Mike has been in the hospital for 3 weeks after being diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). He's been through 4 rounds of chemo, and while it's working, his dad was feeling incredibly weak and not wanting to eat. He made some big strides and was having a much better week, overall eating and recovering better. They are hopeful he will be discharged within the next couple days!
Staff/Elder: Bobby, Kyle, Parker
Ruthie Lewis
Updated 4/29/26
Ruthie is doing well. She just had surgery yesterday to have her chemo port removed. She is still in a full leg brace. They follow-up with the orthopedic surgeon on May 13th to see when it can come off. She’s a little sore from surgery, but hasn’t really slowed down at all. She’s still wheeling herself around in her wheelchair even after having surgery yesterday!
10/7/25
Ruthie Lewis (4 years old) was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, last November. She has completed 42 weeks of frontline chemo, and is in the maintenance phase currently. At this point in her treatment, she has no evidence of disease! The family is continuing to ask the Lord to protect her body from the harsh chemo, and to spare her from any recurrence or long-term side effects. In December, she was in the hospital for a week fighting an infection. Her routine scans in January showed scar tissue, but nothing else! She'll most likely need a surgery soon where they break her leg amongst other things to increase her mobility. Her surgery has been delayed due to a recent bone break on her shin and femur that's been taking a while to heal.
Staff/Elder: Travis
Robert Brown, 4/28/26
Robert's dad passed away on Friday. Please pray for him and his family as they mourn their loss.
Staff/Elder: Hayden, Kyle
Parker Harris, 4/29/26
Parker lost his dad on April 13th. Pray for God's nearness and comfort over him and his family as they grieve.
Staff/Elder: Wes
Abby Sonnefeld
Updated 4/29/26
Radiation is finished. She is supposed to resume chemo treatment on May 18th, but her bloodwork has not reached healthy enough levels for that to happen. Prayers for this respite from treatment to allow her body to fully strengthen and finish out treatment.
1/14/26
Several tumors have been found on Abby’s mom’s lungs. They have begun a very aggressive chemo treatment for the next 18 weeks. Prognosis indicated she has 2-3 years. After each chemo treatment, she was hospitalized for about a week. Chemo was then on pause in March becuase she got an infection and needed 35 days of antibiotics. They are waiting for her platelets to return to normal so she can begin blood thinners to treat a clot. Pray her immune system can remain strong and for this week of rest before going back for another round of chemo. Pray for Abby’s dad as primary caregiver and for Abby and her siblings to support in ways that are encouraging.
Staff/Elder: Ranelle, Fritz
Baumgarten Family
Updated 4/27/26
Beau's surgery to remove the oil from his eye is scheduled for May 18th. The doctor will place a scleral buckle on his eye that will be permanent. Pray for his recovery, and for Stephen and Meg - the recovery will likely be very uncomfortable for a few weeks.
9/3/25
Stephen and Meg had their baby, Beau, and found out he has a significant sight threatening issue with his left eye. He had surgery October 13th to remove a cataract, and everything went well! Thankfully the retina in the left eye was not detached at that time. They found some abnormal blood vessels in his right eye, and did a laser procedure to help dissipate these. Initially MRI's showed the blood vessels gone and everything stable. Unfortunately a while later, what they repaired had grown back and he needed another surgery on January 16th. During that surgery, the surgeon found a small tear in his retina. They repaired it and stabilized with a silicon oil that will be in his eye for 3-4 months, then surgically removed. Beau will not be allowed on his back at all during this time.
Staff/Elder: Lunden
Courtney Hammon
Updated 4/29/26
They are waiting and watching the new cyst. She'll have a follow up CT scan on June 1st to see how it's doing. As of now, it appears to just be a cyst and not cancerous. Pray that they don't have to do surgery, and the cyst gets re-absorbed into the body.
10/1/25
Courtney had a large (but accessible) cyst on her left ovary. The cyst/left ovary and fallopian tube removal went well and the tumor was benign! She has lots of scar tissue from previous conditions and surgeries, and on Dec 16th she went to the ER where they found small bowel ileus (a slow down of the bowel). They put an NG tube in her nose to help her bowel to start moving again on its own. They started IV nutrition at the hospital and then sent her home with an IV nutrition plan that she was able to wean off of. She appears to be healing well, but struggling to gain weight. A few weeks later, they found a new cystic mass on her remaining ovary after recently having a scan that showed nothing.
Staff/Elder: Brandon, Mimi
Tricia Gittemeier’s dad, Rick Kruger
Updated 4/29/26
Rick's treatment appears to be working but they still have some big decisions coming as far as treatment options go. Praying for continued progress with treatment and wisdom/peace in treatment decisions.
3/3/26
This is somewhat sensitive as Rick's grandkids do not yet know - Rick was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. The past two weeks have been difficult with each test bringing somewhat more difficult news and a more challenging prognosis. Rick is doing well. He’s 2 rounds into his 6 round treatment plan. They will do a scan in a few weeks to see how things are working. He’s feels a solid ok, but definitely isn’t fully himself. Pray that as the rounds continue he’s able to manage the meds well. Pray that at the end of the 6 round process that the go forward treatment plan will be abundantly clear and that he’ll be at peace with it.
Staff/Elder: Fritz
Michael Whitehead
Updated 4/21/26
His recovery is still moving slow, but they do see progress. He's exhausted and still has pain, and they anticipate this will take some time to clear up. He will get more blood work in about a month, and then scans at the 2-3 month mark. So far all tests for potential causes has come back negative. They are thankful but also confused about the unknown. More tests will be done after 6 months. Prayers for his continued healing and for answers.
3/31/26
Michael’s been in significant pain the last two weeks. He went to a few different doctors and was misdiagnosed. Ultimately, he was admitted Saturday night and they found extensive blood clots and full blockages of some of the veins in the portal system. He had surgery Sunday morning to take out the clots and is on significant blood thinners. He had a second procedure on Monday to remove the catheters that were administering the clot busting medication. The medication had minimal impact, but all the organs are receiving nutrients and the body seems to have figured out blood flow. His pain has improved, but they still don't know the cause of the clotting.
Staff/Elders: Lucas
Blas & Brandy Gomez
Updated 4/13/26
They found a total of four aneurysms - two which they suggest correcting with stints. They also found a hole in her heart and she will need to see a cardiologist. Lastly, they need to see a neurologist to address the TIA's. Pray for their endurance and patience as they seek answers, for the Lord to sustain them, and wisdom for the doctors caring for her.
4/8/26
Brandy Gomez was admitted to the hospital Friday evening. She had an angiogram and they suspect a TIA (i.e. - mini stroke) as the initial reason for going in. When they ran a CT scan to rule out a full stroke they found aneurysms. She’s been discharged and is back to work but consulting with specialists for next steps and potential for significant surgery. Pray for doctors wisdom and her recovery!
Staff/Elder: Parker
Owen Escarra, son of Jeff and Shannon (former GBC folks, now live in New Orleans)
Updated 4/1/26
Owen finished radiation this month on 3/16. Praise God for sustaining him throughout this portion of his treatment. Pray for a miracle of healing (that the tumor would be destroyed and gone), continued strength, and comfort in body, mind, and spirit as he transitions into the next phase of treatment (perhaps a clinical trial). Pray for divine wisdom and peace in choosing treatment plan.
1/20/26
6 year old Owen has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor following a hospitalization at the beginning of January. After an initial surgery and weeklong hospital stay, he is back at home with his family. He started his first of 33 daily sessions of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) January 28th. They praise God for his growing faith in Jesus, his joyful attitude whatever the day may bring, and his increasing tenderness. Pray for healing and endurance for Owen. Pray for peace and strength for the Escarra’s as they navigate medical decisions for Owen, and care for their three other sons.
Staff/Elder: Wes
Kerry Stovall, 3/16/26
Kerry Stovall’s mom has just been placed into hospice care. Simultaneously, Kerry’s brother Chad has been diagnosed with cancer. Please be praying for Kerry and Mike as they navigate the loss of Kerry’s mom and for unity with Kerry’s siblings at this time as they grieve and face this loss together.
Staff/Elder: Ranelle, Bobby