I am honored to serve
as an elder at Hilltop Christian Fellowship. I mean honored
because, really, this church family has ministered to me since my return
to the Waco area in February 2011. They love me, encourage me, and bless
me daily. We are blessed with a dedicated staff who give much of
themselves to serve us.
I’d like to share
with you about one of those staff members—Sharon Greb. Sharon has been at
Hilltop Christian Fellowship for five years now. She serves as the
financial secretary. She also shares cleaning responsibilities. Her
role is so much larger, as she does everything from making the bulletins, to
helping organize our church life, and serving us as a spiritual leader.
She is a dedicated
wife and mother. Her husband Kevin is a hard-working, godly, and faithful
man. They have two daughters. Sharon has homeschooled her two
daughters. Her oldest daughter Kaitlyn (20) is a chef at Disneyworld in
Orlando. Prior to that, she was a chef at the Gospel Café in Waco.
Her youngest daughter Nicole (17) is a senior in high school, but is already
taking steps toward a career in the medical field.
Recently, at prayer
meeting, they shared with us the following news:
I have recently been
diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, a grade 3 tumor. At this time I am having
consultations with the various doctors to determine the best course of
treatment. I am uninsured. I work part time, and my husband just started a new
job with a fairly new company, and they are not large enough to offer health
insurance. Unfortunately for me, this diagnosis will keep me from obtaining
insurance. I am setting up meetings with the local cancer groups to see what
help there may be for me. I have already connected with one and am trying to
qualify for a program for women with breast cancer.
Please pray for us as
we navigate what is to come and try to understand it all. It can be very
confusing and emotional at times and the financial burden has already set in.
But my God is able and I trust in Him to see us through. I have been blessed
with a supportive family, great friends, and wonderful church family. I am
richly blessed. May the Lord bless you as well.
We love this family
dearly. And we were taken back by the news. Yet we also love and
serve a God who saves, heals, and provides. He has given us a family in
the local church (small “c”) and Church Universal (large “C”), and we know He
has called us to care for one another and share one another’s burdens.
As elders of Hilltop
Christian Fellowship, we are asking for you to join us in prayer for
Sharon. We have also set up a fund for people like Sharon: a “benevolence
fund for the uninsured” to be monitored by the elders, with the goal to raise
support for the Greb family and (as goals are reached) for any others in a
similar situation. The expenses will be great. More than medical,
there are additional travel and personal expenses as families engage the
healing process.
You can access that
link here: HCF Benevolence Fund for the Uninsured
I also want you to
know a few other things about us at Hilltop Christian Fellowship:
First, we believe in
stewardship and accountability. If you give a donation through the site,
it will go to help the Greb family and others who are facing hardship.
You will receive an email confirming your donation. We did research means
for donations to be considered for tax deductible purposes, but giving of this
kind may not qualify. Read the Give Forward FAQ here.
And, as always, consult a tax professional regarding your donation.
Second, we are a
small church. This church has huge heart. But we average 45 in
regular attendance. We would tackle this head on, and keep this in house,
if it were possible. Moreover, each of our families has also faced
unexpected financial, medical, and employment circumstances this past
year. The Greb family and our church as a whole are not the type of ask
for money. We are humbling ourselves before the Lord and our brothers and
sisters in Christ, asking for your help.
Third, we are still a
giving church. We give what we can (though they deserve so much more) to
support part-time salaries of a pastor (David), youth pastor (Chris), worship
pastor (Brent), church admin (Sharon), and a cleaning staff (Sharon and
Ginny). We support various missions and missionaries. When a
mission team came to share this year, the members opened their hearts and
wallets to support one team member to go to Europe to strengthen churches
there.
Finally, we believe
in the power of prayer. Many are not in the position to give
financially. Others may not feel led to give or struggle with giving to a
cause outside their local church or known circle. But please, please,
please join us in prayer for Sharon and her family. Pray for us at Hilltop as
we seek to walk with this precious family. We are asking God to heal
Sharon, in the way and timing He sees fit.
Kaitlyn Greb recently
posted:
Asking all to keep my
mom and our family in your prayers. My mom has recently been diagnosed with
breast cancer. She is currently trying to research her best options for
treatment. My mom is my rock and one of my closest friends. Don't know
what I'd do without her. Thank you to everyone who has offered support so
far.
You love and bless
me, as you love and bless those who have loved and blessed me. Thank you!
