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My name is Brad Heyl
and this is my story...
I grew up in the suburbs of Wexford only a few minutes away from Orchard Hill church. My father being a doctor, and my mother a pharmacist, we lived a very average life. In fact it was better than average. We spent a lot of time together as a family camping, going to the beach, skiing in the mountains, playing golf, and the list goes on. I attended a public elementary school and middle school where I engaged in sports, after school activities, and the occasional studying. But on Sundays, ever since I can remember you could find our family at Orchard Hill Church.
At that time services were held in the chapel and the congregation was much smaller than today's. For the most part there was one room on the second floor in which all the kids were placed and then divided up according to their grade. We then rotated around to three different rooms throughout the duration of the service. My favorite room was the one that took us outside to play kickball. Ok, so I basically went to church to play kickball. All the other activities seem to be a blur in my memory bank, but at that time I did know who Jesus was. I learned about him from my parents and although I can only remember playing kickball, the hard working people in the kids ministry not only taught me of the wonderful characteristics of Jesus such as His love, forgiveness, and wisdom but they also reflected them by building a relationship with me. Many of these relationships I still have today.
I knew Jesus was someone who loved me so much that he gave his life for me and was someone who was always there for me. It was a great feeling of assurance to have him in my life and on my side as a kid. Still being very young I explored him no further and as the years went on, church became more of a chore as I attended the regular services. As I matured and became busier and selfish, Jesus became only a distant helping hand when I was in a time of need. Sadly, my times of need were when I hadn't studied enough for a test, when I wanted nice weather for golfing, or when I wanted that one girl in the back of the class to notice me. Jesus became somebody who would help me make things go the way I wanted. I had a better idea of who Jesus was when I was 7 than I did at the age of 12.
Not long after, being excited and nervous, I was about to embark into the world of junior high. I nearly squeaked by the first couple of days, wondering the enormous and vast halls of my school just trying to make it to class on time. I became acclimated to my surroundings and made a number of new friends. Only weeks into school I suddenly became nervous when attending classes in the morning. Each morning became more intense. I first stopped eating breakfast, eventually lunch. I felt sick and was confused by my negative thoughts of entrapment and panic. I started going to the nurse's office so she could put me out of my misery and send me home. Doing this once a week turned into twice, three times and eventually almost everyday. My emotions spiraled out of my control, as I could not put an end to this anguish.
The point of going to school, to learn and socialize, was now gone for the only thing I could focus on was that there was no way out. Every time I was placed into an enclosed social situation my body went into a state of panic. I began to detach myself from all of my friends due to my illness, was now rarely attending school, getting behind, and was no longer participating in sports. Within months I lost 20 to 30 pounds, went into depression, and thoughts of suicide, how to do it and when should commit it, encompassed my mind. I was 14.
I found I was suffering from what Psychologists called Agoraphobia. In an attempt to get back to a the normal ways of life by means of counseling, I learned different breathing techniques and tricks to play on my mind so that I could attain a normal heart rate and remain calm. I was back to school but my mind and soul were mangled. Then, at my lowest point, God made a clear appearance to me though my dad. As he was driving me to school one day, I broke down. I told him, "I can't do this anymore, I can't make it. Don't make me go. You don't know how I feel everyday." And he did the best possible thing that any parent could have done. He made me go. But he didn't just send me off with a good luck, he told me of Ephesians 6:13. It reads, "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground."
An immediate sense of peace rushed through my body and my posture straightened. It was as if God himself pulled me up off the ground and said, "Stand strong, Brad, and believe in me. Leave all of your heavy burdens upon me and I will take care of you. Shortly after, I began to comfortably attend school and I prayed more than I ever have. My life was changed. Even since then I became more involved with the church. I now attend church on a regular basis to learn of and worship the God who continues to give me His amazing love and grace. I am involved in a CLC men's group with a great bunch of knowledgeable and supporting guys. And I am currently working as a leader for an amazing and fun group of kids at Impact, the middle school program here at the church. If it wasn't for the my foundational knowledge of Jesus Christ laid by this church and through my two loving and supportive parents, Lou and Mary Heyl, I'm not sure I would be alive today telling you this story. But I do know one thing for sure, God has a plan in mind for me and I have a life's work ahead of me for His kingdom that I am extremely grateful for. My name is Brad Heyl…and this is my story.
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