Our names are David and Sandra Jackley

and this is our story...

[Dave]  I grew up in a suburb of Pittsburgh attending church and youth activities through high school. At 13, I confirmed my faith in Jesus. Three miles away, Sandra was growing up in a different neighborhood attending a church as well. We would not meet until high school during rehearsals for the production of the musical "Oklahoma."

[Sandra] We dated through high school and even while attending different colleges. While in college, I continued to be active in my home church. Seven years after we met, we were married in my church where I too confirmed my faith at the age of thirteen. At that time, I didn't recognize that I needed a relationship with Jesus - not just a declaration of my faith. After we married, we moved to Oil City and wandered away from the church. When back in Pittsburgh to visit family, we would attend my church and "catch up" with everyone. It was not until we were blessed with our two children, Jessica and Adam, that we again felt the need to attend church on a regular basis. We had returned to Pittsburgh and began attending the church where we were married. We felt we were home again. Our lives were great and we were doing church right.

[Dave] In 1991, we relocated to the North Hills, were parents of two middle school students, and our search for a new church brought us to Orchard Hill. Our kids responded to Storm, Kids Fest, and so much more. Our family warmed to the Sunday messages that seemed so relevant to our busy lives and we loved the music. As our children grew, we witnessed the tremendous impact that OHC was having on our children, their values, their friends and their lives. We were content with our new home and community, our growing careers, and watching Jessica and Adam grow and make new friends. We felt we were growing spiritually and felt a great sense of progress, but we were unprepared for what lay ahead. In rapid succession, my Mother's chronic illness worsened, Sandra's father was diagnosed with cancer, and our young nephew died tragically soon followed by Sandra's Dad. These events raised serious questions. God stepped into our lives to help out and life slowly returned to normal. Except for an occasional empty feeling, things seemed great.

Soon, we joined a small group that met Sunday nights. We dug into the Bible and found answers to our questions in a way we never had before. We have laughed together, cried together, studied together, and – I have to admit - done a lot of eating together with our dear Small Group friends. I traveled to Haiti with Jessica and returned two years later with Adam. Busy with my career, I initially declined an invitation to participate in a Men's Group, but that would change soon after.  After starting a company, then jumping to work for a client, I lost my job.  During my search for a new position, I was invited to join a Tuesday morning men's group. Getting to know the men and seeing how the Bible could come alive in my life got me really excited. In less than a year, I find myself leading a Men's Group and have formed the deepest adult male friendships of my life and learned more about serving my wife, my family, my church, my coworkers and my community. I have learned to take my hands off the steering wheel and yield control of my life to God. He reaches me - one-on-one - through prayer, study, small groups, and the weekend and Wednesday services.

[Sandra] Orchard Hill has impacted our lives in so many ways that we never suspected when we first came through the doors of the chapel at the foot of this hill. The challenges and joys of our lives have been manageable because of the close, spiritual relationships we've developed here. Orchard Hill is like home to me. I know that when I walk through these doors - crying or laughing - I will not be judged…just supported. It is through the comfort of this home that I have found my personal relationship with Jesus. The mid-week, Wednesday service helps me regroup and focus on God's word and Orchard Hill has become a foundation upon which our family stands. I am so thankful for the role this church, its people, and God have played in mine and David's life and the lives for our two children who are now young adults! Our son, Adam, has demonstrated the faith he learned here at Orchard Hill by coming full circle and joining the staff for High School ministry. Our daughter, Jessica, tells us the love she felt growing up in our family and the love surrounding her by this church fueled her desire to give back. She is a house "Mom" for unwed mothers while continuing her daily studies at Stanford University.

[Dave] Today, we face the challenge of being two "empty nesters" - Sandra teaching a challenging class of first graders as I, again, consider my next career move. We face uncertainties and yet we are able find strength in our weaknesses through our enriched faith in Jesus Christ, the supportive relationships with our friends in our small group, and this church and staff that has made this all possible. For these gifts and so much more, we thank God and our Orchard Hill Family.

Our names are David and Sandra Jackley and this is our story.