“I was walking through every room in the house trying to figure out—maybe I’ll find a reason to live.”

After his father abandoned him at a young age, Steve found himself constantly searching for ways to fill the gap in his adult life. The unhealthy solutions seriously harmed his relationships, his self-image, and even his will to continue living.

One day, Steve walked into his daughter’s bedroom and had a moment of clarity: without a radical change, his self-destructive behavior would continue the cycle of abandonment in his family. With his heart broken, Steve begged God to remove his addictions and grant him a fresh beginning.

“If I can do that for Mickey, I can certainly do that for Jesus.”

Davy Liu was a successful Disney animator working on classic films like Mulan and The Lion King until God led him into a new calling creating beautiful artwork and stories that reflected the amazing story of God and pointed people to Jesus. 

“It might be just a patio and coffee shop during the week, but when we’re there, it’s a place where we want to honor God.”

When Phil started going to Mariners Santa Ana, he saw a need and how he could use his unique gifts to create an intentional space for others. 

“I was a little hesitant…but from that very first moment that I stepped in the room, I was with other women just like me.”

After losing her father, Lisa knew she needed to find new direction in her life. Her father had been a constant source of support, and before he passed, Lisa promised him that she would find a church and get connected. She wanted to nourish the gift of faith which he’d shown her through his love and care.

Gathering her courage, Lisa came to Mariners Church and signed up for the Rooted program. In her group, Lisa found a community of women who surrounded her with support. The hardships she faced, the moments of laughter she enjoyed—through it all, Lisa had women who shared these ups and downs too.

Watch and see how God used Lisa’s courageous next step to revive her spiritual life and bring her into a lifelong community.

“When depression hits, you don’t know what you want—other than that feeling to be gone.”

Jackie had struggled with depression a few times during her life, but never like this. Her marriage was unsteady, her financial situation was uncertain, and through it all, she felt as though she couldn’t feel God at all anymore. Even simple moments of happiness, like walking her dog beside the beach, no longer brought her joy.

When Jackie started reattending her Life Group, the pastor of the group began reaching out to her daily. The pastor sent Bible verses, prayers, and most importantly, reminders that God was right beside her, even though life felt impossible. Slowly but surely, Jackie began to experience the presence of God again.

Check out how Jackie rediscovered God’s presence and experienced true joy, even in a season of depression.

“Serving gave me a purpose. My whole life has been radically changed, and Jesus has proven to me that He will provide.”

When Todd was diagnosed with stage four kidney failure, the life he’d built up around his career came to a complete stop. Long hours which had once been dedicated to his work life were now spent on dialysis appointments and slow evenings of recovery. Todd, feeling stuck and stagnant, began serving at Mariners Church.

Through serving, Todd found a way to leave behind the self-focused lifestyle he had fallen into. By placing others’ needs before his own on a weekly basis, Todd rediscovered the joy in life that God intends for all of us.

Watch and see how God completely changed Todd’s perspective on his illness and recovery through his time serving in the Mariners community. 

“None of that stuff satisfied. It gave me little moments of happiness, but my soul was empty and I was missing joy.”

By the world’s standards, Ben had it all: a successful business, a high-paying career, a beautiful house on the Newport Coast—even his own private sailboat. Although he was surrounded by possessions and achievements, Ben felt like something was missing. Between the fleeting moments of happiness brought on by his success, his heart was devoid of joy.

Ben found himself becoming bitter, hurting the people he loved with his words and actions. He just couldn’t seem to find satisfaction in the world anymore. Ben’s friend invited him to church, but he couldn’t picture himself there, surrounded by believers. He was stuck.

Then, in the middle of a trip to Mexico, Ben’s dissatisfaction with the world reached a tipping point. Following a voice inside him, Ben went to a local church to see what this whole “God thing” was all about. 

Watch and see how God used this opportunity to change Ben’s heart in a major way.

“I just felt so hopeless. I needed someone—I needed a higher power. I could not do this on my own.”

In the midst of family troubles, financial hardship, and mental health struggles, Monica arrived at Mariners Church for the first time. The loneliness that she’d been feeling seemed impossible to escape, yet even as she stood in the crowd of people, she found herself overcome with a powerful sense of community and familiarity. Seeking further involvement, she took the next step and joined a Rooted group.

Growing up, Monica had never understood God’s love. Only when she met the women in her Rooted group did she begin to confront the lies she had believed and grow to truly understand God’s deep affection and care for her. 

Watch and see how God used the women in Monica’s Rooted group to transform her personal relationship with God forever.

“If you would have asked me about this three months ago and said that we would be doing this, I would not have believed you…”

When Ryan’s business began to face financial trouble, Ryan and Mila took a leap of faith: rather than becoming consumed by worry, the two decided to trust God and started praying for God to use them. 

Two days later, the war in Ukraine broke out. Ryan and Mila knew Ukraine desperately needed prayer, and in response, they began a weekly Zoom call where anyone could join to pray for Ukraine’s needs. What began as a small gathering of five or six people soon grew into meetings of 40 to 50 people!

But Ryan and Mila didn’t stop there. When financial support and donations began coming to them from all different avenues, they broadened their ministry and provided funds to Ukrainian churches for medical supplies and food. Despite having no previous knowledge of wartime support, Ryan and Mila boldly followed where they felt God leading them.

Check out how God used Ryan and Mila’s obedience to serve their global family with God’s love. 

“I have two sets of families, but in the end, God loves me more than both of them combined…In the end, I’m really just God’s child.”

On a small farm in Ethiopia, Abe’s mother, Martha, faced an impossible decision. Abe’s father had passed away, leaving her without a steady income or way to provide for her family. Now she had a choice: either put Abe up for adoption or keep him—risking his life.  After many nights of prayer, Martha contacted the adoption agency, and on that very same day, Abe’s parents called from the U.S. and began the process of adopting him. 

Martha’s brave decision led to an entirely different life for Abe. As a part of his new family, Abe saw how God had orchestrated the whole situation according to His plan—and how God took care of him through it all.

Watch how Abe experienced the wonder of God’s perfect plan, showing him his true identity as a child of God.