Every person who gathers around IAC's table has a story of how God is meeting them through this community.
As we enter of a season of "Creating Space at the Table," we want to gather up these stories so others can get a glimpse of all God is doing in and through us!
Please share HERE how you've seen God work through IAC: in your life, or in the lives of others in our community. Stories of belonging, renewed faith, healed relationships, shared tears, or simply knowing God more deeply could all be examples. Adults, students, and kids are all invited to share.
(lightly edited for grammar and clarity)
"We have been at IAC for just a year, yet people know our names. We feel familiar every time we walk in. In March of 2024, I unexpectedly and abruptly lost my job – in the middle of maternity-leave! A fellow IAC-er encouraged me to reach out to the prayer team and ask for prayer. At first, I felt like I 'shouldn't.' I had all kinds of reasons: 'I'm too new,' 'This prayer need isn't big enough or important enough,' and others. Well, long story short, I did end up reaching out for prayer. Not only was I incredibly encouraged by the prayer support and personal messages I received, but God actually used these connections to lead me quickly to a job! I am so grateful. We love IAC. Our personal faith-walks have been deepened and strengthened by the Anglican rhythms as well, which is another gift."
"Initially, the beauty of the people and sacraments struck me. I’ve also grown from the classes and events I’ve participated in. Being involved in the Retreat in Daily Life retreats every year has made a big impact, as well as other opportunities to be in a quiet space with God such as the Longest Night services and Prayer Meetings. The focus of 'receiving' alongside the music playing during Prayer Meetings has deepened my relationship with God. Reading the Common Word the last four years has also helped me see the entire Bible coming together in ways I hadn’t seen before, as well as the rich sermons given by all the pastors. In general, the many contemplative practices I’ve experienced at IAC such as listening and discernment combined with the rich liturgy have made it such a joy to belong!"
"For myself and others, I've seen IAC be a place of healing for those who have come from a situation or season of hurt from church or ministry. This is not because IAC has classes on this, or bends its messages toward those situations. Rather, IAC communicates and strives to be a place where people are welcome to come and just be whatever they need to be. From there the Spirit of God moves in the liturgy and simplicity of focusing on the gospel. Week after week trust is built and it's in that trust that God begins to heal. For my wife and I, it was several years before we realized that one day we were ready to say "yes" to something in the church outside of community opportunities. Without fully realizing it God had been restoring our trust and hope in His Church."
"During the Student Winter Retreat there were small group times throughout the weekend to further discuss what we heard during the teaching. In helping lead this time I got to see glimpses into these student’s lives and I was amazed at what God is doing in them. Their hunger for truth, thoughtful questions, and their genuine kindness towards one another was incredible to watch. There was one moment where these kids could’ve chosen many ways to deal with a challenging situation but instead chose to care for one another in intentional and deeply caring ways. They could’ve brushed it off or used humor or leaned away; instead they leaned in with a sensitivity and gentleness that I’ve seen few adults have. My faith was pushed and deepened through this time and I could go on and on about how great these guys are. I praise God for what He is doing through Nomads."
"I was experiencing a lot of stress, anxiety, pressure and burdens. After attending a Prayer Meeting, all of it was gone. I still have the love and concern and prayers, but the anxiety is no longer there. I experienced emotional and spiritual healing. Stress is hard on the body, so there was also physical healing. God is good. He still heals the hurting."
"2 years ago, I felt stuck in my relationship with God. What had once felt like an adventure of healing in prayer ministry had grown stagnant and stale. My wife and I visited Colorado Springs to discern if the Lord was leading us to move here. That weekend, we attended IAC. The theme of the day was healing prayer. Members of the congregation spontaneously gathered in circles to lay hands on one another and pray during the service. My jaw dropped. Hope returned to my heart. I felt a strong confirmation to move to Colorado Springs. Since arriving here and joining IAC, my healing adventure has restarted and I finally feel like I belong in church again."
"My first years in college were very hard. Getting to know who God is and who I am more through bible study and companionship has been so healing. Now I’ve found a sense of belonging while studying God’s word with my friends!"
"This was my third year serving as a volunteer adult leader for the Nomads Winter Retreat. While I arrived home from the retreat physically exhausted, my heart was full from spending quality time with our students through games, breakout discussion groups, and meals AND from seeing the Holy Spirit working in and through their lives. Bishop Ken's teaching was meaningful and relevant for both the students and the adults attending. It was especially meaningful to pray over students during a special commissioning service on our final night of the retreat. In the breakout discussion group after the service, it was so special to hear students share what words and truths echoed in their hearts and minds. Students shared openly and vulnerably about how they were both challenged by and moved to respond to Bishop Ken's teaching."
"I don’t think we really understood what it means to experience God more fully within the Body of Christ until we had our miscarriage. There were a lot of emotional highs and lows as we were told we’d be losing the baby, then that the baby is doing fine with a great heartbeat, then that the baby is behind schedule and we’d have to wait and see. Ultimately, we lost the baby — but the way we experienced peace through the prayers of others was such a beautiful picture of community bringing out the reality of God in our midst."
"My husband and I attended the Christmas Eve Kid Pageant along with some of our family. We had told our daughter who has two children (aged five and eleven) about it. She attends a church that doesn’t offer simple Christmas Pageant opportunities, so she was glad to have our five-year-old granddaughter participate. She was very excited; this would be her first play! A few days beforehand, our daughter asked a family of three children she had cared for in foster care if they would like to attend. They were also excited to participate, and everyone felt welcomed and included. When our granddaughter and her friends arrived and saw the costumes the church provided, they all decided to become angels. Looking around I observed that the situation could easily become chaotic, with shades of the movie/novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! However, because of the organized flexibility of IAC's leadership, it all worked out well for everyone. We are grateful for such a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas that was truly so simple, yet so fun and meaningful for all of us – including our guests, who may not always feel included the way they were at IAC. We all heard God’s story that morning in a beautiful way. Thank you to all who provided this wonderful event which will always be a special Christmas memory for all of us."
"On Winter Retreat with the student ministry, we had three days away with our students at a mountain camp. The shared time was rich and full of play. My favorite moments came when we gathered as Life Groups to discuss the teaching, ask one another questions, and explore what the Holy Spirit was doing. On the last night, my group chose to lay down in a circle, our heads together, and they shared stories of the ways the Holy Spirit was working in their lives. The feeling in the room was one of comfort and openness. The Holy Spirit was clearly revealing himself to these upper class high schoolers and they were receiving him. It was an honor to hear them share. I was there to encourage them in their faith, but I was also learning and experiencing the Holy Spirit through them!"
"I got baptized on Jan, 7, 2024 – exactly one year ago at IAC. I was graced by God. He showed me the way and sacrificed his only beloved son for me. I am grateful to come to IAC and know all of you through Jesus. I will never forget the Magi, and how we came from the same land to cherish Jesus our God and our Savior. How joyful is talking about Jesus! Now, I announce that I live in Jesus, through him and with him forever... As I've grown in my faith and moved across the country, I've been inspired to live out my Christianity in practical ways. I've started serving at my local church. I help them to translate and check the meaning of the Gospel in Persian."
"I am here because I am looking for a community where diversity is celebrated in the light of the gospel. I am part of the 'other' and I am often reminded of my 'otherness.' I was so moved by Ken Roberson’s message from Acts 10!"
"When I came to IAC, I was on the verge of leaving the Church for good. As a survivor of childhood abuse that occurred under the Church’s watch, I’ve witnessed its darkest sides. I’ve seen churches abuse, exploit, and destroy. Yet, despite the pain, the very vessel that caused such devastation in my life has continually called me back. Even in the midst of brokenness, something kept me believing in the Church. I’ve come to understand that to truly know God—the head of the church—we must be part of His Body. As physical beings with souls, we need a tangible, communal expression of spiritual connection. No matter how much I’ve wrestled with it, I know that the Church matters. Although my journey has been far from perfect, IAC has provided a safe place to heal, grow, and rediscover the beauty of Christian community. When I think about Creating Space at the Table, I think about those who are where I once was. Colorado Springs is full of the scattered – men and women wounded by the church – who are still longing for worship and community. I believe there are others in need of a space to find hope again. I want to make room for the scattered and the vulnerable. I want IAC to be the Body of Christ—a living reminder that there is always hope."
"I have a story of God's faithfulness to our students and our time at winter retreat. It touches on the impact of what it means to identify with Jesus and not misplace our value and how he loves and cares about us for exactly who we are."
A Kurdish man brought to tears as he receives a Bible in his language. Christian women being welcomed into an embrace by Afghani women. Central Americans and Cubans being warmly welcomed when they hear their own language upon entrance.
These are weekly occurrences I have witnessed at Crossfire Ministries’ food pantry. Many IACers are engaged in this delightful ministry. Thousands are blessed every week, without conditions that might otherwise keep them away. Once a week those in need come and receive food in a grocery store setting where they get to select what food they prefer. This provision means they can spend their resources on other necessities.
The gospel is not foisted upon them. A person offers to pray for any need, but only very carefully and upon the expressed desire of the visitor/client.
People come in and ask, “Is this a church?” I let them know we are all Christians just here to bless them and offer our love. They are often amazed.
Over 200 volunteers serve weekly at Crossfire and IAC is a valued partner. It is a great joy to see the hungry being fed and the needs of many being met; the working poor, unemployed, refugees, and other immigrants. Join the IACers at Crossfire Ministries’ Food Pantry and Thrift Store.
When IAC began a mentoring program through Kid’s Hope at Queen Palmer Elementary School, we were excited about the impact we might have upon the students. Through the Holy Spirit and the consistent presence of the mentors and their prayer partners, the eight students in the mentoring program are benefiting from their relationships with the mentors. There has been another, somewhat surprising result of our involvement at Queen Palmer and the help our efforts have been to the Community Liaison, Anna. Here is her story:
Anna calls herself the “Jill of all Trades”. She comes alongside the principal, the staff, the parents and the students to accomplish those things in a school which do not fall under any job description. When asked if IAC has helped her personally she said, “Oh WOW! Oh WOW! I can’t tell you how much. There is only one of me and your help has been huge. She quickly spoke of the help the Nomads have provided. At the beginning of each school year 5 pairs of socks are given to each of the over 200 students in the school. The socks must be sorted and bagged. She previously took the 1000+ pairs of socks home and sorted them during her off time, often recruiting her family to help. Our Nomads accomplished the task of 5 socks per bag for each student in an evening. The Nomads prepping supplies for art projects and assembling bags of supplies for science teaching have allowed the teachers to expand what they can do for the students. She explained that the Back to School Breakfast and Teacher Appreciation Lunch have been well received by the teachers. The cash gift given to each of the staff at Christmas was especially meaningful. There have been other groups in town who have contributed to help Queen Palmer yet she says now that we have come alongside the school, she no longer has to “pound the pavement” for donations. Anna’s time has been freed up by IAC’s volunteer time. She takes less work home to do in her own free time. More than that, she said that the concern IAC shows for the teachers, our prayers for the school, just our looking out for Queen Palmer is comforting. She views our church as a community that “cares for the families and kids at Queen Palmer as much as the staff there does”. Thanks be to God for His encouragement of this compassionate, hard-working lady through our time and investment in her school, Queen Palmer.
Nadine Klemm is a nurse from our congregation who works at LifeNetwork. She was asked to share a story of an individual who was served by this organization that IAC has come alongside. When asked to share a story from LifeNetwork many things came to mind: women receiving emotional and spiritual healing after having an abortion, men playing catch with a father figure for the first time, women seeing their baby’s heartbeat after struggling with infertility, women getting support as they choose to put their baby up for adoption, a student asking about healthy boundaries in a relationship. All I could think of was how these stories were not a story about LifeNetwork but a story about how God uses Life Network to share the love of Jesus to those in need.
Here is an incredible story about how God allowed LifeNetwork to be part of His story:
At the pregnancy center a young woman came in to get a pregnancy test and better understand her options. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her pregnancy but said her boyfriend wanted her to keep the baby. As expected her pregnancy test was positive. During her appointment an advocate shared the truth about her options: parenting, adoption, and termination. After her appointment she scheduled an ultrasound appointment. She said, “I hope I will feel more excited about the baby after the ultrasound.” When she came in for her ultrasound, I was the nurse who would do her ultrasound. She shared with me how she was still unsure and very nervous. I listened and told her it is okay to be nervous. During the ultrasound it became obvious to me that this mom was not only a mom of one baby but two! Imagine the shock this woman experienced when she heard those words. The patient and boyfriend had many questions. Because of how God orchestrated the timing I was able to answer their questions due to my personal experience of having twins. I looked into the scared women’s eyes and said “It is okay to feel overwhelmed and to not be excited. There are lots of emotions you are feeling. Take each day one at a time.” Many women think they don't deserve to carry their babies if they are not excited or if they don’t have their lives put together. I suggested that she take advantage of the LifeNetwork free appointment called the initial pregnancy care or IPC. This is a great way for women to continue to ask questions and make a decision on their pregnancy while also getting the medical care they will need for their stage of pregnancy. This appointment covers the screenings and lab work that an OB will do in the first trimester. These health screenings are typically recommended every few years for all women. It is often overdue for many women, making it a good use of their time regardless of their decision on their pregnancy. Life Network has a female nurse practitioner which is great for women who are uncomfortable with the exams that are done at these appointments. This twin mom agreed to sign up for the IPC appointment. After her IPC appointment she was still unsure of her decision but said she was leaning towards parenting. The nurse practitioner scheduled her for her follow-up to go over her lab results. At the follow-up, if the patient is interested they typically get another ultrasound. Upon seeing her babies again, the mom decided she wanted to parent and was excited to see the change in her twins after just a couple weeks. The nurse practitioner then offered for the patient to get in touch with the Motherhood program. Since then, this woman has been seeing a mentor mom twice a month to talk about motherhood, pregnancy, and birth. In these appointments spiritual questions are often brought back up and discussed. As part of this program, she will have the opportunity to earn baby gear and clothes. This woman has since gotten married to her boyfriend. Though their hard journey didn’t become easy, Life Network and the many volunteers that walk along women and men are showing God’s love to this couple in a time that many feel alone. God is working through IAC’s investment and Life Network to support so many in our city. This couple is heading down a beautiful journey of parenthood because of the impact God allowed LifeNetwork to have on this couple. Thank you IAC for supporting LifeNetwork. There are so many God stories in which LifeNetwork gets to play a role. Thanks be to Him!
"On December 23, we received a packet of thank you cards from the staff at Queen Palmer Elementary School. IAC has been involved with them for more than two years now. We started by serving on CityServe/Umuganda Day there in simple yard clean-up as they requested.
When we asked the principal for what would be most impactful for them, they indicated that mentoring students would be the most beneficial – so we started a mentoring program through Kids Hope last year. We had seven students last year and thought we were off to a good start. This year, however, there were only four for the fall semester, and that was a bit discouraging, particularly for the new mentors who had committed to all the training and so forth. Happily, we will be back up to seven in January and continue to pray for a few more.
We have done several other things. Nomads have done several clean up, painting, and organizational projects for the Community Liaison. We have continued our CityServe Days. The organization Kids on Bikes has worked with Queen Palmer’s PE teacher on helping kids learn to ride again this year. We have provided a breakfast on the opening day of teacher work and have provided lunch during teacher appreciation week. We have helped staff vision screening day and Science Night. Etc.
The past two Christmases we have given a small cash gift to each staff member. It seems like such a small gesture, but the teachers have appreciated it very much.
Here are some of the heartfelt comments from the thank you cards:
• I cannot even begin to convey the level of my appreciation. In today’s world, your gift speaks volumes.
• What you have done is so thoughtful and greatly appreciated. Thank you!
• Thank you so much for such a kind blessing! Your generosity during the Christmas season helps so much.
• We work so hard and I’m glad to be seen!
• It means so much to feel appreciated for our work at Queen Palmer.
• Your church is truly the salt and light that is needed in our world!
• Thank you for blessing us with such an unexpected and thoughtful gift.
• Thank you for being the hands and feet and I hope you continue to find tangible ways to offer community care!
• Your kindness is overwhelming joy!
• Seriously, thank you for the kind words, it meant a lot.
• Your unwavering support has made a meaningful difference in our lives and has strengthened the bonds of our shared mission. Your contributions, whether through time, resources, or heartfelt encouragement, have not only uplifted those you’ve touched directly but have also inspired us to embody the same spirit of giving and compassion.
A couple comments imply that there are some believers in the room. Let’s continue to pray for this school and their impact on children and families. Praise be to God!"