"Stillwater was never a part of the plan. I ached for this place, for you people, really, but Scott and I were set on getting overseas to share the love of Christ with those who don’t have access and were on a path to living in the Middle East within the year. There are years of focus, education, and equipping…and a lot of joy in the surrender that led us there. We felt confident that was where the Lord was leading us, so all that we did was to that end.

"We had the right direction, but the pace we had decided on was fast, furious, and fiercely obedient – not bad, but very much all our own. In our minds, speed kept us from “settling” into the typical American life, riddled with distractions and pulling us away from the call that we had.

We never stopped to consider, what if God asks for faithfulness in a slower and seemingly more modest way on our way to getting overseas? What if our pace is not His, even if it isn't toward the wrong end? We didn’t ask those questions, until Stillwater.

"When the potential came to return to Stillwater, my heart couldn’t help but leap. I’ve been to many places, but there is nowhere on the planet that we have more love for than this sweet small town in the middle of Oklahoma. My eyes fill with tears when I think of all we’ve experienced the Lord do here - the hearts He has drawn to Himself, the nations that now have a few believers, and the community He built up for His glory and our deep refinement and joy.

"It was such a long season of wrestling and praying over the decision to come back - mainly because it threw a loop in our pace, so it was hard to make sense of at first. But above all else, we are committed to obedience to the Lord, and it was in His deepest kindness that He asked us to come back here for this exact season.

"It has been our joy to give Him our yes, and it has been such a reflection of His character that in that reordering of our lives, He has allowed us to come back to you.

"This season has carried a fair share of hardship and, truthfully, the most profound grief we’ve ever known – living out of boxes for months while we searched for a home, the loss of our sweet second baby in a miscarriage, cars that have broken down, and additional loads of messiness. But, we have been so held – and that is God, through you guys. You have cared for, loved, and lifted our family.

"We are so very glad to walk in obedience and so profoundly grateful to do so alongside you all. As much as it was never a part of our plan to come back, it is one of the deepest joys of my life to live here in Stillwater, doing the faithful work of ministry alongside my husband, son, and this beautiful body of Christ that we have at Countryside."

After two years of planning and preparation away from Stillwater, Scott Manning joined the team as College Pastor in Fall 2022.  

As we search for the person God has to fill the role of Kids Director, Paige is serving our kids and families as the interim director.