Almost two years ago, Sara and Tom Bayliss’ friends invited them to start attending their discipleship group. Their group has given them the opportunity to create new friendships. Sara said, “being able to open up to people who will always be there to pray for you, laugh and cry with you, and encourage you,” is what she likes best about attending a discipleship group.
However, Sara and Tom’s discipleship group has supported them with more than just encouragement. The couple were married in 2014 and had been trying to save up money for the expensive U.S. permanent residency application for Tom, who was still an English citizen. They just couldn’t get ahead. One night, they opened up to their group about their situation and asked for everyone’s prayers through their difficult and uncertain time. Their discipleship group prayed for them, of course, but they also acted. The group pooled together their resources and surprised Sara and Tom with the money they needed for the application.
Since then, the group has supported Sara and Tom through the long and time-consuming process. Tom finally received his residency papers, and the group threw him a surprise “Welcome to America!” party to celebrate. “We are very thankful for each and every one of them and the bond that we’ve created,” Sara said. “We could never repay them for all that they have done for us. They have become family to us.”
