Faith isn’t something we only talk about on Sundays. For many believers, it becomes the steady foundation for how they serve, lead, encourage, and walk through everyday life. On Living My Faith with Chuck Coker, Mary Anne Jacobs shares a thoughtful glimpse into what it means to fully surrender to Christ and live with purpose in each season.
Mary Anne’s story centers on a simple yet powerful truth: spiritual growth is strengthened through surrender, Scripture, service, and community. Her perspective offers practical encouragement for anyone who wants to grow deeper in faith and live it out more intentionally.
A Faith Journey Rooted in Surrender
When asked about a moment that significantly shaped her faith journey, Mary Anne points to accepting Christ as her Savior and fully surrendering to Him. That kind of surrender is more than a one-time decision. It becomes a daily posture of trust, obedience, and dependence on God.
For those seeking to understand what living faith looks like in real life, surrender is often the starting point. It invites believers to release the need to control every outcome and instead trust God’s direction, timing, and purpose.
The Scripture That Continues to Encourage Her
Mary Anne shares that Romans 8:28 has always been her go-to Scripture. This verse has encouraged countless believers because it points to God’s faithfulness and His ability to work through every circumstance.
In seasons of uncertainty, Romans 8:28 reminds believers that God is present, purposeful, and trustworthy. For Mary Anne, this passage remains a meaningful anchor, offering confidence that faith is not dependent on perfect circumstances but on a faithful God.
Living Out Faith Through Service
Mary Anne actively lives out her faith in retirement through several meaningful areas of service. She serves as a deacon, participates in first responder ministry, leads a disciple group, and teaches K-5 graders during service.
Each role reflects a practical expression of faith. Serving others does not always require a platform or a title. It often begins with a willingness to show up, encourage, teach, listen, and support the people God places in front of us.
Faith at Work, Home, and in the Community
Living faithfully can take many forms. For some, it means leading with integrity at work. For others, it means creating a home marked by patience and grace. In the community, it may look like volunteering, mentoring, praying with others, or offering practical support during difficult moments.
Mary Anne’s example reminds us that faith becomes visible through action. Whether serving children, supporting first responders, or helping others grow spiritually, daily obedience can make a meaningful impact.
The Importance of Christian Community
For anyone struggling to live out their faith or wanting to grow spiritually, Mary Anne offers clear and practical advice: surround yourself with other believers.
She emphasizes the value of finding a small group of individuals who can support you in your struggle with biblical knowledge and similar experiences. Spiritual growth was never meant to happen in isolation. Community provides encouragement, accountability, prayer, wisdom, and a place to be honest about the challenges of faith.
Choose the Voices That Shape Your Focus
Mary Anne also shares advice from one of her favorite pastors: if you spend time with people who focus on politics, that may become your focus. If you spend time with people who focus on sports, that may become your focus. But if you spend time with people whose focus is knowing God, that will become your focus too.
This is a practical reminder for anyone seeking spiritual growth. The people we spend time with can shape our priorities, conversations, habits, and desires. Choosing faith-filled relationships can help keep our hearts centered on God.
Practical Ways to Grow in Faith
Mary Anne’s story offers several helpful takeaways for anyone who wants to strengthen their walk with God:
1. Begin with surrender
Faith deepens when we trust Christ not only as Savior, but also as Lord over our decisions, relationships, service, and future.
2. Hold tightly to Scripture
Choosing a meaningful passage, such as Romans 8:28, can provide steady encouragement when life feels uncertain or difficult.
3. Serve where you are
Opportunities to serve may be closer than you think. Children’s ministry, small groups, community outreach, and caring for first responders are all meaningful ways to live out your faith.
4. Find a supportive faith community
A small group or trusted circle of believers can help you stay encouraged, grounded, and focused on growing spiritually.
5. Be intentional about your influences
The conversations and communities we choose can shape what we value. Surrounding yourself with people who seek God can help strengthen your own desire to know Him more.
Why This Conversation Matters
Living My Faith with Chuck Coker highlights stories that encourage believers to connect faith with everyday life. Mary Anne Jacobs’ perspective reminds us that faith is both deeply personal and lived out through service, Scripture, and community.
Her story encourages listeners to consider an important question: What would it look like to fully surrender to Christ and live each day with a faith that serves others?
Conclusion
Mary Anne Jacobs’ faith journey points to the power of surrender, the comfort of Scripture, and the importance of surrounding ourselves with believers who help us grow. Her commitment to serving as a retiree through ministry and discipleship shows that living out faith is not limited to one stage of life. It is a daily invitation to follow Christ with purpose.
If you are looking for encouragement to deepen your walk with God, strengthen your spiritual community, and live your faith more intentionally, this conversation offers a helpful place to start.
Visit Living My Faith to learn more and hear more conversations that encourage everyday faith.
