Episode 73: Real life community with Erica Wiggenhorn

The summer is slowly starting to wind down and we could not think of a better person to talk with us at this time than Erica Wiggenhorn! Erica is an award-winning author and is the founder of Every Life Ministries. We're so thankful to have her as a part of our church family! If you are a woman who attends Bible Study at Desert Springs, you have probably been a part of one of the studies Erica has written. In this interview we had the opportunity to speak with Erica on a personal level. We really appreciate Erica's realness; you're going to feel like you're catching up with a friend you've had forever over coffee. Erica's story starts in her time at Azusa Pacific University where she met her husband Jonathan (that's a funny story that you'll have to listen to hear). They married shortly after graduating college and later moved to Michigan for Jonathan's schooling. Moving to Michigan was a big step as Erica had never left California. This move is where she learned to seek out and cultivate real community. Life was bringing Erica a lot as she was trying to balance her husband's demanding schedule with her own career all while struggling with infertility. Having Christian community became vital while navigating all of these things. They ended up moving to North Carolina and then eventually Arizona to care for Erica's ailing father. We're thankful the Wiggenhorn family was able to become a part of Desert Springs after moving to Arizona. Multiple moves, being a new mom, the death of her father and the stresses of work were leaving Erica feeling exhausted and on the verge of burnout. She prayed in desperation to know God in a real way - and God’s answer to Erica was to begin studying Ezekiel. This began the road to becoming the author so many of us know now. You’re going to want to take notes as SO much wisdom is scattered throughout this real and candid conversation about what it takes to develop real and lasting community. God can really move when we being to take those initial steps. You'll hear so much about the groundwork that was laid simply by Erica taking the steps that were in front of her. God is always leading us into community with Him and others; we just have to follow. These show notes can hardly sum up this conversation, you've got to listen!

Learn more about Erica and her ministry: https://ericawiggenhorn.com

Erica's books and Bible studies: https://ericawiggenhorn.com/books/

Connect with Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericawiggenhorn/?hl=en

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Wednesday to hear another story of God’s faithfulness!