A Year of Becoming Ready | Andrew & Hailey Rocha

01 / The Invitation

June to July 2025

A shared opportunity to serve where people live.

After learning about Apartment Life, we applied together and completed a joint Spark Hire interview for an onsite role. We were drawn to the simple purpose of helping neighbors feel known, welcomed, and connected.

Two paths joining at the doorway of an apartment home — Two paths, one doorway, and a shared direction.

02 / The Wise Pause

July to August 2025

The answer was not no. It was time to grow.

We were encouraged to settle into Fort Worth, strengthen our routines, and continue growing in our faith before returning to the application. We completed Apartment Life's Missional Living curriculum in August and carried its emphasis on intentional neighboring into the year ahead.

A winding path pausing at a bench before continuing into morning light — A pause became part of the path, not the end of it.

03 / We Kept Going

August 2025 to May 2026

Year 1 at Lifestyle Christianity University.

We enrolled in late August 2025 and completed our first year in May 2026. Our faith, leadership, and life were stretched in ways we did not expect. We did not give up, and we remain committed to continuing our Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies.

LCU gave us opportunities to learn alongside others, serve, create, and keep showing up through a demanding season.

Andrew and Hailey standing with two members of their LCU community — Learning and growing in community at LCU.

Andrew performing with a handpan during an LCU talent show — Andrew participating in the LCU talent show.

A step of faith

End of August 2025

We were both baptized.

The same week our first year at LCU began, we each took a personal step of faith. At the end of August 2025, Andrew and Hailey were both baptized — one shared decision to keep following Jesus, together.

Andrew in a baptism pool while three men pray with him — Andrew's baptism, end of August 2025.

Hailey in a baptism pool holding Andrew's hand — Hailey's baptism, end of August 2025.

Jesus, through it all

Through every season, He was the constant.

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.Psalm 73:25–26 · NLT

Illustrated artwork of the cross — The cross — artwork

Illustrated artwork of walking with Jesus — Walking with Him — artwork

Illustrated artwork of the journey of faith — The journey of faith — artwork

Jesus taught me to believe that I am a son of God, and to put my focus on loving the people around me.
Andrew

Jesus has transformed my mind, my heart, and my capacity to love others far beyond my own.
Hailey

The faith images above are original, AI-assisted artwork shared as a symbol of belief — not photographs of real events.

04 / Serving Locally

Year 1

Showing up at Essential Church.

For several months, we volunteered at Essential Church. Service placed us around people with different stories and needs, and it strengthened our desire to be dependable wherever we are planted.

Andrew sitting with two other volunteers inside Essential Church — Andrew with fellow volunteers at Essential Church.

Hailey singing onstage with another vocalist at Essential Church — Hailey serving through music at Essential Church.

05 / A Home That Gathered People

Year 1

Hospitality became a weekly practice.

We help host a weekly House Church in our home. We have also hosted or helped organize a baby shower and birthday gatherings, including invitations, food, setup, and making room for people to feel welcomed.

These were not programs or performances. They were repeated chances to prepare, invite, listen, clean up, follow through, and care for the people in front of us.

A group standing together in prayer inside a decorated home — Gathering and prayer in our home.

Hailey smiling with friends around a table with flowers and food — Food, preparation, and room around the table.

Adults and children talking around an outdoor food table — Making space for different ages and stories.

06 / Friendship In Practice

Throughout the year

We also learned by being part of what others hosted.

Friendship was not limited to events in our home. We participated in gatherings planned by friends, shared meals, spent time outdoors, and learned the value of arriving ready to contribute rather than needing to lead every room.

A large group of friends seated around a backyard fire

Friends talking together around a park picnic table

Andrew and Hailey standing with three friends after a shared outing

08 / Practical Stability

November 2025 to June 2026

Growth also looked like routines, work, and follow-through.

The year was not only about visible moments. It included building the practical consistency needed to serve a residential community well.

November 2025Hailey began steady work at HG SPLY.
February 2026We established housing in Fort Worth.
May 2026We completed LCU Year 1 and committed to continue.
September 1, 2026Ready to relocate within the Fort Worth area.

09 / Ready to Reconnect

June 2026

The year did not make us finished. It made us ready to ask again.

We are prepared to relocate by September 1, 2026 and make the two-year commitment required of an onsite team. We would value the opportunity to reconnect and learn whether we should reactivate our previous applications or begin again.

Andrew and Hailey sitting together beneath an illuminated LOVE sign — Still learning. Still together. Ready to serve.

Andrew & Hailey Rocha

We would value the opportunity to reconnect.

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From a pause to ready.