January 2026

FRUITS OF FAITHFULNESS

Kay Hulst can see the spiritual imprint of God’s faithfulness all over her life. One of her favorite verses includes Isaiah 41:10 which states, “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  In a fun-loving tone she remarks, “If I were to ever get a tattoo, it would be a small cross on my right wrist, to remind me that God is always upholding me.” 

Many who know Kay know the joy of the Lord that radiates through her. She would say that joy is something that she continually pursues in life, in her own heart and in others. “I have seen joy revealed in my family,” shares Kay.  “I see it in my grandkids and my children.  It has been decades since I have been pursuing joy in the Lord.”  She recalls that her pursuit of joy started when she became a believer.  A fruit of God’s faithfulness in her life. 

“Though I grew up in a Christian home,” shares Kay, “I did not receive Christ as my Savior until the age of 30.”  Kay notes that although she knew a lot about the Bible, she did not fully know Jesus.  She continues, “Through my answered prayers as an unbeliever for God to reveal Himself to me, God orchestrated circumstances in my life that led me to Him, as a broken sinner, pleading for forgiveness.  I realized that our Lord’s perfect sinless sacrifice on the cross with His resurrection was my only hope.”  Kay sees this as God’s faithfulness and notes that she has seen this play out generationally in her adult children and in her granddaughter Kenzie, who have gotten baptized. Fruit of God’s faithfulness.

Kay grew up in Rock Valley, met her husband Mark in 1973, and they married in 1975.  They moved to Orange City in 1979, where Mark worked as a physical therapist and they raised their family.  They experienced the normal ebb and flow of blessings and trials in life.  The Lord carried them through challenges that included a near loss of one of their sons to febrile seizures, a cancer diagnosis for Mark in his 40’s, the challenge of two children traveling the world with YWAM, and a severe car accident that resulted in a head and neck injury for Kay.  Fruit of God’s faithfulness.

Mark and Kay started attending New Hope in 2000.  Kay shares that the friendships that they have developed through New Hope are dear.  They have appreciated the deep prayer time, community, and care they have received over the years.

The Lord’s faithfulness was especially evident to Kay ten years ago when she had breast cancer at the age of 60.  Kay shares that New Hope stood by them spiritually, emotionally, and physically in this time.  She recalls how the pastors, elders, deaconesses, their life group, friends, and family supported them through prayer, meals, and visits.  Kay notes, “It was a journey through the desert, but it was also the best thing for my soul.  I took time with the Lord and got closer to Him than I ever had been. I read lots of Scripture, especially Psalms.  When I read the Psalms, I felt like I was placed at a refreshing oasis. My other verses during that time included Psalm 91:4, 1 Tim. 4:17, Josh. 1:9, and Heb. 12:2.  I had a real peace.”  Fruit of God’s faithfulness.

Kay shares, “because of how God had shown me his faithfulness in my breast cancer journey and other trials, I knew we could rest in His faithfulness when Mark had heart surgery 2024 and that God would show His love and faithfulness again in future blessings and trials.” 

May we each believe and pray these verses from the Psalms:

“I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.  For great is your love, reaching to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.  Let your glory be over all the earth.”  Psalm 57:9-10