Mary Beth Stinehelfer

If you have stopped in at the station through the years, we may have already met. I am Mary Beth Stinehelfer and I have been a volunteer for many of the years that New Vision has existed. In the spring of 1993, along with my best friend Janis, I got a call to help with mailing and some paperwork. Both of us, having a day off from our nursing careers, said YES. That started almost 36 years of involvement with this ministry. It’s that easy to let the Lord lead you. Just say YES!!

That has been a pattern in my life. As the oldest of 8, raised in a Catholic home, I was used to “helping”.  I had the privilege and blessing to be influenced by giving parents and truly Godly grandparents. Their examples of giving time, energy and volunteerism despite hardships, family health issues and age were outstanding and greatly influenced my life.

The gift of having a handicapped brother led my family to a unique experience. My brother, Daniel, needed physical therapy four times a day, along with special exercises to develop the unused cells in the brain. The PT involved 5 people at a time to perform and obviously my parents could not do it themselves. Home therapies and out-patient services were not available in those days. Our Catholic newspaper wrote an article on a new life-changing therapy. From that article, we got more than 400 volunteers and college students who rotated through our house each month to assist in his recovery from meningitis brain injury. Their stories and efforts made an impact on all of us. As a result, my walk with the Lord, along with my complete and unshakeable belief in Jesus Christ was deepened.

I knew in my heart that God had a reason for our family trauma. All six of my siblings and I have been involved in the medical fields at some time. Part of God’s plan, I believe. Following His plans can be life altering. I am a city girl and I came here in 1989. That is a whole other story and testimony in how I came to live here. I have never regretted the choice I made to move, as my life was enhanced greatly- despite moving away from my family.

Here is where I met my husband of 24 years, Michael. Our union came with his daughter Kayla and her family, which has blessed my life. She and her three children have brought joy to both of us.

For me, doing anything for the Lord brings satisfaction and joy. I have found that He provides the opportunity and I simply have to follow. This has led me to be involved with the Wyandot County Board of Health, Wyandot County American Cancer Society, the Red Cross and many years of VBS and Sunday school classes.

Serving God’s people is never without challenge and always brings the knowledge and hope that we can make a difference in someone’s life for Christ. I have been honored to be asked to serve this ministry. I look forward to further sharing Christ and spreading His word as a board member at New Vision FM.