Emily

If you’ve ever spent more than two minutes with Emily Merrill, you know exactly the type of person she is. She is unapologetically authentic, and can’t help but be a radiating source of joy, warmth, kindness, and light to all around her and anyone she comes into contact with. She’s the kind of person that makes you feel instantly seen, valued, and uplifted just by being in her presence.

Not to mention her exemplary faith. Emily’s love, passion, and desire for Christ is an inspiration to our entire community. Countless people have been blessed and encouraged by her selflessness, kindness, and unwavering trust and obedience in the Lord, even in seasons when life has been far from easy.

A Difficult Season

Without going into too much personal detail; Emily has been navigating health challenges for some time that requires continuous management and takes a toll, making activity challenging at times. Many of us who see her each week would likely never know the burden she carries, because she continues to show up with a grace, joy, and faith that most of us would struggle to find even on our best days.

Her Dream

One of Emily’s biggest dreams for years has been to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. She would love nothing more than to walk the same paths that Jesus walked as well as be baptized in the Jordan River.

Her Act of Faith

This year, she took a step of faith toward that dream. Just as the woman in the crowd reached out towards Jesus, meaning only to touch the fringe of his garment, believing that He would meet her in her need; Emily acted in faith and used the very last of her savings to pay for the downpayment to secure her spot for Radiant Church’s Israel Trip 2026; not knowing how she would come up with the rest of the money, but having enough faith and trusting that God would provide and make a way.

Note she is actively working and finding ways to raise money and make this trip happen herself. She is endeavoring to sell pieces of her curated wardrobe as well as taking on painting commissions to be able to pay her own way.

How Can We Respond?

Now we have the privilege of being able to respond to her act of faith. We have the opportunity to be a real life part of her miracle; to be Jesus’s response “take heart daughter...” your faith has made it so that you can go and live your dream. Many hands make light work and our hope is that with a contribution from each of you in our great community or anyone that Emily has blessed or affected in some way, we can cover her expense for her entire pilgrimage (and ideally more as there is no shortage of need here).

Not to mention, what better Christmas gift would there be for our friend? As well as birthday gift since the trip next year occurs during her birth month!

The Details

The total cost for Emily’s Trip is $6,695 and must be paid in full by December 17th, 2025.

* $400 Non-Refundable deposit (paid in faith by Emily)

* $5,195 Cost with Airfare

* $1,100 Single Room Accommodation