Stonehill Seventh-day Adventist Church Celebrates God’s Faithfulness
PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — On Sabbath, July 25, 2026, the Stonehill Seventh-day Adventist Church family celebrated God’s faithfulness with the retirement of the mortgage on the church and its 20-acre campus, which includes Stonehill Christian Academy. Throughout the worship service, these words from Psalm 126:3 NKJV echoed: “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.”
What began as a God-given vision when Stonehill opened on August 6, 2011, has become a testimony of God’s provision. Members, founding families, former pastors, conference leaders, and guests gathered to praise God for 15 years of His faithfulness and to celebrate a milestone made possible through prayer, sacrificial generosity, and God’s abundant blessings.
The Sabbath-morning service featured a colorful Parade of Nations representing more than 50 countries, inspiring music, heartfelt testimonies, and a Christ-centered message by Texas Conference President Ismael A. Castillo. The presence of Texas Conference Vice President for Ministerial Development Tom Grove, Texas Conference Vice President for Education Robyn-Anna Grimsley, and Texas Conference Treasurer Randall B. Terry reflected the conference’s support and partnership in Stonehill’s ministry.
Following the worship service, church leaders gathered outdoors to place the mortgage documents into the flames amid songs of praise, applause, and prayers of thanksgiving. The celebration pointed to something even greater than financial freedom. As the mortgage papers disappeared into the flames, Pastors John Mutchler and Dipo Dada reminded the congregation that while Stonehill’s financial debt had been paid in full, Jesus Christ paid humanity’s greatest debt at Calvary. The theme of the day, “Jesus Paid in FULL,” came alive through Colossians 2:14 (NLT): “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” Just as the church’s mortgage has been paid in full, Christ has canceled the debt of sin for everyone who places their faith in Him.
The day marked not only an ending, but also the beginning of a new chapter of ministry for Stonehill. As Fawn Escalante, the head elder who organized the celebration, shared, “This only means we are free to do even more for His kingdom.”
Free from mortgage debt, Stonehill is moving forward with its vision of developing Stonehill Christian Academy into a complete preschool-through-high school, preparing young people for lives of academic excellence, Christlike service, and a lifelong relationship with Jesus. By God’s grace, the church family has grown to more than 500 active members, while Stonehill Christian Academy has expanded from 17 students three years ago to more than 81 students registered for the upcoming fall semester.
Every worship service, every classroom, every Bible study, every outreach event, and every life touched on this campus will continue to proclaim one unchanging message: Jesus Paid in FULL.
To God alone be the glory!
By John Mutchler and Dipo Dada, pastors of the Stonehill Seventh-day Adventist Church
Pictures by Mike Escalante
