Northview Stories

By Angela Borden

Do you ever wonder if God has a specific calling for your life – a grand scheme for your passions with stats to prove you made a big difference in the world? It’s no surprise, because the world constantly tells us to go big or don’t go. Sometimes it’s tough to remember God’s way only requires we lovingly act as his hands and feet each day.

Thankfully, that’s exactly what people at Northview did for Alisha Bernhardt when she found herself in one of the toughest times of her life. On a Sunday in early April of 2018, she discovered she was pregnant by her abusive former fiancé. How could she possibly raise a child? She’d be a single mom with a demanding job – she is a veteran police officer and child abuse detective for the city of Indianapolis. On top of that, she had little family nearby who were able to help her, and she was fearful of her baby’s father.

Numb and confused, Alisha somehow found her way to Northview Church’s Carmel Campus that day, despite not having attended there regularly for a while. With no recollection of driving to church, she was jarred awake when the worship team sang “Reckless Love.” The words pierced her heart, and she began to sob as she listened to the lyrics describe God’s love for her and her baby:

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so so kind to me

Then and there, Alisha found the strength and reassurance from God that He had His arms wrapped around her and her baby as she took on the journey of pregnancy alone. After the service, she went to the chapel for communion and prayer. While there, she began crying, feeling alone. That’s when a Northview volunteer sat with her, prayed with her, and became a steadfast friend, even throwing a baby shower for her months later.

Later, Alisha joined a Northview Life Group and began attending MOPS at Northview as well, both of which supported her throughout her pregnancy and delivery. MOPS gave her so many diapers and baby wipes, she’s never had to buy wipes!

Today, Alisha’s son, Avery, is a healthy and happy two-year-old, and the two of them attend church at Northview’s Carmel Campus every weekend. Alisha is thankful for her renewed relationship with God, having had a strong faith throughout most of her life. She shares her amazement at everything God has done for her. “Even though I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, God still wrapped his arms around me and gave me a village to help me make a great life for my son,” she said.
Life is not without challenges. Alisha’s job as a child abuse detective is taxing. She is often required to work long hours. On top of that, she must manage the stress of investigating horrific conditions that affect innocent children and set that aside when she comes home each day. But now, she has an ongoing personal relationship with God to help her.

If you’re looking to be part of God’s plan to help others, it can be as easy as making yourself available so God can use you wherever you are. You don’t have to develop a grand plan, just be open to the needs of others. If you see someone sitting alone in church, stop and say hello. You never know what life has thrown at them that day.