Outpost Stories
Addison and Bailey Herritage: Faith-Filled Calling
Though both Addison and Bailey were raised in faith-filled homes they each struggled with their faith as they grew older. Battling worldly dependence on finances and struggles with depression and anxiety, both Addison and Bailey came into their marriage with plenty of expectations. Through strong church community and prayers they both deepened their relationship with God and each other. In their spiritual growth they found peace and the reassurance they needed to follow where God led them even if that was a small town in Wyoming. Read their story to see how the Herritages followed God’s calling for their lives despite the beckoning of brokenness and sin.
Read the full story
Bailey: I grew up in Dallas and was raised to love the Lord and deeply value church and fellowship. Following Jesus for a long time felt like something I was good at-or at least should be good at. I was heavily involved in church and ministries at school and I was praised for my wisdom and maturity. I misplaced my identity in my performance and appearance as a good and kind Christian girl. Approval and admiration from other fed my pride and I began to put my worth in that. In idolizing my image and my performance I failed to enjoy God’s grace. Instead of focusing on the gospel I fed my pride and my shame when I fell short of the person I thought I should be. I clung to Romans 8:1, which says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Addison: I also grew up in Dallas. I went to church pretty much each Sunday. It was kind of like a rule. I went to private school so I was surrounded by Christians. I was in a bubble and this was all I knew. Despite that I never took any of it that seriously. I lived my life how I wanted to live it and just went through the motions. In middle school I became susceptible to caring what others thought, and started hiding a lustful addiction. I wanted friends, I wanted to be popular and I wanted to fit in. I began to mold whoever I was into whoever would make me the most popular. In eighth grade I wanted to be friends with the others in church so I went through the motions of acting like a Christian without really knowing Jesus or following Him.
As they were growing up in the same city Addison and Bailey found themselves struggling with their faith in different but related ways.
B: In high school and college I felt my heart pulled in different directions and welcomed distractions. I was focused on myself, my relationships and having fun and wrestling with on and off bouts of anxiety and depression. In college God helped me to be refined through His word, deeper accountability and a challenging mentor as I became more aware of my sin and could see the depth of my selfishness. Specifically studying James and being surrounded by a group of people who pushed me and challenged me for the first time. I was humbled and my heart was refreshed for the gospel.
A: In high school my façade of Christianity faded because I lost interest in those people. I began to fall prey to peer pressure, and was hiding a lustful addiction. My friends began to party and indulge in behaviors I knew growing up were bad and it put this decision in front of me: What was I going to do? In the middle of that, through my school, I was able to sign up for a mission trip. For the first time I heard my friend’s dad teaching the gospel to this group of kids in the village. God opened my eyes and I truly saw what the gospel was. I started in that moment following Jesus fully.
When I got back I prayed for a blank slate and decided that I was going to follow Jesus despite who my friends were. I asked God to help me do that. Right after I finished praying a friend texted me and said he was praying for me and was there if I needed to talk. God surrounded me with Christian friends and through them I was invited to a small group at Watermark student ministry where they were following God with each other in community, sharing their struggles and praying together. It was so foreign to me. I got plugged in and was able to experience for the first time what authentic Biblical community was. In college I kept following God but finding community was hard because so many people didn’t really know what that looked like. Eventually I was able to find a church and a community.
"When we got married I learned even more about the depth of my brokenness and sin because of the direct impact it had on my husband. It was like a mirror to show me where I really was-desperate for Jesus and battling pride and a desire for control." - Bailey Herritage
During their freshman year of college Addison and Bailey met and began dating. Their junior year they married and began looking for a church community.
A: In 2019 we got married and went through pre-marital counseling. It was a big adjustment for us because of our different upbringings. I had a lot of anxiety and stress about finances and what that was going to look like. Bailey interjects-I was very irresponsible with my finances…Yeah I think we were just bad at conflict. The first three months were hard because all our sins were thrown in together. We eventually started to figure it out. We started to use Biblical principles about how to have conflict.
B: When we got married I learned even more about the depth of my brokenness and sin because of the direct impact it had on my husband. It was like a mirror to show me where I really was-desperate for Jesus and battling pride and a desire for control. I was very defensive and entitled with my expectations for what marriage would be. God was kind to give me Addison in that way. It was really hard but also really helpful.
Nearing the end of college and their first year of marriage, the Herritage’s were finding that they craved a close-knit church community after their church dissolved and they were dealing with the aftermath of Covid-19-a world shut down and lacking connection.
A: I knew in college I wanted to set up environments like the one that helped me so much when I was in high school (small group student ministry) and that I was going to dedicate my life to that. I was accepted to Watermark institute and after a miscarriage that summer we were craving community which we got at Watermark. It was a very healing year for us. That fall we had another miscarriage but being surrounded by a selfless community, it was a whole different experience.
B: Being rooted in a community that was all in and loved us was very healing. It was the first time I had seen what community could really be. I found healing from anxiety and depression and was able to see God at work there. I was able to honestly ask God why he allowed all of this which led to a deeper relationship with Him. I used my experience to help others and eventually lead a student group through Re: Gen in Dallas.
Addison was still struggling with his dependence and anxiety about finances when his year at Watermark was winding up and he wasn’t sure what came next.
A: I definitely idolized working at Watermark. While I was looking into jobs there I heard for the first time about Cody Wyoming and a guy named Greg who had also graduated from Watermark and had just planted a church there. It kept popping up that whole year. We decided to seriously pray about it but I was still set on Watermark though Greg and I were also discussing jobs and roles. Later that year after we began to feel more surrendered to the idea that we’d go wherever God wanted us to go, I was offered an opportunity at Watermark but also had an opportunity in Wyoming. Despite our families, friends, comfort, and strong community we had in Dallas, we both felt God leading and calling us to Wyoming. We came to the conclusion that it felt like disobedience if we stayed in Dallas. Trusting God with this move and our finances was hard.
B: It turned out Greg was looking for somebody with Addison’s skill set. We sat down with our community group and prayed over both these opportunities. We both had jobs in Dallas and all our friends and family were here. But staying in Dallas would have been for selfish, comfortable reasons when God was calling us to Wyoming. For me there were several weeks of just crying. I was really desiring for it to not be God’s will but being ready because I knew it was and just mourning what could be and our community and all the people we were leaving behind. Fearing being lonely and cold and feeling so far away.
God kept affirming this was where we needed to be through the ways that He kept providing for us and showing up for us. He helped us financially and found us a community. A week after we decided to move to Wyoming we found out we were having Carter who we named after Carter Mountain and Stone after stones of remembrance. God gave us so much affirmation that kept self-pity and fear at bay. I barely felt homesick that first year and I truly only felt grateful and confident in our decision.
A: Looking back, it's a story of how God is always with you no matter what is going on. You can trust him even in what seems like uncertainty.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
Outpost Stories
Addison and Bailey Herritage: Faith-Filled Calling
Though both Addison and Bailey were raised in faith-filled homes they each struggled with their faith as they grew older. Battling worldly dependence on finances and struggles with depression and anxiety, both Addison and Bailey came into their marriage with plenty of expectations. Through strong church community and prayers they both deepened their relationship with God and each other. In their spiritual growth they found peace and the reassurance they needed to follow where God led them even if that was a small town in Wyoming. Read their story to see how the Herritages followed God’s calling for their lives despite the beckoning of brokenness and sin.
Read the full story
Bailey: I grew up in Dallas and was raised to love the Lord and deeply value church and fellowship. Following Jesus for a long time felt like something I was good at-or at least should be good at. I was heavily involved in church and ministries at school and I was praised for my wisdom and maturity. I misplaced my identity in my performance and appearance as a good and kind Christian girl. Approval and admiration from other fed my pride and I began to put my worth in that. In idolizing my image and my performance I failed to enjoy God’s grace. Instead of focusing on the gospel I fed my pride and my shame when I fell short of the person I thought I should be. I clung to Romans 8:1, which says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Addison: I also grew up in Dallas. I went to church pretty much each Sunday. It was kind of like a rule. I went to private school so I was surrounded by Christians. I was in a bubble and this was all I knew. Despite that I never took any of it that seriously. I lived my life how I wanted to live it and just went through the motions. In middle school I became susceptible to caring what others thought, and started hiding a lustful addiction. I wanted friends, I wanted to be popular and I wanted to fit in. I began to mold whoever I was into whoever would make me the most popular. In eighth grade I wanted to be friends with the others in church so I went through the motions of acting like a Christian without really knowing Jesus or following Him.
As they were growing up in the same city Addison and Bailey found themselves struggling with their faith in different but related ways.
B: In high school and college I felt my heart pulled in different directions and welcomed distractions. I was focused on myself, my relationships and having fun and wrestling with on and off bouts of anxiety and depression. In college God helped me to be refined through His word, deeper accountability and a challenging mentor as I became more aware of my sin and could see the depth of my selfishness. Specifically studying James and being surrounded by a group of people who pushed me and challenged me for the first time. I was humbled and my heart was refreshed for the gospel.
A: In high school my façade of Christianity faded because I lost interest in those people. I began to fall prey to peer pressure, and was hiding a lustful addiction. My friends began to party and indulge in behaviors I knew growing up were bad and it put this decision in front of me: What was I going to do? In the middle of that, through my school, I was able to sign up for a mission trip. For the first time I heard my friend’s dad teaching the gospel to this group of kids in the village. God opened my eyes and I truly saw what the gospel was. I started in that moment following Jesus fully.
When I got back I prayed for a blank slate and decided that I was going to follow Jesus despite who my friends were. I asked God to help me do that. Right after I finished praying a friend texted me and said he was praying for me and was there if I needed to talk. God surrounded me with Christian friends and through them I was invited to a small group at Watermark student ministry where they were following God with each other in community, sharing their struggles and praying together. It was so foreign to me. I got plugged in and was able to experience for the first time what authentic Biblical community was. In college I kept following God but finding community was hard because so many people didn’t really know what that looked like. Eventually I was able to find a church and a community.
"When we got married I learned even more about the depth of my brokenness and sin because of the direct impact it had on my husband. It was like a mirror to show me where I really was-desperate for Jesus and battling pride and a desire for control." - Bailey Herritage
During their freshman year of college Addison and Bailey met and began dating. Their junior year they married and began looking for a church community.
A: In 2019 we got married and went through pre-marital counseling. It was a big adjustment for us because of our different upbringings. I had a lot of anxiety and stress about finances and what that was going to look like. Bailey interjects-I was very irresponsible with my finances…Yeah I think we were just bad at conflict. The first three months were hard because all our sins were thrown in together. We eventually started to figure it out. We started to use Biblical principles about how to have conflict.
B: When we got married I learned even more about the depth of my brokenness and sin because of the direct impact it had on my husband. It was like a mirror to show me where I really was-desperate for Jesus and battling pride and a desire for control. I was very defensive and entitled with my expectations for what marriage would be. God was kind to give me Addison in that way. It was really hard but also really helpful.
Nearing the end of college and their first year of marriage, the Herritage’s were finding that they craved a close-knit church community after their church dissolved and they were dealing with the aftermath of Covid-19-a world shut down and lacking connection.
A: I knew in college I wanted to set up environments like the one that helped me so much when I was in high school (small group student ministry) and that I was going to dedicate my life to that. I was accepted to Watermark institute and after a miscarriage that summer we were craving community which we got at Watermark. It was a very healing year for us. That fall we had another miscarriage but being surrounded by a selfless community, it was a whole different experience.
B: Being rooted in a community that was all in and loved us was very healing. It was the first time I had seen what community could really be. I found healing from anxiety and depression and was able to see God at work there. I was able to honestly ask God why he allowed all of this which led to a deeper relationship with Him. I used my experience to help others and eventually lead a student group through Re: Gen in Dallas.
Addison was still struggling with his dependence and anxiety about finances when his year at Watermark was winding up and he wasn’t sure what came next.
A: I definitely idolized working at Watermark. While I was looking into jobs there I heard for the first time about Cody Wyoming and a guy named Greg who had also graduated from Watermark and had just planted a church there. It kept popping up that whole year. We decided to seriously pray about it but I was still set on Watermark though Greg and I were also discussing jobs and roles. Later that year after we began to feel more surrendered to the idea that we’d go wherever God wanted us to go, I was offered an opportunity at Watermark but also had an opportunity in Wyoming. Despite our families, friends, comfort, and strong community we had in Dallas, we both felt God leading and calling us to Wyoming. We came to the conclusion that it felt like disobedience if we stayed in Dallas. Trusting God with this move and our finances was hard.
B: It turned out Greg was looking for somebody with Addison’s skill set. We sat down with our community group and prayed over both these opportunities. We both had jobs in Dallas and all our friends and family were here. But staying in Dallas would have been for selfish, comfortable reasons when God was calling us to Wyoming. For me there were several weeks of just crying. I was really desiring for it to not be God’s will but being ready because I knew it was and just mourning what could be and our community and all the people we were leaving behind. Fearing being lonely and cold and feeling so far away.
God kept affirming this was where we needed to be through the ways that He kept providing for us and showing up for us. He helped us financially and found us a community. A week after we decided to move to Wyoming we found out we were having Carter who we named after Carter Mountain and Stone after stones of remembrance. God gave us so much affirmation that kept self-pity and fear at bay. I barely felt homesick that first year and I truly only felt grateful and confident in our decision.
A: Looking back, it's a story of how God is always with you no matter what is going on. You can trust him even in what seems like uncertainty.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
Outpost Stories
Addison and Bailey Herritage: Faith-Filled Calling
Though both Addison and Bailey were raised in faith-filled homes they each struggled with their faith as they grew older. Battling worldly dependence on finances and struggles with depression and anxiety, both Addison and Bailey came into their marriage with plenty of expectations. Through strong church community and prayers they both deepened their relationship with God and each other. In their spiritual growth they found peace and the reassurance they needed to follow where God led them even if that was a small town in Wyoming. Read their story to see how the Herritages followed God’s calling for their lives despite the beckoning of brokenness and sin.
Read the full story
Bailey: I grew up in Dallas and was raised to love the Lord and deeply value church and fellowship. Following Jesus for a long time felt like something I was good at-or at least should be good at. I was heavily involved in church and ministries at school and I was praised for my wisdom and maturity. I misplaced my identity in my performance and appearance as a good and kind Christian girl. Approval and admiration from other fed my pride and I began to put my worth in that. In idolizing my image and my performance I failed to enjoy God’s grace. Instead of focusing on the gospel I fed my pride and my shame when I fell short of the person I thought I should be. I clung to Romans 8:1, which says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Addison: I also grew up in Dallas. I went to church pretty much each Sunday. It was kind of like a rule. I went to private school so I was surrounded by Christians. I was in a bubble and this was all I knew. Despite that I never took any of it that seriously. I lived my life how I wanted to live it and just went through the motions. In middle school I became susceptible to caring what others thought, and started hiding a lustful addiction. I wanted friends, I wanted to be popular and I wanted to fit in. I began to mold whoever I was into whoever would make me the most popular. In eighth grade I wanted to be friends with the others in church so I went through the motions of acting like a Christian without really knowing Jesus or following Him.
As they were growing up in the same city Addison and Bailey found themselves struggling with their faith in different but related ways.
B: In high school and college I felt my heart pulled in different directions and welcomed distractions. I was focused on myself, my relationships and having fun and wrestling with on and off bouts of anxiety and depression. In college God helped me to be refined through His word, deeper accountability and a challenging mentor as I became more aware of my sin and could see the depth of my selfishness. Specifically studying James and being surrounded by a group of people who pushed me and challenged me for the first time. I was humbled and my heart was refreshed for the gospel.
A: In high school my façade of Christianity faded because I lost interest in those people. I began to fall prey to peer pressure, and was hiding a lustful addiction. My friends began to party and indulge in behaviors I knew growing up were bad and it put this decision in front of me: What was I going to do? In the middle of that, through my school, I was able to sign up for a mission trip. For the first time I heard my friend’s dad teaching the gospel to this group of kids in the village. God opened my eyes and I truly saw what the gospel was. I started in that moment following Jesus fully.
When I got back I prayed for a blank slate and decided that I was going to follow Jesus despite who my friends were. I asked God to help me do that. Right after I finished praying a friend texted me and said he was praying for me and was there if I needed to talk. God surrounded me with Christian friends and through them I was invited to a small group at Watermark student ministry where they were following God with each other in community, sharing their struggles and praying together. It was so foreign to me. I got plugged in and was able to experience for the first time what authentic Biblical community was. In college I kept following God but finding community was hard because so many people didn’t really know what that looked like. Eventually I was able to find a church and a community.
"When we got married I learned even more about the depth of my brokenness and sin because of the direct impact it had on my husband. It was like a mirror to show me where I really was-desperate for Jesus and battling pride and a desire for control." - Bailey Herritage
During their freshman year of college Addison and Bailey met and began dating. Their junior year they married and began looking for a church community.
A: In 2019 we got married and went through pre-marital counseling. It was a big adjustment for us because of our different upbringings. I had a lot of anxiety and stress about finances and what that was going to look like. Bailey interjects-I was very irresponsible with my finances…Yeah I think we were just bad at conflict. The first three months were hard because all our sins were thrown in together. We eventually started to figure it out. We started to use Biblical principles about how to have conflict.
B: When we got married I learned even more about the depth of my brokenness and sin because of the direct impact it had on my husband. It was like a mirror to show me where I really was-desperate for Jesus and battling pride and a desire for control. I was very defensive and entitled with my expectations for what marriage would be. God was kind to give me Addison in that way. It was really hard but also really helpful.
Nearing the end of college and their first year of marriage, the Herritage’s were finding that they craved a close-knit church community after their church dissolved and they were dealing with the aftermath of Covid-19-a world shut down and lacking connection.
A: I knew in college I wanted to set up environments like the one that helped me so much when I was in high school (small group student ministry) and that I was going to dedicate my life to that. I was accepted to Watermark institute and after a miscarriage that summer we were craving community which we got at Watermark. It was a very healing year for us. That fall we had another miscarriage but being surrounded by a selfless community, it was a whole different experience.
B: Being rooted in a community that was all in and loved us was very healing. It was the first time I had seen what community could really be. I found healing from anxiety and depression and was able to see God at work there. I was able to honestly ask God why he allowed all of this which led to a deeper relationship with Him. I used my experience to help others and eventually lead a student group through Re: Gen in Dallas.
Addison was still struggling with his dependence and anxiety about finances when his year at Watermark was winding up and he wasn’t sure what came next.
A: I definitely idolized working at Watermark. While I was looking into jobs there I heard for the first time about Cody Wyoming and a guy named Greg who had also graduated from Watermark and had just planted a church there. It kept popping up that whole year. We decided to seriously pray about it but I was still set on Watermark though Greg and I were also discussing jobs and roles. Later that year after we began to feel more surrendered to the idea that we’d go wherever God wanted us to go, I was offered an opportunity at Watermark but also had an opportunity in Wyoming. Despite our families, friends, comfort, and strong community we had in Dallas, we both felt God leading and calling us to Wyoming. We came to the conclusion that it felt like disobedience if we stayed in Dallas. Trusting God with this move and our finances was hard.
B: It turned out Greg was looking for somebody with Addison’s skill set. We sat down with our community group and prayed over both these opportunities. We both had jobs in Dallas and all our friends and family were here. But staying in Dallas would have been for selfish, comfortable reasons when God was calling us to Wyoming. For me there were several weeks of just crying. I was really desiring for it to not be God’s will but being ready because I knew it was and just mourning what could be and our community and all the people we were leaving behind. Fearing being lonely and cold and feeling so far away.
God kept affirming this was where we needed to be through the ways that He kept providing for us and showing up for us. He helped us financially and found us a community. A week after we decided to move to Wyoming we found out we were having Carter who we named after Carter Mountain and Stone after stones of remembrance. God gave us so much affirmation that kept self-pity and fear at bay. I barely felt homesick that first year and I truly only felt grateful and confident in our decision.
A: Looking back, it's a story of how God is always with you no matter what is going on. You can trust him even in what seems like uncertainty.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33