Closet of Faith

To say that Angie Mahy loves shoes is an understatement. With over 250 pairs, her collection of footwear is one of her most prized possessions. To put this in perspective, Angie buys at least two pairs of shoes each month. “I’m particularly proud of my spectacular heel collection,” the 42 year old says with a laugh.

Don’t let her expensive closet fool you, because Angie is as kind, humble, and friendly as they come – traits God would soon use to propel her into a ministry role.

Growing up in the Catholic church as a young girl, God wasn’t foreign to Angie. But giving her money to him? That was new. Angie had spent the last 30 years distant from God and the church. It wasn’t until a move across the globe brought her to Saddleback that she considered tithing for the first time.

Just years ago, Angie was living in New Zealand and working for a company she loved. But that company was quickly expanding, and it offered Angie a position in sunny California. How could she decline an offer like that? Angie’s only hesitation came in the form of her two teenage daughters. In the midst of high school, a move across seas would put too much of a strain on their education, so Angie had to leave them behind with the promise of multiple yearly visits.

It was her first Christmas in California, and Angie found herself with no family nearby and, consequently, no plans. A few coworkers invited her to a Christmas Eve service at Saddleback Newport Mesa. Immediately, she felt at home. But the idea of sleeping in on a Sunday morning was often more appealing. Consumed by her career, Angie attended church on the weekends when there wasn’t something more exciting happening.

Angie served as a greeter for the first time during Easter services. Friendly, outgoing, and always willing to give a hug, it was the perfect opportunity to move Angie toward ministry and consistent attendance. She began serving wherever she could: Food Pantry, CLASS, and women’s ministry. Angie was comfortable at Saddleback. “I went to church, prayed, spent time in the Word, and served, but I wasn’t really stretching my faith,” Angie says.

It wasn’t until the Daring Faith series that Angie felt God pushing her toward tithing. For so many years, she had been able to spend her paychecks however she wanted – primarily on shoes. “As Pastor Rick would say I was ‘buying things I didn’t need, with money I didn’t have, to impress people I didn’t like,’” Angie says.

The idea of giving her money back to the church first and foremost was a huge step. “When I added up the figure in my head that tithing would equate to each year, I thought of the European vacation I could have instead,” Angie says with a laugh. But she knew God had been preparing her for this. With a new church family and a heart for ministry, she couldn’t say no.

Angie had a number on her heart that she wanted to commit to giving over the course of the next three years, but it was a number that seemed impossible.

“I had a figure in my mind that I believe God wanted me to commit to and, frankly, I found it seriously scary,” Angie says.“I still don’t have a great handle on how I’m going to achieve what God has put on my heart, but I have been thinking about how I can make it possible.”

Angie committed despite her hesitations, but one long look at her closet made it all seem possible. “I am not buying any new shoes for the next three years,” Angie says with a sigh.

A decision like this did not come easy for the footwear fanatic. But Angie knows the money she would spend on shoes over the course of three years would be better spent on the Daring Faith mission.

“I figure the goal of 10 more Saddleback campuses where we have the opportunity to change lives like mine has been changed is worth the sacrifice,” Angie says. “The global impact the PEACE plan has on this world would be a far better and productive use of my money, which really comes from God anyway.”

Now, tithing comes before shoes. To ensure this, Angie gets a notification on her cell phone each time her paycheck is deposited. “The second I get that notification I go online to give my tithe,” Angie says.

This routine has not only held Angie accountable, but started conversations as well. While visiting with an old friend one night, Angie’s reminder popped up. “Hold on, I need to tithe,” Angie told her friend, Pete. With a concept that seems so foreign to a non-believer, Angie was able to share how God has changed her heart. “Hold on, you’re doing what?” Pete asked. With a laugh, Angie began telling him about her journey. At the end of the night, as the two said their goodbyes, Pete looked at Angie and said, “I’m really proud of you. You seem to be doing so well.” This short conversation confirmed everything for Angie. If other, unchurched people could see a change in her, then this was a change in the right direction.