Grant helped congregation pay off couple's van

Rodney Chockley of Goodfield, Illinois, has gone through 11 surgeries on his left leg, much of which was amputated because an infection in his knee didn’t respond to medication.

The expenses for Rodney and his wife, Marie, have been overwhelming, and there are more to come as doctors prepare Rodney for a prosthetic leg.

The Chockleys’ church, Trinity Church of Morton, Illinois, wanted to help the couple, who also started caring for their two granddaughters in the midst of their health-related challenges.

Trinity Church decided to pay off the Chockleys’ van to eliminate one of the couple’s monthly expenses, with help from an Everence Sharing Fund grant.

“We wanted to pick something we could focus on,” noted Ann Plaehn, Everence advocate for Trinity Church. “They were paying a lot of interest on the van, so we paid it off.”

Church members have helped in other ways too, Marie said, such as mowing the yard, bringing meals and paying for widening a doorway in their home to accommodate Rodney’s wheelchair.

“Our church is so loving, real and passionate,” Marie said. “It’s been God all the way through this thing. We’ve walked this journey, and God has been good.”

Marie said she doesn’t mind sharing her and Rodney’s story because “it’s about the kingdom of God – to show his kingdom, open up hearts to live the way God wants them to.”