At age 21, I was seeking God. Newly engaged to my high school sweetheart, Jeff, I was about to leave my family and start this new life together. We both wanted to build our marriage on a strong foundation, and I believe that is what prompted our questions
about faith.
One afternoon we drilled a Christian friend with whom Jeff worked with all kinds of difficult faith questions. He patiently answered the best he could, and seeds were planted that day.
As we planned our wedding, I wanted to get married at Glenkirk Church because it was the only church that felt like home. My mom had taken me to this church during my junior high years (when Glenkirk Church was located between Leadora and Laurel Avenues). I remember raising my hand when they asked if anyone would like to accept Jesus, but
I didn’t really understand what I was doing at the time. Glenkirk was now at the current property, and we learned we had to go to the “engaged couples” classes before we could get married. At the end of the six weeks, all the class members went to church together as a group. It was the first time Jeff and I had ever attended church together, and the first time Jeff ever remembers being in church. We both loved it!
We continued to go to church on Sundays, and we were married in June. Even though we were on a Caribbean cruise on our honeymoon, we were so bummed that we had to miss church! We attended church on Sundays that summer, and in the fall we attended the New Members Class. We were hungry to learn more about the church and faith.
During one of the sessions, when Pastor Walter Ray taught about who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross, we both finally understood. The Spirit moved us. It was like a veil had been ripped away and it was crystal clear. On that day, we both accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Overwhelmed with joy, I remember crying and smiling at the same time!
In Jeremiah 29:13-14a it says: “‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord.”
Jeff and I became members of Glenkirk and were baptized together
at age 22. We immediately joined a young married couples small group that remained strong for almost nine years. We didn’t know how to pray, what the difference is between the Old and New Testaments, or how to look up a verse in the Bible. My face would get hot and my heart felt like it would pound out of my chest if I had to pray out loud in a group. We learned a lot over the years.