My husband and I had been married for 15 years – and we felt like we were good people, raising three good children.

One day, my oldest child said to me, “How come we don’t go to church like other people?”

I felt a stab in my heart.

It wasn’t that we’d never been to church. My husband and I were married in the same church where I grew up; where I’d attended the funerals of my parents – the same place our three children had been baptized.

We went to church on holidays, like Christmas, or Easter.

Spending time in worship, knowing and loving God and being a part of a church family, however, was not a part of our lives. The question our child asked that day was one that began to work on our hearts.

We began a search to find a church, trying a new church almost every Sunday. Each time, the experience left us feeling empty and as though we were just going through the motions.

We walked through the doors of Pender one sunny day and our lives have never been the same since. The sanctuary was beautiful, the minister’s message had impact, the music was incredible, and the people were warm and welcoming.  They seemed truly happy we were there!

I looked at my husband that Sunday morning, and realized we both had tears in our eyes. We instantly knew that we had found our church home. One by one, each one of our children said, “I want to come here!”

We found what was missing in our lives – a relationship with God and worshipping Him within a community of believers. Being a part of our church family at Pender, worshipping together and serving together continues to bless us in so many ways.

We have all grown closer to God and to each other and we are so thankful that the Lord blessed us with such a loving church family.

While reading my bible one day, I came across the following scripture, from Acts 16:34b: “He was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God – he and his whole family.”

Coming to Pender has filled us with joy – me, and my whole family.

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