Stories of Grace
The Lord brought us to Grace Rancho in His perfect timing. For a year prior, Ruth and I had been praying for a church closer to home where we could build a foundation and do life together. We longed for a church that embodied the hands and feet of Christ, living as the early believers did in the book of Acts.
During that time, I met the Severance family while doing my sales work. When I knocked on their door, Mrs. Jodi’s enthusiasm caught my attention. She spoke about Grace Rancho with such genuine love: “I love our church.” It wasn’t just polite conversation—she meant it, and I could tell. Her words stayed with me long after our interaction. Jodi then introduced me to Mark, who stood out as someone genuinely kind, thoughtful, and an exceptional listener. Little did I know, these encounters were planting seeds that would later shape our journey.
The Lord soon confirmed to Ruth and me that it was time to find another church closer to home. We prayed as a family, seeking His guidance for this new season. Though we were all nervous, we reminded our boys that the Lord was with
us and that we were embarking on this journey together.
In February, we attended Grace Rancho—and never left! The membership class we joined answered so many questions for us. Coming from a non-denominational background, we had concerns about differences, but God provided clarity. One verse in particular stood out: “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). With love at the center, there is no room for division.
At Grace, we’ve found a community committed to growing together. Our children have seen God answer their prayers for strong, godly friendships. Ruth has been encouraged to strive toward being the Titus woman the Lord has called her to be, alongside other women who are intentional in knitting their lives together. She has formed friendships with moms in similar life stages, and their support has been a blessing. I’ve been blessed by the church’s shepherding and the opportunity to connect with brothers in Christ who encourage and pray for one another.
Now serving in the children’s ministry, we’ve found joy in serving alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing in the work of raising up the next generation. Grace Rancho truly reflects the book of Acts in its commitment to live out the Gospel. The Lord has been so faithful to us, and we are deeply grateful.