Brenda's Story
March 2007

Since its beginnings in 2003, Valley Christian Church in Lake Berryessa, California has been changing the lives of those in its surrounding community. Brenda shares how Pastor Randall Roach introduced her to the one true living God.

I grew up in many different foster homes. In all those homes, I never knew a true Christian. Before Valley Christian Church was planted, I had no idea who Jesus was. To me, He was no more real than Santa Claus. Then one day, through the influence of my Catholic neighbor, I invited Pastor Randall to my house for a visit.

Pastor Randall asked me a question I had never been asked before...“Do you believe that Jesus Christ is your personal Lord and Savior?”

My answer was “No.”

I didn’t know Him, but I wanted to believe. I vigorously searched for answers. I started reading the Bible and asking God to show me the truth. I started to understand, but still had a gazillion questions. I invited Pastor Randall back and asked him what the right thing to do was. His answer was to confess my sinful life style; turn my life over to Him, and be baptized. But I wanted to put the proverbial “cart in front of the horse.” So I continued my investigation.

It wasn’t long before I found myself sitting in a dim theater experiencing The Passion of the Christ. As they began assaulting Jesus, my eyes were fully opened to receive God’s truth. I was devastated, as I began to realize…I was the one holding the hammer. It was me who struck the nails, each time I sinned.

About a week later, I decided to accept Jesus as Lord of my life…and on April 25, 2004…with the help of Pastor Randall, I was baptized and adopted into God’s family. But that’s not all. My live-in boyfriend of four years also accepted Christ and was baptized!! Immediately after our baptisms we were lawfully joined in holy matrimony…witnessed by our new Christian family. This was our first Sunday worship at Valley Christian. We’ve been attending and serving ever since. I praise God for sending Pastor Randall to an isolated land to find these two lost sheep.

We have used Brenda’s real name, with her permission, that God would receive all the glory for the work He is doing in her life. For more information on the life-changing ministry of Valley Christian Church, visit www.ValleyChristianChurchLakeBerryessa.com.