Hi.

My name is Tara. Probably a good number of you now at GCC (3CC) haven't a clue who I am, and have never met me. It's not that you've just missed me in the pews, or that I've come irregularly. *smiles* I just haven't been there.

I know it seems strange to be a member of a church that you aren't attending, but, despite the fact that I live in Canada, I consider myself a member of GCC (3CC).

Why?

That's a great question. Thank you for asking.

I've been meaning to explain, to send an email to Greg & Molly, or just to all of you on the mailing list, for some time now. I'm glad that you're trying out this new format, because it gives me a chance to say publicly what GCC (3CC) is and means to me.

I was baptized at GCC (3CC) in 2001. Because of the love and patience of Greg & Molly, who answered my questions about Christ and loved me despite some of my really whacky ideas, a door was opened in my heart, and the Holy Spirit began to work and draw me to Himself.

My life has never been the same.

GCC (3CC) gave me a safe place to learn and grow and seek as a new believer. The love of the people at GCC (3CC) was the love of Christ, and each of the members then built me up and supported me in unique and beautiful ways--GCC (3CC) was truly the body of Christ for me.

Since then, I have returned to Canada, where I am from originally. God has continued to work and move in my heart. When He called me to seminary a few years ago, Greg Merlo wrote one of my recommendation letters.

I attended seminary part-time until this past winter, when God asked if I was comfortable with one foot in the boat, and one foot on the open water. I got the hint, and in December I quit my full-time job, and am now in seminary full-time. I'll be finishing an MThs in Spiritual Formation at the end of December this year, and I'll have finished my certification process to become a Certified Spiritual Director by May of 2008.

I've led, or more appropriately, God has led though me and my weaknesses, several women's groups, and I've given my testimony at my current church home several times. I'm on the prayer team, and have lead folks through spiritual freedom sessions. I'm currently giving spiritual direction to a number of believers, and the watching the Holy Spirit move is one of the greatest joys of my life.

God has been so good to me, and every time I think about how He worked through the willing hearts and lives of those at GCC (3CC) to move and change and transform my life I start to cry in gratitude. Jesus is my all in all, my Alpha and Omega, my Bright Morning Star.

Once, very early in the history of GCC (3CC), I got the opportunity to sing a song that still touches me every time I hear it... "Breathe." And each time I identify the strains of music that make up that song, I am taken back to that small gym in which I sang that song during service, worshiping God in my new and trembling way--encouraged to do so by the love and example of those around me.

So, thank you, GCC (3CC). Thank you, Greg & Molly. Thank you for who you are and what you do. Thank you for being a light on a hill, salt that is salty, and beautiful leaven in the bread of my life. It is to Him that all honour and praise and glory is due, and you, with unveiled faces, continue to reflect the glory of our Lord with ever-increasingly glory. You ushered the kingdom of God into my life, and for that, I am, quite deeply and literally, eternally grateful.

Much love,

Tara