The story of Lizzi and I begins back in 2009 when we met on the evening of Palm Sunday. We both look back to that day with fondness knowing full well that God had planned that meeting since the very beginning of time. If there is one thing that we strongly believe in, it's that we serve a God who is much, much bigger than anything we can think of or imagine. A God who is alive and doing miracles seen and unseen. God is and has always been in the details and He certainly was that day.
Our first conversations, over coffee that night, were filled with talk about missions in South Africa, India, and how God had radically changed us through our experiences in these places, with these people, to have hearts that ache to do the will of Him who gave His life for us. I can honestly say that I knew Lizzi was the one who God had for me to be my wife after three days of knowing her. It was even more amazing, however, to know that she felt the same way. Throughout our dating leading up to engagement and eventually marriage, we knew it to be very important for us to continually be in prayer asking God to lead us. More importantly, to pray that we would be filled with an even deeper love for Him and each other.
We always knew that we were called to music and missions and we have prayed for God's direction in it. As we prepared to step out in faith, we were on the verge of buying a trailer to live in so that we could cut our living expenses in order for me to pursue music full time. We were taking our first step of faith into missions through music knowing that at some point we would end up in India as well. Almost just as soon as we made that decision, we received an email from RockHarbor asking us to pray about going on this India trip. It became obvious where God wanted us to be and the doors He wanted to open through this. It is our desire that in all we do we would give Glory to God. Everything we do is for the sake of His Gospel. Thank God that we don't have to orchestrate any of this but only be faithful servants.
Now that we've been back from India, we find ourselves in vocational ministry at Grace Fellowship Church. I (Chris) am the Junior High pastor here and have been for about 2 years now (can you believe we've been back from India this long?). We now have two children (Malakai Gretsch 2, Laila Pearl 8mo) and continue to be passionate about living for God as a "living sacrifice" on mission here, at what we would consider our home.
Thank you all for being a part of our lives and would you live boldly for the Almighty God. I'll close with this prayer:
Now that we've been back from India, we find ourselves in vocational ministry at Grace Fellowship Church. I (Chris) am the Junior High pastor here and have been for about 2 years now (can you believe we've been back from India this long?). We now have two children (Malakai Gretsch 2, Laila Pearl 8mo) and continue to be passionate about living for God as a "living sacrifice" on mission here, at what we would consider our home.
Thank you all for being a part of our lives and would you live boldly for the Almighty God. I'll close with this prayer:
Almighty God, send your transforming power into our lives as we seek to serve you this day. Grant unto us wisdom, courage, grace, and strength to faithfully fulfill the ministry to which you have called us. Send the light of your Son into our lives anew each and every day. Let your presence touch our minds and hearts with your mercy, grace, and truth. Direct our thoughts, speech, and steps to the end that we may walk in your way today and always. In name of Christ. Amen.
Chris and Lizzi
