Have you seen the recent FaceBook Groups that are titled, “I grew up in…”? Wherever that place may be, people share memories about how particular locations have impacted their lives. I’m guessing many of you could join me in the “I grew up at Emmanuel Faith Group”. Here are some of my memories and reflections growing up at Emmanuel Faith.
I grew up as the grandchild of a 1939 Emmanuel Faith Charter Member. I watched my grandpa change out locks on doors around the church campus and helped my grandma stuff bulletins on Saturday mornings.
I grew up as the great-niece of Dr. Nielsen, affectionately known as Dr. Willie, who was the first woman to graduate from Westmont College. After completing her Doctoral Degree, she worked as a School Principal in Poway during the week, but her real passion was teaching young women the Bible on Sundays.
I grew up as the daughter of choir members who also served in Children’s Ministries. I sat alongside my dad, as my mom taught the Bible to him, the other male and female Sunday School leaders, and a bunch of 5th & 6th grade students.
I grew up being encouraged and challenged to memorize Scripture by Sally Goswick and Richard Williams (and I have a beanie to prove it!)
I grew up learning about God’s personal love for me from Francie Overstreet, Joe Serrano, John Shell, Lois Calac and so many more, never questioning whether the truth being shared was more significant if it came from a man or a woman, because I knew in my heart that the authority with which they spoke was from God and not themselves.
I grew up worshipping the Lord in song led by Penny Nielsen (Aunt Penny to me), Bette Duncan, Carol Seely, and Tim Mayfield. The words impacted my soul speaking truth that I still recall today.
I grew up listening to stories told by Corky Hook and Sheryl Silzer about the work that God was doing in the hearts of people all around the world. And I sat in awe in a church in Juchitan, Mexico as a group of Zapotec Indians listened intently to Virginia Embrey preach the Bible in their native tongue.
I was challenged by Greg Lane on the dunes in Baja to always remember “Christ in me”. I was trained by Dave Ruscetta how to teach the Bible. And I was taught by Dennis Keating that “when you teach, keep ringing the bell”.
I am grateful beyond words for these men and women, and so many more who taught me about God’s character, introduced me to the compassionate and personal love of Jesus, and helped me understand the power of the Holy Spirit. I grew up in an amazing place called Emmanuel Faith, and I’m still growing.
In my years serving as Women’s Director I experienced the joy of leading women in multiple capacities but I also started to ask if God was calling me to more. I began to study and explore Scripture, and as I did so, I started to discover that God called both men and women to preach and lead. I was challenged to consider what it meant to be a pastor and realized that was the work that I was already doing.
I’ve been asked by some how my parents would feel about the changes that are occurring at Emmanuel Faith regarding Women in Church Leadership. My mom and dad were learners and avid students of God’s Word. I am confident that they too would be growing in their understanding of Scripture and would be proud of me for stepping into God’s calling even amidst the challenges.
I’ve heard it said that I’ve been forced into this change. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am grateful for our Board of Elders that have done the hard work of spending hours in prayer and study with the goal of being obedient to God and humbly honoring his commands.
I am so grateful to have grown up at Emmanuel Faith… and I’m not done growing.
Lynette Fuson
Care & Counseling Director