Connecting Online

Another hoax email, I thought as I read, “We are listening to you online, and would love to visit your church when we move to Kitchener...” The Gathering sermons are posted on our website. Could this be real? Probably not, I thought, but sent a polite reply just in case.

One Sunday in May, there was Gabriela standing in front of me. She introduced herself, “We just moved here. Do you remember me? We emailed you! Our whole family will be here next week!” Sure enough, the following week Alex and their three children were with us. They commented, “We feel like we know you already.” Now that felt funny - meeting strangers who felt like they already knew me! They had been listening to our sermons online since the New Year.

Alex and Gabriela grew up in Mexico. Gabriela became a believer in January 2007 at a women’s Bible study in Mexico City. Now Alex is also a follower of Jesus. They are incredibly excited about their newly found faith and amazed at how The Gathering Church has been an answer to their prayers. Alex, with a marketing background, was looking for work. He has been hired by someone from the church! Gabriela home schools their children. She immediately connected with Ingrid, my wife, who also home schools.

Both Alex and Gabriela were baptized Easter Sunday. What a blessing to have them with us!