Meet some of our newest Members
You may remember that on May 17 we welcomed 13 people into membership @ FPC. We couldn't introduce and celebrate them in the same way this year, but the zoom photo helped us connect names with faces. We're delighted to let them introduce themselves to you. This is the first installment, more to come!
Rocio Claros
I began attending FPC in 2018 when I first started working at the church. Almost two years now. (Wow, time flies!!) I live in Fresno with one of my college friends. I have an older brother who lives in Merced, and my Mom and stepdad live in Chowchilla. I recently started engaging with the college ministry, specifically the FPU Go team, but I hope to engage in other ministries like Outreach/Mission and Children's ministry. In this season in my life, my hope is to grow in my faith and dive deeper into my relationship with Christ. A verse that I keep close to my heart is Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." It's a good reminder to me that no matter where I am at in my life, God will always be there by me.
Marlene Van Brocklin
We were drawn to FPC, Fresno by your commitment to biblical preaching and living, as well as the delightful, loving emotional atmosphere. We always look for a congregation that has orthodoxy, orthopathy and orthopraxis and we see all three here. My husband, Gary (an ordained pastor so will not join as a member), and I serve as Regional Liaisons to South Asia for Presbyterian World Mission. We lived in Sri Lanka for four+ years (and traveled frequently to India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan) before moving to the Fresno area two years ago. Our daughter, Annelies, serves with InterVarsity's International Student Ministry at Fresno State so we moved here to be near her and her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Liliana. My parents met at FPC in the 1930's and maintained close ties with their friends in the college group all of their lives. I grew up in Merced at Central Presbyterian Church and was nurtured in my faith in our Triune God by the lovely people there. During my childhood I would often visit FPC with my grandparents who were members here.
We have served in various places throughout our life: Bolivia, Perú, Miami, Montreat College, Honolulu and Sri Lanka. However, we are looking forward to retiring at the end of the year and staying here in the beautiful San Joaquin Valley. I am prayerfully contemplating the ways I'll become engaged here in this congregation. Throughout my life I have remembered the promise of Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold unavailingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."
Molly Sargent
I first began attending FPC about three years ago after having visited for the Messiah Singalong. I was first impressed with the beauty of the sanctuary, but also felt a worshipful atmosphere that I had been longing for. I was overwhelmed the first Sunday I visited with a sense of peace and affirmation from the Holy Spirit that this was to be my church home; the music, the congregation, and the emphasis on prayer and personal reflection appealed to me then and now.
I am married with three grown children and am “Nana” to four grandchildren. None of them have remained in Fresno, so I travel quite a bit each year during school vacations in order to spend time with them that is not virtual. I am so blessed to have them all in my life.
The older I get the more thankful I have become. My gratitude and indebtedness to Christ and the salvation and forgiveness I have in Him is paramount. My perspective of the world, my role in it, and my eternal place in the family of God have deepened over the years, leaving me with more peace and purpose than I would have thought possible when I became a believer as a young teen. When I meditate on God’s goodness many of the hymns I learned as a child come to mind--I do have a friend in Jesus and my God is great! Romans 8:28 becomes more precious every day: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Lori Cavenaugh
Lori was born in Crystal Falls, Michigan but moved to California when she was eight and lived in the Auburn and Grass Valley area for many years. She was a licensed Esthetician, owned her own Day Spa, and worked for a cosmetic dermatologist for over twenty years. She moved to Fresno five years ago and has been attending FPC for the past three years. Lori has three grown children and six grandchildren with another on the way.
William Cavenaugh
Bill was born in Torrance, California but raised in Hermosa Beach. He joined the Marine Corps on his 18th birthday and retired from the reserves 36 years later. He was a police officer serving 30 years before retiring from the Laguna Beach Police Department. He lived in the Yreka and Mount Shasta before moving to Fresno five years ago. With his wife, Lori, Bill has been attending FPC for three years. Bill has one son, Christian, who is a motor officer with the California Highway Patrol.
Kimberly Galindo
We began attending FPC November of 2019. After considerable prayer - God brought us here through a conversation with a friend where she mentioned how much she loved the community and biblical teaching at her church. This friend was the 5th friend I knew that was part of FPC - so I listened to a sermon from the website and made plans to visit the next Sunday. My husband & I felt welcomed and quickly felt like we were a part of the community.
Before COVID-19, I was assisting Matt with the children's choir and my son was also participating. We are a musical family - I play the piano & sing - and recently began learning the violin. Annie has been involved in private voice lessons and musical productions for more than 5 years - and Jotham joined in last year & was on stage with his sister in the Little Mermaid & Frozen - the kids miss their theater opportunities and we all look forward to using our gifts and talents at FPC when it is safe to do so. My husband is new to the musical scene & is more talented than he will admit! He also has a handyman business & I am sure would be willing to help in any physical way there might be a need.
I have been in church service & leadership over the years from a BSF children's leader to creating a worship arts ministry for children - what else would you expect from a Preacher's kid? My father (Dr. Ken Hendrix) is still a pastor today in Kentucky. (They moved back there to be near my grandparents in Nov. 2018)
In this season there have been so many critical verses that have granted me patience, hope and encouragement. COVID-19 has brought incredible challenges into our home making it difficult to manage all the new responsibilities of teaching my three children; leading my company to pivot & flourish in a completely virtual way; having just moved into a new home just a few weeks before the pandemic; all while my husband is continuing to go out everyday and work (Praise God). We are thankful to have the prayers and encouragement we have received from the staff - especially Margie Nunez.
If I had to pick just one verse that has been a source of strength to press on in HOPE & JOY it would be Psalm 73:26 "My flesh & my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart & my portion forever"
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