Stories

Linda Petty lights up when she talks about her six grandkids, spending much of her free time visiting with them all over California.  Her cheerfulness and exuberant faith make it hard to imagine her as anything but joyful and kind- the perfect grandparent!  But it...

Like most of us, Colton Walter likes to take control in a tough spot. Yet, again and again he finds perfect peace when he relinquishes control to God. Diabetes forced him from pilot training in 2007, so he fell back on his degree and became a mechanical engineer...

Ever since Adora Palmer can remember, she had an enduring faith. Perched on her mother’s lap, Adora remembers being sung hymns at the age of four.  She has no memory of being without Jesus. Adora had a marriage made in heaven. She made a change in her school plans,...

Ofelia Fazackerly didn’t always believe in God. Her belief was formed over a lifetime with a journey that includes many, many painful experiences. Ofelia says God has been painting a story of her life on canvas that includes some of the most painful events a person...

Mike and Lisa Ng first met in during their college years while attending the same church in Southern California. College also is where they each renewed a commitment to God planted through regular worship with family while growing up. They were fortunate. College and...

Brandon Veach was just six months old when his father abruptly left the young family of three.  The years that ensued would reveal a deep pain contained within Brandon’s heart, as he wrestled with the confusing and sometimes chaotic environment that was “home.” As...

Tim and Emma Lodge weren’t looking for a change. They had a lovely home near family in the bustling town of Rugby in central England. Tim enjoyed his work as an automotive engineer for Aston Martin. Em enjoyed rehabbing and reselling homes. And they had a robust...

Jim admits he was a foul ball when he was young. He was married with three small children by the time he was 23. He was born in Montreal and then lived a couple of years in Bolivia where his parents are from.  At age four his family moved to San Francisco where he...

Mary Denny exudes a sense of joy in life and trust – trust in God, trust that you can trust her.  I sat with her at Peet’s one morning and learned some of her fascinating story.  She and her husband Todd have one daughter, Kylie, but added a second child to their...

Although not an attender of Mariners Church, we wanted to share the story of Zak Mirzadeh, Christian illusionist.  We are pleased that he is joining us this weekend for a special event designed to connect with our 20-something community on the coast through the first...

Within a month of knowing Amy, Marty Estkowski knew she was going to be his wife.  “I was drawn to her by her faith (among other things),” he smiled. Over the years the couple’s faith would prove to be the very key to their marriage.  They were blessed with three...

Kristjan and Andrea Higdon are accustomed to being on the move, having traversed the world spreading Christ’s truth as missionaries to places including China, Mongolia, Fiji, New Zealand, Brazil and Pakistan. They live up to model what a difference Christ makes in...