Details ...
Wedding Day!
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Webcast and Prelude begin at 5:30pm Central Time
Wedding begins at 6:00pm Central Time
Driving Directions:
Remnant Fellowship Church
1230 Franklin Rd.
Brentwood, TN 37027
Wedding colors:
Dark Olive, Black, and Gold
Recommended Attire:
Black Tie Formal
Registry Information:
Amazon and Target
Their Story...
Zachary:
First and foremost, I’d like to start my testimony by thanking and giving credit where it is necessary, deserved, and past due. To begin thanking God for giving me the amazing blessing of getting married to such an incredible woman as Emma, I must first thank Him for giving me a life that has only known the Biblical teachings, love, and community that is Remnant Fellowship Church. Because of this and so many other countless things God does daily, I am who I am today. I cannot imagine a life without God directing every step, and because of that, I want to start off this testimony and our marriage by devoting both to Him and His Kingdom.
I am so incredibly undeserving to get to live the rest of my life alongside Emma. She IS love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May God be pleased with what Emma and I are able to accomplish for His Kingdom as we move forward together! - Zachary
Secondly, I must thank Gwen Shamblin Lara and Elizabeth Kaufmann, Gwen’s daughter. I will never be able to give the proper thanks in this short writing, but I will do my best. Gwen Shamblin Lara devoted her entire life to sharing the teachings of God and Christ in understandable ways, teaching that a relationship with God and following Him wholeheartedly—every day with every decision—is not only very obtainable but also necessary to live forever with Him in Heaven, as Jesus teaches in the Bible. Because of this teaching, my parents, whom I will mention later, experienced truly changed lives and have laid their lives down in devotion to God and to make sure that I, too, take these teachings to heart and follow them. Elizabeth Kaufmann has done so much for me personally that it is difficult to put into words. To start with the bigger picture, following the passing of seven of our beloved church leaders, including her mother and husband, Elizabeth jumped right in where she was needed at the forefront of Remnant Fellowship, taking on numerous roles involving countless hours of effort and prayer. All of this was during a time of her own personal grief and testing. This showed me how strong Elizabeth was and how much God is leading her and blessing her. This, along with the amount of personal spiritual guidance I have received from her and the time I’ve been so blessed to spend with her, her upright husband, Ryan Kaufmann, and her amazing family has truly strengthened my purpose in life of loving God and backing up this Christian teaching and this church with every fiber of my being.
Next, I would like to thank my parents who have raised me in this church and led me by the hand, showing me every aspect of living a life truly devoted to God. My parents began taking a Weigh Down class in January 1996, and within a few months, my mother began working for Gwen Shamblin at the Weigh Down offices. In 1999, when Gwen and others formed Remnant Fellowship Church, they quickly joined the church, knowing that the Christian teaching of putting God first had healed every area of their lives. Because of the sermons and teaching through church, my parents learned how to have a peaceful home for my brother and me to grow up in, as they made sure we knew to honor God and his teachings no matter the circumstances in our lives. Throughout my childhood, I saw my mother work under Gwen Shamblin and for Remnant Fellowship, helping Gwen to share this message of Truth to the world. I witnessed how devoted my mom was and how God blessed our family because of this. As an adult, I am so undeserving and honored that I, too, now have the opportunity to work for Remnant Fellowship as well, and I continue to experience my mother’s daily devotion to God and this church. In addition to my mother’s example, I have grown up watching my father always put God first in his life, striving to build the foundation of our family on God first, Christ and His Church next, and others around us after that. For that, I am so appreciative, because I continue to see how God blesses our family for this foundation, creating peace and contentment in all things. Because of all of this, I am the person I am today, and I cannot thank my parents enough for raising me in this church of love for God.
Finally, I would like to thank my friends who have picked me up when I was down and have celebrated with me when I was up—but through every experience encouraged me to go further and do more in my relationship with God. Without you all, I truly do not know where I would be today. I am so thankful for each and every one of you beyond words. Being surrounded by such a strong and steadfast group of friends in every stage of growing up has been priceless.
I told the main part of my history above…so now I will jump to Fall 2023. At this point, I was really mindfully focusing on God and what kind of man He wanted me to be as I had graduated college and was starting a career. At Remnant Fellowship, we have an annual Youth Ball—a fun and amazing event begun by Elizabeth and her family. The Youth Ball is like a prom, an event for the Youth Group where youth can go on their own or can ask someone to the Ball with them. As I was not dating anyone, I had planned on going alone and having a good time with my friends. Then some very close friends suggested that I ask Emma McDonald to the Ball—I had always known Emma, as I have grown up good friends with her brother, Mason. I asked her to the Ball, and we had a wonderful time together! Even though we were friends, this was the first time I really experienced her personality one-on-one, and I began to notice how beautiful she is on the inside, let alone how stunning she is on the outside.
Following the Ball, we spent more time together as we hung around the same friend group. Then one day, I suddenly felt an urgency to get to know Emma more—I can only explain this as God’s Spirit. So that morning, I sought out the advice and encouragement of my parents and Emma’s parents, and they all supported the idea of us getting to know one another more! Emma and I began hanging out more and growing our personal friendship, which led to dating and seeking a Godly relationship long-term. Emma’s devotion to this church, to our church leadership, and to her Godly friends stuck out to me as something I really looked up to. As the relationship between us grew more and more, it became apparent that our personalities fit together quite like two puzzle pieces, perfectly complementing each other.
I am so incredibly undeserving to get to live the rest of my life alongside Emma. She IS love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Her dedication to God shines through every moment. I pray to live a life that brings Emma the constant joy and love she deserves every day, in every situation. If anyone knows Emma, they know her as stunningly beautiful on the outside but yet somehow even more beautiful and pure on the inside, incredibly smart but still so humble in all circumstances, always looking for the needs of others and taking care of them, and always searching for God’s will for her in her daily activities.
To wrap up, I must give thanks once again to God Almighty first for taking so much time and lovingly guiding us every step of the way. Then, thank you to Emma’s parents: Abby and Chase and their friends who have looked after us and loved us as their own, and my parents, Glenn and Michelle, for being very involved and helping us keep our focus on God and His Will alongside each other. Third, thank you to all the examples that we have had the honor to learn from for our entire lives, especially Gwen and Joe Lara, David and Jennifer Martin, Jonathan and Jessica Walters, and Brandon Hannah. Getting to see first-hand how these men treated their wives with the utmost love and respect while guiding their family to focus on God first has charged me to do the same throughout the entirety of my life and our married life together. Lastly, to our friends, who have been with us for so long…we have laughed together, cried together, and learned together, but most importantly, we have fought the Spiritual battle together to grow closer to God each day. We love you all so very much and you all are treasures to us.
I’ll end by saying that I am so undeserving of this Godly woman to call my wife. When I look at Emma and think about how we are about to be married, I am regularly moved to tears because of all God has done. I am the most appreciative of all God has done, and because of this, again, I devote my life and this marriage to Him and His Kingdom. May He be pleased with what Emma and I are able to accomplish for His Kingdom as we move forward together!
Emma:
I would not be able to start my testimony without first thanking those who have paved the path and allowed me to be where I am today. First and foremost, I thank God for the beautiful family and church I’ve had the incredible blessing of growing up with. It is only by His grace, love, and guidance that I stand here today with a heart full of gratitude and a desire to walk in His will. Secondly, I want to thank Mrs. Gwen Shamblin Lara and Mrs. Elizabeth Kaufmann for laying the foundation and helping build up this beautiful community and church. Their vision, faithfulness, and tireless dedication to God’s Word created a place where lives are truly transformed, including mine. Next, I want to thank my parents for their constant love, wisdom, and support. Their example of obedience to God, humility, and devotion to this message has been a steady anchor for me throughout my life. I truly would not be who I am today without their guidance and the sacrifices they have made to keep our family grounded in truth. Lastly, I want to thank this church body. The love, accountability, encouragement, and unity I’ve experienced here is unlike anything else. From friendships that sharpen and uplift to leaders who pour out their lives for others, this community has been such a big part of my spiritual growth and joy.
Zachary’s passion for his relationship with God constantly inspires me to go further in my own relationship with God and to love those around me more deeply. His joy is infectious, his humility is genuine, and his love for others reflects his love for God. - Emma
A little backstory of how I am here today. My parents met and got married in this church and have told me countless times they would not want to be anywhere else! They both have told so many stories of how much this church changed their lives, and how they wanted their children to grow up here!
Since before I was born, my mom worked closely with Gwen, and because of that I was blessed to grow up surrounded by her teaching and example. Gwen’s love for God and her constant pointing everyone back to Him laid the foundation for my own relationship with God. I know I would not be the same person without her wisdom, her sermons, and the way my parents followed her guidance. My mom has been very close with Elizabeth for over 20 years and has passed down to me much of the wisdom and insight she’s gained from their relationship. Over the years, Elizabeth herself has generously offered me her time, love, and guidance, all of which have had a meaningful impact on my life. Elizabeth’s encouragement has been such a blessing, and I am so thankful to continue to be able to be close to her family. Her wisdom and support have truly helped me so much, and my relationship with God—and with Zachary—would not be where it is without her. Watching both Gwen’s and Elizabeth’s lives has shown me what it looks like to stay faithful, and it makes me want to build my marriage and future on that same foundation of wholehearted devotion to God.
I also could not continue my testimony without honoring a couple who deeply impacted my life, my dad’s best friend Jonathan Walters and his wife Jessica. Our families were very close, practically spent time together every other night, and through that I got to witness one of the best examples of a Godly marriage and a Godly life. They were always opening up their home, treating everyone with kindness, and living out their faith in such a genuine way. Their passing in 2021 was a difficult time, and it marked the beginning of a long journey of personal and spiritual testing, strength, and growth. It stirred something deeper in my heart and challenged me to grow in my faith and strengthen my relationships with both God and others. Their example of love, unity, and devotion to God continues to live on through their children, who are so strong in carrying forward their legacy. As I prepare to step into marriage myself, I am incredibly thankful that I got to grow up watching their example. It makes me want to build my marriage on that same foundation of selflessness, hospitality, and love for God above all else.
With deep gratitude, my heart turns to my parents, two of the greatest blessings God has placed in my life. Their love, support, and unwavering commitment to putting God first have shaped me in more ways than I can express. They’ve led by example, teaching me what it looks like to live a life of obedience to God, humility, and selflessness. Through every season, they’ve stayed steady, offering encouragement, direction, and so much love. Their strength, both in their faith and in their relationship with each other, has left a lasting impression on me, and they’ve shown me what a fun, strong, and Godly marriage should truly look like. I carry their example with me and hope to build the same kind of home, one marked by unity, trust, selflessness, and a deep love for God. I’m incredibly grateful for how they’ve poured into me spiritually, emotionally, and practically, always pointing me back to God and His truth. And beyond just my parents, I’m thankful for my whole family. We’ve walked through a lot together, both joyful times and difficult times, and I’m so glad to be part of such a strong, faithful, and loving family. I love them all deeply, and I can imagine what life would have looked like without them.
Growing up in Remnant Fellowship, I was surrounded by joy, purpose, and people who truly loved God. There was a time when I was younger when I just rode on the coattails of what my parents had built spiritually—their dedication, their example, their relationship with God. But at a certain point, I realized that I had to take my own relationship with God seriously and that I was neglecting that relationship and just going through the motions. When I made the decision to seek God for myself and invest in growing closer to Him, everything began to shift. I started to experience peace, clarity, and blessings that I hadn’t even noticed before. Learning to balance my relationship with God during college and in other areas of life has brought blessing after blessing. My friendships were strengthened and grew more joyful and fruitful. Even in relationships, once I became truly content with where I was and trusted God with that area, He surprised me in the most beautiful way by bringing Zachary into my life.
My Zachary is the most joyful, kind, and loving man I know, a man who seeks God in every aspect of his life. His heart is so full of grace and compassion, and his unwavering appreciation and love for every person around him never ceases to amaze me. His passion for his relationship with God constantly inspires me to go further in my own relationship with God and to love those around me more deeply. I am incredibly honored to receive the blessing of becoming his wife and to spend the rest of our lives growing, serving, and walking through life together. He is truly my rock, and during any difficult days I know I can lean on him for comfort, wisdom, and peace. He always knows how to make me laugh and brings so much fun into every room he walks into. His joy is infectious, his humility is genuine, and his love for others reflects his love for God. He is deeply considerate of any need I may have, always making sure I am taken care of, and consistently showing me a level of love and selflessness that I am very undeserving of. What amazes me most is how he serves the church, not only when it’s convenient, but especially when life gets busy. His commitment to God and to our community is something I deeply admire.
Watching Zachary serve with joy, even when no one is watching, has shown me what it means to live a life dedicated to God. I often find myself pausing throughout the day, simply overwhelmed with gratitude that I get to live the rest of my days with him. I genuinely cannot go an hour without thinking about how blessed I am to have him in my life! As we step into marriage, I pray that our relationship would be a reflection of the message and truth that is taught here in this church. I hope that every aspect of our union brings glory to God and points others to the beauty of His design for love. I am beyond excited to see how God will use our marriage to further His Kingdom, and I am so thankful to be walking this path with a man like Zachary, who loves so deeply, leads so humbly, and lives so faithfully.
