Their Story…
Blake Waterson: I was 13 years old when my family joined the Remnant Fellowship Church in 2007. I am so grateful for that step as it has allowed a life of change for me. I am so glad that at a young age I was led by so many great examples to lay down sin that could have caused such a miserable life. Because of the teachings here at RF church and walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, I can truly be a new creation and not have to participate in the pains of the world. Abigayle and I met about 6 years ago at a small gathering my family hosted. We had mutual friends but it wasn’t until a few years after that that we would create a friendship, based on a foundation of putting God first, that would last a lifetime.I had the opportunity this past summer to really get to know Abbi and her family. It wasn’t long after that I began to fall in love with her. I saw changes in her daily that convicted me and made me want to know her better. We had a lot in common and I prayed for a sign to take things to another level. A day later God allowed the most perfect clear sign! However, I have learned at Remnant that God will lead not only through signs but also through the direction of our parents. So, instead of going straight to Abbi, I sought the approval of my parents and the Rickmans first. After talking it over with both her parents and mine…and both were completely thrilled with the idea…we began dating. The decision to talk with our parents first was so blessed and has resulted in all of us being even closer than we were before. It wasn’t long after dating that I knew I wanted to marry her. I asked for her dad’s permission and began shopping for a ring. I knew I wanted the engagement to be special and memorable so around the same time I began the planning for that moment. We went out on a nice date for dinner then walked for a bit in downtown Nashville. I took her to the overlook on the John Siegenthaler Pedestrian Bridge downtown. Nervous, I expressed my love for her and how blessed we are for all that God has done in our lives, got down on one knee, and asked her to become my wife. All my emotions were causing my heart rate to increase…and I was thinking at that very moment that I could not believe what God has allowed. I am so in love with Abigayle and it was such a perfect night. She said YES! We know that our lives and our family’s lives have completely changed for the better because of what we have learned and put into practice from Remnant. Because of that, we do not have any fear of a marriage that won’t last…we know that we will have one that will last forever! Abigayle Rickman: My mom first introduced me to Remnant Fellowship in the fall of 2006 when I was 10 years old. I cannot believe that I have gotten to spend these last ten years growing up in a place like this one that has completely changed my life for the better. My earlier childhood before Remnant, I knew that there was a God somewhere out there but I had no idea that we could call out to Him, truly be led by Him every day and live a life to honor Him. I am forever grateful for a teaching of wholehearted obedience and devotion to God. Remnant has shown me how to live a life free of pride and anger and greed for more…attitudes and behaviors that had already started when I was so young. From what I have learned here, I now have a personal relationship and answered prayers from the God of the universe…every day! I am now so full of joy and thankfulness and truly cannot believe that I get to live life with a true purpose.“We do not have any fear of a marriage that won’t last…we know that we will have one that will last forever!” – Blake
I first met Blake six years ago at a gathering at his family’s house in Illinois for Memorial Day weekend. We have had the same mutual friends for years but never truly got to know each other until this last year. For me, I had always desired a relationship and grabbed for that in the past, but God revealed in my heart that I had to ask Him to be that best friend and guide first. When I chose God and gave up that desire, God came back in and brought Blake. I never thought in a million years though that Blake Waterson would ever even want to talk to me much less want to marry me someday. From the time I was little I had prayed for a godly man that would lead me to love God and that is exactly what God has given me in Blake! He is steadfast and devoted with the biggest servant’s heart and so much love. He never fails to meet a need or find a way to help someone and he truly has all of the fruits of the spirit, spurring me on to be more humble daily. God truly answered my heart’s desire in bringing me Blake and I know for a fact that without the truth that I have learned and put into practice at Remnant, I would never have met someone like Blake, much less have wanted to get married! Remnant Fellowship truly teaches the answers to having peace and joy in life and I cannot believe that I get to start this part of my life in the place that had forever changed my life. We get to be engaged for five months, which may seem short to some. However, with the amazing ministries in this Church that God established through the incredibly loving, wise and selfless leadership of Gwen Shamblin, our Wedding planning is the easiest and most peaceful thing in the world! There is never a moment of worry that something won’t get taken care of because there are so many people surrounding us who are so wise and have the best advice. Not only are there so many to help in the planning, but also this Church body is built of many gifted people who volunteer those gifts to help in every detail. From the food at the wedding, advice on the fabric for bridesmaids’ dresses, to make-up the day of the Wedding, there are literally hundreds of people that selflessly give their time so that there is never a reason to worry over anything. God has made this place so full of peace and generosity that we don’t have any worries leading up to our Wedding because we know that God has given us a fellowship that truly takes care of us and every other couple getting married. We are truly blessed!“We get to be engaged for five months, which may seem short to some. However, with the amazing ministries in this Church that God established through the incredibly loving, wise and selfless leadership of Gwen Shamblin, our Wedding planning is the easiest and most peaceful thing in the world!” – Abigayle
Details …
Wedding Day!
Sunday October 11, 2020
Wedding colors:
Forest green, copper, black and white
The Couple is registered at:
(Click on the links below to go directly to their registry)
Target and
Honeyfund
Their Story…
Kayleb:
I joined Remnant Fellowship in the spring of 2006 after my family had been visiting for a couple of years. I’m so blessed that I have been given this path of truth and am able to know God on a deep and personal level. The teaching at Remnant sets a clear vision on how to have a genuine relationship with God Almighty and how to set your mind on making Him smile and reaching His Heaven.
By the time I was a teenager, I had been attending Remnant Fellowship for several years, and unfortunately, I had begun taking this most precious opportunity for granted. I was not showing God the true love that I should have, and I had a lot of learning and maturing to do. I determined then that doing things halfheartedly was not going to happen anymore! I made the decision devote myself to this narrow path and obey God wholeheartedly—and the blessings flowed in right after! Once I committed myself to that decision to truly put God and Christ first in my life, my relationship with God—and also with Alina—was so much more blessed and joyful.
I’m so blessed, and I want to praise God and give thanks to Him foremost, and then to Gwen Lara for showing me this truth and how to live this out every day. I also want to thank my mom, because she was so determined to keep our family close to Church, and she always put God first through her actions! She continues to convict me every day as a Godly example, and I want to be just like her.
Without being involved with Remnant Church, I would never have met the precious Pacheco family. The Pachecos were the first Remnant members I remember from when I was a child and living in Florida. From the moment I saw Alina, we simply clicked, and I knew we were going to be close friends for many years.
Through fifteen years of friendship, God blessed our lives with constant joy and laughter as we grew closer each day. After years of being close friends, I started to have special feelings for Alina as she consistently showed me true kindness, love, and care. God showed me her amazing beauty, and through many tests and trails that God brought us through, we knew through many heaven-given signs that we belonged together. Alina’s heart for God and determination to put him first is why I wanted to commit my life to her by taking this next step and asking her to be my wife. With Alina by my side, I want us to grow as one forever until we reach the golden streets of Heaven.
On August 30th, that vision became reality! I surprised Alina that evening in the precious Pacheco home, lowering to one knee and asking with an overflowing heart, “Alina Marie, the love of my life…will you marry me?” With tears in her eyes, she yelled with excitement, “Yes!!” That moment will always be a most precious memory and a dream come true.
Alina is the most beautiful woman of God I know, and she continues to be so loving and attentive to me and to everyone around her. Her beauty is amazing, inside and out. Her heart for God is so strongly grounded and she desires nothing but the will of God and to make him smile. I always wanted to be with someone like her, and all glory goes to God for bringing us together in marriage. Alina has been my greatest and most blessed gift from the heavens.
Without the Godly teaching that I have received at Remnant Fellowship, the thought of marriage and commitment in today’s world would bring only feelings of terror and hopelessness. But being grounded in a true relationship with God first and foremost brings so much fruit and hope and full confidence in this relationship. God, in His love and wisdom, has shown me through the teachings of Mrs. Gwen Lara what a loving husband with a steadfast fruits of the Spirit should look like. I’m all in! I’m so excited for this new journey and getting married to the love of my life. I am so honored that Alina and I get to be part of God’s beautiful matchmaking and unity. October 11th will begin our forever life together, and I cannot wait to marry Alina Marie.
Alina:
My name is Alina Pacheco, and I am beyond grateful to be able to share a little bit of my story! I have had the incredible blessing of being raised in this amazing Remnant Fellowship Church, surrounded by many lifelong friends that honestly feel more like family because we are all so close. Taking the opportunity to submerge myself in God-focused friendships and fellowship several times a week is something I constantly look forward to! The blessings that have come from following Christ’s example and living in obedience to God’s perfect will have blown my mind.
When I was a young, Kayleb and I were actually very close friends. We met as children when we were living in Florida where our parents were webcasting Remnant Fellowship services. After both of our families moved to Tennessee, we remained close friends and our families spent lots of time together. Then when we entered our pre-teen years, it seemed like we started spending more time with other church friends and not as much with one another. My heart longed for us to be close again, but it seemed to be something that God wanted me to go to Him for and trust in His timing.
As I grew older, I found my heart being pulled away from what I knew was the truth. I spent time outside of God’s Will and was heavily tested and failed every time because my heart had been so hardened with pride and arrogance. It wasn’t until God let me hit rock-bottom that I finally felt true repentance in my heart. I realized how far I had wandered off God’s path and where I needed to be—where I was now longing to be with my whole heart. Very soon after, I returned home and returned to this amazing message of truth at Remnant Fellowship. As I came back to church, I was anxious about how I would be received by all my old friends—but I was immediately welcomed with open arms! God’s blessings immediately came pouring in once I set my heart and my life back on a Godly path!
The very day I returned home, out of nowhere, Kayleb reached out to me—he had not known that I had even come back! He was just calling to see how I was doing, and thankfully, I was able to tell him I had just returned home! Over the time that followed, Kayleb and I got to spend more and more time together with our families, and I noticed my heart longing to be closer to my lifelong friend.
I knew that God would test my heart and check my motives and desires after returning home and returning to Church, but I was resolved to remain steadfast! Finally, God answered my heartfelt prayer, and Kayleb and I started dating! And now we get the incredible blessing of getting married!!
I cannot express with words how unbelievably grateful I am to my family, my friends, this amazing Church, all the leaders who have been so gracious with their time, and God Almighty for helping make this day possible! I praise God for each Godly example and for every person who has had their hand on any part of this!
Details …
Wedding Day!
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Wedding colors:
Lavender, dusty blue, dove gray, cream, and light sage
The Couple is registered at:
(Click on the link below to go directly to their registry)
Amazon
Their Story…
Hunter Williams:
My life before finding Remnant Fellowship was honestly a mess—as messy as you can get as a 12-year-old. I was the cliché of a depressed, self-focused teenager, and it only got worse with time. When my mother joined this message in late 2012, she included me along with my brother (and for this I am eternally grateful). However, at that time, I was reluctant, a dramatic and emotional teenager who had no respect for my authorities nor myself. Throughout 2013, I had ups and downs, but towards the end of the year, as I had more exposure to the Church through sermons and classes, I had improved a lot, at least in the perspective of others. Over time, my relationship with God and my mother grew stronger and stronger, and I started making friends as an out-of-towner. Since my father was in the military, we lived overseas at the time, but at the end of 2013, he decided it was time to leave the military and move back to the U.S.
During this time, my mother and father had a discussion about where we would end up. My father was not interested in the Church at the time, and his idea was that we would simply find a small town to move to and open up a little shop somewhere. He brought up a little town in Tennessee with the name of Franklin. When he said that, my mother wept with joy! My father had no idea that the Church was located so close to Franklin! His decision was final, and he had all of our belongings sent to a storage unit in Franklin in early 2014.
This relationship has been so amazing, and God has blessed it every step of the way. Never have I ever been more in love with God until now, and our relationship has only grown stronger. I am so thankful, and I pray to always glorify God through this amazing marriage!– Hunter
Once we returned to the states, we stayed with my grandmother in Indiana for a few months, and we had the opportunity to attend the Weigh Down Tour in Cincinnati. My father’s heart was softened, and he became a new man. He became a member of Remnant Fellowship Church shortly after this gathering, and we started attending the Indiana Remnant group hosted by Glen and Angel Dych. As more time passed, God allowed my father to find a job and locate a home for our family in Tennessee! During our first “in-person” assembly at Remnant, we were introduced to another out-of-town family with Navy connections—the Flores family! Little did we know where this friendship would lead! Over the years, our families enjoyed Daycamp together, and I was a junior counselor for Nolan and Landry Flores in separate years.
Fast forward to the fall of 2017, I was very involved with the youth group and my life was amazing because God had become my priority. I felt like life could not get any better…but I had no idea how wrong I was when I thought that! One night after a Wednesday assembly, I ran into a familiar face hanging around with my friend group—it just so happened to be Tara Flores! I greeted her with a “Welcome home!” and just like that, we were close friends. As time passed, through various services and youth gatherings, our friendship and bond grew very strong. We would talk about God, about growing up with a military life, about our favorite music and our love for animals. Things were great.
Around Christmas time that year, Tara went back to Texas to visit her family and we did not speak for a month or so. Over that time apart, I realized that I really liked her, a lot. I prayed and prayed every night that she would feel the same way about me. During this time, I realized that I still had an idol that was blocking my relationship with God—that idol was video games, electronics, my computer, etc. I knew that if I just did it and jumped in headfirst, 100%, that God would bless me for it. So I did! I jumped into laying down that stronghold all the way and committed everything to God. That week that I fully committed 100% to God, Tara informed me that she also had feelings for me! My heart had never been more full. I talked with her parents to seek their blessing in letting me date Tara, and I was so excited to have their support! We have been close ever since! This relationship has been so amazing, and God has blessed it every step of the way. Never have I ever been more in love with God until now, and our relationship has only grown stronger. I am so thankful, and I pray to always glorify God through this amazing marriage!
Tara Flores Testimony:
My story begins back in 2008 when the Navy moved my parents, myself, and my two little brothers to Chicago. By 2009, when I was 12, my father had started his training for a tour of duty in Iraq. As his training continued, I started to have nightmares at night. I tried to reach out to God, but I didn’t have a church to guide me on how to have a real relationship with Him.
Not long after that, my mom found an email from Weigh Down regarding the Rebuilding the Wall tour in Chicago. My mom attended the event, and when she came home, she was the happiest I had ever seen her! At the time, I didn’t understand why she was so excited until we started webcasting Remnant Fellowship Church services with her. We then had the opportunity to attend Remnant’s Daycamp that summer, and it was there that I learned how to truly be happy and trust in God.
My dad returned safely from Iraq soon afterwards, and we moved to California. The Remnant Fellowship members in California were very close, so we had a very strong support system. However, when we moved from California to Texas in 2013, the real testing began. I lost touch with many of the Saints and got caught up in self-focus that would lead to depression. Very quickly, my life was turned upside down after letting my focus wander off of God, and I started to look for peers’ approval at school rather than my family’s and God’s approval.
Through the many tests and trials of life, Hunter’s selfless love and spiritual protection have always been so constant. Because of this and much more, it was very easy for me to say “Yes!” as soon as I saw him get down on one knee to propose. God has sent me a man that I fully trust to lead our family. I am not afraid of what the future holds because I know whatever tests come our way, Hunter will be there to hold my hand and always point my focus to God!– Tara
Thankfully, I was able to attend the Dallas Weigh Down Tour in 2017, and Gwen Lara said something that has stayed with me ever since: you cannot have two masters—you cannot serve your desires and God’s Will. God very mercifully allowed my heart to soften, I turned away from my old way of thinking, and I was quickly healed from the depression and self-focus.
I drove to Tennessee to visit in September 2017. After the service, my friend invited me to go with a group for dinner so we could catch up. When we walked in and found our booth, I sat next to Hunter, having no idea how God would have everything transpire. I’ll never forget the first thing he said to me: “Welcome home, Tara.” After that evening and seeing all the changed lives of the youth as well as the other Church members, I made the decision to move to Tennessee. I am so grateful that God has so much mercy on me—I do not know who I would be or where I would be without this Church.
At that time, I absolutely did not have any intention of dating. It was quite the opposite—dating was the last thing on my mind. However, as time passed, Hunter and I would always end up talking to each other at a party or at youth gatherings. It did not take long before we were talking for hours and hours about our past lives and our experiences of having fathers in the Navy, and we even found out we both lived on the same street in Florida at different times! I just felt like I instantly had a best friend.
With my parents’ approval, Hunter and I started dating. Hunter has been so supportive and has guided me through so many tests. He has always encouraged me to go further with my relationship with God. He has always taken care of me and put my needs first. It has become a challenge of who could take care of the other more! As our relationship continued to grow, Hunter would call me each night and we would read the History of the Love of God by Gwen Lara together, or he would play guitar and sing to me until I fell asleep. Because of the words of Gwen, we were able to not only feel an instant connection, but we knew how to grow stronger with God whenever testing came. No matter what my test has been, Hunter has never been afraid to tell me the truth and point out things that were blocking God’s Spirit. As we were dating, if we were ever unsure of anything, we would go straight to our parents for advice and pray to God for His lead. We have prayed for so many signs from God that I think we have ten different signs for ten different meanings from God! It has become yet another sweet way for us to connect not only with God but also with each other.
Through the many tests and trials of life, Hunter’s selfless love and spiritual protection have always been so constant. Because of this and much more, it was very easy for me to say “Yes!” as soon as I saw him get down on one knee to propose. God has sent me a man that I fully trust to lead our family. I am not afraid of what the future holds because I know whatever tests come our way, Hunter will be there to hold my hand and always point my focus to God!
Details …
Wedding Day!
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Wedding colors:
Sage, Gold and Champagne
The Couple is registered at:
(Click on the links below to go directly to their registry)
Amazon
Their Story…
Jackson:
I was three years old when my mother took me to my first Remnant Fellowship service. When I got home, my father asked me how it was and I said, “I loved it!” I told him how much I liked that I was able to stay with my mother instead of being taken to a different room for a children’s lesson where the kids were loud and out of control. The next week, as my mother and I began to leave for another Remnant Fellowship assembly, my father says I told him, “Pop, you have to come with us—the boys have to stick together.” We have been worshipping together as a family ever since! Not long after, my grandparents also began attending. I have been so blessed to have grown up watching my parents and grandparents seeking GOD as a family.
One of my favorite scriptures growing up was II Corinthians 10: 3-5: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. I have always pictured myself as a warrior for GOD and His kingdom, and this scripture became a large factor in my love and fascination with warriors throughout history.
Beyond her beauty, I was attracted to Delaney’s joy, her bubbly personality, and her love and search for GOD. …As Delaney and I move into this next stage of marriage, we are so excited and determined to share our joy and devote our lives to GOD and His kingdom with each coming year!
– Jackson
It was this mindset, reinforced by what I learned and what was modeled at church, that helped me as I grew up and completed my public-school education. It was my goal every day to be the most respectful to my teachers, to love and not retaliate against bullies, and to uplift my friends. Over my life, I have been blessed with many friendships, both at church and in school. But the friends I made at Remnant continually uplift and encourage me, and they have remained my best friends throughout my college years as well. Their example to me is priceless, as I have witnessed them living pure lives and now enjoying the blessings of their own educations, careers, and families.
Now, I have the honor of marrying my best friend, and for that I am truly grateful to God! I met Delaney in high school, and we became friends. Then we were both put on a team tasked with creating a large prop for a school musical…and it was during that project that I began to fall for Delaney. Beyond her beauty, I was attracted to her joy, her bubbly personality, and her love and search for GOD. I fell even more for her as we strived together for a relationship with GOD and helped each other through hard times and through our college years.
As Delaney and I move into this next stage of marriage, we are so excited and determined to share our joy and devote our lives to GOD and His kingdom with each coming year!
Delaney:
I met Jackson Rector in the theater program at our high school. What first caught my attention was his sense of humor—I was always laughing when he was around. As I got to know him, I discovered more things to admire and love about him. His thoughtfulness with others, his attention to detail, and his love for God became evident. I was looking for that love for God also, so we started going to church together.
Growing up, I always knew God existed, but I never knew what to do with that knowledge. I grew up attending churches, and on occasion I would pick up a Bible and read it, but I would come away confused. Reading was a major hobby of mine, and I constantly had a book with me. However, when it came to reading the Bible, I had no idea what I was reading. A few verses in and I would have to start over because I was totally lost. But when I began to attend Remnant Fellowship Church, the Bible began to make sense. I remember the first time I read a passage and understood it. I read a whole chapter, not just a few verses, and could remember everything in that chapter—it didn’t leave me confused! I will never forget the joy that came with that new understanding.
Jackson is the biggest blessing in my life. He points me to God in all situations, and he has always supported and encouraged me toward growing in righteousness. I am grateful to God that He places people in our lives to encourage us to be more Christ-like. I am looking forward to a lifetime with Jackson and a lifetime of living out the words of the Bible together!
– Delaney
Beyond that, though, what I’ve learned at Remnant Fellowship is to put what is in the Bible into practice in my life. The changes in my heart and in my life were instantaneous. Where I was sad, there is now joy. Where I couldn’t concentrate, there is now focus. Where there was anger, there is now self-control. Timidity was replaced with a love for meeting people and talking to others. I gained happiness and direction, and even my physical health improved. Learning about how personal God is and how to follow Christ has brought such joy and peace to my life!
Jackson and I dated through college—almost four years now—and I love him more every day! He proposed by recreating a favorite date we both hold a fond memory of. We enjoyed dinner out and then went for a walk in a nearby park…and he proposed to me! It instantly became a new favorite memory!
Jackson is the biggest blessing in my life. He points me to God in all situations, and he has always supported and encouraged me toward growing in righteousness. He is always there to gently help me walk out spiritual tests. I am humbled, honored, and excited to be his wife. I am grateful to God that He places people in our lives to encourage us to be more Christ-like. I am looking forward to a lifetime with Jackson and a lifetime of living out the words of the Bible together!
Details …
Wedding Day!
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Wedding colors:
Burgundy, Blush, & White with hints of Gold & Green
The Couple is registered at:
(Click on the links below to go directly to their registry)
Bed, Bath, & Beyond and Wayfair
Their Story…
Jeff’s testimony:
My testimony begins in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2013. At that time in my life, I was 30 years old and living an empty lifestyle that was aimless and purposeless with little joy and no hope that it would ever be different. I felt an emptiness that I couldn’t quite put my finger on, and I tried everything I knew to fill that emptiness by running to all manner of worldly desires. In order to avoid facing my sadness, six days a week, I tried to fill up on a never-ending cycle of burying myself in a 12 to 14 hour workday…immediately followed by heading to a local bar until 3:00am in order to numb myself by overindulging in alcohol, cigarettes, food, and a lustful pursuit of sensual desires. I’d wake up feeling exhausted, hungover, sad, and ashamed that I was 30 years old with nothing to show for myself, and yet I’d find myself doing the same thing the very next day. I can remember actually thinking many times that I was “cursed” and destined to failure. Little did I know how much truth there was hiding in that thought. Before I go any further, it is only right to thank God for His mercy in allowing me to find this Church, my mom for having such a heart for God and always seeking Him, and Gwen Lara for tirelessly laying her life down to teach the Truth about God and His Son Jesus Christ, and showing others how to live a life sold out for God. Up until 2013, I had believed there was a God, but no concept that it was possible to have a deep meaningful relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Right around 2013, my mom found Remnant Fellowship through Weigh Down Ministries. During the years that I was wrapped up in my various sinful behaviors, our relationship had deteriorated and had become strained. Through putting into practice the principles of Weigh Down, my Mom found a relationship with God that began a transformation in her that was profound to me. I remember her beginning to steadily lose large amounts of weight that she had struggled for years to lose…and she began to look and feel more youthful and healthier. But what really caught my attention was that along with the external changes came internal changes consisting of a peace, wisdom, and gentleness in my mom that had eluded our relationship for years. I found myself wanting to be around my mom, seeking her advice, and seeing our relationship become repaired. I was intrigued and wanted to find the peace and happiness that she had found. So I slowly began webcasting Remnant Fellowship Church services and Weigh Down classes, and I began to REALLY READ God’s Word. I remember watching a single episode of the Exodus from Strongholds Class alone on my mother’s laptop and it changed my life. In it, I heard Gwen teach about Deuteronomy 28 and that God gave blessings to His people for obedience and CURSES for disobedience. I HAD been cursed all those years, but it was a result of my complete and total lack of love for God and obedience to His ways. I remember hearing for the first time that it wasn’t just enough to acknowledge that there was a God and that I should just “count on” His love for me, but that God desires a RESPONSE to love Him back with all our mind, heart, soul, and strength…and that we can show our love by obeying His will, and not our own will, by turning from sin and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. I finally had a purpose in life: to serve our Sovereign God…and I had been given the keys to fill that emptiness I had inside of me a close and personal relationship with God. Through this Message of love and obedience, I have been able to put down a life of aimlessness, overdrinking, cigarette smoking, over 40 pounds of weight from overindulgence in food, and seeking a feeling of self-worth based on what other people thought of me instead of what my Heavenly FATHER thought of me. I am so grateful for the life I have now! I feel healthier, happier, and have more friends than I know what to do with, all united by our common love for the Father.
“As the evening wore on, and everyone began to leave, Kelly and I found ourselves talking about why I moved and what I loved about Remnant Fellowship Church. Next thing we knew, we had been talking for hours about God and what I had been learning and how a relationship of love and obedience had changed my life…and we stayed until the restaurant was closing. After that, we began to go out every week to the same restaurant and talking for hours and hours about God and what He was doing in my life.” – Jeff
In this newfound relationship with God, He has provided me such a blessed life. One of my biggest blessings and answered prayers was God bringing Kelly into my life. In 2015, after webcasting and visiting the Church during God’s ordained Festivals for two years, my mom and I felt God’s leading to move to Nashville so we could be more connected to God and like-minded people with a love for God. It was always a desire of my heart to have a wife and raise a family one day, but my sinful lifestyle had always prevented any sort of meaningful relationship with a woman from developing. And by the time I had made the decision to move to Nashville, God had revealed so many things in my heart that He was asking me to change to be more pure that I honestly was not looking for a relationship while I was learning to be introspective in my own heart. When I first moved, God was kind enough to allow me to transfer to a Nashville branch of the job I had held in Ohio. When I showed up to my new employer for my first day of work, Kelly was my manager and in charge of onboarding me as an employee into the system. As we sat, talked, and reviewed my resume, Kelly had asked what had prompted me to move down to Tennessee after 15 years at my previous location in order to take a lesser position in the Nashville location, and I was able to share that I had moved down here in order to be closer to my Church and its members and to grow my relationship with God. Over the next few weeks, in an effort to please God and to stay obedient to my authorities at work, I came to Kelly constantly to ask how I could improve as an employee or how management preferred things to be accomplished. She was always so kind and willing to help that she very quickly earned even more of my respect, and we slowly began to form a friendship. One day, after a few more weeks…with me being so new to town and not knowing a lot of people yet, God led me to ask Kelly if there were any fun places that the staff liked to go to in order to unwind after the shift was over. Kelly generously invited me out to meet up at a restaurant with her and some other co-workers to socialize and get to know one another better. As the evening wore on, and everyone began to leave, Kelly and I found ourselves talking about why I moved and what I loved about Remnant Fellowship Church. Next thing we knew, we had been talking for hours about God and what I had been learning and how a relationship of love and obedience had changed my life…and we stayed until the restaurant was closing. After that, we began to go out every week to the same restaurant and talk for hours and hours about God and what He was doing in my life. It was clear that an attraction was forming between us and we had so many similar interests, but neither of us had been looking for, nor expecting, a relationship. At that time in Kelly’s life, she had not attended Church in many years and had lost her relationship with God. However, God allowed Kelly’s heart to be soft, and she came to attend Church with me in order to find what had changed me so much. Kelly’s first time attending Church was the first day of Days of Awe, and the Message that day was a powerful Message that true worshipers of God MUST put down sin and pick up a life of purity. Kelly left the Church service that day saying that Message struck her to the core and that she had been waiting her whole life to hear that Message. After that, Kelly’s heart began to change and beat for God so quickly and dramatically that it convicted me to remember my own zealousness for God and not become complacent. Kelly quickly lost 70 pounds, quit smoking, and stopped overdrinking…but MOST of all, she had a beautiful love for God and a hunger to get closer to Him. Kelly has such a desire to serve others, a compassion to protect those who are weak and hurting, and she has a deep love for children and animals. But what stands out the most is her love for God. I knew that this was the Godly woman I had prayed for and the one God had set aside for me. I thank God for the Remnant Fellowship Church, this Body of Believers, and Gwen Lara for her tireless example of how to serve God and have a relationship with Him.
Kelly’s testimony:
I moved to Tennessee from Florida in 2012 for a fresh start. I began managing at a restaurant here in Brentwood, which is where I first learned of the Remnant Fellowship Church. At this time, God was definitely not a focus for me. I hadn’t been to church in years, and the idea of attending didn’t even register with me.
However, I did have an emptiness inside that I couldn’t seem to fill. I thought moving was going to solve the problem, but I quickly realized this wasn’t the case and chose to turn to many vices to feel better. I became increasingly lustful, and when that didn’t work I added an overindulgence of alcohol. During this time I was also overweight and always felt uncomfortable, suffering from social anxiety. I smoked over a pack of cigarettes a day, and I was very vulgar, angry, and rude. Plus, due to how often I was going out drinking, I was unable to pay my bills on time or repair my credit that I had ruined right after college, sending me even deeper into a financial hole. This behavior continued for about two and a half years.
“It has been quite a journey to where we are, but it has definitely brought me much closer to God and to Jeff. My life has done a complete 180 turnaround! There’s so much peace and love, no overindulgence in anything, my finances are completely restored, and every day is another opportunity to fall more in love with God. I look forward to spending the rest of our days here on Earth together, loving God, His Church, and continuing to love and encourage each other.” – Kelly
Then, in May of 2015, I sat down with a new transfer employee from Ohio (Jeff DeFosse – my now fiancé). When asked why he had moved, his response was… “to be closer to my Church.” At this, I had to ask what church he attended. It was Remnant Fellowship. I didn’t think too much about it, and we went on with our onboarding.
After a couple weeks, he went out with a group of us a few times and I started to notice something different. He and I would spend our time talking about God. I was very intrigued by this and looked forward to our talks. I wanted to know more, so I attended my first Church service not long after. I remember walking inside and being greeted with more love than I’d ever experienced. It was the first day of the Days of Awe 2015, and it was exactly what I needed to hear. It was the first time someone told me I could stop sinning and I must. I had to say NO to all the terrible things I had been doing in my life. I was excited about what I had heard but also still fighting off the pull of the world. After a couple months I really started to put my focus on God and listen to the Truth that is poured out through Gwen Lara. In about six to seven months I had lost my excess weight, quit smoking, quit overdrinking, began fixing my financial situation, started feeling true joy, and best of all, gained a relationship with God!
Jeff and I continued our relationship over the next four years. In this time, there was much testing and refinement as God exposed many things in each of our hearts that needed to change. It has been quite a journey to where we are, but it has definitely brought me much closer to God and to Jeff. My life has done a complete 180 turnaround! There’s so much peace and love, no overindulgence in anything, my finances are completely restored, and every day is another opportunity to fall more in love with God. I look forward to spending the rest of our days here on Earth together, loving God, His Church, and continuing to love and encourage each other.
The Engagement:
It was Saturday, April 27, 2019. We attended Church that morning where we got the opportunity to hear Gwen’s “Brotherly Love” Message. I was full of conviction during this because for weeks I had been giving Jeff a hard time about us not being engaged yet, especially that morning. I remember specifically apologizing to God for my behavior and making a commitment to apologize to Jeff after the service. I was determined to no longer worry about the timing of our engagement…and only show love to Jeff. God would take care of it. I didn’t need to worry! I had never felt that convicted about this before but there was something different about today.
Jeff’s Dad and stepmom were in town and had attended Church with us. We were all talking after service when our amazing friends suggested getting a family photo. We went outside the front doors where David Rector kindly held the doors closed and Kailee Smith agreed to take some photos. (She just happened to be standing there with her camera, or so I thought…) It was so sweet and I knew how special this was for Jeff to have his whole family together, which brilliantly had me oblivious to what was coming next! Someone suggested Jeff and I get a picture together, after which I tried to walk away! Jeff sweetly said, “Kelly…wait” and pulled me back over (I’m completely confused at this point thinking “Oh no, did I miss something?”) But then he began to talk and the words began to register. It was happening! He got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him! It was so amazingly precious and sweet. But just as sweet was the lesson I learned from God that day. I tried to control the entire situation for so long, and the moment I truly gave it up in my heart and was content with where we were, God gave it back. Within 45 minutes of feeling this conviction…and truly repenting…we were engaged!
I want to offer a special thank you to the Duncans and everyone else who helped Jeff pull this proposal together in less than a week. I am so thankful to God for having mercy on me and my stubbornness and allowing us to be in a place where we can truly change. I pray that our marriage and lives do nothing but bring glory and honor to Him.
Details …
Wedding Day!
Friday, March 29, 2019
The Couple is registered at:
(Click on the links below to go directly to their registry)
Zola.com.
Their Story…
Joseph’s testimony:
Saying my life is changed would be a true understatement. Prior to being introduced to Remnant Fellowship Church, I don’t think anyone that knew me would have described me as a happy person, a kind soul and most certainly not gentle. I was very coarse and I made up excuses for my behavior of course, blaming my childhood or lack of money or whatever else happened that day. Complaining was a pastime in the world — that’s how you make friends because you and another have the same “problems” to complain about. Many of my coworkers said they had never seen me smile and I had gotten to the point where I had forgotten what my own laugh sounded like because it occurred so seldom.
November 2017 came. I was stuck working in a theater because I had run out of college money; my life was going nowhere and I didn’t know what the future would hold…but then I heard someone laugh. And anyone that knows my fiancé, Heidi Welch, knows it is quite the laugh. She made everyone in the room laugh with her and did so frequently. I truly hadn’t seen joy like that in my life and was curious how anyone could be that happy in the world that I was living in. We both worked in the same theater and got to know each other a little better, enough so that she invited me to Remnant Fellowship. I had always been skeptical and slow to trust because with honesty, there are not many trustworthy people in the world. I visited Remnant from December 2017 until the end of April 2018 just looking for a reason to stop coming, looking for one member that didn’t live a happy, joyful life so I could pick the message apart. Everyone who sees this will know I was unsuccessful. The message never changed and neither did the members; everyone was joyous and full from the message everyday of the week and the light they shown reached me with great brightness. So, by April 2018 there was no more room for denial because my life was already changed from the love and joy that was shared with me.
“I get to marry my most cherished blessing on March 29th…” – Joseph
I joined the church that month and I am still amazed everyday at the chance to grow even more…and the blessings I have been given from our loving Mighty God. I get to marry my most cherished blessing on March 29th, and that is a result of Gwen Shamblin Lara, Heidi and all my other brothers and sisters in Christ being upright and holy and extending God’s message to me. So, may my life continue to change, may I reciprocate the same love that was shown me by all my brothers and sisters in Christ, and may all glory be given to our dearest Father in Heaven forever and ever, Amen.
Engagement
Heidi and I were blessed to have gotten engaged inside the church on December 2017. All of our friends and those we look up to were there in support, and Heidi’s family had just flown a couple thousand miles from Washington State to celebrate and give thanks to God with us!
Heidi’s testimony:
After a lifetime of searching for God, and a way to lose weight, my beautiful mother, Christy Welch, found Weigh Down in 2000. Once she recognized that the message taught by Gwen Lara was the truth on how to have and keep a relationship with God, she joined Remnant Fellowship Church in 2002 and never looked back. Because of my mom’s decision, I have been spared from a lifetime of pain and sin, and I could not be more grateful. My life would be a very different picture of misery and hopelessness if I had not recognized the same thing that my mother did and decided that this church was where I could learn how to grow my relationship to God through obedience to Him.
I have had the amazing privilege of growing up in this church since I was 7 years old, and although I lived with my family in Washington State until 2015, I have always felt so connected to and loved by my fellow church members. When I was 18 years old, God provided a way for me me to move to Brentwood, Tennessee and I began my first semester at MTSU in the Fall of 2015. While I was in school, I kept busy working at different places, one of which being the local movie theater. It was there that I met my future husband. Even as I write this, I am still in awe of all God has done in my life, and how He has continued to take care of me. What first caught my attention regarding Joseph was his level headedness and humility. After he began visiting the church regularly, every aspect I liked about him grew exponentially, and every worldly characteristic quickly disappeared. With each day that passed, as he fell more in love with God, I fell more in love with him. It is still a miracle that I will praise God for until I take my last breath because watching Joseph become more Christlike was one of the most beautiful and convicting things I have ever seen. Similar to my mom, once he recognized or was shown a sin, he did not hesitate to cast it away. His love and respect for God’s authority soon became an example for me to follow. In the very beginning, it was I who helped show him how to have a relationship with God, but it was not long at all before Joseph was a pure example for me to look up to and follow.
“I am so undeserving to be marrying such a righteous and humble man, and I know that he will lead our family to righteousness as he has led me.” – Heidi
The immense and rapid change in his (and my) life can only be credited to God Almighty, and to our incredible leadership at Remnant Fellowship Church who helped us through every step of the way. It truly makes me weep to think of the lives that God saved us from, for we would be far too engrossed in our own lives to love each other. I am so undeserving to be marrying such a righteous and humble man, and I know that he will lead our family to righteousness as he has led me. We serve an Awesome God and I am so grateful to Him, to this Church, to my family, and to Joseph for helping me get to this exciting point in my life. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for our future! We love you God!!!
Details …
Wedding Day!
Saturday, June 20, 2020
The Couple is registered at:
(Click on the link below to go directly to their registry)
Amazon, Dillard’s, Sur La Table, Bed, Bath & Beyond and HomeFundIt.
Their Story…
Philip Smith:
I start this testimony with an immense amount of gratitude to Gwen and Joe Lara, and Gwen’s amazing adult children, Michael (and Elle) and Elizabeth (and Brandon). God allowed my parents to hear His Truth coming through Gwen, and we have witnessed an amazingly grounded family that lives what they teach, with complete humility and love, and it has made all the difference for my family.
I have been a member of Remnant Fellowship Church since birth, and when I was 15 months old, my family moved from Oklahoma to Tennessee because of their love for the Church and wanting to raise their family around other families who were seeking God. From this influence, I did have an early understanding of the basics of love, authority, and respect for God and others.
Reading from the Bible, having devotionals, and talking about pleasing God was daily and normal in our home. I always enjoyed reading about Bible characters like David and Samson. I quickly made many friendships from a young age in the Church, which have continued to develop as the years have gone by and I have grown into being a young adult in love with God. My friends have been key to helping me stay grounded in God, as they would continue to convict me year after year, even to this day.
My relationship with Halley has undoubtedly been the greatest blessing I’ve received in all my life. She is a very gentle spirit. I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t tell you that Halley is one of the sweetest people they’ve ever met. She loves to serve and is always thinking of me and others… Halley has been an amazing Godly friend, girlfriend, and fiancée, and I have no doubt she will be an amazing wife as well! I feel incredibly blessed! – Philip
I have had many great role models growing up, including my father, Kent Smith, and my older brother, Joshua Smith. These are the two most righteous, upright men I know, and they have always been an example to me and to my younger brother.
Once I was confirmed at age 13, I started to really stop and consider what I could do to grow my personal relationship with God by finding ways to serve the Church. I realized the decisions I made from that point forward would affect the adult I would become, either helping or hindering my spiritual growth. Having this realization helped me follow the lead given by my authorities whenever any big life decisions were presented. This mindset has led to a multitude of blessings, including graduating high school and college early, obtaining a new job right out of college, and meeting the love of my life. All of this came totally from God, and I take zero credit for each of these amazing blessings.
I met Halley three summers ago before she had moved to Tennessee and quickly became friends with her. There was no romantic interest at the time, but I could tell she was a sweet and humble girl that everyone loved to be around – including myself. Halley moved to Tennessee a year later, and we became even closer friends through carpooling to college, enjoying fun game nights, and spending time together at other fellowship opportunities at the Church. A few months later, Halley’s quiet and delightful personality caught my eye, and I started to develop feelings for her. I did not want to rush or grab for anything, so I started praying for a sign that I should reach out to Halley. It wasn’t long after I started praying that my parents noticed Halley’s Christ-like character, and asked how I felt about her. This was exactly the sign I had been praying for, so I reached out to Halley the next day.
My relationship with Halley has undoubtedly been the greatest blessing I’ve received in all my years of life. She is a very gentle spirit. I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t tell you that Halley is one of the sweetest people they’ve ever met. She loves to serve and is always thinking of me and others – from bringing me a “good morning” bagel (my favorite!), to writing the sweetest letters, etc.
Halley has been an amazing Godly friend, girlfriend, and fiancée, and I have no doubt she will be an amazing wife as well, always looking for the needs of others and serving at a moment’s opportunity! I feel incredibly blessed, and I thank God every day for such an amazing life I’ve been given!
Halley Meeker:
I was introduced to Remnant Fellowship in 2015 by my dear mother, after her life had been completely changed by this message of total love and obedience to God! Prior to finding Remnant, my family spent several years switching from one church to another, always searching for the truth. By the time my mom started webcasting the Church services at our home in Minnesota, I was 15 years old and already very stubborn and set in my own ways. I was self-focused, angry, full of pride, and always thought I had a better idea than any of my coaches, teachers, and especially my parents.
For three years, I watched these amazing Church services every Wednesday and Saturday, but I am sad to say that I didn’t make any effort to change or seek out a relationship with God until May of 2018. It was then that I made the decision to move to Tennessee after high school, in order to focus on God and be closer to His Church and the Saints. I was highly tested and it was a difficult decision, but I have no doubt in my mind that this was the right choice. Since then, my life has completely changed for the better, and I don’t want to ever go back! In this Church, I have been taught how to have a true relationship with God, and the blessings that have come from that are too many to count. By far, my biggest and most favorite blessing has been my relationship with Philip Smith!
It has been the biggest honor to have a relationship with someone as kind, humble, and loving as Philip Smith! He makes every day more fun, he has the sweetest heart, and he is so selfless and always thinking of my needs and others’ needs before his own. Philip loves God wholeheartedly and puts God first in every situation. I am so excited to become Philip’s wife and to see how he will lead our marriage to serve the Church and make God look good!– Halley
What immediately drew me to Philip was his outgoing and encouraging nature. He is instantly best friends with everyone he meets! Philip is the most fun person to be around, and it wasn’t long before I was interested in him. Before we started dating, I was tested to see if I would wait on God and not grab for my own wants and desires. God knew the desires of my heart, and after months of praying to God for this relationship, I gave up all expectations and was just truly happy with being where He wanted me to be. Well, it was the VERY next day that Philip reached out to me and our relationship began! It was just as it says in Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” God’s timing could not have been more perfect, and all of that waiting only made me more thankful and fall more in love with God!
It has been the biggest honor to have a relationship with someone as kind, humble, and loving as Philip Smith! He makes every day more fun, he has the sweetest heart, and he is so selfless and always thinking of my needs and others’ needs before his own. Philip loves God wholeheartedly and puts God first in every situation. He follows his parents’ authority and walks out how to live a Godly and righteous life. I am so excited to become Philip’s wife and to see how he will lead our marriage to serve the Church and make God look good!
I feel completely undeserving of this life and cannot believe all the mercy God has shown me. I know that none of this would be possible without the truth that has been taught in this Church through Gwen Lara. I am also so thankful for my mother who led me to this truth, Philip’s parents, Kent and Regina Smith, who always lead by example, and our dear friends in Remnant who love us and keep us accountable. I am so completely grateful and pray that our marriage is nothing but a glory to God!