Sheila Dougal

I cried buckets today.

My pastor (no one famous- IYKYK) Jason Vance, and his wife, my friend Karey, and their kids, who I love so much, were commissioned and sent to pastor a church in Oklahoma.

I’ve re-written this post three times trying to say how good it is to find a church with people like the Vance’s who will give their lives and the gospel to the people in their community.

In 2016, after a few years of church searching, I found Valley Life Church Surprise at a high school gymnasium near my home.

Within weeks of attending Valley Life a crisis hit my family. At the church’s newcomers desert in the Vance family living room with the pastor, Jason Vance, and the staff of Valley Life at that time, I found myself pouring out my concern for my family and sons and wanting a stable church.

Jason and the staff encouraged me with the hope of the gospel and prayed with me for my family.

I had finally found a church I could call home.

In the seven years since, I’ve grown in Christ because of Grace Point Church and the Vance family. I have learned to lead under the leadership and friendship of Jason and Karey Vance. My sons both professed their faith in Christ and were baptized under the leadership and friendship of Jason and Karey Vance. God has worked mightily through their family to serve and love me and my family well. And I am going to miss them terribly!

There are folks who have suffered hurt at the hands of pastors and churches. But under the leadership of Jason Vance, Rob Weiser, Tyler Tooley and the leaders on staff at Grace Point, I have experienced nothing but good.

I love the Church and I know in part it’s because the Vances have welcomed me, wept with me, discipled and worshipped with me.

Godspeed, Vance family! I love you. May God surround you with his goodness and kindness and keep you close to Jesus.