God Bless You Pastor Marlene and thank you for the blessed experience I had at the Get Connected Class. It's an excellent way to get plugged in to a church and to meet other Christians from the church. The interaction between people was great. It gives you a genuine feel for who people are in Christ and who I am in Christ. I could write a short story on all the class did for me but i'll end by just saying that after a year of looking for a church the Godly, warm, loving and as Raphael said to me one time in Ocean Grove, ''the friendly people of Zarephath.'' I'm glad I finally found a home.
GOD BLESS, Gary Parawski

The Get Connected Class has brought much to my life. The teaching of Pastor Marlene has helped me understand and grow as a Christian. Her guidance through scripture has and will continue to make a difference in my life, especially as I continue to struggle with this physical pain. The fellowship and prayer support has been God sent. I have found more strength, encouragement, and faith through others stories. This class doesn’t make me feel alone anymore as I struggle with this pain. I pray I will continue to keep some of the connections made because I strongly believe they will continue to minister to me through this time.
Dawn Yendrick

Like Elijah, I found myself sitting by a dry brook and found myself hungering and thirsting for living waters. The spirit of the Lord clearly spoke to me and told me "Daughter, rise up! You have dwelt on this mountain long enough." He lead me to Zarephath and this foundations class. During the past few months, I have feasted on the bounty of the Lord. I have been fed with solid food from His precious Word and I have been touched by God's living spirit through the exhortation of His Word and the fellowship of like-minded believers. As I have sat under the teaching and guiding in this class, I have felt the gifts within me being stirred up. God's word for me during this season in my life has begun to be fulfilled in this class - as Paul spoke to Timothy - so the Lord spoke to me to "fan into flame the gift of God which is within you." Truly, I can say that this class has had a tremendous impact of fanning into flame the gift of God within me. I look forward to the day that I can partner with other believers at Zarephath to minister in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eileen Laplaca

I learned so much but the one thing that always comes to mind during my prayer time is: In everything give thanks. Even during my physical pain and personal struggles I know he will use them for good. I just need to keep my faith in Him. Also your relentless energy is so inspiring. Thank you.
Blessings, Mary Lou Giese

I knew that ZCC was a special place when I first walked in the door and the Get Connected Class has fortified that initial impression. The class truly helps to provide a sense of connection quickly. As the service attendance grows, it is so nice to walk into worship and see familiar and friendly faces. It is not just the faces though....it is hearts....beautiful hearts. We are experiencing this faith walk together and it is a powerful experience. I met wonderful people and have developed friendships and I am so thankful.

On a spiritual level, I feel SO ministered to. I am learning more than ever before, but not just on an intellectual level. It feels like it's on a cellular level. I walk out of each class transformed. Yes, I want to know scripture, but I really want to understand and feel the Word and for the first time in my life I am feeling that. It is amazing to experience that with others and I am so blessed to be a part of this process. While I get to know my fellow brothers and sisters, I am learning about myself. It is fresh, exciting, awe inspiring.

There has been an amazing synchronicity between Foundations, worship, bible study and everyday life. I guess the best way I can describe it is that I imagine myself at an airport trying to find the right gate. I struggle while walking with my heavy luggage in tow as I check each gate. Foundations has led me to the motorized sidewalk where I can lay my heavy bags down and know that I am going in the right direction to the absolute and perfectly right gate. (I hope this makes sense). Amazing things have been happening in my life since the start of class and I definitely want to share them, but it is too much to type. Pastor Marlene, I would love to meet with you and can make arrangements to meet in the late afternoon sometime if that works for you .I am enriched and so blessed by our time together in class. I miss you and Erin and everyone. Thank you for your ministry and for your love,
Peace and grace,
Claudia

CHANGED LIVES!

The Get Connected Class was truly a blessing. It was such a great way to meet so many fellow Christians from the Zarephath family. The real blessing for me came from the intimate and personal stories shared in our group. I could feel the Love of God through the stories that connected us to one another. Praise God for the trials that He sends, that the difficult times in our lives have deepened our relationship with Him. We are not alone in our suffering or our joy! Praise God!
Romans 5:3-5
Jeannette Carasoni