After spending nearly forty years in the same church, Christie Ross and her husband, David, entered a season of transition. While they remained grounded in their faith, Christie wasn’t actively searching for a new church home. In fact, she wasn’t sure there was a church in the area that aligned with the values and beliefs that mattered most to them.
It was when Christie attended their granddaughter’s Little Lambs Christmas program at the Good Shepherd Gladstone Campus that she felt the first stirrings of belonging again. What started as a simple family event became something more when she was welcomed by Pastor Cathy and experienced a sense of warmth and authenticity that stayed with her long after the program ended.
As Christie explored Good Shepherd, she discovered a community where differing perspectives were respected and not judged, and everyone was invited to belong.
Although family commitments delayed his first visit, it didn’t take long for David to join her on a Sunday morning. Within about a month, he was attending regularly and felt the same connection Christie had experienced from the beginning.
Soon after, Christie joined a Bible study where she found a safe space to learn and build relationships. Through those connections came the opportunity to serve when Tammy asked her to consider being an usher.
For someone who describes herself as an introvert, ushering turned out to be the perfect fit. Rather than forcing herself into uncomfortable situations, the role gave her a natural way to connect with others, learn names, welcome newcomers, and help people feel seen. What began as a small act of service blossomed into a meaningful ministry.
Today, both Christie and David serve as ushers, welcoming others the same way they were once welcomed themselves.
As they became more involved in the life of the church, opportunities to participate continued to unfold.
During their first year, Christie and David were invited to sing an a cappella duet of “Were You There” at a Good Friday service. Having stepped away from a church where they had been involved in the music ministry, they saw the invitation as a gift. It became a meaningful reminder that there was still a place for their voices to be shared.
Looking back, Christie sees a pattern. She didn’t have to chase opportunities or figure out exactly where she belonged. Instead, she simply kept stepping in when invitations appeared. Whether serving as an usher, filling in when needed, singing, or supporting others in the congregation, each opportunity arrived naturally and led to the next.
Today, what Christie loves most about Good Shepherd is the community’s welcoming spirit and the belief that all people are God’s children. It’s a place where questions are encouraged, differences are respected, and everyone has a place to belong. For Christie, that spirit is reflected in the church’s leadership, where women are empowered to lead and supported by a congregation that celebrates their gifts.
Having discovered her own place through a series of simple invitations, Christie encourages others who may be hesitant to get involved. “Start small,” she says. Be open to opportunities when they arise, even if you’re not entirely sure they’re for you. Sometimes the things we hesitate to say yes to become the very places where we find connection and purpose. And if one role isn’t the right fit, that’s okay. Another door will likely open.
For Christie, faith at Good Shepherd has been less about having all the answers and more about being willing to take the next step when called. Again and again, she has discovered that when she is willing to step in, God is already there waiting.
