I’m incoming CSPC Director of Elementary Ministry Lisa Tarantino. Here’s more of how God’s enabling me & my family to live deeply.
“My kids are the reason we stayed at CSPC, it’s that simple. There was so much Rich & I loved about the church, and the love of its people drew us in (see last week’s Live Deeply posts)- but the impact on our three kids kept us anchored here. It was a blessing watching the development of their faith over the years. They became rooted in their love of Jesus and the people here who poured into them. When we first dropped Marissa and Michael off on Wednesday nights, before The Watershed was even built, I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t grow up with church programs like that. But every week, they’d come running back to the car, excited, talking not just about fun and friends, but also about Jesus. Michael went to the Middle School Summer trip at a Young Life camp with his leader, Matt Cox, and he and the other boys came home talking about Matt like he was a hero. Their leaders were clearly becoming instrumental in their lives. Marissa connected with Lauren Ridley, the high school intern at the time and they grew close. They even went on a special trip to New York City together. Seeing these men and women choosing to spend time with these kids blew me away. How could you not want to stay around for something like that? These relationships weren’t just a season – it was real relationships that have lasted. Those leaders lived out Christ’s love in a way my kids could see and feel. The Watershed was not just some ordinary place. It had become the perfect place for my kids to meet with their leaders and friends and discuss everyday life, to laugh, and feel valued. Watching high school girls like Natalie Campbell minister to & love on our youngest, Christina, and her friends every week from sixth grade all the way through high school at The Watershed was such a beautiful thing to witness. These high school leaders showed up not just on Wednesdays and Sundays but also to their events to support and encourage the girls. CSPC didn’t just provide a place for my kids to hang out. It provided them with a faith based community that helped them see Jesus.
When Christina was about to start sixth grade, I started asking: ‘What can I do to serve at the church? Where can I plug in?’ I prayed about it, and then out of the blue, Mark Steimer (who was then leading the youth ministry) asked if I’d consider being a small group leader. I thought, ‘Are these girls really going to want to hang out with an old lady like me?’ But after praying and talking it over with Christina and Rich, I knew God was nudging me to say yes. I’m so thankful I did. Every Wednesday night I experienced beautiful moments with the girls: I’d look out and see all these different people from different schools and backgrounds come together to worship. It was so moving seeing the unity we have in Jesus- kids and adults, all singing and praising together. But it wasn’t just the kids who were growing; God was growing me, too. I dove deeper into the Word as I prepare lessons for small group, and it amazed me how those girls would open up and apply Scripture to their lives. Some of the sweetest ‘God moments’ came with the girls who I thought were running the furthest from God. They sat off to the side and acted like they didn’t want to be there. But every week, I’d go have a conversation with them and even though they would admit they were only there because their mom made them, we started to build a relationship. Slowly, they moved away from their corner, joining the group, meeting me for conversations and joining in with the other girls. It was such a clear picture of what God does for us: He pursues us. He loves us exactly where we are. And that’s what I learned to do, too. Not to fix or force them to join in on my terms, but just to know them and their story. The goal was to help them realize, ‘We DO care, so join us just as you are when you are ready.’
When my older two kids entered high school, The Watershed opened for the first time. At this point my kids were heavily involved in the church, and they could not have been more thrilled to have a new building to gather in. The Watershed felt like home for them during those challenging middle school and high school years. Now, seeing the new elementary building come to life, it feels like God is writing the next chapter, and I’m excited to join and help lead the elementary team. The younger kids now have something as cool, awesome, & fun as The Watershed. When I walked through the new building and saw all the space dedicated for worship & classes, I was so impressed. I can’t wait to watch it grow. This past year, I felt God stirring in me this desire to do something more for Him, I didn’t know exactly what that would look like until He opened this door. I’ve been a public-school teacher for 19 years, and I knew I still wanted to work with students. Leaving the classroom will be bitter sweet for sure. Change can be tough and scary, but seeing how God opened so many doors and brought such a peace about my decision to take this position I know this is what I am suppose to do. I can’t wait to start putting my lesson-planning skills to work for CSPC’s K-5th graders. I want to take these lessons and make them meaningful so kids know first and foremost God loves them. I want faith to be the root that nurtures the rest of these students’ lives. As I look back on our 20 years at CSPC, I think that’s the biggest impact God’s brought about: He’s made faith the root of our family. Having faith as the root has helped us stay close. We have had faithful, strong believers continually poured into us at CSPC. Now, I get the joy of pouring back into the next generation. And it’s just the beginning of what I believe God is going to do here at Cedar Springs.”