We came to Gateway as an engaged couple back in 2003 just to say “thanks” to Deb’s manager at the time, Richard Brown. He had given us each a pass to Family Life’s Weekend to Remember and we were so struck by it that we wanted to finally visit the church he was always talking about. We had been going to different churches in Austin off and on, but as soon one of them started talking about politics or displayed a money-first faith approach, we left.

We were already disoriented that first Sunday we came to Gateway because of the giant Star of David sunroof in the synagogue sanctuary. But when John got up to speak, we found ourselves even more confused. He told us to look under our chairs for a blue envelope and open it. Deb’s had a new $20 bill in hers and Rich had a $50 bill in his. John explained their faith-first money approach and how Gateway was putting their own monthly tithe in the hands of the congregation. We ended doing a really cool homeless-kit project with the $70 and our own, but it was exactly what we needed to convince us we had found our church home.

We have lived life through Gateway: volunteering for just about every team between the two of us, inviting countless people, growing in many life groups, going on three mission trips, and starting a few life groups of our own. In the time we’ve been at Gateway, we have gotten married by a Gateway pastor (Matthew Haney), we were baptized and we had two children, Abby and Chloe. Both of our daughters have made their own choice to accept Jesus, be baptized and attend multiple Go! Teams. Our oldest now serves in Next Gen and has affected the lives of not just the children she teaches, but their parents when the kids beg to come back week after week.

Both Deb and Rich are commissioned leaders, currently host a couples Life Group, Deb is in the Leadership Development Program and Rich consults on technical projects as needed. We are so thankful and continued to be amazed at how our faith continues to grow and how our children continue to grow and step out in faith on their own.