Reconnected

Paola Goyeneche had always believed in God, but over time, she began to feel distant from her faith. When she sought baptism for her daughter, Camila, at a local church, she hoped it would be a moment to connect more deeply to God. Instead, she was met with an unexpected refusal and came away feeling disappointed, discouraged, and unsure of where she truly belonged. That experience left her searching for a community that would welcome her and her daughter with openness and grace.

Around that time, her sister-in-law encouraged her to reach out to Pastor Lee at St. Philip. Paola decided to try, unsure of what to expect. To her amazement, his response was warm, immediate, and reassuring. She felt welcomed instead of evaluated. When Camila was baptized at St. Philip, it was more than a joyful day for her family; it was the beginning of Paola reconnecting with her own faith. She felt the kindness of the pastor and the congregation and sensed that she had found a place where she and her daughter were genuinely welcome.

After Camila’s baptism, Paola found herself yearning to draw closer to God. She began listening to sermons, studying the Bible, and attending worship. Week by week, she felt something shift. Her relationship with God began to feel authentic again, rooted not in obligation but in grace. She found that the people of St. Philip welcomed her and Camila with open arms. God’s presence became tangible in her life in a way she hadn’t experienced.

As Camila started attending St. Philip Preschool and participating in children’s church with Ms. Roz, Paola felt even more at home. She officially became a member in March 2023, grateful to be in a church where her daughter could learn about Jesus and grow in faith. She describes St. Philip as a place that receives her without judgment, embraces the fullness of who she is, and surrounds her with people who genuinely care.

Paola knows she has found the community God has been leading her toward, a place of grace, belonging, and a faith she has reconnected with and can now share with her daughter.