“I am plugging in and feeling accepted, loved, and seen from the parking lot attendants to the greeters…I started volunteering at Next Step and now serve there regularly and I have never been happier. I have purpose and something to look forward to. I am not ‘all by myself.’”
For Cynthia, every day had become a challenge. Throughout her life, she had experienced the loss of her marriage, her job, and her father, and earlier this past year, she also faced the grief of losing her young adult son in a tragic accident. Though she clung to her faith in God, she had stopped going to church.
One day while scrolling Instagram, Cynthia saw a post for a new congregation in her city, Mariners Trabuco Canyon. In a brave step of faith, Cynthia came alone one Sunday and was warmly welcomed by one of our volunteers, who she later learned had also recently lost her son. After visiting the Next Step Area, she signed up for Rooted and got connected in community with an incredible group of women who became her long-term Life Group. Now, she is actively serving and growing as a part of her new church family.