BEV GRAFFLIN

I am a PK (Pastor’s Kid), and my parents came to Southern California—Balboa Beach, no less—from Kansas when I was 6 months old to establish new churches. After initial growth, the young churches were turned over to other qualified ministers for nurturing. These infant churches didn’t come with a nursery or children’s ministry, so I attended every service while sitting on my mother’s lap. In starting churches and other endeavors of Christian service, we moved quite a bit throughout California and Arizona, and it wasn’t until I turned 36 that my age finally passed up the number of places I’d lived. I guess the restlessness of my pioneering Mennonite ancestors still ran strong in my parents' blood. I have two brothers, one older and one younger, whom I idolize as any good sister should. I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of 8, and am thankful for the tremendous influence of a dad and mom who both loved the Lord.

Sadly, I went "prodigal" for about 15 of my young adult years. I gained a degree in Art Education in South Carolina, and came back to California for a career as a freelance graphic designer. I met and married a steady young carpenter by the name of Dave Grafflin, had a beautiful daughter named Jessica and bought a home in Riverside. But our family started falling apart in 1984, and I realized I needed God because the mess I’d made of my life was only going to get worse if I didn’t get His help. He, of course, had been waiting to show how much He loved me the entire 15 years.

Even though I had God’s help after that point, He allowed me to reap what I had sown, and there was no storybook ending. My marriage disintegrated, we sold our home to cover debts, and my daughter was torn between two homes. But through it all I learned, and am still learning, that God is sufficient for all my needs.

I love excitement and have been privileged to try skydiving, hang-gliding, scuba diving, surfing, skiing, backpacking, extensive horseback riding, etc. As you can guess, I’d rather "do" than "watch", but now find that my body doesn’t always back me up. Getting to know God has also been a worthwhile adventure and is much easier on the joints.

When Pastors Brian and Chuck invited me to accept the position of Director of Women’s Ministries in the winter of 2002-2003, I wondered how anyone with so many failings could serve God in such a ministry. I came to realize, like Paul noted in 2 Corinthians 12:9, that my weaknesses would give God all the more room to demonstrate His love and power...and rightly get the praise for any good results. My ministry is oversight of the activities currently being done by faithful volunteers in this church, but you don’t have to look far to see tremendous opportunities for the women at GCC to grow up together in the Lord, sharing all He has to offer with others.