At Redeeming Grace Church, we believe the church is not a building, it’s people serving together to glorify God. We regularly highlight volunteers and staff members who serve with RGC because they make everything we do possible!
Today, we want to introduce you to Elizabeth Varghese, who serves on the Sunday Admin Team and as a teacher in Grace Kids for the 2-year-olds class.
Here is what a member of the church had to say about them:
"Whenever I spend time with Elizabeth I come away both encouraged in my faith and challenged to grow in some way. She has her eyes fixed on Christ, which is evident in how she speaks, makes decisions, and treats others. She deeply values relationships - her heart for others reflects the Father’s heart for us. All of this is of course evident in the way she serves our church, both in her formal roles and in her day-to-day interactions with and prayers for her brothers and sisters in Christ. We are blessed to have Elizabeth in our church family!"
~ Maggie Dombroski, Member of RGC
What volunteer roles are you involved in?
There are two roles that I primarily serve in. The first is the Sunday Admin team, where I help coordinate the Sunday service by preparing sermon notes and slides, along with being a connection point for others who are serving. I also teach and spend time with the 2-year-olds in Grace Kids.
How did God lead you to be involved in those areas?
About a year and a half ago, Abby White mentioned that the church was starting a team to take over some of the Sunday morning administrative tasks. She asked if I was interested in joining, and I said yes! When I started, I was still trying to figure out my place in RGC and decide if this church was where I planned to be post-college. Even though I came into this role hoping to bless others, I’ve been far more aware of how God has met me and helped me feel like I belong here.
Serving in children’s ministry was something my family did together growing up, so being in GraceKids often feels like home. Being with 2-year-olds has been a uniquely enjoyable experience, as they are both fun and unpredictable. It helps remind me to pray and look for what God might want them to learn even if it’s not in my lesson plan.
How have you seen God at work in our church community?
If I had to pick what I love the most about RGC, it would be just how evident it is that God has sanctified this church over a long period of time. I've enjoyed hearing stories from others about the ways that God has met them individually over the years and how they've seen the church shift as a whole because of knowing God's grace more deeply. SaraJane Strylowski and Kim Pogoda in particular, have discipled me through how God has met them in their own stories.
Could you tell us some interesting facts about you?
One of my newest hobbies has been doing jigsaw puzzles during my Sabbaths (often with a nice candle and some music) or while having deep conversations with friends.
I also love to spend time with my little sister Debbie; we have a pretty goofy relationship. We are 7 and a half years apart. She has always been my comedic relief, finding ways to mess with me when I least anticipate it. She made guest appearances during Covid Zoom calls where she would stand off camera and toss stuffed animals at my face, slather hair gel or soap on my doorknob, and once even pulled out my chair from under me.
How have you seen God at work in our church community?
If I had to pick what I love the most about RGC, it would be just how evident it is that God has sanctified this church over a long period of time. I've enjoyed hearing stories from others about the ways that God has met them individually over the years and how they've seen the church shift as a whole because of knowing God's grace more deeply. SaraJane Strylowski and Kim Pogoda in particular, have discipled me through how God has met them in their own stories.
Could you tell us some interesting facts about you?
One of my newest hobbies has been doing jigsaw puzzles during my Sabbaths (often with a nice candle and some music) or while having deep conversations with friends.
I also love to spend time with my little sister Debbie; we have a pretty goofy relationship. We are 7 and a half years apart. She has always been my comedic relief, finding ways to mess with me when I least anticipate it. She made guest appearances during Covid Zoom calls where she would stand off camera and toss stuffed animals at my face, slather hair gel or soap on my doorknob, and once even pulled out my chair from under me.
Would you share about how Jesus became your personal Lord and Savior?
During my teenage years, I struggled with knowing if I was truly saved. I grew up in a Christian home and was actively involved in church, but often had a nagging sense that I was missing something. Even though I thought I was a Christian, I did not experience the fullness of life that comes with knowing Jesus. I have a distinct memory from 10th grade of re-praying a familiar prayer for salvation and for God to fix or fill whatever was causing the void that I couldn't explain, even if it meant permitting him to “wreck my life” if that’s what it took. Looking back now, although I had no idea what I was asking for, this posture of surrender changed everything.
The next year of high school was very intense. I loaded my academic schedule with every challenging class I could fit to become the “best version of myself” and to gain the respect of anyone watching. At the time, I equated God’s approval with how well I was reaching my own goals and gaining the approval of others. I crumbled under the weight of it all, no matter how hard I tried, running into failure after failure. God essentially let me “wreck” what I thought my life was supposed to be so that I could understand that I was living on my own strength and not by faith. It was at the end of that season that I chose to repent from living as if I could save or sustain myself. The void I felt before was finally gone; I believed that only Jesus could save me because he had changed me.
Would you share about how Jesus became your personal Lord and Savior?
During my teenage years, I struggled with knowing if I was truly saved. I grew up in a Christian home and was actively involved in church, but often had a nagging sense that I was missing something. Even though I thought I was a Christian, I did not experience the fullness of life that comes with knowing Jesus. I have a distinct memory from 10th grade of re-praying a familiar prayer for salvation and for God to fix or fill whatever was causing the void that I couldn't explain, even if it meant permitting him to “wreck my life” if that’s what it took. Looking back now, although I had no idea what I was asking for, this posture of surrender changed everything.
The next year of high school was very intense. I loaded my academic schedule with every challenging class I could fit to become the “best version of myself” and to gain the respect of anyone watching. At the time, I equated God’s approval with how well I was reaching my own goals and gaining the approval of others. I crumbled under the weight of it all, no matter how hard I tried, running into failure after failure. God essentially let me “wreck” what I thought my life was supposed to be so that I could understand that I was living on my own strength and not by faith. It was at the end of that season that I chose to repent from living as if I could save or sustain myself. The void I felt before was finally gone; I believed that only Jesus could save me because he had changed me.