At Redeeming Grace Church, we believe the church is not a building, it’s people serving together to glorify God. We regularly highlight a volunteer or staff member who serves with RGC because they make everything we do possible!
Today we want to introduce you to Kevin and Kim Pogoda. Kevin serves on the Grace Kids Leadership Team and in the Men's Simeon Trust Bible Study and Kim serves in Financial Peace University (FPU). Here's what a member of RGC and previous student in FPU had to say:
"When I met with Kim for the first of our breakfast meet-ups, I had just joined the Financial Peace University (FPU) class in my last semester of college, and I thought we were going to talk about budgets. I soon learned that even when talking about budgets is on the table, our time together is better described as me having an older sister invest into my life, and not just my finances. It’s been a couple of years since then, and watching how Kevin and Kim have walked through life and served our church has been a sweet reflection of how loving our God truly is. I am often delightfully surprised by the thoughtfulness and creativity of the ways they choose to love others like Jesus."
~ Elizabeth Varghese, Member of RGC
What volunteer roles are you involved in?
Kevin: I serve on the leadership team for Grace Kids and as a teacher in the Lion’s class. I also serve as the administrator and a small group leader for the Men’s Simeon Trust Bible Study. I love each role because I get to talk about Jesus, our wonderful Savior, through his Word. My handlebar mustache is also a big hit with the kids!
Kim: I serve as the co-facilitator for Financial Peace University (FPU) with Joe Deck and provide budget counseling for individuals and families in the church and throughout the community. Through my work with FPU, I have helped several members seeking new employment by rewriting their resumes. I have supported short-fused needs within the church, including providing meals for the sick, snacks for the international students, supplies for HYPO Week, a hug and prayer for those in need, and arms to cradle a baby during a Women’s Breakfast.
How did God lead you to be involved in those areas?
Kevin: My service in Grace Kids began many, many years ago. I felt prompted to help because my kids were in the Grace Kids, so I volunteered to be a bathroom monitor. Eventually, one thing led to another, and I am now serving as a teacher and on the leadership team. As for the Men’s Simeon Trust Bible Study, after attending a few sessions, I was greatly encouraged by how the class helped me grow closer in my relationship with Jesus through a better understanding of God’s word and fellowship with other believers. I wanted to be a part of facilitating the class so that others could be encouraged just as I was.
Kim: In 2014, while I was serving in the U.S. Navy, I spent time talking with God about what he had planned for my life. God reminded me to make my plans and that he would establish my steps (Proverbs 16:9). God did just that as I met Kevin in 2017, married him in 2018, and joined RGC. God continued encouraging me to use my love and talents to help others and opened doors for me to teach FPU at RGC. Whether God brought one or many to the FPU classes, he always brought the right ones, . God has continued to use my love for serving and helping others through FPU and other ways to support RGC and our community.
How have you seen God at work in our church community?
Kevin: I have seen many new people attend the Men’s Simeon Trust Bible Study. It is exhilarating to see people get excited about God’s Word! I also like seeing new faces and love watching God create new friendships between the men who attend the study. I am so glad to be counted as one of those men experiencing new friendships with others!
Kim: I have seen God work in others’ lives, helping them move from a place of fear to confidence and obedience in stewarding their resources. God’s faithfulness empowers them to trust him and to experience the freedom that comes with financial peace. These families and singles changed the trajectory of their lives. During the virtual FPU classes, we have had people from states other than Virginia attend the classes. This is so exciting and continues to demonstrate that God is hard at work in every facet of our lives and is teaching Biblical principles and his love for us. He continues to use FPU and my love for tackling debt to connect with his sheep. I’m excited to see how God will establish my steps as I make my plans for the future.
Could you tell us some interesting facts about you?
Kevin: I am currently learning New Testament Greek. It is exciting to read the New Testament in its original language! Also, my great-grandfather, who emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s, shortened his name to “Pogoda” when he naturalized. His real name was Pogodzinsky.
Kim: My Navy call sign from 2012 is ‘KP’ (stands for Kim Possible), and my initials, as Kevin’s wife, are ‘KP.’ God has quite a sense of humor!