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 Geoff and Carol Sawyer!
What volunteer roles are you involved in?
Geoff: I currently lead the Saturday morning prayer team, a men’s Bible Study (Simeon’s Trust), and teach music at our church’s homeschool Co-op. I also support our worship ministry by encouraging musicians, directing the choir, and occasionally playing guitar or singing with the band.
Carol: Currently, I serve on the Women’s Ministry Planning Team, help in the bookstore 2 times per month, and pitch in preparing/serving food for various events such as Members’ lunches and Hypo week.
How did God lead you to be involved in those areas?
Geoff: From my early church days, the Lord instilled in me both the desire and opportunity to creatively magnify His Word through music and worship in the church. Having served in this area for decades, I developed a heart for equipping other musicians for ministry (1 Pet 4:10). Also, my love for God’s Word has motivated me to study and pursue opportunities to join other men who similarly desire to grow. (Ps.119:97). My focus on prayer is due to my need to be praying and the encouragement gained from interceding with faithful prayer warriors (Eph. 6:18).
Carol: In 2016, the RGC women were introduced to the Simeon’s Trust method of expository Bible Study (thank you, Valori Maresco!!), and I was asked to be one of the small group leaders. I attended my first Bible Exposition Workshop that Fall; I was hooked and led a small group for several years. In 2019 I also became involved in mentoring young women through the C.S. Lewis Institute and subsequently volunteered to help with our Women’s Ministry primarily because I long to see our church offer more discipleship and mentoring opportunities.
My involvement in the bookstore began as a form of friendly protest years ago—when it appeared the plan might be to close its doors completely to make room for the coffee. Yes, I know there’s Amazon.com, but there’s something really, really special about watching a dad or mom come into the bookstore with a little son or daughter to pick out a brand-new Bible…
How did God lead you to be involved in those areas?
Geoff: From my early church days, the Lord instilled in me both the desire and opportunity to creatively magnify His Word through music and worship in the church. Having served in this area for decades, I developed a heart for equipping other musicians for ministry (1 Pet 4:10). Also, my love for God’s Word has motivated me to study and pursue opportunities to join other men who similarly desire to grow. (Ps.119:97). My focus on prayer is due to my need to be praying and the encouragement gained from interceding with faithful prayer warriors (Eph. 6:18).
Carol: In 2016, the RGC women were introduced to the Simeon’s Trust method of expository Bible Study (thank you, Valori Maresco!!), and I was asked to be one of the small group leaders. I attended my first Bible Exposition Workshop that Fall; I was hooked and led a small group for several years. In 2019 I also became involved in mentoring young women through the C.S. Lewis Institute and subsequently volunteered to help with our Women’s Ministry primarily because I long to see our church offer more discipleship and mentoring opportunities.
My involvement in the bookstore began as a form of friendly protest years ago—when it appeared the plan might be to close its doors completely to make room for the coffee. Yes, I know there’s Amazon.com, but there’s something really, really special about watching a dad or mom come into the bookstore with a little son or daughter to pick out a brand-new Bible…
How have you seen God at work in our church community?
Geoff: Since 1979, I’ve seen the Spirit drawing people to our church through community, worship, and a strong emphasis on God’s Word. As the church has grown, so has our commitment to our mission of spreading the gospel to our community and to the world.
Carol: Recently, I’ve been so encouraged as God has merged two churches into one; Sojourn brought renewed zeal and energy, a vision for church planting and missions, and many little ones to fill some once-empty GK rooms. RGC’s more ‘seasoned’ leadership and congregation offered experience, maturity, and many long-time believers eager to disciple the younger members—and of course, our facility. Thank You, Lord, for building Your church!
Could you tell us some interesting facts about you?
Geoff: I’ve taught hundreds of church members to play guitar and piano and played in at least that many RGC weddings. Personal musical highlights include singing under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, playing guitar and/or singing on seven studio albums, directing band and choir for Godspell, and (along with my wife) being part of the choir backing Steven Curtis Chapman in concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC.
Carol: We’re longtime members of this church (Geoff joined in 1979, I in 1983) who met, married, and raised our five kids here. It’s particularly thrilling to currently attend RGC alongside our adorable grandkids! Recently, we left the community group we’ve been hosting for nearly 15 years, in large part because we hoped it would help us to develop more multi-generational relationships; we miss seeing our old friends regularly, but mixing it up sometimes to get out of our comfort zone is a good thing! I love to read, write, paint, hike, and travel, and I’m never happier than when I get to use the creative gifts God has given me to encourage others.
Thanks for taking the time to read about two ‘old-timers’--who are grateful to have found a place to grow and serve here at RGC.
“[The righteous] flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age.” (Ps. 92:13b-14a)
Could you tell us some interesting facts about you?
Geoff: I’ve taught hundreds of church members to play guitar and piano and played in at least that many RGC weddings. Personal musical highlights include singing under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, playing guitar and/or singing on seven studio albums, directing band and choir for Godspell, and (along with my wife) being part of the choir backing Steven Curtis Chapman in concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC.
Carol: We’re longtime members of this church (Geoff joined in 1979, I in 1983) who met, married, and raised our five kids here. It’s particularly thrilling to currently attend RGC alongside our adorable grandkids! Recently, we left the community group we’ve been hosting for nearly 15 years, in large part because we hoped it would help us to develop more multi-generational relationships; we miss seeing our old friends regularly, but mixing it up sometimes to get out of our comfort zone is a good thing! I love to read, write, paint, hike, and travel, and I’m never happier than when I get to use the creative gifts God has given me to encourage others.
Thanks for taking the time to read about two ‘old-timers’--who are grateful to have found a place to grow and serve here at RGC.
“[The righteous] flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age.” (Ps. 92:13b-14a)