We recently talked to James and Jill Marie Bronson about their experience with the current Gospel Foundations Series. We hope you are encouraged by their story.
Q: Tell us about yourselves. What’s your story? Why the Rock Church? Why Squamish?
A: James - "I grew up in a churched home but there was never a sense of community for me. When it came time to leave home I went to bible college and experienced monastic style of community which was great but not exactly God glorifying. When I came to Squamish in 2008 I had given up on finding a church that could really feel like a family and show the grace of God.
The first time I went to The Rock Church I felt like these people really cared about each other and wanted to live a life that was more than about themselves. There was also a really cute girl there so that helped too!"
Jill Marie – "I grew up going to church, but I had a dysfunctional family and I was a part of a lot of dysfunctional churches. To adapt, I formed a very individualistic faith that would only involve other Christians for short periods of time. I initially came to Squamish in 2004 to work as a raft guide. In 2009, I felt God was telling me to stop travelling and come back to stay put. I joined The Rock and found my husband."
Q: What have you thought of the Gospel Foundations sermon series so far?
A: James - "It has been challenging, as we discover what our true identity is and what we have been saved from. It makes us really look at how our life is oriented, which is a reflection of what your life is devoted to.
I've discovered that living with gospel intentionality really means denying yourself, which has been a hard thing to struggle with. I’m happy to be on the journey with the rest of the church - it’s hard but also exciting."
Q: What have you taken away from the series so far?
A: James - "We need to learn to make our every day “rhythms” reflect and point to the glory of God. I don’t know how that looks yet but it’s the goal."
Q: What has impacted you the most?
A: James - "The testimony of James Boney who in the face of having a sick baby decides to trust God and that God is sufficient. Not only that but he uses it to share the gospel with the doctors and now God has healed his baby. It's amazing and I can’t get over how good our God is!"
Q: Why is the Rock community valuable to you guys?
A: James and Jill Marie - "It is our family, you can’t live this life alone and if you try, you will loose heart. We have both tried that in certain seasons of our lives and we have both come to the realization that its through the church that we are being used to share the love of Christ."
"I (James) would go as far as saying that God won’t use individuals who refuse to be part of his family, which is the church. We want to be used by God and we love the family he has placed us in."
Q: What are you excited most about with regards to the Rock, the future, faith etc?
A: James and Jill Marie- "Seeing our friends come to faith in Squamish and the town restored as well as living life with the church in the Ledge Cafe."
Q: Why do you think it’s important that we are looking at the Gospel Foundations?
A: James - "To wake us up to the reality of who we are and what the gospel really means and how to share it with others. I have a hard time, sharing my faith but I’m learning about living your life in such a way that it demands a gospel explanation."