How We Came to Daybreak ~ a P.K.’s Perspective

It was 1987, we were living in a modest parsonage in a little town called Folsom, CA

My dad was pastoring First Baptist Church

At that time, the only interesting place to see in Folsom was Sutter Street, where there were lots of little cute stores and a Spoons restaurant

But to do any major shopping or entertainment, we’d go to Sacramento. I was in 8th grade at Folsom Jr. High, was a bit awkward, and liked everything from Def Leppard to DeBarge; Steve Perry to Sandi Patti. I was not in the best crowd, but didn’t want to get into trouble like my friends were. In fact, I was praying for God to open up a door for me to get out of the circle of “friends” I was in.

This is me in Jr. High

One day Dad told us that he was talking to a church in Bakersfield and a couple other churches…somewhere else- Idaho? Washington? I don’t know, doesn’t matter. Now, “talking” to other churches meant that these churches had contacted him with interest in him as a Pastor. I knew instantly that I wanted to go back to Bakersfield, my home town, where I was born, and lived when Dad first surrendered to the ministry. The place we had to leave in the middle of my 2nd grade year to move to Riverside so he could attend CBC and I could live in a closet (more about that in another post!). I was SO excited at the possibilities!!

When we got to the point where it looked like the Bakersfield church would ask him to come in view of a call, I started writing about  it. I’ve always been one to journal, always had a diary, never wanted to look back and wonder what my feelings were, so I’d write them down for future reading. Here are a few of my journal entries from that time in my life. Word for word, so don’t be surprised if I sound like I’m in 8th grade. Besides, I was writing this for me, not for a school assignment, so it was rather sloppy and stream-of-consciousness. Oh, and yes, one or two of the names will be changed, to protect the innocent.

Monday, March 16, 1987 – 9:08pm

Dear Lord,

Lord, our family is very nervous right now. The church, Panama, in Bakersfield, is going to call tomorrow night. They are going to tell us whether or not they want us to come up so Dad can preach and they can vote. I, personally, want to go there. As you know, a few other churches have talked to Dad about their need of a pastor. It is obvious that You feel we’ve (or Dad has) done the job You’ve called us here to do, and You want us to move on. I think our family wants to go to Panama . But of course, it’s not our decision, it’s Yours, Lord. So whatever You want us to do, we are waiting patiently, ready to do Your will.

In some ways (I’ve told this to Mom) I feel that You want us to go to another small church to help it to grow. And in other ways, I feel that we are being called to Bakersfield. But I’m scared, because I’m not sure if I feel that way because I want to go to Panama, and it’s just out of selfishness, or if we really are being called to Bakersfield. But I think there is a great chance of us going there because we are so close to it. We are only two steps away from either being there or not being there.

Lord, please comfort my Dad and especially my Mom (not that my Mom is more important, but I’m afraid if she keeps being so nervous, she’s gonna have a nervous breakdown), because I know that they have a lot on their mind, and I’m sure it’s hard, not being able to tell anyone, because right now, besides our family and the church in Panama, only two other people know; my mom’s mom, and (I think) her sister. I’m not real sure if her sister knows, but I know Grandma knows.

Anyway, just be with them and comfort them, and remind them that they are always in Your love and in Your hands.

And Lord, help me be more of a servant to You, and if I start that Bible study, give me the knowledge and the courage necessary to teach.

In Your precious and holy Name I pray, Amen.

Right after that, we did hear from Panama Baptist Church (“the church in Panama”- haha!) and they invited us to come in view of a call. This next journal entry tells what happened next…

Friday, April 3, 1987 – 8:55am

Well, here we are, on the road, on our way to Bakersfield. We are all kind-of uptight. But it’s probably because we’re all pretty nervous right now. I know we’re gonna end up in Bakersfield. (I can’t write very well, because the car keeps shaking so much.)

Saturday, April 4, 1987 – 11:05pm

Well, if Daylight Savings Time hadn’t begun, it would be 10:05. But here I am, sitting on the couch at Tom and Sherry Johnson’s house, at 11:05pm, very anxious for tomorrow to be here. My brother and I are staying here for the weekend, while Mom and Dad stay at another couple’s house. I’ve met some of the youth. Jacob is my favorite. He is so nice, and very cute, and a freshman. Just perfect! I’ve found everyone to be so nice. My brother is out with a guy we sort-of know, John Fowler. He seems pretty nice. Oh! He just walked in. Good! He’s in a good mood. Anyway, I think if we move here, I’ll meet a lot more really nice people. I’m so tired. I think I need someone to talk to. …Brian.

…Good listener, ok feedback. So here goes. I asked him what he thinks about all this and he said he doesn’t know, that we have to wait ’til tomorrow. I guess that’s all we can do right now – just wait. I hate waiting.

April 5, 1987 – Approx. 11:05pm

Halleluia! Praise the Lord! YES! We did it! Well, actually, the Lord did it. We now belong to Panama Baptist Church! YEAH! We went outside so they could vote, and when we came back in, everyone rose from their seats and applauded! Shouts of “Yeah!” and “Amen!” were coming at us from everywhere. It was like a dream. Fantastic! I was crying and so was my Mom. My brother looked like he was about to, but I guess he figures he’s too old and too much of a man to be so emotional. But I let it out. I think I still have some emotions I need to get out, but considering there are people trying to sleep, I think I’ll have to keep it down.

I found everyone to be so incredibly nice. One of the girls in the youth, that I hadn’t even met yet, came up to me and kissed me on the cheek. I couldn’t believe how sweet and warm everyone was! Well, before all this, I kept praying to God, “Thy will be done.” that’s all we really wanted, for it to be God’s will. Obviously, it was.

We had a great feeling about this church before we even met them or came here. But we knew; I think all of us knew, that we were being called to this church. It’s probably the warmest, most loving church I’ve ever belonged to! I love it. Everyone loves each other, no matter if they aren’t the best at something, or they aren’t a lot like them. But I think that the overall thing that has really impressed me in this church,  is their love for Jesus Christ. No matter how old, everyone in this church loves Jesus and isn’t afraid to proclaim it.

I envy so many youth here. This one girl, her name is Leann, too, and she also sings. She sang Shepherd of My Heart this morning. At the night service, people were given a time when they could get up and tell what they were thankful for. Leann said, “I am thankful for a singing voice that I can praise Him with”. I admired her so much for saying that. I would never be able to get up and say something like that.

And speaking of being thankful, I thank Him for this wonderful youth group, because we came here to minister, but I really feel that I am the one who’s being ministered to. I think this is gonna help me get my Christian life back in order.

Well, I better get to bed before I find myself going to sleep right here in my clothes. I mean, it IS 11:40!

O, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!

…and the rest is history…and present…and future. We are still at Panama Baptist, but now it’s renamed, “Daybreak Baptist“. My dad is still the Senior Pastor, and my husband and I are the Worship Leaders. Those youth friends I talked about ~ most of them are still close friends of ours, and many of them still go to our church, with their children. Some are deacons, some are leaders in the youth department, some are on our worship team. It’s amazing to see where your life path leads.

This is me when we were moving into our home in Bakersfield

And one of me and Mom, I think from my freshman year of high school

This is Daybreak (Panama) Baptist, today