Leadership

Rhonda Beckwith

Azusa, Foothill Community Church

Briefly describe your testimony of coming to Christ…

I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home and began serving the Lord in our church at an early age. I don’t have a spectacular testimony but one of consistent learning and growing in my faith. I remember specific times in middle school and high school where God revealed more of himself to me and those revelations continue to this day. I knew when things got tough I could lean into my relationship with God and He would bring direction, hope and peace. I’m grateful for a family and community that raised me in the faith.

Briefly describe your understanding of God’s calling on your life…

I felt the call early on in my life to serve the Lord in the local church. I have served in a variety of ways and positions from middle school into adulthood. It was during college that my specific call to a counseling ministry within a church became more clear. I feel called to preach the gospel, care for our community and lead people into freedom through the one on one interactions in a counseling ministry. It is a privilege to serve and be a resource to the church in this way. Growing up in the church I noticed a lot of hurt and pain underneath the smiles and finely dressed people who came each Sunday. I was one of them who found myself serving faithfully and caring for others with a bright and positive spirit yet struggling with a hidden eating disorder and depression. My hope is to provide a safe place and/or resources where someone can go to work through the deeper issues that keep them from thriving and enjoying a life of peace and joy as God would desire for us.

How did you come to the Free Methodist Church?

I actually came into the Free Methodist Church through my husband, Dennis, who grew up in the FM church. I was raised in the Christian Reformed church in the Dutch community of Bellflower, CA and began attending the FM church in Azusa after we were married in 1984. I served in various capacities over the years and after about 10 years of serving began the ordination process fully embracing the doctrine of the FM denomination. I have served as an ordained deacon for about the last 20 years at the Azusa FM church.