Why emphasize the resurrection?
— May 2023—
We have the greatest evidence of our faith, the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary confirm this by seeing this angel who tells them that Jesus had risen.
Below are some testimonies and memories of our staff members about the resurrection...
HE LIVES !
At my church the Easter Sunday service has always been very early in the morning at approximately 6:00 am, so when I was little it always bothered me having to wake up so early to go to the service, of course, because I didn't understand the importance of this day, when I grew up and matured I understood the true importance of the resurrection and it is that the resurrection of our Lord is the gear that makes all the machinery of faith work perfectly because we do not believe in something dead we believe in someone alive who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
-Eduardo Valle
About the time of resurrection... I believe that just this year I was able to understand the true impact and importance that the resurrection has in my life, more than culture, more than routine, more than tradition, what is the true focus of what it represents, remembering the resurrection in our life, in my church, in my home, giving total focus to hope in Christ and the great love that he manifested on the cross. As a church we have a light service on Easter Sunday where I focus on remembering that the resurrection of our Lord calls us to be light for this world, to reflect in our lives who Jesus is and not only on Easter, or on Sunday but every day we must live this fire fervently to share the hope we have in him. Because he lives God is not dead. He rose on the third day and I treasure this truth as a consuming fire in my life.
-Leonardo Ramos
One of my most vivid memories of Resurrection Day as a believer was a sunrise service on the Sacramento River. I had been married a month, and there with my new wife, thinking about new life as the sun rose over the water. I realized how many Easters I had celebrated as a child and young man without understanding that Easter changes absolutely everything in human history, as it did in my life. The empty tomb is really the start of any good thing in our lives.
-Jeff Roenspie
My first Easter as a new believer isn’t something I remember so vividly but what I do remember is understanding that why we were all dressed up was because we were at a celebration! We were celebrating a LIVING God. I remember being so thankful and over joyed to have a God that overcame it ALL. It gave me a glimpse of the celebration we will have when the church is reunited to our amazing, gracious God in heaven.
-Bonnie Knight
I have a lot of memories of growing up and being a part of Easter programs as a kid at church and looking for eggs, but it didn’t become real for me until I was around 16 years old. Recognizing the greatest act of love was huge for me and my relationship with the Lord.
-Melody Meza
One of my best resurrection Sunday memories was a sun rise service at a friend's ranch, near our church. I remember how special they made the event and even at a young age I realized the importance of Jesus rising from the grave, and how it is a essential part of the gospel message.
-Elijah Demaray
My first memory of Easter Sunday as a Christian was attending my first Sunday Sunrise service that was held in a park. I remember the worship team playing with all joy and excitement as the sun was rising behind them and our pastor came up on stage and in a loud voice say "He is risen!!" He is risen!!! He is risen indeed!!! And in that moment my heart was filled with a joy, excitement, and passion for the Lord I had never felt before.
-Yesenia Benitez
I have several memories of Holy Week in my life, but I think that long ago I did not understand what was happening in front of me. Particularly this year my life was greatly impacted by various events, my local church never before had so much emphasis or importance placed on what the resurrection means for the believer as much as it did this year, that firm anchor where we can shelter our faith with complete confidence, because we believe in a living God, a God who won the battle for us.
-Yareth Gutierrez