We found Calvary SD after an exhaustive search to find a spiritual home/family for our autistic 5…read moreyear old child. We are Christians who love the Lord, but many churches (even churches with robust children's ministries) were not a good fit for our child. She struggles with noise and crowds, and needed a special needs ministry that accommodated/supported her sensory related needs.
It was hard as a mother who wanted my child to experience a spiritual family/community and learn about the Word of God-to keep experiencing spaces that felt so alien and overwhelming for her. It also pained me to watch my child not know how to interact socially with her neurotypical peers, and experience Sunday mornings/church settings as spaces of exclusion, rather than as a house of God. I wanted my child to feel the love of God in all of its splendor-in a way that made sense to her uniquely beautiful wiring, and that she would be surrounded by believers who would love her and her autism. Not that she is defined by this diagnostic label-but rather, that she would be sheltered in a spiritual/family home that allowed her to be uniquely, entirely, and unapologetically herself-and experience the love of God from people who "get it' and the autism parenting/autism journey.
Moreover, we were seeking a church that was biblically based and a preacher/teaching staff that did not water down the Bible. Or use the pulpit as a platform for political divisiveness. It makes us deeply uncomfortable when a pastor tells me who to vote for (even if I would have voted for this candidate anyways)-or when the pulpit is used to malign or judge people who live or think differently.
What I love about Pastor Phil Metzer is that his sermons are deep, nuanced, and biblically sound-and he delivers his thoughtful messages with love, humility, and a posture of servanthood, rather than one of authoritarianism or judgment.
My husband was a minister, also. For over ten years, he was a minister in a different denomination/geographic region, and is fluent in Biblical Hebrew and Greek. He supported people in biblical translation and has a PhD in the Hebrew Bible. So, he's actually very discerning as to when a pastor is delivering a message that waters down the original biblical text and its cultural/historical context.
My husband is also constantly impressed with Pastor Phil's messages. He's deep, thought-provoking, and doesn't provide easy answers to life's hardships and question marks.
Moreover, I am beyond grateful for Pastor Phil's lovely wife, Joy Metzger. When I was going through a really hard time in my life-she listened to me for over an hour with an open, loving heart. I've had painful experiences of people not knowing what to do with my trauma history-and people, even very well meaning, loving Christians, would provide me with curt answers and platitudes about being grateful, forgiveness, or saying that God will take care of me-when I was sinking under the weight of so much pain.
When my second child had a medical crisis-Joy was there. Joy oversees the "Better Together" special needs children's ministry, and she is a woman of boundless compassion and tenderness. She has prayed for our family constantly, and her faith, commitment to prayer, and her effusive love has touched my heart throughout our journey here.
I want to thank Casey Glass, the "Better Together" volunteer and buddy for my child. Casey is an amazing woman (who also happens to train navy seals, not joking). She trains our special forces & also happens to be the best friend/buddy of a 5 year old with autism who loves Jesus, loves Casey, and loves bugs. I wound find Casey looking for and collecting bugs with my daughter and she has checked in with me repeatedly. Casey for President! We love you, Casey! We love you, Joy!!! You two ladies have been so supportive, beautiful, lovely, understanding, and helped my family in countless small and big ways.
I also want to thank the very sweet Edith Murillo, who has also supported/served as a buddy, to our daughter. Edith is such a kind, genuine, and loving soul-and she told me that she is praying for my daughter. When she waits by the church for my kid, and embraces her-I am reminded of how blessed we are to have found a church with members who live out the love of Christ each and everyday.
We are moving soon out of the area. Otherwise, I honestly would never leave this church. My husband and I said that we will be so sad to go-because it means no more Sundays at Calvary SD, and no more incredibly unique classes like the "Theology of Suffering" (a very deep, sprit filled class for the Christian who wants to praise the Lord in the midst of the storm) by the very gifted Pastor Jeff.
BTW-some of the earlier reviews that are negative about the lead staff-the staff has since changed. I don't mean to dismiss your real experiences-but just making a note of this.