Members of Remnant Fellowship since 2003, Tom and Jennifer were married in 1996. They have four adult children who live near them in Brentwood, TN, with their families. They are also currently blessed with five grandchildren.
We moved to Nashville in 2008 to bring our family closer to where the largest group of Remnant Saints was living. We wanted that constant fellowship for our children and for us! God has continued to refine and test our dedication to Him first, then to His Church, our family, and then ourselves last. In this, we have witnessed time and again that God always provides in ways we would never expect.
Our early years of marriage were extremely difficult. Even though we took pre‑marital classes, we were unprepared. I felt trapped in an unhappy marriage and buried myself in work and hobbies, while Jennifer coped through food, work, and exercise. In 1999, she took a Weigh Down class and began developing a real relationship with God, but I wasn’t ready to listen or change. We kept searching for answers, even serving two years as missionaries, but eventually realized we were living the “form of godliness but denying its power” described in II Timothy 3.
When Jennifer returned to Weigh Down and joined a Weigh Down Advanced class, I joined her. Hearing Gwen Lara’s teachings and the testimonies of men who had turned from hidden sins made it clear that this was the answer to what we had been seeking. We learned about Remnant Fellowship Church, and within weeks, we joined Remnant Fellowship because we saw the good fruit in the church members who were putting God first in every area of life. Their examples showed me that I COULD change, the teaching showed me Scripture that said I MUST change, and—because I saw the results—I WANTED to change.
As I began to grow and change for the better, Jennifer was experiencing her own transformation. Scripture came alive for both of us as we learned to seek God’s guidance, love, and direction. Although we lived in another state, we stayed connected to the church through fellowship, calls, webcasts, and frequent trips to Nashville. Even when I traveled for work, the accountability and focus on God helped me stay devoted to Jennifer and our family. Jennifer trusted that I had eyes only for her, not only when by her side at home but also when travelling.
Under the Bible-based teaching of Gwen, Elizabeth, and the Remnant Leadership, our marriage and family continued to change for the better. In 2008, we moved to Nashville to be near the larger Remnant church family. Over the years, we have repeatedly witnessed God’s provision, Spirit-led direction, and unity within this church. After Gwen’s passing, her daughter Elizabeth Hannah Kaufmann stepped in seamlessly, overseeing the various church ministries to ensure the needs of the church members were met while also delivering powerful, life-changing sermons.
Today, Jennifer and I are deeply grateful for the transformation God has brought to our marriage and to our now-extended family. We are hopeful for our children and grandchildren and eager to pass this faith and experience to the next generation.
We feel so well-equipped for every stage of life because we have witnessed so many walk through each stage with the Christlike perspective taught and lived here at Remnant Fellowship Church. We are excited for the future as we are consistently encouraged to take our personal relationship with God and Christ even further each day.
