Gary Farnworth

I was born into a devout Mormon family. Growing up my entire life evolved around my family and church. All my friends and activities were all within the Mormon community.

I grew up believing that only the Mormons knew the real truth about God and the afterlife. I believed that Mormons had a special revelation given to them through the prophet Joseph Smith. I never had reason to question any of it because all my family and relatives believed it, so I did, too.

When I turned eighteen, my parents suddenly divorced. That was a huge embarrassment for me, and all my friends began to treat me differently. I moved away and never went back home or to church. My life as I knew it was over, and I remained unchurched for over 30 years.

I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior when I was about fifty years old. My wife and I were going through a very difficult time in our marriage. God used that time to draw us to Him.
I went through a very difficult learning curve, struggling with what I formerly believed about God and life after death. It drove to me really study Mormonism and Christianity side by side. It was by the grace of the true God of the Bible, that I came to know that there is absolutely no truth to the Mormon faith and that the Bible is the true word of God.

God showed me that I wasn’t t headed for one of the Mormon three degrees of glory, but for an eternal punishment in Hell. He brought me to my knees showing me I had sinned against Him and there was nothing I could do to make it right with Him, especially by any effort on my part. Through reading and hearing the Bible taught, I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. As I grew in my faith, God’s grace became more and more precious to me. He gave me mercy instead of the justice I deserved. I gave Him my life for saving mine. My desire is to serve Him with my heart. Isaiah 6:8-9 became my life verses. “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us' then I said, 'Here am I Lord send me.'"

God has called me to serve Him in ways I could never have imagined. He sent me into the jails in Los Angeles. There I served for twelve years as a volunteer chaplain teaching weekly bible studies. He called me to serve as Deacon for three years and as an Elder for six years in my previous church. Now, God has called me to serve as one of your Elders here at Cool Community Church.
Have you ever heard it said; “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips those He calls" Well, that’s me.

God has taught me to love the Gospel and Jesus Christ. He gave me a heart to share the good news with others. He has given me a heart to serve and love the people of His church.
It is truly my blessing to serve you here at Cool Community Church.