After graduating from San Diego State University in 1989 and pursuing a career in business, Pastor Fraser sensed a call to ministry. In 1993, that calling finally manifested into full time ministry as the Venter’s served on the pastoral staff at Light and Life Free Methodist Church in Long Beach in various ministry positions. In the summer of 1997, they were asked to lead Cucamonga Christian Fellowship. JoAnne has worked in sales for over 25 years. In addition to her full time job, JoAnne enjoys fulfilling her calling to ministry with Fraser and oversees the prayer ministries of CCF as well as the Women’s Celebrate Recovery.
I was born 1967 in Toronto, Ontario the youngest son of four children. I was born again 1990 in Torrance, California a child of the king. After graduating from San Diego State University (SDSU) with a degree in Psychology and Management I had planned on attending graduate school in the same area, specifically human resources. During my final semester at SDSU my brother, Shawn, had accepted Christ as his savior and he began to share his miraculous conversion with me intelligently and compassionately. I was moved by his story but I had yet been moved by 'HIS' story.
It wasn't until late in August that I woke up one Sunday morning and decided to go to the church my brother was attending. I slid into the pew third from the back and sat quietly as the service was nearly completed. My brother had no idea that I was present but God knew exactly where I was. The service ended and the Pastor (Dr. Charles Bullock) stated that if people wanted they could stay and reflect on the message that had just been shared as the music continued. No one moved for the first few moments and then slowly one by one people came out of their seat and silently began to make their way to the front altar and kneel. I thought to myself this is the best time to get back to my car and escape. Yet, I found myself unable to move and I began to ask myself questions. What am I living for? Why does my heart feel so empty, so unfulfilled?
Tears began to flow from my eyes but they were really coming from the dark places of my heart. I bowed my head and closed my eyes and uttered this prayer, "God...if you are real, you will send someone to me right now!" As the last syllable spoken from my heart was whispered I felt a hand on my shoulder. A man named Rob Stouffel laid his hand on me and asked if I was okay.
I looked up at him with a quizzical expression and said, "Do I look okay?"
"Would you like to go down front and pray about it," he asked.
I replied, "If it will stop me from crying I'll do anything." He smiled.
Thirty minutes later (what actually felt like an eternity) I arose a new creation in Christ as Rob led me to a personal relationship with the one who would fill my heart. For the first time, I really knew his name; it was Jesus.