STORIES OF IMPACT

God has woven stories of generational faithfulness for the past 60 years. 

We look forward in faith to see God’s story of people impacted through the ministry of Coral Ridge continue to unfold.

KANELL FAMILY

by Diane Kanell

“One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts,” Psalm 145:4.

In 1978, our two oldest daughters, Debbie and Daryl, received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through Coral Ridge’s youth program at Gangway under the direction of Pastor John Musselman. They were so excited about their newfound faith that they began to share with Dan and me. At that time, we thought we were Christians and were attending another local Church.

We were curious; what was this change that came over our daughters? Through the strong witness of Gangway, Dr. Kennedy and God’s Word, Dan and I also asked Jesus into our hearts, and our lives were changed forever! We both took Evangelism Explosion because we wanted to be able to share Jesus with others. We thank God for his amazing grace and his faithfulness over all these years. Truly God has fulfilled his Word in Psalm 145:4. We praise him and give him all the glory that all of our children and their spouses and all of our grandchildren know Jesus as their Savior.

VIDEO TESTIMONIES

Metzger Family

Bordy Family

Perez Family

CARLSON FAMILY

by Emily (Carlson) Scheimann

My grandparents’ involvement with Coral Ridge began long before I was born. Growing up, I heard stories of how they desired a school for their children that would instill Christian values while providing excellent academics. Westminster Academy was born around my grandparents dining room table with thoughts and plans sketched on a napkin. My grandpa [Jim Carlson] had the bold vision to bring Dr. Kennedy’s messages outside the four walls of Coral Ridge, and ultimately, to millions of people. Their involvement in the early days of Evangelism Explosion helped that ministry expand to the international organization it is today. Everything they did was motivated by the truth that they were sinners in need of a great Savior, and their desire to share this message with others. 

Looking back, I see clear examples of my grandparents incorporating biblical truths into every area of their lives. My Grandma believed that the Bible should be at the foundation of all that we do. She took this quite literally! When my grandparents built their home in the 70’s, Grandma took a Bible and cut it into individual sections which she protected in ziploc bags. As the foundation of the home was laid, she put pieces of the Bible in cement around the entire home, starting and ending at the front doors. It reminds me of the pictures I’ve seen of the Groundbreaking of Coral Ridge, with the people praying over the four corners of the property. I pray my own children grow up seeing examples of God’s Word being given such priority.

CLEMENTS FAMILY

by Sherry Clements

Our family was introduced to Coral Ridge six years ago, however the influence of this church in our family goes back four generations. We moved to South Florida in 2014 from the Midwest with three school-aged children. After a rough year in the public schools, we heard about Westminster Academy from our pastor in Coral Springs. We sent only our oldest the first year, and we were so impressed with the school that we sent all of our children the following year. That year, I remember driving my parents to Grandparent’s Day and as we drove into the church parking lot, my mom gasped, “This is Coral Ridge!” I responded how do you know Coral Ridge? She then told me how my grandmother from Michigan listened to Dr. Kennedy faithfully, and she too would listen to him on the radio. 

I had no idea the impact Coral Ridge had on our family so long ago, nor did I know how much of an impact it would have on us in the future. Over the last six years, our two oldest kids have been involved with the youth group, Evangelism Explosion, and mission trips. We have seen so much growth in their faith during this time. We have since joined Coral Ridge. Now my mom, who is still in Michigan, and I are taking the virtual EE class together. Coral Ridge’s reach is so much more than the Fort Lauderdale area, and it brings me to tears every time I tell how God has orchestrated our family story of four generations at Coral Ridge. I wish my grandmother was still here to share this with us, but I know she’s in heaven praising God for his goodness! God’s plans are so much bigger than we can ever imagine.

CLEMENTS FAMILY

by Sherry Clements

Our family was introduced to Coral Ridge six years ago, however the influence of this church in our family goes back four generations. We moved to South Florida in 2014 from the Midwest with three school-aged children. After a rough year in the public schools, we heard about Westminster Academy from our pastor in Coral Springs. We sent only our oldest the first year, and we were so impressed with the school that we sent all of our children the following year. That year, I remember driving my parents to Grandparent’s Day and as we drove into the church parking lot, my mom gasped, “This is Coral Ridge!” I responded how do you know Coral Ridge? She then told me how my grandmother from Michigan listened to Dr. Kennedy faithfully, and she too would listen to him on the radio. 

I had no idea the impact Coral Ridge had on our family so long ago, nor did I know how much of an impact it would have on us in the future. Over the last six years, our two oldest kids have been involved with the youth group, Evangelism Explosion, and mission trips. We have seen so much growth in their faith during this time. We have since joined Coral Ridge. Now my mom, who is still in Michigan, and I are taking the virtual EE class together. Coral Ridge’s reach is so much more than the Fort Lauderdale area, and it brings me to tears every time I tell how God has orchestrated our family story of four generations at Coral Ridge. I wish my grandmother was still here to share this with us, but I know she’s in heaven praising God for his goodness! God’s plans are so much bigger than we can ever imagine.

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