We All Have a Story

Everyone who steps through the doors of Summit has a story. It can be easy to take that for granted, but God is working on each one of us. Each person who sits next to us during service, serves in Base Camp, or flips the dispenser on the coffee in the lobby is on a journey with God.

Earvin and Maria Lora’s journey recently included getting baptized at Summit’s last baptism event in the fall of 2023, and hearing the story of how God guided them through this big step in their lives is truly awe-inspiring.

Both Earvin and Maria grew up around religion, but something never quite clicked. It always left them wanting more or worse, left them feeling judged or empty. Then, years into their marriage, now with kids in tow, they both hit some speed bumps in life.

Earvin found himself experiencing quite a bit of hurt and disappointment while leaving a career in law enforcement. Meanwhile, Maria was struggling to keep her own alterations business going. It was during this time that Elaine entered the picture, and during one of her stops at Maria’s business, she happened to make a seemingly inconsequential comment, an encouragement, really. Though it was small, God was getting ready to use it in a mighty way.

Maria told the story like this, “One day, a stranger came to get some clothes fixed, and she told me that I was like the ‘Proverbs woman.’ I had no idea at all what that even meant. That same exact week, a second person came in and said, ‘Maria, you're like the Proverbs woman,’ and I still hadn't read [Proverbs], but I did reach out to my parents and said, ‘Can you please send me a Bible?’”

What if I told you that over the course of the next year, Maria would embark on a mission to read the entire Bible because of this one comment? When she finally got ahold of a Bible, she saw a glimpse of the woman she aspired to be in the scripture.

So, who was Elaine? Elaine and her family are faithful congregants of Summit Lake Mary. After some back and forth, it would actually end up being Elaine’s daughter, Ellen, who would invite Earvin and Maria to church. From there, eventually a connect group would form that included the Lora’s, Elaine’s family, and another core family to Summit Lake Mary. The Lora’s would now have support in their spiritual lives like they had never known before.

Maria said that these families “have been an integral part of our faith, in our kids’ spiritual lives. The whole transformation, our transformation, inviting us here to Summit and not just inviting us but following up. They ask us, ‘What did you learn at church today?’ Having those conversations, having a small group that almost felt like it was just meant for us on Thursday nights, has helped us to grow spiritually, to talk more, to not be alone…”

“…I come over for lunch after church so we can grow in our faith together. They invited us here, and that was just like this missing piece in our puzzle.”

When Earvin told the story from his perspective, he made sure to include that he had made the decision to move to New York to find work. He was at his all-time low, depressed and struggling.

Soon after arriving in the big city, though, Maria calls to tell him about a kitchen fire at home in Central Florida. This scare served as a wake-up call for Earvin. He knew right away he was in the wrong place, and he needed to get back to his family. He moved because he knew he needed a change, but perhaps this wasn’t the change God had in mind.

“Essentially, God told me, ‘Cherish your life.’ And that's where it was. It hit me. So, a very big thing there for us. Life changing.”

Earvin said he didn’t understand what was happening initially, saying his wife hadn’t opened a Bible in 20 years. He said he’d never read one at all. The scripture Maria was becoming passionate about, though, eventually led to stirring in Earvin’s heart as well.

When Earvin was asked what kept them coming back to Summit, he said, “It was Base Camp. Our kids loved it so much. I was still on edge…to tell you the truth. I had just gone through so much depression and anxiety…So, I was still struggling hard, very hard. But I saw my daughters and how faithful they were worshiping and everything…Seeing the smiles on their faces every day, saying, ‘I can't wait to go back Sunday for Base Camp.’ …I think they would go if church were every day.”

As the Lora’s continued to share their story, it became more and more obvious that God had breathed life into their family in such a unique way. Their story also shows how important the local church can be. They may have hit a low in their lives, but running into Elaine that fateful day served as the spark to begin walking with God. They needed a new start and baptism was one next step in that direction.

Coming up on Sunday, April 14th, all of Summit will be driving over to Bethune Beach for a service that will include a time for more people to enter the waters of baptism. We want to continue to be a church that inspires people to find and follow the way of Jesus. And as we jump, clap, and cheer from the shoreline, we’ll be reminded once again that God is weaving together the stories of his church in beautiful and intricate ways.