I started attending Vantage Point Church about four and a half years ago, and when I first started attending, I honestly didn’t know anyone and I felt super alone. I started serving in the high school ministry, and low and behold, I met this guy.
This is Christian Alvarez. One of the most God fearing men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He is the jr high pastor at Vantage point, and I have had the pleasure of not only being his friend, but I was also his intern at a certain point. However, he’s no longer a friend, he’s a brother. Even though he’s younger than me, he has so much knowledge and God has truly blessed him with the gift of leadership. There’s been many times where I didn’t know what to do, and he has always come in clutch with pointing me to the truth, which is Jesus. We used to stay up super late and play madden at his house and just talk about life. I’ve had the true honor of attending Hume Lake summer camps for three years with him, and all three of those weeks have been truly life changing, and I am forever grateful for those opportunities. He truly is so blessed, and he has an amazing wife, who without, he wouldn’t be who he is today.
Queue, Jessica Alvarez. This woman right here, she fears the lord. People always talk about women who are strong, however they haven’t met Jess. Jess has stabbing pain in her spine and shooting pain down her legs, and it’s been constant for quite a few years now. Yet through it all, she still praises God, and she perseveres through it all, and she makes not only our jr high ministry and high school ministry better, as well as her husband, but she touched everyone around her. Her toughness to push through and carry on has pushed me to persevere through the back pain I have. I have scoliosis, and it is currently getting worse as I get older. I used to always complain how bad my back hurts. However, I started realizing that even though Jess has all this pain, she never talked about it out loud. She never complained, never bickered. Through her example, I’ve learned not to have a complaining spirit, but to have one of joy and peace. Once you get to know Jess, you see how much she loves people and how much she’s willing to sacrifice for others.
Anna Ashdown. My sweet little sister. This girl, man, I tell you, I’ve never met anyone more passionate about Jesus than this girl right here. Her heart for God literally challenges me to love Jesus more. She doesn’t care what she sounds like(her voice is amazing btw she just won’t admit it), or what she looks like(y’all she taught me how to dance with Jesus during worship). She has so much energy and joy and she literally lights up any room she walks into. Anna and I have a strange friendship. Whenever I ask God to give me words for people, He somehow always gives me a word for Anna. I remember one time, and I’ll never forget this, we were a a worship night, and I was asking God for a word, and I clearly remember asking Him to give me a word for anyone but Anna, because He always have me words for Anna. Well guess what? Yup. He gave me a word for Anna. I didn’t want to give it because I thought “no I’m just overthinking this, that wasn’t God”. I finally decided to call her over, I don’t remember what the word was, but I started talking to her and telling her what was on my heart. She replied, “you know what, I was asking God to send someone to give me encouragement.” She said she saw me dancing next to her and said, “God, it’s going to be Shawn huh?” And she said God said yes. This girl is going to change the world, I believe it with my whole heart.
Stephen Jackson, aka my man Stevie. This guy has probably been the one who has called me out on all of my crap more than anyone else, and I can’t thank him enough for it. He’s called me out on my crap about girls, about not pursuing Jesus enough, about my complaining. He truly has been in a sense a mentor in my life, pushing me to be the best me i can possibly be. Our thing is to always go to farmer boys after he gets off work and just talk about life. I’ve seen this guy go from being a chick fil a worker to currently pursuing his dream job, and I couldn’t be any more proud of him. He’s one of the few men in my life I know I could count on if I’m in a tight bind.
Charlie luber. You wanna know about faith that can move mountains? Sit down with this guy and talk with him for thirty minutes and your faith will be so encouraged. This guy has such a humble heart, and loves people so much. He started a homeless ministry out in Anaheim near angels stadium where he would bring hamburgers and grill them for these people just because he loved them. Charlie not only serves in our high school and jr high ministry at vantage point, he is also in the process of coming on staff for young life, which is a ministry focused on inviting kids who normally wouldn’t go to church into a friendship with Jesus. Charlie is literally the perfect fit for this because he sacrifices his time for others. I’ve been on many late night excursions with Charlie, and we have had some great talks about Jesus and he is wise beyond his years. Also, his singing skills are superb.
Marissa Garcia. Aka ma. Aka mom. Aka margar. This woman has truly been such an inspiration in my life. The first time Marissa and I actually hung out, we were on our way to universal studios January 2nd, 2017. We were just about to pull in, when they inform us that the park was closed to any more guests because they were at full capacity. That day turned out to be the busiest day Universal had ever seen. We then proceeded to go to Trejo Tacos, which is actually owned by the actor Danny Trejo! It was one of the best tacos I had ever had. That day started the love hate relationship we have today. Marissa is like the older sister I never had, but always wanted. She constantly has poured into my life and offered me a woman’s insight whenever I’ve struggled with relationships. Even though we get on each other’s last nerves, and we always tease each other, it’s what makes our friendship so strong, and somehow I understand Marissa better than a lot of people do. She truly is an amazing person.
Aubrie Burke. Daubs. Daubrie. You want to meet a fearless woman of God passionate in teaching and who has a natural ability to speak? Aubrie Burke is one of those woman who can spark a fire in today’s generation of young ladies. Her passion for Jesus is so evident not only when she speaks, but in how she cares for not just the next generation, but for past generations as well. Aubrie’s laugh, don’t even get me started. It literally grew on me, and it makes me laugh every time. Her and Marissa are two peas in a pod. If they both laugh a little bit, and you say “there it is”, they both lose it and they can’t stop laughing. Talk about soul sisters. Aubrie is always down for adventure and has a spirit of boldness and bravery that is hard to find in young women nowadays. I would even go to say she is fearless, because God is her rock. She’s going to start a revival in young women’s lives.
Trent grinham. This guy loves Jesus more than anything on this earth. His heart for Jesus and the vision Jesus has placed in Trent’s heart is absolutely breathtaking. I’ve never seen someone more passionate about reaching high schoolers and share the kingdom with them. I’ve seen his heart break for these kids, I’ve seen him sacrifice so much of his time just because God put it on his heart to share the gospel no matter what the cost. I’ve had so many times where I’ve spent the night at Trent’s and stayed up all night just worshipping Jesus and learning more abbas heart. When Trent worships, I literally hear Jesus through him. Jesus uses him as a conduit, letting Holy Spirit flow through the room through music. Trent’s a born leader, and has and always will be a brother to me. I can’t thank God enough for him.
Matt Jean. The hardest worker in the room. And the one who never takes the credit. Matt Jean is in essence my rock. I know, I know Jesus is my rock, but matt Jean has taught me what it’s like to serve humbly and to have a yes spirit. He might not realize it, but he has probably has one of the deepest impacts on my life. I’ve watched him grow from being a regular volunteer to being the ministry director for our jr high ministry, and he always had a humble spirit about it. He didn’t ask for it, he was offered it. I always wanted to do more to grow more, and so I would ask for responsibilities, and I wouldn’t get them, I’d get upset. Matt challenged me to think differently. His leadership has cultivated my spirit into a spirit of meekness, yet being bold in who I am in Christ. I’ve learned not how I can serve more, but instead saying “use me”. Matt Jean has truly challenged me to become a better person, who earnestly seeks Jesus with a healthy fear of realizing that He is always in charge, not me.
Melissa Heaton. Missy. There’s been many people I’ve met in this world. None are quite like missy. When you first meet missy, she comes off very shy, very quiet, very reserved. That’s all a lie. Missy is one of the most exuberant people I know, full of so much life and so much joy. She has such a nurturing spirit, where she willingly pours her heart into others because she cares so much. She currently works for a ministry out in Kenya, and there is no place where she belongs more. Missy has always been an encourager in my life, and she is actually one of the few people who encouraged me to sign up for this wild adventure called the world race. Missy is wise beyond her years, even though she won’t admit it. Her love for young adults is also super encouraging, as she has taken countless young women under her wing to mentor them and to show them the ways of the Lord. You want to find out what it looks like to pursue Jesus in every aspect of your life? Look at Missy’s life, and she’ll challenge you on how you look at things.
Last but not least, my buddy Andrew Villalpando. Man. This guy and I have been through so much. When I first started attending our high school ministry, this guy was in the junior small group which I had the pleasure of leading. This guy was a troublemaker, and I actually ended up somehow breaking up a fight between him and another student and getting punched in the head because of it. However, through it all, he has always had my back, 100%. Andrew is honestly the only person who knows everything about me, every dark secret, everything. And he’s never judged me for it. I’m truly amazed at how God has grown him. The fact that I was able to be there as he gave his first ever sermon blew me away. The way God changed his heart and put a heart of servitude has challenged me to be more like him. Andy has changed from a young kid into a young man. He serves with such passion and enthusiasm, yet he never forgets the main focus, which is Jesus. I’ve had constant times where even though 5 years older than him, that he has given me fresh perspective and a new outlook on a situation I might be struggling with. Andrew has taught me what it’s like to trust someone with my whole heart. He’s the younger brother I never had, but always wanted. I’m going to miss our sleepovers, our Jesus talks, our hangs. This guy is truly a man after God’s own heart.
Now I know, I know that was a lot to read. but I want you to understand, I’m leaving not just a piece of my heart here, but pieces. When I first came to vantage point, I was dead, and had no idea what I was doing with my life. These people restored my faith and my trust in humanity. I had lost all faith and didn’t know if I could keep on living. They brought me back to life. They helped me find my purpose, and have been my biggest encouragers when it comes to this crazy adventure I’m going to begin. I am eternally grateful to these 11 friends of mine. They’re not just friends, they are family, and family is forever. I’m going to cherish every moment I have left with them.
