Community Profile

Neil & Michelle Goodliffe & family

The Goodliffe family consists of Neil & Michelle, Ana – 16 years old, Kaitlin – 15 years old, Matthew – 12 years old, and Cassandra – 11 years old.  We are a blended family that has been through struggles and many blessings since our union in October 2003.  Neil has worked at Micro Computers Plus for the last 15 years and Michelle is in her 4th year at Grande Prairie Voice for Life.

Our story of coming to church actually happened in stages.  2 years ago (starting the first week of Advent), Michelle was invited to a baby dedication to represent Voice for Life and she stayed for the four weeks of Advent (one of her favorite times of the year).  Upon discussing with Neil, she decided that she would stay at this church as it made her feel at home and at peace.  Cassandra joined her at that time.  After finding out about Studio Y?, Kaitlin immediately joined us at church and joined the dance group and has been with it since.  The rest of the family followed in March.  We enjoy the preaching, Studio Y?, friendliness and the heart of Church of Christ.  We are home.

Neil has served on the worship team from time to time.  Michelle runs the library between services.  Ana works in the Castleroom on the first Sunday of every month.  Kaitlin helps with Kidspact two Sunday’s a month, is on the Studio Y? dance team, and participates in youth.  Matthew enjoys youth on Monday nights.  Cassandra has participated in Studio Y?, serves in the Nursery and Castleroom twice a month and also enjoys youth on Monday nights.

We are looking forward to meeting with more of you as we continue our journey with this Church in the future.
 

John & Michelle Wilzer

John and Michelle have been living in Grande Prairie for about two years and have been attending Church of Christ for most of that time. They grew up in Manitoba and met at Providence College in the fall of 1999, and were married in December of 2002.
In January 2006 they moved to Grande Prairie where John began work at Alberta Gold (a company that rents out equipment to the oil rigs), and Michelle transferred here with Blockbuster, continuing her Assistant Manager position.

In March 2007 they were blessed by an addition to their family – a daughter, Sydney and in December 2008 a second daughter, Juneau.

Missions has always been important to John and Michelle. They have been Program Directors at camp for a summer in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, lead Bible studies for several years, and Michelle has been part of three missions trips to Mexico. Leading missions trips with youth or young adults is still on their hearts, however, being in the process of starting a family, they have taken on the role of sending vs. going.

As for now, they are waiting on God for the next steps they are about to take. “There are a lot of uncertainties that we are going to face in 2008, and we have learned that God continually reminds us that He in control and to rely 100% on Him. Whenever we try to take charge of our lives and make plans of our own, we find that life could be more fulfilling (and is not very exciting), but when we let go and allow God to guide us through life, that’s when we experience peace and direction far greater than our own!”

John and Michelle have enjoyed getting to know the people at the church. Becoming part of a Life Group has also helped connect with a smaller group of people on a more personal level. They look forward to exploring ministry opportunities at Church of Christ and learning more about their own gifts as they begin to serve in this church.