Spring in Full Bloom at Arbor Christian Fellowship
A season of vibrant growth, joy, laughter, travel, prayer and New Testament–inspired fellowship, all encompassed by gratitude for Christ’s work on the cross and the celebration of Resurrection morning.
Springtime at Arbor Christian Fellowship has been filled with the new life and wonder typical of this refreshing and energized time of year. Our campus has been filled with families, little ones, our cherished older ones and middle ones; seeing all ages and stages, enjoying and celebrating the meaning and significance of the resurrection—and the accompanying community outreach was absolute life and pure joy.
Through Easter weekend, our spring women’s gathering, the return of our Cainta, Rizal missions team, and Mother’s Day at Arbor, we have seen a church family “rooted and established” in Christ (Colossians 2:7)—in His Word, in persistent prayer, and joyfully alive in hospitality and fellowship.
Easter Weekend: The Weight of the Cross and the Joy of the Empty Tomb
Easter weekend (April 3–5) began in holy reverence with our Good Friday service, where we reflect on the seven final sayings of Christ on the cross. Acoustic worship, the remembrance of Jesus Christ laying down His life willingly for His sheep, and the sharing of communion—the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:22–25)—guided us into a posture of gratitude and awe.
Less than twenty-four hours later, the church campus was filled with laughter and excitement as families gathered for Arbor’s annual Community Easter Egg Hunt. Snow cones and popcorn in hand, children raced between charming, nostalgic carnival games, a cake walk, bounce houses, our tree-shaded playground, craft tables, building of the floral cross and Scripture memory station, culminating with a raffle and prize station. Every element was thoughtfully designed to keep young hearts anchored in truth amid the fun.
The egg hunt itself remained intentionally Christ-centered, gently and clearly pointing families back to the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ—the true reason for the celebration.
The grand finale of the weekend was Resurrection Sunday, which began with the Orange County Southern Baptist Association’s annual Sunrise Service at Knott’s Berry Farm. Worship was led by some of our Arbor Worship leaders and our very own Pastor Jonathan Dignadice led prayer, as well. This service, now a 73-year tradition, has become a meaningful part of Resurrection Sunday for many across Orange County. At 10:45 a.m., back at Arbor, we came together, as a church family to celebrate the fact that “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” (Luke 24:34).
It was a weekend that beautifully held both the weight of the cross and the joy of the empty tomb.
Ladies’ Spring Tea: Global Ministry and Refreshing Encouragement
On May 2, tables dressed in florals and teacups welcomed women of all ages for the annual Spring Tea hosted by Arbor’s Women’s Ministry.
Special guest Cathie Smith, Women’s Ministry Strategist with the Orange County Southern Baptist Association, shared from decades of ministry experience across Spain, Guatemala, Ecuador and Japan through her work with the International Mission Board. Her words carried both the depth of global missions and the warmth of a ministry wife and mother of three.
Women were also blessed by the presence of Arbor’s own, homegrown missionary, Allyson Roestorf, visiting from South Africa with her husband Wikus and five-month-old William Jonathan, lovingly known as Baby Liam. Allyson spoke tenderly about what God has been teaching her through the journey to marriage and motherhood, while Baby Liam—an answered prayer himself—was joyfully walked around the room by his beaming grandmother and longtime Arbor friend, Merrie Baldwin.
The room was filled not only with lovingly made delicacies, tea, and the beauty of spring, but also with the encouragement, laughter, worship, joy and prayer that mark any Arbor Women’s gathering.
Return of Cainta, Rizal Missions Team: Exhaustion, Joy and Fruitfulness
On May 3, we thanked God for and celebrated the return of the Cainta, Rizal missions team, freshly home from the Philippines after a fruitful and joy-filled 10-day outreach.
Many mothers, children and young adults placed their faith in Christ (Acts 16:31), and for this especially, we rejoice.
We are deeply grateful for the work God allowed the team to witness and participate in, and we look forward to sharing a fuller update during an upcoming Sunday morning service. In the meantime, enjoy a brief glimpse of what God is doing in the Philippines through this video.
Mother’s Day Weekend: International Missions, Searching for Truth and Boldness for The Gospel
Allyson, Wikus and Baby Liam Roestorf
The following weekend, missionary Allyson Roestorf returned to share a churchwide update on the ministry taking place in South Africa through Fire and Fragrance, where she has served for the past 13 years. It was especially meaningful for Allyson to introduce Baby Liam to his grandparents, great-grandparents and her church family during her very first Mother’s Day.
“It’s been such a joy and privilege to serve the Lord in this nation,” Allyson shared. “This year, we’re continuing to focus on discipleship in South Africa. Over the last 13 years, I’ve had the privilege of leading more than 1,000 people through discipleship training schools and watching so many lives be transformed. My husband, Wikus, oversees our three-month Bible school, which has become one of the most internationally diverse and largest of the discipleship schools, run across Africa and Europe. We’re seeing lives changed by the gospel and by God’s Word. It’s a privilege to follow Him and say yes to His work in the nations.”
The service also included a moving testimony from Arbor church member Kelly Stringer, business development strategist, wife and mother of three. Kelly shared about her determined search for truth—a journey that led her out of Mormonism and into a vibrant, personal relationship with Jesus Christ through reading the Bible for herself.
“I’ve been known to be curious even when it ruffles feathers. So at church, naturally, I asked a lot of questions … I was always seeking to know more about God and looking for answers. When I would ask these questions at the Mormon church I would get strange looks and would not get logic-based answers. It seemed as though the leaders were unsure of the truth, at times, and as if the leaders themselves didn’t know the answers … I was always told, ‘Just have faith.’ No satisfying answers to my burning questions.”
Kelly Stringer
After attending a Bible-based, doctrinally sound church as a 12 year old, Kelly found answers to her questions, and they were always from one source: The Bible! Her world was rocked again when a leader challenged her to read the New Testament, which she found was easier than she thought and life-changingly impactful.
“After finally reading through the New Testament, I realized that I didn’t really know who Jesus was from hearing stories about Him only. I needed to read The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), in context, to understand who Jesus was. I still had questions, but understanding his life as a whole made a lot more sense than trying to deep-dive on a piece of scripture without knowing the whole context. I also realized that Jesus occasionally ruffled feathers as well! He shared the truth even when it was unpopular … following religion or traditions without a changed heart is not the way of Christ. I told anyone who would listen that they should read the New Testament.”
Her encouragement to the church is clear: Open the Scriptures. Meet Jesus there.
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” — Psalm 20:7
Both Allyson and Kelly model motherhood lived sacrificially for God’s glory. Their words echoed Pastor Jonathan’s ongoing reminder to our church family from Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
A Spring Season to Remember
Taken together, these weeks have painted a picture of Arbor at its best: worshipful, welcoming, Scripture-centered, and deeply connected in prayer and fellowship. From the weight of the cross to the joy of the empty tomb, from children racing across the lawn to teacups and heartfelt conversations, this Spring has been rich with moments that remind us why the church gathers—and why the gospel remains our anchor.
Just Ahead: Children, Coffee and Celebration
As full as this season has been, there is still more joy ahead.
Happygrace Walters enjoys a Cafe Koyan Matcha Fresa.
Kids Alive Weekend (May 16–17) brings Star Quest: Search for the Stolen Scriptures to life as children share God’s Word through music, drama and movement. This Scripture memory musical is filled with surprises—from gymnastics and percussion to Star Wars–inspired characters and a plot twist that lingers long after the final song.
Before the Saturday, May 16 presentation, guests can enjoy artisan coffee drinks and matcha from Cafe Koyan. Owners Stone and Tatiana Alvaro are not only part of our church family, but also the parents of three precious children who have participated in Kids Alive, Vacation Bible School and Awana.
Speaking of Awana, Wednesday, May 27 is our Awards & Parents Night, celebrating the many verses memorized and friendships formed throughout the year. The evening begins with a free family dinner—part of Arbor’s weekly rhythm—followed by the flag ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and a joyful time of recognition.
In this moment, Arbor pauses to look back with gratitude on a spring already overflowing with purpose, beauty and the steady, faithful work of God in the life of His church.