When Daniel Gunter started serving on the Parking Team three years ago, he said he “didn’t know a soul” at Blue Ridge, even after attending here for two years.
Today, he and his wife Angela are selling their Gretna home to move closer to the church.
“It’s crazy. I’ve worked in Lynchburg for 10 years and never had the desire to move — until I got into community,” Daniel said.
Daniel, now a leader on the Parking Team and Angela, who serves in the Walker Room (for 1-year-olds), even try to make sure one of them gets to Blue Ridge on Sundays when one of their kids is sick and one of them has to stay home.
“Our serving priority is big,” said Daniel. “It’s what you want to do. You want to make every effort to be there.”
At first, Daniel was hesitant about serving. He’d grown up in a strict church environment where he served out of guilt. He didn’t want that again.
“But when I joined the Parking Team, I got more and more and more connected,” Daniel said. “I love it. Community makes a huge difference in growth.”
He especially loves that there are younger and older guys and they often call or text each other for prayer and advice.
And Daniel laughs when he thinks about one other way he’s grown.
“I’m a non-technical guy. I had a regular flip phone forever. One day, I told Angela, ‘I’ve got to get a smartphone. I’ve got to be able to text these guys on the Parking Team. I’ve got to be able to keep up.’”
Daniel encourages others to find their place because he’s seen the difference it’s made in his life.
“It’s really changed my walk with God…it’s been a crazy good experience.”