Seven Rivers has transformed our family in ways we can’t fully express. It’s become the home we never knew we needed. When we first walked through the doors
in 2022, we were welcomed by strangers who embraced us like long-time members, making us feel seen and valued from day one. Seven Rivers has helped us not only see the best in ourselves but also accept our brokenness.

While we never doubted our marriage, we knew something was missing—God. We recognized that we needed to grow in our faith, both individually and as a couple, in order to strengthen our family. Since joining Seven Rivers, we’ve experienced so much growth, but the most important change is understanding how deeply we need God every day. We’ve learned that God loves us, imperfections and all, because we are clothed in Christ’s perfection, and we are nothing without Him.

We’ve also learned that it’s not the building, but the people, who make church a home. It’s the warm greetings, the fist bumps from Mr. Cliff, the hugs from Mrs. Kathy, and the laughter of Mrs. Amber with our kids. These are the things that make Seven Rivers feel like family, and we never want to leave!

I’m Erin Gutierrez, and my husband Carlos and I have three wonderful kids: Ellie, Kuyper, and Henri. We’ve been part of the Seven Rivers family for a year and a half now. After leaving the mission field, we had the opportunity to settle anywhere, but we were drawn here because of the vibrant, welcoming church and school community. My journey with Seven Rivers actually began over 20 years ago when the   church sent teams to Reynosa, Mexico.  I discovered the sermons online soon after, and they became a key part of shaping my understanding of the Gospel.

It’s been such a joy to experience Seven Rivers in person after all those years of listening online. The church’s teaching has been just as gospel-centered and life-giving in person as it was through the screen. While re-entry after life abroad can be challenging, we feel incredibly blessed to belong to a church that truly lives out its values of hospitality, love, and deep devotion to one another. The grace and warmth our family has experienced here has shown us a glimpse of the embrace of our Heavenly Father.

We’re so grateful for those who have made space for us, for teaching that continually points us back to Jesus, and for the slow but steady journey from self-reliance to the peace and rest that only the Gospel can offer. Above all, we’re thankful to walk this faith journey alongside a church family that cheers us on through both our highs and lows.

I began my journey at Seven Rivers Christian School in June 2010, following a 30-year career in education. What drew me to Seven Rivers, during a difficult season for the school, was the deep love and unwavering support the church had for the school. At that time, our community was still feeling the effects of the 2008 Great Recession, and the school faced many challenges.

However, what I found at SRCS was a dedicated and talented staff, a group of school families committed to the mission, and a church whose support for the school was unquestionable. The road was still tough for a while, but in the fall of 2012, we began to see signs of growth. Our small school of 300 students started to expand. We watched in awe as the Lord faithfully brought new families, excellent teachers, and the resources we so desperately needed.

Now, fifteen years later, I can say that my time at Seven Rivers has been one of the most tangible expressions of God’s grace in my life. I cherish the joy of greeting our Grammar School students each morning, teaching high school math, working alongside a passionate and dedicated faculty, and experiencing the trust of our supportive parents. Who has it better than me?

Today, Seven Rivers Christian School is celebrating 36 years of ministry and now serves around 700 students. It stands as the church’s most significant outreach ministry, fully occupying four buildings on campus. Our athletic complex, just a mile down the road, is a testament to the growth and commitment to excellence. We have a fleet of ten buses, employ over 110 people, and operate with a budget exceeding $6.5 million.

And through it all, the love and care of our church remain as steadfast as ever. While the school is certainly more complex today, our mission remains clear: to provide an exceptional education, grounded in faith, to the next generation. And I am deeply grateful to be a part of it.

We’re Klaus and Charlie Freeland, and we have two boys, Christian and Luke. One of the things I love about sharing our testimony is how it’s always evolving. Our stories are constantly changing as Jesus transforms us into His likeness. Our story of how we got to Citrus County is just the latest example of how our loving, sovereign God works in ways his children may not have imagined or chosen. Klaus was on track to become a partner at an ophthalmology clinic when we discovered tax fraud was taking place, completely changing our plans. We suddenly faced tough questions: Is following Jesus worth more than comfort, family, or financial security? And the answer, as it always is, was yes.

Through life’s events, God often reminds us of the wonderful gift of His church. My husband joined a new practice, our boys started at a new school, and we moved to a city where we knew no one. While the year brought some tears, it brought a lot more laughter and joy, in large part through his people at Seven Rivers. Teachers and coaches have welcomed our boys with open arms, making them feel safe and valued. And as a church, you’ve embraced us with the kind of hospitality and devotion that reflects God’s love. We’ve had church members include us like family, and families who’ve prayed for us, watched our boys, and brought us dinner. Seven Rivers is God’s people, coming together, using their gifts, and pointing us to Jesus.

Thomas and I have called Citrus County home for the past 2.5 years. Prior to moving to Citrus County, we commuted between South Tampa and Homosassa extending our weekend stays to Thursday afternoons until early Tuesday mornings. After a year of commuting, we asked ourselves, “what if we just moved here?” On one of our weekends up in Homosassa, I reached out to Seven Rivers Preschool and was connected with Mrs. Gina Batista who thoroughly answered all of my questions. After touring the school, I knew it was the right academic track and environment for our son. Once Davis started preschool, I joined MomCo (formerly MOPS) and Women’s Bible Study. Everyone was so welcoming, encouraging and authentic. The core values of Seven Rivers Church were evident from the beginning.

After attending Little Warrior Night and witnessing the heart of the community through events like the Dad’s Campout, where Thomas met Mikey Puckett and Michael Hart, we knew we had to explore the church further. Needless to say, we are so happy we did! Seven Rivers Church has not only become our church home, but our family as well. God led us here, and we are so grateful especially for the children’s ministry as they love and care for our children weekly!

Since joining Seven Rivers, we’ve experienced spiritual growth, which I believe will impact the future generations of our family as they will bear witness to our love of Jesus. Knowing He’s always looking out for me and that His grace is renewed daily brings me peace. While I’m uncertain about the specific lessons God is teaching me, I feel immensely blessed to be part of this community. I am truly grateful for the deep friendships we’ve formed and the genuine, welcoming atmosphere of Seven Rivers Church. The pastoral staff fosters real relationships, and that culture of connection is felt throughout the church. Seven Rivers feels like home—calming, inviting, and a place where we can be ourselves, without any pretense.