I’m delighted to announce that Jonathan and Sabrina arrived this week from India. They will be here for a year, working in the Welcome Church Offices as “Leadership Trainees”.
I asked Jonathan to write an ‘introduction to them both’ for us as a church (I’d have asked Sabrina too, but she has no sooner arrived than she’s been laid up with a bad cold and sore throat – probably the result of living in 3 different countries in 3 weeks …)
Here’s what Jonathan had to say:
“Hello! It’s always a little weird having to write an introduction about yourself. There’s something about writing things down, as opposed to speaking in conversation, that feels like it’s being set in stone. Like everything I say is on the record and will have existed beyond the limits of a verbal introduction. However, I will do my best as I briefly let you know who we are. Before that though, thank you Steve for having me on your blog. Love what you’ve done with the place! 😉
“My name is Jonathan. I’m a 20-something aged film and board-game lover who hails from Mumbai, India. It was only earlier this year that I married my best friend Sabrina, who comes from Visalia, California. How we ended up together is quite a story; you might even call it a miracle.
“Like I said, I was born and raised in Mumbai, India. I was born into a Christian family. My father (Vinu – some of you may know him) has led our local church for as long as I can remember. I am what you could call a pure-blooded PK (‘Pastors Kid’ for those wondering!) I love film and music, and have dreams to write and direct my own features someday. I am a storyteller at heart, and that permeates everything I do, or have done. I’m also a musician.
“Sabrina was born and raised in California and can be considered a half-blood PK (her dad was a youth pastor briefly). She is a highly creative, funny and artistic woman, who is excellent with kids and that has permeated everything she has ever done. She loves working with youth especially.
“We met in 2021 when I traveled to the USA to do a year long Bible school that Sabrina’s home church was organising. We both come from very different cultures and backgrounds (I’m Indian; she’s of Hispanic origin – a Mexican American), and it is truly God who brought us together. We are so grateful for it.
“We got engaged in February 2023 and planned to get married in November of that year. Everything was set in place, bookings were made, deposits paid. However, on returning to the US after a short visit home, I was denied entry and deported on grounds of having an incorrect visa (there’s a whole other story there …)
“Every plan, dream, and desire seemed to be crushed in that moment. We were forced to pivot whilst not really knowing what was next or why any of it had happened. Long story short: God had a plan all along. As part of that very plan, here I am, writing on Steve’s blog.
“At the same time as the USA closed it’s doors on me, India began to close its doors on Sabrina in a different way, as she developed all kinds of health complications related to being in India (not least, she has a severe tree nut allergy and India loves nuts). So we got before God and asked him to lead us and to send us where he wanted us to go. We both had plans and jobs serving God is the USA, so the question became ‘If not here Lord, then where?’
“That’s when Steve invited us to join Welcome Church for a year as Leadership Trainees. After much prayer and consideration – not least of the weather 🙂 – the answer was clear: this was God’s plan; this is where we needed to be; this is what He was building up to all along.
“In many ways England is a perfect middle ground for us. A little bit of similarity to the USA, a little bit of similarity to India and a whole lot that is completely new to us.
So we were married in India and, just 2 weeks later, packed our bags and moved to Woking.
“And now we’re here. Ready, willing, and able. Ready for God to use us in a new place, in a new culture and amongst a new people. Willing to say ‘Yes’ to God in this new season in whatever He’s calling us into. And able to serve his church and kingdom in whatever way he sees fit.
“We are very excited to join Welcome church and, in case you were wondering, you are true to your name! We have felt very accepted into this family already, and are eager to begin this journey God is taking us on.
“Our plans may fail and then some, but God knows best and we have faith in his mission for our lives.“
Let’s look out for them both
God has entrusted something precious to us as a church in sending Jonathan and Sabrina our way. It’s His doing, so let’s be faithful with this gift of two developing leaders.
Jonathan and Sabrina each come from a different culture – India and the USA. Now they are starting out on married life in a third culture. Let’s look out for them both, and pray for them. Let’s make them feel really welcome for the year ahead.
Dinner invites will be appreciated for sure – but remember: no nuts!
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