Toby Surratt, along with his wife, Shannon, and their 3 children, have been attending Red Fork Church of God for a long while. Toby plays the drums in our worship band, and was a big help during our two Faith In Action campaigns. As a matter of fact, if you're a regular attendee at Red Fork, you'd be hard pressed to imagine what our church would be like without the Surratt Family. But, earlier this October we were faced to ponder that thought. What would Red Fork, our lives, our church family, our worship, and our experiences with God as a body of believers be like if Toby or his family wasn't with us?

Toby and his two youngest children were in a roll-over automobile accident. Their mid-sized SUV was clipped, spun out, rolled over, and demolished. But, amazingly, Toby and his children escaped with only minor injuries. Toby credits the protection of God and the prayers of his church family at Red Fork for his family's safety.

"We're so blessed to be here this morning. God's a protector. He surrounded us with strangers at the scene that were totally willing to help me get my babies out of the car. He surrounded us with some of the people we love the most, friends and family, Pastor Brent, Pastor Dale, Pastor Josh.... people that we love so much..... we're so thankful."

Hear Toby's Testimony (audio, mp3)
See Photos of The Surratt's Dodge Durango (May require Myspace Login to view)

It is so hard to think of just one way that God has touched my life in my time at Red Fork COG. I started attending Red Fork about 7 or 8 years ago because their youth ministry program was actually moving. For years, I went to a church where there was a youth ministry that was a shell of what it used to be. From my first night attending to the time I am writing this blog, the people of Red Fork have been nothing but encouraging and supportive of me.

When I started at Red Fork, I felt like I was just a person going to church, but now I know that I am part of a family that loves each other. While attending Red Fork, a lot of big events occurred in my life. I lost family members, friends, graduated high school, college, and had some medical issues. During those times Red Fork family members stood by my side and comforted me. The church was being the church. They were supporting me when I needed it most.

I have made so many friends and deepened many relationships with so many wonderful people. I don’t consider them fellow church members; I consider them family. I cannot imagine living my life to this point without having the great people of Red Fork being a major part of it. God used and still uses my Red Fork family to touch my life almost daily. I have learned so much from them, and for that, I am ever so thankful.

-Kelsey Morris