What brought you to Wilshire and when?
Born in 1950, I was “brought” to Wilshire near its beginning in my mother’s arms, along with my twin, Kent, older brother, David, and father, Asa Newsom, Jr. The church was at times meeting at the Wilshire “Motion Picture” Theater. I’m told the “nursery,” where I was on the cradle roll, was in the waiting area outside the ladies room! My grandparents were charter members, but Dad and Mom chose not to be so that honor would belong solely to my grandparents.
What ministries or staff members have impacted your life?
Bruce McIver was “my” pastor and spiritual mentor. I was born with a congenital heart defect called aortic stenosis. When I was 9, I had open heart surgery, and Bruce organized a continuous prayer vigil at Wilshire during that six-hour surgery. Thankfully, God’s design for my life and that vigil worked for a successful outcome. In 1972, Bruce married me and my high school sweetheart, Lynn Cheek. After Baylor Law School, we raised our children, Chris and Juli, here under the leadership of George Mason. I was privileged to serve on the search committee recommending George as our pastor. Minister of Music Bill James and his wife, Charlene, were key influencers of special spiritual experiences during high school and beyond. I can’t say enough about George’s influence during our kids’ years at Wilshire, as well as his ministry of love to my parents in their final days.
What are some favorite memories or defining moments?
Wilshire raised me, saved me, married me, raised and saved our kids, spiritually molded our kids, buried my parents — and now “we” have grown old(er) together! I’m reminded of one of Bruce’s favorite scriptures, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” The charters believed they were destined by the Spirit of Christ to build a great church, but they had no idea what God had prepared for them to achieve because of their love for him. This 75-year-old church needs only your love and commitment to the mission of Jesus Christ to have a greater spiritual impact going forward than you could have imagined!
Why have you stayed so long?
When I enter Wilshire I feel the presence of all those “saints” who came before and built her foundation. To be honest, I just can’t leave and miss seeing the unfolding reality of what God prepared for those who loved him then and for those who love him now.