what is Simplicity
The Valenzuelas
Ron & Yvette Valenzuela grew up in a suburb of San Diego. Friends since elementary school, their friendship developed into a deep love for one another resulting in marriage in June 1987. Ron majored inBusiness Finance at the University of Redlands and the University of Phoenix. Yvette majored in nursing at San Diego State. Immediately after marrying, sensing a call on their lives they went into full-time ministry. Over the past 30 years, they have been used in various positions of church leadership including Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor. The Valenzuela’s have 5 great kids; Stephany, Lauren, Samuel, Luke & Melody, a loving son-in-law Jason and a wonderful soon-to-be daughter-in-law Samantha. There are 3 extremely active and curious grandkids that are part of the Valenzuela clan, Jacob, Zoey & Emily Rose.
The Valenzuelas
Ron & Yvette Valenzuela grew up in a suburb of San Diego. Friends since elementary school, their friendship developed into a deep love for one another resulting in marriage in June 1987. Ron majored inBusiness Finance at the University of Redlands and the University of Phoenix. Yvette majored in nursing at San Diego State. Immediately after marrying, sensing a call on their lives they went into full-time ministry. Over the past 30 years, they have been used in various positions of church leadership including Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor. The Valenzuela’s have 5 great kids; Stephany, Lauren, Samuel, Luke & Melody, a loving son-in-law Jason and a wonderful soon-to-be daughter-in-law Samantha. There are 3 extremely active and curious grandkids that are part of the Valenzuela clan, Jacob, Zoey & Emily Rose.
Simplicity Story Begins
A number of years ago a friend asked me if I would ever consider leading a church versus being a ministry leader in the church. I responded without hesitation, “Absolutely!” He then said, “Describe what that church would look like Ron.” For the next hour I began to lay out the dream my heart envisioned: a place where the discouraged were encouraged, the beaten down found new hope and purpose, where laughter and fun consistently overflowed, where church leadership modeled strong teamwork as each member pulled together toward the same purpose; where atmospheres were created promoting spiritual health and an environment teeming with life; where there is no hint of the notion that God is incessantly angry at his people; a place where people genuinely sensed God’s presence and His deep desire to “meet up” with them. I’ll never forget the big
smile on his face after my long-drawn- out exposition and his instant response of, “Sign me up!”
Over the years the dream to start a church had surfaced and re-surfaced from time to time and whenever it did, excitement would well up within me as though I couldn’t contain it. Unfortunately, it was too often followed by an intense, inward battle between the longing to “step out and try” and feelings of inadequacy, fear and defeat. In March of this year my thoughts re-visited once again, this dream that just wouldn’t seem to go away. But this time it was different. Instead of fear, there was urgency, accompanied by a resurgence of courage and faith like never before. Christ’s words immediately came to mind…”And without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God, for we are God’s masterpiece.” “He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” It was then that I finally said “Yes” to this God given, God glorifying dream.
Shortly thereafter, my wife and partner in ministry set up a lunch “date” with me at a nearby park. She wanted to share how God was speaking something so clearly to her spirit, it was impossible for her to ignore. I was taken back as she expressed her thoughts, for God had spoken the very same message to me over several weeks prior to our lunch date. It was confirmed; we were called to plant a church here in San Diego, right in our own “backyard.” In the short months following our meeting in the park, my family and I said goodbye to the church where I had the privilege of serving as a Pastor for over a decade. It was not easy leaving a group of loving people who, in spite of all my shortcomings, loved me and my family, and whose lives had become so intertwined with ours. Even so, I sensed a deep peace and great excitement knowing it was God’s will for us to embark on this journey where we will have the joy and honor of seeing lives changed and renewed, and where it will be absolutely okay to dream big with God at the center of it all. We look forward with great anticipation to what God has planned for this new family of believers called “Simplicity.”
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Thank you for allowing me to share my heart, and consider joining us on this exciting adventure of faith!
With much love,
Ron Valenzuela