An Unexpected Invitation

Rad and Sam Arceta always believed in God, but they saw faith as more of a tradition than a daily part of their lives. As Sam put it, "He wasn't really part of our everyday life. If something was hard, we prayed. If we needed something, we prayed. But outside of that, there wasn’t much depth."

That reality hit home the day their young son pointed to a picture of Jesus on the wall and asked, “Who is that?” In that moment, Rad and Sam realized just how absent faith had been in their daily lives.

Not long after, their neighbors, the Hoovers and the Macks, invited the Arceta kids to a backyard Vacation Bible School. “Honestly, we thought, why not?” Sam laughed. “It was free childcare, the people seemed nice, and it was about God. So we figured, let’s go for it.”

What they didn’t know then was how much that simple decision would begin to change everything.

Meeting Real Neighbors

Rad and Sam had never met anyone like the Hoovers and the Macks. Their other friends didn't compare. Initially, the Arcetas were skeptical, wondering if these families were for real. But the genuine kindness and sincerity of the Hoovers and the Macks kept drawing them in.

That difference became even clearer the night a casual dinner turned into a Bible study. “We were sitting there, and all of a sudden they pulled out their Bibles,” Rad said. “I remember thinking, Oh… I guess this is happening.”  It was awkward at first, but Rad admits, “Deep down, I knew we were in the right place.”

A New Encounter with God

Soon after, Rad had a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. One Sunday at Center Church, he was unexpectedly overwhelmed during worship. "I just sat there in my chair and cried," he recalled. "I felt God’s presence in a way I didn’t even know was possible." For the first time, faith felt deeply personal.

Sam felt the same way. "That was the beginning of something new for our whole family," she said. "We realized faith wasn't just about checking a box or repeating prayers—it was about having a relationship."

They were also drawn to Pastor Mark's preaching, which Rad described as different. "He wasn't just telling you what to believe," Rad said. "He was encouraging you to grow in your faith."

Growing in Community

Community Group soon became the center of their growth. At first, prayer was intimidating. “We grew up reciting memorized prayers,” Sam said. “So when people prayed out loud, it felt so personal. Honestly, it was uncomfortable.”

Rad admitted he had a little trick. “I’d volunteer to pray first. That way, I didn’t have to worry about forgetting everyone’s requests or messing up. I just wanted to get it over with!” He laughed, then added, “But over time, I realized it wasn’t about saying the right words—it was about intimacy with God.”

The group also gave them a safe place to ask questions, wrestle with Scripture, and be honest about struggles. “It was such a relief,” Sam said, “to know people were walking with us, praying for us, and encouraging us.”

Faith in Hardship

That support was tested when Rad was laid off. “I’d never been unemployed before, and it really humbled me,” he said. “I was discouraged. But the group showed up—they prayed, encouraged us, and reminded me that God was still in control.”

That season deepened his faith. “I realized it wasn’t about getting what I wanted—it was about trusting that His timing is better than mine.”

Watching Prayers Answered

One of the most powerful faith-builders came through prayer for Sam’s sister, who had long struggled with infertility. When Rad and Sam’s kids asked for another sibling, the couple said no—but encouraged them to pray for their aunt, who longed for a child. Week after week, their family prayed for her.

In God’s perfect timing, those prayers were answered. When Sam’s sister became pregnant, the Arcetas celebrated with overwhelming joy. “It was incredible,” Rad said. “Because we had prayed so specifically, when the answer came, our joy was through the roof. We knew this was God’s kindness.”

Their kids’ faith grew as well. “They saw God’s hand at work in real time,” Sam said. “It showed them that nothing is just luck—everything is part of His plan.”

All In with Jesus

As their faith deepened, Rad and Sam knew it was time to take the next step of baptism. Though they had both been baptized as babies, they wanted to make their own declaration of faith. 

“Katie asked me one day, ‘Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior ?’” Sam remembered being overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit. “I said yes—and I meant it.” After experiencing their faith in a new and personal way, both Rad and Sam felt a shared longing to affirm their decision to follow Jesus. This wasn't just a private choice anymore; they wanted to make it an official, public statement of their faith.

What made the experience even more meaningful was that their children also chose to be baptized. "It was amazing," Rad said. "We got to do it together as a family." Even though it was a deeply personal decision for each of them, it was also something they all wanted to share with their family and church community. "That's a memory we'll hold onto forever."

Serving and Growing Together

Today, the Arcetas are fully invested. Sam serves in the youth group, getting a front-row seat to watch her kids’ faith grow. “I love being there with them,” she said. “Honestly, I’m learning just as much as they are.”

For Rad, discipleship is about everyday choices. Quoting James 2:17, he said, “Faith without works is dead. I don’t want to just say I believe in Jesus—I want my life to show it. I want my choices, my words, my home—everything—to reflect my faith. I want to be an image-bearer of Christ, becoming more and more like Him in the way I live.”

Still Learning, Still Growing

Rad and Sam are honest that even now, things aren’t always easy. “Praying out loud is still uncomfortable,” Rad admitted. “But I’ve learned that’s okay. Growth happens in the uncomfortable places.”

Sam added, “At first, we did this for our kids. But God used it to change us too. It wasn’t just about them—it was about our whole family finding out who Jesus really is.”

And while they’ve come a long way, they’ll be the first to say they’re still learning, still growing, and still trusting God to shape them day by day.

A Word to the Hesitant

When asked what they’d say to someone unsure about joining a group or taking a next step, Rad was quick to answer: “Just show up. Even if you feel awkward. Even if you don’t know what’s going on. Just show up. That’s when God works.”

Sam nodded. “You never know what one small yes will lead to. For us, it led to a completely different life.”

For the Arcetas, one question from their son and one invitation from a neighbor opened a door to new life. Today, they live as image-bearers of Christ—grateful, growing, and all in.

Take Your Next Step

Rad and Sam’s story reminds us that God often uses the smallest invitations to bring about the biggest changes. For you, it might mean joining a Community Group and finding people to walk alongside you. Or it might mean baptism—publicly declaring your faith in Jesus. Like the Arcetas, you may discover that simple steps of obedience can lead to new growth, fresh joy, and deeper intimacy with Christ.