Keith Pavia // Keith's Story
I am writing this blog to share with people how in 2005 God came into my life and blessed me.
It all started in the winter of 2005 when God started putting things in my life that opened my eyes and my heart to find what I never had in my life; A personal relationship with the Lord. First, I have to give thanks to God for delivering me such a wonderful wife regardless of all the sins I committed in my life. When I was coming off my second divorce, not interested in finding anyone, God put a strong believer in my life. My beautiful wife (Dorothy) has been the best thing for me and my family, mainly because of her persistence and incredible heart. She had always stressed that we needed to go to church and I was always giving her a hard time. After a while, with her lead, we started going. We started going to different Christian Churches but they were not for me. I was fighting her on it so we started going to Catholic Church, where I went growing up all my life. The Catholic Church we started going to didn’t have any good kids ministries and it was not the best for the kids, so we decided to go to a Christian Church when we had the kids and we continued going to Catholic Church when we were alone.
This continued until we moved to Surprise Arizona in October of 2004. One day in January of 2005 we were on our way to Catholic Mass and running a little late. Well people that know me know I don’t like to be late, and we were running late, so I told Dorothy we needed to find a church that had not started yet. Well, we saw signs for Parkway Christian Church and it had not started yet, so we went. It was meeting in a gym at one of the elementary schools near our house, so we went in. It was like the other ones we had attended a band playing and to me it was loud, well we stuck it out and when the service started I was floored. For the first time ever at church I was sitting at the edge of my seat wanting it never to end. The pastor (Trent Renner) had a passion and I could relate to his style of teaching. Not knowing much I was so excited to come back to church the next weekend and learn some more.
The second thing that God used to open my heart was my longest friend Mike Giancursio. We have been friends since elementary school and even went to college together. For the 11 years I was in Arizona Mike had never come out to visit, but that was about to change. I got a call from Mike in 2005 telling me he was coming out to visit, well he was supposed to come out in February but had to delay it until right before Easter. It was different this time, usually when we got together in New York we talked about the good old days, this time it was about God. Mike started talking and my interest was up because of church so we talked and asked questions all night. This was nice because we had gone to church growing up but never talked about it. The next morning we woke up and started right where we left off the night before, then Mike asked if I had ever seen the movie "Passion of the Christ" because he had brought it with him. Well Dorothy and I had not seen it so we watched it all together, it was so powerful and so was the conversation. Mike was getting ready to leave and gave the movie and a Nelson study Bible to me and my family, it was such a gift from God that Mike would have both with him to share and give. I received my very first Bible from my oldest friend, and our relationship has grown even more with Jesus being the main part of our friendship.
Next, I was at a baseball game at the school I taught at and out of the blue I saw my old neighbor Mike Serwa at the game. I went and sat next to him and started asking how his family was. Then I mentioned to him that I started going to a Christian Church and had a great desire to find out more about Jesus. I said that I would love to get a Monday Bible study going and he said my friend Ernie was also talking about it. The next day I emailed Ernie and discussed my interest in starting a Bible study. He agreed and we started meeting on May 2nd, 2005. The next blessing from God is my friend Ernie. Since the Bible study our relationship has grown. He has been like a true brother, there for me when I needed help with understanding or to talk about what I just read. I would even call him early in the mornings to discuss the Bible. I know Ernie is on the same page with me in my desire for knowing more.
Through this year the thing that has opened my eyes the most for wanting to have a relationship with God was the death of an old player. On March 26th of 2005 a former player of mine at Peoria High School was shot and killed. This young man was raised in a God loving home and you could tell because how great he and his brother were in school. Well, it was devastating for all of us that knew Brandon. I went to the special candle vigil they had at PHS, there I saw his brother Jaleni and his father Lee. We met with hugs and they thanked me for having such an impact on Brandon. I could not hold back tears, but they were so strong, it was amazing to me. Their faith in the Lord seemed stronger now than before the shooting, and you could tell by their hugs and they way they praised God. After going to the viewing and funeral I could feel if more and more, it just helped me even more to realize the greatness of God. I can’t thank Lee and Jelani enough for their strength and love for the Lord, and Brandon, you will always be a big part of my life and I will always thank you for making me understand how incredible the Lord is. We need to stay faithful through all that happens in this world because our true home is heaven with our father.
All these things that happened throughout 2005 has made me search for the Lord and His lead in my life more and more. My desire to find what God wants from me has driven me to continue to seek the wisdom God offers in the Bible. As I read more everyday I realize the Bible helps me get through my everyday walk, and helps me focus on the prize of eternal life. With God in my life everyday, I feel I can work more effectively on the strengths I have been given to help the kingdom grow.
The final step that I took in 2005 to get myself heading in the right directions is being baptized, and taking that step to wash my self clean of my old ways and show Jesus I want to start my life new with a desire to seek Him and live for Him. I am thankful to God for all the blessings He showed me to open my heart, and I thank Him everyday for leading my life and helping me through life. Amen.
Since 2005. God has moved me in ways I would not or could not even dream of. In February of 2006 I was ask by Trent Renner the lead Pastor at Parkway Christian Church to be on the staff part time to help with small groups and I jumped at the chance. Shortly after that I was offered a chance to help him with a bible study at a local business in Phoenix Arizona and I filled in whenever Trent could not make it there. Next I was ask if I would like to teach part of the membership class at Parkway Christian Church and I started doing that in the summer of 2007.
I was excited with everything God had me doing and really enjoyed getting to know and grow at a great church and with great leaders. I continued to teach high school Physical Education and work part time at Parkway for the next year never thinking what was next. Then in the summer of 2008 Trent approached me on the way to the Phoenix bible study and asked me if I would consider leaving teaching and coming on as the adult director at Parkway Christian Church. I didn't hesitate to say yes, but school was getting ready to start and I had to see if I could get out of my contract for the next year. After a great meeting with my boss I left teaching after 19 years to dive into full time ministry.
That was the most amazing decisions I have ever made and have research, studied and got to know some incredible people of God. At Parkway Christian Church I took on the role of overseeing small groups, first impressions, and men's ministry. Shortly after that I was asked to write all curriculum for our sermon based small groups and was asked to join the leadership team helping with all aspects of Parkway. On May 15th, 2010 my boss and the elders felt that after much review and prayer I should be Ordained as a Minister of Christ. So they laid hands on me and prayed and I became an adult Pastor and am here today as a person continually learning and seeking wisdom form the Lord.
In 2011 CCV and Parkway merged and my role became Pastor of first impressions, and Pastoral care ( at Christ Church of the Valley (CCV) and I am always working on sharing with people how great our God is and working hard to resemble Christ in whatever I do. My mission statement for myself is; helping people who believe in Jesus, belong to Jesus! And I hope to live that out with real passion and integrity. My last day at CCV was January 28th, 2013 and I am seeking what God has in store for me next. My mission statement will continue for now through a weekly ministry called "Open Heart Ministry" it is a group of people that will be working on building intentional relationships with people in the Valley to help them hear and see Christ in our hearts and in our actions.
Well the next step in my walk began and God has been all over it. I have been attending a great church called The Rock and I have been able to meet the senior Pastor (Kevin Goff) and serve on the weekends. Last weekend I was able to attend the men's "arise" retreat up in Payson AZ and was asked to share my testimony. What a blessing it has been to be connected to this church that simply wants to love God, Love others and serve the world. I have also been hired at Peoria High School and will be teaching at the school where I started my coaching in Arizona. So many things have fallen right into place and it will free me up to help in ministry wherever I am needed.
God has continued to shine and lead my path as I continue to seek more wisdom and knowledge. On February 1, 2014 I was thrown from a horse and broke my neck and back in 6 places. During that time I really had a chance to learn patience, something I can see now that I needed in my life. As I continue to work on my growth and what the Lord has for me, He has taken me out of teaching again and put me on The Rock staff as an associate/connect Pastor. I cannot express how excited I am to be serving at a church that has such an incredible heart for The Lord and I look forward for what the Lord has for me right now. Thank you God for filling my heart and considering me worthy of sharing the great news about Christ.
It is now 2022 and I wanted to add to the story God is guiding me through. In 2017 my wife Dorothy (Dee) and our last child Grayson moved to Fountain Hills, Arizona for me to start as the associate Pastor at Christ's Church of Fountain Hills. After a few month I was switched to Executive Pastor and finally the last week of February of 2020 I took the Lead Pastor position at Christ's Church of Fountain Hills. It has been an incredible almost three years as Lead Pastor and my wife has been a part of this journey as well, leading the women's ministry and see will be leading the Worship team in 2023. God is amazing and I am honored to just be used to share the Good News and bring glory to Him. I have a great staff and great group of elders that help make my job fun and energizing. My heart has always been transformation and living the truth, so I we push that for our congregation, helping them see that we are all the body and are important to making Jesus known and God glorified. Our website us christschurch.online and our mission for 2023 is Hold the Line - Unwavering Faith, join us any Sunday at 9:30 and as we learn together to be a light in this crazy world. Keep growing and never be satisfied with what you know. Amen
It all started in the winter of 2005 when God started putting things in my life that opened my eyes and my heart to find what I never had in my life; A personal relationship with the Lord. First, I have to give thanks to God for delivering me such a wonderful wife regardless of all the sins I committed in my life. When I was coming off my second divorce, not interested in finding anyone, God put a strong believer in my life. My beautiful wife (Dorothy) has been the best thing for me and my family, mainly because of her persistence and incredible heart. She had always stressed that we needed to go to church and I was always giving her a hard time. After a while, with her lead, we started going. We started going to different Christian Churches but they were not for me. I was fighting her on it so we started going to Catholic Church, where I went growing up all my life. The Catholic Church we started going to didn’t have any good kids ministries and it was not the best for the kids, so we decided to go to a Christian Church when we had the kids and we continued going to Catholic Church when we were alone.
This continued until we moved to Surprise Arizona in October of 2004. One day in January of 2005 we were on our way to Catholic Mass and running a little late. Well people that know me know I don’t like to be late, and we were running late, so I told Dorothy we needed to find a church that had not started yet. Well, we saw signs for Parkway Christian Church and it had not started yet, so we went. It was meeting in a gym at one of the elementary schools near our house, so we went in. It was like the other ones we had attended a band playing and to me it was loud, well we stuck it out and when the service started I was floored. For the first time ever at church I was sitting at the edge of my seat wanting it never to end. The pastor (Trent Renner) had a passion and I could relate to his style of teaching. Not knowing much I was so excited to come back to church the next weekend and learn some more.
The second thing that God used to open my heart was my longest friend Mike Giancursio. We have been friends since elementary school and even went to college together. For the 11 years I was in Arizona Mike had never come out to visit, but that was about to change. I got a call from Mike in 2005 telling me he was coming out to visit, well he was supposed to come out in February but had to delay it until right before Easter. It was different this time, usually when we got together in New York we talked about the good old days, this time it was about God. Mike started talking and my interest was up because of church so we talked and asked questions all night. This was nice because we had gone to church growing up but never talked about it. The next morning we woke up and started right where we left off the night before, then Mike asked if I had ever seen the movie "Passion of the Christ" because he had brought it with him. Well Dorothy and I had not seen it so we watched it all together, it was so powerful and so was the conversation. Mike was getting ready to leave and gave the movie and a Nelson study Bible to me and my family, it was such a gift from God that Mike would have both with him to share and give. I received my very first Bible from my oldest friend, and our relationship has grown even more with Jesus being the main part of our friendship.
Next, I was at a baseball game at the school I taught at and out of the blue I saw my old neighbor Mike Serwa at the game. I went and sat next to him and started asking how his family was. Then I mentioned to him that I started going to a Christian Church and had a great desire to find out more about Jesus. I said that I would love to get a Monday Bible study going and he said my friend Ernie was also talking about it. The next day I emailed Ernie and discussed my interest in starting a Bible study. He agreed and we started meeting on May 2nd, 2005. The next blessing from God is my friend Ernie. Since the Bible study our relationship has grown. He has been like a true brother, there for me when I needed help with understanding or to talk about what I just read. I would even call him early in the mornings to discuss the Bible. I know Ernie is on the same page with me in my desire for knowing more.
Through this year the thing that has opened my eyes the most for wanting to have a relationship with God was the death of an old player. On March 26th of 2005 a former player of mine at Peoria High School was shot and killed. This young man was raised in a God loving home and you could tell because how great he and his brother were in school. Well, it was devastating for all of us that knew Brandon. I went to the special candle vigil they had at PHS, there I saw his brother Jaleni and his father Lee. We met with hugs and they thanked me for having such an impact on Brandon. I could not hold back tears, but they were so strong, it was amazing to me. Their faith in the Lord seemed stronger now than before the shooting, and you could tell by their hugs and they way they praised God. After going to the viewing and funeral I could feel if more and more, it just helped me even more to realize the greatness of God. I can’t thank Lee and Jelani enough for their strength and love for the Lord, and Brandon, you will always be a big part of my life and I will always thank you for making me understand how incredible the Lord is. We need to stay faithful through all that happens in this world because our true home is heaven with our father.
All these things that happened throughout 2005 has made me search for the Lord and His lead in my life more and more. My desire to find what God wants from me has driven me to continue to seek the wisdom God offers in the Bible. As I read more everyday I realize the Bible helps me get through my everyday walk, and helps me focus on the prize of eternal life. With God in my life everyday, I feel I can work more effectively on the strengths I have been given to help the kingdom grow.
The final step that I took in 2005 to get myself heading in the right directions is being baptized, and taking that step to wash my self clean of my old ways and show Jesus I want to start my life new with a desire to seek Him and live for Him. I am thankful to God for all the blessings He showed me to open my heart, and I thank Him everyday for leading my life and helping me through life. Amen.
Since 2005. God has moved me in ways I would not or could not even dream of. In February of 2006 I was ask by Trent Renner the lead Pastor at Parkway Christian Church to be on the staff part time to help with small groups and I jumped at the chance. Shortly after that I was offered a chance to help him with a bible study at a local business in Phoenix Arizona and I filled in whenever Trent could not make it there. Next I was ask if I would like to teach part of the membership class at Parkway Christian Church and I started doing that in the summer of 2007.
I was excited with everything God had me doing and really enjoyed getting to know and grow at a great church and with great leaders. I continued to teach high school Physical Education and work part time at Parkway for the next year never thinking what was next. Then in the summer of 2008 Trent approached me on the way to the Phoenix bible study and asked me if I would consider leaving teaching and coming on as the adult director at Parkway Christian Church. I didn't hesitate to say yes, but school was getting ready to start and I had to see if I could get out of my contract for the next year. After a great meeting with my boss I left teaching after 19 years to dive into full time ministry.
That was the most amazing decisions I have ever made and have research, studied and got to know some incredible people of God. At Parkway Christian Church I took on the role of overseeing small groups, first impressions, and men's ministry. Shortly after that I was asked to write all curriculum for our sermon based small groups and was asked to join the leadership team helping with all aspects of Parkway. On May 15th, 2010 my boss and the elders felt that after much review and prayer I should be Ordained as a Minister of Christ. So they laid hands on me and prayed and I became an adult Pastor and am here today as a person continually learning and seeking wisdom form the Lord.
In 2011 CCV and Parkway merged and my role became Pastor of first impressions, and Pastoral care ( at Christ Church of the Valley (CCV) and I am always working on sharing with people how great our God is and working hard to resemble Christ in whatever I do. My mission statement for myself is; helping people who believe in Jesus, belong to Jesus! And I hope to live that out with real passion and integrity. My last day at CCV was January 28th, 2013 and I am seeking what God has in store for me next. My mission statement will continue for now through a weekly ministry called "Open Heart Ministry" it is a group of people that will be working on building intentional relationships with people in the Valley to help them hear and see Christ in our hearts and in our actions.
Well the next step in my walk began and God has been all over it. I have been attending a great church called The Rock and I have been able to meet the senior Pastor (Kevin Goff) and serve on the weekends. Last weekend I was able to attend the men's "arise" retreat up in Payson AZ and was asked to share my testimony. What a blessing it has been to be connected to this church that simply wants to love God, Love others and serve the world. I have also been hired at Peoria High School and will be teaching at the school where I started my coaching in Arizona. So many things have fallen right into place and it will free me up to help in ministry wherever I am needed.
God has continued to shine and lead my path as I continue to seek more wisdom and knowledge. On February 1, 2014 I was thrown from a horse and broke my neck and back in 6 places. During that time I really had a chance to learn patience, something I can see now that I needed in my life. As I continue to work on my growth and what the Lord has for me, He has taken me out of teaching again and put me on The Rock staff as an associate/connect Pastor. I cannot express how excited I am to be serving at a church that has such an incredible heart for The Lord and I look forward for what the Lord has for me right now. Thank you God for filling my heart and considering me worthy of sharing the great news about Christ.
It is now 2022 and I wanted to add to the story God is guiding me through. In 2017 my wife Dorothy (Dee) and our last child Grayson moved to Fountain Hills, Arizona for me to start as the associate Pastor at Christ's Church of Fountain Hills. After a few month I was switched to Executive Pastor and finally the last week of February of 2020 I took the Lead Pastor position at Christ's Church of Fountain Hills. It has been an incredible almost three years as Lead Pastor and my wife has been a part of this journey as well, leading the women's ministry and see will be leading the Worship team in 2023. God is amazing and I am honored to just be used to share the Good News and bring glory to Him. I have a great staff and great group of elders that help make my job fun and energizing. My heart has always been transformation and living the truth, so I we push that for our congregation, helping them see that we are all the body and are important to making Jesus known and God glorified. Our website us christschurch.online and our mission for 2023 is Hold the Line - Unwavering Faith, join us any Sunday at 9:30 and as we learn together to be a light in this crazy world. Keep growing and never be satisfied with what you know. Amen
