“My husband and I had both known Louis (and his wife) for years individually. When we started dating, we joined their Missional Community Church. Louis became our pastor and walked us through the engagement. We did our pre-marriage counseling with him & his wife, and he performed our wedding ceremony. Like every girl ever, I had a vision for what I wanted my wedding day to look like. Especially the ceremony itself….I wanted it to be a worship experience, a witness to the many non-believers, about the ‘marriage’ and not just the wedding; and have a bit of a high-church feel (from my Catholic upbringing). He was able to take my vision, my dream for my wedding ceremony… and make it our reality. It was everything I wanted it to be and then some. He honored every request we made for the ceremony. His wife even skyped my grandparents and a close friend in – so that they could watch the wedding; as they were unable to make the trip.

But besides the act of the ceremony itself, he ministered to both my husband and myself every step of the way. He helped us work through trials during our engagement, and even blessed us by being there for us when we hit our first challenge as a couple. We are grateful to both of them for their ministry to Richmond, to their neighbors and community, and to us. ”  ~ Christy and Steve Shingleton