03/06/2026
Faces of Invercargill - 11: Caitlin
My name is Caitlin Garcia. I was born and raised in Hamilton, but please don’t hold that against me, haha! I have 2 wonderful parents who raised me in the Adventist faith. I moved to Invercargill last year to assume the position of Year 5-6 teacher at SACS. It is a blessing to work with the wonderful staff at the school.
I have witnessed the transformative power of Christ in the lives of close family members, namely my father. Bearing witness to his conversion has given me irrefutable evidence of his ability to turn hearts towards him. In my own life, Christ has guided me through difficult situations, and blessed me beyond measure. I cannot dispute the love he has for me, and each and every one of his children. I am continually reminded of his love and guidance as I go through life.
I only started attending Invercargill Adventist Church at the beginning of last year when I moved down to work at SACS. However, I feel like I have been a part of the church for much longer than that! I appreciate how warmly the members have welcomed me into the church. Everyone feels like family. It has given me a glimpse of what Heaven might be like!
I have learned that God can use each one of us in meaningful ways because He has given us different gifts, strengths, and experiences. Not everyone is called to be a confident preacher or public speaker, and that's okay. Every believer can be an effective witness for Him in their own unique way. Some of us encourage others through kindness, some serve behind the scenes, some show Christ's love through hospitality, and others share their faith through one-on-one conversations. I have come to realize that God is not looking for perfection or impressive abilities. Instead, he is looking for willing hearts. When we trust Him and make ourselves available, He can work through us.
