04/07/2026
✨Magic✨
Santiago is a family man. “I love spending time with my family,” he acknowledges. “That’s what drives me to go to work and do many things.” Santiago was born and raised in Argentina and developed an adventurous spirit, which took him on an incredible visit to Antarctica. He met his wife, Linda, while in the U.S. “Linda and I got married in the church in Argentina,” he recalls.
When they returned to live in the United States they had a daughter and son, now ages 12 and five. Linda and Santiago wanted their children to grow up as part of the church. “That is how I grew up,” Santiago explains. “I wanted my kids to have church as part of their moral compass and formation process.”
The family was attending a local congregation, but a change in the pastor caused Santiago concern. “He was militant. Many times, we found after mass that we had to explain to my daughter some of the things he said that we did not agree with. We had to almost cover her ears sometimes. And to be frank, I was not really enjoying the sermons or the church experience.”
Santiago and Linda knew their dear, longtime friends, Scott, Jen, and Abby attended Community Church, so they decided to attend for a summer. “It was very welcoming. I felt included. I felt like my kids had a space, and it was an instant homecoming. It was so different from what we had been experiencing.”
“The fact that I, as a parent, can come to church and can hear and take in the sermon is amazing,” he declares, “And I can only do that because there is a place that my five-year-old can be during those 15-20 minutes. And not only that, it happens after a children’s message. There is a space for my son in the service. And then there’s enough time for me to drop him off at the children’s room, and I can return, sit down, and enjoy Pastor Ben and his wisdom. That’s it for me; that’s magic.”
Santiago’s 12-year-old daughter went through the church’s OWL class, the comprehensive sexuality education program for youth. She is now part of the church youth program and eventually will go on youth service and learning trips. Santiago is delighted that the church can offer her this.
“What we're looking for is for our children to grow up with Christian values. And I’m hoping that this church is going to help my daughter have a spiritual practice.” Santiago points out, “For young kids — or for anyone, actually — having a spiritual practice is healthy. There’s evidence that youth who have a spiritual practice have less drug use. The list goes on and on, of problems that spirituality helps prevent in youth.”
“We feel welcome here and feel we have a space at Community Church. The people here are why there is this magic; why it all works; it’s the community. Everybody is genuinely curious and caring. They want to get to know you.They’re appreciative of who you really are. You don’t feel judged. It’s very, very welcoming.”
Your gifts to Community Church of Sebastopol allow us to provide a wide range of youth and children’s ministries as well as spiritual and community support to parents like Santiago and Linda. We are grateful for your generosity to this vision we share.
Written by Victoria Mayster
