Amanda Carrillo and her husband Joe live in Murrieta with their two small boys, Aidan and Cruz. Amanda has a long faith journey tied to Sunridge Community Church.
Amanda grew up in a spiritually mismatched home. Her mother's faith became part of her life which led her to Christ. She was saved as a teenager when she attended a Sunridge summer camp. It was also during this time that her father, who she deeply respected, came to faith in Christ.
After high school Amanda attended, Laguna College of Art and Design, obtaining her degree in fine art. She is an accomplished artist and recently painted a large mural for the Women's retreat.
It was in college, however, where her faith traveled down the Prodigal path. She struggled, lost in the world for several years. As she approached the last year of college, God began to tug on her heart, drawing her home.
While attending the University, Amanda met Joe at a restaurant where she worked. Joe asked her out and on their first date their conversation turned to faith. They both realized they were searching for purpose and meaning in life. They were searching for God.
Their second date didn't take them to some fabulous restaurant but they both went to church. Amanda rededicated her life to Christ and Joe was saved. They married right after Amanda graduated and have attended Sunridge ever since.
Amanda's love for Jesus has grown passionately ever since. She serves in Women's Ministry as the Coordinator of MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers. This is an outreach where young moms who are unsaved are invited to meet other moms. They and their children are welcomed to a safe environment and the salvation message is shared in a way to touch these young mom's hearts.
Amanda says, "I struggled for years, never feeling good enough to be accepted by Christ. But finally, I know I am free through Him. I am free of guilt and I am living the abundant life. All the sufferings in my life, big and small, are what bring me closer to Him, and I am so grateful for that!"
Life Verse: Romans 5:1-3
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
