A Story of Faith

Living Faith Through Seasons of Life

John and Gayla Brignon’s story is one of enduring faith shaped by years of marriage, leadership, and trusting God. They’ve navigated the challenges of raising a family and stepping into leadership, always leaning on God along the way.

John serves as our Elder Chairman, and Gayla plays a key role on our women’s ministry and prayer teams. As founding members of Center, their leadership and dedication have been a blessing to our church family. Their lives are a powerful example of what it looks like to faithfully trust God through all of life’s ups and downs.

A Family Built on Grace

Married for nearly 45 years, John and Gayla treasure the family God has entrusted to them. They are profoundly grateful to see their children and their spouses —Sarah and Greg, Hannah and Scott, and Joseph and Allie—now building their own families. Their greatest joys include their grandchildren, Luke, Emma, and Ellie-June, with another little blessing on the way. 

Reflecting on their family, Gayla shared, "God has been so gracious and merciful. We cherish the good relationships we have and the time we spend with our children and their spouses.”

While John and Gayla are grateful for the blessings of family, their journey hasn’t always been easy. Balancing work and relationships and navigating seasons of disappointment and grief, they’ve come to see that being faithful parents is ultimately about relying on God.

Growing in Leadership and Grace

John and Gayla’s experience raising children while holding leadership positions both inside and outside of the church have taught them valuable lessons. Early on, it was easy for them to prioritize the approval of others – whether through their children’s achievements or their own roles in the community. "There’s always pressure to have it all together," John admits. "But over time, I’ve learned that true leadership is about seeking God’s wisdom and pointing others to Him. What mattered was their spiritual life and our relationship with God.”

Trusting God in Marriage

Gayla remembers the early years when John worked long hours, and she stayed home with the kids. "Those were difficult times, but they gave me space to grow spiritually," she says. She delved deeply into Bible study, and the truths she discovered transformed her relationship with God—and with John.

For John, figuring out how to balance work, family, and faith hasn’t always been easy. "I’ve always had workaholic tendencies," he admits. But God used seasons of change—like a job that brought him closer to home—to help him shift his focus back to his family. Looking back now, they both see how God has been at work through it all, using every season of joy and challenge to bring them closer to each other and to Him.

Learning to Surrender

One of the defining themes of John and Gayla’s story is surrender. They both describe moments when God stripped away their illusions of control, teaching them to rely on Him. 

"I applied for a position as a women’s ministry director and didn’t get it. I was heartbroken," Gayla recalls. Yet, in the quiet season that followed, God showed her that He was enough. "I needed to realize that my identity wasn’t in a title or a job. It was in Him."

John echoes this sentiment, sharing how his leadership roles often bring him face-to-face with his own limitations. "In leadership, you make decisions, and not everyone will agree with them. That’s tough," he says. "But I’ve learned that my role is to please God, not man. When I trust Him, He gives me the wisdom and peace to move forward."

John finds encouragement in Joshua 13:1, which says, "When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, ‘You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.’" This verse reminds him that no matter his stage in life, God still has a purpose for him to fulfill.

Gayla’s anchor during challenging seasons is Psalm 27:13–14: "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." For her, this passage affirms God’s faithfulness and the need to trust His timing.

Rooted in God’s Word

A pivotal moment for both John and Gayla was discovering the depth of God’s Word through Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). "For the first time, I studied the Bible for myself, not just through sermons or books," John says. Gayla adds, "It opened my eyes to God’s character and His desire for a personal relationship with me."

"I could talk to you about how to hold a golf club and swing it, but until you put the club in your hands and try it for yourself, it’s just a story," John explains. "That’s the difference between listening to sermons or reading about the Bible and actually studying God’s Word yourself. It comes alive when it’s in your hands."

This love for Scripture has shaped how they live and serve today. Gayla notes that her time in the Word spills over into her relationships. "If I’m growing in Christ, it helps me love John better, love my family better," she explains. "The overflow of God’s grace changes everything."

A Legacy of Faith

As grandparents, John and Gayla are intentional about leaving a legacy of faith for their family. "We may not see our grandchildren grow into adults," says Gayla. "But we pray they will know we loved the Lord and that they will follow Him, too."

They see their role in their church as part of that legacy. From serving in small groups with young families to leading by example as elders, they are committed to fostering community and pointing others to Christ. "This is where God has us," John says. "And there’s still so much to do."

Finding Joy in the Present

At Center Church, John and Gayla have found a vibrant community that keeps them energized. "I love seeing kids run around after the service," John shares. "Church should be a place of life and joy." For Gayla, being surrounded by younger generations has been a blessing. "I learn so much from them, and it’s a reminder of how God works across all ages and stages," she says.

As they reflect on their journey, John and Gayla are quick to point back to God’s faithfulness. 

"We’ve had struggles, but God has never let us go," Gayla says. "He’s used every season to draw us closer to Him."