When Jason and Alia and their five children became involved at Gateway Komoka over three years ago, the sense of community that they found there was an answer to prayer. They have become part of a good group of friends—with support as a couple, and friendships for their kids. And the whole family enjoys serving. Jason, Zac (16), Asher (14), and Shiloh (12), help with set-up, making pancakes, and tech, while Alia serves in children’s ministry, and Raiyah (10) is training to volunteer with babies. Judah (7), also helps as much as he can. “It’s a great way to meet people.” The three oldest boys love the GSM youth group at the Hyde Park campus, and Raiyah can hardy wait until she is old enough to participate.

Jason works as a sprinkler fitter at Classic Fire, while Alia has been busy homeschooling their children since 2014. “The parenting journey overtakes your whole life, but it is a blessing to watch them get into their own hobbies and be their own person. The best part is when they teach you stuff about their interests.” Alia and the kids are part of the H.I.G.H. Day homeschool group, which is another great source of community. And the oldest three boys enjoy involvement in Air Cadets. Zach has loved birdwatching for years, and has taught his parents and siblings a lot about birds.

When Alia was still a teenager her mother was diagnosed with severe Multiple Sclerosis, which progressed over eight years. She died in 2007, several months before Alia and Jason were married. “I was surprised that I wasn’t mad at God,” Alia recalls. “They always say it takes a village. I felt like I had a pretty good village.” During that trying time she experienced support from her father and her three siblings, her extended family and friends, and from her faith and church community. “Although my Mom’s life was cut short, the time we had together was quality over quantity. I want to do that for my kids. To spend as much time as possible with them. Doing simple activities together. Letting them have the opportunity to talk when needed, and to just be available.”

Part of Jason’s journey to faith included a hiking trip in the mountains in British Columbia with a friend and his father, who was a science teacher. Conversations about the Creator and the creation had a significant impact on Jason—as well as other experiences with friends and at a youth group—and he was baptized in 2005. Jason makes it a priority to spend time with the kids. In the past few years he has enjoyed canoe trips in Algonquin with his oldest boys, and other friends.

Amid the blessings and challenges of life, Jason and Alia are encouraged by Philippians 4: 6. “Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”