Gary and Iris Murphy: The Road Back to God

    For Gary and Iris Murphy, the path to full commitment to Christ was a winding trail that led them to their relationship with God today.

    Both Gary and Iris grew up in Christian homes.  Gary was raised in Tujunga and feels he knew God as a child.  But as an adult, he drifted from his faith, and instead of church, he took up motor cross racing on Sundays.  Ironically, his love of motor cross brought him back to Christ — Christians in his racing group met together each Sunday before the races to talk about God and pray together.  The influence of these racers helped bring Gary back to God!

    Iris grew up on Staten Island and in Brooklyn, New York.  She attended church with her family, and accepted Christ around the age of 12 when a woman in the church challenged her, “When are you going to get right with God?”  But eventually, as an adult, Iris moved away from her faith, married a non-believing man and lived a life of partying and drinking.  They divorced and Iris, having moved to San Bernardino, visited a Christian counselor who helped her get a new start with Christ. She began to grow and heal–as a person, in Christ, and in God’s Word.

    As singles, Gary and Iris met through a church they were both attending. They married and are now attending SBCC. Gary is a Royal Rangers leader and Iris belongs to a women’s Bible study led by Charlotte Jenkins and Stacie Black. 

    The Murphys say, “We love Pastor Sam and the way he opens up the Word each Sunday,” and the friendliness of the people at SBCC.

    If you haven’t yet, get to know Gary and Iris and their son, Justin.  You’ll love them!