30 Years with Pastor Stephen and His Family

Pastor Stephen, Ramona and family,

I have been blessed to be at Christian Life Church for the past 4 years. When we moved to Leesville, I prayed to find a home and a church to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Lord answered our prayers and more. You have spoken truth with love. So many times I have had confirmation from the Holy Spirit with your your sermons. I pray the Lord's continued blessings over you and your family. His protection, prosperity, and provisions, and may He continue to use you Mightily for His Glory and honor! Amen

It’s been a great ride! From day one we knew you were the right Pastor for CLA! You have been with us through the good and tough times and your faith and encouragement was always there. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance. I’ll be enjoying retirement with you😂👍‼️

Gregg White

Congratulations Pastor Chitty!!

Thank you for the love and sacrifice you gave over the years to help facilitate the growth of God’s people. May you be rewarded for your faithfulness. God continue to bless and cover you and your family.

Love,

Anthony and Shonna Williams

We’ve found a home in Christian Life and Pastor Chitty and Ramona have been a firm foundation in this home. We appreciate the wisdom, guidance and prayers that you’ve extended over the church family over the years. Many Blessings, We love and appreciate you!

The Cedeño Family

I have been blessed beyond measure to be under your ministry. One of the best of the many churches I have been a part of. May God bless you in your retirement!a

3 of the best sermons I've ever heard.
1) In March 2017, you did a sermon about adoption and I almost curled up in a ball on the carpet and wept. It was so beautiful and powerful.
2) Well, this second one wasn't a full sermon, but it was a side-bar if you will, in another sermon, but you took a few minutes to address some complaints that you had gotten in emails talking about political sides, etc...about 2 minutes in, you said, "We're going to nip this in the bud"...and you paused...and then said, "I didn't bring this up, you did" (meaning those that emailed you). You then went for another 5 minutes or so, and then said, "Well, look at the time, we have to get back to the sermon." I wanted to stand up and shout, "No, Keep On Going."....but I refrained.
3) In your sermon series on the Life of David in 2019, one sermon cut to the core. On 10/20/19, the sermon titled "The Moment When Everything Changes" was very powerful in my life.

Stephen....here is what I most appreciate about you. In a time when a lot of pastors want to be popular nationwide and world wide, pastors who always say the popular things, preach the "feel good" sermons...in a time when a lot of pastors put more emphasis on the degrees and diplomas on their walls instead of on the folks that they lead....you go against the grain. You are unafraid to dive into the nitty gritty stuff of life. You bring people to a place of knowing the Lord, even in the darkness of life. You don't care about accolades and awards. You want people to know Jesus and I love that about you.

I moved from Columbia in 2021 and I have greatly missed CLA. I am grateful to have spent several years there.

I just wanted to say I am usually put off by church when talks about something I'm against, but here I am like maybe their right. I love it here.

Pastor Chitty,

Thank you for the immeasurable impact you have had on my family over the years! You have taken us deeper into the scriptures than we ever knew possible. Your humble leadership drew us in to Christian Life back in 2020. We love your sense of humor and light-hearted nature. You truly are the papa we all want in our family! Thank you to you and your family for all of the years of sacrifice and service to Christian Life. We love you!

Carl, Morgan, Blakelyn, & Conner Bennett

Dear Pastor Chitty and Family,

We want to take a moment to celebrate and express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible impact you've had on our lives. We fondly remember tuning in to Life Matters during our commutes to work, where your words provided wisdom and hope each week. Your weekend messages transformed not only our hearts but also the course of our lives.

Being part of the church family as we grew up, and having the honor of serving alongside your children in the nursery, youth, and young adult ministries, was a blessing beyond measure. Your guidance taught us how to love deeply, grow faithfully, and find the courage to serve with all our hearts—not just within the walls of the church but also across the world.

Thank you for your unwavering leadership, your servant's heart, and your dedication to helping us all walk closer with God. We are forever grateful for your ministry and the impact it continues to have on our lives.

With love and appreciation,

Travis, Katie and Henry Sites

Thank you Pastor Stephen for being the pastor during our season of need. We have since moved on but you and Christian Life brings smiles to our hearts. My daughters saw the awesome KidzLife, my husband received encouragement in the midst of war and I found a safe haven to get equipped. Course they didn’t realize that once I knew you were a Yankee fan it was a done deal!

God Bless

Michelle Alexander

It's been an honor to be under the leadership of Pastor Stepnen since I went it was an SCSL in 2012. Thank you for seeking the Lord, thank you for honoring each other in your marriage, thank you for the integrity and character you've instilled into us. Thank you for praying for us, thank you for honoring the people in our government reminding us to pray for them. You guys have raised beautiful children, grandchildren, and an army for the Lord, thank you for being willing sacrifices and willing vessels. It's been such an honor to call our pastor. We could not be more proud of you.

Pastor Chitty & Family,

I don’t need to tell you what kind of legacy your obedience to the Lord has left- it’s evident. I’ve only been at CLC since right before Covid, but when I started coming I knew something was different. The humility and love for scripture from the pulpit is something I had never seen before. To have been a part of your “loved ones,” is an honor I’ll hold forever. Thank you all so much for the sacrifices you’ve made, seen and unseen, for your obedience to the Lord, honesty, conviction, and letting the Holy Spirit lead. What a legacy to leave- my family is forever better and closer to the Father because of it. We truly love you, Pastor Stephen. Thank you.

The Bliss Family (Kyle, Megan, Judah, & Eden)

Pastor Chitty and Family

It’s hard to believe it’s been 21 years under your leadership as our Pastor, we have grown so much and been able to lead our then young children into adulthood with your guidance and wisdom through the word , I am forever grateful for the church leadership in Charleston the Burbachers that lead us to this church home when we relocated to Columbia.

Not only have we raised our Kids we have been able to navigate some tough times and decisions in our lives due to your support and faithfulness to the word of God and truth .

We have a legacy to leave . The words that have been taught and the foundation of Godly principles will never leave us!

We love you dearly and appreciate you and look forward to the future at Christian life Church

Love the Brunson’s

Nick , Jennifer, Caleb , Abby and Hannah

What an incredible 26 years spent under your leadership and biblical truth. It has been an honor to raise my family in the same loving environment that I found at age 19. Your legacy will continue through the ages within all of us. Thank you for being our shepard. We love you, Ramona, the kids and your grandkids so very much! 💜

Pastor Stephen and Ramona,

I was invited to Christian Life 12 years ago by Ms. Patsy. I met her there the following Sunday, and never looked back.

Pastor, you have been a guiding light in my darkness. I could never get enough of your sermons. For me, our Sunday and Wednesday teachings have always been too short. The hardest of subjects you have approached with wisdom and love.

Thank you for 12 years of leadership, rabbit holes, laughter, stories, teachings and prayers. You are the true representation of what a Sheppard should be.

I know that the Lord has changed the road you travel on, for much was the sacrifice. I also know that this is not the end of your sermons. I will hear a little bit of you in Pastor Cory.

I trust that in the coming years you will continue to strengthen in God's work. I'm curious to see where your road leads. Let that pen flow...

Ramona... you have been a quiet, loving, supporting wife, and Mother to the church. We appreciate your guidance, your softness and loving manner. But most of all, I love the stories of how you have guided our Pastor in difficult times. You are the true example of what a wife should be.

With much love,

Celia Kadi

Pastor Stephen, Ramona, and family,

Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough — no words seem to really feel like they do justice.

My family has been at Christian Life in some form or another since 2015; with Aaron being at SCSL, I first attended in 2019 when we were dating. I remember hearing you call the congregation loved ones and I looked at Aaron and asked if that was normal. His nod and smile with a glimmer in his eye told me everything I needed to know: you love your people. When we moved here as a young married couple in 2020, we were not avoiding Christian life because anything bad happened or there wasn’t goodness here, just the opposite! We knew this was automatic community for us. We felt like we were taking the easy way out with finding a church if we came to CLC, so we avoided coming to a service for 3 months. And once we did, we never looked back or considered anywhere else for our family to attend and do life with others. Since then, we have only found more ways to call our church home.

I’ve never had a close conversation with Stephen or Ramona, but somehow the warm hugs and hellos, the I love you’s and bless you’s feel like they’re from a true friend with deep loving kindness. Every birthday card goes on the fridge and is saved because I know it is a true act of love that those are sent out each month and year. What a true gift and blessing it is to have two people lead our church so well for the last three decades.

I’m grateful and honored to have been a witness to a very small portion of the amazing work that the Lord has done through you and in you both to lead Christian Life into a new era.

Our family is forever blessed and changed by your yes’s to serve! We love you - so much!

Many Hugs, the Hunters - Aaron, McKayla, Asher, and Shiloh

Thank you Pastor Chitty for preaching the Word without watering it down. You have inspired me with your humility and wisdom. What a tremendous blessing to have sat under your teachings and Devine prophetic voice. The humor and transparency that you speak with has brought a vulnerability that connects with others and will always be fondly remembered. Praying for you and your dear family on the next assignment from God and His blessings and favor over you all.

Melanie Lucius

Pastor, we cannot adequately express the depth of our gratitude and love. You have been such a good shepherd and pastor to us for many years, your heart for you loved ones has been evident and inspiring. We wish you and your family a truly happy re-Wirement. 💞🙏

We came to the church as a young family 18 years ago. We had a list of churches to visit and prayed God would show us where he wanted us to be. Christian Life was the 4th church in the lineup and we knew immediately it’s where our home would be! Pastor Chitty has been like a spiritual Father to us and his wisdom, leadership, and teaching has been the foundation of our lives. Every Sunday we have felt the love from the pulpit and know we are always safe under his leadership. Our lives wouldn’t be the same without Christian life, Pastor Chitty and Ramona. They will always be apart of our legacy in our family. so excited to see what God will do next for this amazing family we call Christian life church! Thanks you for all the years Pastor Chitty and Ramona!!!!

Love Jason, Summer, Gabriella, and Jackson Stocker

Finding a church took a while but when I found CLC, I knew it was the perfect fit! I love how you preach right out of the Bible and don’t sugarcoat anything. You have shared so much wisdom with your congregation and have drawn us closer to Jesus! Thank you for leading passionately and boldly to further the kingdom.

Incredibly thankful for Pastor and his yes to God’s will. Without his obedience I wouldn’t have an opportunity to join SCSL. I am so grateful to spend time at Christian Life. It was so transformative and brought me to so many wonderful people and ultimately closer to the Lord.

Forever grateful.

Hey Pastor Chitty!

30 years is a massive achievement.

You have led with wisdom, vulnerability,

love, integrity and humility.

You have embodied a Christ Like Life.

Ivy and I are grateful for you.

Also, I’ll never forget your message on St. Patrick during my time in SCSL 10 years ago.

You have run your race well!

We celebrate you!

-Jacob & Ivy Davis

Pastor Chitty the Mendez family loves you and Ramona so much. We have been blessed to have had you speak the word of God over us and over our church for so many years. Thank you for your faithful. We pray God continues to bless you and your family as you step into this next chapter of your lives. ❤️❤️🫶

Pastor Chitty and Family,

Thank you for the many years of faithfulness you have given to this church and to the Lord. Your example is inspiring and makes us want to follow the Lord so closely. Thank you for your continued love poured out and continued words from the Lord. We are grateful for your legacy and pray that you are richly rewarded in heaven! We love you very very much and are thankful to have been a part of the CL family during our time in Columbia. Looking forward to celebrating you on 10/6!

Love, Emily & Andrew Compton

Pastor Chitty, Ms. Ramona, and the Chitty family,

Where has the time gone...? Pastor, you have meant the world to me and my family! Your words from the pulpit have encouraged, lifted, and pointed us closer to our FATHER and our Savior Jesus Christ! Ms. Ramona and family, your kindness and prayers have help us through some tough times throughout our time at Christian Life. Word can't express our love for you all! You are and will be always in our prayers!

James and Rose Smith

Doug, Amanda and I came to Christian Life over 20 years ago. Doug passed away 5 years ago and Amanda now lives in NC. Pastor Chitty and Ramona are so dear to me. My heart is full as I think of all the ways they have helped me especially after Doug died. I love you both more than I could ever adequately express. I am so honored to know you and Ramona and to have had you, Pastor Chitty, as my pastor all these years.

Dear Pastor Chitty and Family,

We want to take a moment to celebrate and express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible impact you've had on our lives. We fondly remember tuning in to Life Matters during our commutes to work, where your words provided wisdom and hope each week. Your weekend messages transformed not only our hearts but also the course of our lives.

Being part of the church family as we grew up, and having the honor of serving alongside your children in the nursery, youth, and young adult ministries, was a blessing beyond measure. Your guidance taught us how to love deeply, grow faithfully, and find the courage to serve with all our hearts—not just within the walls of the church but also across the world.

Thank you for your unwavering leadership, your servant's heart, and your dedication to helping us all walk closer with God. We are forever grateful for your ministry and the impact it continues to have on our lives.

With love and appreciation,

Travis, Katie and Henry Sites

When we moved to Columbia, I felt that if we ever moved on from Chi Alpha, we would move back to Texas for family in a heartbeat.

When we found Christian Life, became members and began raising our kids here, I knew in my heart that only a clear calling away by God could get us to leave, and even then, it would probably be with kicking and screaming (definitely by me but probably all of us).

I remember the first few times hearing you say loved ones, I turned to Cody and said, “I genuinely feel like he means that. He loves these people! I know he loves our family and he has no idea who we are!” That meant the world to me.

It’s so difficult to articulate how deeply impacted I have been at Christian Life. Your integrity, ability to speak the truth in love, foresight, humility, call to honor others, steadfastness… it has laid a foundation of stability and confidence in our walk with the Lord. I can give countless stories of how I have seen this firsthand. Thank you for seeing this church as God’s and not your own.

We will never understand the weight. We will never know what it has cost you and your family but I thank you for your service to Jesus in this way.

I am forever grateful for the freedom we walk in because of your uprightness and heart poured into this community for Christ.

We love you and sweet Ms.Ramona and your family!!

Pastor Stephen,

I can easily say hands-down, that you have been the greatest mentor in my life.

I can remember the first time I came to Christian life 20 years ago as a young man, and I sat in the back. When I first heard you speak for the first time I said to myself, crying “ I’ve never heard anyone speak like this before”. And that statement is still very easily said today..

You have changed my life with encouragement and precise words that you’ve spoken to us throughout the decades that I’ve known you. You truly are the best example of a conduit from Jesus to the church that I could think of. Even when I was off at Southeast University, you would check up on me and make sure that I was OK. And there were many pivotal points in my life when I knew that I’ve reached many spots where I did not know where else to turn, and you always helped me through those areas..

This also poured in to my family. I would’ve never dreamed in a million years that I would one day have a wife and children to partake and be a part of all that you’ve built at our church.. and I am so blessed to say that I actually have that now. My Wife definitely agrees with me wholeheartedly on the impact that you’ve had on Myself, her, and our whole entire family..

They are not really words to express how much we love you and look up to you, but this is an attempt and we are grateful for all that you’ve done. we are also very grateful for the example that you set for always putting God first, and never compromising. Not bending to culture, people, hardships, or anything that may have come our way over the past 30 years. You’ve remain the same and always stay the course. You are steadfast, and we are thankful to have had you shepherd our family over these many years.

My prayer is always been that my walk with the Lord can somehow be parallel to yours. I could think of no greater person to be that example. We are more than blessed to have somebody in our lives that we could be able to say that about.

So once again, thank you for everything that you’ve built and everything that you’ve done for Christian life, our family, and so many others. You are truly one of the greatest men of God that I will ever know..

We love you, Pastor Stephen!

Love Mike, kaitlyn, and the Cruz kids

Pastor Chitty and Ms. Ramona,

I remember when I came to Christian Life about 8 years ago I could feel the peace of God and it t has never changed. You have ministered to me in more ways than you'll ever know! My boys and I have enjoyed attending the ministry over the years! Micah and Israel looked forward to KidzLife and Union every week. They were so blessed by the Lord that they decided to get baptized!🥰 I most definitely feel that you hear from the heart of God for our church and for Christians today. You are definitely looked upon by our family as a father in Christ. I have now been married about 3 years now and my husband, Keith has also enjoyed your teachings! So much that he and my bonus daughter Jada have also decided to get baptized.🥰 Your messages are always right on time. We appreciate you so much and have been so blessed to be under your leadership! ❤️❤️

Love Minga 🤗

Pastor Stephen and Madam Ramona,

We thank you for welcoming us to Christian Life Church! Even though we are new here. We’ve felt immediately that we are home! You and your family will be always in our prayers. God bless you and your family.

Thanks you Pastor Chitty for being a wonderful pastor to our children and grandchildren., Fred, Karen, Audrey & Alex Freeman, Paul, Linda, Josiah, Hannah and Tabitha Fox.

Thank you being our pastor for 3 winters and when we visit our kids.

I've made slides for our church's livestream from some of your saying, "Nothing you can do to make God love you more or less." is one of them.

Thanks to your life-stream team for helping us with ideas for our livestream.

Harold & Jean Siirila, Wadena, MN

You have been a shepherd, a story teller, a teacher, and an inspiration from the pulpit. You and your family exude humility. You have helped to create an environment where the Lord is welcomed and honored, and His Spirit is given permission to move. I am so thankful for your leadership in Christian Life, and that I got to grow up listening to you. God bless you and your family! -Josh Havird

Pastor Chitty, Ramona and Family,

Thank you for leading, loving and shepherding us so well! You all are such a precious gift from God. I pray God’s richest blessings on each of you as you continue your journey with God❤️

Much Love & Blessings,

Cami Coulter

Pastor Chitty,

Growing up in this church under your leadership has been the biggest blessing in my life; it is impossible to quantify. I believe I was one of the first babies you dedicated here and you were just able to dedicate my first child! It is hard for Stephen and me to express how grateful we are to have grown up with such sound, Biblical theology that has helped us navigate through every season of life. Starting our own family now, we feel incredibly blessed to help raise the next generation because of the grace and encouragement shown to us. We strive to live out your dream that your ceiling is our floor and so on for each generation. Your legacy is apart of all of us!

Stephen, Lauren, and Sadie Fisher ❤️

Pastor Stephen and family,

We have attended Christian Life for the past four years, included the first year online. We have been blessed to have called our church home and it's because of your leadership, your welcoming spirit, your wisdom, and so much more which has been set on His, Jesus Christ's Foundation, the Scriptures. Christian Life is home. When we walk in the doors, you make it feel as if we are walking into your living room or home, and sitting across from you learning together, dividing the Word together, as it should, and being led by the Holy Spirit. You are a pillar, and a pillar does not go away, they still hold up the the building and stand firm with the other pillars. We are so grateful and blessed to be in a church, a home, that has many pillars who are standing on the One Foundation. Looking forward to all God has For Christian Life and his Church!!

Blessings,

Rev Naomi Mattei

and Frank Mattei

Pastor Chitty changed my life with his messages and the love I have always felt from his ❤️

Dear Pastor Chitty

I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I was blessed to have an amazing pastor in my life throughout these years. Your teachings have helped me through the hardest days of my life.

Thank you for being a God loving friend.

Pastor Chitty & Ramona,

I visited CLA one Sunday morning 26 years ago. I was told by my dear Bible Study Teacher to visit there but visit other places too. I was a baby Christian, only a few months old. Hearing you teach, preach & love from the pulpit gripped my heart from my first Sunday on. I told my Bible Study Teacher that I could not go anywhere else because God's Word & Presence coming through you was like oxygen or food. I couldn't bear to miss a sermon or worship. She smiled & said "I understand Dear One. Then that is where God wants you." You have me, my family & countless others a strong, sturdy foundation with which to weather the days ahead. May God richly bless you both every day of your lives for the love, sacrifice & service to our church body that you both have provided. May God bless your retirement season as well.

We love you both.

Ron Morgan & Connie Collins-Morgan

Dear Pastor Chitty,

16 years ago, our family drove into the CLC parking lot and have since called CLC home.

Under your spiritual leadership and guidance, our lives have been enriched beyond measure.

We are thankful for your 30 years of incredible service and for being a huge blessing to our family 16 of those 30 years!

As you begin the next phase of your life’s journey, our family join in wishing you and your family God’s continued Blessings and Protection.

We love you!

Andy & Stella Ogbonna

I’ll never forget the first time I heard you preach. It was during a Wednesday night Bible study. You were preaching on the last chapter of Galatians. As you were preaching, I felt the Holy Spirit “rush over me.” I didn’t know to call it that at the time. It was my first time attending Christian Life. I had been “found” by the Treasure Hunters ministry the night before. I was so impressed by that wonderful experience as you preached, that I vowed to keep on coming. This is after almost 40 years of backsliding. Over the years, I would ask God a question and without knowing what I had asked him, you would answer it during a sermon. This happened so many times that I lost track. I’ll never forget the time I lost my job. You were supposed to preach a message in a series that day, but instead you said the Lord guided you to preach on handling difficult situations. Everything you preached that day spoke to me and lifted me up. Thank you for making me laugh, making me cry, and guiding my life with your teachings. When I first came to Christan Life, I had to look in the table of contents to find out where certain books of the Bible were. Now, over 12 years later, I have learned so much scripture that you would think that I had been to Bible school. Most of that knowledge came from hearing your sermons. Thank you for everything you have done! I know the Lord still has big plans for you. I know I’m not alone when I say I love and appreciate you, Pastor Stephen!

Laren Bowers

Words can’t express how thankful I am for your leadership. I am thankful to call you my pastor! Love you guys both so very much! ♥️🥳 -nic

What a blessing and pleasure it was to meet you, Pastor Chitty and Mrs. Ramona! I remember showing you around my parents homeplace and how excited your grandson was about so many things. You were so cordial and friendly that I felt like you were part of my family. Many days have gone by and I have thought of you and Mrs. Ramona and even thought about dropping by the church to just say hello to you once again.

I pray that God continues to bless you both in your "retirement" days and that you enjoy each precious moment living doing something special for yourselves. Please feel free to call me and let me know how you are.

To Pastor Cory: I pray for God's continuing blessings for you. I remember how special you were also and know you will do a superb job leading the church now.

Happy retirement, Pastor Chitty and may God always grant you good health and happy and blessed days ahead. 🙏

Elizabeth Meetze Lindler

Pastor Chitty, Ramona and family,

Thank you for loving and leading us as a congregation and community. You have been such a beautiful constant in our lives to hold to our faith and the truth of God’s word. Wishing you a wonderful next chapter!!

All our love,

Joy & Kinley Alexander

What an absolute HONOR to not only get to be led by you but to work on staff with you. My walk with God is stronger because of you. I love and respect both of you so much!

PS. One of my favorite quotes that you said more than a decade ago still makes me smile every time I think about it:

“I think the devil plans stuff out for us. So sometimes I drive a different way home just to throw him off.”

Thank you Pastor for 30 years of faithfully teaching God's word. Through the years, as I have listened to you, God has changed my life, I learned about giving, about correction and forgiveness, about foolish words (forgive me for my foolish words) living in peace, faithfulness, loving one another, faithful Bible study and so much more. I know I should be stronger and I an growing and so thankful that I am not where I once was, Thanks to you. I think I am like the clay in the potter's hands, He has had to work with me over and over, but Pastor, He has never given up, Thank you for never giving up on me.. I am so thankful. I don't know God's plans for you, but I know you and your family will be blessed, I am very hopeful for myself and my family and I pray we will all be able to get home before dark. blessings and love, Betty Price

Pastor Chitty and Mrs. Ramona,

Our family has been infinitely blessed by the culture and atmosphere you have cultivated at Christian Life. We prayed for almost thirteen years to find a church that was truly multigenerational and Spirit-led. The first time we attended CLC, we left saying, “This is our home. This is where we want to raise our children.”

You personally have blessed our family, kissing babies, and just loving so many so well. We are so proud to call CLC our home.

So much love,

Nolan, Mikyhla, Sam, Noah, Ariel, and Evangeline Dice