finding gold in california

Pat and Len Royer

My first encounter with Pat and Len Royer came in 1986. I was a member of Church On The Way in Van Nuys California and they put out a call for volunteers to help in Sunday School and I felt drawn to serve. By the way, in doing this it was a huge healing for me as I experienced a divorce and my children were living on the other side of the country (thankfully we live in the same state today–insert smiley face).

I elected to help in the preschool area, mainly out of my lack of knowledge of the Bible and figured that I could learn with them. I did. And, it was the perfect setting for me as I worked with Kindergarten children—what an amazing age, because they can do everything. After excellent training by Pat Royer and her staff, I was assigned on a teaching team with two other adults. By the way, Pat and Len Royer became my mentors and lifelong friends. The lead teacher on my team handed me a cassette of music as I had explained that I could help with that. I took the cassette home and played it…ugh! “This won’t do with today’s kids,” I said out loud (my exact language may have been more colorful).

I had a tiny, portable Casio keyboard (still have it) and I sat down and started writing songs. One or two to begin with…and the songs just kept coming. The small group in my class loved the songs and my ministry grew. I cannot begin to describe how excited I was working on songs for my “kids.” Pat Royer took interest in my music and decided to bring all the classes into a multipurpose room to have praise and worship for all the kids at one time. That grew and brought more songwriters into the mix and it continued to grow. By 1989 I was on staff at The Church On The Way serving as a ministry assistant in Children’s Ministry. It involved music at all levels, nursery, preschool and elementary.

Pat and Len Royer held monthly leadership gatherings for the department leaders to pray with and bless them team. The fellowship and true mentoring was beyond anything I could hope for. We saw and experienced miracles and healings. Additionally, for me, Len was my sounding board. I could go to him with anything. His wisdom of God’s ways, coupled with life experiences and love was healing for my heart. Young men working in children’s ministry were drawn to him and his gentle hand and mentoring heart would touch many lives for Christ.

I could share many testimonies of how the Lord used Pat and Len to be the hands and heart of Jesus for me. Pat and Len love the Lord, they love each other deeply and their ministry continues to travel the globe for Christ.