A story of faith, loss, and return

Kathryn Bedford was raised in church. Her grandfather was a Baptist pastor for forty-five years in San Antonio, and church life was not optional in her household. Even when her mother worked three jobs, Kathryn and her brothers were in Sunday school, Sunday morning worship, Sunday night service, and Wednesday night Bible study. Saturdays were spent cleaning the church. “I know about being in church,” she says. “I grew up in it.”

She gave her life to Christ and was baptized under the ministry of Reverend Short. He guided her early walk with Christ, and though he passed away more than twenty years ago, his influence remains part of her spiritual foundation.

But her life has been marked by deep loss. She has buried her father, two brothers, and a husband. Furthermore, her marriages also carried deep wounds. Her first marriage began at age eighteen and concluded in divorce due to infidelity. Her second husband, Ricky, loved her children as his own. When he became gravely ill, Kathryn earned her CNA certification so she could better care for him until his death.

A later marriage brought another painful break. In 2017, her husband’s affair with someone in their church left her broken. She tried to remain, participated in counseling, and prayed for strength, but her spirit was not at peace. She stopped attending. 

Yet even in grief, her faith remained steady. Her prayer during that season was simple and sincere: “Lord, guide me to the right church. I’m tired of making wrong decisions. I’m broken.”

The answer came unexpectedly—through a smile.

While shopping at the HPCAN thrift store, Kathryn was greeted by the always cheerful Minister of Outreach, Daniel Arrendondo. “Every time I went in there that man always had a smile on his face,” she said.

When she asked him about his church, Daniel pointed to Baptist Temple’s large sanctuary across the street.

From her first visit, she says she felt the presence of God. She kept coming. And when she finally joined, she knew she was home. “God got me to the right church,” she said.

Service is part of how Kathryn expresses her faith. In the past, she visited hospital patients, cared for homebound members, and shared Scripture with those unable to attend church. Today, she serves in the thrift store, cleaning up and sorting clothes. Now retired and caring for her mother, Kathryn’s desire is simply to serve, grow, and draw closer to God.

Katherine’s faith, passed down through generations, tested by betrayal and loss, was renewed by grace. God leads the broken back to Himself. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (ESV)