Geoffre Thoma
Hazel Martinez
Geoffre Thoma
Hazel Martinez
June 7, 2025
Worth the Wait
We first met at Faith Baptist Harvest Festival 2023. He was volunteering as security that night, but our story really begins with a game night in December. That was our first exposure to each other really. It was a great time with friends and developing new friendships. One game night led to another each month, and eventually that game night group turned into a weekly prayer night group. We encouraged and sharpened each other. Then one birthday fellowship at church turned into a long spiritual discussion with my brother-in-law at home. As conversation continued late into the night, the idea of a spring break road trip to my Alma Mater GSBC was born. After much planning with family and friends, this trip came to fruition. After a wonderful day at the college, evening service at North Valley, dinner at Eataly, late night games with the fam, and long conversations amongst friends something more was growing for Geoff. (Of which, I was clueless at the time!) The next day and the drive home then proved to be the ultimate game changer. Let's just say, road trips make for lots of memories and deep conversations, and the intrigue Geoff had for me deepened. His parents came to visit shortly after, and I helped him host a welcome dinner for them. After another group game night, Geoff decided he needed to be intentional, and on Good Friday, he asked me out to coffee and gelato. And the rest is history really. Throughout our whole relationship, we have seen God's orchestration and fingerprints all along the way. From intentional and purposeful conversations to times of deliberate prayer and fasting, from working together for the elevated young adults conference to serving together in Senegal, from being in separate countries for about a month to serving along side each other in new ministries, from spending Christmas on the East Coast and New Years on the West Coast, God has shown and guided us each step of the way. As we've sought to keep Him at the center, He has continued to knit our hearts closer together. Time and time again the Lord showcases answers to prayers I've prayed so long ago in regards to my future husband. Prayers of which I had long forgotten, but God gave me so much more than I ever dreamed. Words could not ever be enough to convey all the different times I have been in awe for how God has blessed me with Geoff. We have been truly blessed to have found our spiritual sole mate in each other, and we cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store. We desire more than anything to please Him and seek Him and His will first.
Schedule
Travel
Hotel
Courtyard Los Angeles Woodland Hills
We have a courtesy block at this hotel for your convenience. Just mention our names and they will give you the discounted rate when booking!
Wedding Party
Crystal Shaw
Maid of Honor
Crystal has been my Best Friend since the 7th grade. When you consider how rare lasting friendships are, this is a truly amazing thing. We have been through so many stages of life together, and we've always been there for each other. There's no one I'd rather laugh about muffins in an oven or a little bit of magic with or spend hours in the car talking over the serious things and the silliest things. She's got a big heart and loves with it fully! She's one of the strongest people I know. She's a faithful friend, and our friendship is truly a gift from God.
Darhiazel Ramirez
Matron of Honor
I'm so grateful for the sister the Lord gave me. Though we are complete opposites and six years apart, so we were never in the same stage of life until adulthood. I'm so grateful to have a sister who loves and cares about me. I know I can always count on her. She loves the Lord and her family fully. I'm so grateful for her faithful prayers over my life and for my future. According to her, she's the first to put Geoff and me together, so thank you for that, Ate!
Gianna Ramirez
Bridesmaid
Gianna is my oldest niece. I am beyond proud of her and the young lady she has become. I can still remember when she fit on my lap. It has been a real privilege to watch her grow up. I'm so glad to have this beautiful sweet girl by my side on my special day.
Angelica Secillano
Bridesmaid
Gels has been my teacher bestie, travel partner, fellow coffee lover, retail therapy partner, Disney lover, and a merry heart doeth good like a medicine friend. She's patient, kind, and understanding. Her laugh is infectious, and she'll always brighten your day. Honestly I could probably go on forever. I'm so thankful for her and to have such a sweet friend to go through these last seasons of life with.
Melissa Carrillo
Bridesmaid
I have been friends with Mel for the last 5-6 years, and I have been so blessed to have her in my life. She's the kind of friend who isn't afraid to speak truth, but she does so in love. She's the absolute hostess with the mostess. You'll never feel alone if Mel is around. She's such a supportive and understanding friend. I'm so grateful for her counsel and encouragement. I'd gladly go on another mission trip with her any day.
Katie Caviness
Bridesmaid
Katie and I were roommates our freshman year in college, and I was her first filipino ever. We were then roommates again senior year. She's a lifelong friend, and someone I know would show up if I ever needed her. Katie is an "iron sharpeneth iron" kind of friend. Time always escapes us when we are talking, and I'm grateful for a friend I can talk to about anything. I'll forever be grateful to the Lord for allowing us to be roommates that year. Her heart and faithful testimony for the Lord are gold, and anyone who spends time with her will be better for it.
Alexandra "Allie" Ramos
Bridesmaid
Allie is my college sister. I was truly blessed by the Lord when He brought her into my life. She has taught me so many things and pushed me closer to the Lord. Allie is always up for an adventure and fun. She's the best person to do a theme park with, and if you ever have a question, she's probably got the answer because she's a researcher. She makes life more exciting. There's no other person I would have jumped out of an airplane with.
Beth Ann Bordell
Bridesmaid
Beth Ann and I have been friends since college. She's my fellow Type 2 and so often knows exactly what I'm thinking and feeling. I'm so grateful to have a friend who understands me. She's so talented and creative, and one of the hardest workers I know. Her support and continuous friendship even as time has passed has been such a precious gift.
Steffanie Cargill
Bridesmaid
Steff is another of our college crew! I'm so grateful the Lord brought these Long Beach friends into my life. Though years have passed, Steff has consistently been a supportive and understanding friend. She's incredibly talented and has been so faithful to the Lord. It's always a good time with her!
Charity Teague
Bridesmaid
I had the great blessing of meeting and becoming friends with Charity two years ago when she came to teach at Faith. She is an incredibly joyful person, and it rubs off. She's a fountain not a drain, and she has made many a day so much happier just by being my friend. I'm so blessed to have her by my side on my special day.
Pastor Patrick Alingasa
Best Man
Pastor Patrick has been both a great friend and mentor this past couple years. We met at a spiritual leadership conference and I was immediately struck by how genuine and caring he was. He has the heart of a shepherd and I know I can always count on him for wise counsel and a helping hand. He is a true model for me of servant leadership, speaking truth seasoned with grace, and of a life devoted 100% fully to the Lord.
Andrew Thoma
Groomsman
He's my younger brother and yet I look up to him so much. Known as the peacemaker of our family, Andrew truly has a kind and gentle spirit and is more likely to give to others rather than keep for himself. In fairness to him, he endured a lot growing up under me and yet used all of that as motivation to pursue his goals with unmatched fervency and the highest of execution. While he will always be my little brother, it has truly been an honor to watch him grow up into a wonderful man of integrity. His hard work and dedication to his wife, his family, and his work is a real inspiration.
Dave Fondacaro
Groomsman
It's not easy developing lifelong friendships as a military child growing up in the 80s but against all odds David and I have made it work over 20 years and still going. My very first friend since moving to Korea during high school, David and I bonded over soccer, swimming, and computer games. In adulthood, however, it has actually been his constant encouragement and counsel that has been such a blessing for me. He has many talents but his can-do attitude and 'never quit' mentality is invigorating.
Aaron Simmons
Groomsman
When I came to Faith in the summer of 2023, I prayed earnestly for Christian friends and in the most unconventional of ways the Lord delivered Aaron as my very first brother. In a short period of time we have been through so much, shouldered many burdens, and celebrated many victories together. He truly has a heart for the downtrodden and struggling and has a real gift in making connections with those that often go unseen. #1 of the original 'BSB.'
John Aguirre
Groomsman
John 'the Baptist' has been one of the best encouragers in my life the past two years. The #2 of 'BSB,' my filipino brethren wears his heart on his sleeve, is often there to lend a helping hand when needed, and is a joy to be around, whether in church or when he's cooking on the basketball court. I appreciate his listening ear, his Bible knowledge, and his jovial spirit.
Omar Ramirez
Groomsman
Couldn't ask for a more Godly and good-natured person to have as a brother-in-law. We have enjoyed many amazing meals together and late night chats about everything from eschatology to the foundations of the earth and beyond. I really appreciate his thoughtfulness, his scholarly mind towards the Bible, and ability to give an encouraging words to anyone in any situation. Beyond all that I'm truly moved by the way he sacrificially loves his wife and his family.
Friis Heiberg
Groomsman
In a crowded room brother Friis could never be missed for that wondrous smile and deep baritone voice. He may tower over you in stature but you'd never feel it as he is truly a gentle giant, born of a humility within that truly reflects the example of Christ. In the relatively short time we have known each other I have learned so much from brother Friis already. He is so giving of himself and so positive, regardless of what the realities of his personal situation may be. Truly a treasure to me, our long talks are the embodiment of Proverbs 27:17's "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
Ben Nutter
Groomsman
My path to faith the last several years has been the most profound journey of my life and Ben is central to the story. Our shared lives hung in the balance (literally) and were transformed in the most God-ordained of ways. The countless hours of deep musings on life, all the great meals we shared, the weeks and months spent retraining our bodies to climb the greatest of mountains (again, literally) to forge new beginnings and reconciliations. Ben is a kind, gentle spirit and is tremendously thoughtful. Spending time with him always brings a smile to my face and watching him grow is one of the great joys of my life.
Brian Barillas
Groomsman
Don't let his reserved demeanor fool you. Brian has the heart of lion and is very thoughtful before he speaks. With shared bonds that only former military men can have, we so often speak the same language and understand one another intuitively. He is someone who has really put himself out there while he's growing in his faith, has shown himself steady, and is someone I know I can always count on to get the job done. Everyone needs a friend like Brian.
Ben Johnson
Groomsman
My brother from the east coast. Ben and I have many shared experiences, whether shredding the slopes skiing together or trying to keep up with him mountain biking. Beyond that, however, he has had a hand in some of the most pivotal moments in my faith journey. Being still in his 20s, he is wise beyond his years and I really respect him as a Godly friend, husband, and father. Also he's got the most astounding reservoir of energy of anyone I've ever met and is one of the most dependable people I know.
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