As the author read through the oft-repeated, handwritten pages of Ione Davidson, wife of the first Pastor of South Shores Church, handed to her by the church organist, Doris Swanson, she wondered, "Was this church really God's Gift to those who attended or visited?" This, as a reader, you will have to decide for yourself. With the Cole's family involvement in founding and two sons becoming pastors of the church, the author believed it was a worthy project. Her writing began at Los Angeles High School where she composed programs for a literary club and an article winning first place prize for the school annual. At First Baptist in Pomona, she wrote articles for the "Communicator Prayer Corner" and high school lessons for a Sunday school class she was teaching. With her husband, Dr. Edward B. Cole, who served as the senior pastor five churches, they ministered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, San Diego, Pomona (First Baptist Pomona, largest American Baptist Church), Lake Arrowhead (as pastor and "Resident President" of the Campus Crusade's International School of Theology), then South Shores Baptist Church in Monarch Beach, California. During five years there a new parking lot and sanctuary were built. After retiring he was named "Pastor Emeritus." Her employment began at aircraft companies during the Second World War, Douglas Aircraft and Lockheed Aircraft and Budd Manufacturing in Philadelphia. Besides working in Graphic Arts at the California Baptist Seminary, her last position was legal secretary for William Bergman, the City Attorney of Claremont, CA. After supporting her husband through college, seminary and doctrinal classes, she returned to college after her four children were older and in school. The author believes some of God's greatest gifts have been, not only this special church, but her four children, ten grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. God's gifts for those who love Him in return seem never-ending
