{"id":9387,"date":"2014-07-30T16:48:49","date_gmt":"2014-07-30T20:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=9387"},"modified":"2014-07-30T17:07:43","modified_gmt":"2014-07-30T21:07:43","slug":"couple-alert-it-takes-a-church-show-makes-a-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2014\/07\/couple-alert-it-takes-a-church-show-makes-a-match.html","title":{"rendered":"Couple Alert! \u2018It Takes A Church\u2019 Show Makes a Match"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Randy<\/a><\/p>\n

The GSN show, ‘It Takes a Church<\/a>,’ confirms\u00a0that love matches are possible.<\/p>\n

Bachelor and business owner Randy Phillips opened his heart to the members of his church in Tempe, Arizona, allowing them to play matchmaker and\u00a0help him find his leading lady. Eight contestants went through a series of questions and challenges for Randy to narrow down and choose the person\u00a0he felt he was most compatible with.<\/p>\n

In the end, he chose Rhonda Nyirenda, a talented executive assistant from Malawi. Together after four months, Randy and Rhoda are getting serious in their relationship.<\/p>\n

Both had struggled with trusting in the possibility of love, with Rhoda having her heart broken in the past and Randy dealing with the passing of his older brother at a young age. After discussing their faith and values, their connection grew.<\/p>\n

A scene from the episode showed Randy and Rhoda enjoying their one-on-one date as they rode horses and had a deep, engaging conversation about life, family, and love. For Randy, he knew Rhoda was someone he could really see himself being with.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first I thought she was visually stunning, but I was afraid that was all, Randy explains. \u201cI started to wonder: is she about image or more substance? Is she beautiful on the inside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough that conversation, the wall just crumbled,\u201d he says. \u201c It was at that moment where everything completely changed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since being together, their faith and relationship has tremendously grown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe pray together and for each other. He prays for me,\u201d Rhoda says. \u201cAfter getting my heart broken, I wasn\u2019t interested in dating for a long time. I was afraid to let my wall down,\u201d she explained. \u201cBut being with Randy\u2026 God used Randy to break those walls down for me. I\u2019m so thankful to God for placing Randy in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhoda says she cherishes\u00a0Randy\u2019s selfless personality and\u00a0is\u00a0blessed to have him in her life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never really used to understand putting the other person\u2019s needs before your own. But Randy is so selfless,\u201d Rhoda says. \u201cHe\u2019s always putting his needs second and not just through his words but his actions. It shows how special he is and how he treats me,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt blows my mind away. I am very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Randy agrees. \u201cEveryday there is something that adds to the relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congratulations to the happy couple!<\/p>\n

‘It Takes a Church<\/a>‘ season finale premieres Thursday, July 31. Applications are now being accepted for season two.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The GSN show, ‘It Takes a Church,’ confirms\u00a0that love matches are possible. Bachelor and business owner Randy Phillips opened his heart to the members of his church in Tempe, Arizona, allowing them to play matchmaker and\u00a0help him find his leading lady. Eight contestants went through a series of questions and challenges for Randy to narrow…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":572,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,1],"tags":[2296,2299,2295,2297,2298],"class_list":["post-9387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entertainment","category-television","tag-gsn","tag-it-takes-a-church","tag-matchmaking-show","tag-natalie-grant","tag-true-love"],"yoast_head":"\nCouple Alert! \u2018It Takes A Church\u2019 Show Makes a Match<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2014\/07\/couple-alert-it-takes-a-church-show-makes-a-match.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Couple Alert! \u2018It Takes A Church\u2019 Show Makes a Match\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The GSN show, ‘It Takes a Church,’ confirms\u00a0that love matches are possible. 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