I love my church. I love the smiles of people who have become my family here. I love the varied and Christ-centered lessons every Sunday. I love the hugs of some of my closest friends in the world. I love the weekly studies, prayer meetings, and lunches. I love how much growth I’ve seen in everyone present, especially myself. I love the joy we’ve found in change.
This month we relocated, and the difference in setting caused some concern in the congregation. But the atmosphere of a place comes from the people present more than from the space itself. We learned this lesson during our first Sunday, bowed together before God. With gratefulness and faith, we offered the theater and ourselves to the Lord for the holy purpose we believe brought us there. Our consecration Sunday remembered the past that brought us to seek a larger space and looked toward a future where the community overflowed from the new locale.
I cannot wait to see what happens here. The location is easily reached from all parts of the city. The university is still nearby, and we’ve had some new visitors already. Most excitingly, the transfer brought a fresh desire into our church to share this hope and joy with others. The initiative is beautiful, and I pray that God brings many to join this family. I can hardly wait to hug my new friends, exchange ideas, and hear stories over coffee. Today, I’m praising God for the great things already effected through this venture, and pray for miracles in this place.