Growing up, I have always been amazed by “insignificant” things; how things work, how every little thing has to happen for something even bigger to occur. Looking back, I realized that God has EVERYTHING planned out for me. There is nothing that can match the feeling that you get when you throw yourself into God’s will, trusting him completely without knowing how everything will ever work out, and then look back later and see that there is no possible way that it could’ve turned out any better! It is one thing to KNOW that God has everything under control, but it is a completely different story when you EXPERIENCE God’s power first hand.
Everything happens for a reason. Divine providence.
Last year, I was a freshman in college. I quickly came to the realization that this is where my faith will either grow stronger or become non-existent. I have heard many stories of people that took a turn for the worst in college so I was determine not to join that statistic. Following the advice of many Godly people at home, I immediately went looking for a church I can be a part of.
I first went to Central Baptist Church. I loved it and I made many friends (some with eventually become my roommates). Central reminded me of Unity (my church back at home); great service, amazing choir, and a strong youth group. I thought I have found the perfect place. I went to Central for a few weeks, but God had other plans for me. Honestly, it was difficult to trust God and leave Central because I have grown attached to it but I did, and my search for a church started all over again.
Next I went to Woodland Heights Baptist Church. Another amazing church! Again, it reminded me of Unity. I loved it! I even started going to small group. Surely this would be the church that I can be a part of right? No. Again, God had other plans and I left to search for another church.
Over the next couple of weeks, I attended countless campus ministries hoping to find somewhere I can serve; Chi Alpha, BCM, MBSF, etc… I even went on a weekend retreat with Chi Alpha thinking that it was the place for me to be! It wasn’t God will; however, I got to meet Kris Allen on the retreat before he got famous so that was a plus!
So here I am on a Wednesday afternoon after months of going somewhere thinking that it was the place for me and coming back without a peace that that was where I needed to be. I was about to give up when I randomly stumbled across a church website; www.antiochconway.com. It was a Wednesday and I had no place to go to church that night so I decided to go check out their youth group (7:13) since they were meeting in a building right across campus.
I remembered this experience vividly. This was “The House,” and it was packed. I immediately felt something different about this place; its atmosphere, the people, the music, the free food… This particular youth group at that time started at 7:13pm thus the name “713.” So, at about 7:07pm, this little girl came up to me and told me to sit down because they were fixing to start. I later find out that this “little girl” was actually a junior in college and was the youth leader. Was it a different experience? Absolutely! But she reminded me of my youth pastor back at home; stubborn, shameless, speaks with authority, respectable, and a great leader. I felt at home and I have been stuck here ever since. I am guessing the ping pong table was God’s way of showing me that Antioch was where I needed to be, while utterly destroying anybody that that had the courage to challenge me!
Fast forward into my sophomore year of college. The transition from summer to school was bittersweet, I have gotten really close with some of my friends back at home and I am honestly going to miss hanging out with them. It has only been 10 days since I’ve moved back into Conway, but God has already done so much! On the first Sunday back in Antioch since the summer, 17 people joined the church. On the second Sunday, 30 people got baptized. And this coming up Sunday, the church has voted to add one more Sunday morning service making it a total of 3 services every Sunday morning. The church had over 400 more members than it has this time last year. The college ministry had tripled in attendance since the last year. God has just been showing up and showing out! I have met some pretty incredible people. I have so many opportunities to serve; being part of leading worship on Wednesday nights, leading worship for one of my friend’s small group, helping out in the youth group, etc… God has just been absolutely amazing!!
Looking back, God had everything under control. I am so excited! I cannot wait to see what God has planned for this year! Trust God, He will come through. This is my story.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” – Proverbs 3: 5, 6
“…walk by Faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5: 7
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37: 4
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