The Other Side

When I started this blog back in September I had finally admitted to myself that I wasn't taking this move very well. I was very lonely and homesick for the connections with like-minded believers in my home church in Augusta - Fleming Baptist Church. We had been visiting several churches - five actually and it was difficult to find one that all three generations (my 77 year old Mother, Paul and myself, and Cleve) felt at home in. Of course Jenna was considered as well, but she is away at college most of the time. Most importantly, we wanted to be where God wanted us. A place where we could serve, be ministered to, and in turn minister to others. Several people invited us to other denominations and non-denominational churches. Each time I was able to tell them I was a Christian first but that I loved the cooperative efforts of the Southern Baptists in their mission endeavors. We certainly wanted to be in a church where missions was a central focus - local, state, national, and international missions. We wanted to be in a church that preaches the truth of the gospel and the truth of God's Word as ABSOLUTE truth.

God led us to Harps Crossing Baptist Church! I'm so thankful! We all joined as a family yesterday. A major blessing is that Cleve made his profession of faith in Christ public yesterday and wants to be Baptised! Praise the Lord! I knew God would be faithful to lead us to a church where we could belong and be used. I can't wait to see how we will be used and be able to minister to others in the body of Christ! One exciting tidbit is that the Pastor, Dennis Watson, was actually one of my youth Pastor's during my junior and senior years of High School. He served for two years at Fleming Baptist Church in Augusta before being called to Harps Crossing 26 years ago! It's a blessing to me to find that a man that had a huge impact on my spiritual growth as a teenager is the Pastor at the church where God has called me to as an adult! God has used Dennis in a mighty way in this church! Another blessing is Dennis' son, Chris, who is the Youth Pastor at Harps. In the few times I've heard him speak, I know he has a heart for the youth ministry and was taught very well by his Father. I'm sure Cleve will learn many valuable lessons under his leadership. Another blessing is that Mother is in a Sunday School class with other older women - many of the other churches we visited did not have a ladies only class and with mother being a widow for only two years now - she was not comfortable being in a class with couples or with women at varying ages. And Paul and I have been attending a couples Sunday School class for many weeks now. We've met many wonderful people and look forward to getting to know them more and serving along side them as God leads!

GOD IS GOOD!! HE IS FAITHFUL AND WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US!! I KNEW HE WOULD NOT LEAVE ME IN THE STORM BUT WOULD BRING ME TO THE OTHER SIDE!! PRAISE HIS NAME!! LIFE CHANGES - BUT GOD DOESN'T!! HE'S THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW!!

If you'd like to check out Harps Crossing - here is a link to their website:
http://www.harpscrossing.com/
http://www.harpsyouth.com/