Find a WA Church Home
When Mark (my husband) + I were new to Washington State, we visited a church that his long-time friend invited us to. It was great to see some familiar faces but after only two visits, Mark was unable to leave the house for that kind of experience so we started watching church online.
We went from the WA church we visited back to the last one we were watching online in TX when I knew I needed to find a church that would be where God would want me. As a woman who has been widowed, living in a new place and navigating this beautiful state without her person.
I started praying and journaling about making this change after Mister passed away and shared this prayer with a faithful friend who recommended this church to me as a potential church to visit. I began following them on Instagram, then watched services online. I would visit other churches online too, get 10 or 20 minutes into them only to go back to this recommended church.
After my husband passed away, I watched the service online, reviewed my notes and then began pleading with God to make it clear that this church would be where He wanted to root me for this next season. I was hopeful for a place where I could receive, but also where I could give. Where the teaching/preaching pricked my heart to keep it soft + focused on Christ and where I could heal with biblical discipleship (correction + encouragement based upon the teachings of Jesus).
The church introduced a fiery, seemingly Spirit-led, humble preacher. They launched another round of their six week Grief Support Group starting this week. On my first in-person visit, I met the woman who oversees Connection Cards and met two men who shared about being part of the church for a decade. I saw ethnic diversity on the platform and in the seats. I’d heard a worship song sung from the platform that I had just been belting out in my car the previous day. And the preacher referenced the author of a book that I’m reading/studying about knowing my authentic identity in Christ.
At the end of service, I accepted the invitation to go to the front for prayer and to introduce myself to the Women’s Pastor who I had seen while watching online and felt compelled to introduce myself to. I asked for prayer about finding a church home and that this one would be it.
God showed up for me in that experience. He removed distractions and fear and I clearly heard Him say, “Here.” So, I’ve found my new church home and am eagerly anticipating how the Spirit is going to work in me/my life to mature me in this body of believers. Y’all, God answers prayer.
