Do you have a good church to go to? I do! There are so many great things I could say about Calvary Baptist Church. In the fall I plan on going to Leavell College and that is going to be tough on me. I don’t know what it will be like, not only to leave my family, but my spiritual family of Calvary as well. I moved from one area to where I live now between 6th and 7th grade, but that was different. Back then I went to church. Now I am a part of the church and it is strange to think that I will be away from them. Is this childish thinking?
Some things I love about Calvary:
I love my pastor. Brother Jeff is such a loving guy who makes you want to fall in behind his leadership. I can tell he puts genuine effort into his sermons and that he cares about the church. I feel comfortable talking with him. I know that if I needed him, I could call in the middle of the night and he would be there. I can tell he loves his family. My dad that I grew up with wasn’t the best, but I thought he was the “norm”. I am glad I have had the opportunity to be around people like Brother Jeff to see what a man of integrity is really like (of course my stepdad, Ricky, is a great man himself).
I love David Jacks, the minister of youth and education. Years ago when I felt I had tried everything else, I got a newsletter from Calvary’s youth ministry and saw the faces of happy kids. I wanted that and came for the first time to church on a Wednesday night. I didn’t even know church’s met on Wednesdays before then! When I came, David spoke on a topic that cut to the core of me. It was as if he knew everything about me. I now know that this was the Holy Spirit dealing with me, but I am so grateful for David to allow himself to be used in such a powerful way. As those of you who know me may have realized, I went off to Student Life camp that year. It was a huge social step for me. I did not know what to expect at all, but God had amazing plans. God brought me into a right relationship with him (I am not talking necessarily salvation here, but this was the point when God made a practical difference in my life). I called my Mom from that camp and told her things were different. And they certainly are. David has been used powerfully in my life and I have some of my closest secrets with him.
I love Daniel Lee and Georganna McLain. I have not had as much time to spend with them, but what people of God! They have personalities unlike my own that cause me and the church to stretch spiritually. Daniel is quite talented and has got me to worship musically in a way I never expected (I am not saying I can sing, but I CAN worship through song). Georganna LOVES children. I don’t know what other way to say it. My sister is growing up at Calvary and I trust Georganna to lead Amanda to makes the spiritual steps she needs to take.
I love Calvary’s ministry. Calvary loves people, and this is demonstrated in many ways. Vacation Bible School, mission trips to Puru and Alaska, men’s construction teams, FAITH evangelism, the Calvary Sportsman’s Outreach, and just today the church’s appreciation service to law enforcement officers. I love how Calvary is seeking to more and more be the church rather than just being content to “do church”.
I love my friends at Calvary. Some of my closest friends come from Calvary. I’m not going to name them all, but I will spend some time writing about my closest friend: Tyler. Wow, Tyler has saved my life is many ways. He is going to be one of the toughest things about leaving. I COULD call people from Calvary at any point if I needed help. I HAVE called Tyler though. He is my confidant, my pal, and the best friend a guy could wish for. He trusts me with things and I trust him. He doesn’t take advantage of me. I really don’t even know how to describe our relationship, but let me just say this: find yourself a friend like Tyler. It makes life go by so much better.
The church is the people, and I love the people of Calvary. All of them. It is tough and some of us fight, but that just shows we are living. We have problems, but they can be worked through. My church family has experienced births and deaths, divorces and marriages, gain and loss, and I am so glad that we are going through it together. When someone in our church is hurting, we all hurt. When someone is being lifted up, we all celebrate. I love my church.
As I wrap this up, I am reminded of a conversation I was having with a girl trying to explain the importance of being a part of a church. I should have told her all of this. The Church is God’s plan, and I am happy to be a part. That is probably why it hurts so much to be leaving.
If anybody from Calvary happens to read this, let me just say I love you so much!
