Needing the Church

I grew up as a pastor’s kid. From the time I could talk, I was spoon-fed rich doctrine. I valued the church, served the church, and told others how important it was. I loved the church deeply and thought nothing could make me doubt my love of church until one day, my world was turned upside down. My heart was completely broken, and my soul was on the verge of deep despair. I kept crying to God, “I need a family and a body. I need to know I matter to somebody and am part of something. I need a people who can point me to You.”

In that season, I understood why people leave the church. I begged God to keep me close and give me faith, hope, and love for His church again. During this time of deep shadows and groanings, God, in His great kindness, brought me to The Trails. When I first came here, I knew in my heart that I was a beloved child of the King, but I was feeling like an outcast.

Beholding the Beauty of the Church

The first few weeks at The Trails, I just sat in the services and wept. I clearly heard the whole gospel preached on Sunday. Christ was glorified, worshipped, and exulted. I came, sat, and soaked in the beauty. I felt like I could breathe again. Because I had begun associating God with the people who caused me pain, I didn't feel loved or cared for by Him; His love had become distorted. But He brought me to The Trails and reminded me that I needed to hear the gospel clearly. I needed to hear of His love and His character of mercy and compassion. I needed God to woo my heart to Himself through the power of His Word. 

Over the next few weeks, I discovered I needed the people of God to be a balm for my soul. As Christians, we must help each other hold fast to Christ. In the midst of this crisis, I got to experience this play out in real-time. The Trails became a place of healing for me and helped me in ways I could never have dreamt.   

The elders were humble and gracious and presented a beautiful example of my True Shepherd. Several women pursued me and even let me cry on their shoulders. An elder and his wife kept me accountable to not grow bitter or lose heart. They modeled gentleness and patience with me. Others made me laugh again and understand the joy of being together in the fellowship of Christ. My needs were provided for through the local body of believers. I was told that I was loved and that I belonged. I was included as an important member of the body of Christ and given a place of worth and honor, not because of who I was or what I could do, but because I was connected to Christ. And the church demonstrated the love of Christ to me, which is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Resting in the Church's King

The Trails Church helped me in my time of need by simply being the church. They helped a sheep who had lost her way. They tended to a soul that was broken and trembling. When I came, I didn’t know what I needed in a church. But now I see what I needed: a church home where Christ is reigning as Lord, His gospel is preached, and His love is experienced through the lives of His people. I needed to inhale the aroma of Christ so that I could exhale peace and joy in Him. That's what I found at The Trails Church, and I hope our church can continue to be that for every sheep that needs a home.