My Church Experience

With so much criticism and complaining against the church, I️ just want to take this time and write a brief recap of some of my positive church experiences. I honestly do not know where I would be today if it weren’t for the great people I have met over the years in church. With that being said, I humbly invite you to read my experiences and to reflect on how your personal experiences with church has been for you.

Burning Bush Church - BBC has helped me adjust to my new home here in Ohio and everyone has embraced me with welcome arms since day one. During this time of transition moving from Michigan to Ohio, I did not know anyone but I remember the first Sunday I went to BBC Pastor DeJuan Kelker preached a message that brought me to tears. Tears of joy and tears of thankfulness for God bringing me out of my past situations and what he is currently doing. I value the leadership at BBC and also the other members who have a burning passion for Jesus and they aren’t afraid to let it be known. The praise and worship at BBC is at the next level especially since a lot of the congregation members are young adults or still in their 30s or 40s, respectively. The men’s ministry and events create great bonding experiences of men who love God and just getting together doing fun things such as playing in the softball league, game and food nights at the church, etc. I have no doubt about it that I am at the church God wants me to be. We will be transitioning to downtown Akron to a larger building. This is exciting as God is bringing us to the next level, but to whom much is given much is required. It has been over a year and a half since I have been attending BBC and I have been a member for over a year now. It is time for me to step up and get involved in the ministry now that I have acclimated and settled in.

Life Church Southfield - Life Church Southfield came right on time at such a critical time in my life. It was the right church for me at the exact moment I needed. As a recent college graduate, I was at the point where I decided to get re-committed to God and build my relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Alan Tumpkin and I were able to connect and we developed a good personal and spiritual relationship. In addition, I loved the small group bible studies that my Mom and I attended every week. It was there where I was able to really get to know people outside of church and form new friendships. In particular, I am grateful for my friendship with John Weidman and a special thank you to Kathy Jackson who graciously welcomed all of us in her home each week to host small groups.

Epicenter of Worship - Aforementioned in one of my previous Facebook posts, EOW was a foundation for me in college to grow closer with God and to meet fellow church members and other students who attended church. During my college years I️ will admit that I️ was backsliding and living for my own pleasures while just having enough of God in my life where I️ didn’t feel completely guilty for my lifestyle choice. Every time I️ attended a Sunday church service at EOW, I always learned more about Jesus and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in the atmosphere. God has blessed Pastor Holland to be able to share His Word while also being able to relate to college students. I’ve been blessed to be able to get to know Pastor Holland over the years, and even when I come back to Lansing to visit I will attend Epicenter of Worship.

We must remember that each one of us represent the church. Regardless of your denomination, as Christians,We are all apart of the body of Christ known as the establishment we call church. Faith and trust Jesus Christ of Nazareth and regarding The Holy Bible as the literal true written word of God is the common denominator that unites believers from all over the world despite our differences.