Nothing lasts forever

This is part 5 of my spiritual journey. Start reading here. 

After about 6 months, the church fell apart. The pastor chose not to renew the contract with the building, and I assumed it meant we would keep meeting at his house, but that was not the case. 

I had no idea of what to do, so I began church hopping with them. I was able to go to some services at World Changers and was amazed at how much I learned from Pastor Creflo Dollar's knowledge of the Bible.

We spent one Sunday at Victory World Church, but my pastor did not like it. We then proceeded to spend a couple of weekends at Free Chapel. I was moved by Pastor Jentezen's charisma and love for the gospel. Their worship was amazing as well.

But although my pastor and wife made a home at Free Chapel, I felt it wasn't mine. I was compelled to go back to Victory. So I did, by myself. If you read part 2 of this story, you know I wasn't very fond of attending church by myself. But this time, things were different.

I was immediately welcomed. There are people from every age and every country attending services. They go out of their way to hold events to make the mega-church feel a bit more homey. Like a mother and daughter tea I attended with my mom, which I will never forget. 

At about the same time, I found a school to volunteer just down the road. Everything seemed to be aligning, and point towards Norcross, Georgia. I was sure I had found my home, and was ready to make my life there. God, however, had other plans. 

Come back tomorrow for part 6!

Discovering the first love

This is part 4 of my spiritual journey. Start reading here. 

When my brother left for Brazil, I was welcomed in by the church group. They'd invite me for dinner. They helped me move. They called often. They made me feel part of their group.

I had to go back to Savannah but they kept pursuing me. Praying for me. And I just felt the love. I began reading the Bible and listening (and taking notes!) during the church service. On Thanksgiving, they went out of their way to welcome me. And while we prayed, I heard God for the second time.

You asked for a family. This is it. 

I immediately broke down. My parents had just been through a painful divorce, and although I never said it out loud, all I wanted was a family. 

On December I officially said out loud that I recognized Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I went to a retreat that changed my life. And then I got baptized on February 5th, 2006. 

I had daily access to the pastor and his wife, my friends were the ones managing the sound system and the collections. There were (maybe) around 30 of us. I was able to truly enjoy the definition of fellowship. It was by no means perfect, but it felt like a family, which was exactly what I needed.

Come back on Monday for part 5!

Meeting Christ

This is part 3 of my spiritual journey. Start reading here. 

My brother invited me to his church, but I wasn't very interested. I was way too judgmental, that is the truth. Then one day, Robin casually mentioned he would be baptized in the last Sunday he was in the States.

Say what? I couldn't believe it. He had been baptized as a baby, and that just sounded.... rude. He explained to me the differences in babies being baptized for cleansing of the 'original sin', and someone being baptized in Christ. It sounded important enough for me to attend,  because I was the only family he had in Atlanta, and I felt I just had to support him.

Brotherly love. 

The church was in a business center, which seemed odd to me. The amount of people there? A (very) small one. The music was dynamic and the service was radically different that I had ever seen. Everyone seemed way too young, including the pastor. I wasn't interested nor impressed.

At the end of the service they had the baptisms. I remember general nice things being said about my brother, and tearing up with his speech about his path to Christ. And then it happened.

Now, before I tell you what happened, I know it sounds controversial. I know some people don't believe it. But I'll tell you anyway.

I heard God speak. For the first time, ever, I felt in my heart that God was telling me something very specific, and that went against my plans for my own life:

You are next. 

 Come back tomorrow for part 4. 

Experimenting

This is part 2 of my spiritual journey. Check part 1 here.

Even though I did not have the most solid religious foundation, I was always very interested. I read books like Theo's Voyage to get a broader glimpse. I remember sporadically attending church with my ant and uncle and loving it. My grandma taught me how to pray at night and I would always recite it:

Gentle Jesus

Meek and mild

Look upon a little child

God bless mommy, and daddy

and (then I would add a list of everyone I could think of)

Amen. 

When I went to grad school, as I looked for volunteering opportunities, I stumbled upon an ESL program at a local church. I felt prompted to find out a bit more, signed up as a co-teacher for a class and started attending services on Sundays as well. 

I liked the church, the ESL staff, the students, the service, everything. I was all....nice. But after a whole term there, the feeling stayed the same. I did not feel closer to God. Not one person ever came to talk to me before or after services. I didn't feel a part of it. Maybe it was because I was under 75 years old, which placed me in a very low demographic, but after a while, you kind of get fed up. At least I did. I wanted more.

My brother used to attend an evangelical Brazilian church in Roswell. One day, he asked me if he could come with me to my church. I was just so happy not to sit by myself for once. He was quiet the whole time, and when we left, I asked him how he liked it.

I didn't feel God's presence was all he said. I knew he was right.

Check back tomorrow for Part 3.