Beneath Still Waters

I love how God gives us pushes in the right direction without us even realizing it. My last post was about Evangel Temple, my first church family, and how I was pursuing membership at First Baptist, Valley. I haven't been to a church service at Evangel Temple in several years, more than five really. The last was before I lived in Arizona. Paul Thomas was one of the first people, outside my family, that I told where I was going and what I was to be doing. He was my Sunday school teacher then, and now, lead pastor at Evangel Temple.

However, Sunday night after a great service at Valley First, I heard through the grapevine that Joey Ellis was in town from India. Pastor Joey, and his wife Carla, were my children's pastors. I haven't seen them since they left Evangel Temple, shortly after I was no longer considered to be in "childrens church" but now, instead, Alpha Chi, or the youth group. They are in the States for a short time, traveling among various churches and visiting family. And so, I returned to Evangel Temple for one, last time. I was pleasantly surprised at how many faces I recognized - and that anyone had recognized me. But while a part of me will always consider ET "home" - I found myself weighing the differences and likes/dislikes between the two churches (Valley First and Evangel Temple). From the style of worship, to the ages of the members... it was different. That's definitely what I expected - Assemblies of God and Baptist are two different denominations. The people hadn't changed - every church has its problems and I'm not going to list ET's, but I guess suffice to say, the same issues that I felt when I was a teenager are still prevalent today.

I truly enjoyed hearing Pastor Joey and Mrs. Carla speak, seeing Paul Thomas & Kelly, Mrs. Karen.... there were more faces I recognized, but wasn't able to chat with them. I'm glad I went, but I'm ready to move on.