The first clue that led me to believe that I would become somewhat a member of this church, Faith Alive Ministries, was given to me while trying to introduce Thomas to people I already knew (from the bible study mentioned in my previous blog.)

I was going to introduce him to someone who was overall a very nice girl, but when I turned around, he was gone.

I couldn’t help but smile when I noticed he had gone to talk to the youth pastor, whom I had pointed out just earlier in passing.

When I realized that Thomas wanted to meet the people in charge, and get to know how he could get involved, I understood that I wouldn’t have to ask him afterwards whether or not he’d want to come back.

He had already made up his mind.
The decision was made.
And that’s when I knew…that we might’ve found a place worthy of holding us.

Sunday and Wednesday were just “observing” days, trying to introduce ourselves to people…figure out what this church and it’s members were about…and if they were sincere.

This was a lot easier with someone experiencing it with me. Because even though we were first timers, we could avoid those people trying to talk to us just because they felt obligated, and instead they talked to us because they wanted to meet us.

Accepting, is always a good quality about a church, and I feel that this is a truth in the specific one we were visiting.

Sometimes you get those churches that are: too professional for their own good.

Trying to get you “plugged-in”, yet they don’t want to become your friend.
Or
They try and get you to interact with people with common interest (for future reference…just because I’m in the military doesn’t mean I should be in a group with only military people.) but they don’t want to get to know you themselves.

This wasn’t the case with Faith Alive.
These people acted like themselves…and didn’t change who they were just because there was someone new around.

In these observing days you find things that remind you of your home church, that you try and compare with things, yet in the back of your mind you know that you will never find another home church…and in fact you’re not trying to…but maybe it can be considered temporary (and of course that can cover a range from weeks to years…but still temporary.)

We found ourselves Wednesday night (and even before then) wondering what we could do to help the church…what can we bring to the table that they haven’t already thought of.

We were faced with a lot of ideas when it came to Youth…our passion.

Whether it had something to do with:
Music
Drama
Entertainment
Sound
Lights
Visuals

We wondered what it was that God was trying to show us…why are we here.

I was almost disappointed with I first went to Youth Wednesday. It was a small group, didn’t have much to do upstairs except foosball and airhockey. Chick-fil-a made up for them not having a pool table for me and Thomas to show people up, but other than that…it was very…limited.

Music was good, but me and Thomas talked and agreed that the sound could use a little work.

It’s weird…the whole night has the energy…the potential…but just needs a little more…

During worship you could see the people up front…those ones that just goof off and pretend they’re into the music…the scene.

You realize, that you can find a place that is big…not run like a small naïve church that doesn’t know what they’re doing…they’re trying…they just don’t know what they’re doing wrong.

Then the song comes on…I can’t recall it right now…my mind is blank.

But the words “You made yourself poor for our sake” spoke to me.

You see, Me and Thomas may be used to something bigger…a place much more advanced.

It’s not to say that they don’t have those strong personalities or Christians, that was evident in the after service acoustic worship that was just begging to be done, but they could use the help.

I’ve been saying it for a long time, but when you've grown up in a place like Texas, in the Bible Belt, well, there comes a time where you are a more grown up christian than most of those your age.

We've learned alot where we came from, and we know the basics, and we know how to handle certain situations. It's about time we get out there and do something with our experience. We're not the students anymore, we're the teachers.

So, why would I want to go to a place that already has everything they need?

If Jesus can make himself poor for our sake, then me and Thomas can make ourselves 'poor' for their sake.

Not to say it's a bad place. I like it, and maybe will grow to love it.
It's a small congregation, but that's awesome...I love small...I started with small. And in this sense, it's easier for us to get established as people to go to, and maybe be rolemodels to those that need it.

That's saying alot...and it may seem egotistical in some terms...or conceided.

But when you look around a place, and you can see what they need, and that they need examples like me and Thomas had while we were first christians.
That they need the lessons and the trials and the motivation like me and Thomas were given at our youth group.
We had people to hold us accountable, to talk to us, to spread ideas and move forward, and we didn't have anyone holding us back.
When you've experienced it, and you see that someone else needs it, then you can, in turn, help them experience the same things.

Sure, we may be used to alot, but if Jesus can come down away from his Father in Heaven, then we can get away from our comfort and what we need, and give those people what they need.

When I write these things down, it seems like all the words I want/need/did say before just don't come out the same way.

But it's the truth.

God has given us a challenge.
God has sent us for them.
And God has sent them for us.

The only thing to do now, is to ask him what he wants us to do...

Hopefully we can do great things for him, here, like we used to back home.

Different setting,
Different Challange,
Same Thomas and Matt.