Home Sweet Home

Immanuel Baptist Church is where I grew up. I have so many wonderful memories of this place. My grandmother and my mom grew up in this church and were married in the downtown campus. I was one of the last weddings in the downtown building before they relocated to the new campus. It is a very special place.

I have been away for over 10 years because Todd and I have been in ministry serving in other churches. I always missed this church, and it always felt like home when I would come back.  Even though it is in a new building, it has so much of the old building in it. The stain glass windows are the same. The architecture is the same. The podium is the same. 

For the last 6 years, we have served in churches that were close to Immanuel so I was able to attend Community Bible Study there on Wednesdays. As I would sit in the sanctuary listening to the lectures each week, I would pray that God would someday bring us back "home" to Immanuel.

Well that day finally arrived. On November 10, 2013, God answered my prayer.  He brought us back to Immanuel Baptist Church. After seeking God's direction for our lives, Todd and I decided to step out of full time ministry in a church, and God opened up another job for Todd which meant we were able to join Immanuel. We joined along with my sister. It felt so great seeing all of the familiar faces in the crowd as we joined and seeing all of the people who lined up to greet us at the end of the service. 

We were just able to experience the 10 year relocation celebration. It is so hard to believe that it has been 10 years! The service was supposed to be on December 8, but we had an ice storm that caused it to be rescheduled for December 15. 

Dr. Horne came back along with several other wonderful people that made the relocation happen. It was so great to hear all of the stories and trials that it took to relocate. God made it happen even when it seemed impossible.  Dr. Horne spoke about "home" and it was almost like it was directed right at me. This church is my home. There was not a dry eye in the room. It was a very emotional service to hear and see what God has done and will do in the future for this wonderful church.  I am so grateful for each moment that I get to spend here. The choir sang a song at the end of the service and the children from all over the sanctuary came down front to stand and hold hands. It was truly an incredible moment to see the future of Immanuel Baptist Church standing united together holding hands.

I don't know what tomorrow will hold, but I know that today we are able to worship God in the place that is filled with family and friends who have known and loved me my whole life. God may lead us somewhere else, but right now I am thankful that my boys get to experience the kind of love that I received all of my life from this precious church. I truly feel like I am home!