When we pause to reflect on the journey of our church, one truth rises above the rest—God has been faithful, time and time again. Pastor Chuck reminded us of this a few weeks ago, and it has continued to resonate deeply with me.

I first became part of this church family in my early 30s, and over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how unity can thrive even amid differing preferences. I’ll never forget a congregational meeting when the topic of using drums in worship came up. Les Alban—who at the time I thought was old, but in hindsight was probably around my age—stood up and expressed something powerful. Though drums weren’t his personal preference, he supported their inclusion because it was what the broader church family believed would enhance our worship experience. That moment spoke volumes about humility, unity, and trust in each other.

We’ve taken bold steps of faith together. We hired our first youth pastor, and later added a part-time role focused on spiritual formation—even when finances were uncertain and the only way it would work was if each of us stepped up just a bit more. And we did.

Our history is marked by courageous decisions. We bought land, sold our previous building, worshipped in temporary spaces, and eventually built not one, but two new buildings on the edge of town. We expanded again by adding the LCA and the Huddle. Members gave sacrificially—not only for construction, but also to help pay down the mortgage principle. Even in times of uncertainty, like during the pandemic, we committed $40,000 and leveraged our credit and equity to purchase two houses to serve families in the Miller area. These decisions weren’t just strategic—they were spiritual acts of trust.

When we ask ourselves, “How did we do it?” we find the answer both in Scripture and in our lived experience: “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12)

To those who are newer to our church family, and to those who walked this path with me: know that this heritage of faith has shaped me deeply. It has challenged and encouraged me. I’ve learned that God works through all of us—through the visionary and the hesitant, the confident and the doubting, the wise and the trusting.

We’ve consistently chosen to listen well—to each other and to God. We’ve placed unity above our individual preferences. We’ve supported group decisions, even when they weren’t our own. And in doing so, God has led us to places we couldn’t have imagined.

Now, as we face new opportunities and unknowns, we’re invited once again to listen—to God and to one another. We may wonder about the future, but the same faithful God walks with us.

Let’s keep trusting forward.