Share Your Own Providence Story

Work brought us from the Caribbean island of St. Martin to Nashville in the summer of 2012. Our first week here, Greg and Carol Engroff invited us to worship at Providence Church. Back then, the congregation met in the gym of West Wilson Middle School, and in many ways, it was a totally new experience for us. The type of worship space was new. The faces around us were new. The style of worship was new. Yes, it was a totally new experience for us, but from the get-go we knew that God’s Spirit was at work. For us, that was the clincher.

God was–and still is–at work at Providence. We see it in the individual people around us, as well as in the larger group on Sunday mornings. The pastors and staff continue to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and in so doing they lead the congregation to see a neighbor in everyone, and to serve those neighbors, both close by and around the world. This is truly the work of God, and we are happy to be a part of it.

Four years down the road, we are happy to be part of this family. As individuals and as a family unit, we continue to learn and grow. We continue to contribute to the ministries of the church of Christ in this specific area of the world. We continue to be thankful.

I’ve gone to church for as long as I can remember. Nice churches with nice people, nice pastors with nice sermons. But, I never felt like I belonged. My heart yearned to be connected. No matter how hard I tried I just didn’t feel it.

Before we left Baton Rouge, I told my husband, Frank, that I would love to find a church where the pastor preached the Bible and how to apply it to every day life. I was so tired of nice speeches. I wanted more.

Looking back I can see how God opened door after door, and closed some too. He brought us to Providence. The very first Sunday I walked into Stoner Creek changed me. This young man with an infectious smile spoke God’s words and they touched me deeply. His words woke up that longing I had given up. As I walked out of church, Jacob shook my hand and gave me a big smile. I told him I believed he had been listening in on my prayers and his message had been for me.

Eight years later, Jacob is still God’s messenger speaking His words into my heart. The crazy thing is there’s a church full of people who say the same thing! I’ve found the teaching I needed and a place where I’m encouraged to be all God made me to be.

I’m no longer searching for “the place.” I’ve found it! I’m where God has called me to be and my heart is full. I’m home.