I serve at Thomas Road Baptist church! I have been serving within the choir and worshipping
with them by attending rehearsals, as well as Sunday mornings. I have also joined my age
group's small groups for events throughout the week, as well as Sunday mornings. I have also
been attending Sunday services, staying a little later to meet others, clean up, offer any help or
assistance possible, and join a women's bible study once a week. All of these things have really
helped my relationship with the members of the church grow in beautiful ways. I have really
been impacted by the women and realized what a huge significance there is. What an impact you
can have by having godly women in your life to guide and support you. Women who are filled
with plenty of wisdom and knowledge, who provide so much love and encouragement, as well as
wisdom and arms opened wide. As well as others who are walking in the same stage of life. I
have found specifically amongst the choir that students are very set aside from the rest of the
group. In the beginning, I would find myself kind of to the side. Realizing everyone knows each
other and knows most to all the students are just there for a while. I was surprised because as
diverse as the church body is, especially as far as age, I would have assumed there would be a lot
more students in the choir who are actually from the church and the area in general, not just the
ones from Liberty. Something I would say to do differently, or simply encourage, is to allow
everyone to get to know one another. Whether that’s encouraging students and adults to talk or sit
next to people they don’t know, or something along those lines. That way we can worship and
sing and rehearse for the Lord, alongside our brothers and sisters in a more meaningful way. As
well as providing an opportunity for everyone to feel more included and encouraged so that even
the students being young adults, can still feel as if they have a place. Especially if they’re just in
the class and not actually a member of the church.
On another note, something I love about Thomas Road is even in size and numbers, it’s a huge
church. A mega-church to be exact. Aside from that, it can also feel very small. But in a good
way. As welcoming everyone is and the culture that is created amongst the people. You can
easily get plugged in and feel like you belong. It’s also really amazing to see how at any
entrance, there is always someone there to greet you, speak with you, and ask you how you are
doing. And even those without a given specific role, just members or new people in general feel
welcomed and safe, like it’s easier for them to speak with you and ask how you are doing.
In the future, something I pray I would carry on is this culture of welcoming others. No matter
who you are, it is so important people know the church is a place for you. Despite what you look
like, where u come from, or how young or old. Even if you’ve never read a verse of the bible or
walked inside a church at any moment in your life. It's so important they feel the undying love
Jesus would show if he were still here on earth. From the moment you walk inside, it’s so easy
for everyone to get plugged in. There are small groups, which I would want to relate to my future
ministry to allow a safe place that is small enough for people to feel loved and seen on a personal
account. Where you will be noticed if you are not there, reached out to, and cared for. as well as
seeing the impacts the youth programs have. I would love to incorporate in some way for the
youth and the children ministries, to mingle with the elders in the future. Whether that’s prayer
partners or just mentors. Finding a way for the generations to mix and spread advice and
conversation, as well as plenty of wisdom. I cannot wait for the day to either start my own
ministry or just build on another. Special with encouraging the youth to reach out to the elders,
not just the other way around. If they show an effort to want to take part in these relationships,
I'm sure the church will become a beautiful place once again.
