Home in the Church, Anonymous

I was born in Chicago to two Christian parents who attended the meetings of the church in Chicago, which has many sweet and caring brothers and sisters in Christ. My experience throughout all of my life in Chicago from birth to 21 is one of being cared for in every way. As a child, I learned major principles and stories from the Bible and was taught enjoyable hymns and verses. Although I attended public school, I had a strong sense of community and of belonging to something that my friends didn't have.

It sometimes overwhelmed me that it could be possible that as Christians, we knew God's eternal plan and that we were living out His will (Ephesians 1:5, 9;3:10-11). However, my experience of being cared for and knowing Christ as reality led me to feel beyond a doubt that the church was my real home. For many years there was hardship in my family and this drew me to the other brothers and sisters, who shepherded me. They were my refuge during this time. If it weren't for them, I fear where I would be and what I'd be doing. In different ways, meeting with the brothers and sisters in the local church was my practical salvation. Meeting with them also is of vital importance to my life and my future.