One Year Anniversary at Westside

Tuesday, February 25 was our one year anniversary for the first time we visited Westside Baptist Church!  

We had moved to Florida from Oregon.  We had been attending another church with some friends for several months.  

In December 2023, we decided to visit other churches.  Eric was traveling nearly every weekend with his new job so it was basically up to me.  We went to several churches but none to make our home.  One Saturday, I googled Baptist churches and one called Westside Baptist came up.  I listened to part of their service and thought this is different from many that we have tried.  The next day, we went to the service.  

Eric was in Santa Clara and asked where we were at this Sunday.  He hopped on the live stream and was texting me as we were sitting in the service - I really like this!  After the service and meeting Pastor Keith at The Well, I asked the girls if they would like to come again.  Autumn replied yes but if we want to get the full experience, we should come to Connection Groups as well next week.  

So we did.  In our Connection Groups, some of the folks were talking about this being an All Church Choir Sunday and we should come sing!  Well, this was only our second time attending.  

We were sitting in the auditorium waiting for church to begin and Lee, our worship pastor, comes by.  He stopped to talk to us and invited us to come sing.  He took the time to explain his experience of a church he attended as a young man.  They did this as well - an all church choir.  And that he liked to do it every once in awhile.

So, when the service began, Lee invited the congregation to come sing in the choir, Autumn, Sierra, Summer and I all went and sang!  It was that day that cemented it for me.  This was the place for us to make our church home.  

That was Sunday, March 3, 2024.

Westside Baptist - Our first time in the choir

We started attending choir practice that Wednesday and have sang ever since.  I was asked to sing on the Praise Team since then as well.  I have also given the welcome in our choir practice.

God knew I needed this place.  For four weeks to the date that we sang that first Sunday, my dad had a stroke.  I really believe it was the community and church that gave me the extra strength to handle it all.  God knew.  He provided.  He loves.

I thought I would share this.  It is a date and story that means a lot to me.