Why Alyson loves her church

I’ve posed the question “Why do you love your church?” to many people over the past few weeks. I haven’t received a single response, and then I realized that I had yet to answer that question myself. I have never been able to answer with anything other than, “I just do,” but after looking back at my 12 years here, I now know the reasons why I love First Baptist Raytown:

• I met Jesus here. On the second Sunday in January of 1997, my family’s second visit to FBR, I remember asking Jesus to come into my heart and forgive my sins during the invitation then making the long walk from the back of the old worship center down the aisle with my parents and sister. As an 11-year-old, I wasn’t sure how this could change my life much since I wasn’t old enough to get into trouble (or so I thought), but God certainly made changes in me and still makes changes in me every day. Did you meet Jesus here?

• I grew up here. As a 24-year-old who joined the church over 12 years ago, I can literally say that I grew up in this church, but more importantly, I grew up spiritually here. From my first Sunday in the sixth grade Bible study class to my college graduate recognition Sunday, this church took great care of my spiritual health as a young person. Different ministers and members of this church invested in my spiritual walk and have made an incredible impact on my growth as a Christian. It not only happened in Bible study on Sunday mornings, but also at VBS, cello lessons, weekend retreats, choir tours, camps, and mission trips. First Baptist Raytown is very serious about the young people in our church. The ministers and volunteers want to see children, teens, and young adults grow closer to God in a world that is trying to pry us away from Him. I’m thankful for this church for helping me grow. Did you grow up here? Are you growing up here now?

• I’m not comfortable here. Let me explain. I have a comfort zone, and I like to stay well within it, but God always has other plans. He doesn’t want us to be comfortable. God wants us to trust Him no matter the request. Even at 11 years old God used my love of music to shove me in the right direction of being uncomfortable. I nervously auditioned for my first solo and got it. Terror still consumed me when I sang my last solo at FBR my senior year of high school, but this time it was different because I knew that it wasn’t about me. Even though I messed up the tune and the words, I had people tell me how much God spoke to them through the song
In high school, I was a member of the church’s puppet team. I liked it because I could hide behind the stage and never be seen by a single soul. The perfect ministry for me! God had other plans. I am now the co-director of the team and direct VBS each year on the team’s summer mission trips. The idea of being in front of people and in charge of anything was absolutely horrific to me, but God had a way of convincing me that it was okay to feel uncomfortable.
I’ve played the cello for 15 years, so you’d think I’d be okay with playing in front of crowds. Think again. The word “solo” is a four-letter word to me. I knew I was terrified to play that first solo, but I also knew that God gave me the opportunity to play a beautiful instrument, so I needed to obey. Over the past two years of playing the church’s orchestra, it has become increasingly less terrifying to play in front of people, but I don’t believe it will ever be easy, and I’m okay with that. Serving God isn’t easy. It’s not comfortable, and I love being able to feel uncomfortable at First Baptist Raytown. Do you feel uncomfortable here? I hope so.

I am going to show God and First Baptist Raytown how much I love my church on Sunday by bringing an offering above my regular tithe. I encourage you to do the same. I also encourage you to let the rest of the church know why you love your church. Let the rest of the church know why you love your church by emailing your story to yourstory@firstbaptistraytown.com. Thank you for reading my story, and I can’t wait to read yours.

– written by Alyson Browning, member since 1997
Alyson is the Assistant Director of Communications at FBR.