According to what I read in the January 13, 2007 entry in Triumphs & Tribulations VII, I was having a pretty restless night 10 years ago. I was scheduled to get baptized the following morning and my emotions were all over the place. I can’t believe it’s actually been 10 years already. It’s crazy how I got to that very crucial moment in my life. That brings me to this week’s moment in the Flashback Friday series: Faith Christian Center.
How I first came across this moment? My introduction to Faith Christian Center started with Chavon Ward. She and I were going through a really rough patch of breakups-to-makeups in October and November 2006. I was fiercely trying to save the relationship while she was hot or cold about it depending on the day. But there was this one particular day—November 26, 2006—that I decided to surprise her at her church. That morning, I drove down from Valdosta—all decked out in my white suit—and attended the 11am service.
What it meant to me then? In the immediate moment, it didn’t mean much. Aside from it being the absolute biggest church I had ever been in, I didn’t particularly feel any different. I accomplished my mission, which was to get my girl back. But then I started attending regularly and God’s word started penetrating its way into my soul. I eventually decided to not only join the church but also become baptized. I attended FCC regularly from December 2006 until May 2007. I put a lot of miles on The Midnight Blue Express with the drives from Valdosta to Jacksonville. It was worth it though. Even though Chavon and I had a tragic falling out, it didn’t stop me from attending the church. I made some good friends there and was involved in a couple of touch groups.
What it means to me now? Today, when I think of Faith Christian Center—now known as Impact Church—I think of how my life transformed. A lot of where I am now doesn’t happen if I didn’t go into that church, chasing after Chavon. They say the Lord works in mysterious ways. The path I took to my current faith walk was definitely an example of that.
