Experiencing GFC as an International Student
I am convinced that God brought me to Johnson City for a reason, and being at Grace Fellowship Church makes me even more certain that this is true. Before coming to the United States as an international student, while back home in Ghana, I took time to search online in order to find a church that I would attend when I arrived in Johnson City. I came across Grace Fellowship, and what drew me to the church was their emphasis on missions and community outreach, the statement “building a community to reach a community.” Our desire is to experience God’s grace and express God’s love to those around us, on the church’s webpage really touched my heart, and I immediately knew this would be the right place for me and that God was leading me there. I remember my first time in church, though arriving late, I was met with warm smiles, and I instantly felt at home and a sense of inner peace. Without any doubt, Grace Fellowship has been a home away from home for me. The love, support, and encouragement I receive from the church is mind-blowing. I currently serve on the worship team and with infants and toddlers, and I am overwhelmed by the unity and warmth from both teams. I am even more impressed by how in both teams we ensure that Christ is the center of everything we do, in worshiping and in extending love to the little children.
Additionally, coming to Grace has allowed me to grow in my Christian life and my walk with Jesus. I have learned to fully trust God with my life and for Him to take command over my life. I have also learnt to entrust my family and everything that concerns me into God’s hands and to no longer live in fear of tomorrow. I am grateful that I have learned to worship God with my heart, mind, and soul, and to let Him lead me in all things. Last but not least, I truly admire how God is using the church to reach both its immediate community and others far and beyond, even in other countries, through mission trips and humanitarian services. It is always exciting to hear the field reports and see pictures from these trips. I am thrilled that, beyond seeing this online when I was doing my research back in Ghana, I get to witness it in real life. I am grateful for GFC, and I am thankful that God has given me such a beautiful church family. I would not trade this encounter for anything! Glory to God!
