What People Are Saying about FBC

Dear Rich and David,

I had somewhat of an epiphany earlier this weekend and I would really like to share it with the both of you, and maybe with the Pastoral Search Committee. I had an experience where I realized the true value of FBC and how that value can be used to possibly help the church to grow. I talked about it with a few of my peers and they were all excited by an opportunity to experience spirituality in a religious environment rather than religion in a spiritual context. I'm not sure how much help this can offer, but again, I felt a need to share my discovery with you all.

I came to DePaul University ready to soak everything in and to share my perspective with the world. What I found, however, was that I got so caught up in the changes, that I began to lose myself. I lost my sense of security and comfort, my confidence, I grew to be extremely stressed and anxious, and generally, I was not in a good place and I definitely was not in the place that I wanted myself to be in. Changes and conflicts seemed to arise every time I got back on my feet again. I felt alone and almost miserable without a community or a place to call home.

Earlier this weekend, I attended a leadership retreat. It was here through a discussion on acceptance that I realized what truly mattered to me. We were discussing the topic of gay marriage, focusing not on the debate we see in the news or in politics, but based on what our heart feels and how we use that in accepting others. I was the last to speak, but when I did, I spoke of my home here at First Baptist. My heart was taught to experience the world through love. My whole life I have been taught that God is love and that his love is what brings us together. From Children's Church, to my Baptismal Mentoring, and even in simple conversations, the importance of sharing our love with others took hold on me. Not only was I taught that, but I experienced it here at FBC. Our community is build on love and acceptance. We bring people in and make them feel at home no matter who they are.

When I shared this with my group, I was so surprised by the reaction I got. No one else had experienced anything like that within a religious setting. None of my peers had experienced God's love without his wrath. This is something that I personally have taken advantage of my entire life, and is something very unique about FBC. This sort of religious education and spirituality makes ones relationship with Christ, others, and the world a much more personable and steady relationship. From seeing the reaction of my peers, I believe building upon our foundation of love and acceptance will bring people in, especially young people. My peers are searching for more of a spirituality than a religion, but the beautiful thing about FBC is that the way we celebrate our religion is through our spirituality.

For example, I don't consider myself a religious person, but I do affiliate myself as American Baptist and I'm always proud to say that I'm from FBC Midland because my faiths, values, and ethics are all formed from the spirituality that I was taught and formed here. It's something incredibly unique and it's what people are searching for. We are so fortunate here to be in a community of people who genuinely care about each other and who openly share God's love with other people. That is a gift we have here at FBC, and a gift like that can be maximized to create a bright future for our church.

I know you are in the midst of your pastoral search, but as you look for one, just keep in mind that no matter who stands in that pulpit each Sunday, the heart of the church will remain the same. No single person can change or manipulate the unwritten foundations of this community. There are so many changes occurring all of the time both present on Sunday mornings in the service, and behind the scenes. But as these changes are happening, just remember that we are FBC Midland and that we have great love and we have love to share. That is our gift to give to others. Or at least, that is the gift I see FBC as having. It's what makes FBC special to me.

I'm not sure why, but I feel compelled to share this with you. I'm not sure what it can mean to others, but realizing the impact that FBC has had on me not only in my childhood, but in the way that it has shaped me into an adult really gives me a new perspective on how lucky I am to have been raised in a church such as this that focuses on the innate good in people and what they can do with the help and guidance of God and Christ to spread their love with the world. It was an extremely precious moment for me to figure all this out. You may have already realized these things about FBC, but I wanted to share them anyways.

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday.

Hillary Hitt