This past Sunday, we pulled up to this little country church in Sherrill, Arkansas which sat adjacent to a small cemetery and across from a cotton field. Being from Newark, New Jersey I was a little out of my element environmentally at St. Luke's Missionary Baptist Church but never outside of my comfort zone. I knew that God showed up despite the location. This was just a new step on this journey God had for me that ran down a private road in a small church where I am sure my ancestors once praised.
We drove up to the little brick church and were one of only a few cars parked outside. Everything about this church was different than the churches back home in New Jersey and New York but I felt His presence as soon as my feet touched the ground. It has never mattered to me how many people I minister to, where I had to go to get them or how large the venue. So the size of the church and the number of people in the pews were never a concern of mine. I felt at home here as I took in the setting of the church and its members.
Immediately upon exiting the car we were greeted by Pastor Gregory Little, his wife Andrea Roaf-Little and their two children. We were ushered into the church to prepare for me to share my music ministry. As always I asked the Lord to guide my spirit and opened my heart to whatever was laid upon it. I stood in that little country church and embraced the love from its pastor and the church family and began ministering via song.
This was my first trip to Arkansas and initially I wasn't sure what to expect. In New Jersey and New York we praise a little differently but ultimately the praise is the same. I worshipped with a small church off on the side of the road where the members are few. But the praise was a triumphant praise. I worshipped with "folks" who didn't care about the size of the congregation, church or location. All they wanted to do was praise the Lord and that's exactly what they did.
One of the church deacons said, "We've been asking God for something like this for a long time. God brings things exactly when we need Him to." And off to my left I heard the mother of the church lead the congregation in devotion. The pastor, his wife and the deacon thanked God aloud that I came to share my music ministry not realizing how thankful I was. I was and remain grateful that God allowed me to worship with Pastor Little and look forward to returning to Arkansas to minister there again. My heart is so full because I, too, had been asking God for a moment like this. As always, He opened another door for me expanding my territory.
Pastor Little stated in his sermon that, "Every door that God opens is not for you." I am so glad I entered this door and am ready to embrace the additional doors it will open. God is so good!
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