When I
moved to the east of Pittsburgh in 2006, my husband and I attended traditional
church for a few years together. I knew there had to be something more to
worshipping. Something more to hearing the Word and having it brought to life.
Something more to a relationship with Jesus.
In my
quest, I began asking everyone in my circle, “Do you know of a different type
of church? One where you can really “feel” God’s presence?
A patient
in the dental office I worked in at the time, mentioned Amplify Church which
was Pittsburgh East Community Church at the time.
Walking up
to the doors of this very large building, I felt intimidated. Would people
accept us? Would we feel comfortable? What was the pastor like? Would we “get”
something more out of the service?
I’d never
seen a full band on a stage- type- of set- up before. I’d never heard music
like that either. Words were shown on a large screen so that I could see what
we were hearing and singing about. And that is when I began crying. I’m glad I
had tissues with me, because the waterworks didn’t let up through each song.
Each, more beautiful than the last. Each, with a message of how wonderful God
was and how loving.
When it
was time to hear what the pastor had to say, I was even more pleased. For you
see, I had never heard relevant messages before. All I’d known was stories of
what it was like in Bible times, and have those same stories read over and
over, but not explained in a way that I could understand and apply to my life.
The
pastor, Lee Kricher, was soft-spoken and intelligent. I loved his way of
preaching, which actually was more like teaching. And that is what I needed.
Learning what the Old Testament stories meant in pointing the way closer to
Jesus. And the New Testament ones came alive like never before. He said that
Jesus loved us unconditionally and knew us personally. He said that Jesus
forgave my sins, and I was not the same person I was.
I
certainly felt differently after that service. I knew there was more to God’s
story and my story. We joined small group Bible studies in the church. We
formed friendships and learned even more about Jesus.
I still
felt a bit intimidated at times in such a big church, especially around the
pastor. Even with his quiet ways, he seemed like a figure larger than life to
me. Could I ever approach him and speak to him personally? One day, I bravely
walked up to him during a Bible study evening. “Are you Pastor Lee?” I asked.
“Yes,” he
answered. “What is your name?” And the way he looked at me showed that he was
interested, that he cared. We spoke a little longer and then he walked me to
the room our particular group was in, and announced, “Everyone, I’d like you to
meet Karen.” I blushed and smiled, and felt incredible. This leader knew me by
name. He was kind and understanding to me.
As the
years progressed, I found that God has said that same thing about me. “I’d like
you to meet Karen. She’s my beloved.” I had that personal relationship I’d been
craving for so long. It began with a quiet pastor, someone who gave me his time
and attention. He showed me what God was like in how he acted. I knew we’d come
home.
