My family was raised in Fairfield Methodist Church (FFMC). I have been here all my life, save for three and a half years when my husband was posted overseas. After returning, we asked ourselves if FFMC was still the church for us. We sought a more vibrant community, but God didn’t tell us to leave.
Meanwhile we had our first child, and it was easier to stay for familial support. However, the thought of leaving didn’t disappear. As we prayed about it, God compelled me to pray with others for my generation instead—I was about to turn 30 and many had left. What would happen in 30 years if young adults (YA) continued leaving? Yet what difference could I make as one who stayed?
Over five years of praying, we had another child and then Covid-19 disrupted routines. I was losing sight of the larger picture, struggling to see what could change.
In late 2022, God surprised us with a constant stream of YA visitors. Two dear friends, who obeyed God to lead a YA cell, initiated a gathering in early 2023 for new and old YAs. That led to five more mixers over 15 months, building a deeper connection to FFMC.
In other exciting news, many in my generation are also returning. Some lived overseas, others were not in church. It’s my goal to welcome them, as I know the feeling of returning to a community familiar yet strange.
So while I was raised here, it’s time to take ownership and rebuild a connected, vibrant community. God answered prayers and brought people (back) to FFMC, so I’m convicted to put my hands to the plough for them and his glory.