The road was long and not always smooth, but First Apostolic Church has finally made it to the finish. We have completed a building program that had stretched to being over a decade. With millions invested, debt free, and many lives forever changed a building to honor God was built in Maryville Tennessee. A place built by God’s people, not for themselves, but for the lost and broken to find refuge.
It had been a long time coming, but yesterday Sunday, October 14, 2018, was our first service in our brand new sanctuary. The moment of finally stepping into the new side of the church was a spectacular moment, but the Journey up to this point has been even more spectacular. For that reason, the Church Body was asked to write letters to our Pastor and First Lady for Pastor Appreciation Day telling them what the Maryville Miracle has meant to us over the last few years.
LaBre and I have decided to share our letters to illustrate that a Church is more than where people gather on Sundays. It is more than just another building. It is a place where lives are altered, where families are restored, where healing can come, and so much more. We are first going to share my letter with you and next week we will share LaBre’s.
Pastor & Sister Carpenter,
The Maryville Miracle means more to me than I may be able to put into words. I first came to FAC the Sunday after Easter in 2016. I had heard all about the church for a while from my then co-worker LaBreanna.
She often told of times of where her church was so full that men would give up their seats to women and elders so that they would have seats. She would tell of the great sermons preached pretty much every week. Always sure to mention how great the choir was. She would later tell of how the Church was finally moving into their new building after being in the building process for about 7 years. She always spoke of this church with a passion that is not common anymore.
After almost a year of hearing about this church I decided I had to know what was so special. I had been feeling that something had been missing from my walk with God. I always loved my church and I had attended a few different churches growing up. However I felt that their had to be more than what I was experiencing. From the first service I knew I had found it. I encountered a love for God and a passion for experiencing God that I had never experienced before.
I have continued to attend FAC from that first visit forward. Even though I have only been a part of this church for a few short years, my life has changed more than I could ever imagine. I have grown in my walk with God exponentially in this time. I married the love of my life in that Miracle building. I was able to get the my dream job. I have been able to be a part of this amazing miracle.
The Maryville Miracle has not only changed my life, but has taught me so much. I have learned that with God anything is possible. Even when others may tells you it is not. I have learned the importance of being a faithful and cheerful giver. I have seen God pour out His blessings on those who bless Him. I have learned what truly living your life for God really means and looks like.
So when I think about what The Maryville Miracle means to me it means everything.
Thank you both for hearing God’s call and taking on the challenge. Thank you for your dedication and your drive to see this church grow and reach people everywhere. Thank you for all that you have done for the First Apostolic Church of Maryville. You both have lead this Church to really be what a Church is meant to be and for that I can not say thank you enough.
Sincerely,
Justin Lee
I am so thankful to have been a part of this Miracle. I know that God has way more in store for our church and can’t wait to see where He takes us next. We invite you to Join us for service on Wednesday’s at 6:30 pm or Sunday’s at 10:00 am or 6:00 pm. First Apostolic Church of Maryville is located at 1331 William Blount Drive in Maryville, Tennessee. We hope that you will one day to check out this Miracle for yourself.
Thank you so much for reading!
Don’t forget to check us our on social media. We are on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube. If you would like more faith-focused posts, click here. Again, thank you for reading! God Bless!
