We arrived in OKC in early July and jumped right into community at our new church. We found a community group, starting attending a prayer meeting on Wednesdays at noon, outreach a few Saturdays, a training here and there, and some other advertised events. Almost every time we meet someone new at church and we tell them we just moved here, they ask, “So why did you move here? A job? Family? School?”
When we say, “We moved here to attend Bridgeway,” the response from our new family has been overwhelming. We’ve had people invite us into their homes, take us to dinner, show us around town, and encourage us to use our gifts and grow alongside them. One family recognized there were others just like us and organized a get together so we could all connect!
Prior to moving here, we had been praying and listening to the Lord about what He had in store for us next. We knew we would be in a stage of learning, and wanted to be at place where both the Word and the Spirit was valued, taught, and practiced. Over a period of about a year, we watched as the Lord miraculously put each step in front of us without allowing us to see beyond each one. His graciousness in doing this grew us both closer to Him and to one another.
The Lord used this experience to grow us in ways we’d never experienced. In the past I had moved for a better family experience (1988-MA to TN), to go to school (2005-TN to MO), and for ministry (2006-across town in KCMO; 2013-MO to KY; 2018-White Plains KY to Bowling Green KY). This summer we got to be a part of something we had never experienced before as we knew we were supposed to move to be a part of church.
So, when might one move to join a church?
- When you cannot find what you are looking for in your town or region. Last fall, we came to a place where knew we needed to be part of a church that would not just state they were open to all the spiritual gifts, but one that practiced them. We both knew we could have found a myriad of continuationist churches within driving distance, but like you, we also have theological preferences. Here are a few articles/books/sermons that help describe ours: Storms, BWC Statement of Faith, RT Kendall, We Need Each Other, Theological Orphan, Romans 12:6 MLJ. We were members of two churches in the past five years. We loved and still love the people, but the Lord was working on our individual family in this way, not these churches as a whole. We didn’t want to create issues over secondary/tertiary theological beliefs; especially when we knew where church leadership stood on these issues. Our new pastor said something like this over the summer, “If you can’t find what you are looking for in a church in your town, move! People move for work all the time. Why not move for church?”
- When you realize your spiritual health is poor. (or well on the way!) You may not want to pick up your family and leave because of this, but maybe the Lord will lead you to do so. It took some time to come to the realization that I wasn’t doing well spiritually, but when I did I knew I had to do something. I came to this conclusion last fall. I was not in good shape. I was as lonely as I’d ever been, yet surrounded by other pastors/leaders/church members. Christy and I felt like theological outcasts, but mostly out of fear for what may happen should people find out about what the Lord had been doing in our lives over the past eight years. Right up until a couple of weeks before we moved, we told very few people that we’ve experienced God moving in ways we could not explain. Last September I told Christy that I needed to do something. I was reading more of the Bible than ever, praying and hearing from the Lord, seeing glimpses into new (new to me) things that were so exciting and encouraging. Even so, I realized that without a church family where we could share our questions, hear biblical teaching on these subjects, and see them practiced in a biblically prescribed manner, we wouldn’t be growing. Our spiritual health is more important than a job, a house, or what people may or may not think about me.
- When you are listening to Him and He tells you to move! In September 2022, we felt as if the Lord gave us three clear options: a church in Dallas, a church plant in rural Oklahoma, and Bridgeway Church OKC. As He led us to discover His will for us, we prayed, fasted, and learned to trust in a new way. We learned to hear His voice more clearly and follow Him one step at a time. Every time we prayed, talked with close friends, and listened to the Lord about moving, we felt His leading. He was telling us to move! We visited two out of three of these options and clearly felt lead to attend Bridgeway in OKC. He gave us peace. We were excited to join Him on this adventure. We would be leaving a town that was fairly close to our family, possibly our grown kids, and potentially leaving two jobs! Christy’s job extended her contract for her to work remotely, but mine ended when we moved. I was jobless! Almost. I was doing some adjunct teaching over the summer and remodeling our new house. Throughout the listening process, we learned to place our trust in Him. We had to learn to be okay with not knowing the whole process.
In our 27+ years of marriage, we have stepped out in faith several times. This one was the biggest. Is the Lord leading you to move to attend a church? Do you have questions, concerns, or just want someone to talk to who has been there? I’d love to pray with you, listen to you, and encourage you. You can connect with me here and I’ll be glad to talk with you!
Toby DeHay 