A Letter To My Church, A Place I Consider My Second Home

My faith family, my Jesus loving friends, my Greenhouse church family...

I want to start off by saying thank you. Thank you for providing me with so much joy, so many realizations and showing me such passion for our faith.

Throughout my college career, I've always enjoyed myself and loved spending time on campus. However, during my sophomore year I found what would be my second home in Gainesville for the rest of my time at the University of Florida.

Everyone that knows me well knows just how much I love Jesus and my faith. It's extremely important to me and guides my daily activities. During my first year of college though, I couldn't find a church or faith-family. I was struggling and desired a place where I could be around like-minded Christians.

Luckily, God intervened. He placed me with a supervisor at work that encouraged me to try Greenhouse Church. The church had several meeting places and times, one of which was on campus every Sunday night. I didn't know it at the time, but that church would end up changing my life.

Greenhouse, you have introduced me to amazing people. You have taught me so much. You have made me laugh and cry, all while pursuing my Lord relentlessly.

Each and every Sunday, I get so excited I can't contain myself. I walk up the steps into that campus building glowing with excitement. Everyone that has gone with me or heard me talk about my church can visually see how much I love it.

Whether it be a Sunday night service, a breakthrough weekend or a micro-church session on a Tuesday afternoon, I always find friends at church. We all come from different places over the world. We're studying different things in school. We even pursue God in different ways. However, we all share a perfect Savior and we are all so passionate about our relationship with him.

Summer is a fun time. Being away from school and returning home for a few months is a nice break from the stress of college life. On the other hand though, I can't wait to get back and go to church! I can't wait to jump up-and-down and sing at the top of my lungs with the worship team. I can't wait to see all of the familiar faces and laugh with my pastor for another year.

Faith family, you know who you are. Thank you so much for loving Jesus, and loving me. See you soon.

A faithful Gator.