Salt County, a church that is more like a home
In our kitchen window, my wife has one of those changeable message boards. I think she originally intended to actually change the message from time to time, but it would seem that after two years we still aren’t ready to move on.
The message currently reads, “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” — Nelson Mandela
My name is Josh Robertson, and that wife I told you about, her name is Shelli. We are proud to be raising our four kids, Micah, Brandt, Justus and Jordan, in our hometown of Benton.
Nothing about our lives is quite like we anticipated, but as I reflect on the journey, I can honestly say we have always made choices based upon a hope and not a fear. Allow me to share a real life story to explain our hope for Salt County.
Ken was gazing out over the Saline River, so I introduced myself and we exchanged pleasantries. I asked Ken what had brought him here and he responded, “I am trying to find my roots.” He had spent a lifetime chasing after everything a man is supposed to chase, and now that it had all escaped him, he returned home. Ken’s dilemma was that home was nowhere to be found. He had believed that the carefree security and sense of community belonged to a place, yet, now he stood in the same place and found nothing he had left.
My new friend eventually shared the bleak news his doctor had recently given him, which explained his latest journey home. Heartbroken over his situation, I turned the conversation to matters of faith and hope. Ken acknowledged a sense of faith yet quickly rejected anything to do with church.
He had been there and had no interest in going back, even now.
My only response was a single question, “What if there was a church that was more like home?”
My new friend quickly exclaimed, “I’d be there today!”
127 N. Main St., that’s the address where you will find a group of people looking to increasingly worship, obey and be transformed by Jesus Christ while helping others do the same … in an environment that feels more like home.
Our belief is that there are many like Ken in this city. Our hope is they will find their way home.
For more information, visit www.saltcounty.org.