Like many people who come to Green Valley, Bonnie was searching for a new church to attend. She attended churches of various denominations in the past and each met her needs at that time in her life.
With the recent move and a new phase in life, she began her church search with an open mind. “I attended services at Desert Hills one weekend,” Bonnie shared, “and it was fine. The pastor gave a good sermon. I just didn’t know if it was for me, so I planned to go to another church the next weekend.” Bonnie was looking for a place that felt welcoming, where friendship and fellowship were present. “In a church home, I want to get something out of the sermon and feel I belong.”
“During that week, a member of Desert Hills came to my home. I openly shared I was church shopping. He told me about Desert Hills, wished me well on my church search, but asked me to try Desert Hills one more time.” Bonnie did. “The next weekend, I went back to Desert Hills. That weekend, I went to coffee fellowship after services and sat at a table where I met people who knew my husband’s aunt. With those connections, I knew I found my church home, and I belonged here.”
“I became a greeter, a volunteer position that allowed me to use my church superpower to welcome and greet others entering the church for services. I was told to sit in the back row and pay attention to new people and invite them to coffee fellowship after service,” Bonnie recalled. “I enjoyed being anonymous in the back row while making others feel welcomed and feel like they belong. There is even a large group of us who go to breakfast every week after service. The group size varies on the season, but many of the people were ones I originally invited. Some said they joined because of me. That means a lot.”
Your generosity to Desert Hills Lutheran Church makes it possible for us to offer various fellowship opportunities throughout the week. But it is your friendship and welcoming invitation that makes a difference in how people feel about Desert Hills.