God's Provisions

In preparation for the big move in August, I had been doing an online search for churches in Nashville. Ever since the arrival of our newest pastor at our church here in Bloomington, we have been more than intrigued with the Reformed Baptist perspective (the background from which he comes), so we were more than pleased to find that there is a Reformed Baptist church in Nashville. ( rbcnashville.org)

Soon after finding their site online, Nick suggested that we go check them out. At this point, I should say that we were particularly interested in hearing their head pastor, Stephen Gambill, preach. We had downloaded and listened to a few sermons and read his bio/testimony online, which is truly an astounding one. To make sure that he would actually be there and preaching when we planned to visit, I emailed him, and he promptly replied to not only welcome us to visit, but to have dinner with him and his family that Sunday evening.

So, this past weekend, we traveled the necessary four and a half hours to reach sunny, already summer-like, balmy Nashville. We spent Saturday apartment hunting, and came to the conclusion that it might be in our best interest to purchase a condo instead of wasting money on rent for the next three years....but more on that subject another time. We arrived at Reformed Baptist fashionably late on Sunday morning. The church is made up of about 50 people (it is a church plant from Louisville), and it meets in an historic brick house that is actually owned by another small and wandering congregation, Grace Presbyterian. Their worship service was a modest meeting in what seems to have been a garage or large utility room that sits off to the side of the house. Music was mostly hymns and very familiar praise songs, simply accompanied by a man playing keyboard. I took note of how full a sound is produced by a small congregation singing in such a small space. Most of them were melody singers, loud and full. I think Nick and I were the only ones who sang harmony, but the one-line singing was rather appealing. Then came prayers and scripture reading and sermon. Typical liturgy format for us, anyway. The sermon was sound, meaty, biblical (always a plus:), and CONVICTING. We were loving it already. Even though the preaching itself lasted about 72 minutes, no bother. We've been primed for that kind of endurance for the last several years:)

Afterward, there was a fellowship meal, which lasted for about an hour and a half. (Apparently, this is a weekly potluck they have after EVERY Sunday morning service.) Following the meal, which was shared by all who ate and fellowshiped throughout the house, everyone reconvened back into the "sanctuary" to celebrate the Lord's supper and to sing a final hymn. It was truly a blessed Sabbath. We were immediately flocked to by young couples, older couples, children. Reminded us of home:) Where were we from? Were we coming back to Nashville? Would we need a place to stay? We would be more than welcome to stay with them when we return....will we need help moving into our new place?? Many names, addresses, and phone numbers were quickly scrawled on a yellow piece of paper which was promptly tucked into our Bible.

Eric and Lydia, a young engaged couple, offered to drive us around that afternoon to search for more prospective places to live. They were so helpful and informative. It was great having time with them in the car, not just to talk about apartments and such, but to get to know them and ask questions about the church. In the evening, we followed them to Pastor Gambill's house on the north-east side of Nashville where we played with their children, jumped on their backyard trampoline, checked out Pastor Gambill's "study," which is a one-room structure that sits at the far end of his backyard, and ate homemade pizza. We were asked to talk about where we were from, how we came to know the Lord, and what our future plans were.

After asking Stephen about two or three times to give the "long version" of his short testimony that is on their website, he finally conceded and unfolded his story of how the Lord completely chased after him, as the Hound of Heaven often tends to do. It so reminded me of Saul to Paul, and I remembered that the same God that dealt with Saul in the New Testament had also dealt with this young pastor that was sitting before us.

About 8pm, Nick and I remembered that we had a four and half hour trip ahead of us. After many thanks and goodbyes, we headed out, recounting the weekend's events. About a half an hour into the trip, we heard this horrible sound, as if an out-of-control vehicle was coming from behind, ready for collision. Really, it was a tire that had blown on our car. Aside from putting on a "donut" that Nick had in the trunk, we weren't sure what to do, as we were still so far from home and there were no auto establishments open to provide us with a new tire. We called the Gambill's, and after explaining the situation, Stephen immediately came to our aid and offered us his home for the night. After getting good rest that night and new tires the next morning, we finally headed home.

We couldn't help but continuing to note how God was so good to us in His provisions. The move from Bloomington to Nashville is anticipated to be a bittersweet one. Bloomington has become our home. Church of the Good Shepherd has become our most beloved family. But as God went with the Israelites as they left Egypt to wander into the wildnerness, God has already gone before us to prepare for us the things we need, just as He did several years ago, before coming to the unknown world of Bloomington.



But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19