I was born in a small town . . . I grew up in a small town . . . I’m in love with a small town. And there are only a few people who could name all three.
I heard a statistic a couple of years ago that I found interesting. Michigan is one of the only states in the USA that has a higher percentage of church attendance in urban areas as compared to the small town/rural areas. I didn’t do the study or even see the source that this conference speaker used, but having grown up near Grand Rapids, Michigan, I can attest to the ample church offerings in the second largest city in Michigan.
Seven years ago, God called me to this small town not unlike the little town I grew up in. And I have fallen in love with the people of Mattawan, Michigan. It is a hodge-podge of people. We have some people who attend our church from other communities and I love them just the same, but I am not ashamed to say that we intentionally and officially named our church ReCAST Church of Mattawan. Many churches plant themselves in an area where they can easily draw from far and wide. I am just hoping to be faithful to reach this community with the message of good news found in the pages of Scripture.
I can sit in the coffee shop in my small town and run into several people that I know. I swing by Wagoners’s grocery store and always see someone I know. Hanging out in the park, walking around catching Pokemon, connecting with the schools, going to football games in the Fall . . . life in a small town gives a great opportunity for a lot of connection points with people.
I am glad that God brought my family to Mattawan, MI over 7 years ago. I love my community! What do you love about where you live? What are some of the natural connecting points in your community?
