The Local Church

My Search

Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy for calling me to Himself at the age of eleven years, through the witness of a Christian mother and grandmother.

I loved the Lord and wanted to follow Him wherever He would lead. That continued into my teen years, and into Bible School and marriage. We moved from place to place, where we attended evangelical denominations, but I was never really satisfied. I longed for more of the Lord, but I did not know where it could be found. I found only a few believers here and there that were experiencing the reality of Christ in their life, that I could identify with, that I could have true Christian fellowship with.

I came home crying after many meetings, “Isn't there anyone who wants to talk about the Lord?” We moved to another Province and it was the same. Finally, in desperation, I went to the Yellow Pages looking for other denominations. I called it `church hopping'. The meetings still left me with the same emptiness. Something was missing. I continued searching and seeking the Lord.

One day I was invited to a meeting. These Christians were meeting just as the church in Vancouver. During the meeting my thought was, “What is this?” Whatever it was, there was an “Amen” in my spirit. My heart was just opened wide, and I responded and rejoiced over what I was seeing and hearing. I was not seeing anything great, like a speaker or formality, only some believers, all taking part in the meeting--singing, praying and praising the Lord. How wonderful it was to hear them so released in their sharing and testimonies of their love and appreciation of the Lord.

I just had to go back, even though it was a half-hour drive each way. Here I found what was missing in my Christian life. I realized that what I have of Christ is not just for me individually, but it is to share with all the believers and they with me. We are all growing together in oneness, and being built up together as a part of the corporate Body of Christ, His Bride (Ephesians 4:16; Revelation 21:2,9-10).

Here I am, 19 years later, for here I found what my spirit had longed for, and searched for for thirty-six years. He led me, and I followed Him. I had Christ, but no real rest and satisfaction, until I came to the local church.

I'm home at last. AMEN!

Marian Martin | Back to List

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