What Church Should I Go To?

Dedicated to Pastor Ray Bentley

It’s funny sometimes, the way God chooses to answer our prayers.

When I first moved to San Diego I had no idea as to what church the Lord wanted me to attend. I visited four different churches and found I loved them all. I remember for a short season I attended one church on Sunday morning, a different one on Wednesday evening, then Thursday, belonged to a home fellowship linked to another church. I enjoyed each pastors’ style of teaching and was certainly entertained and spoiled by all their wonderful musical artists. But then God began to speak to my heart regarding choosing one church to attend in order for me to become part of a family, grow in my walk, and have accountability. I narrowed it down to two, my Sunday morning church, and Maranatha Chapel my home- fellowship’s church.

While I left for work, and was away from home, I prayed about which church the Lord would have me attend and call home. In my hotel room one night, I poured my heart out to God seeking Him for a clear answer to my serious request for a church family. Well…He must have found my request serious as well because He answered the next day, and it was clear what His answer was. Ready to start my day at work as a flight attendant, I stood in the jet way waiting for everyone to get off the plane so my crew could take over the aircraft. We were in Phoenix, Arizona and the plane came in from Ontario, California. As I was watching all the people deplane, someone caught my eye. I knew him. He passed by and then it dawned on me who it was, and without a thought I just blurted out… “Gregg Laurie?” This man dressed in black suddenly stopped and turned around and looked at me. Oh no…I thought…now what do I say? I know who he is but he has never met me!!! So I eased into it by saying, “Aw hi, you don’t know me but I know your friend Dennis Davenport.” He said, “Yes, Dennis is a close friend. How do you know Dennis?” I said, “Oh, I go to his church…but actually I just moved…to San Diego”. Then all of a sudden he said… “Go to Maranatha!” What? Did he just answer my prayer? …Just like that? …Go to Maranatha! Then as quick as he had said, “Go to Maranatha,” he simply turned around and walked off the plane. He didn’t even know me much less know I had just prayed, and asked the Lord which church to attend hahaha! Well…God heard my prayer and wanted to answer me plain and clear! God desired me to attend Maranatha Chapel!! So I did! Maranatha became my church family for the next ten years! I grew up in the Lord there. God knew I belonged there. I received the best teaching of God’s Word, I felt as if I were in seminary. As Pastor Ray taught the Word, I felt I was stepping into the story. He has such a love for our Savior… it was contagious! The Word sunk deep into our souls as he equipped us to live out the Word in our lives. He also taught us how to learn the Word like he did, in our alone time, our quiet time with the Lord. God’s Word became so personal to me, that I grew to value every word spoken. Maranatha Chapel is where I learned, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

I pray that you have your home church and if you have not found it yet…pray. God will answer and He will lead, guide and direct you in the way you should go.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8

“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 1:28