My family attended a larger Baptist church in Richardson before we came to FBC Plano. We found that church when I was recently divorced with two young girls, and I was looking for a safe community to grow in. Over the next few years at that church, I struggled to find a place where I “fit.” I noticed that the large pastoral staff came off almost as an unapproachable inner circle. I also felt like I was being boxed into the singles class, which seemed like a catch-all class for college-aged kids, retirees, and a couple of other single moms. My faith goals at that point did not include growing spiritually as a single person as much as it was focused on being a mom and learning how to lead my daughters in discipleship. While it is typically my opinion that the grass is greener where you water it, when it comes to church satisfaction, I began feeling led to find a smaller church that was more family-focused.
In 2018, I asked my dad if he would visit a new church with me because I am terrified of walking into a room full of strangers. I will never forget sitting in the modern service in the old church building for the first time. Pastor Craig made a point to introduce himself to us, and then, he made a point to remember us the following week. I have been in church all my life, but I had never felt welcomed, especially not by the pastor, like we were at FBC Plano. From there, I got my girls involved in the Kid Ministry and Awana, but for months…and months, I couldn’t bring myself to walk into the Adult Bible Fellowship, formerly known as Adult 2. Then, someone told me about the coolest softball team—1300—and that’s where Julie Spitzenberger found me! Julie and I went to middle, high, and senior high school together, and just like that, I felt a lot of my anxiety melting away. I became more engaged in ABF and quickly realized that this is where I needed to be. It didn’t matter that I was divorced, or single, I felt connected to many of the class members because we had children of similar ages.
Most of the class attended the Classic service in the old church, but I have always been a Modern service goer. Fast forward to the new church, in 2022, when we split the ABF hour, I was invited to help pilot the Small Group Experience under Chuck and Ann Williams’ leadership. I believe it was in that very first class with them that I mentioned I would NEVER lead a small group experience because I am introverted and would feel ill-equipped for such a position…NOTE TO SELF: Don’t tell God what you will not do.
Less than six months later, I was facilitating a new Small Group Experience that we thoughtfully named "HeBrews", due to our love for coffee and tea, and for the verse in Hebrews that speaks to “stirring up one another in love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Our small group has attracted many new members over the last few years. We collectively emphasize being a community that reaches beyond the four walls of our church building. The friendships and playful banter that resonate throughout the group continue to build camaraderie and give each of us opportunities to support each other in prayer, accountability, and discipleship.
Over the past 7.5 years, I have grown as a person and as a leader. FBC Plano has given me opportunities to serve in kid ministry, hospitality, youth ministry, choir, ABF leadership, and serving on a committee, and I am grateful to be a part of the work we are doing. But my greatest joy is being a mom, and FBC Plano has helped me grow into a mom who desires to disciple my own daughters first and foremost. I have been blessed to see their faith journey deepen and grow from the time the girls memorized their first Bible verse at Awana - to getting baptized in the old sanctuary - to church camps, youth groups, and DNOW weekends - and the Sunday school teachers who have loved and poured into them over the years.
There is a song by Zach Williams called “Jesus Loves,” and I think it sums up what draws people in--what attracted me--to our church,
So come on in, the door is open
And the Savior's arms are too
The table's set, a seat is waiting
And He saved it just for you
So no more running, no more hiding
Come on in, and you will find
You don't have to be enough
To be someone Jesus loves
At FBC Plano, we talk about being a church where all are invited to the table. We are one church, one family seeking to build God’s kingdom, and it brings me so much excitement to consider what the Lord could do with extra money in our budget.
Just this past Sunday, Commitment Sunday, someone mentioned building a habit of giving, and that same morning, God had shown me an example of what happens when we build up a habit so much that it becomes involuntary. I was considering driving around the block without my seatbelt—don’t worry, I didn’t follow through—because at the same time that my brain was thinking that over, my hand was already reaching back for the seatbelt…that’s what happens when we do something over and over again, it becomes almost involuntary. This is true of my tithing as well. I have always struggled with financial anxiety and would often budget for my tithe but then hold onto it until the end of a pay period “just in case.” But eventually, I was convicted that this was displaying a lack of trust in God’s sufficiency. Earlier this year, I set up all my tithes as automatic payments that come out on the day I get paid. That obedience and trust have become an act of worship for me, and I look forward to seeing how God will multiply it and be glorified by the contributions of all of us at FBC Plano.