“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Let me introduce myself: I am Jessi Fillingham, and I am the new Ministry Operations Coordinator for BBT. If you had asked me two months ago if I could imagine myself in this position, the answer would have been a resounding, “Who, Me?” However, life’s seasons can change quickly and unexpectedly.
For the last 11 years, most of my energy and time has been invested in raising my four children with my husband. I found some professional and creative outlet through teaching piano lessons two or three afternoons a week, but generally the job of a stay-at-home parent is lonely, difficult, and isolating. About halfway through my season of staying home, I decided I needed community.
- Community is a place of support
- Community is a place of grace
- Community is a place of vision
- Community is a gift from God
Growing
A couple months later, I started a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at my home church. We began with a small, intimate group and met twice every month. Childcare was provided by the church, so we had two hours together to share the oddities of the job, laugh with each other, and lighten the load a bit. The community was pure grace for us, and over the years, the group grew in size and love. My children have aged out of MOPS, but I continue to value the importance of supportive community.
Going
As I looked to the beginning of a new season of life, I was aware of the work BBT has done to create Christ-centered community for others in their workplaces and have been pleased to find they practice what they preach. Weekly and monthly time is set aside to reflect on progress, refine the plans for the future, and clarify present needs. Personal experiences and insights from the weekend are shared as we gather every Monday morning for prayer. The BBT Leadership team brainstorms, re-imagines old processes and refines new ideas constantly and consistently. This has been a grace-filled community in which to transition back to full-time work.
I’m excited to be a part of what God is doing in as well as through BBT and look forward to doing my part to provide places for others to continue meeting together and encouraging one another.
In what communities do you find yourself, where you can share grace-filled interactions?