A Splendid Home

Christmas is almost here. Yeah, that’s as hard to believe as it is to type. The pace of this year has felt like a sprint. I’m sure that resonates with nearly everyone. Even so, there are parts of life that have been terribly slow. Maybe that’s your job, finances, parenting, or relationships, but for me it has been finding a location for our church to gather.

How Long? A Nine Month Road Trip

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Psalm 13:1-2

For nine months, I sang in unison with Psalm 13, “How long, O Lord?” Time and time again, I asked the Lord to provide us with a home for Doxa. At different points, I tried to help Him and search myself but to no avail. During this season, I’ve felt like a child stuck in the car on a road trip with the family. More times than not I’ve asked God the question, “Are we there yet?” Repeatedly, it felt like I was getting the silent treatment.

A Splendid Home For God’s Glory

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Psalm 145:5

As often the case, God takes silence and fashions it into magnificent splendor for the purpose of His glory. The grueling road trip has finally ended and the Lord has provided a home for Doxa Church: Grove Park Elementary (GPE). Grove Park Elementary is located in the heart of Orange Park and just a couple blocks off of Kingsley Avenue. I’m incredibly grateful for Principal Edwards opening up the school to serve our church. GPE gives us an opportunity to accomplish several things. First, it gives us a place to host worship gatherings, so we can grow in our beholding of the Gospel. Second, it helps to establish Doxa Kids ministry where we can invest in making disciples of the next generation. Third, it supplies us with ample space to serve guests who might be interested in living on mission with Doxa. Lastly, and most importantly, we have the opportunity to serve the GPE faculty, students, and the surrounding community. We will launch public worship gatherings starting in January. Please keep your eyes on the blog and social media for details.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Jeth