By Rachael Jankowsky

One week in August, Frontline Silver Spring had our Summer Bible Study outside of Mayorga Coffee Factory because the electricity went out in the neighborhood that afternoon. We met in the walkway behind the store and ended up borrowing extra chairs from the bar across the way. Instead of being an annoyance, it was an exciting reminder that God is good and will provide for the needs of His church.

During that night I realized how much I love not having a church building in Silver Spring! Yes, it would be useful to have a place of our own, especially now that the cold of winter is coming. But I truly believe that whenever we need a space, God will provide whatever is good for us at that time. Not having our own building in Silver Spring right now is actually a blessing in disguise. Here is why; it makes it impossible to go to church. It forces us to learn how to be the church. This is what we’re supposed to do anyway; be the church. And in Silver Spring, church is happening everywhere. In restaurants, apartments, the metro station, workplaces, and yes, in the back walkway between a bar and a coffee shop.

When there is no building, it is so much easier for me to see the people. The life of the church has no chance to be sequestered away in a building, but is instead running free through the streets and being woven into the fabric of Silver Spring. It creates a lot of interesting interactions with the lost people that we are trying to reach.

Figuring out how to grow a church body without having a space to do it is yet another way that my faith is being built up in God as our provider, our Jehovah Jireh. He sees our needs. Whether the Lord has blessed your church with a building, or blessed you without one, be sure to praise Him for it. Let’s look for the lessons He is trying to teach us in either circumstance. As we walk through life as a part of the Body of Christ, let’s remember to remember that the church is the people; that God sees the needs of His people; and that He is good.

“Oh, how great is Your goodness,
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
Which You have prepared for those who trust in You
In the presence of the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19