Letter to Pastor Jay and the folks at Covenant Presbyterian Church

      Two years ago I left Colorado Springs, Colorado, located in the second most "religious" county in the nation, and set out for Reno.  I had attended some evening Bible studies in the Springs, but had been basically "unchurched."  I had promised God that I would seek out a church when I arrived in Reno, but I would leave finding the right one to the Lord.

      I lived in the North Valleys (way North Virginia), and shortly realized that in my area there were not too many churches.  So I looked in the yellow pages under Presbyterian Churches and stuck my finger in the box reading "Covenant Presbyterian Church."  I had no idea where Mae Anne Avenue is located, so I forgot about it.  God did not.

      A few days later, leaving the downtown area, I took I-80 in the wrong direction and headed west.  After wandering around residential areas for minutes, lost, finally I reached a recognizable street: McCarran.  Again, going the wrong direction I continued west on McCarran for a short distance and there was Mae Anne Avenue.  I drove to the church and promised God I would attend the following Sunday.  Now that I look back on it-it really wasn't the "wrong direction."

     On the next Sunday, greeters shook my hand enthusiastically, and Shelly Frisch presented me with a still-warm loaf of pumpkin bread. That particular day was the church picnic and Shelley invited me to join the congregation outside.  Although I knew no one, everyone extended the hand of friendship, and I felt the need to return the next week.

      That was two years ago, and after joining the church and taking three Bible study classes, I know that God was the prime mover from the beginning.

      My favorite part of this experience is how I learned to really love the Lord and to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

      Although I am not a learned scholar, I must first synthesize new material (Biblical readings) intellectually.  If I don't first intellectualize information, I don't internalize it.  Thanks to Pastor Jay, whose homiletics includes rational and keen analysis, I was able to begin to understand the truth of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for all who have faith.  Pastor Jay's message engaged my intellect then my heart, and the Lord, through the Holy Spirit imbued me with a growing love and understanding of the Truth of his Word.

      Tim Ball and Mark Lenz's Sunday Bible class presented an intelligent and heartfelt approach to my understanding of Scripture.  Joanne Byerly's small group, centered on tapes of early church history, afforded me glimpses into the evolution of Christianity.  Mark Lenz's nighttime small group challenged me to think outside of the "Armenian" box.  Mark's intelligence and Scriptural knowledge surely encouraged me on my road to salvation, but the Grace of God extended to me, and to all, who embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, was, and remains, the most important Truth.

      I am grateful for the communion of saints who, each week, sit in a pew, and extend the hand of friendship and love of God by continuing to do His work to His glory.  I shall find and attend a church (Confessing Presbyterian only) in Colorado Springs, and will Praise the Lord that I was able to experience new beginnings at Covenant.

God Bless you one and all.

              Penny Jackman