It’s almost been a year that Harmony Church has been in existence in one form or another. We’ve been meeting publicly for 6 months now. We’ve been meeting weekly for about 3 months. It’s scary. We know not what we are doing. We have a clear vision and mission, but barely any clue about how to accomplish it step-by-step. But God’s hand has clearly been on us. Here’s some ways that He has graced us:

• We meet for free in Dr. Unk’s Oasis, a central business to the Uptown area. It is the number one music venue in the city. We use their video equipment (plasma, high-def TVs) and their lighting. No charge to us. Their staff come in an hour early for our setup. And a couple of their staff tithe. We stay and eat lunch with them, without having to decide on what to eat after our gathering. It gives us a chance to meet any newcomers, and to follow up on each other’s week.
• We have an awesome worship leader. Pablo is a 27 year old leader who also plays a mean guitar. Like myself, he’s learning how this all works each step of the way, but we’re doing it by the grace of God. He came on in a “weird” way last fall while we were meeting in Miranda’s living room. He’s now leading a band that’s four members strong, and possibly growing even more in the next couple of months. He has a deep yearning for the things of God, and loves Jesus deeply. His “sweet lady” is lovely as well, and is currently serving Jesus in Ireland as a missionary there.
• Our Echo Groups (small communities throughout the city that love one another through conversation, food, and study) swell and wane with the city. As college students immigrate in, the Echo Groups grow and rapidly expand. Right now we have one group that meets over the summer, but it is jam-packed every Sunday night (with 12-14 regulars). We are seeing new faces there as well. This past semester, only meeting once a month, we had three groups throughout the city: one downtown, one on campus, and one in Winterville.
• Sunday morning is a miracle. Our equipment, with the exception of the powered speakers we recently bought, was donated to us by a great man of God, Donald Manning, who is currently serving in Williamston as a youth minister. Again, Dr. Unk’s lets us use their video and lighting. We transform that bar to a church in an hour every Sunday, utilizing numerous volunteers. It’s awesome to see.
• We’re seeing older generations come and disciple younger generations, a la Titus 2. It’s a beautiful sight to see a mother talking with the younger women in our church about Jesus and shopping and child-raising. Meanwhile the older men are talking about Jesus and the outdoors and theology. Such a Gospel-centered community is by His grace alone.
• We have a city-serving church. We’ve fought for Dr. Unk’s at the city council. We are partnering with Uptown Greenville on multiple facets, including the Umbrella Market and with our finances. We have had a presence at the Pitt County Task to End Chronic Homelessness. We have served the Pregnancy Center, and are exploring opportunities with the homeless shelter here in the city. We are also putting away money to plant another church in the area.

All of these things and more are simply evidences of God’s hand on us as a community. But there is much, much more work to do in this city.