In 1989 my mother ushered her four children into a room at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, down the street from our house. The room was already too small for the brand new church. Happy chatter, folding chairs, what looked like a portable altar, and a welcoming usher who looked like Patrick Swayze (hey, it was 1989) were my first impression of Esperanza Lutheran Church. Under it all, was the feeling that we had finally found home, after months of looking.
Sure enough, within a few weeks this growing community of faith that embodied the name Esperanza had moved into a school cafeteria. So much of what shaped me into the person I am now was being part of a worshiping community that spent hours together setting up a stale multi-purpose room, transforming it into a sacred space where we all learned how to be church together.
This new community is where I met faithful adults who embraced me in all my abundant awkwardness, entrusted me with their children as a babysitter, welcomed me into the adult choir, encouraged me and challenged me as I began leading in small ways. Since there was no building, we were often invited into each other’s homes for meetings, choir practices, social gatherings, and of course, bunco. Being included into other’s homes and lives this way led to a sense of belonging I had never experienced before. With that understanding that I belonged I was able to trust that I could question and ponder and even allow others to push me to step outside of my comfort zone.
It was the confidence that Esperanza would always be a safe place to land when I fell, that allowed me to say yes, when Pastor Dave Risendal told me I was going to be a camp counselor. After that I just kept saying yes. Yes, to Lutheran Campus ministry. Yes, to trips across the world to meet other Christians. Yes, to living in a foreign country as a missionary. Yes, to seminary. Yes, to returning to Esperanza where the babies who had been baptized in a school cafeteria were now in my confirmation small group in a real church building (hey Pastor Julie!) Yes, to ordination and this amazing vocation. Yes, because Esperanza had taught me, I belonged.
Esperanza filled me with the confident expectation of the Hope we have in Christ in a way that still allows me to say yes. I am blessed to have been a part of Esperanza for the past 35 years, and I know that the impact of this faithful community of Hope will continue to leave a lasting impact. Thank you Esperanza, and every person who has been a part of our shared journey of faith.
Pastor Tina Mills, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Mesa