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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Home churches provide more personal settings for the faithful
Home churches provide more personal settings for the faithful |
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Pastor Mike Trazinski, fourth from left, makes a point during a psalm reading as members of a weekly home church gathering look on. Joining Trazinski are Linda Hart, Anna Bowling, Mark Wilson, Jeffrey Walton and Armand Roberts.
Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak
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By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD - Home churches are alive - and thriving - throughout Western Massachusetts, according to Pastor Mike Trazinski, who facilitates weekly fellowship meetings through Open Gate Ministries.
On a recent Wednesday evening in a neighborhood of Forest Park, Trazinski was joined by a diverse group of area residents from all walks of life with one common thread - to come together for the common love of Christ.
Trazinski noted during an interview with Reminder Publications that instead of meeting each Sunday morning in a large building as one large group, individuals meet weekly in small groups of around a dozen or so, in the homes of church members, just as the believers did in the first century.
Trazinski added that home church settings are small enough that everyone knows one another and if they like, each person has a chance to share a word from the Lord, a message from their heart or a prayer request.
Home church groups meet on different days of the week, including Sunday mornings and evenings, and Wednesday and Thursday evenings. In addition, groups observe a Friday night prayer session. Having group meetings on different days allows people to attend church who might otherwise be unable to do so due to schedule conflicts, added Trazinski.
"Once a month all of our home churches meet together in a church building, just like a traditional church, so that the entire church body can meet to fellowship and worship the Lord together as one whole corporate body," Trazinski said.
Armand Roberts of Springfield has been attending home churches for years, and relishes the intimate family-like atmosphere of a home.
"It's like a family," Roberts said. "There's a lot of trust in our group."
Mark Wilson of Springfield, who hosted the members in his home on Firglade Avenue, shared the sentiments of Roberts.
"The setting is more personal," Wilson said, adding, "which allows for more dialogue and discussion."
Anna Bowling and Linda Hart travel each week from Enfield, Conn., to share their faith with others.
"We form relationships in this setting and help each other," Bowling said. "Everyone is welcome."
Hart added that the "intimacy" of the group allows "everyone to be accepted for who you are."
Jeffrey Walton of East Longmeadow recently started to attend the home church group at Wilson's home and said he too liked the "comfortable setting" that allows everyone to take part in the gathering.
All agreed that having friends in any faith can enrich one's life and they look forward to their weekly gatherings together to share "each others gifts from God," Trazinski said. They also welcome and encourage area residents to stop in and join them for a fellowship gathering anytime.
When group members aren't gathering for services, they also can be found planning missionary trips abroad. In 2011, Trazinski and his wife Colette will lead a trip to Israel that will include ministering in various churches, as well as at planned events on Israeli collective settlements.
"It's community outreach in the cities we visit," Wilson said.
As the evening came to a close, everyone reiterated the importance of sharing the gifts God has given each of us with each other.
"Being real and genuine is how our relationships have grown," Bowling said.
For more information on the local home church meetings, contact Trazinski at (860) 653-5005 or Wilson at 265-7062. For more information on Open Gate Ministries, visit www.opengateministries.org.
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