SEVEN MILE ROAD

Below is an entry by Anne Dietrich. Anne will be serving Seven Mile Road by leading all things concerning our nursery. Anne reflects on how she got to Seven Mile Road and her hopes for the days ahead.

I recently found a scrap of paper dated 5-17-08 from last summer when I had gone to Boston to visit my sister Katie.  On it were notes I had scribbled to myself about the sermon that some pastor name Jay had preached.  I laughed when I realize the notes were from Ajay! It’s hard to believe that only a year ago I barely knew about 7 mile road and Shainu and Ajay.  Today, what a central component of my life the church has become.

Throughout college I had hopped from church to church looking for one that fit my needs and me.  There were some really good ones but I wanted to find a place that I was a part.  Where someone would notice if I were gone, where I could participate more than just worshiping and sitting quietly during the sermon.  I wanted something like Katie’s church.

The summer before my senior year she told me how Ajay and Shainu were moving to Philly to start this church plant.  I thought that it sounded cool, but how awkward it would be for me not knowing them just up and trying to be a part.  Anyway, I was interested enough to get in touch with Shainu when I got back to school after the summer.  She was sooo inviting to me, I felt like an instant friend not only to her but also to the entire church planting team. Then when I heard Ajay preach about his convictions for what this church was to be about I was sold.

Community, I had been searching for this.  Mission, I have always had a heart for social justice and I love the city.  Since I was young I have felt called to it and for some reason I had never considered Philly, but as I thought more it seemed to fit. And the third component he spoke about was the Gospel, Jesus. This may sound silly coming from someone who has been a Christian since I can remember but Jesus was always the hard part for me.  The part I didn’t understand, the part of faith I was missing.  In college I had an epiphany that social justice is nothing without Jesus.  And with the help of 7mile and others, Jesus has become so real to me, Jesus is it, everything in creation points to him.

I got involved in 7mile as much as I could and as graduation neared and I tried to figure out plans for the future. Shainu and Ajay encouraged me to stay. I felt lame staying in the area I had gone to school and not doing something like traveling or a missions program – but I felt even lamer moving home.  (Not that there is anything wrong with that it was just a personal taboo to me.) I just couldn’t bear to leave it now, the friends I had made, I felt like the church was really just getting started, how could I leave now? I also felt like I had talents or just things about me that made it a good fit.  I was different and had something to offer but also much to learn.  This seemed like a good opportunity and a good environment to grow in.

At this point I have gotten involved with childcare by leading the nursery. I am looking forward to the start of more Soulcare groups and I am really interested in getting involved in some kind of mercy ministry. God worked out me staying so beautifully, providing a job for me at Starbucks and a place with roommates to live with.  So I will be staying here at least until next May and am excited to see what God has in store for each of us and in the church.  It is always awe inspiring to look at all that takes place in only a year.  It should move us to praise.