Faith Abroad
The Beauty of the Global Church
My time at Hope College has been marked by worship and community every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with the rose window in the background. I love the Campus Ministries space, and truly, one of my favorite sounds in the whole world is hearing Dimnent Chapel sing.
As I got ready to leave for Spain, one of my biggest questions was what faith would be like abroad. I knew that my faith was a value I wanted to invest in and explore in a new country, but I was also sad and nervous about leaving the rich faith community I have at Hope.
However, as I sit here after just getting back from church in Spain, I can tell you that those fears, while valid, were not things I needed to worry. Early on my time in Granada, I got connected to a church within walking distance of my host family’s apartment, and the members’ hospitality and warmth have been such a gift to me in this season.
When I walk through the doors of my church, I feel so known and cared for. From getting to worship in Spanish to a weekly Bible study at someone’s home, and a time for fellowship, snacks, and conversation after the sermon, experiencing the global church has been a beautiful thing.
Being abroad has reminded me that God is quite literally moving all over the world, both at Hope College and also here, in a quite secular Granada, Spain. Learning what faith can look like outside the structure of Hope College has been one of my favorite parts of being abroad. I’ve been reminded over and over again that the Lord will never leave or abandon us, even in the midst of new or hard things.
If you’re planning to study abroad and know that faith is a value you want to explore in a new place, do it! It’s been the sweetest gift to worship with people in different languages and be welcomed with open arms by a caring community.
With just a couple of weeks left here in Granada, I’m working to soak up Tuesday night Bible study and the joy that comes with singing worship songs I know in a language that I love. It will be a hard goodbye when I have to leave this community of faith. Yet, how awesome to think that next fall, as I worship in Dimnent chapel once again, my context about what the church looks like will be broader. I’ll know—in a very clear way—that our Hope College community is truly worshiping with people all over the world.
Here’s to a God who truly meets us wherever we are. And for many reminders that the church is global.
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