5 /5 mary h: Pastor Robert goes above and beyond to make himself available for the community. I first came because a friend told me that this church was so friendly. I was having a rough time of it one day and I remembered my friends words. I saw there were cars in the parking lot one evening and pulled in. The door was open. I stepped inside and stayed for the service. My heart was so heavy. I couldnt stop crying. The woman next to me was so kind. Afterwards, the Pastor and Music Director greeted me. Pastor Robert asked me if there was anything they could do for me. I shook my head. I was still crying. He asked me at least 2 more times. I said "no". Just prayer is all I need. He gave me his cell phone # and told me to call anytime. He offered to sit down and talk with me each week and that as long as I needed someone to talk to, hed be there. In all my decades (Im 66), of attending several different kinds of churches, never had a pastor showed me so much caring. At one big church I attended off and on for several years, I asked the pastor if he would counsel me. He said no and that I should seek outside counsel from a psychologist or psychiatrist. He said it was not personal because they didnt offer even to sit down and talk, to anyone. I left feeling let down. It turned out that I found out later that pastor was asked to step down because one time he did offer counseling to a woman and ended up having a sexual relationship with her. Just as well that he refused to talk with me. Such a contrast when I stepped in the door of this Alpine Baptist church. I have trust issues so its been hard for me to reach out for help. I am so grateful for how this church made me feel welcome.
