So it happened again recently, another Christian brother expressed that it was “unwise and unloving of me to move my family to New Bedford because it is both unsafe and undesirable.” This isn’t the first time I have heard this. In fact, I have had many “locals,” both inside and outside the church express to me the same sentiment. In these moments I find myself with a range of thoughts and possible responses.

Hi! Let me introduce myself. My name is Carrie, I’m 62 years old and while most of my friends and other people my age are preparing for retirement, I did the unthinkable. This past summer, and yes, in the middle of a pandemic, I sold most of my belongings, left family, kids, and precious grandkids to move across America to a city in the middle of New England: New Bedford, Massachusetts. Why? Because I am not my own.

My husband and I made the move from Texas to Massachusetts just over 2 years ago. We had a great life in Texas and many reasons to stay where we lived including family, friends, and a wonderful church. Most significantly, it’s where the Lord saved us and brought us into greater maturity of godliness and love for his people. In God’s providence, in 2018 we learned of a new effort within our church to plant a gospel proclaiming church in New Bedford, MA. We began to pray with a small circle of believers for New England in general and the church in New Bedford.