Why I Chose To Attend C.O.T.H.I.

            Upon meeting my wife, I had been affiliated with the Methodist denomination. Initially, my first visits to C.O.T.H.I. were overshadowed by the fact that a Caucasian was the Senior Pastor. During my upbringing I had only been exposed to African-American ministers and pastors, and so any other form was foreign to me. I can recall one instance when I came to visit C.O.T.H.I., my wife and I had argued prior to attending the service. I entered service highly agitated and had made my mind up that under no circumstance would my mood change. I remember Pastor Rob delivering a message that seemed to touch the core of my soul. I realized at that moment that no matter what race an individual was, God is capable of using them. And so over the past 6 years I have heard a man who not only hears the word of God, but also lives by that word. So many times we see individuals in leadership positions in churches throughout America, and the message they teach is a far cry from the one they actually live. I heard a man that was truly saved who preached a different message than any I’d ever heard. I realized that going to church and being saved was two different things. Being saved was a lifestyle that transcended into all aspects of your life. I was asked to connect with a cell group in which I was able to establish real relationships with men who had endured similar situations such as myself. And the common denominator was they all loved and praised Jesus.