For the last few years, Community of Faith has been an older congregation that was slowly dying. It had been struggling for years. We were on life support when God brought a daycare to our building to rent space. We thought, surely God will continue to move. However, the only thing that changed was that we could pay our bills consistently. This was a blessing, but we weren't making Kingdom impact. Then last year, our congregation continued to shrink to 8-10 people. We did all the right things, but again, nothing changed. We prayed for God's direction and got nothing. With no clear path, we kept meeting and seeking God. We figured He didn't say stop, so we didn't.

​

Then last fall, a young man visited our church. He already had a church home but was running late. He felt God tell him to come to COF. He called his parents to let them know he was going to the church right by their apartment. He thanked us for welcoming him and said he enjoyed our service. This young man told his parents, who were on the leadership team at Higher Life Christian Church (HLCC), that maybe their church could worship at ours when we were done because we had a big space and where they were renting was too small. Their leadership team met and prayed. Then Pastor Ben contacted Pastor Jen. They asked if we were open to having them meet in our church. We were. Then Pastor Ben asked if a few of their folks could visit after church the next Sunday to see the place. 30 people came. They sang and prayed over the facility and us. They started meeting at COF the following Sunday. 

HLCC is made up of people from 9 different African and Caribbean countries. Honestly, it was a little overwhelming, but it was crystal clear that God was moving. Each week, a few more people would come early for COF's sermon (the second half of our service). By February, HLC was becoming a part of the BIC Church. And on Easter Sunday, 2026, we combined our services. That was it. In our combined congregation's eyes, we were one.

Now, we are Higher Life Community Brethren in Christ Church. We are 50 strong each Sunday and growing. While different from what we each had before, what we have now is beautiful. As we learn to know each other, we are one body praising God and learning to follow Jesus. We sing contemporary music and traditional African praise music. We eat together monthly and have fun together. But most of all, we love each other. God is good. All the time.