Episode Details

This devotional highlights the importance of intentional, Christ-centered community—not perfect people, but faithful ones who pursue Jesus together. Even when relationships feel messy or uncomfortable, God uses them to strengthen our faith, bring healing, and encourage us in ways we can’t experience on our own. If you’re in a season without a church community, this is an invitation to reflect, rebuild, and take one step toward the relationships God has prepared for you.

Highlights

• Church community can be difficult to build, especially after past hurt, busy seasons, or constant life changes
• Genuine Christian relationships require vulnerability, trust, and letting go of self-protection
• Healing from church wounds is possible—and often leads to deeper, more meaningful community later
• You don’t need perfect people—you need people who genuinely pursue Jesus, even imperfectly
• Strong community isn’t found by accident; it’s built through intentional investment and consistency
• Even Jesus modeled the importance of close, faith-centered relationships during His ministry
• Community won’t replace God, but it strengthens and supports your faith in every season
• Identifying what’s holding you back is the first step toward building the relationships God has for you

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Full Transcript Below:

When You Don't Have a Church Community This Easter
By: Peyton Garland

Bible Reading:
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

In our first five years of marriage, my husband and I moved six times. Jobs and dreams pulled us all over the place, back and forth across the country. But while this wild newlywed season was beautiful, it left little time for us to invest in a church community. 

Many believers are left without a church community this Easter, whether caused by time and location constraints, old church wounds, or a tried but failed attempt to find “their” people. Relationships can be complicated, awkward, and intimidating to navigate, especially for Christian adults who are encouraged to develop vulnerability and share their faults and fears with others. 

Church community—the healthy kind—requires an unguarded trust in others, a release of self-preservation and appearances, but it’s in t