Page 9 - KOG Glory & Grace Issue 9, Feb 2023, "Home"

Though it may seem that it would have been easier to give up on church all together, Diane shares, “I felt I had a covenant with Dennis. A covenant that was not easily come to. I felt we could make this work, so we never gave up.”
“We weren't ever planning to come back to Billings," Dennis admits. "I figured if Jesus didn’t do well in Nazareth (his home town), then I wouldn’t do well (in Billings) either." “The Billings job was not part of the master plan," Diane shares. "But within 10 days of Dennis learning of the job opportunity in Billings, he also learned that his mother (who lived in Billings) had colon cancer. It was a sign to come home.” Despite the challenges they had faced in their experiences with the Catholic Church, when they arrived back in Billings in 1979 they continued their practice of honoring both faith traditions. Dennis reflects, “the longer I live, the more I see, I observe as humans we try to modify things to our self interest. I can look at both churches and see opportunities for reform.”
A new home
In the early 1980s, Diane heard of a new Lutheran Church beginning in Billings (King of Glory) so the Powers family began to attend.
After hearing Pastor Mark Ramseth preach one Sunday Dennis made a significant decision. "Mark gave a sermon that included the phrase - coming to church should feel like coming home” so Dennis told Diane in the parking lot, “I’ve decided I’m going to become a Lutheran.”
Diane’s first response was, "Why!?" Then, since they were in a rhythm of alternating churches each week, she asked, "why now?" From that point on, the Powers family has called King of Glory their home.
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All these years later, Dennis reflects on why King of Glory still feels like home. He says, "Home is where you are fed, sheltered, people like you, where you are loved. I see the intention (at KOG) to stay as relevant as possible and to keep working to feed the congregation, having seen others long ago quit trying.” Diane adds, "KOG has always attracted people from different faith backgrounds. I think that has - and continues to be - the work of the Holy Spirit.” For the Powers' family and many others, King of Glory has become home and the place where Saint Augustine's words about God ring true, "You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you."
Somewhere there is a home A place of return
Of reunion
Safety and security
Of peace
A communion of friends, equals Not only in God's eyes
But ours too
Believing in that home Gives us hope and strength
I will work to make that home A house for you, for we For us
I want to live there
With you
My children and yours
My parents and yours
My ancestors and yours
I will work to make that home Today, tomorrow,
And in the days to come Join me when you can
"Somewhere There Is a Home" from Liturgies from Below, 2020