From Catholic To Nondenominational – How I’m More of a Hippie Now Than When I was In California

Hey there, folks! So, picture this: I’m a California kid, born and raised, but life took me all the way to Huntsville, Alabama for this amazing engineering gig. Talk about a culture shock! Not gonna lie, I was used to sunny beaches and laid-back vibes, but here I am surrounded by sweet tea and Southern hospitality. And you know what? I’m loving it.

Now, I grew up Catholic, and don’t get me wrong, I have mad respect for the rituals and traditions, but I was craving something a bit more free-flowing. So, my church hunt began, and let me tell ya, it was quite the adventure.

First off, I gotta share this hilarious encounter with y’all. I was walking downtown one sunny afternoon, minding my own business, when suddenly two guys in suits with name tags jump in front of me. My first thought was, “Whoa, am I in a movie?” Turns out, they were Mormon missionaries. Super nice fellas, but I felt like I’d stumbled into a scene from a comedy sketch. We had a friendly chat, they gave me a pamphlet, and I went on my merry way, pondering the randomness of life.

Now, fast forward a bit, a bunch of Googling church near me, and I stumbled upon The Rock Family Worship Group. Man, talk about a game-changer! From the moment I stepped in, I felt this electric energy. The music was like a full-on concert, and the preacher had me laughing and reflecting all at once. It was like finding a spiritual oasis in the midst of my engineering adventures.

The best part? The Rock had this laid-back vibe I was searchin’ for. Nothin’ against the traditional stuff, but sometimes you just wanna worship without feelin’ like you’re followin’ a choreographed dance routine. At The Rock, I felt free to connect with the Big Guy upstairs in my own way – no fancy rituals, just me and my heart.

Oh, and let me tell you about the people. Y’all ever heard the phrase “Southern hospitality”? Well, these folks take it to a whole new level. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with smiles, handshakes, and more “y’alls” than I could count. They made me feel like part of the family from day one.

And here’s the kicker – I’ve never felt more spiritual in my life. I don’t know if it’s the music, the down-to-earth sermons, or just the genuine sense of community, but something clicked. I found myself looking forward to Sundays, and even joining a small group where we talk life, faith, and even share a few laughs over some good ol’ Southern comfort food.

So there you have it, folks. This California kid found his church home in the heart of Alabama. 

From awkward run-ins with Mormon missionaries to laugh-filled Sunday sermons, my journey to The Rock has been one heck of a ride. Life’s funny like that, ain’t it? Who would’ve thought that moving across the country for a job would lead me to a place where my faith feels more alive than ever? It’s like the Big Guy upstairs had a plan all along – and I’m just here, living it out one Sunday at a time.