In Acts 8, an African man traveled to another country and was met by Philip while reading the Bible on his own. Immediately following this God-ordained encounter, the Ethiopian treasurer was baptized and went on his way rejoicing.
Two thousand years later, in Providence, Rhode Island, a single man originally from Liberia, Africa, was met while reading the Bible on his own in a Starbucks. Shortly afterward, Quarty Soe – a barber and a father – was immersed at the beautiful Lincoln Woods State Park Beach for the forgiveness of his sins at a midweek service.
The Ocean State Church of Christ was officially sent out on August 3, 2014 on the concluding day of the New England Christian Conference. Exactly one month to the day later, on September 3, Quarty was immersed as a response to Christ’s love for him. Nathan Thompson, a college student from Colorado, met Quarty. Nathan was only in Rhode Island for two months on a summer internship. However, he used his time here to make an eternal connection, even though his stay was brief.
The thirty-something member Ocean State congregation is presently excited and filled with faith at what God has done and will do. Each Sunday and Wednesday, more and more guests are streaming to services from all over the state. Even at Quarty’s immersion, visitors were present, from the military, to our far southern border in Newport, as well as Brown University students from the heart of downtown Providence.
Let’s all continue to pray that God’s name will be glorified in this state, around New England and the world as we love Him and others.
