From Here to There

We are wired by God for relationship. But relationships are not always easy. Sometimes they leave us carrying wounds, pain, or confusion that we’re not quite sure what to do with.

You don’t have to navigate that alone. Healing often begins in the presence of others who are willing to listen, care, and walk with you.

If you’re looking for a sense of healing, we recommend starting with Story Work. Story Work is an invitation to step into your story—deep enough and long enough—to understand how your experiences have shaped you. In a small group setting, through guided conversations and teaching, you’ll begin to make sense of your past and discover the value God has placed within your story.

As a next step, we also recommend scheduling coffee with one of our staff. Sometimes simply sharing what you’re carrying with someone who cares can make a meaningful difference. Reaching out isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s an opportunity to be supported and known.

In Genesis, God says it is not good for us to be alone. We were created for belonging, and belonging almost always begins with relationship. Sometimes what feels like a struggle with faith is actually a sense of disconnection from others. Faith was never meant to be lived in isolation.

That’s why we often recommend starting with coffee. It’s hard to grow relationally when you don't feel known, and something simple like sitting down for coffee creates space to share your story, ask questions, and begin building real connections. For many people at Somos, coffee has been the first step toward finding community.

As a next step, we encourage you to consider joining a serve team. Serving is one of the most natural ways to build relationships while also using your passions and gifts. When you serve alongside others, you start to find your place and experience the joy of contributing to something bigger than yourself.

There are a few ways you can jump in:

Ministry Teams like worship, tech, kids, or youth

KidsPack, where we gather once a month after church to pack meals for local students

FOR Lakeland, serving and supporting our community

There is a lot of noise in the world, and it’s easy to feel confused or unsure of where you stand. Finding clarity isn’t usually about gathering more information—it often begins by slowing down and establishing a new rhythm.

A great place to start is by creating a consistent rhythm of Sunday service. Each week is an opportunity to pause, reset, and place yourself in the current of what God is doing. It’s a chance to hear the story of God, connect it to your own story, and find a sense of grounding alongside others who are on the journey too.

Another step we’d encourage is to grab coffee with someone from our staff. Coffee is more than just a way to get to know someone—it’s a space to grow. It’s a place where you can ask questions, wrestle honestly with doubts, and discover that you don’t have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward.

Sometimes feeling stuck spiritually isn’t a crisis of faith—it’s a sense that something in you isn’t being used. Over time, it’s natural for our experience at church to shift from simply being served to wanting to give back.

One of the best places to start is by joining a team. Serving is a way to activate the passions, gifts, and experiences God has placed in you and use them to help others encounter the kindness of God. There are plenty of ways to step in—serving behind the scenes, alongside others on a ministry team, or making a difference in our Lakeland community.

A second step that many people don’t often think about is giving. Generosity has a way of shaping our hearts. When you give toward a mission you believe in, it creates alignment and trust with what God is doing. It can even breathe new purpose into your everyday work—reminding you that your life isn’t only about paying bills, but about participating in something that helps others experience the goodness of God.