Introducing Myself... and Looking for Saints in Northern Virginia

NoVaSaint · 10-02-2020, 04:04 PM

Hello, saints!

Thanks to the moderators/admins for letting me be a part of the forum here. I promise to behave. ;-)

I only recently came across this site a few weeks ago and have been lurking here just about every day since -- and learning a lot, to put it mildly.

I first came to the Lord Jesus Christ WAY back in the day -- July, 1980 -- and first came across the works of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee back in the mid-1980s, when I was associated with an effort by Gene Edwards to replicate his "church life" experience from Isle Vista, CA, to Portland, ME. I left Portland a few years later, 1988, I believe.

I have kept in touch with a few brothers from that period, and am pleased to discover that we all now live in the commonwealth of Virginia. I've also been happy to re-establish more regular relationships with them, thank the Lord. They are fine brothers in Christ I will love forever; thank you, Heavenly Father, for the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

I'm not sure what contribution, if any, I may be able to make here, as my exposure to the Local Church movement has been limited. My initial impetus in reaching out is to ask if there are any saints here (or if any of you know of any) who live in the northern Virginia area (Alexandria, Arlington, etc.) who are meeting together, preferably in homes, or would like to. I'm really feeling the need for some fellowship with other members of the Body of Christ these days and hope to connect with a few believers outside the traditional structure of mainline denominations.

I know there are a few Local Churches in my general orbit (Dunn Loring, Fairfax), but I'd like to avoid them, too,no disrespect.

So, if any of you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them and would be so very thankful for them.

If I can answer any questions or be of any help to any of you, please feel free to reach out.

Grace to you,

NoVaSaint

Trapped · 10-02-2020, 07:03 PM

Welcome, NoVaSaint!

Glad you are here. I don't think I can suggest anything related to your request, but for the sake of others reading, I have a question for clarification.

You are asking "if there are any saints" in a certain area, but then say you want to avoid the local churches.....which is what "saints" generally refers to. Although you called us "saints" and this forum is mostly former members....... so, are you looking for, say, former members of the local church in your area? Or just any believers who have never had anything to do with the local church but who are also not part of a denomination? Or.......?

I know biblically "saints" refers to believers in general, not just the little sect of the local church, but I just found myself needing clarification on what you wanted a recommendation on.

Thanks!

Trapped

Sons to Glory! · 10-03-2020, 10:08 AM

Welcome brother/sister of ours! I've had a couple phone conversations recently with a sorta ex-LC brother from Virginia, who I met on this forum. He too is seeking more fellowship in that area. In fact, as we speak, another brother (ex leading LC bro) who has been RVing all the way from the west coast - seeing various saints along the way - is in that area now, at least I think he's still there. (He was there for "The Return" in DC last weekend)

PM (private msg) me and I can give you more details regarding these bros.

NoVaSaint · 10-03-2020, 01:48 PM

Thanks for the response, Trapped.

Sorry my wording caused confusion.

Ideally, I'm looking for ex-LCers, and/or people who never had anything to do with denoms, and/or people who may have but have since left and are just meeting in homes.

I hope that clarifies.

Sons to Glory! · 10-03-2020, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoVaSaint

Thanks for the response, Trapped.

Sorry my wording caused confusion.

Ideally, I'm looking for ex-LCers, and/or people who never had anything to do with denoms, and/or people who may have but have since left and are just meeting in homes.

I hope that clarifies.

Did you see my private message? I've been in contact with ex-LC brothers in the Alexandria area and gave you a phone number.

NoVaSaint · 10-03-2020, 02:47 PM

Thank you, Sons to Glory! I appreciate it.

I'll PM you shortly.

Trapped · 10-04-2020, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoVaSaint

Thanks for the response, Trapped.

Sorry my wording caused confusion.

Ideally, I'm looking for ex-LCers, and/or people who never had anything to do with denoms, and/or people who may have but have since left and are just meeting in homes.

I hope that clarifies.

Thanks NoVaSaint; that clarifies!

Are you looking for ex-LCers because you want to be with people with a common or shared background as you? Or because you find some good in what the LC taught? Are you avoiding denominations because of the LC teaching about them?

It's hard to write those questions without it seeming like they are "pointed" but I'm genuinely curious without condemnation. Basically I'm trying to figure out if there are remnant "chains" around you from your LC days, and if there's anything I can say to break those chains.

People's paths after leaving the LC are so varied, and it's just interesting the journey each person takes!

10-02-2020, 04:04 PM	#1
NoVaSaint Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Alexandria, VA, USA Posts: 3	Introducing Myself... and Looking for Saints in Northern Virginia Hello, saints! Thanks to the moderators/admins for letting me be a part of the forum here. I promise to behave. ;-) I only recently came across this site a few weeks ago and have been lurking here just about every day since -- and learning a lot, to put it mildly. I first came to the Lord Jesus Christ WAY back in the day -- July, 1980 -- and first came across the works of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee back in the mid-1980s, when I was associated with an effort by Gene Edwards to replicate his "church life" experience from Isle Vista, CA, to Portland, ME. I left Portland a few years later, 1988, I believe. I have kept in touch with a few brothers from that period, and am pleased to discover that we all now live in the commonwealth of Virginia. I've also been happy to re-establish more regular relationships with them, thank the Lord. They are fine brothers in Christ I will love forever; thank you, Heavenly Father, for the grace of God in Christ Jesus. I'm not sure what contribution, if any, I may be able to make here, as my exposure to the Local Church movement has been limited. My initial impetus in reaching out is to ask if there are any saints here (or if any of you know of any) who live in the northern Virginia area (Alexandria, Arlington, etc.) who are meeting together, preferably in homes, or would like to. I'm really feeling the need for some fellowship with other members of the Body of Christ these days and hope to connect with a few believers outside the traditional structure of mainline denominations. I know there are a few Local Churches in my general orbit (Dunn Loring, Fairfax), but I'd like to avoid them, too,no disrespect. So, if any of you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them and would be so very thankful for them. If I can answer any questions or be of any help to any of you, please feel free to reach out. Grace to you, NoVaSaint

10-02-2020, 07:03 PM	#2
Trapped Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 1,523	Re: Introducing Myself... and Looking for Saints in Northern Virginia Welcome, NoVaSaint! Glad you are here. I don't think I can suggest anything related to your request, but for the sake of others reading, I have a question for clarification. You are asking "if there are any saints" in a certain area, but then say you want to avoid the local churches.....which is what "saints" generally refers to. Although you called us "saints" and this forum is mostly former members....... so, are you looking for, say, former members of the local church in your area? Or just any believers who have never had anything to do with the local church but who are also not part of a denomination? Or.......? I know biblically "saints" refers to believers in general, not just the little sect of the local church, but I just found myself needing clarification on what you wanted a recommendation on. Thanks! Trapped

10-03-2020, 10:08 AM	#3
Sons to Glory! Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,617	Re: Introducing Myself... and Looking for Saints in Northern Virginia Welcome brother/sister of ours! I've had a couple phone conversations recently with a sorta ex-LC brother from Virginia, who I met on this forum. He too is seeking more fellowship in that area. In fact, as we speak, another brother (ex leading LC bro) who has been RVing all the way from the west coast - seeing various saints along the way - is in that area now, at least I think he's still there. (He was there for "The Return" in DC last weekend) PM (private msg) me and I can give you more details regarding these bros. __________________ LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now Praise the Lord - HE'S GOT THIS!

10-03-2020, 01:48 PM	#4
NoVaSaint Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Alexandria, VA, USA Posts: 3	Re: Introducing Myself... and Looking for Saints in Northern Virginia Thanks for the response, Trapped. Sorry my wording caused confusion. Ideally, I'm looking for ex-LCers, and/or people who never had anything to do with denoms, and/or people who may have but have since left and are just meeting in homes. I hope that clarifies.

10-03-2020, 02:47 PM	#6
NoVaSaint Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Alexandria, VA, USA Posts: 3	Re: Introducing Myself... and Looking for Saints in Northern Virginia Thank you, Sons to Glory! I appreciate it. I'll PM you shortly.