Recently, Kara Contreras shared a Local Story with us. She reflected on the past three years of living in St. Pete and her longing desire for community.

When Kara and her husband moved from Louisville, Kentucky to St. Pete, she was not happy about it at the time. Family circumstances had brought her and her husband here and Kara was sad to leave behind what she had. “I was apprehensive that I could ever find the lifelong type friends that I had made through Bible college and my church. I wondered who would be there on a terrible day, or who would cry with me, or throw me a baby shower when we one day Lord willing had a family.”

She came to St. Pete expecting difficulty in finding a church community that could provide what she was longing for. Kara reflected on how she knew she wanted community, but didn’t want to put in the effort that she knew was necessary to have it. “I hated giving up the many people and places I loved so much and just wanted to feel ‘known’ without having to try.”

Kara was thankful to have found Local Church St. Pete so soon after moving here. She began to get involved with various social gatherings including Sunday brunches, mom’s groups, womens ministry events, and more. Her community began to grow.

“It wasn’t effortless like I wanted it to be. Opportunities for community were everywhere, but the Lord had to give me courage to start over. Community is hard work- and it still is. It involves being willing to show up and be present, to be vulnerable , to confess sin, to be offended at times, to share the dirt of your life and your heart with other people, to rejoice with others, bear other people’s burdens and commit to caring for them.”

Kara shared an example of a hand painted portrait that was gifted to her by a few special friends from Local Church. She explained how grateful she is for all the Lord has taught her and is teaching her through his provision and the community she is surrounded with.

You can listen to Kara’s full Local Story on our podcast.