When Jena looks back on her journey, she sees a clear pattern—God was at work long before she realized it.

In high school and college, Jena admits that her focus wasn’t on faith. She poured her energy into grades, sports, and achievements—the things right in front of her. Her identity and sense of worth were tied to performance and success. But after graduating college and completing a two-year rotational program through her company, she landed in Hoboken and hit a low point.

“I was feeling very depressed and isolated,” she recalls. “I didn’t know anyone here at the time.”

It was during that season that a friend reached out after seeing her struggle. The friend suggested she check out a local church called Hoboken Grace. Curious, Jena searched online and stumbled upon our story videos.

“I stayed up watching so many of them that night,” she says. “I just remember sobbing in my bed. And I was like, they know something that I don't know or that I'm missing. They just had an overwhelming sense of peace and calmness. They were content in who they were. And in that point of my life, that was so foreign to me.”

That moment sparked something in her. Jena decided to take a step forward and attend Hoboken Grace. She quickly jumped into a Dinner Group—something that felt outside her comfort zone—and began to open herself to community and faith.

It was through that group that one of her friends, Diane, encouraged her to try serving in Grace Kids. Jena wasn’t so sure at first. “I remember thinking, ‘What could I possibly have to offer a bunch of fourth and fifth graders?’” But she trusted Diane and decided to say yes.

That simple yes turned into one of the greatest blessings of her life. Over seven years, Jena served in our kids ministry and had the joy of watching many of those same kids grow from fourth graders into high schoolers. “Every Thursday at VIBE, they would run up and hug me,” she recalls. “It was the most fulfilling thing to know I had made even a small impact.”

For Jena, serving became more than volunteering—it became a way God healed and grew her faith. For a long time, Jena thought she needed to get herself together before she could serve. But she found out it’s actually the opposite. When you step in, God works through you, even in your brokenness.

Recently, one of the girls in her small group sent her a message before her move to Colorado:

“You were always there when I needed you. Your impact will last far longer than you think. Your love and support helped shape me into who I am today.”

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1761679842/52173515685_9aa5074984_o_1_k66k3c.jpg)

That message reminded Jena that the seeds she’s planted in the lives of these kids are part of something much bigger than herself. We may never see the full harvest but what we’re called to do is show up and love—because God does the rest.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1761679653/FullSizeRender_yqxfnp.jpg)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1761679829/IMG_7295_pyosfv.jpg)

Jena’s story is a great reminder to all of us: You don’t need to be perfect and have it all together for God to use you. He meets us where we’re at. We just need to be willing to meet Him.

So if you’re wondering whether you’re ready for God to use you, maybe the better question is: Are you willing to say yes? Because that small yes could change everything.

Even in brokenness, God works through us when we simply show up.

To watch Jena’s story, click [here](https://youtu.be/QZeGrFrj76E).

To learn more about serving on VIBE, you can email <kelsey.thompson@hobokengrace.com>.

When a Simple Yes Changes Everything

I had just moved to Hoboken for the one thing many people move here for. New York City. After an apartment in Manhattan fell through, I moved to a building on 1st and Harrison called The Sky Club, which happened to be the home of a Hoboken fan favorite restaurant, Northern Soul. While Northern Soul is no longer there, that location will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the place I fell in love with Connection Events and where I discovered what Hoboken Grace is all about. 

I was invited to a First Friday by somebody who I had only met in service one time. “Oh good! You live in that building. The event is basically in your basement.” I had no excuse not to be there. I’m a pure-blooded extrovert, yet I don’t think it’s fun for anyone when you enter a sea of strangers who already know each other and have established relationships. Those feelings dissipated within minutes of entering these doors and meeting some of the friendliest people I have ever come across. 

Connection Events are more than just a fun time out. They’re a way of getting to know the people within our church outside of a Sunday setting. A Sunday or Saturday will have our lobby packed with a sea of people, attending or serving, all moving up and down the stairs. Odds are, you’ll get to know someone on a deeper level by sitting down for a cup of coffee with them at Bwé or devouring a plate of wings at City Bistro on a Friday night. 

One of my absolute favorite things about Connection Events is how we get to utilize our city and everything it has to offer. The suburbs have their own advantages. Wider spaces, quieter streets. But living in a walkable, energetic city like Hoboken gives us the opportunity to explore and visit all sorts of unique places and activities that are all easy to access. Because of that, we’re able to take part in Movies Under the Stars at Pier A, trivia nights at 8th Street Tavern and a handful of coffee shops in a single morning all within the span of one month. 

Getting to see the coffee crawls grow from an idea to help out small businesses during the pandemic, to a Hoboken Grace staple has been an incredible thing to witness. Because of this event, we’ve been able to build rapport with local coffee shop owners to the point they know our name and our church just because of us stopping by to use their business for our meeting points. Just last month, we experienced this in action by starting our coffee crawl at Café Vista (great spot on 5th & Monroe), where we had a group so large that we filled the entire place out, and the employees took notice. They asked if they could take our picture to use for their Instagram and tag our church in the post. While this may seem like a small, passive gesture in the grand scheme of things, I see it as a local business wanting to give us a shoutout and choose to be associated with our name, when years ago, some others would have tried to ignore the work we’re doing. 

Being a church that is “for our city” means getting out into the city and being out along WITH the people who live in it. It’s not just staying in the comfort of our building, but meeting other people where they’re at. Our connection events team has the mission to connect the unconnected, but I believe that goes beyond only people who are already in our church family. It also means connecting people to our city and all the wonderful things it has to offer. Whether it’s a cup of coffee at a spot you’ve never heard of, or a crawl searching for the best pizza spots in town, I encourage every single one of you to take a chance with these events. Meet someone new, and learn more about this awesome city we get to call home in the process.

For Our City: Living Out Connection in Hoboken

Over the weekend, I listened to a sermon series by Craig Groeschel titled “The Book of Ruth.” Throughout the series, Craig talks on the concept of the “providence of God,” which is when God uses natural circumstances to bring about His supernatural will. He uses the Book of Ruth as an example, since it contains “no physical miracles or parting of the Red Sea,” but you are able to see the providence of God. He explains that it is best understood when you look backwards. When you start with Jesus and work backwards through his lineage, you see evidence of the providence of God. Jesus came from Joseph and Mary, who came from Jacob and Mathew, who came from descendant after descendant, until you reach a guy named Obed, who was born of Ruth and Boaz. God was working the whole time, and it was only made clear when looking backwards. The significance of Ruth being encouraged to leave Moab to go to Bethlehem was not evident in that chapter of her life. But knowing that decision rippled into a series of decisions that brought us to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the significance becomes indisputable. 

After listening to The Book of Ruth, I listened to a sermon given that Sunday by Pastor Anthony, which was all about how God works through words, service, and faith, to encourage us to take a next step. After reflecting on both sermons, I realized that the moments of encouragement I know I’ve experienced in my own life are evidence of the providential power of God. So I decided to work backwards and bring to life how God was working through people the entire time to bring me to the chapter I am in today. I may not have seen it in the moment, but reflecting back, it was there the whole time. 

*My timeline activity example*:

\*From as long as I can remember, I was encouraged by my family to center faith in my life.

\*October 2022- I was feeling lost and I knew I was missing something major in my life. I was encouraged by online podcasts/ sermons and the faith of others to begin a search for what I was missing. I found Hoboken Grace and decided to come to a service on my own one Sunday.

\*Annah, who was serving in first impressions that morning, encouraged her roommate Jayne to sit next to me during the service. Jayne was such an encouragement after the service, inviting me to Friday coffee with girls from church, inviting me to join her dinner group, and inviting me back to church with her the following Sunday. She allowed God to work through her that day and it completely changed the course of my life.

\*January 2023-I was encouraged by my dinner group girls, who were all serving on teams at HG, to begin serving on the Grace Kids team.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1760713352/52899297797_d7dddf06a4_o_2_aijsik.jpg)

I was also encouraged to serve in Florida on a faith-based missions trip.

\*February 2023- I was encouraged by those who chose to publicly proclaim their faith through the step of Baptism. Witnessing others being baptized as well as the decision of my friend Annah to get baptized, encouraged me to take the step as well. My family and friends were all there to love and support me that day and I felt even more encouraged to continue growing my relationship with Jesus.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1760713040/52686292113_69760e7eac_o_uyaonu.jpg)

\*January 2024- The love of my dinner group girls and the constant encouragement of my leaders, Heidi and Jayne, encouraged me to begin to step into a dinner group leadership role.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1760713189/53107692644_b6026a1ffe_o_hkjxfm.jpg)

I shared this with my group and decided we could all look backwards on our own journeys. This activity served as a way to bring to life the times we were encouraged to take a step of faith. In doing so, we created a timeline that left it undeniable that we serve a loving and good God who is constantly at work in our lives, bringing us to the current chapter we find ourselves in. It was incredible to see how God worked specifically and uniquely in each and every girl's life, working through people to encourage each and every step. It was a perfect way to learn every girl's story and what brought them to Hoboken Grace and our dinner group that night. Everyone had a different story to tell, but all shared the common theme- God uses natural circumstances to bring about His supernatural purpose and will.

Everyone’s timelines looked different and portrayed different decisions and steps in their lives. If the steps had been looked at standing alone, it would have been easy to write them off as mere coincidences or luck, or even moments of unimportance. But when the timelines came to life, it was evident that the steps taken by each and every girl were the result of a loving and intentional God. 


The Providence of God

We had the chance to hear from Martin and learn about his journey to baptism.

**Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism?**

**Martin**: I was born into a Christian home, so church life has always been part of me. Back home (in Ghana), church could take the whole of Sunday, from Sunday school to Bible discussions and after-service meetings. Whenever my mother went to church, I went too. Even when I didn’t always go willingly, I grew up knowing about God and believing I already knew Him. For years, when people were asked, “When did you accept Christ?” I would quietly think, I’ve always been a Christian. That was my default answer and that was my honest belief.

But over the past 5-8 years, especially during my four-year stay in China, cracks began to form in my faith. Living in a country where most people were non-Christians yet seemed to thrive and succeed made me question if Christians had overestimated the “God factor.” My work schedule in China (Wednesday to Sunday) kept me away from church for years, and this continued during my first two years in the U.S, even though my schedule was back to normal. I slowly drifted, even though I never abandoned my belief entirely. 

Though I regret some of the choices I made during that season, looking back, I can see that God was still at work. He allowed me to experience life without the comfort of religion, without my mother’s gentle nudges to go to church, so that I could truly find Him for myself.

Although I was baptized in my earlier years, this step of baptism at Hoboken Grace is different. It’s not about tradition or family faith, it’s about my personal relationship with Jesus. It’s my public way of saying, “I know You now, Lord, not just because I was born into a Christian home, but because I have come to experience Your grace and salvation for myself.

**Story Team: What was the feeling like after you were baptized?**

**Martin:** I would like to tackle my experience/feeling in five stages, each with its own emotion and meaning.

***1. Weeks before the baptism:***

In the weeks leading up to it, I was filled with a deep sense of excitement and expectation. I couldn’t wait for the day to come. There was this quiet joy inside me, a feeling that something new and significant was about to happen.

***2. Moments before the baptism:***

Just a few minutes before stepping into the water, that joy turned into nervousness. I began asking myself, am I really ready for this? Do I truly understand what I’m doing? My heart was racing, but beneath the anxiety, there was peace, a quiet assurance that this was the right step.

***3. In the baptism tub:***

That moment in the tub is one that will stick with me forever. It’s hard to describe, it felt like time stopped. I didn’t see the congregation or hear the noise around me. It was as if everything faded away, and it was just me and God, face to face. I felt completely new. That moment became a defining point in my faith, the reference point I had been searching for, for some time now.

***4. Right afterwards:***

When I came out of the water, I felt joy unlike anything I’ve ever known. Seeing the smiles and encouragement from those around me filled me with love and gratitude. I felt brand new; cleansed, light, and deeply at peace.

***5. A week later:***

A week later, life feels back to normal, the usual challenges are still there. But I’ve come to realize that the difference now is who I’m walking with. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and teach me daily, and surrounding myself with a community of believers, remains the key to staying grounded in this new chapter of my faith.

**Story Team: Who was up there with you?**

**Martin:** This was one of the most beautiful highlights of my baptism. I’m hesitant to mention names because I do not want to leave anyone out, but standing up there with me was the spiritual family I have been blessed to build here at Hoboken Grace, as I do not have my biological family in the United States. My entire First Impressions team: the greeters and ushers from the 28th of September, came to support me, along with friends from my Monday Dinner Group, the Men’s F3 workout group, and many others I have connected with through the church.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1760020563/5_m0uzjp.png)

It was such a big, joy-filled group, people who have each impacted my life and helped me grow spiritually since I joined Hoboken Grace. Even those who couldn’t be there in person surrounded me with prayers and encouraging messages. I am truly grateful for the community and family God has given me here.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1760106106/Untitled_design_89_aeomvn.png)

**Story Team: What would you say to another Hoboken Grace community member who may be thinking about taking this step?**

**Martin:** I would say, let it be personal, but don’t overthink it, and don’t wait until you feel “perfectly ready.” I wasn’t ready and questioned myself just moments before the final step. For me, baptism isn’t about having everything figured out; it is about saying yes to God and allowing Him to meet you where you are.

If you’ve been part of church life for years, like I was, it’s easy to assume that knowing about God is the same as knowing Him. But this step helped me realize the difference; it’s a personal surrender, a moment where your faith becomes your own.

You might have doubts or even feel nervous about standing in front of everyone, but the truth is, once you step into that water, everything else fades. It’s just you and God, and that moment changes you. And the beauty of doing it here at Hoboken Grace is that you’re not doing it alone. You will be surrounded by a loving, supportive family that celebrates with you, prays for you, and walks with you long after that day. 

So, if you are feeling that gentle nudge in your heart, take it. It is one of the most powerful and freeing steps you will ever take in your faith journey.


A Defining Point In My Faith

After drifting away from her faith during college and early adulthood, Serena found herself in a dark and lonely place—seeking connection in all the wrong places and questioning her relationship with God. In her lowest moments, she felt a quiet nudge—a sense that God was calling her back.

A simple Google search for local churches led her to Hoboken Grace, and from the moment she walked in the door, her life completely changed.

Now, she’s experiencing a renewed relationship with Jesus, discovering that He was never absent during her struggles. Her story is only just beginning, and she’s eager to grow in her faith and serve others—whether through Grace Kids or connecting with those still searching for hope and community.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1759267191/54222704232_9589ba9bd6_o_ghked8.jpg)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1759266656/54318370800_13126e6a8f_o_myhuos.jpg)

Her message to others? Don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable and step out of your comfort zone. Take that first step. “Once you meet one person, they will lead you to another—and your life is going to completely change.”

So if you're feeling that nudge (in whatever area that looks like for you!) to step out and trust God, we hope Serena's story can encourage you.

Maybe you feel God calling you to pick up your Bible, to invite that friend to church, to join that dinner group, or to start serving on that team. Sometimes, all it takes is a single step – to set in motion a journey of transformation that could change your life in ways you never imagined.

To listen to Serena's story, you can [watch it here](https://youtu.be/zMtvBzDhwPI).


Finding Your Way Back: Serena's Story

Did you know that you can join a group of fun-loving (and God-loving) people to read and discuss the Bible here at Hoboken Grace?  It’s called Equip and a small group of people from Hoboken Grace did just that, studying the book of Romans this past Spring!  

You may be asking: “Why do an Equip study when I already attend a dinner group?”  Great question!  While dinner groups do offer the opportunity to read scripture, the Romans study allowed us to dig deeper into the Word of God for several weeks and to wrestle together with difficult theological concepts such as sin and grace.  What we discovered throughout the Spring is that studying scripture together brought us closer and spoke to many of us personally.

Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome to present the gospel, describing God’s plan of salvation for all people.  The book can read like a theological essay, so it was not the easiest to understand at times!  That is why doing a Bible study within a group is so helpful.  Here is what Alyssa had to say: “Reading the Bible can be intimidating and daunting if you're a beginner, and having your community by your side as you read through is encouraging and hopeful as you seek to understand.  Dissecting God's word with other people is the best way to learn about His character and His will for us.”

Julie found that she loved meeting and learning from those in her group:  “I enjoyed being part of the Romans study as it brought people at our church together to dig deeper into God’s word.  I also loved that we got a chance to get to know people at our church on a deeper level as we spent intentional time together week after week.”

Hebrews speaks of the power of the Bible, saying in 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”(NIV).  For Steve, the study was very personal for him and convicted him of the safety he has in God, and because of this safety, his love for God grows: “It becomes more apparent that there is nothing we can do or say that will take away our salvation.  However, once we are saved, truly saved, I believe in our hearts we want to please God by trusting Him and obeying.  Not out of obligation, but having a relationship with God is what being a follower is all about.”

For those of us who are hurting and might be struggling to see beyond our circumstances, Julie offers her perspective: “We found that while we all struggled with the idea of the true freedom and grace that He has given us because of our sinful desires, we also have incredible hope and healing through the gospel.”

Do you want to know what God really has to say in the Bible, but are struggling to understand it on your own?  Do you want to meet other people at Hoboken Grace who desire to deepen their faith through the Word?  Do you want to come away convicted with transformational truths about God and about how God sees you?  Do you wish to see a brighter future grounded in God’s promises?  If any of these questions ring true (or if you have questions of your own), you can join us for an Equip Bible study this Fall.  As Steve shared: “We are all on a journey where we can learn from God and each other.  It is time well spent.”

To learn about our Bible Study: Sermon on the Mount, [click here](https://hobokengrace.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3114123).

To learn about our Bible Study: Old Testament History, [click here](https://hobokengrace.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3114035). 


Equip Studies: Digging Deeper in Faith

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A Diverse, Growing, Contemporary, Community Church in Hoboken

Everything we do revolves around our mission of helping people find their way back to God. Our goal is to demonstrate who God really is and to let others know that God wants a relationship with each and every one of us.

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