This is Christian Women Week. And, I want to take this opportunity to introduce to you a woman that this week is meant to honor.  She is so creative in all that she does, and she uses this creative talent in an unusual way.

In Acts 18-18, the Apostle Paul writes of a worker in the New Testament Church. This person was a great help to Paul, and in Romans 16:12 he teaches us that “not everyone is given the same gifts.” This person was a woman whose name is Phoebe.

I want to introduce you to a worker for God that fits this description. Her name is Lisa Appling. Lecia has used her artistic talents for almost 19 years as she has served along with her husband, Pastor Jeff Appling in what started as a small country Church and through their leadership and through the leadership of the deacons, has grown to a large country Church, with worship attendance of 2,000 each Sunday.

Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting with Lecia, and we talked of the many creative talents that she chooses to use as a blessing to many others.

This is our interview:

Lisa, when I first started writing, the Holy Spirit impressed me to interview you. And I believe it is because of the unusual role you play in the Church at Grove Level. I’m honored to have the opportunity to sit here in your beautiful office and talk with you.

I want to ask you some questions of how your artistic ability has aided you in your work here at The Grove, and I look forward to hearing your answers.

I want to start by asking how you meet your husband, Jeff?

“We went to school together, but I wasn’t someone he wanted to hang out with at that time. We started going out after he became a Christian.”

With Jeff out of seminary and you had come “home”, how did you feel when a small country church called Jeff as their part time minister?

I was so excited, I love to sing and play piano and I was needed for this ministry at Grove Level.”

But later on the Church called Pastor Jeff full time, and by this time you had a beautiful new home and Andy was four years old. Were you still excited when you knew you would live in a small renovated garage on Church property?

Yes, it was extremely exciting. When you are in the Lord’s will there is a peace. The love we felt from the people at Grove Level was incredible.”

I know you wore many hats when you first came to The Grove. Is this when your artistic talent began to come into its own?

“Yes, it’s like someone took the lid off a box and I rolled.”

Lecia you are incredible, I feel excited just hearing you talk about the great love of the people at The Grove and your work here.

I know your artistic talent began with your music, but how did this beautiful decorating talent come into being?

“I wanted my own home to be a peaceful, welcoming place and I thought that God’s house should be the same. People ask – How do you know how to do these things?” I tell them I don’t know, it’s just like there are needs to be met and through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I know how to accomplish them.

Well, I certainly feel God’s presence here, but It’s very pronounced in the sanctuary.

As one visits The Grove they are greeted by a pastoral, beautifully landscaped campus, a melding that honors the old and the new. Inside one finds serenity and peace.

Has this been part of your plan to teach others that they can honor God even with the way buildings are decorated?

“Yes, I take an active part in the way buildings are built and the way they are decorated. I have my hard hat, tool belt and work boots in a closet near by.”

My personal favorite building , beside the Sanctuary is the Chantry.

And, now for the part of your life that you hold very dear… your involvement in the performing arts at The Grove and other places.

How has this evolved?

“All my life I’ve been performing in worship through singing on platforms in Churchs all over Georgia. I was raised by Christian parents who also worked in the song worship ministry. At about age 11, I realized that I needed to ask the Lord to be my personal Savior. At that time, I gave my heart, soul, mind and body to Christ. I have been overwhelmed at what the Lord has done in my life and in the lives of others through the performing arts.”

I understand that your love for singing has taken you to some unusual places.

“Yes, in 1997, a church family entered me into the Babbie Mason Vocal Contest. I went to Colorado and there I won the Best Vocal and Best Overall Score. But while these are great honors, I came to realize there is a great difference in singing for God’s glory and singing for the industry. I definitely knew at that time that I had been called to do ministry.

Another unusual place that I have worshiped God in song was Honduras. I was invited to sing “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord”, in Spanish. I sang before about 30,000 people, in Spanish, that was a real privilege.”

What kinds of ways have you used your artistic talents to bring others to Christ during worship?

“I have developed and directed the Sanctuary Choir, Men’s Choir, Ladies’ Choir, Holiday Choirs, Ensembles, Praise Teams, Bands and Children’s Musicals.

I saw a need for the Performing Arts ministry and wanted to offer that opportunity to The Grove. In the beginning there were only about 15 people to help in worship and the Performing Arts, now there are about 250 people that are able to lead here or go into the community, lead singing, build sets or in any way assist other congregations.”

Leisa, I find this concept very creative and original.

Not only have you been active in the Church here, you’ve found time to assist Pastor Jeff in his pastoral duties, and you have three great children. You’ve been involved in their education and helped provide them with a beautiful, Christian home. Amongst all this, do you have a special sanctuary of your own that you can go to pray and be alone with the Lord?

“Yes, in my home there is a nook with an arched window, where I can kneel and pray. This is also where I am able to read.”

In closing, are there any thoughts, or any thing else you would like to tell me?

“I am very thankful for the privilege of serving others. It is most rewarding that after almost 19 years I am able to serve at The Grove.”

And so, as we sit in your office and the view from your window is one of gently rolling hills at the foot of the Blue Ride Mountains, I see the many projects that you have had an artistic hand in. But the most rewarding is when I attend Worship and feel the presence of God speaking as Mrs. A leads the choir’s worship presentation and Pastor Jeff’s sermon from God.

May God’s richest blessings be in yours’ and Pastor Jeff’s lives as you continue to heed the Holy Spirit’s calling.

Ellene

Ellene Breedlove Davis