Jose Briones – Fairplay, Colorado … Amy Webb has been a devoted member of the Fairplay Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fairplay, Colorado, for the past four years. In 2018, while working at the Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska, Amy and her family decided to travel to Colorado. During their visit, they stopped at the Fairplay Church while helping their daughter move and exploring potential future property purchases.

The Webb family, consisting of seven members at the time, was accustomed to the large congregations often found in Adventist churches in Lincoln. Upon their arrival, the Webb’s found a small congregation of only five people at the Fairplay Church. There were more visitors that day than members. Despite the small number, the church congregation’s hospitality and warmth was very welcoming. The Webb family instantly felt drawn to this small, loving community.

The Webb’s decided to move to Colorado a few years later, purchasing a home they felt God had led them to, and began attending the Fairplay Church regularly.

During the COVID Pandemic in 2020, Amy and her husband Richard organized an “Unlocking Bible Prophecies” seminar at the Fairplay Church. Despite much planning, no one attended the event, leaving them saddened and disheartened, especially Richard.

“Amid their discouragement, Amy suggested they pray. They asked God to bring them ten more families, not knowing where they would come from but wanting to fill the church to overflowing,” recalled Jose Briones, lead pastor at the Fairplay Church and RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator, who interviewed Amy for the RMC video series “Always Faithful” that will begin airing in January 2025.

“Miraculously, shortly after their prayer, families began arriving from different places,” continued Briones. “These families had been searching for a place like Fairplay Church with the same love that initially attracted the Webb family. The church’s attendance grew from about five people during that initial visit to between 25 and 40 people each week now in 2024. ‘Praise God! He brought us more than ten new families who became members of Fairplay,’ Amy told me.”

Church members will tell you that some of their most cherished memories in recent years involve evangelism. They view that, without evangelism, the church would be dead. Inspired by a member from decades ago who referred to the church as the “Light on the Hill,” they hope to continue the legacy of the sentiment and excitement behind that reference. To do so, the Fairplay Church actively engages with the local community and events like the Burro Days and plans to expand their efforts to Alma and other higher mountain towns this year.

The Fairplay Church also values fellowship and holds a fellowship dinner every week. “The members believe some of the greatest moments come from sharing a meal together,” commented Briones. “They gather around a large table, facing each other and getting to know one another better. This weekly tradition helps people fall in love with the church’s loving God and fellowship.”

Amy’s story and testimony are a powerful reminder of the importance of evangelism and welcoming new members with love. Her experience at Fairplay Church highlights how truly caring about everyone that walks through the doors has been a significant part of the church’s success. The church’s goal is to make everyone feel wanted and welcomed back. As Amy always says, “If someone attends three times, they are already considered members.”

Keeping love and fellowship alive is essential for the vitality of any church community. CLICK HERE to watch Amy’s story and share it with your friends.

—Jose Briones is lead pastor at the Fairplay Seventh-day Adventist Church and is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photo capture from RMC’s “Always Faithful” video series.