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“You already know why I’m here,” said Brent Lank as he took his place at the table. Brent moved to Myrtle Beach to support his partner, John Sparkman, who is St. Philip’s Director of Music Ministries. However, Brent has found his own place in the worship, welcome, and ministry of St. Philip.

His life of faith started because of his mom, and reading his Bible helped him feel more connected to her. He grew up in a Baptist congregation, which was meaningful for a time. But eventually, Brent felt alone and disconnected. He took time away from church, needing to figure out life and faith. It was in this process that he heard God tell him, “It’s OK. You are who I made you to be.”  

“When I returned to church, I felt home again,” Brent said.

But upon arrival in Myrtle Beach, Brent again felt alone and disconnected. He remembered thinking, “You’re in a new place, you know it’s going to be tough to meet people.” The weight of starting over felt heavy; walking into a group of people you don’t know is hard. But instead of distancing himself, Brent took a chance and jumped right into St. Philip’s ministries.

“The welcome I received…” Brent paused. “I’m really thankful for that.”

One moment stands out: going Christmas caroling just a few weeks after arriving. The event had a big impact on Brent as he felt like part of the community – singing at people’s doors, laughing together, and sharing cookies afterwards. “Nothing brings people together like singing and sugar,” Brent joked. But then, he reflected more deeply on his involvement with the choir: “The music we make gives me a strong spiritual connection. It’s rewarding and gives me a purpose.”  

Brent is making connections with others at St. Philip, but also, he feels connected to God. He notes that these connections carry over into his week. “It helps with my day-to-day. I know God is with me, and if I’m a child of God, so are other people.” It changes how Brent walks through the world, with more patience, more kindness, and more hope.

At St. Philip, Brent has found a community where he can belong, serve, and fully be who God made him to be.