All the Days of the Week | A Citylight Club Story

It’s easy to follow Jesus on Sundays. Gathering at a comfy church on Sunday where people are excited to see you is simple. You’re served coffee and donuts by people who love you and want you there. Guided worship and prayer take little effort or consideration. But what about the other days in the week? The Mondays through Saturdays when we are surrounded by circumstances and people who demand and take and want and need us ... How do we worship and obey and serve Jesus on those days? Paige Fleming was convicted of her “Sunday Jesus.” Throughout high school and college, she grew weary. She became hurt and lonesome, and she tried to find her worth elsewhere. It was at that time she knew she needed to give Jesus all of her and every day.

“I needed to give my whole life to Jesus and not just the easy parts,” Paige confessed. “I was struggling with where I was and finding my worth in things like boys and my sorority. Those things kept hurting me. I gave up a bunch of sin areas and I experienced a lot of growth in my faith. I started to read the Bible daily. I began to ask, “Is this serving God or is it serving me?” “Does this best serve the Kingdom or best serve Paige?””

As Paige gave more and more of her heart and life to God, she received in return more and more of his truth and light. She started to see with a global perspective. She felt the need to share the gospel with others and felt the burden for those who didn’t have the gospel. She experienced freedom in Christ.

“I’ve seen and felt a lot more contentment with decision making,” Paige shared. “Even if I didn’t understand completely, I know God is sovereign. My anxiety has been taken away. I’ve experienced much fruit especially with deep relationships with Christian friends. That’s been a big blessing! My best friends have been from the college ministry and now here at Citylight. It’s made all the difference. They point you back to Jesus and have called me out on sin areas. It feels like a safe spot because I know they have truly my best interest. They want me to continue to grow in my faith especially when it’s hard.”

After graduating from the University of Kansas last year, Paige moved to Omaha for a graduate program. Before the move, she texted a childhood friend that lived there asking to connect. After a few texts, her friend invited her to Citylight.

“It was the only church I tried,” Paige described. “I loved Citylight’s mission. I love kids and want to serve in the church. Last fall, I heard about Citylight Club through an announcement.”

Shortly after applying and meeting with leadership, Paige jumped into the Wednesday night program. Citylight Club exists to develop disciples of Jesus in Midtown’s neighborhood by creating a safe place to engage children with the gospel while creating meaningful relationships with their families. At Club, children share a meal together, experience gospel centered teaching, and enjoy games in small groups. The intent is to connect with every child that walks in the door to faithfully teach the truth about the gospel and to create a safe and fun environment for kids to learn about Jesus.

“My group I help co-lead is K-2nd grade boys,” Paige explained. “It’s so much fun. They are so funny. Little boys are crazy sometimes. We have the funniest conversations, and we talk about soccer and their day. They have so much energy and life. When I am with them, I am excited. At first, they didn’t know me but now they know me. We have dinner together on Wednesday nights and then do a short bible study with a memory verse and a game. It's really cool to hear their answers to their questions. I’ll ask them “How can you get closer to God?” ... And they will say “Pray and read your bible.” YES! They know the answer. It’s cool to see the growth. We have a routine now and they know it. These boys love it. I’ll ask them what the memory verse is, and they know it. We’ll do it in funny voices, and they remember it. They pick it up better than I can. It’s moving and encouraging to me. To see six-year-olds memorize and know God’s word shows me that God is planting seeds for future and present growth. It makes me feel full of love. I didn’t expect that. Club has made such a big impact on my life that I didn’t expect. I didn’t expect how much I would care for these boys and how they would impact me.”

This August, Paige will graduate from her master’s program in social work. Her goal is to stay in Omaha, work at a school and continue helping and serving others and with the kids at Club.

“I want to be faithful with what God has and be open handed with the next stage,” Paige concluded. “I have seen God reach so many people in Club and the surrounding neighborhoods. I have seen through this ministry all the unreached people groups that are right here. I have the burden to share my faith and to other countries who don’t have the gospel. Now that I am here, I want to go. Maybe in the future I will serve globally, but right now, I will be here. I want to keep my eyes opened to see wherever God is leading me. God brought me here to share with the church and with the neighbors. The nations are here. We must be faithful and say ‘yes’ to the opportunities.”

Since making her faith a daily walk and not just for Sundays, Paige has experienced freedom, hope and community. She knows now that even when it doesn’t make sense or friendships fall through, God is on her side. It is in the hard that God shows us opportunities to grow. Serving in Citylight Club and the kids has helped Paige see and experience this growth even more. It was a small ‘yes’ to serving in Club that changed her life and into a life she loves very much. The days that Citylight Club are on are now her favorite day of the week.