From the outside Bellevue is an enormous building—it looks like a place that’s easy to get lost inside of. However, if you take a chance and step inside, you will find that Bellevue is a place you can call home.
Having been born and raised here in Memphis, Jeaneen Scales had always heard about Bellevue. It was one of those churches that everyone seemed to know about.
“I don’t know how I could’ve not known about Bellevue,” Jeaneen said. “Everyone knew about Pastor Adrian Rogers and how he was an anointed man of God.”
But despite growing up near Bellevue’s campus, it wasn’t until 2007 that Jeaneen walked through the doors for the first time.
“I actually started off in one of the divorce recovery classes, and from there I joined Bellevue,” Jeaneen said. “But I was only coming on Sundays, so I wasn’t really part of Bellevue yet.”
A job opportunity for her family led Jeaneen to move away from the Memphis area for a while, but she kept listening to Bellevue’s sermons online. Something about the messages stuck with her.
“There was something about Bellevue that I was just drawn to, but I didn’t know what it was yet,” Jeaneen said.
Jeaneen returned to Memphis and returned to attending Bellevue’s services in person, but this time things were different. Jeaneen felt a calling to grow deeper into God’s Word and be fully involved in the church.
“It was actually Alex León who sent me a text that said something along the lines of ‘What do you think about getting involved in a Life Group?’” Jeaneen said. “I was hesitant at first because my life was crazy then. Having a younger child made getting to the 11 o’clock service a challenge sometimes, so my first thought to that text was a huge maybe.”
But from that text message, the Lord encouraged Jeaneen to take the first step and go to a Life Group. It was the final push she needed. She obeyed the calling and joined Rika Hood’s Life Group.
“Walking in there for the very first time, there was an overwhelming sense of being welcomed,” Jeaneen said. “I automatically felt so loved.”
From there, Jeaneen continued to fall in love with her Life Group. She built bonds with the women around her, and Bellevue became more than a building—it became a body of believers. She got more involved in the church, and she began to see more familiar faces. She walked the halls more confidently knowing she had a place to bring her burdens and be lifted up in prayer and encouragement.
“I already loved Bellevue, but through this, Bellevue became more intimate to me,” Jeaneen said. “It was hard to come across a face that wasn’t familiar to me, or a heart that my heart didn’t already recognize.”
Even when life got hard, Jeaneen knew she had people to call on. Last year, Jeaneen hurt her back so bad she had to be in a wheelchair, and her group rallied around her and poured their love out for her.
“People brought me meals, people stopped by to mow my grass, and most importantly people prayed over me,” Jeaneen said. “Calling down heaven on someone’s behalf is an ultimate expression of love—not the ultimate expression of course—but I know the power of prayer, and I know that prayer changes things.”
For Jeaneen Scales, Life Groups has allowed Bellevue to become more than just a place to visit on Sundays. In putting herself out there and trying a group, she found a home. Now no matter what, she knows she has her brothers and sisters in Christ by her side.
“If you want to be lost in a crowd and you want to be just another number, then keep coming on Sundays and that’s it,” Jeaneen said. “But if you want to feel the embrace of Bellevue, you need to tie into a Life Group.”
Jumping out of your comfort zone and diving into a Life Group can be scary, but the outcome can be just as rewarding. Just like Jeaneen, you can find your place at Bellevue. Come make yourself at home because you belong!
Want to learn more about Bellevue’s groups? Stop by the Groups Expo in the East or West Lobby after Sunday morning worship on August 11 or 18, or text “GROUPS” to 901901.