My name is Bob Coderre and I have been serving at Harvest Community Church for over 25 years. My story is like most I did not find the grace of God in some of the greatest accomplishments of my life but in the darkest moments.
When I was 21, I realized that I had a serious problem with alcohol and drugs and I was desperate for help. I did not know what to do, and I did not even know how to pray, so I cried out, “God please help!” That was all I could muster.
A day later, on December 11, 1989 I went to a place called Edgehill in Newport RI and my recovery journey began. I am so grateful to God for his grace in getting me sober and keeping me sober these 36 years. When I was sober about 5 years I went through a difficult life challenge, a divorce that forced me to evaluate where my life was heading. I realized that I really didn’t know God or have a personal relationship with Him, but I was familiar with others in my recovery community who did.
I turned to God and prayed a very simple prayer asking him for help and letting Him know that the problem was me not Him and that I was willing to do anything to have a relationship with Him. But candidly admitting to Him that I did not know how to do it. Shortly thereafter he brought an old friend back into my life to share the gospel with me and my life changed forever.
That was October 1994. I was baptized about 8 months later and then attended Bible College for about 4 years. One of the spiritual gifts God has given me is the ability to teach the Word of God. I have served in the Sunday School ministry for many years and now I teach in the Adult Sunday School at 9am on Sunday mornings before Church service.
I would love to have you come and participate as we pick a topic or book of the Bible, watch a short video and then have a great conversation about the Word of God. I have also served for over 20 years in the Sanctuary Ministry, that serves our unhoused population in Woonsocket. This ministry has touched many lives! My last piece of advice for anyone reading this is that God calls each believer to a local assembly, to grow and serve and to use their spiritual gifts to build His Kingdom. My prayer is that you find that local assembly, for me and my family Harvest Community Church has been ours!