There’s No Bond Like the Body of Christ
Written by Liv Getek, Class of 2025-26
On September 3rd, I stood in front of a room alongside 12 near strangers, committing to pursuing a year of flourishing together. Without knowing much of each other – where we came from and what had shaped us – we shared one common deep desire: a longing for Christ-centered community. Through this simple act of commitment to each other, a family began to form.
Our friendship with each other seemed to start backwards. Within just days of meeting, we were sharing our testimonies and opening up about some of our deepest traumas, yet we didn’t know our favorite colors or how many siblings we had. These quickly became kingdom friendships. Our love for each other was purely formed out of our commitment to each other rather than the similarities we shared.
At the beginning of our time in Fellows, we visited one of our partner churches, North Shore Fellowship Church, as a fellows class. As we worshiped together, we sang the words, “There’s No Bond like the Body of Christ” and I believe our entire Fellows year has been marked by these lyrics. The Lord has been drawing my attention to this theme that we are so much more alike than we are different. We may not appear to have much in common, but when we share the love of Jesus Christ, we have everything in common. When one of us struggles, we feel it together. When another succeeds, we cheer together (1 Corinthians 12:26). We have experienced both suffering and rejoicing together. Joy and sorrow can co-exist and both are carried best within the community of the body of Christ.
Through our weekly Old and New Testament classes, we have learned about the temple. We are the new living temple because Jesus dwells within His people. Jesus becomes more believable through the communion of believers.
“You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)
We all live under the same roof - in the household of God, united by Jesus Christ Himself.
Our faith has been strengthened through shared rhythms - around a table, during challenging conversations, even through Saturday morning marathon training. The greatest growth happens within community, and flourishing is greater when it is a shared pursuit! C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien sharpened each other’s imaginings as they wrote some of the greatest stories that would shape many generations. Despite their different approaches to storytelling, they encouraged each other to work through their doubts. They were better together.
The Lord has been so kind in allowing this new city to feel like home - through the gift of Grove City College friendships, connections to my home town in Maryland, and a host family that has so graciously welcomed me in. The Lord is teaching me that the body of Christ is so much more vast than I had thought. My cup overflows with gratitude!
Our program director, Ralston, signs off each Fellows email with five words: “We are Together in Christ.” Our year has been marked by these five words. Five words with one bold meaning - we are all part of the body. May we keep running to the Father together, both literally and figuratively. Because there is no bond like the body of Christ!
“So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:5
