VIDALIA &045; When God starts moving you, it’s impossible to know where you’ll end up.

So when Joshua Roberts landed in his small hometown for work he was a little surprised, but he’s not asking questions.

The Vidalia High graduate left home after his 1998 high school graduation to be a music major at Louisiana Tech University. Called into the ministry, he headed to a church near Ruston after college where he served on staff. From there he worked in the mission field in Germany for about six months before the short journey came full circle.

He’s not planting deep roots in Vidalia and the job is probably only temporary, but for now, Roberts is the interim worship leader at First Baptist Church.

&uot;I ended up (in Vidalia) by default,&uot; he said. &uot;Truthfully, when I left I did not intend to come back to Vidalia. Growing up has helped change that and it’s been wonderful to be back home.&uot;

After returning from Germany, Roberts, 25, had nowhere to go but home, where he soon learned of the opening at FBC.

Since he took the job a few months ago he’s inherited a youth praise band and the choir and started a praise team composed of six other adults.

He spends a lot of time with the youth group and will lead a children’s music camp next month.

Though his job is supposed to be part-time, multiple practices plus Sundays and Wednesday nights keep Roberts working most of the time, he said.

&uot;It’s been a growing experience and a learning experience. It’s going to help formulate a little more of what God’s calling is in my life,&uot; he said. &uot;People here know your parents and your grandparents and hug you.&uot;

FBC is the largest church he’s served with so far, another change that has taken some adjustments.

In the fall, Roberts will start seminary at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, but there may be frequent road trips back home.

&uot;I’m here for as long as this church needs me,&uot; he said.

Though his past experience has been in music, Roberts said he’s not sure which specific branch of the ministry God wants him in, and said he’s open to anything.