Samantha's 'Lil Bit of Heaven' is Just That to Many

The large parking lot is often full at , tucked away in a Larkfield Road strip mall with and V & F Meat Center.

Dozens regularly attend music performances, bible study, sermons and more daily in the ministry, according to owner Samantha Tetro.

In fact, Tetro said recently that over 100,000 people from all over the world and of all ages have visited the ministry since its creation 17 years ago.

Tetro often tells the story of how her namesake place of worship came to fruition. It started with a news story of a young girl being kidnapped.

She said she asked herself, "What's wrong with the world? Can't there be a place where there is a little bit of heaven on earth?"

She said that she brought the idea up to a friend who asked her when she was going to get started on her dream.

"I started to laugh," Tetro said. "I said, 'There's no way I could do this.' When her friend asked 'why not?' Tetro said she had neither money nor experience.

"There is no school that teaches one how to run a 'Li'l Bit of Heaven' on earth. I told her that to put this all together would require a miracle," Tetro said. "She looked at me and said, 'Wow, this sounds like God to me, because when you can't, He can.'"

At first she prayed for someone to come along to develop her vision for her.

That didn't happen, Tetro said. "I finally prayed for a road map. I said, "Lord, if this is your will, then please show me how to do this."

Within weeks, she said, all her visions of "a place where people of all races and religions can enjoy classes, workshops, music, food and healing" miraculously came true.

"No one will believe this," Tetro recalled thinking. So, she began keeping a journal of everything that happened.

"Friends, and strangers alike, offered their services," she said. "People had talents, or gifts, that they brought with them through the door. God was using all of us. We watched, as God supplied tables, chairs, benches, wall hangings, counters, paint, and even food. People would come and work at the coffeehouse in the evening, after having worked a full day at their respective jobs. We never saw it as work, but as a labor of love for the Lord. It had become a testimony, a faith-builder, and an answer to prayer, and we hadn't even opened yet." 

The opening happened April 8th, 1994, and 63 guests attended.

Now 17 years later, the realization of her dream is still going strong.

Tonight, Samantha's is presenting and Saturday night will perform.