The past week has been really crazy, but it began and ended with great stories. The stress of the continued academic process was buoyed by these stories.
I had the opportunity to speak in a church in central Texas in early August. I was told there were several families there who had never been to the church. The church had just finished what is called in many churches Vacation Bible School. It is a week of special activities and Bible study for children. Some include adults.
This particular church is new (two years old) and had VBS at night. It was the only time many of their volunteers could come due to day jobs. One man, unknown to the church, brought his children each evening. He had seen the advertisement for VBS and wanted his kids to see the puppets. He sat on the bed of his truck and waited for them. One of the staff members would go out as often as possible and visit with him.
That man and brought his family and neighbor family the Sunday I spoke. They continued to bring their children and attend the Sunday services. Recently there was a death in the family and they turned to the only church they knew. You see, this man last attended church as an eight year old boy. The staff member who visited him was my son. Through friendship and ministry, when there was a need he turned to his friends. Last week he called again. He wanted to talk about trusting Jesus and following in Baptism. Last Sunday, in an outdoor pool with water temperature of 61 degrees, he was baptized. He was given the option of waiting until a warmer time. His answer was, "I want everyone to know."
Halloween we went to the Trunk or Treat with our grandchildren and their parents. The pastor saw me and said, "Hey, stay for the wedding at 8:30." What wedding? Well, here is another church reaching people where they are and loving them into the Kingdom. This couple were two bikers in their fifties, maybe even sixty. They rode up on a Harley, dismounted, walked to the make-shift stage as the Trunk or Treat activities stopped and friends gathered to celebrate with them. The story?
Five years ago this church did what they called "Aiding Spaces". Through a process of application and selection, they totally remodeled five homes of very needy people. One of the homes was this lady's. She and her daughter began attending the congregation of people who had loved them unconditionally and made no demands upon them. This past week she gave her life to Jesus.
In addition to that, someone very special to Cheryl and myself shared some really good stuff with us. Since I have not asked any of these folk if I can tell their story, I am being very generic and not sharing names.
There is a similarity in these two stories that I will not detail. However, the principle is that both congregations welcomed people and accepted them where they were. They did not demand nor give the impression that "we have a neat little group here, and if you'll become like us, we will accept you." No, they simple accepted them, loved them, and were willing to be used of the Holy Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to do his work in the hearts of these people. And what a work He has done!
Both of these churches are alive, vibrant, and growing. May their tribe increase!
