You visited me while I was sick..

A Church Without Walls – 6/16/12

When you’re part of a church that has no walls you become a minister of the Gospel everywhere you go. Instead of waiting for Sunday when you can put your Christianity on display you become a minister of the gospel of God wherever you may be. Take a look at our time out on the streets tonight and you will see what I mean.

Laura, Jimmy’s wife, began the ministry tonight. She was at home getting things in order for our ‘church service’ while Jimmy and I picked up ice and gloves for serving. Laura has 4 small children to take care of but every week she becomes a minister to a lost and dying world as she lays down the important for the sake of the Gospel. Tonight she prepared a homemade meal for those without a home, putting together 80 tacos and a large pot of ‘Mexican rice.’

Think about it. In a very real way she invites the poor into her home every Saturday night. She puts herself, the needs of her husband, and the needs of her children aside in order to be faithful to her call to ministry and to serve those whom Jesus calls ‘the least of these.’

John Murray, Jimmy (along with his young son Noah) and I made our way to 19^th Street.  The Tacos were gone literally in a matter of minutes and we began to talk to our friends individually. Terry was there and asked for prayer because he was certain that he and his wife were going to have to ‘split up.’ He confessed that he had not been faithful to the calling of God on his life, that he was hanging in the streets while he should have been looking for work. That his wife had been trying to get him to go to church with her, but hadn’t been going – amongst other things.

I encouraged him to step into his calling. To repent of his laziness, to overlook the shortcomings of his wife, and to bless her and the Lord by going to church tomorrow. I let him know that restoring his relationship with his wife was a small thing for the Lord. He told me that next week he would tell me about the message he hears in church tomorrow. Will you please stop for a moment right now and become part of a church without walls by saying a short prayer for Terry and his relationship with his wife? …Thanks…. Now back to Saturday night….

Jimmy announced that he had an encouraging word for the group and literally everyone gathered around. They were hungry for the gracious Word of God. Jimmy didn’t prepare a message in advance but the word was in his heart and on his tongue. He preached a word that encouraged everyone to consider God. The group interacted with the message, adding a comment or a ‘that’s right’ here and there… it was reaching their hearts. Afterward more people came for prayer.

When we learned that one of our homeless friends, Gary, had been admitted to the hospital our church building drove to Norfolk General. On our way we made a quick stop a Chipotle to pick up something other than hospital food for our friend. We found our way up to his room and this homeless man had three friends visiting him. Friends who missed him. Friends who went out of their way to serve him. This homeless man has real friends. Isn’t God great!

We spent some time with Gary. Jimmy encouraged him to quit smoking and to get off the streets as he has a severe breathing problem. I prayed for him and Noah watched and understood how a church is supposed to work.

It was a late night, but the need was great and we gladly obeyed the Lord’s call to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth… the great commission. What a privilege to be in His service.