The last Thursday in January we had the pleasure to go to a church in a compound outside of Lusaka. The night prior we were fortunate enough to get a heads up that the church wanted one of us, someone on Zealous Love, to preach. A night of preparation is a ton of time considering people that have done the World Race before that you normally find out on the spot. So Logan prepared an “encouraging” message per their request and he did an amazing job. The actual message was on God’s power and authority…..probably should of recorded it because it was that good.
Originally the plan was for the pastor to come by our hostel at 6:30pm to drive us out to the church for the 7:30 pm service. Need less to say 6:30 came and went by rather quickly and there was no sign of him. Still wondering if he is going to show, someone made a call at 7 pm to find out he was “close” by.
At last 7:30 pm came around and so did the pastor! Yes, we are off to check out his church!
(Refresher: A compound is a large typically low income place where people live very closely together and the further you drive into them the “worse” the conditions.)
On the drive over we finally turned off payment and onto to dirt roads of the compound. No, their dirt roads aren’t smooth like you will typically find in America. These are filled with ruts, pot holes, and surprises. Bouncing down the road for a little ways you could start to make out the church via the lights, kind of a glow in the distance. Most homes and places in a compound don’t have lights so it was relatively easily to spot. Then still a ways out maybe a half mile or so you could hear the music!
The church didn’t waste anytime and was in full on worship and you could tell from far away! It was inspiring, welcoming, and a joy to roll up to this church. Currently the church is meeting under a large tent, so sound would naturally travel outside of the church walls. But come to find out as we parked that they put speakers outside of the tent and facing the community. The entire area knew that church was happening.
And church to them isn’t just a Sunday morning thing, it is an EVERY day of the week thing. This church has been meeting DAILY for the last 6 years! The pastor said, “The early church met daily, and so are we.” Their desire to seek the Lord daily was evident, as the energy in that church was that of a Christmas/Easter service in the States…..yet this was every night and for us happened to be on a Thursday night.
Overall it was an awesome time of worship and Logan delivered a great message. All of us got to share briefly with the church as well as pray over the church. We got the opportunity to meet with people one on one and pray for them too.
I know you probably don’t hang the speakers at your church, or choose the location to have it near a neighborhood but you are the light in your neighborhood, your work place, and everywhere you go. This church physical display of reaching the community by sharing the worship, lighting the place up and meeting regularly is a testament for us to do the same in our own way. It was evident at this church for their outreach in the community.
Be Bold in sharing the good news of the Gospel and inviting people to church!
Be Intentional to bring it up in every conversation because you just never knows who needs to hear the message.
