The Community We All Crave. <3
Sept. 4th, 2012
(Team CLP-L'viv Ukraine)
So it was told to me from previous world racer’s that one of the hardest things to transition back to the United States would be the loss of community we would experience.
The “community” that Jesus talks about is not always perfectly existing in the church or in the world we are living in. The world race got pretty darn close to the real Christian community Jesus was talking about. Now, after being back for a little over two months, deep down within my being I crave it. My soul cries out asking God why it isn’t already cultivated how I experienced it on the mission field with our squad of 46 and our team of 7. If you had a need, your brother or sister was right there to cover you in prayer. If you were hungry, lunch was being prepared. In need of a small group? No problem…every day we met as a team to discuss prayer needs, delve into the word, encouraged another, spoke hard truths in love, and were a family. This is what my heart misses so much. I know I have been going through a grieving process of missing this "community" Jesus speaks of. I love each one of my team members as if they really were and are family. Now I am learning that God has a new season for me, and although they are no longer in it…that community IS still what God wants. Except now I am expected to be a leader in it; to show others what it's all about. We AREN'T meant to try to follow Jesus ALONE. Or just with our own family. It is meant to happen in COMMUNITY.
Then the Father tells me that that’s why he’s sent me…to cultivate community. It would be fitting that the Lord would send me to be a youth Pastor at a Pentecostal church here in a suburb outside of Detroit. The Acts church Paul talked about was a small church of around 120 believers who shared everything they had, broke bread (ate) together, and they were devoted to prayer with one another. Jesus also talks of speaking in tongues, baptism, the outpouring of his spirit, fellowship, and healings & miracles through his church as his spirit is with the church.
The church is not just a building with four walls, nor should it be treated it that way. The church is believers coming together with a common thread; following Jesus. The oneness and unity of the holy spirit is what makes us the church. The power in our prayer together, breaking bread together, and growing in discipleship with one another is what really encompasses the church. If we are neglecting the church, we are neglecting Jesus. We aren’t neglecting a building. We are neglecting God’s plan, his purposes for us. There is a reason my heart has been aching for this type of community; it is because God has this same intention too.
Y SQUAD- June 2012 Final Debrief
The community Jesus spoke of is described well in Acts 2:42-47
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
This is the kind of church I want to be a part of. One full of God’s favor and sincerity. Where everyone’s needs are met as the community of Christ comes together. Where every member coming together strengthens the others. We are the body of Christ. We are the church. It’s time we wake up and be just that.
(Youth @ Rivers selling Threads of Hope- half proceeds go to poverty +fighting human trafficking in philippines + half to our youth account. Contact me if you are interested in purchasing . 2$-4$)
http://threadsofhope.com.ph
I’m striving to create that community with the church here, specifically with the youth of River’s Worship Center. I’m looking forward to serving as the youth Pastor & teaching about cultivating community and about being a Holy spirit led group of believers. Where brothers, sisters, and the love of Christ unites us.
(Emily & Meghan from River's Edge Youth selling Baked goods @ our vendor sale)
