Church has looked really different in every single country we have been to.
In Ecuador, we didn’t belong to a “Church” but instead, we made our own church. We would have worship and a lesson taught by one of our leaders. Church looked like sitting in the living room of Mabe and Fabi’s house and gathering together as a squad to see how the Lord was moving.
In Peru, all of the teams on the squad were in different locations. Here, we did ministry at a local church, so church looked like Sundays at Iglesia La Antorcha singing Spanish worship in white plastic chairs scattered throughout the room. It looked pretty typical.
In Guatemala, my team also worked with a city church in Parramos, so church looked like Wednesday children’s bible studies with fun games about the fruits of the spirit and worship with the Gomez’s. There was also a bilingual church right in the heart of Antigua that we got drawn into with a huge welcoming hug. Shoreline was a church that made it feel so similar to being back in the states. One might say, church looked “normal”.
In Cambodia, my team and team tribe are located in Siem Reap and the rest of our squad live in Battambang. We are staying at a base where it’s also actually a church. My team worked in a village at the church for the first month. Church here looks pretty normal too, we go to English and Khmer services, getting a dose of Khmer culture and American culture that we are used to from the states. Pretty usual settings.
But those are just the buildings.
In Cambodia, church really looks like this:
– Agreeing to overpriced tuk-tuk drivers knowing that your payment is possibly their only income for the day
– Smiling at the person who just cut you in line at the grocery store.
– Hanging out with our favorite smoothie gal every day in the village and just being with her
– Worship in a packed hotel room with 38 members of your family
– Honoring the AC allotted usage every night by waking up at 4 am to turn it off after you have used your 6 hours a day.
– Making friends with the Starbucks employees and waving at them every time you see them through the window
– Times spent talking and growing under the ceiling fan in the toddler’s room of the church
No building necessary. You don’t need a stage or service pamphlets or chairs.
We get to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we walk. In every situation. Everywhere. The list above doesn’t just apply to Cambodia, but to everywhere we go. In your local drive-thru, at the movie theater, on the highway.
Church looks like bringing hope. Gathering new perspective and sharing it with those around you. Encouraging and uplifting the body.
Church looks like being love. Being love everywhere you go, to everyone you meet. Bringing heaven to earth.
Church looks like us. You and I and everyone reading this.
We are the church.
I’d love to hear from everyone! What does church look like to you?
