Picture church… What
do you imagine? (Maybe pews, hymns, or a family?)
Now picture the
opposite of church… What does that look like? (Maybe a bar, drunken people, or
profanity?)
I’ve been residing
(sleeping on the floor) at a place called ‘Longrass Mansion’ for the past couple days. This building located in
Darwin, Australia is a combination church, bookshop, and a drop in ‘home’
for the homeless people in the city. The members of this church are made up of
indigenous Australians from communities around the Northern Territory, as well
as white ‘fellas’ from across the nation. These people are seen by the
residents of Darwin as the scum of the city… raging alcoholics and bums, who
make the city look bad.
To most westerners, Longrass Mansion would fall in the ‘opposite of
church’ category. Let me explain why it doesn’t…
As Christians, we pray
to be able to reach the ‘broken and weary’. Yet we often completely separated
ourselves from those in need of the most help.
The truth is, THESE are the kinds of people Jesus hung out with… The drug
addicts, sinners, and lost souls of communities. Longrass Mansion not only
provides food and shelter for the physical needs of the oppressed, but exposes
them to a family & community based on Christ.
I woke up at sunrise
this morning to some aboriginal ladies sleeping on the couch to the side of me and
a line of hungry people out the door. There was no time to pray to be led to
inspire the right people that day, because they were already in my sight. Most of
them were extremely depressed, drunk, or high on something. Some had shoes;
Many did not. Some were awake; Some were asleep.
this world. A woman named Rebecca sat me down one morning over a grilled cheese
sandwich and explained in great detail how her brother dropped his bag of money
in the creek, and against her will, attempted to swim past a gator to retrieve
it. Of course that led into a great debate between me and her on the best way
to trick a gator. I don’t care if it was completely fathomed up or not, because
it had me AND her rolling on the ground laughing.
and LOVE them for who they are, instead of shunning them away because of their
situation. Places like Longrass Mansion provide the practical needs of food and
shelter, but more importantly, provide a place for the lost to come, be loved,
receive ministry, and get active. Attendees are able to pursue their passions
such as cooking, painting, crafts, sports, and music. The love and blessing on
this building is clearly saving lives!
Most of these people have spent their
whole lives in the ‘longgrass’ area surrounding the Darwin beaches and have absolutely
nothing. This church fills them with truth, hope and a community. I want to be
a part of THESE kinds of churches more often. These “rejected and hopeless”
ones are the people we should be seeking out and loving daily. God’s has love
and a purpose for everyone and we never have to look too far to find someone in
need!
The Lord has anointed me to preach
good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to
proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor… to comfort those who mourn, and
provide for those who grieve… a garment of praise instead of a spirit of
despair.
called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His
splendor.
