My family started going to church when I was in preschool. We went to Anacortes Christian Church, which was also my preschool. I pretty much grew up at that church. I have the best memories of giant games of hide and seek with all the other kids while all of our parents talked. There was (what seemed like) a giant tree right in front of the church that all the boys could climb but I never could. I was a pretty tiny kid. 🙂
The wall in back of the stage at the church is decorated with the words “Go therefore into all the world…” and then a giant wooden map of the world. I remember that there were times that Australia fell off and was just sitting below it, leaning up against the wall. When I was young, the world seemed like a huge place. I would read those words and think, “The world is way too big for me to go everywhere on that map!”
I started going to a different church when I was in 4th grade, and switched churches again in 8th grade. I’ve been attending my current church, The Bridge, ever since, but my parents started going to ACC again a couple of years ago. The church family and building still feel like home to me, because of all of the time I spent there growing up. The image of the map on the back wall of the sanctuary had imprinted itself on the back of my mind, and I even think of it from time to time.
This morning, I spoke at both services at ACC. First service is held in the Fireside Room downstairs, a more intimate service for a smaller, early-morning crowd. They sing hymns set to piano music, they fellowship and they listen to the sermon. Today, I talked about my trip and my upcoming fundraiser. I talked to the people who attended afterward. I don’t think that I’d ever been to first service at ACC, and though its not something I’m used to for a church service, I really honestly enjoyed it!
A couple of hours later and after a few great conversations about the Race, it was time for second service, where I would be speaking in front of everyone. Living in a small town, the church service wasn’t packed like you’d picture a megachurch to be, but it was still quite full and there were a lot of people with all of their attention on me. I showed a couple of promotional videos and then spoke about my trip and fundraiser. I’m not much of a public speaker, so it was definitely tough for me to get in front of everyone, but I think I did okay.
After speaking, I sat listening to the sermon and looking at the wooden map on the wall. I thought about my memories of it, and what it meant to me as a child. Ten or so years later, I looked at that map, knowing that I am preparing to “Go therefore into all the world.” The map hasn’t changed really, except that Australia is hanging where its meant to. The difference is my perspective. The map sure looks smaller physically, but also the world it shows feels smaller. In the next 15 months, I’ll visit 4 continents, which were once vague wooden shapes on the wall but will soon become names, faces, stories. Jesus’ commandment that hangs on the wall is no longer just a Bible verse I stared at as a child but instead has become the goal of my life.
Though I no longer go to ACC, the church there is still like a family. I know far more people in that body of believers than I do at my own. Thats nothing against The Bridge. I am thrilled to be apart of that body. However, there is something special about the congregation that watched me grow up. Many of those people have known me since I was 4 years old and have watched me grow up. They have the kindest words of encouragement to me as I am preparing for the Race.
I think that as I travel the world in Jesus’ name this year, that wooden map will always be in the back of my mind, reminding me of the amazing group of supporters I have back home at ACC and the mission that Jesus has quietly been calling me to since I was a child.
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20
