Today team Crux and I decided to attend a church some of the girls found a few days ago. Now, to you going to church on a Sunday morning may be the norm, or perhaps you know that most “church goers” do so on Sundays. To us on the other hand, having the option to attend whatever church service we like on a Sunday morning, has become a rare treat.
Here’s a refresher on what Sundays have looked like over the past six months:
The Philippines
– Plugged into a local church, with small additions to the service like singing and sharing testimonies.
China
– No church to plug into as publicly being Christian is illegal.
Kenya
– A new church every Sunday where we preached, sang, shared testimonies, and prayed over people.
Uganda
– Different churches because we moved locations. Both locations hosting our sermons, singing, and testimonies.
Tanzania
– I attended whatever church service the team I happened to be with was ministering at, sometimes contributing a word or testimony myself.
Each of the Sunday morning experiences I have had, has been unique and fulfilling in its own way. Stumbling upon a church service that resembled that which I am used to in the States however, was a nice change. I thoroughly enjoyed walking into the church to see tables with books and brochures, and smiling faces behind them. It was refreshing to walk up the stairs and through the double doors into the large, air conditioned room complete with a balcony. It was nice to sit in a pew with a back and clearly see the pastor as he stood on the platform. It was DELIGHTFUL to sing songs in English (some that I even knew!!). It was awesome to just experience the service, instead of lead it in some way. It took a few minutes of adjusting as it was almost like reverse culture shock.
Don’t get me wrong, I know God’s people celebrate and serve him differently on Sunday mornings around the globe. I have been SO blessed to see a tiny portion of the diversity in church services. So, today was yet another exposure of what God looks like.
Fortunately for all of us, going to church on Sunday morning is not about the church at all. It’s about our hearts. God doesn’t care where you serve or worship him on Sunday morning. He just wants you to serve and worship him.
