Growth Beyond the Walls… May 10, 2007

here you see leo…one of the folk from all God’s children.  he came to us a little over a year ago struggling with addiction and trouble with children’s services.  he and his fiancee had their kids removed from the home several times.  in that time-span, they both have discovered the transforming power of God.  while they, like most of us, have not yet arrived at perfection, they are on the right path.

this pic was taken by a news journal photographer (our local newspaper) at the national day of prayer service downtown.  it landed leo on the front page the following day.  the significance in this photo for me is his apparent bliss in the presence of God in a public place.  its one thing to feel the Spirit in church while surrounded by others feeling the same thing.  its another thing entirely to do it in the town square.

it shows me the kind of work we do here at agc.  it inspires me to see how what we do spills out beyond our little storefront into lives of everyday people.

leo and his family are on fire for wanting to help serve God.  they have committed to working hard and keeping their kids at home.  it is still going to be a long journey for them, but they have taken the correct first steps…surrendering to God.

whenever people come to me and say “pjeffy, i’m really struggling with drugs,” or “i’m really struggling with my spouse,” or “i’m really struggling with these urges,”  i tell them they have already done 2 things right.  first they have identified they have a problem and are seeking help.  second, they have come to the sacred space we call church.  in that place, they are surrounded by people who love them and care about them and are committed to journey with them as we all move on to perfection together.

it always feels good for a pastor to see people from your flock taking what they experience inside the walls of the church to the outside, helping to create an even larger sacred space.  wtg leo!