April was a beautiful month in the life of our church. Week one, we
officially invited our community to come and experience God’s grace on
Restoration. To say our Grand Opening Service was humbling would be an
understatement. Among the wonderful moments surrounding this day, what
impacted me the most was how our people rallied around the vision. Not only
did everyone pitch in and serve, but everyone reached out in some way to
expose our community to soul restoration. I can’t tell you how overwhelming
it is to see God working in the lives of people and drawing us closer as a
community of Christ Followers.
Week 2 was Easter Sunday. Again, what a beautiful sight it was to walk to
our gathering service and see our people serving with joy pouring out of
every pore. As Wes lead us into the presence of Jesus I couldn’t help but
get chills hearing our church family sing out in beautiful praise to the
risen King. I spoke that day on Repentance vs. Religion, and God ripped me
up. Day after day I realize how much I need to the gospel to massage my
soul, in order to keep me away from religion.
Week 3 was a wonderful Restoration gathering as well. However it was at a
neighboring church where God showed me something beautiful. I was asked to
deliver the message for a friend of mine while he and his family took a much
needed vacation. Pastor Godwin’s church is made up of Christ Followers
spanning diverse ethnicities. The sound of people crossing cultural barriers
to sing hymns of praise gave me chills.
Finally, how can I express the magnificence of yesterday?! I believe Baptism
is the most stunning expression of obedience we can give to our Savior.
Baptizing two of our family members at the YMCA yesterday was incredible!
Once again, Jesus knew what He was doing when He gave us this ordinance. As
I was leaving the pool the life guard said those familiar words we keep
hearing at Restoration, “I have never seen anything like this!”
Praise to you Jesus!
Dan
