Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter After-words

Wow! What a day! So many new faces that I couldn't keep up with them all. As I stood at the back of the room today, I remembered what it was like to have 30-40 people in attendance almost 4 years ago...today there were 263! And those weren't just nameless faces; everyone of them has a story and every one of them was connected to someone without whom they never would have come to The River Church.

Some of the stories in the room today:

  • A long time professing agnostic who is having his assumptions challenged by seeing real people live out a real relationship with Christ...and welcome him to journey with them
  • Students who came with friends to hear great news while their moms and dads slept
  • Multiple people who once assumed that they were doomed to live in bondage to addiction forever, but are now experiencing freedom and real life in the risen Christ
  • People who have been broken by divorce who are experiencing healing in relationship with the one who will never leave them
  • Households who spent years immersed in man-made religion and are now getting to know the simple truth of the genuinely good news that forgiveness is free to those who receive what Jesus already purchased
263 stories...For some of them, Jesus hasn't yet come to play a pivotal role. But He will. For others, Jesus has already become the pivotal "switch" in their story who turns things from dark to light.

1 comment:

Jimmy B said...

AMEN!!! This morning was an amazing time! I continue to be amazed and humbled by the opportunity to be a part of some of those stories. Thank you for being a part of mine!