My family and I returned to Philadelphia at the end of June after being at the Pastor's College. Since then, we have watched God accomplish amazing things in our midst as we look forward to planting a church in the Wissinoming neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Here is a glimpse into one of the stories that God has written.
My wife and I live in an apartment above a coffee shop that is owned by some close friends in our church. I tend to spend a bit of time in there doing some study and getting to know the people of the neighborhood. On this particular day I met a guy who asked about what I did for work. I mentioned to him that I am looking to start a church in Wissinoming.
This led to a flood of questions about Jesus. I asked him where he had picked up such an interested in Christ and he mentioned that a coworker back in January had told him to read the Gospel of John. Well, instead reading the Gospel of John, he youtubed 'the Gospel of John' which lead him to the movie, 'The Gospel of John'. He said that after watching this movie he knew that salvation had to be all about Jesus.
Since then we have spent a lot of time together walking through the neighborhood and talking through spiritual questions. It is evident at this point that he has been redeemed by Jesus and is seeking to live for Christ!
This past Sunday he joined me at church and after the service while standing at the front doors another first-time guest shouted out his name. It was amazing to find out that this first-time guest knew my friend. In fact, come to find out that he was the very guy who encouraged my friend to read through the book of John. They had not seen one another for several months and how kind it was of God to utilize youtube as a means to declare the person and work of his Son. And then how kind of God to redirect the paths of friends to converge so that the evidence of God's hand could be clearly seen!
As I talked with my friend last night we reveled in God's plan! Who else could orchestrate these things! My friend also mentioned that he is extremely excited for the new church start. In hearing those words God reminded me of his plan and his instrument to reach the nations - the planting of new local churches. At this point we labor to organize and strategize, and yet it is him who ultimately builds his church. What a joy to labor with the Master-Builder!!!