This week, The Downtown Church has been host to the Good Dads Training Camp. People from around the state are giving their time to become qualified leaders for groups of men seeking to improve their lives and relationships using the Good Dads curriculum. Yesterday, an unsheltered person came through our parking lot and the participants engaged in a friendly chat. After some good conversation, the individual was persuaded to seek out some addiction support or even long-term help through Victory Mission.
Coincidence? I don’t think so. I believe that God is painting a picture of what happens when we open our doors and live into our vision. It is what happens when we use the resources of The Downtown Church for ministry and missions that align with the good that God is doing in the world. 365 days a year, an Al-Anon Family Group meets here at noon. Fridays and Sundays other recovery groups are here. The Child Advocacy Center meets here monthly. All these nonprofit organizations are working diligently to make a difference in our community.
Back in 2014, it was just me in the building trying to get my head around what I had said yes to doing. I remember when Claire Cobb began as our Administrative Assistant and wondered how to keep busy. I remember when Brian was splitting his time between our campus and Wesley UMC as we tried to figure out how to grow a church downtown. I remember as the Vision Team landed on what we believed was our God-given vision for this body of Christ. And I remember as day by day relationships began to form with people who shared this vision: The Downtown Church meets in the middle of rich & poor, young & old, believers & nonbelievers. A place where Christ and the community intersect.
Enough traveling down memory lane. Right now lives are being improved because we are here. I am so excited to see what will happen next!
See you Sunday, Lori
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