We continue to have quite an adventure on Tuesday nights as we meet in the restaurant. It just seems to create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable to come... from any background.
Last night was no exception:
A 90-year-old son of a Jewish scholar -- I'm not sure if he has ever been in a Christian service before of any kind. A 60-something-year-old woman with Jehovah's witness background -- believes the Holy Spirit is not for today but only for eternity. A cult leader-- who was out-and-out hostile last week but, through God's grace, some prayer, and reaching out in love, he was quite warm last night. His cult (The Way) is very small and he really seems to have no other place to fellowship-- and we have taken him in.
Marilyn, the restaurant owner, has a gathering heart. She invites anyone and everyone including a homeless man she befriended. He didn't come, but I'm sure we will have many opportunities to hang out with many different people from many different backgrounds.
It's interesting, exhilirating, and downright nerve-racking at times. But it is church in the marketplace; it's eating with tax collectors; it's being Jesus in a very imperfect but adventurous way.
Please keep this in your prayers!
