I’ve written about it before, but one of the biggest things that I am passionate about and love to share about is the way we see church. Over the past few years, I believe I have come to more fully experience Christ’s church- His beautiful bride. I have seen her in her glory as he sees her.
Have you ever seen the church as glorious, magnificent, and full of splendor?
My thoughts of church in the past were that it was building. “No running in Church!” I thought it was some worship music or hymns. Then you greet your neighbor. Then you give the offering. Then the pastor speaks for 45 minutes. He makes a few jokes. Then there’s an invitational, some announcements about the upcoming youth activity. And then you go home to a hot meal from the crockpot, turn on the Sunday football game, and maybe take a nap. Then repeat the next week.
There is a lot of good there. Community. The call to meet regularly. Corporate worship unto the Lord, which He so deserves.
But the problem I learned with this model is that it is rare to see this model be put to the side when God wants to add His “then.” We have a lot of “then this, then that.” But what if God wanted something different? What if it was on God’s heart that the worship for that week was for His people to spend the whole hour and a half praying for other believers around the world? What if He would rather you go serve the homeless than sing “Amazing Grace” again? There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the normal things, but He does say He desires our pure hearts more than our sacrifices (Hosea 6:6)
Needless to say, I am not here to preach a sermon, but rather to share a testimony. Testimonies are more powerful because they share stories of the real, true, and working power of our God! They build up our spirit to faith and hope. They show how our Jesus is greater than any other power at work in the world. And in the end, we conquer Satan through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimonies (Rev. 12:11).
This is a story of how I have come to know church. This is a story of God’s people coming together to say that He is good. He is worth every hardship. This is a story of the miraculous, loving, enduring Bride of Christ. This is a story of Salvation.
My team was in Albania in our gorgeous city of Pogradec. The snow was on the ground and the markets were still full of people buying vegetables and meats. The sun warmed everything it touched, even though the air reminded us of the warmth leaving our bodies through our breath. On this morning in particular, we had no plans. What do we do when we have no plans? We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us. So the five of us gathered and asked God to show us our mission for the day. Remember, those that know God hear His voice. Everything God told us came to pass that day. Brittany saw a vision of an old man sitting on a bench by the lake. Sure enough, we found him and were able to tell Him that God thinks of him, that God loves him, and that God wants to care for him. And so He sent us. This man was so full of joy at the news and thanked us very much! Marissa saw the color orange. Long story short, the previous night I left my phone on a bus after traveling from another city. aaAfter hours of searching the bus station I never found it. But Marissa and Kaylin went to the bus station, found an orange bus, and the man there spoke English. Through some miraculous events, he was able to help them find my phone! Thanks, God! My favorite thing, however, is when Marissa heard God tell her that she would meet a shop owner and that this woman would invite us to her home.
God never lies! A few days later, we were all sitting in the small living room of a tenth floor apartment with this woman named Salvation. Seriously! That was her name. She was a Christian and has been the only believer in her family for twenty-five years. When we got to her home and sat down, she gifted us with pastries, candies, and local tea. She searched throughout her home and found gifts to give each of us such as earrings, hair clips, and pens. My gift was a standard ballpoint pen that had very clearly been well used and perhaps even chewed on. But it meant so much to me because I knew that it came from the heart. Salvation wanted to make sure we felt welcomed and honored in her home. I did.
She started to open up and share with us in broken English how she loved playing music. She had been a teacher at one point. She shared how 18 years ago, she met a man and fell in love. Being a young Christian, she went ahead and married him even though he was a muslim man. She shared how she has not been to church in over 17 years. She shared about how her husband is broken and without hope. She talked about her children. Her son, whom she loves so much. He is 17 and finishing high school. She cried when she talked about how he didn’t trust her, how he doesn’t believe in a God. Salvation shared about her precious daughter and how pure she is. We cried with her as she poured out her heart and shared her prayers with us.
We were able to play her guitar and fill this house with worship. We prayed and anointed her home. Her children were at school and her husband was at work, so we just fervently asked the Lord to guide them close to His heart when they were home. We shared testimonies with Salvation and reminded her of how prophetic her name is. Her home will see salvation, in Jesus’ name. We prayed for greater strength in the Spirit to extend love and prayer to her family.
“This is church, Salvation. Breaking bread, praising God, and praying together,” I told her. “It is an honor to be able to do this with you in your home.”
“I think it was the Holy Spirit who told me to invite you to my house,” she replied.
It was. And we left with lifted spirits, encouraged by a woman who lives in a state of hope and endurance in Jesus Christ. We went home worshiping in gratitude for the freedoms we have and have taken for granted. And I left with an even more full understanding of church. I hope this has expanded your vision as well.
My month in Albania is over now and the Lord did so much. All the things that He spoke over this month was so true. I am now in Kyrgyzstan and this country is one of the most unique countries I have ever been in. It is like Eastern Europe and East Asia had a baby. I still have a little over $1000 to raise to be fully funded for this trip! If you want to partner in this, know that the Lord is leading us to meet people every day. Even now, I am able to talk to foreigners at my hostel about how we live lives lead by love because Jesus first loved us.
More stories are coming!
Philip!! Thank you for sharing, I loved reading this so much. So beautiful to hear how God is moving and the perspective you have on seeing his kingdom!
what an incredible movement of God throughout your time in albania! rejoicing w you in all He’s done, and will continue to do
Beautifully written, friend! Praising Jesus for all that He’s done, and all that He’s doing. Keep being a faithful servant. Praying for you!
come on! this is good.
Wow wow wow. Thanks God for the church. Thanks Philip for sharing this reminder about the body, the bride, and the testimony of Salvation! Been praying for you guys and will continue to do so!
Philip, Thanks for sharing such encouraging stories. You are so right – “church” is best when it’s outside four walls or the confines of our clocks. I’m reminded to go about my days asking the Lord what it is He has for me next and how to best spread His love and grace and truth to those around me. Keeping you and your whole team in prayer; tell them all hello from Knoxville.