Last Sunday, we decided to go to visit Brad Jersek's church in Abbotsford. It was a perfect timing as I had wanted to do such in the summer and was never able to. Since we would already be half way to the Minter Garden, we would go there after church to make good use of our seasonal pass and save some gasoline.
Brad church is very small. Held in a small gym in a local high school. It's name is Fresh Wind Community Church. Brad and his wife are authors of a number of books and Brad travels around the country to give workshop on 'Listening Prayer' which I greatly benefit from. He taught us that God can speak to us through anything if we have the ears to hear him. He does not discount anyone, not even children nor the mentally challenged. That is why his church is full of them.
He believe those individuals are closer to god than us because their love for him is purer.
The service started with singing and praise worship. It lasted for a whole hour. (It is good to focus on praising god, the least we can do for him). They have a lively band. They even sang some verses from my favourite Psalm 84 . It is also the same Psalm I quoteded on my card to the Hastings.
There was a mentally challenged lady standing on the left side with the band. She was well mannered and wore a lovely smile. Whenever the song ended, she would earge them onto the next one. Clearly she was enjoying her participation and contribution. On the right side of the band was a mentally challenged man with a guitar. He was strumming on it (quietly) though not necessary following the real beat, he was totally happy to be part of the crew.
They laid a long stretch of paper on the floor with color markers so the children can do their drawing when they are restless. They walked freely or skip everywhere they like during the service, no one restrained them. The band also played a song to the request of a pair of little twin girls who danced to the music. People can sit or stand or dance to the praise songs as they wished during the whole time. The whole atmosphere was, no one feel that they are there out of obligation except they 'are happy' to be there.
Brad happened to be away that day. So another person filled in for the sermon. He was talking about how to deal with sin in our life. He called a lady out and asked her to act like a happy Christian, reading the Bible, praying and praising God. Then another person came out dressed in long black gown, black scarf and dark sun glasses representing Satan. She tormented the Christian who was ready to fight her away. After that, the Christian returned to her Christian activities. But Satan showed up again bringing with her 7 more other evil spirits. This time the Christian was totally defeated. The sermon began by showing us that is what usually happen when we try to fight the spiritual battles by ourselves. The third time Satan showed up, the Christian called out for Jesus while holding Satan to her side. Jesus showed up and Satan fled. This is a truth which most of the Christians missed. But well illustrated. Even children and the intellectual mules can understand. I am so glad we were there.
Brad church is very small. Held in a small gym in a local high school. It's name is Fresh Wind Community Church. Brad and his wife are authors of a number of books and Brad travels around the country to give workshop on 'Listening Prayer' which I greatly benefit from. He taught us that God can speak to us through anything if we have the ears to hear him. He does not discount anyone, not even children nor the mentally challenged. That is why his church is full of them.
He believe those individuals are closer to god than us because their love for him is purer.
The service started with singing and praise worship. It lasted for a whole hour. (It is good to focus on praising god, the least we can do for him). They have a lively band. They even sang some verses from my favourite Psalm 84 . It is also the same Psalm I quoteded on my card to the Hastings.
There was a mentally challenged lady standing on the left side with the band. She was well mannered and wore a lovely smile. Whenever the song ended, she would earge them onto the next one. Clearly she was enjoying her participation and contribution. On the right side of the band was a mentally challenged man with a guitar. He was strumming on it (quietly) though not necessary following the real beat, he was totally happy to be part of the crew.
They laid a long stretch of paper on the floor with color markers so the children can do their drawing when they are restless. They walked freely or skip everywhere they like during the service, no one restrained them. The band also played a song to the request of a pair of little twin girls who danced to the music. People can sit or stand or dance to the praise songs as they wished during the whole time. The whole atmosphere was, no one feel that they are there out of obligation except they 'are happy' to be there.
Brad happened to be away that day. So another person filled in for the sermon. He was talking about how to deal with sin in our life. He called a lady out and asked her to act like a happy Christian, reading the Bible, praying and praising God. Then another person came out dressed in long black gown, black scarf and dark sun glasses representing Satan. She tormented the Christian who was ready to fight her away. After that, the Christian returned to her Christian activities. But Satan showed up again bringing with her 7 more other evil spirits. This time the Christian was totally defeated. The sermon began by showing us that is what usually happen when we try to fight the spiritual battles by ourselves. The third time Satan showed up, the Christian called out for Jesus while holding Satan to her side. Jesus showed up and Satan fled. This is a truth which most of the Christians missed. But well illustrated. Even children and the intellectual mules can understand. I am so glad we were there.
posted by Echo at 7:46 AM
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