I bet that got some funny expressions. Lol
Because of some of the negative encounters Melissa and I had received when we first started looking for a church several years ago. (We looked like bikers and reeked of cigarettes and sometimes whiskey) I wanted to verify how a church very close to where we minister to the homeless and addicts in SER would react to a “dirty biker” showing up to Sunday service.
The impact of these negative reactions(no one speaking to us, just pointing, whispering and staring) caused Melissa and I to stop trying go to church until I stumbled upon EquipFM and found out about Calvary Chapel.
If I am going to recommend a church to a homeless drug addict who is very new in the faith or close but not quite there, I needed to make sure they would have a positive experience.
So……
This morning, I put on jeans and a t-shirt that were soaked with sweat from working outside and then buried in the dirty laundry pile for the last 2-3 days, grabbed my big black biker boots, wrapped a bandage around my right forearm to cover “Jesus Loves You” and “Rev 21:4” tattoos, smeared grease and grime from the bottom of my motorcycle on my hands, arms and clothes, hopped on my bike and rode to a church just down the road from where we minister on Tuesdays.
As I pulled into the parking lot and got off my bike, I noticed the greeters (2 men and a woman) standing out front. They were watching me intently. As I approached them, I looked down at my hands. seeing “how dirty” they were, I tried to wipe them off on my pants as I walked. All three of the greeters welcomed me warmly and sincerely. They each shook my hand, even though I pointed out how dirty I was. They said, “It doesn’t matter, it just matters that you are here.” They asked what had brought me to them today. I responded, “I just wanted to come to this church and see what it was all about.” To which the woman replied, “It’s all about Jesus.” I asked what I was supposed to do and they graciously told where to get a bulletin, how to get to the sanctuary and that I could sit wherever I wanted. They also invited me to stay for the potluck after service.
I went in and immediately went to the back row, service had just started. The whole time I was there, I acted nervous and out of place, like I had no idea what was going on. Periodically different people would look back at me and when I caught their eye, they would smile and wave.
The teaching was solid, 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The pastor went through verse by verse the qualifications of a deacon.
It was very difficult to not sing along with worship, to not quote the scripture being taught, to not take communion, but I needed to play the part.
After service, two other men, individually, came up to greet me, tell me that they were glad that I was there and ask me to stay for the potluck.
I asked the second gentleman if it would be ok if I spoke to the pastor. He responded, “absolutely, that’s why he’s there.”
I went to the front and waited as the pastor finished talking with someone else and then he turned to me with a very warm and heartfelt welcome.
I couldn’t do it anymore, I had seen what God wanted me to see.
I introduced myself and explained the reason for my disguise. As I tried to apologize, he said that there was no reason to apologize, that he, unfortunately, completely understood why I had to do it. (As did the greeters when I explained and apologized to them).
The pastor wants to schedule a time for him and I to meet and discuss how we can partner together to help the SER community. He also told me that they had been praying about ways to reach out to this community for a few weeks and that God may be using me to answer their prayers.
There is also a second solid church in the area that is interested in partnering with us for this ministry.
Thank You Lord for the possibility of these churches coming along side us on the work that you have put before us.
As always, we thank you all for your prayer and support.
We pray that God blesses you.
Derek, Melissa and Alex
Buchanans in the Wild
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