Rodney, a twenty-something young man, has been attending Anchor for a year or so. I haven’t gotten to know him well, and I regret that. Last week he was involved in a terrible accident–a semi truck ran over and crushed part of his body. He’ll survive, but his body will undoubtedly never be the same, and he’ll be hospitalized for around three weeks or so, followed by much rehab.
Through this, I discovered that another fellow in the church had given Rodney a Bible about a year ago. I wouldn’t have expected such an act from this particular person, but was delighted to hear about it. It was an act of Christian outreach which went unnoticed, but which demonstrates the Church in action–as it should be.
This morning, Melissa told me that she and her mother, Lori, have been volunteering at a city homeless ministry on Sunday mornings. They had gone there this morning prior to church. I don’t know how long they’ve been doing this. Both Melissa and Lori are fairly new converts; both were baptized at Anchor about 18 months ago. I still remember Melissa springing up out of the water, arms raised, yelling, “Yeah!” I didn’t know they were involved with this homeless ministry. Just something they felt led to do. It’s another example of the body of Christ at Anchor involved in being the Body.
Karen is a new Christian. She has been coming with Sandy, and both of them are bringing their mothers. Now, I understand, they are inviting other coworkers to come to Anchor. Terry invited a young black man, who has come a number of times. He and Laura have reached out to other neighbors.
Annie and Kelly have been coming for less than two years, probably more like a year. I joke with them a lot before the service. They’ll come with a whole truckload of kids from their neighborhood, up to ten people piled into the cab and bed of Kelly’s pickup. Kelly and one of the teen girls were both baptized during our annual picnic and baptismal service over the Labor Day weekend. A couple months ago, I talked to a friend of theirs whom Kelly brought to our monthly adult coffeehouse, who had recently moved up from Florida. Anita said that Annie and Kelly are known around their community for doing things for people, particularly taking care of elderly people.
More examples of the Body being the Body.
I love hearing stuff like this. It’s not something we organize or program at Anchor. It just happens as people encounter Christ and reach out in love. I’m sure much more is happening that I’m not aware of, and may never hear about. That’s okay. I know this stuff brings applause in heaven.
