Poolside Disciple-making

The BBQs have been a huge success! God has blessed them not just in increasing attendance of over 150 people but relationships that continue on after the delicious meats are all consumed and the volleyball ceases to go over the net. We have been asking God and he has delivered in developing relationships with people in River Market and bringing about rich and meaningful conversations. 

Over this summer, one such friend invited Laura and I over to go swimming at an Loft complex in the area. We said, "swimming-question mark!" He responded yea, there is a pool on the rooftop. Hmmm, I have lived in the neighborhood a while, how the heck couldn't I have known that? 

So, Laura and I thanked God for blessing us, invited a couple other friends in our building, grabbed our sunblock and headed over to check out this mystery roof-top pool that I was sure didn't exist. Our new friend welcomed us into his place and showed us around and then we headed to the elevator to head to the roof. We walkout onto the roof and low and behold I am proven wrong that there is a pool and an awesome view of the City!

We enjoyed the view, the pool, our friends and the beautiful day God gifted us! Splashing, laughter, joshing each other and applying lots of sunblock (I'm a super white guy) took place. And just as a pool that I doubted existed revealed itself before my very eyes in which I could enjoy to the fullest on a squelchingly hot summer day, God showed up too!

When you invite Jesus into every area of your life including recreation and conversations he shows up in those! The conversation went from childhood past, to dreams of travels in the future to sharing stories from the heart. God pulled down our walls of 'false security' and the conversation deepened further. 

My new friend and I were gifted some space on the rooftop to chat in confidence. I vulnerably shared of my past life, how God got a hold of me through his Gospel and how Jesus saved my life calling me to ministry and starting a church in the area. My new friend followed suit opening up and shared his life, current struggles and questions of faith without filter. It was a beautiful conversation and Jesus was there. Jesus led us and allowed us to discuss issues most people don't ever dare to forge in the Church. We shared our heart and truths of God and both walked away encouraged and with more faith and hope then before the conversation. 

My friend thought it was great a local church was being started and would benefit the community greatly! I invited him to get involved and he has started to check out what God is up to in and through River Market Community Church! 

Join us in praying for all the new relationships God is starting throughout the City! God is on the move even on the rooftop pools that I often doubt exist.

ALSO, we encourage you to invite Jesus into the everyday things of life and watch how he shows up! Who has God put in your life to pray for, to hangout with, to listen to and share stories? A couple people came to mind...So, what are you waiting for, what is holding you back? 

May we be a Gospel people, who increase in faith that God is real and he is really there with us in every moment of our everyday lives. May Jesus allow us to live as such people inviting him in, being empowered and transformed by him and living on mission with him!

Love you all!

Jim

Matthew 28:16-20; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Romans 15:1-7; Luke 55:27-32; Matthew 22:1-2/Revelation. 19:6-9; Ephesians 1:3-4