USA MISSION Report 2003
Korean Church, Ball State UniversityThe first church I spoke at was The Korean Church at Ball State University. Although I spoke in English, most had it as a second language, the rest of the service was spoke in Korean. The service was fairly traditional and it was a joy to see the gusto that they sang their praises. After the service there was a fellowship lunch and an opportunity for Maggie & I to sample Korean food for the first time. We had a wonderful time with good food & fellowship and Pastor Lee has invited us back to share at some of his friend's Korean Churches in Indianapolis. |
|
|
Ovid Community ChurchNext up was The Ovid Community Church. This invitation had come about when a member of the church visited my website last year and requested permission to use some of my testimony at a midweek fellowship meeting. He too was a retired Police Officer. When I realised that he lives in the same town as my friend Joe Lieway, I offered to come over to the USA and give a personal presentation. Not only was he delighted at the prospect but also arranged for me to speak to the Madison Police & Sheriff's Departments. More about that later. The Ovid Community Church is a large and growing church whose Pastor Keith & I seemed to have so much in common. Although it has a large seating capacity, certainly by UK standards, two morning services are needed to fit everyone in. I spoke at both of the morning services. The worship style was less formal that the Korean Church and the worship time was really good with one of my favourite songs "In the Power of His love". Again we really felt God's blessing & anointing on us especially at the end of one of the services the stage was full of people praying for the healing of a young person facing the prospect of a fatal illness. It was this church that during the following week laid on a free lunch for the police department. Although a little disappointed by the numbers present, it was good to see so many senior officers present. It has been agreed that I should return next year but to hold it in a neutral venue to encourage more along. It has been suggested a golf day with lunch & me talking. Now I really fancy that! Talking about golf, I was dragged around a golf course by the Chaplin of the County prison. A really interesting guy who before his conversion was a New York gang leader & drug dealer/addict. After the game ( I let him win) he then took me around the jail and it was impressive to see the way that both the prisoners & staff respect & respond to him. He too has invited me to speak to the inmates when we return next year. |
|
|
Cowboy Church, MarionWe also visited The Cowboy Church at Marion. It is called that because the worship is very much country style. It is so popular that they hold two Saturday services, one at 4pm & one at 7pm. Although I never spoke at this church it was a great experience and the assistant pastor has invited me to talk there next year. It seems that next years trip is already scheduled! |
|
|
Cowboy Church, Marion |
|
|
New Hope Church AndersonThe last church I spoke at was The New Hope Church which my friends worship at when Joe is not preaching elsewhere elsewhere. Although it was obvious our visit had not been publicised, like at the other venues, we had a great time with a packed church. Maybe it was as well not everyone knew of our visit!! Again we had a good time although the projector played up and my photos I was using didn't come out clear, I think they were downloaded in the wrong format! At the end of the service I was approached by a man who told me that he just had to respond to my talk and the offer of prayer ministry. He had come to the church as a visitor expecting to hear a previous pastor of the church who was in town. He was a man who had been in Christian ministry but had gone away from his faith because of things that had happened in his life and was struggling to cope with certain issues. It was no coincidence that instead of the person he expected to talk he got me! I don't boast in this just to confirm God's perfect timing! Although I won't give confidential details out, I know that this man received a special touch from God that morning and I am sure that he will soon be back in a powerful ministry. One thing that always impresses Maggie & I when we go to the USA is the way that the American Christian "put their money where there mouth is". There churches are so well equipped, comfortable and accessible for community use. |
|
|