Our Trip to Joplin

We took a trip to Joplin, MO yesterday. We got a chance to attend our old church, College Heights Christian Church. (CHCC) I was frankly overwhelmed by the sheer joy the emanates from the very core of the church there. There is a deep level of commitment to the Lord and to each other that permeates every corner of that place. Walking in the doors, I was flooded with the realization that "God is here..and He is moving!" The worship is amazing...It is absolutely breathtaking to hear the whole congregation singing! I mean REALLY singing. The teaching is exegetical in nature...meaning that they go through a book of the Bible, verse by verse. Jay St. Clair was preaching yesterday. He always amazes me, for he memorizes the whole passage that he is preaching from. He will be preaching along when suddenly it dawns on me....."He is quoting the whole passage! It is so challenging to hear the word of God brought to life like that.

After the service a group of us went out to lunch. There were three couples, and Monty's best friend Danny. Our conversation turned towards ministry and the paths that we had all been on. Everyone of us had graduated from Bible School and at one point or another had been in full time church ministry. It is tragic to me, that two of the three couples at the table (the Platts and Us) have been through the "ministry meat-grinder" at other churches. The Platts were wounded deeply in Georgia and in Texas. They have come back to Joplin and are now attending and volunteering at CHCC. Monty and I went through a hard time in Florida. We did not end back up at CHCC, but have leaned heavily upon people there to "get us through" the hard times.

We all agreed that there is something very special about CHCC. It is not special because of cool graphics, great programming or high priced marketing... It is special because it is a church led by Godly praying men. Men who spend hours on their knees for the life of the church. These church elders spend more time praying in their elder meetings than they do spent on an "agenda". It is a church where they strive to be a family. To care for one another. To speak truth to each other. It is that attitude that can make you feel loved the minute you walk through the door. It is a church that challenges you. A church that does not give the "feel good" answers to life's problems, but instead offers the truth and offers to walk alongside you.

Anyway...all that to say, I'm grateful for College Heights and the impact it has had on me and on my family. I don't know that we will ever live in Joplin, MO again. I don't know if we will ever be "regulars" at CHCS again. I do know that it is a place that I will always feel at home.