November Newsletter

Hey people of God:

I spent the night at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission a few weeks ago. We’ve been doing street ministry for almost seven years now so we have a pretty good idea about what’s going on in the neighborhoods, but this was different. Two things of significance came out of that evening.

One, I was shocked at how heavy God’s presence was there. I was in a room packed with around 100 men. We all got a mat (about three inches thick) and a blanket, and slept about six inches from the man next to us. When I got there I signed my name in and picked out an empty mat. I sat down on the mat, began to read my Bible, and realized God’s presence was really strong there (I would compare it to when a worship service is really, really good and all the people are participating strongly in one accord). I looked around to see if anyone else noticed and they were preparing for bed like I assume they normally did. Quickly I asked God why his presence was so strong. His answer: “Nate, I’m always with the oppressed and down-trodden like this. I’m surprised that you’re surprised.”

Two, as I sat there I noticed the guy next to me rummaging through his duffle bag. He looked like a regular guy and you wouldn’t know he was homeless if you saw him in the store or at McDonald’s. The Spirit nudged me and said, “You know he’s going through his dresser right now, don’t you?” The realization stabbed me in the heart! The guy on the other side of me was sitting on his mat looking off into space. He suddenly got up, unlocked a locker above where he was, and took out a small package of donuts. He sat down again to eat it. Again the Holy Spirit nudged me and said, “You know he’s in his dining room now and soon his dining room will be his bedroom.” I almost couldn’t take it. Immediately the list of things I have as desires got thrown out of the window. Immediately I realized that I was already blessed beyond imagination compared with everyone in that room. Immediately I realized that the church could be in error. Why? I’m glad you asked.

Is it possible that we’ve been away from “those” people long enough that we don’t really know what’s going on. Is it possible that The Church in America has been so affected by the consumer culture we live in that our desires have slowly become corrupt? Is it possible that we’re so immersed in this kind of life-style that our lives differ very little from our unbelieving neighbors? How is our desire for things and success any different from all those around us? I know I think I need a new dresser but it isn’t a duffle bag. I know I think I need a bigger house (and subsequently a bigger bank note which will take more money and free up less money to give) but it is a mansion compared with a mat. I don’t have anything against becoming prosperous. That’s a natural bi-product of serving God. My question is: has even The Church gotten caught up in the American lifestyle to such a degree that we’ve lost focus on what really matters to God? Maybe one of the reasons that our churches are failing at such alarming rates has to do with the fact that our desires no longer match up with His!

I feel like right now I’m babbling so I’ll stop. I know there is no one shot solution but I also realize that when you get serious about serving God, He eventually shows you things in your life that don’t line up with His way of doing things. This may be one of them, both personally and corporately. Just something to think about.


I love you guys!


N8