God's plan and path for our lives is often unexpected and special. He allows us to experience things we would have never dreamed or imagined. I have felt this over the past few months with the unique privilege of getting to know the dear saints at Solomon's Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. This journey began in January when Ben Walker, the Assistant Police Chief at Delta State, asked me to pray at a Martin Luther King Jr. prayer breakfast hosted by his church. I was so warmly welcomed and accepted, which was just a taste of things to come. After the breakfast, the pastor asked me to come preach at their church.
As I stood before their congregation in February I said, "I'm not sure about the protocol of your church. I may not know when to stand up or sit down. But one thing I do know - Jesus Christ and Him crucified." They received the Word with joy and faith. They hugged us, loved us, and thanked us for being with them. They also invited us back.
Today marked my second time with them. After my sermon on the Bread of Life from John 6, they took up a love offering for us in our move. They prayed over my family and me. Sara Parks was crying her eyes out. We came to minister to them, but they really ministered to us. As we left my wife said, "those are the hands and feet of Jesus."
What are the odds of one of the whitest people you know preaching at a predominantly African American congregation in the heart of the Mississippi Delta? Only the Sovereign, Gracious hand of God could do it. As we stumble through life, He directs our steps. He gives us opportunities and blessings that we would never have dreamed up. He carries us through sorrow, change, and everything else. This has been one of the most humbling and special aspects of my life in ministry. Thanks for letting me share it with you.
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation."
Revelation 5:9
