A Thick Presence

This past Sunday, my wife and I visited a small church in Broad Ripple called, Olive Branch Community Church. Pastor Phil Jackson, his wife, father and sister and brother-in-law are leading a group of believers to follow Jesus. Both Lori and I came away with the same impression of this tiny band of brothers and sisters....God was smiling down upon their efforts. In America, if it isn't big and busting it must be busted so for pastors leading these small groups of people, it can be disheartening and discouraging at times when we don't "measure up" on the outside to the world's vision of success. For Lori and I, it was refreshing to be in a fellowship that didn't have a product to offer or a dazzling display of worship. As I told Pastor Phil, there is no other reason to be there for those people except Jesus. No programs to buy into, no great talent to entertain, no cool technology, only a thick presence of the risen Christ. Olive Branch Community Church is doing a good thing. There is plenty of warm smiles and greetings in the name of the Lord, more children than adults, more authenticity than consumerism. It's a place I believe people could meet Jesus, a place where you could go and be loved, be encouraged and come alive in Christ. Pastor Phil, if you ever read this, forgive me for not praying for you. I know what you are doing has not and is not easy but I believe it is what God wants you to do, in the place He needs you to do it. Count on my prayers and friendship from now on. During your service, this vs. came to my mind in Zeph 3:17, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." He is singing over you today, press on, be faithful, there are no small acts of love in the Kingdom of God! Blessings, Pastor Greg