To The “Unreached” American

Upon returning to the United States, my safe little Christianese bubble immediately shattered with a powerful shock to my system. Suddenly I found myself surrounded by thousands of Americans discussing their frustrations and arguing with their loved ones. I could understand EVERYONE as they assessed their most intimate problems on the phone, on facebook, and in person. It felt like I was eavesdropping on each person within earshot (and my hearing is top notch thank you very much). What do I listen to? What should I take time to process and understand? When do I respond, or even interject myself into a private conversation? Or should I fall in step with the classic American rule “mind your own business”?

To say I was overwhelmed by reentry would be an understatement. It took everything to restrain myself in the airport while overhearing a conversation between a teenage girl and her mom. In the end I decided that interrupting their lunch in the middle of a busy food court with an explosive “SHOW YOUR MOTHER SOME RESPECT!!” would not be the most appropriate course of action.

Don’t get me started on the news reports I felt bombarded by; murder, thievery, shootings, trauma, prejudice, corruption. I couldn’t believe the constant stream of fear and discouragement I was seeing.  

All of this came to a climax when I went outside one afternoon, a week after my flight back to the states. I sat down seeking refuge in the Lord, ready to process this last year and pray. I heard a voice in the next yard over “the church is the biggest hippocratic piece of shit.”

I felt my heart crack as tears sprang to my eyes and I prayed “God, what can I do? There are so many broken people here. I don’t know where to start.”

And He responded with a gentle whisper, “feed my sheep…“

But…there’s so many!

“…One at a time, feed my sheep.”

The Lord called me on The World Race to reach the unreached. I went in search of people who needed to hear His truth. From the depths of the Amazon River, to the valleys of the Bolivian jungle, from the deserts of the Sahara, to the teepees of the Tsaatan people…He called me.

Now He has called me home for a season and people ask me what I will do next. My answer is still the same, I will reach the unreached.

Peter must have felt terribly lost when Jesus died, ripping him away from his community of brothers and the constant environment of like-minded followers seeking to bring glory to His kingdom. Although His circumstances and the people around Him changed, one thing remained the same. The Lord was with Him, walking beside Him, teaching Him and leading Him and talking to Him, asking Him to “feed my sheep.”- (John 21:15-17)

He’s still with ME too, and although He never changes, I have been radically transformed. In the past, I would have turned my back on the neighbor woman, not caring enough about God or her to overcome my fears and speak out. However, I am redeemed, and I can no longer ignore the Lord when He asks me to Love His children, one at a time, and to teach them what it means to be His disciples.

The following day I approached her and introduced myself, asking for her forgiveness on behalf of the church. I apologized for her past experiences and the constant struggle we have with being a true representation of who Jesus is. We were able to laugh, share, encourage and learn from one another. I left thanking God for prompting me and pushing me to do things that make me uncomfortable, it’s worth it every time.

Starting this Sunday, September 9th, I get to bring my experiences around the world into my own backyard. I have the privilege of partnering with my friends at South Lake Wales Church of God to present a radical experience taking people Deeper in relationship with Jesus Christ.

This class is for those who have found themselves wanting in the most privileged country in the world. The ones who have longed for something “more” than religion. Whether you are jumping for joy at life or consumed by the misery and pain of each day. It is created for every person that has ever been hurt, ignored, judged or condemned by “the church”, but also for every person that adores, cherishes and treasures every moment with their church family. For every person of every color, all backgrounds, pasts, desires, ages and stages of life. If you want to go deeper into relationship with Jesus, this class is for YOU.

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one spirit so as to form one body- whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

If we are going to transform the church into a better reflection of God’s love, then we must first be transformed. Remember, WE ARE THE CHURCH. Let’s step up and BE the church.

“Deeper” brought to you by South Lake Wales Church of God, Sunday nights at 7 p.m.

Thanks Faith Gallian, (college director at South and my dear friend) for putting this video together!