I talk a lot about my church, Kaleo Covenant. Mainly because the primary reason Kaleo exists is not only to talk about what Jesus did, but to serve like Jesus did. Kind of like the challenge I’ve given myself for 2012.
You may not know how I found Kaleo. Some of you may not care. But I’m going to tell you the story anyway.
We moved back to Portland in November, 2010 after 5 years of being away. We planned on returning to the church we belonged to before we left, but with our kids older it seemed a little too far away for weeknight youth activities. So we church “shopped.”
Some churches were too soft, some were too hard, but none were just right. Oh wait – that’s Goldilocks.
Really, though, nothing was quite right. And I got pretty frustrated. Having a church home is pretty important to an ex-youth minister and her family.
One Friday, thinking about where we would try to worship that weekend, I silently argued with God as I drove to pick up the girls from school.
“God, I’m done! I’m sick of the judgement, I’m sick of the crowds! Forget church. I’m might just have a home Bible study and call it good.”
I arrived at the elementary school and waited for the final bell. Out came my 3rd grade daughter’s class with the long-term substitute that took over for the regular teacher on maternity leave. The substitute and I chit-chatted about the life of a guest teacher.
“I subbed in Washington, before we moved here,” I shared with her, “and before that, I was a youth minister.”
“Hey! My husband was in student ministry!” she exclaimed, giving my shoulder a shove. “Now he is going to to be a lead pastor. In fact, we’re starting a church ourselves, but we’re just meeting in a home study group for now. Come on Sunday night and check it out!”
They say everything happens in God’s time. This “time” took about 10 minutes from prayer to answer.
That Sunday we checked out the home group, felt everyone was cool enough for our standards, and joined this gang that was completely dedicated to serving the community.
In February, we grew out of the “home church” environment and started worshiping weekly in a rented business park space. We’re still small, but we’re making a difference in the neighborhood. The hungry are being fed, fences are being built, food banks are getting filled; all because a group of people believe
“Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.”James 1:27 (The Message)
 |
| One of Kaleo’s youngest. Are you dying from the cuteness? |
Leave a Reply