Open the Gates
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:20)
I had a wonderful worship experience in Nairobi, Kenya. I haven’t been in a worship service like this one where I saw God's Spirit move mightily since the early seventies. Maybe it was because they sang for over an hour nonstop, with no break. They worshiped extravagantly before the Lord with pure joy. These people have nothing. This is one of the poorest areas in Nairobi, yet they sang with the joy of people who were lacking nothing.
This area had the highest crime rate in Nairobi, until something happened. During COVID, the church began to open its gates and allowed the water that was pumped on the church grounds, not to be sold, but given to all the people. Immediately, the crime rate plummeted! Now people flock to that church not only for physical water, but also for the life-giving water of the Gospel. There is something very powerful about being in the presence of God, and feeling the flow of His Spirit and God visiting His people.
What would happen if churches opened their doors and welcomed people in like that? How would our communities be impacted if the church was a place where people knew they could come to have their needs met and be filled with Christ? I truly believe our mindset should be that the church is not a museum for the holy, but rather a hospital for sinners. I pray that we would rethink how we invite and welcome people into the church so they can experience the love, joy, and healing that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I had a wonderful worship experience in Nairobi, Kenya. I haven’t been in a worship service like this one where I saw God's Spirit move mightily since the early seventies. Maybe it was because they sang for over an hour nonstop, with no break. They worshiped extravagantly before the Lord with pure joy. These people have nothing. This is one of the poorest areas in Nairobi, yet they sang with the joy of people who were lacking nothing.
This area had the highest crime rate in Nairobi, until something happened. During COVID, the church began to open its gates and allowed the water that was pumped on the church grounds, not to be sold, but given to all the people. Immediately, the crime rate plummeted! Now people flock to that church not only for physical water, but also for the life-giving water of the Gospel. There is something very powerful about being in the presence of God, and feeling the flow of His Spirit and God visiting His people.
What would happen if churches opened their doors and welcomed people in like that? How would our communities be impacted if the church was a place where people knew they could come to have their needs met and be filled with Christ? I truly believe our mindset should be that the church is not a museum for the holy, but rather a hospital for sinners. I pray that we would rethink how we invite and welcome people into the church so they can experience the love, joy, and healing that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
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9 Comments
Love singing with the Kenyans. So special. Wonderful brothers and sisters!
Sadly today in our country of big glitzy services where musicians perform with the atmosphere of a concert rather than the singing together of the congregation, our children coming up front to hear a message for them.I prefer the personal hearing & sharing,singing those hymns that say so much in each verse.As an older senior the newer way is " entertaing " but is it feeding the souls there r just entertaing them.
I completely agree with you. God bless
Maryann , I absolutely agree with you. The deception is creeping in slowly. I fear the " The Falling Away" is not just the random person who may stop attending church but it is what is going on in The Church. People don't see it. Jesus said to have eyes to see and ears to hear.
I completely agree with you. God bless
I agree that a lot of churches seem to be entertaining the crowd. I have been in churches where I have seen and experienced people singing in the spirit. The preacher needs to be preaching the message of salvation besides the praise music.
My wife and I were at that worship service at Kembo church in Nairobi. The Holy Spirit was moving greatly. It was the most spirit filled worship time I had ever been a part of, all singing and praising. Yes these people had few material possessions but they possessed the most important thing anyone could have, a relationship with Christ.
As my wife has said many times, "There are far too many churches where you can put them all in a bag and shake them up, pour them out and they all look the same." And the lyrics of the old hymns are so much deeper in meaning than the garbage Hillsong, etc, puts out. Most of those are I, I, I or me, me, me. It's not supposed to be a pop or rock concert where you're showing off, it's supposed to be about truly worshiping the Lord Jesus.
Well said, Brenda.
I'm not sure if anyone will still read this days old devotional BUT you all have opened up a CAN OF WORMS HERE! LOL . I so agree with what everyone has said. Our music isn't Christ centered and Hillsong has never come out and confessed and apologized for the sin and stated that they are stepping away ftom that church organization. They should . NOR has Bethel confessed to the sin of their angel cards and selling all of the gifts ( which only come from God our Father) and Bethel believes in the NAR Bible. And they have not publicly denounced any of this. AND our Christian Rafio Stations still play all of their stuff. Shame shame. But I understand but it's deceit. I'm really started now. Let's not forget about this Zionism Christian thing. True Christians followers of our Lord Jesus Christ have absolutely nothing in common with Judeoism. They hate Jesus Christ . And beware of the Noahhide Laws. Anybody heard of those? Absolutely do not mistake this for Antisemitism , cause I love the Jewish People just not their Government. ♥️?
Well said, Brenda.