“Bringing the Church to Denny & Irene”
It began when Irene posted pictures of the new ramp installed for Denny’s wheelchair on the back of her home. Her husband Denny had fought and won a long battle with cancer only to then be stricken with a virus. The treatment for the virus left him blind in both eyes and caused dangerous brain bleeds. It was determined that to treat the virus would be more damaging than to not treat. Denny had become very weak and was not able to come to church. When I saw the pictures of her ramp against the canvass of her backyard God gave me a vision of her yard filled with people in worship.
How it rolled out
On Monday June 30th I emailed Irene and asked if she and Denny would be up for a worship concert in her backyard. She could invite family and friends and we would in essence “bring the church” to them. I wasn’t sure this would fit in with their lives and I didn’t want to intrude. She was elated! I was leaving for vacation on July 11th and felt an urgency to do this soon. I asked about Saturday, July 5th. She was concerned that attendance would be low being a holiday weekend. I assured her that even if that was the case, this was for her and Denny first and foremost. She agreed to Saturday and the planning began. On such short notice I was able to pull together a small band (Steve on keys, Rick on percussion, and myself on acoustic guitar) and a fellow worshipper, Joanna, to join me and people were responding to the invitation to attend complete with plans for a covered dish dinner!
WOW, What a worship practice! Is God preparing us for something big? Revival?
On Wednesday July 2nd we had band practice for Sunday’s service. Steve, Joanna and I were all on the team for this week. We occasionally have times of “worship” on Wednesday nights, but for the most part we are usually working out technical details of a 6 song set with 7-8 musicians and 4 vocalists in harmony in an hour and a half. Something happened….. we were practicing the song Holy Spirit (You are welcome here, come flood this place and fill the atmosphere, Your glory God is what our hearts long for, to be overcome by Your presence Lord). Our worship leader, Matt, stepped down off the platform and kept playing. The band seemed to swell in the Spirit, our singing transitioned from singing the lyrics to a love song to God, one of our guitarists in a loud voice called out the name of Jesus several times, and the vocalists love song transitioned to a heart cry. I dropped the microphone from my lips to my side for this had become between me and God. I began to cry out for mercy; on my family, on my community, on my country. I sang, I wept, I prayed…. I asked loudly for revival of my own heart and spirit and for my family, my city, my country.
God speaks
God asked me a question. “What are you doing to bring this revival? Perhaps it doesn’t look like what you think it does. Revival is not an event, it’s a heart change and it begins inside of individuals. Revival doesn’t need a platform or a stage. It can happen in someone’s backyard. Some people might come to a backyard that won’t enter a church. Others may not come the backyard, but will hear My message through the worship in the atmosphere. So what are you going to do?” I put my microphone back in its clip and I lay face down on the altar and submitted myself to God’s will. I told him I wanted to do what He asked and I was laying down my pre-conceived ideas and expectations. I asked for His strength and leading and for Him to open the doors of opportunity. Thirty minutes over schedule, when worship wound down we all shared what God was speaking to us. Revival was the main theme. We believe God is calling out to us even louder than we are calling out to Him.
Saturday, July 5th with Denny and Irene
The weather was absolutely perfect! The sun was shining and the temperature was unseasonably mild (God knows how sensitive I am to heat). A good number of people began to show up and set up and love on each other in fellowship. There was more than enough food for everyone to enjoy. The worship time was amazing and afterward we circled Denny and Irene, laid hands on them both and had an inspiring time of prayer. It never ceases to amaze me to see the body of Christ come together, even if it is to simply bless two people. I am humbled whenever I can be a part of that.
God moves us in church on Sunday!
Sunday’s service sky-rocketed in worship! People were coming to the altar in large numbers to pray. Others were singing and weeping in the pews. Any schedule or lunch plans were laid down as Heaven touched earth for a while.
Denny went home to be with God
Two weeks later, we returned from a week at the beach with family on the afternoon of July 19th. When the dust settled from unpacking I sat down to check out Facebook and learned that Denny has passed away that morning. He had left his earthly vessel to receive his healing in the glorious presence of His Father God and His King Jesus! We were hoping for a miracle on this side of eternity, but what Denny received is better than we can ever imagine. One of the songs I sang for Denny by his request was I Can Only Imagine. I immediately thought about that song and wondered what it was like for Denny to step into Heaven. I am saddened for Irene’s loss and I can’t imagine her pain. But for Denny, his suffering is over and he is made more whole than he has ever been!
God doesn’t always use a flaming bush to get your attention.
So why write this post? To give you an example of how God communicates. It’s not always a voice in a flaming bush. What has God deposited in your heart? What questions has he asked you? Don’t take too long, or it may be too late. It may seem like a small thing, or it may seem too big. It may feel awkward or even uncomfortable, but I know if God is asking you to do it, He will equip you and give you what you need.
I’m ready for backyard revival….will you partner with me?
Maybe you are called to host a night of worship in your backyard. After all, it doesn’t cost you anything but your time. Maybe you are a gifted musician and you want to join me. Let me be clear. This is not about fame or fundraising. This is not a “paid gig” and it is not a time of raising money for any organization. There will be no love offering collected or expected. There will be nothing for sale. This is about worship. This is about making a time and a place for God to revive hearts.
Maybe God is calling you to several things, or something different entirely. That’s between you and God. But I would urge you to be open to listen and be submitted and willing to move when He asks you to.
Let’s open a discussion here.
Maybe someone will read this that you can partner with. Maybe this post is a bridge or a conduit for God to accomplish his will and move mightily through His people. Leave a comment in the comments section below and start the conversation!