I’m so thankful for my parents’ visit a few weekends ago and for what God did in their hearts. This was the first time my parents visited for any extended period of time, minus my graduation from college. My hope for their short stay was for them to see my life, what I do, and what our church is like. So on Saturday, after eating dinner together with my leaders and peers, I showed them my house and then we walked over to Steve & Suzanne’s, which is only five minutes away. When they realized that I was going to knock on their door unannounced, my parents backed off and wanted to go back, not wanting to bother them. But I encouraged them to come in, telling them that people drop by their place all the time unannounced.
Upon entering their home, they were welcomed and given cups of tea and a warm welcome. Pretty soon, some of the senior class from Koinonia started to trickle into their house for a senior discipleship time. Seeing how the seniors played with the kids, my mother remarked how lucky their kids were to be raised with so many uncles and aunties to care for them. As we left their home, my parents expressed their surprise at how open their homes were to so many people.
The last stop we made before the hotel was our very own church building, North Loop. Though my parents were very tired from a long day of sightseeing, their eyes popped wide open the moment we entered the building. It was 10:30 pm, and North Loop was still bustling with people. The SF group were folding Sunday service programs together, laughing and enjoying one another’s company; the praise band was in the warehouse practicing for Element’s upcoming Centrifuge; the audio-video guys were working in the A/V room. Every room was occupied and full of life, and my mother’s exact words were, “I can feel this church is so . . . alive!” My parents were absolutely amazed, and they wished their camera had not broken so that they could take pictures of what they were witnessing and show their church members at home.
What was it that impacted my parents so much? It was people opening up their homes, sharing life together, and enjoying genuine relationships as they served God together. I saw in a new way the power that Christian community has to attract people and to eloquently demonstrate God’s active presence. Jesus’ words sprung to life: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).