george.

November 1st, 2006 § 4 comments

last night i walked into st. arbucks for a tasty little beverage and to do some studying/reading up on some issues that we’re currently facing as a church and as an eldership.  i sat myself down at the table, pulled out my bible and a notebook full of notes, took a sip of my coffee and was immediately interrupted. 

never before have i been interrupted at the st. arbucks in decatur, it’s always a peaceful little place to sit down, read, study, relax… but not this time.  the man who was sitting next to me immediately asked me a question, “are you a pastor?”

now, i must say i’ve never been tagged as a pastor before in decatur (bald head, piercing, young) especially so quickly (what am i doing wrong!)  but i obliged and he began to talk and ask me a couple of questions.  realizing immediately that this wasn’t going to be a quick conversation i focused my whole attention on him and learned that he was from kenya–had only been living in the states for 6 years–graduated from cornell university, just moved because of work from atlanta 3 weeks ago–where his family still lives– and was one of the most genuine and authentic people i think i have ever met.  this was one of the most delightful conversations i have ever had–and i didn’t even talk that much.  he told me time and again how amazed he was at God, why he was a Christian and what brought him to Jesus.  He spoke with tears in his eyes because of the amazement and wonderment with which he stood before God as he detailed an immense love for Jesus and a vast knowledge of Scripture.  He encouraged me as a pastor, prayed for me and told me something i’ve heard a million times before, yet for some reason or another it sunk in deep this time: “it is only because of Him (Jesus) that you have anything to say.”

it’s these special encounters with the church outside of the walls that make my heart leap, that brings tears to my eyes, and makes me truly realize just how interconnected the church is.  we are a body, not a loosely joined group of individuals.  i’ll never know for certain how this kenyan pegged me as a pastor, but something tells me it was a God-thing.  because for that hour that i was there, George ministered to me in ways that I’m sure he’ll never know.

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  3. the faithless wonder…
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  5. For all the pastors out there…

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