Normally I am a pretty cynical church-goer and I have to promise myself not to be too critical of…read moreany church I attend, due mostly in part to the fact that I have been to so many churches in my life time they all begin to blend together like my Wal-mart experiences (the same store anywhere you go with the exception of local sport team apparel).
Embrace meets in the historic Kentucky Theater which itself is a treat to visit. I have known the pastor of Embrace, Rosario, off and on for a few years and after meeting with him on a few occasions to test the waters, I was prompted to visit. And the prompting was as unusual as it was timely as I was watching DVR-ed TV shows the night before and thought, "Hmmm I'd like to go to church tomorrow, I wonder when Embrace starts?" And just then, as I was fast-forwarding through the commercials, there was one for Embrace and gave me the time for service. Not wanting to take the chance of upsetting the Almighty, I set my alarm intending to be there on time.
Embrace meets in the very large theater in the back; the murals and wall fixtures give the feeling of being in some Mediterranean city back in Jesus' day. The mural on the ceiling of the blue cloudy sky made me think of the Bellagio in Vegas. And I must admit, I laughed when I notice the huge "Applause" sign above the stage. Knowing that Woodsongs meets there, I didn't give it another thought, although, I know Rosario is the kind of guy who would totally use that sign for a laugh during a sermon.
The sermon that Sunday was like a continuation of the commercial I saw the night before, where various attenders of Embrace appeared on camera stating their name, occupation and finally, "And I am the church."
I don't know if you noticed, but I haven't used the word "church" with the word "Embrace." The reason being is the sermon was about the purpose of the church, and well, it isn't about a building or a weekly meeting. It's about people bringing other people to the "Kingdom of God." The sermon went on to say, according to the Bible, that Jesus spoke of the "Church" maybe twice, but mentioned the "Kingdom of God" over 80 times.
I found this refreshing. As a jaded American Church-goer; over fed and underwhelmed by the American Brand of Christianity; I needed to find a place to go and serve not just sit in a seat and be counted in some churches' weekly attendance. Why not just pick a place? Because I am attracted to women; and up until now my choices for church have been, go to a conservative church and lie about being celibate so they will allow me to serve in the church building service, or go to a gay affirming church, which in my experiences spend entirely too much time defending their position on being gay affirming.
Rosario knew all this about me before I ever set foot in the doors of the Kentucky Theater. And as I sat in my seat I let myself rest in the hands of my Creator; wary and tired and longing for Him. I prayed and ask, "God. I know you have gifted me to pray for people and to be an encourager. I am willing if you are willing to let me serve you in this way today." I waited a bit and very softly I heard in my heart, "I am willing."
During communion time, I asked Rosario if I could jump in and pray for people with him and their teaching pastor, and lay hands on people as I sensed God leading me. Without hesitation, Rosario said, "Sure!" And totally in God's economy, not only was my jumping in with my child like faith an encouragement to those in need, it ministered to my heart in ways I never knew I needed, and now I am hooked on God again. I can't remember the last time I said that.
If you are looking for a place to be embraced by God, this group of people, speaking and teaching about the Kingdom of God, is a great refuge in a wasteland of churches and American-Brand Christianity.