I stopped by there on the way home from work today to confirm the Sunday morning service time before I visit with them this weekend. I didn't see the information I needed on the sign so I went to the front door. There were people milling about so by the time I got to the front door I was quickly engaged in conversation. It turned out there were a couple of church guys helping with some remodeling. They invited me in. I mostly spoke with a very gracious member by the name of Steve Hill. I also met the other guy working with him. Steve loaded me up with a church business card, pamphlet and a notice for an upcoming event while I explained the reason for my visit. Steve assured me that service would start at 11AM. I'm not sure where I came up with 10:30 AM. It's a good thing he was there.
I quickly realized this was one of many divine appointments the Lord has blessed me with in visiting with the 52 churches this year.
Steve and the other fellow (I'm usually pretty good with names, Ernie maybe?) where making some changes and improvements inside the building to better facilitate a church office as the pastor is about to enter into full-time ministry. That's encouraging and exciting! I shared with Steve about IHOP-SS and Antioch and how we will be praying for them next Wednesday. It turns out Steve's daughter, Rachel, also goes to Antioch. It's always neat to discover connections like that.
Steve also related some other things to me, one of which stands out especially. We walked towards the front and he pointed out the sign. He said, "You see that, Wade?" "See how there are 3 different font sizes on the sign? It's for a purpose. 'Siloam' is in big letters on top, that's our community. Then the next line reads 'A Place of Healing'. That speaks of ministry. And at the very bottom is the name of our particular congregation 'Eastgate Free Will Baptist Church'". He was right, I could barely make out that part standing in the doorway of the church.
I'd never seen that approach before and it impressed me "in the spirit". I was encouraged by it. It also, specifically, did not strike me as what some might be too quick to label false humility. I sensed it was quite sincere, especially in its subtlety.
I've heard a number of folks remark about Eastgate's conspicuous white on red sign out by the busy 4-lane divided US highway. Even at last weekend's Dogwood Festival I heard it as part of someone's testimony, about how the Lord used it to speak to them recently about Siloam being a place of healing. (There's a bunch more to that story, sometime.) This sign is one of the first things people see coming in on what is probably the busiest in-roads to Siloam Springs. I think Eastgate is stewarding their position well, like the boy with the fishes and the loaves, using what they have.
I was so glad I stopped by at just the right time. Just minutes before there was no one I personally knew of who went there and I truly did feel like I was walking away with a new friend. I look forward to seeing Steve again this Sunday and meeting his wonderful church family.
- Wade Baker
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