This morning I read a really interesting passage in Acts. If you look in chapter 5 of Luke’s recordings of the early church you will witness that a new movement called “The Way” is causing quite a stir. His journal witnesses this…
The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord–crowds of both men and women.
A few weeks ago a group of teenagers from the States came to help with our local ministries in both Heyford Park and Bicester. For the week teams served the local youth by setting up games in the park, after school clubs, hosting conversations at Costa, and serving breakfast at the bus stop. It was interesting to see how a community of 20-35 people that is highly motivated to live, breathe, and be like Jesus draws curiosity from teenagers and other adults.
Think about it. This is a moment where people get to interact with an incarnational Gospel, the good news of Jesus. They get to see the community of Jesus followers in action in how they love people, how they practice patience by allowing faults, and see what commitment looks like when they support one another through thick or thin. This is a truly miraculous moment for people because they witness something different- a community that actually loves each other and desires the best for one another.
It was amazing to see how this “curious” looking crowd of Jesus lovers drew people into faith. So far In Bicester, six teenagers in the area put their trust into Jesus’ way, truth, and life. Two of them are got baptized last week!! However, in Heyford Park not many dare to join“The Way”. We are still earning people’s respect in our community with the local youth work and the missional elements of loving people in our neighborhood. Yet, at the same time people are beginning to believe there is something beautiful about Jesus.
Each week we are seeing people enter into conversations as we sit around the fires and grilling food in the back garden. Each week we are seeing people that want to know of a new way of life and community. They are discovering that the reality of Heaven and the Gospel is not far from Heyford Park.
Curious faith is brewing.
