Amazing, awesome, a demonstration of the power and love of God . . .  I can't find the words to describe what God did Sunday at the new non-traditional corps on the corner of Meridian and Berry Streets.  It started with about 70 people from Fellowship Bible Church who arrived about nine o'clock with food for 300 people.  Half of the group went door-to-door around the neighborhood inviting people to come join us.  The other half got busy setting up tables, chairs, grills, making coffee, putting out food, and reaching out in love to those who began to come by.   One group of people from Fellowship Bible Church went out and mowed and cleaned up the yards for three families in the neighborhood.  A DJ played black Gospel music through out the morning.

In the course of the morning we had three worship services on the lawn at 10:45, 11:30, and 12:15.  To gather the people for each service we gave out door prises.  Then a group from Fellowship led us in praise and worship.  After that we had a Christian magic trick.  Then 2 or 3 people gave a personal testimony.  To end each service we had a time of prayer, invitation, and dedication. 

A total of 8 people gave beautiful testimonies.  Two graduates of the Nashville Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) shared about how Jesus has helped them have 5 years and 2 years free from drugs.  One man who quit the ARC but continued to seek God shared about how Jesus has given him victory.  One man who is still at the ARC also gave a great testimony. 

Four women who live in the community also testified before the crowd.  Queen, a 21 year old, shared how she had been a gang member until Jesus set her free.  Sherry said she used to stand up when she lived for the devil, so now she is glad to publicly stand up for God.  Linda shared how God led her to move to the community two years ago. 

A women named, Chris, asked if she could speak to the group.  She is thirty-four and has lived in this community all her life.  She said that 4 years ago she asked God to send people to the community "to show us how to live" and she was thrilled how God answered that prayer with all the people from Fellowship.  We had at least 7 people respond to the invitations for special prayer.  They went into the chapel where they were ministered to one on one.

It was all wonderful to see.  Some people were face painting, others playing various games with the children, others preparing and serving food, many people just talking and enjoying each other's fellowship, many shaking hands and embracing.  What a sight to see such love between rich and poor, black and white, young and old. 

At one point two people made a count of the crowd.  They both counted between 240 and 250 people at that time.  We also had many people come by, stay awhile, and then leave, and at the end of the day, all the food was gone.  So we had to have had more than 300 people present during the morning. 

One more thing.  This was not planned and organized.  Saturday night I began to worry a little about our lack of organization.  Then the thought came into my mind:  "It is going to be alright.  I've got it all organized."  God did have it organized.  It was thrilling to watch how so many people spontaneously worked together being led by God's unseen hand.