DaySpring

Well, we’re officially members at DaySpring Church in Greensboro now. I’ve mentioned this a time or two in the blog but have kind of sat back and watched what God would do without saying TOO much.

We met Pastor Phil and Marie Collins while doing a hospital visitation with a sick church member.

Although we meet people all the time and often feel a connection and build relationships along the way, it’s very rare that Ken and I “click” with someone the way we did with Phil & Marie. All four of us instantly knew that God was up to something.

Pastor Phil and Marie took the church over when the old pastor left. Phil had actually grown up in that church and then launched into life and ministry elsewhere. When they started, it had been 15+ years since there’d been a salvation or baptism, and as far as anyone can tell, in it’s whole 50+ year history, the church had never done any outreach. (it just boggles my mind!) The building was in general disrepair, too – the AC up and died, the carpets had to be replaced, and some re-arranging had to be done. They started with eight people and it was as dead as could be… now it’s running 40+ and coming alive. We’ve been there just a few weeks and I’ve lost track of the number of people saved, and hopefully this Sunday we’ll be baptizing half a dozen!

We chatted on the phone a bit, then attended their homecoming service (which was lovely!) I think we knew before we got there that God was leading us there. So did Phil and Marie. All four of us prayed, took our time and really sought the Lord, and arrived at the same conclusion.

What does that mean for Flowing River? We don’t know. Between the two car wrecks, Kayti’s relocation, and my health issues in late summer/early fall, we’d dwindled down to two or three “regulars” – two of which are currently in such crisis that they’re not wanting to attend regularly anyway, and the other of which has a Sunday church and so was only coming to our Bible study.

So for all intents and purposes, for the season God’s set before us, we’ve merged with DaySpring. The one who was coming to Bible study often goes with us (wherever we go!), and the other two know they’re welcome. We may continue with Bible Study during the week here at the house (or at the Chinese buffet!) but we’ll see what God says about that.

What does it mean for DaySpring? It means gaining two (more) people who are sold out, laid-down lovers of Jesus who will partner with the church to accomplish God’s mission. Yet what that means in the actual hands-on, we’re not 100% sure yet. God’s been leading us, though.

I know that I’m going to be working with the youth. That’s a God-directed thing. When I sit down and plan something out, that’s generally me and my doing. When I get a full-on vision and mission and excitement, that’s generally a God thing. I’ll say more about that in my next post. Ken’s working a lot with Pastor Phil and will likely take on an associate pastor/missions leader sort of role. Phil and Marie are excited about missions but have never been on a trip. Ken and I are going to be speaking to the church in January about the adventures God’s led us on around the world, and then probably in spring we’re going to plan a small, local missions trip – perhaps right in the church’s back yard (you’ll see why in my post about the youth). Then we’ll plan a trip to Jamaica!

Geographically, DaySpring is not far from where we live (maybe 15 minutes). Although we’re rural and they’re almost inner-city there are a lot of similarities and cross-overs between neighborhoods, and as the crow flies the area between our house and the church is a natural “feeder zone”. Denominationally, DaySpring is a member of the Pentecostal Holiness church… but abandon every thought that comes to mind about IPH! My image of PH folks was men in stiff suits with slicked-back hair and women in ankle-length dresses and very long hair and no makeup. You could’ve knocked me over with a feather when I found out, because Marie often wears jeans to church (and I’m not sure she ever wears dresses other than for very formal occasions), plus she’s got short hair and wears makeup. Nobody at DaySpring does the long hair/dresses only thing, and it turns out that most folks within the denomination don’t do that any more.

Theologically they’re quite a lot like the A/G, with a slightly different twist on the concept of sanctification which made sense once I’d read over it. We did have to agree to a few things that (interestingly) we’d not been willing to do as A/G members and therefore never sought pastoral licensing through them. I guess the difference is when man asks you to do something (or not do), as opposed to when God Himself asks you to do something for His sake and purpose and direction in your life.

So, we’re deleriously happy and glad to be productive in the Kingdom again after all that’s gone on recently!