GlocalNet

No doubt E. Stanley Jones would have loved being with me yesterday in worship.  I worshipped in a house church with some 30 other people.  The pastor was a former Hindu militant who organized the persecution of believers and even killed some until someone led him to Jesus - now he’s a church planter.  The service was incredible.  We were stuffed in a small room, there were Seiks, Hindus, and other people from various religions that came into the room to experience this Jesus as the one true God, yet stay within their culture and families.  A coconut with a burning candle and some incense was at the front of the room where the pastor sat.  They open with prayer.  Most of these are in their 20’s, they are the present future of the church.  The prayer is as if the pastor is leading a chant - it reminds me of Gregorian chants.  We sing four songs with a drum.  Each song, they clap - but they are very serious - their eyes are closed and they are deeply reflective.  We stand and sing, sit and pray, up and down on the floor - I sure feel my knees!  Then he takes the coconut - breaks it open and lets the milk go into a jar.  He describes that as what Jesus did for us on the cross - I don’t understand it but it has something to do with how Hindu’s believe they worship - and he’s describing that Jesus opens the door and has accomplished all they need to know God.  A man preaches - or teaches - for 30 minutes.  We pray for sick people, people being called to ministry - one young girl feels God is calling her to plant a church - I’m asked to pray over her.  I do and ask God to use her powerfully.  Another person has relatives in prison and they are hurting.  The service lasts all of 2 hours and man I feel like I’ve met with God.  I understand very little of the words but capture all the passion and meaning.  Thank God!