Yesterday, over 150 people gathered at our house for our 3rd annual Backyard BBQ. There were hamburgers and hot dogs. Chips and casseroles. Pies and cupcakes. It was quite the feast. But in spite of the vast array of food options, the meal was not the best part.
There were current friendships being strengthened and new ones being formed. People gathered in circles large and small under the shade tree to talk about family, faith, and life. Others played volleyball, football, and several other games. Everywhere you looked there were people enjoying community.
One of the highlights for me was towards the end of the afternoon. A handful of teenagers had started a game of Duck-Duck-Goose. Then a few more joined in the game. Then some of the younger children joined in as well. Eventually there was a game with more than 40 people playing from ages 4 to 18. It was truly a God moment for me to see our teenagers involving our younger children and playing right along side them. These are moments that a child cherishes รข€“ times when the teens they often look up to allow them to join in. This is a testimony to the hearts of our teens and the Spirit that is at work among our families.
shine!
Jason
1 comment:
We had our annual, informal get-together yesterday at a member's house in western New Jersey. A good time, as usual. No singing or Bible study, but these times of fellowship mean so much to our congregation. We had visitors as well, folks who've begun attending lately and who I was able to invite to have a Bible study in the next week or so. Fellowship is so fundamental in Christian growth, and so often neglected or restricted to only "churchy" contexts.
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