Transformation

As a forming church body in pre-launch mode, our prayers have been for city revival and the establishment of a gospel witness in our neighbourhoods. We spent our energy preparing to plant the seed of God’s Word and anticipating a great harvest of souls. Little did we know that life transformation would begin within our own launch team.

John* came to us from a broken background—an abusive family that used religion as a stick with which to beat him. He never received the affirmation and blessings he needed from his father and, as such, was entering midlife as a hollow shell of a man. Now in his early 40s, John had never married, attempted a number of career paths, declared bankruptcy, let his professional license expire, and moved back in with his parents. He was at rock bottom, both emotionally and spiritually.

Enter Jesus.

Through conversations with one of our launch team members, John decided to start hanging out with our group. Even though we weren’t yet “established” as a church, we would gather to pray for the city, study the Bible, and pray for each other and for revival. John would come and just listen to the teaching and receive prayer.

Gradually, something inside of him began to change. We all noticed it. God had pursued him and brought him to a point where he could respond with great joy to the love of a perfect father. John moved from being on the periphery to actively joining us in prayer and in worship. As a new follower of Jesus, he began to use his incredible musical talent on our worship team. He became the most dedicated member of our small-but-growing men’s discipleship group, never missing an early morning coffee with an open Bible.

Jesus has begun to piece back together John’s life, taking the ashes and transforming them into something beautiful. We continue to pray for clarity and direction in John’s career and future; he is still very much in the process of healing and learning to trust. However, he knows that he is loved, called, and sent into this city to be a light to the nations. The Great Shepherd searched for one of his lost sheep and allowed our newly formed group to serve as a part of that great work. Soli Deo Gloria, Lord, bring the harvest to Vancouver!

Kristian Martens
Pastor, Church Planter
www.realityvancouver.com

*Name changed to protect personal privacy.