Day 1 - Reconciliation

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself.  He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

            Colossians 1:19-20

My all-time favorite thing about BUMP is getting to partner with the local church. It is so exciting to be able to come alongside and support them in what they’re doing; and to also be an encouragement.  And as it usually goes with God, the encouragement goes both ways.  Only one day in and I’m already thanking God for the overflow of blessings He has poured out.

Minneapolis and St. Paul skylines

The week starts with fellowship at the church we are serving with during our time here in the Cities.  The pastor spoke out of Psalm 19, focusing on how huge God is and how we can hardly begin to comprehend that. We learned in the morning worship service that many members of the congregation were going out to the neighborhood streets to evangelize during the afternoon.  As they were out, the BUMP teams did some get-to-know-you activities and orientation.

Our last scheduled activity “on-site” before heading back for supper was prayer walking.   (I have to admit this is what I am most excited for this year).  Before we headed out, we heard some testimonies from those church members who went out to evangelize. They shared one quick praise from their afternoon of sharing the Gospel, and three powerful testimonies that highlighted the passion God instilled in them for their neighborhood. 

“As you go [prayer walking], pray for reconciliation,” one of the ladies pleaded, her voice laced with excitement and sincerity, “between neighbors, but ultimately with God.”  We did just that.

Reconciliation, a concept God brought me back to later that night as we celebrated communion with all of the “BUMPers” at the evening rally.  Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the blood He shed to reconcile everyone and everything to Himself.  The same God who created the heavens and the earth, whose vastness we can hardly begin to comprehend, said He was pleased to live in Christ, reconciling everything to Himself.  He did this all to make peace with you, with me, and with the families that live in the buildings surrounding New Salem Church in Minneapolis, MN.  We serve a good God.

We are heading into an incredible week with the power that is the Gospel; knowing God is on our side; and with confidence that He will work through our weakness as we strive to live each day in obedience to what He’s called us to do.  BUMP 2015, Let's do this!

Foot Fencing makes friends!

Opening rally worship at New Salem EFC