Winding Down

Greetings from Antigua. In many ways it seems like we have been here forever in other ways it seems as though we just arrived. I hope that this blog has not seemed too self indulgent, if it has please accept my apology on behalf of the teams. It is just that when you see the dire need before you each day and the opportunity to minister to real people with names and faces, you are excited to share the news with as many people as possible.

One Antiguan in particular has had a deep impact upon me in the past two weeks. His name is Brother Michael (in the red shirt). Brother Michael is currently filling the pastoral vacancy at Grays Farm. He was assigned to this position last summer after the prior pastor left/resigned. Now while we have been in Antigua we have experienced some flashy, bold, dynamic, powerful preaching from a number of the pastors within the Wesleyan Holiness Churches. None of these adjectives would appropriately be applied to Brother Michael. He is laid back, quiet and when you speak to him you have to listen carefully during a conversation because his sentences tend to trail off into oblivion. Brother Michael is pastoring the Grays Farm Church, a church which has a bleak future, a church which if you asked a number of people they would tell you it is on its way to extinction. Most of its attendees are women and senior citizens. A church which is smack dab in the middle of one of the poorest and most crime ridden areas of the St. Johns area. A church which lacks instruments (with the exception of a tambourine) during the worship service. A church without a designated worship leader. Certainly not a church that an aspiring pastor would covet. Yet Brother Michael, a retired teacher, has a burden for this church and the people of Grays Farm. He serves the church and its people faithfully and to me that is the key. The Lord does not call us to be flashy, He calls us to be faithful and obedient!

When we first met Brother Michael I would best describe his demeanor as wary. I don't think he knew what to make of this "missions team" from Michigan. His countenance was like someone who had been beaten down by life's experiences. Each day he would be there at Grays Farm with the team. He would occasionally interact with team members and others in the community. As the days progressed you could see a transformation take place in his soul. He became more engaged with the team members. As physical improvements to the church were completed you could sense a restored pride in what was being accomplished. He would provide a tour for church members as they dropped by the church to see what was happening. During this time my conversations with Brother Michael became more prolonged and you could tell he firmly understands who he is and what his strengths and weaknesses are. He certainly understands that he is not the most dynamic personality but he is willing to stay the course at Grays Farm and to minister to that community. During this two weeks Brother Michael has been transformed from a wary observer to my friend.

Yours in Christ
Dave