What a Day!
I have been off-line since Friday because I had to take my Mac to the Mac Doctor. Everything was working except the screen…which creates some challenges!
Anywho I got it back tonight so I thought I would catch up on the last few days.
Last Thursday had a blast getting to know another Pastor from Buffalo, Matthew Brown. He is the pastor of Pentecostal Temple Church of God In Christ. He blew me away as we drove to Syracuse and back and he shared his heart about what God has done in his life and the work that God has called him to do here in the city of Buffalo. Pastor Brown and Pentecostal Temple are doing some amazing things in around their community. I learned a ton about what can be done when a church is intentional about Community Development and has a heart to serve and love the community God has placed then in!
Had and incredible experience Saturday morning as we had our first gathering of the West Side Youth Initiatives that was birthed out of some of us pastors shaken and heart broken about the senseless murder of a young man in front of the Father Belle Center this past summer. After meeting together monthly, praying together and asking God to help us give some direction in our community and hope we felt we needed to see what was already available in the West Side to help kids and teenagers and families. So we decided to have a gathering of all the faith-based, community based, gov’t programs that are trying to address the needs. So Councilmen David Rivera’s office helped us send out the invitations for this past Saturday at the Buffalo Christian Center. On a cold day we had over 25 different groups show up! It was a great beginning couldn’t wait to see what God is going to do in the days to come!
Sunday was our 3rd official Sunday as Renovation Church and every week I feel more and more at home. It has been interesting to see our attendance even out over the two gatherings. Sunday we had 190 at 9:19 and 178 at 11:00. I love getting to meet more and more people from the neighborhood!
Today was an incredible day. What a scene to watch President Obama being sworn in. Very moving to see the different shots of people from around the country. Only in America could you see the peaceful transition of power like we saw. A sea of humanity!
What a day!
