Embracing Kingdom Hope for a Broken World
But it doesn’t end there
After the prayer meeting we had on St George Island on Saturday night, we were blessed that our prayer journey had us in the area a while longer. First Baptist Church, St George Island was gracious enough to put us up in their retreat center for the night which allowed us to stay in town and worship with two churches on Sunday morning.
We first worshipped with our friends from United Methodist Church, St George Island. Pastor Themo Patriotis and others were incredibly gracious with us. The worship service was excellent.
During the service I had the opportunity to share about our journey. I took some time to share about the awful things that we had seen and heard about through the course of our journey. I highlighted the difficult time I had on Friday as I experienced the oil in such a close, sickening way (a glimpse of which you can see in the video below). No need to over-exaggerate, I painted the picture as we had experienced it. And it was ugly, painful, and heart-wrenching.
Now, it’s not easy painting a picture this grim in a church service. It is hard to handle.
Fortunately, I was able to tell them this:
But it doesn’t end there!
You see our story does not end with tragedy. It ends with our Lord winning the battle, with His redemption and restoration.
I shared some thoughts on Colossians 1:15-20 with the congregation. I pointed out how God Himself is redeeming all things and how this gives us great hope in times like this. We must remember that our Creator is also our Redeemer.
Later in the service Pastor Themo asked Ben and I to serve communion to the congregation. What a powerful moment! It was a great blessing to serve them in this way as well.
After fellowshipping with them for a little bit afterwards, we headed straight over to First Baptist Church, St George Island. This was another great service. Pastor Mike Whaley, his wife Judy, and many others were again very kind to us. We again had the opportunity to share with the congregation. I delivered a similar message, this time highlighting that God is in control. I again shared the Colossians 1 but brought in the renewed creation of Revelation 21. This was the point to the hope that we have that though BP, the government, and others may struggle to get this situation under control, we know that our God is in control.
Afterwards we headed to Pastor Themo’s home for lunch. We were joined by Eric and Christine Purvis, two wonderful worship leaders who led worship at the prayer service the night before and the Methodist church’s morning service. Themo’s wife April cooked a wonderful Greek dish of stuffed peppers. It was excellent. We enjoyed a great time of conversation, particularly focusing on the spill and how we might better care for God’s creation. It was so encouraging to hear people genuinely interested in fulfilling their call to care for God’s creation.
After a (long) while we spent some time praying for April’s mom, Lynn, who has been diagnosed with a rare, untreatable form of cancer and Lupus. This was another powerful time where the Spirit was definitely present. I also ask that you all please join us in prayer for our sister Lynn.
As this was the final (official) stop of our journey before beginning the trek home, we asked that Themo and April join us in prayer. We headed down to Lafayette pier in Apalachicola. We had a wonderful time of prayer with two incredible servants. We were so blessed to get to know Themo and his wife. It was one of those time that you wish did not have to end. That must be why we got on the road 3 hours after we had intended. It was certainly worth it though.
Late Sunday night (actually 1:00am Monday morning) we arrived back in New Orleans. We were exhausted, worn down, energized, saddened, and encouraged all at the same time. What a way to end the trip, highlighting the hope we have in the Lord and finding encouragement from brothers and sisters in Christ!
May the message ring out that:
IT DOESN’T END THERE. THERE IS HOPE.
GOD IS WITH US. GOD IS IN CONTROL. GOD HIMSELF IS WORKING TO REDEEM ALL THINGS.
More from our prayer journey:
Decontamination, Frustration, & Oration
Praying Confidently in the Midst of Disaster
Please subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.
No comments yet.
1548100 Days Later
about 1 month ago - No comments
Do you remember back when the disaster of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion first happened? When we were surprised that the Gulf Coast Oil Spill had not been stopped after 2 weeks? When we were shocked that the leak had not been capped by 30 days? When we were in unbelief that 60 days [...]
Prayer Journey (Through the Lens)
about 2 months ago - No comments
Recently we have been writing about our prayer journey through the Gulf Coast to pray for the effects of the oil spill. Before we return to our regular blog series we thought we would take another view at the journey as seen through the lens of our cameras. A community prayer center near Buras, [...]
Dorsal Fins & Prayer Meetings
about 2 months ago - 3 comments
Although Friday wore me out, I got up early Saturday morning to go back to Orange Beach before setting out on the next steps of our prayer journey. The picture that I saw was no better than the afternoon before. The rain the night before had failed to wash away either the oil or its [...]
In Shock
about 2 months ago - 4 comments
The clean beaches we saw in Gulfport, MS on Thursday’s leg of our prayer journey were not to be found on Friday. As we crossed the state line over into Gulf Shores, AL, we went from a fear of what could happen to a realized fear. Upon arrival, we noticed that the yellow flag was [...]
“I’ve Got Tears In My Eyes”
about 2 months ago - 1 comment
On Thursday, our gulf coast prayer journey began appropriately. We had a chance to pray on the beach of Grand Isle one last time before moving along. We worked our way from Grand Isle, Louisiana all the way to Gulfport, Mississippi. The road included much beautiful scenery. The way was scattered with rivers, marshes, bayous, [...]
Decontamination, Frustration, & Oration
about 2 months ago - 3 comments
Wednesday our gulf coast prayer journey took us down to Grand Isle, LA. This is located to the southeast of New Orleans and has been a placed of much activity these last 59 days. Once there, we first went to Grand Isle State Park where much oil has been spotted. We walked by a [...]
Choppers, Marinas, & Shelters
about 2 months ago - 5 comments
Yesterday – day 1 of our oil spill prayer journey through the gulf coast – was just the beginning. With the arrival of day 2 things really kicked into gear. We worked our way down to the Venice (Louisiana that is) area which is south of New Orleans. There was no big circus, no neon [...]
Let the Prayers Flow
about 2 months ago - 5 comments
I am sitting here in the airport, waiting for my (first) flight to the gulf coast… and am just hit by the sudden realization that the prayer journey has now begun. I hate to say that I’m excited because so much tragedy lies ahead. And yet, I am expectant to see what the Lord will [...]
Praying Confidently in the Midst of Disaster
about 2 months ago - 6 comments
Helpless as at least 12,000 barrels of oil continue to spill into the ocean each day with no end in sight. Helpless as massive oil plumes harm and kill creatures in the ocean. Helpless as oil washes onto beaches, marshes, and wetlands. In the face of this awful tragedy, I am utterly helpless. *Image from [...]
Tradeoffs
about 2 months ago - 6 comments
Green Adventures: a series in which we invite you into the adventures from our journey. As you may be aware, next week I will be heading out on a prayer journey to the gulf coast to pray with people there for the effects of the oil spill. Since our trip will cover a large [...]
