The Chronicles of Sarnia: A Heart after Jesus' Own Heart

I've been here just about three weeks now. I've seen a lot, experienced a lot and learned a lot already. I have had the opportunity to see and be a part of many areas and aspects of the church. Like many churches there's some chaos, there's some butting of heads and personalities, and there are areas for improvements but there is also so much good that comes from here. There is one very special aspect of this church that I have come to admire and be inspired by: its huge servant heart. This church has a heart following after Jesus' own heart and ministry. 

Through the many programs that run here this is so evident: from AA and NA meetings, to the free meals, free store and homeless shelter, to the boxing, fitness and gun clubs, to the various men, women, youth and kids' group, to prayer meetings and the healing room.

I see this church as a community of people who whole heartedly strive to live out the life of ministry Jesus set an example of. This church has a heart that so desires to help the broken, the needy, the hungry, the sick, the poor, the homeless, the thieves, and the drug addicts. This church is reaching out to the people that Jesus came to earth to help. 

10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”12On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Jesus's desire was to spread the word to those who did not yet know him. His heart was full of compassion for those who were sick and those who were broken. Jesus walked from city to city spreading the good news; time and again he was rejected and persecuted by the 'religious' people who expected him to be clean and perfect, thus not associating with the dirty, broken, sinners. At RCV, even when there are issues with guys in the homeless shelter and staff are about ready to kick 'em out, it comes down to "what would Jesus Do?" Jesus would take him in and give him shelter because he has no where else to go. And so, at RCV, he stays.  

RCV has many complaints and arguments pointed towards them from various people and groups within the city. It is often rejected, persecuted and scorned upon. There are those that resist what is being done here. Those that want the shelter closed. Those that don't understand how 'church' is done here. However, the church ventures to stay true to their heart, Jesus' heart. To continue their work of love to all those who enter the building and the life of RCV. Their mission statement is "Come as you are...and you will be loved." Their goal: no matter who you are or what you've done, you are loved. This isn't always easy to live up, rather, it's quite difficult at times for various reasons. Yet they strive to do their best and do it quite well.


At this morning's staff meeting a member ended with a brief reflection he had earlier in the day. Without going into much detail, it'd been a rough week previously - various stressful incidents within the church/homeless shelter. This individual, let's call him Alfred, asked is we'd ever encountered the stories batman and robin, or superman or other such heroes. The general staff response was "who hasn't?." Alfred then continued, on his way over this morning he had thought "I'm walking to a room full of superheroes." He explained by addressing each staff with thing such as "you don't have to be here, you could be working somewhere else," "you could be making more money at a different job," "you could be in college," "you don't have to be here, etc."

He goes on (summarize, not exact words), "None of us have to be here, and we most certainly could find other volunteer work or higher paying jobs elsewhere, but that's not the case. But you've chosen to be here. We're a room full of superheroes." 

I don't mean to share this to put us on a high pedestal rather I humbly share this. I so appreciated what Alfred had to say. It was definitely a good reminder what they, as a whole are doing and further why they're doing it. It's so easy to get caught up in the frustrations and chaos forgetting the real reason and purpose behind what happens within RCV. It was an excellent reminder of the heart of this place - the heart of Jesus. Jesus is our superheroes; we can put on our capes and strive to be like Him, hoping to reach only a fraction of His hero-ness, but leaving ourselves open to be used by God for His works. 

From what I can see in the very short time I've been here, this church is doing Jesus' ministry - the ministry we are called to do. By Jesus ministry, I mean the exemplified way of life Jesus lead. I have taken to reading the gospels during my time here because of how well I see it being lived out through RCV. The gospel has taken on a new light and perspective for me now. It has become reality in some ways on various levels that I've never seen before. I am witnessing people striving to live out their lives just the way Jesus desired us to. 

This church strives wholeheartedly to heal the sick, to help the needy, feed the hungry and speak into the broken. This church strives to live in humble servanthood, from there we hope and pray others will come to know Christ as we've come to know Him.