A dream that Dara and I have shared for many years was that we would one day be able to be a part of something very special. We dreamed of a community that we found in Acts 2:42-47. This portion of Scriptures describes a community of Christ-followers that formed the first local church.
**Acts 2:42-47 – All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
I couldn’t help but become quite emotional when I read this portion of Scriptures recently. My thoughts raced back and forth about our amazing group of people that God has given us at Center City Church. And then it hit me:
Center City looks like Acts 2:42-47.
Read it again. It hasn’t been a strategy. It hasn’t been something we contrived. It is who we are. We deeply love and care for each other. There are multiple stories of others in our group giving what they could to help another in need. I am typing to you from my new computer that is prime example of this (our group all pitched in to help get me a MacBook Pro when I found myself computerless recently). We eat together. A lot. There is great joy and generosity among us. And each day the Lord is bringing others across our path that are being introduced to the love and freedom of Christ.
I am so honored to be a part of this incredible group of people. Our friends and family at Center City have personified to Dara and I (and our munchkins) what Acts 2:42-47 is all about.
