A Church With No Doors
March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 29th was the first “Church of No Doors” service. Some may say the word ‘service’ is too formal for what happened there, and they would be right—it was not your stereotypical church service. I am unable to describe what happened at the park as anything but a chance to wash people’s feet. That is what made it service.
Upon arrival at Sixth Street Park Warren, Jamie, and myself were greeted by about 5 people. Thank God. I wish I was able to say that I had enough faith to expect a multitude, but I can’t– I had a hard time believing one person would show up- five people, in my mind, was a miracle.
After setting up the three dozen pastries, coffee, and milk, I went to pick up some breakfast food from a local fast food place. I planned on getting enough for ten people- after all, I did not want to put God in a box. 
While waiting at McDonalds I got a call from Warren who began to explain to me that we may need more food. There were thirty people at the park. I began to wrack my brain. Thirty people! We only prepared for a maximum of ten. I began to panic as I started to recap the situation, not enough food, coffee or servants. The two people I had relied on coming told me last minute they would not make it. Epic Fail.
Little did I know we were being set up to witness miracles.
I returned to the park with a meager ten sandwiches and ten parfaits. I sprinted towards Jamie and begged him to pray with me. We prayed. We prayed for forgiveness of our simplemindedness and lack of preparation, we prayed for God to bless our efforts, but most importantly, we prayed for a Matthew 14:19 kind of miracle.
Jamie and I began to walk back towards the covered meeting area in the park, my eyes were fixed on the food- or lack thereof. I knew my God was going to do something amazing. People were gathered around the table still eating whatever was left as a homeless man walked up, set a box of 70 donuts on the table and explained to us, “A man named John just dropped these off and said they were for you.”
John who? Why? What!?
More and more people began to pile in. I listened to the painful stories of all the abandoned, downcast, and homeless people there. I listened to a nine year old girl named Megan as she told me that she lives in a shelter on a temporary bed. I listened to the story told by Joe’s eyes as he soaked in the scriptures being read by Jamie.
After the donuts began to diminish, the two people who I hadn’t expected to come, came. And they came with food! Sandwiches, fruit, veggies, fried chicken, and MORE HELP!
After everyone was served we sat and listened to a study. A casual study underneath the heavens that declare His Glory and the skies that proclaim His handiwork. Pure, unadulterated ministry happened on that day, and I truly believe the six of us drank it all in.
I now understand why Jesus spent so much time with these people. It reminded Him all the more of why He had to do what He came to do.
