It Started with a Tragedy

 

 

It all began with a fatal accident. On the morning of Saturday, September 22nd, 2012, a man from our church was out riding his bike and was hit by a car. They took him to the hospital where he was placed on life support and remained in this condition 6 days - that is, until his family made the decision to take him off life support. In about 4 short minutes after this happened, Brother Mike passed into eternity.

I remember that Friday night our youth group praying for him. Later on that same evening when we found out he had passed, there was a sadness, yet a peace in knowing our brother was with Jesus.

Brother Mike was a backslider who had found his way back to God. He was in the church as a young person but had somehow strayed. It was apparent in different ways that life had taken a toll on Mike.

I remember for what seemed so long, Brother Mike coming into the church, sitting down, and hanging his head. Many were rejoicing, jumping, running, and praising God, but Brother Mike would sit there and hang his head. He had a lot of things happen in life and was struggling as he brought his baggage to God.

Something changed in Brother Mike a few months before he passed away. He would come in with a smile and worship God. It was obvious that Brother Mike was getting the victory. He was doing really well and we were happy for him. Then, he was hit by a car.


His memorial service was held at our church. The church was full of backsliders that day. Mike's brothers and sisters were in church when they were young, too. They were touched by the service and wept as the songs were sang. I had a feeling something good was going to come out of the whole situation. The very next day, Sunday, his 2 great nieces came to Kid's church for the first time. They enjoyed themselves and wanted to come back. Their mom, Mike's niece, said that was fine and that they could come every Sunday if they wanted to. They did want to come every Sunday!


One morning at Kid's church the lesson was about witnessing and inviting your friends to church. These girls got so excited and took some invitations home with them. As soon as they were dropped off at home, they went running right up to a kid that was playing outside and invited him to church. They were excited! So were we!

Little by little, more and more kids started coming. One Sunday, I literally had kids fighting over who would ride in my car. (I did not have enough room to legally transport them all)
I told my dad, "we really need a church van or something!" Other people in their church already had this in mind and definitely agreed! We all knew we needed a larger vehicle. For the past two Sundays, Bro. Zach has followed me in their van to help pick up kids for church. We have been filling pews with kids. I remember when we first started Kid's church and we didn't even really have any little kids! To see a few long pews squished full of exuberant boys and girls was thrilling to our congregation.

A few Sunday's ago, my dad received a text from a pastor in Georgia. He told my dad his church had taken up an offering for us to buy a church van! This is such an answer to prayer! Our church went nuts after it was announced, praising God for providing for us and answering our prayers! We will be getting our first church van soon!

God is not only opening doors for these little ones to be in church, but also a 19 year old girl from the same neighborhood started coming. Her first visit, God touched her. She began to weep as she felt the power of the Holy Ghost. God has also begun to open doors for us to meet the parents. One man came to church with his daughter and a mother called our church the day after her little boy came for the first time. She was in a crisis and not sure what to do. Her son, who I believe is only 5 or 6 years old, kept telling her "call the church!" So finally she called and my mom was able to pray with her over the phone. This woman has a Church of God in Christ background - her father is a pastor. She is interested in coming to church.

I was reading here on Sis. M's blog about the church buses in Fresno and how it all started. It inspired me! It started with one man sacrificing his vehicle to buy a van. They now have about 18 buses that run every Sunday! Beginnings are normally small, but they grow. (Zechariah 4:10 - "For who hath despised the day of small things"?) God is going to do things like that for us too, right here in Oakley.

It's amazing to think that all of these new kids coming - all of these souls that are being reached out to, are a result of Bro. Mike's death. God does work in mysterious ways. It was no loss to Brother Mike - it was great gain! And I'm sure if he takes a quick moment to look back down at this old world, he will be delighted to see what is happening right here in our church. He has a part in all of this!

We don't always understand why some things happen, but God does. Maybe you have suffered loss, heart ache, pain, and fiery trials that you don't understand. Remember that He has a beautiful plan. Trust in God and remember His promise:

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28