A Thankful Church

By Alli Rogers • Oct 2nd, 2008 • Category: Artists in Residence

This past Sunday I had the privilege of playing a couple songs at a church in Vancouver, WA. The congregation of this church is mostly made up of people who have or are struggling with an addiction and many of them have served time in prison. You could call it a recovery church, and although I would say every church is a recovery church (or should be) there is something unique about recovering from the kind of pit many of these people have been in. When you’ve been down to the depths where there is only darkness, the slightest hint of light is enough hope to live on for days. And these people in Vancouver had hope, boy did they have hope!

Before the service Kirk and I got to pray with some of the church leaders. I’ve been a part of my share of church services across the country. All sorts of churches and all sorts of people, and the prayer before a service is normally filled with requests that the service go smoothly, that the Lord would be present, all great things to pray about. But as the circle of prayer chimed around me what I heard was:

“Lord, thank you for waking me up this morning…”
“Father, thank you for saving me from destruction and bringing my children back to me..”
“Thank you Lord for giving me a chance to live again…”

Every single prayer was overflowing with gratitude and it moved me deeply. I actually had to bend my knees and sit down because I was so overwhelmed (and light headed, probably the babies fault as well

Out of that thankfulness came a natural attitude for worship, and the room filled with people bouncing with energy. Although I was part of the service, there was no talk of how the order would go, when lights would come on or off, who would introduce who, what time the service needed to be over, etc.. The focus truly was on worship and community, which was so refreshing.

They sang songs about being free and any chance they had to sing the words “I am free”, they yelled it! They know what it is to be in bondage and they know what it means to be free. As someone who grew up in the church, it was such a wonderful reminder for me of God’s grace and how powerful it is. And also, how celebratory it should be when someone is set free! What a miracle all those people are. I only heard a few stories but the ones I heard amazed me. It had me thinking, if God can turn her life around, he can turn anyone’s life around. I should be thinking those thoughts every day, Lord help me remember!

I was so blessed by these people and found my songs taking on new meanings as I played them. I’m so thankful that they let me be a part of their service!

“Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise him,
Alleluia!”

↓ 2 comments

#1 Justin McRoberts on December 4th, 2008 at 1:45 am

I freaking love that church…

#2 Cindy on December 13th, 2008 at 11:46 pm

This reminds me of a time my husband, teen daughter and I led worship at a recovery center in Minneapolis. As you say, the men were so appreciative of even the smallest kindnesses. Many were powerhouse gospel singers. It was a meeting of suburban folk band meets hardcore city folk. I modified my set with songs they could move to and clap to, as songs like “Breathe” just didn’t work in that setting.

It was a room full of 50-60 men, plus my daughter and I. At prayer time, one man began praying aloud, repenting of fornication and lust and sex. And another. And another. Then this outpouring of sexual sin prayers. I remember looking over at my daughter, feeling a bit uncomfortable. After the service, I told one of the men. “Well, if I had known you gentlemen had all this repressed lust, I would have dressed nicer.”

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