A Safe Community

  • Kristine Stroupe
  • Sep 8, 2009
  • Series: On the Hearts of the Pastors

I was sharing with someone recently why I was drawn to Grace Center (then Abounding Grace) so many years ago, and I summed it up by saying that I saw people’s lives changing.  I saw a safe place where I was not required to wear my “church mask” and pretend that my life was okay, because, at the time I arrived, my life was in distress.  I was greeted by the presence of the Lord as well as by brothers and sisters who were not afraid of my distress because they had experienced God’s love to such a deep level in their own lives, that my condition did not threaten them.  My life began to change because my heart felt safe to receive from God and others.  I love being in a community in which we are continually encouraged to remain in God’s presence, to rest in order to receive His love, and to give away what we have received.  It is rather amazing to me that seven years later, I am now overseeing all things having to do with personal ministry.  It is my desire that Grace Center continues to increase in safety for those that need help with knowing who they are in light of the Father’s love.  Here is a brief description of some of what we offer for those seeking help.

 

We offer hope and inner healing through our Sozo Ministry.  I am so proud of our wonderful sozo team members who have facilitated 187 people receiving personal sozos thus far this year.  In addition, our trainers have offered four Freedom Workshops.  The workshops are designed to bring teaching and tools with practical application so that you can grow and mature with God and others.  I strongly recommend that you attend one, or purchase a Workshop CD set from our bookstore.  Further information is found under the Sozo tab on this website.

 

In addition to individual ministry, we are now integrating Encounter Weekends into our Grace Center community.  Alyn and AJ Jones, our young adult pastors, brought this dynamic package of inner healing and personal ministry to the emanate group with so much success that we had to offer this to our adult culture too.  I like to refer to this as having the carpets cleaned in your house, with Sozo offering help for tougher stains.  The next Encounter Weekend is scheduled for November 20-22.  More information regarding registration on the website will be forthcoming.

 

And now, on Wednesday nights, we are offering Restarting.  This is 12-week course that offers a solution-based approach for building joy, receiving inner healing, and developing life-giving relationships.  Advancing beyond traditional treatment, current support group methods, and secular or spiritual approaches to recovery, Restarting offers hope for those that have tried other approaches and still feel hurt, empty, alone, and ashamed of their struggles and behaviors.  All are welcome to attend this class!  It is offered weekly beginning promptly at 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm.

 

Surrendering to God’s presence in a soaking atmosphere is a powerful way to reconnect to His love.  There are opportunities to connect at the Franklin Healing Rooms which meet at GC on Saturday evening from 4pm – 6pm, or during our Pre-Service Soaking led by Laura Rhinehart, Julie True and team on a Sunday morning.  Both meet in our Hospitality Room.  And finally, we offer prayer ministry every weekend immediately following the service.  Our faithful Prayer Ministry teams are dedicated to agreeing with God’s goodness for your life and passionate for you to experience His healing love.  I encourage all to keep resting, keep receiving, and joyfully give to others!