Pray For Bacon

We set up inside the café spot because of the threat of rain, but I had to put one speaker outside. “If it looks like it’s gonna rain, we’ll pull it back,” I said. I sang and Mr. Snead handed out tracts, talked with guys walking by, and prayed in the Spirit.

People started entering as they heard the music along with our invitation to grub. As REMIX leaders served pizza and juice, the kids seemed eager to eat. I’m convinced that some families look forward to this dinner every week.

Tobias crossed the street with his wife. We slapped up and I gave him a microphone. He sat on top of the speaker and flipped open his Bible. He talked and rapped and a bunch of guys stood listening. Some laughing, some with smirks on their faces, but they were all there listening, engaged, asking questions. This wonderful interaction lasted for ten, maybe fifteen minutes.

As the large group of young men (eight or nine guys) walked away, one stood back and pulled Tobias aside. I turned on my microphone and sang about standing before God when life on earth is done while silently praying, “May this song stay with them, stick to them, haunt them!”

We gathered inside the café to review the day and close shop. I was getting ready to pray when Tobias stopped me and said, “The young man that stayed and spoke with me gave his life to the Lord.” We all were so excited about this! I asked what his name was and Tobias told me, but to be honest I quickly forgot. Yet I will venture to say we will never forget his nickname.

“Bacon.” Tobias said. “He is known by his friends as Bacon.”
“Well,” Mrs. Snead said, “tonight God brought home the bacon!”

Heaven rejoices for Bacon. We laughed, cheered, and thanked God. We burst into songs and shouts of worship.

We were getting into our cars when shots were heard in the distance. Which reminds me: if you don’t mind, please pray for Bacon this week.

-fg

Some of What I Saw

When I first joined, there were a few neighbors who didn’t appreciate the noise we were making. The cops were called. Then last week two guys were shot in broad daylight 50 feet away from where we hold the REMIX (two hours before we started as a matter of fact) and we haven’t heard a peep since. I guess the sound of a bunch of folks singing and rapping about the love of Christ is preferable to gunfire.

Crucified then rose again.
Everyone must answer to Him.
He gave His all then rose again.
King of kings my greatest Friend.

I sang this over and over again along with:

True love is found only (3x)

True love is found only in Jesus.

Passerby’s stopped to listen, cars slowed, people sat on their porches, crossed the street, gathered around. People across the street at one house seemed to really enjoy what was going on. One lady was dancing so hard it was a little funny.

I was surprised to suddenly see a group of people handing out tracts-clearly in evangelization mode-coming towards me as I sang. I had never seen them before. With wide eyes and bright smiles, they seemed ecstatic to see us. We shook hands and hugged like we had known each other for years. They walked on, but in that moment we strengthened each other. We were on the same Team.

The chairs filled and the folks of Arnett Blvd. sat and enjoyed some food and juice. People always show up, but I was particularly impressed by how many families came out. Cuevas was rapping when I saw a large group of seven walking down the street towards us. They stood on the curve close to the street. I quickly went over and asked one of the three young men (they were clearly brothers) if they wanted chairs. He said yes, and came with me to grab some. By the time that family was seated another family came.

I felt a sense of holiness as REMIX leaders did simple stuff like get more Kool-aid or pizza for people. What I saw were priests moving about. I wonder how God saw it.

A couple of teenage girls came up for prayer after Julia Peace and Tobias of INF shared from their heart. We prayed for them. Tobias led them in what is usually called the prayer of Salvation. I tried to imagine what might be happening in Heaven at that moment.

I made it back home in time to watch the Lakers defeat the Celtics in what I thought was a very entertaining fourth quarter.

Go Lakers?

Go Jesus.

-fg

the REMIX

Not everyone wants to go to church. But the truth is God isn’t confined to our buildings. You know what? If you read your Bible closely you’ll find God has some interesting thoughts about this subject. Here’s one: We are the building.

We are a moving, breathing, singing, rapping, praying and loving “building” parked once a week outside 336 Arnett Blvd. The people of God have set up camp on the west side of the city of Rochester New York, “and we’re not going anywhere,” says Michael Peace-the man in charge of what we like to call the REMIX.

Thursdays at 7:30pm we put out café tables and chairs. We set up a sound system and a drum set. Mike orders pizza, and we feed, serve and love on the community.

That’s the point of it all, isn’t it? Share the Holy love we’ve been given. Share, by listening and introducing folks to the power of prayer. Share, by taking a stranger’s hand, compassion filling your heart. Here’s the most important part: we do it every week. Every Thursday we set up camp and light our fires. It’s only been a few weeks, and many have been drawn to our heat.

So what happens when the beautiful family of God sets up camp outside the confines of church walls? I intend to tell you all about it.

-fg