L-O-V-E

Photograph by: Lovena Kesner

This month I have seen my church bond in the most spiritually uplifting way. Don't get me wrong, we usually hold events where we get to fellowship (like church concerts, bowling, holiday celebrations, etc) and we do have groups that get together throughout the week like the adult groups and the youth groups, but never have I seen us collectively rejoicing and surrendering in the presence of the Lord. Lately, our topics at youth have been transparency; putting down our barriers and becoming a church family.

In John 17 v: 20-21, Jesus prays to the Father that His believers may unite as one in each other and in Him. "(20)My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one,Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

This past week especially, I was blessed to see my brothers and sisters in Christ submit onto the Holy Spirit. During praise and worship night, the youth had their hands lifted, tears falling, voices singing in unison- unashamed to call out to God, unafraid to pray on their knees, relentless pursuing Him and allowing the Spirit to move through them as it pleases. It was a never before seen experience for me that I will never forget. That same week consisted of nights of celebration for our church's evangelism team who just made 7 years. God's home exploded with joy! Kids, teenagers, adults, elderly- regardless of age, position, or physical hardship- were on their feet; dancing, jumping, praising our Father. Peniel is a traditionally calm church with a couple break outs of dancing every now and then, but this week we could not stand still. The laughter, the fellowship, the love in that place was unbelievable. I can't help but feel that this is a new chapter for us and I cannot wait to see what God does in the lives of His people.

Video Photographs by Hugo Desir