Church in the Park
Q: What do you call a Church that meets outdoors in the park every week in the middle of Winter?
A: Cool
Treb Praytor, Lead Pastor of the Vine OKC brings volunteers from the Church body, a meal and a message every Wednesday to a City Park near Downtown OKC. Many of the area homeless leave their panhandling posts to partake in the physical and Spiritual food that is offered there.
People who are critical of Church because of all the usual trappings and the money it takes to support them should make this their weekly “feeding”, too. It is the same message heard in the steepled Church, but the heart of Jesus Christ is evident and overflowing in compassionate service.
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed’, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16 NIV)
The Church in action is a beautiful thing. I thought maybe some would leave after the meal, but not so; a couple who had taken their meal away from the others gathered near as the message began, and listened intently as if drinking in every word. The same appeared to be true about all of the others in attendance.
After the message, prayer requests that day included Jimmy, the man who lost part of his foot to frostbite, and a plea for the Lord to mercifully guide some of those who had a place to live but were losing it due to a change in management policy. Afterwards one of the volunteers from the VineOKC asked those in attendance to have Jimmy get in touch with her in case he needed anything.
Very cool.