As the Advent season is upon us, I’m reminded of the difficulty of waiting… of the unknown….of the unadorned and undone. And that led me to reflect on the work of many of our CBF church starters who labor often behind the scenes – making relationships and moving into communities often under-served by other churches. Nathan and Carrie Dean have been dreaming of a church in the Edgewood community of Atlanta for over two years. Just this fall, they have begun weekly worship services. They struggle to meet expenses, and they do amazing work with the shoestring budget under which they operate. They work long hours to support the community they have been called to serve.

For them, I know each week is an Advent moment as they do the hard work that it takes to establish their fledgling community. Each week they wait and hope for people to arrive, to meet the spiritual and physical needs they encounter. But each week they have stories to share of God’s work among them.

Here are just a few from a recent weekend.  (The names have been changed for confidentiality)

In a phone conversation with Nathan Saturday afternoon, Renee broke down and cried and said, “Thank you so much for loving me and reaching out to me.  I want you to know that I re-gave my life to Jesus yesterday.  I’m going to start coming to church.  I’ve messed up in so many ways, but I’m starting over.  Thank you for loving me.”

George was walking down the street on Sunday morning while some people from Edgewood Church were setting up signs.  He stopped and asked, “Hey, you’re with Edgewood Church right?  What time do your services start?  I’ve been hearing good things about this church and I want to be a part of anything good that is happening in the community.”

A young man came to church this Sunday that we have been praying for.  He is out on bail and awaiting a very serious court date with his only hope hinging on a public defender that can’t remember his name, much less the details of his case.  Not only did he come to church this Sunday, but he also said he wants to talk to someone about becoming a follower of Jesus and getting baptized.

Three other people asked to talk with someone about becoming a follower of Jesus this Sunday.

A young, single-parent family has adopted Edgewood Church as their own.  The mom read scripture this past Sunday and has volunteered to be a youth mentor.  The son has taken it on as his job to light the candles and has asked to read scripture next week.  The college-age daughter has volunteered both to be a youth mentor and to sing with the Music Team.

A young woman who has a dream of being a writer but struggles with giving up on life has been paired with a mentor who runs a writers’ workshop for women in the neighborhood.

God is alive and well in Edgewood, and the Deans and the church community they are planting are a central part of God’s work. To learn more about Edgewood Church or to offer support to this ministry, visit their website:  http://edgewoodchurchatlanta.org/