I looked out at the crowd of nearly 200 folks at Xcelerate last night and several things came to mind. Foremost is that for many, we become a temporary family, a community of like minded people in the middle of an anticipated life change that support each other.
Some have been banished from their own family's contact, others cannot count on an unstable home and some are without anything, straight out of jail or the woods. We collectively with their sober living facility become the support they need if they want it. What I saw in their eyes was the need for someone to really care enough to get down and dirty with them, not just how are you doing but how can we help you get to where you need to go? As a community we may not always see eye to eye but we are accountable enough to tell you what you need not what you want to hear, and that may help them grow the most. And, as a community love flows in every direction, to the felon, to the hopeless addict, to the worn out alcoholic, and to those that are in their lives as friends, spouses and family that are still connected. Love wins as Jesus taught, the right kind of love that encourages, bears others burdens, forgives and brings out the best in each other. At ATB that is and always will be our Community, a place to grow, thrive and serve your fellow man and woman. Pretty sure that's the way God would want it to be. In fact once the new church was established after Pentecost and did even more than we are doing now scripture said: And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved! Not rocket science - we show up and do what God asks us to do - people show up in more quantities and find a relationship with Him - then he adds to the numbers not because of us, but because we established a community that evolves around Him. Community, with a whole lot of room to grow!
1 Comment
Troy Crider
11/1/2024 09:51:30 am
Good word, Glenn! Love it.
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Glenn YankowskiGlenn is an ex-Marine Viet Nam vet who is also a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 30 years. He has been involved in start up and ongoing recovery ministry at North Atlanta Church and Campus for the last two decades. He has a passion for outreach and to spread the message that the answer to lasting and fulfilling recovery from addiction is in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He and the ATB team are available to assist in your questions or needs on an individual basis and will do so maintaining complete confidentiality. You may e-mail him at [email protected]. Archives
October 2024
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