CityLife Church Melbourne Australia

Someone who has just recently joined our EPIC Youth - Whittlesea, spotted his friend while playing in the church car park. He was a family friend and also attended primary school with him. So he encouraged him to join him at Youth. The boy's mother was unsure of the idea, because she was just there to get some fish and chips from a neighbouring shop for him and his sister. It was her first time at the shopping centre next door and she didn't even know that it existed, let alone having a church (CityLife) there.

The boy's friend was comfortable with the surroundings and followed him around, meeting the other boys and being quite talkative with them. His younger sister was also taken around and introduced to the other girls (even though she's still in grade 4). She, too, felt so comfortable, laughing and carrying on. The mum was so surprised her kids were happy to stay and getting along with the other youth. But because she needed to pick up their older brother from Cricket, she had to take them with her, promising to be back in about 15 minutes.

When they came back with their older brother, the youth were heading into their Life Groups, so all three kids joined them! I went and sat with the mum, who wasn't too comfortable to leave her children there on their own. We sat down and started to chat, as she told me her story. Her story is that of struggle and survival. As it turned out, we both had gone to the same college and may have crossed paths at the time. The following Sunday, she came to church with her children... They thoroughly enjoyed the service, and the kids can't wait to go to youth next week!

Posted in February 2016

Engaging with others