Didn’t get to make it to our last Colorado House Church Worship Nite & Teaching sessions event? Well listen in as we look back at a truly edifying and encouraging day. We arrived at the community center in Globeville on an overcast Saturday afternoon...

 It was a tall, aged brick church building in the middle of a fairly low-income neighborhood just southwest of I-70 and Washington street. A crew from Ancient Paths house church network (who hosted the event) had been there since 10am cleaning and setting up the downstairs area for the teaching sessions and the upstairs area for the worship nite.

A group of 60 or 70 excited adults (plus children) had gathered there for the split teaching sessions. The entire group joined together in prayer there in the wide basement of the old building to kick off the afternoon. The children went into the side nursery area for childcare at this point. Then Michael McGrath, holding a lantern and dressed like a crazy man from a centuries=old Europe, performed a five minute skit from Nietzsche’s “Parable of the Madman”. His voice echoed among those gathered there as he passionately acted out his opening scene. Everyone applauded and was grateful for Michael’s passionate opening skit.

From there we separated into three circles of chairs in different corners of the room for the first round of split teaching sessions. The first three were “Effective Parenting”, “Listening to Jesus”, and “Experiencing the Felt Presence of God”, each led by volunteer teachers from house churches all around the Denver area. The sessions went very smoothly and were each well-attended. Then we took a 5-minute break and started the second round of sessions. These were “Teaching the Hebrew Way”, “Church As A Family”, and a special session for the children. Again, the sessions went smoothly, and the children had a blast during their time together with Brittani who volunteered to teach and work with them. At the end of the second round of sessions (which went long because the teaching and discussions were so lively), the group came back together and a couple of announcements were made – one regarding “School on the Way” and the upcoming college-level class offerings from Jan & Tina Cowles, and another regarding the October experiment with “Churches of Two” from John White. We again prayed together and gave thanks to God for the wonderful afternoon, and then dismissed for dinner break. Even during break, folks were hanging out and enjoying one another – some with food from home, others with fast food takeout.

At seven, we met upstairs for the worship nite. The crowd had changed – some from the afternoon sessions had left for the day, and others who hadn’t come for the afternoon arrived for the evening. The intimate sanctuary of the old church had been decorated with Ceiling hangings, candles, and even a small makeshift cross from one of our artists at the front. Acoustic guitar in hand, Shannon Rants led the evening worship time. She was accompanied by other volunteers playing an electric guitar, electric bass, drums, an African Djimbe (bongo), keyboard, and even an electric violin. Songs were sung and the evening of singing, worship and sharing began. The music soared and people clapped hands, lifted hands, swayed, prayed, cried, danced, and the like. The Holy Spirit definitely was moving in our midst.

Halfway through the time of singing, Shannon opened the floor to anyone to share with the whole body of worshippers what they were hearing from the Lord. Slowly but surely a number of different folks present took their turn at sharing what they were feeling and hearing from Him. What a wonderful time of edification and worship! God spoke to us in beautiful ways before the night was done.

Throughout the event, we had a donations box set out to help pitch in on the costs of the venue, the childcare, and the materials and supplies that went into it. 175$ was donated, and was just enough to cover everything! Thanks to everyone who gave for the cause – this was another confirmation that the Lord was with us, and provided perfectly for the needs of this important event.

Throughout the day, a handful of individuals mentioned that they so enjoyed the two parts of the event that they asked when we were going to do it again! What a joy to see such a successful gathering of organic church families at such a crucial time in how God is moving along the front range. All glory to Him for his grace and peace that He continually pours out upon us and our efforts as we seek to follow Him in every great and every small thing.

It is important to note that this event was not initiated, planned and run by one individual or church group – but by a growing network of leaders and church families from many different backgrounds who have been connecting together on a monthly basis all around the city. A handful of different individuals from different church families felt the Lord’s direction on this, and together worked hard to follow that leading and make this event happen. What a joy to be a part of a body made up of such a diverse group of believers, all supporting one another in the different purposes and focuses that the Father Has called each of us to.

If you are a house church leader along the front range, and would like to connect with other leaders in the area, or if you or your church family would like to help with organizing or volunteering for corporate events like this in the future, take a moment to shoot us an email at info@coloradohousechurch.com.

In His name and for His glory!

Below are some thumbnail photos from the event – for larger pics, click HERE for the full slideshow on facebook.

*Click here For Full Version!  – and to read about the need for donations for Nepalese refugees***

There is a group of about 40 Nepalese individuals and families who have recently come to Denver from Nepal, and are in need of winter clothing. Coats, hats, gloves, even boots, male & female, all sizes and ages (especially for thinner & shorter individuals). A neighboring church family in Centennial has been ministering to them and has asked for help with this need. If you, your church family or network can pitch in, please bring your donations Sunday!

Shared by our wonderful brother Jason Gillis in north Denver:

A highly significant event happened in my life recently, and I am thrilled to share it with you… About 3 months ago, Jesus reached out in love and grace and saved my life. 

By His grace He allowed me to see my own depravity, sin, depression, and the wreck I had made of my life living by the code of my own understanding.  I cried out to Jesus to help me, to forgive me, to change my life anew, and to have a real relationship with Him.  Jesus offered me true life, a life focused on Him, a life of liberation from the entrenched bondage of my ever-growing sins, and a life of love because He poured out His love for me.  He took my place on the cross two thousand years ago and was executed for me – for my sins, my rebellion against God.  Do you know what love is?  Jesus is love, and He showed it in the ultimate way by taking my place.  He asks me to follow Him, and that He is with me always.  This includes everything in life, there is nothing that can separate me from His love.  I am so excited to have been found by Him and His rapturous, delightful love!

You see, I grew up in the church my whole life and even went to private Christian schools.  I became interested in theology and apologetics, and even amassed a formidable library of some 300 christian books and something in the neighborhood of about 2- Bibles.  I bought cassette tapes and listened to them.  I talked about God with people, even unbelievers and skeptics.

And you’re thinking “But you were just saved by Jesus now? That doesn’t make sense.”   Right, it doesn’t make sense unless you could see my heart.  I was a counterfeit. 

Going to church, looking at the Bible from time to time, gaining lots of theological knowledge, and even speaking in-house Christianese vocabulary doesn’t save you.  I know, because that’s what I did for a large portion of my life.  What was missing?

A relationship to Jesus Christ.  Asking Him to lead my life – submission of my life to Him.  Belief in Him, that He really did die – in my place.  A changed heart by His power – not mine.  Accepting His free gift of salvation and life.

I had intellectualized theology and Christianity, and in the process rejected the substance of Christianity – a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the lover of my soul, the one who created me, the one who knows everything about me, and even feels my pain and hurt.  A relationship to the one who the prophet Isaiah called “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

I’ll be turning 27 years old in a week, and I am absolutely joyful for salvation and relationship with God, in His love, mercy, and grace He allowed me to enter into.

FOR MORE PICS OF THIS EVENT, CLICK HERE

Jason works as a security guard in Boulder, and he is careful to credit his salvation totally and supremely to God’s love and grace and mercy, and not on a specific type of church gathering. He loves house church, but also understands that God is so big, He operates in ways we may not rightly understand, until we shall see Him as He is. God is moving in wonderful ways!

John White and Hugh Brandt will be facilitating training for anyone who is leading or planning to lead a simple church. We will be meeting for the next three Monday evenings - April 13, 20, 27 from 6:30-8:30 pm. Bring a sandwich and we will talk over dinner. 

This will be training in the Hebraic style.  That is, the students determine the curriculum. So, bring the questions and issues that you want to talk about relating to leadership. Email John for directions: DenverWH@aol.com