This week The Desens House hosted its largest weekly Wednesday breakfast at Elim Grace. 75 people came and ate and talked. The breakfast is well supported by Desens staff and volunteers, Elim Grace staff and volunteers, as well as volunteers from Oswego Alliance Church and other local organizations. The breakfast continues to grow through word of mouth and has come a long way since it’s inception some years ago when for several weeks no one showed up.

Not all that God says is possible is immediate. Many times it is gradual, barely perceptible to our human eye. But, if we could see with spiritual eyes, we would see the growth that God is supplying by His grace.

With the growth has come a reputation. Word is getting around about what we do. This means that for the most part we are drawing those who are sincere in their coming. They’re seeking help, community, support, and love. A lot of good is being accomplished.

And, yet, there are obstacles that come. There are those who come and seek to exploit what we do. There are the failed attempts at a drug deal. There is the presence of demonic oppression and distractions. There is emotional conflict and intense relational tension. And more.

Kingdom work will always have this mixture of “the wheat and the weeds” (Matthew 13). The way forward is to let both grow together.

Within the family of Elim Grace there is a significant growth and presence of the recovery community. We welcome them. This has been my personal heart, vision and calling since becoming Senior Pastor.

We purchased the property that has become The Desens House some 6 years ago. But it took us some time to move the project forward and ministry along. In the meantime, I determined and felt from the Lord that we should not wait until the Desens House was up and running to begin serving the recovery community. So we began Celebrate Recovery at Elim Grace. We began hosting the Wednesday breakfast mentioned above. And little by little we have become a place where this community knows they are welcome and feels safe at home.

This has not been without its challenges to us as a church family.

Every family has its unique identity, personality, rules and habits. When someone new joins the family there is a level of disruption that occurs. The family must be committed to extend patience and grace. At the same time, the new family member must be willing to learn overtime how to fit in, how their new family operates and functions and works together. Again, patience and grace and love are required on both sides.

We, the family of Elim Grace, must continue to be hospitable and welcoming to those in the recovery community. Yes, many come not knowing what the expectations and guidelines are, particularly on Sunday mornings for our services. That’s usually when they first begin to watch and to learn how the family behaves and what the family believes. And that’s usually when (in our sanctuary, in our hallways, on our lawn) we first begin to practice mercy and kindness.

In the past it has been suggested to me that we implement a Sunday Recovery Service. This service would be designed for and attended by only those in recovery. It took me all of 3 seconds to say ”No” to this idea. (Not because it was the wrong suggestion nor because the person was in any way judgmental.) Primarily, for two reasons:

1. Those in the recovery community need a family that are not in the same place as they are and can rally around them, support them, and walk with them. They need to see families, marriages and friendships operate in healthy ways. They need to see why and how we worship Jesus. Why and how we trust in God and walk in obedience to His Word. Why and how we love and serve one another. Why and how we confess our sins, repent and forgive one another.

2. The larger family of Elim Grace needs those in the recovery community. We learn from them. We learn how to serve those different from us. How to be hospitable to those with completely different backgrounds. How to be humble and admit our own pride. How to be sacrificial and generous towards many who are “the least of these”. By their presence, we are both challenged and changed for the better.

Those in the recovery community are with us for our good as much as we are with them for their good. Again, there can be some level of discomfort and/or awkwardness that comes with new people joining our church family. In fact, church growth that is true growth should make us uncomfortable. Why? Because Jesus is drawing and transforming people in need of transformation! People who may be, in short, not like us. And, yet, who are every bit like us! We are each of us in need of God’s saving grace through Jesus Christ.

Why did God make all of humanity through one man (Adam)? So that no one could say to their fellow human being, “My father is better than your father.”

Why is every “new creation” created in Christ? Why is every new life “born again” by the Spirit? So that no one can say, “My people or nation or race or tribe or tongue or social class or family is better than yours.”

Dear Elim Grace, do not forget where you have come from by the grace of God. And do not forget we are growing not a big church but a big people — a people big in Christ. Big in His mercy, grace and love.

Practically, yes, there are things to be on guard about and protective of (and we are). We are to be wise and not naive. We need healthy boundaries in place. Yet, Elim Grace, compelled by the love of Christ, we must continue — we cannot but continue — to welcome and to serve those in the recovery community. We are better with them than we would be without them. They are a precious part of our family.