1 Peter 5:14 in the New International Version of the Bible says, "Greet one another with a kiss of love." Spirit and Truth Fellowship, located at 4440 N. 6th Street, takes this literally. Each person that walked through the doors on Sunday for the early service received a bulletin full of upcoming events and a kiss on the cheek. The warm greeting was exemplary of the rest of the service: vulnerable and accepting.
With some hands raised in worship and heads bowed in prayer, the congregation actively engaged one another and their God for two hours. The songs focused on an outward love and declarations of faith. The message delivered by the pastor challenged the congregation to find joy in all circumstances. He spoke of an inner peace that each believer is granted upon acceptance of the Lord that should provide strength that non-believers cannot have access to.
At the conclusion of the service, people mingled and children played. Walking out, music could be heard through the open windows filling the streets with soft melodies and strong voices. People walked to their cars or back to their homes through the neighborhood.
The congregation was diverse to say the least. There were at least three different languages used throughout the service in either song or in greetings. There was no segregation between ethnicities, special interests, ages, or gender, accurately portraying the demographics of the Hunting Park neighborhood. There was a baby dedication and a prayer said for an ailing senior citizen in the church. There was a message in the bulletin to help build wells in Africa and one about a fundraising effort for a local arts program. With eyes closed, the worship they created sounded united, as one body, fulfilling the mission of the church: "Our mission involves Christians in evangelizing others, planting churches, and developing ministries designed to bring about community transformation as a witness to the grace of God and the Lordship of Christ."
Rachel Horning, Group 28, Hunting Park
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