Just like in America, Sunday's mean church!
This City Impact Northshore campus welcomed me...
...with more than just an open door.
Planning on taking the bus, my host mum graciously offered to drive me. Little did she know how impactful that gesture was. I was extremely nervous to step foot in a new church, across the world, in another hemisphere, alone. My host mum flashed me a huge smile and wave, and immediately I was greeted by City Impact's Welcome Team. Talk about door-to-door smiles.
Unsure and hesitant, I entered with an open mind. After I found my way to the help/welcome desk I was hugged and greeted by a Welcome Team Leader (we'll call her Welcome Lady #1) who led me straight to get a free cup of coffee and welcome
pamphlet. TALK ABOUT THE HOOKUP. This wonderful woman introduced the church, explained some history, and asked me about myself; not asking about my religious journey, just about me! Overwhelmed with relief, I enjoyed my flat white coffee and met a few of her friends she invited over to join us. As soon as I knew it, her two kids, group of friends and the waitresses were all
hanging out with us chatting away, until the countdown for service began!
I express my appreciation as best as I can and head into the auditorium to find a seat. Shocked by its size, I find a seat right on the end behind the sound booth. Within seconds, another woman (we'll call her Welcome Lady #2) passes me and taps my shoulder simply saying "welcome!" Okay, at this point I feel like I have 'I'm new and a tourist please help me' written on my forehead. Later I realize the pamphlet is what gave it away.
Thrown off, I just look back up at the front.
"Come sit with us, silly!" It was Welcome Lady #1's group of friends inviting me to sit with them. Obviously I couldn't pass up that invite!
The service was directed very similarly to what I'm use to, with a few twists.
Worship - a few songs, one specifically written by one of the guitarists
Announcements - birthdays, deaths, weddings, engagements, & other personal announcements (*loved this!)
Summit - there is an upcoming Summit for the church-goers to attend next month
Offering - I'm unsure if they were donating this offering to Elevate - Christian Disability Trust, but it was Disability Awareness Sunday!!
Sermon - Matthew 6
Closing Prayer - including sent in prayer requests
Final Song - a Hillsong United song I've never heard before
After saying my farewells and starting to track the next bus, Welcome Lady #2 came up apologizing for not introducing herself earlier when initially welcoming me. She insisted to take me on a full tour and recognized my passion for kids as she began introducing me to the staff in the Kids Church and the attached school.
The attached school has been educating students, kindy - Year 13 (preschool-high school), since it was first founded in 2004. About 200 students currently attend this private school and share the mission:
To provide Christ-centered education where students grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, which allows them to be all God has called them to be. -City Impact School
Thank goodness I have signed to teach in Colorado already or my mom might not be too happy after my visit to City Impact, as it truly has been quite the impact. The loving Welcomer Lady #2 continued to take me through the halls of City Impact's NZ main campus exploring the coffee shop, bookstore, children's play area, lounge, admin rooms, and water fall. I thought I was just going to sneak in going to a church service. Little did I know, I was in for the whole shabang!
Welcome Lady #2 introduced me to her daughter-in-law and some of the other leaders in the kids church who were apart of the young adults ministry. "You look like you're young and in your twenties, why don't you girls take her (me) to the café tonight after evening service!"
Woah, ok lady.
1) people attend two services in a day? 2) that's like prime dinner time. 3) I have Dancing with the Stars NZ; it's tradition, Sunday nights my host mum, roommate, and I watch it!!
After laughing and exchanging numbers with some of the girls, I figured it would be best if I pass tonight (giving my social skills a break) and regroup on Wednesday for Midweek service and even bring one of my friends from the teaching abroad program!
By now it was 1PM (thanks to my growling stomach), and I, once again, thanked everyone for their generosity and kindness and then headed to the bus stop. Just like any other 22-year-old traveler, I rang my parents to tell them one of the best experiences of my trip thus far. Almost teary eyed, I truly realized how #blessed I was to be here.
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