We all experience joy in our various churches that we could share with others; this is my joy.
New Life Ministries is a bit like The Muppet Show.
Remember the original show, from the 70’s, with its combination of zany characters and playfulness? The Muppet Show left a legacy in me. Kermit was like a childhood friend, whom I missed after Jim Henson passed away.
In documentaries, I heard performers say Jim Henson would encourage them to play and he would take their best bits for the show. I remember thinking, “that is how I want to lead – to direct the playful, creative energy of a group of friends into something amazing.”
New Life Ministries is a bit like The Muppet Show.
On my birthday a few Sunday’s ago, the service leader caught me in my office to ask if people knew and if she could say something. I responded, “I don’t think it’s necessary. We’re all equals here; don’t do anything we wouldn’t do for other people. Don’t sing or anything.”
During the opening music one of our semi-regulars came in, someone who is still working on overcoming an addiction. She likes to sing loud and not always on key or in rhythm in the back. It’s great when she comes, though, and I celebrate that she gives her all when she sings.
After the opening music, the service leader called her up to the front. “We have one more song to sing and we need your help for it.” (You can probably see where this is going; I was totally confused at what was happening.) “It’s pastor Curtis’ birthday. Can you lead us in singing happy birthday to him?” She lit up
As she sang, out came this incredible voice. On pitch, on rhythm, with clarity and incredible soul. All I could think was “Where did this voice come from?!? Where has she been hiding it all this time?” It was perfect moment; I wonder what plans Jesus has for her.
During the service a week later, we took time to celebrate one of our guys completing two years of house arrest. The crime was one of the pieces the LORD used to lead him to church and to Jesus. We also celebrated the renovation work he did at New Life for his community service hours.
How often do churches get to celebrate this kind of thing? House arrest is hard. I’ve learned a lot watching his experience. The frustration of not being able to leave home in the evening – not able to take your dog for a walk, not able to get away and cool down if there’s conflict in the house – and always having to report your weekly whereabouts to an officer. But our guy pushed through, persevered, endured. The celebration was not just about ending house arrest, it was celebrating the work Jesus has done in his life. We even had a cake!
Five days later, I was recording someone’s testimony for our naloxone training seminar. She was talking about how she got into the world of drugs, how far it went, and what helped turn her life around. It was a privilege to listen to her story. She also explained how she used naloxone to save someone’s life on a bus. She is one of my heroes (as I tell her) because she is working so hard trying to figure out how to follow Jesus and make her life work. Her tenacity and perseverance are incredible.
A few days later it is Sunday again. During set up, while our Sunday computer is being difficult and the service start is delayed, one of our women is playfully scolding an older man for using a paper cup for his coffee. “Just because you use a disposable cup doesn’t mean you get out of doing dishes!” Everyone in the room laughs.
What a privilege to be part of this place. New Life Ministries is like The Muppet Show… and I get to be Kermit. Each person here is unique, beautiful, and a little bit weird. The result is something amazing.
Curtis Halbesma
Pastor – New Life Ministries
