Catching Up on 2015: Preaching at Soma of Christ

When I went to Alabama in March this year, it wasn't just to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and niece. I also visited the church that gave me the majority of my support for my Colombia Mission Trip in 2014.

After I had announced my intent to go on this short-term mission trip, Scott asked his pastor if they would be willing to help support me, and he said yes! Considering that Pastor Shaun at Soma of Christ in Tuscaloosa hadn't ever met me, it was quite an opportunity. I made a video requesting their financial and prayerful help for the trip and they gave it to me. It was so unusual for a church to do this sight-unseen, I considered it a miracle. After I got back home from the trip to Colombia, I counted how much money I had spent versus how much I had raised, and they were almost exactly equal. I took this as another indication that the support I received was heavenly.

In the process of my support, Pastor Shaun had invited me to speak at his church after I came back from Colombia to report how God had worked through this trip.

On Friday, March 20, I met with people from Soma of Christ for the first time. They were having a men's fellowship that night at the local bowling alley. They first had a devotional, and then we drove to the bowling alley. We played a couple games and had pizza. From these men, I could start seeing the church's character, one that was filled with Christ's love.

I'm bowling with the Soma Men's Fellowship. Here's Scott making a toss!

Afterward, I talked to Scott about what I had observed and he added that when Tuscaloosa had suffered the April 25-28, 2011 Tornado Outbreak, Soma of Christ was one of the few locations that hadn't been damaged by tornadoes. The members of the church helped each other and the community out with their building and with the care that they gave each other. I could tell that the people in this church were tight.

I don't preach very often, and I would say that outside of my college days, Sunday, March 22 was the third time I've ever delivered a message. I used my experience in Colombia to explain what the practice of prayer is. When I went to Colombia, I literally prayed for between 100-200 people. In some cases I saw immediate results, even healings, and in other cases, entire families were saved. I think that one way that we show Christ's love is through prayer for people at large. Oftentimes in the United States we feel as if our prayers are unheard or ignored since we don't usually see immediate, obvious results.

Wayne speaks about prayer at Soma of Christ in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

I found myself right at home in Soma of Christ and could plainly see that Jesus was with this family of believers. Their prayerful and financial support was such a blessing in my life. I'll be excited to see this church next time I visit Scott and Amanda.