What the World has Lost, Heaven has Gained

We drive to New York City to go to church. It's 52 miles from our parking lot at home to the parking garage down the street from the church. Does that seem a little far to you? It is..........when you are talking about going to church. Most people want to go somewhere just around the corner. I would like that, too. But for some reason we felt led to attend Times Square Church right smack-dab in the middle of New York City. We have been to churches here in New Jersey. We have tried visiting some just minutes away. But we can't shake it......we feel drawn to TSC at this particular time in our lives.

Times Square Church was founded in the 1980's by a small-town boy named David Wilkerson. He felt God call him to minister to prostitutes and drug dealers in Times Square. He actually preached to them on the streets. There are many, many wonderful life-changing stories from people who heard him. He brought the love of Jesus down to a dirty, crowded street and came up with souls rescued and won by the power of the Spirit.

This man might surprise you if you saw him walking down the street. He was small, skinny and had funny hair, but the faith he had in his God brought walls tumbling down.

He and his ministry have had a huge impact on our lives for years. We have been receiving his newsletters (which are basically some of his sermons) since we got married. We have been receiving his daily devotionals by email since we moved here. And now we attend the church that he founded.

We get some funny looks when we tell people where we go to church. I should be used to it! I have been getting funny looks all my life!!! But, there is a reason we drive an hour, one way to church. We are loved, encouraged, and exhorted EVERY time we step foot in the building. We walk out of that building changed. Every. single. time. We walk out able to face another week, and most importantly, resting in the love that Jesus has for us. We appreciate the faithfulness of Pastor David and his staff....they truly want to lead their flock in the ways of the Lord. It's not about them, it's about HIM.

Pastor David passed away suddenly yesterday. We were in shock. We have never met him, but have a kinship with him through our relationship with the Lord. It makes my heart heavy for his family, for the people whose lives he helped change and for the church people. This was a man who impacted MILLIONS of lives. He will be greatly missed. And, fortunately, we will see him on the other side.


You can read the last devotional he posted at this link:
www.davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com
It was made yesterday, the day he passed on to meet Jesus.