The Well~~ Answer to a prayer

Church on Plum St "The Well"

We had been praying for this church for a long time. I remember first seeing it and Sim saying "That is gonna be Changing Lives Now Ministries" I remember looking at this run down building, the weeds climbing up the crumbling walls, the holes where once beautiful stain glass use to be and the dealers and prostitutes lurking in the wooded lot surrounding it. My eyes saw all of the destruction, for a instant I thought "woo gonna cost a lot to get that up an running". But the eyes of my heart........ Saw laughter as kids played on newly paved parking lots, the sound of the huge bell ringing out a invitation, the doors wide open , women brushing off their hands from pulling that one weed among the flower beds, A older brother standing on the steps yelling out to the playground that its about to start, and the excitement on all the faces as they run in to hear of God's love for them. I see safety, I see peace, I see God.
So the prayers began.
Every time we would go out to do block on Saturdays, I would look over and grin, seeing in my mind that vision God had given me months ago. Each time, I would look to see if there was something that I didn't see before. I saw the big house next to it, and learned that it was a part of the abandoned church. I saw it with a fresh coat of paint and the porch restored to original beauty. Each new thing I would notice the following Saturdays made my imagination jump and see more and more of what God can do. The long building attached to the back I found out were class rooms. OH, my heart leaped and the possibilities were endless. I could see rooms full of youth, teens, adults and elderly! After-school homework help, literacy classes for all ages, studies from the bible that would help with today problems, finance budgeting classes, cooking classes, childcare classes, discipleship, spiritual gifts, purpose classes, grant writing for college, computer classes, organization classes, parenting, résumé writing, job training, etc. All these classes meeting the whole families needs right where they need them.
One Saturday evening Sim pointed out that the whole wooded lot, and the land surrounding belonged to the empty church also. Again, my mind took this information and played out a scenery of children exploring and learning of God's awesome power and creation in detail.
So much Vision for one neglected building.

I fell in love with Adopt A Block, in love with the ministry of reaching out to the neighborhoods that for years have been given up on. In love with the children and families that thirst for hope, for purpose, for Christ. The families often don't even realize that what they are thirsting for, who they are craving, but only know that they are being drawn to the well. Where Christ is asking you to draw from Him, to drink that living water. Like a child with a great secret that you just cant keep, I long to run and tell everyone who needs Him about my joy, my hope, my love, my God. This building I know will be another tool to train up mighty warriors. Warriors right from the least expected, from the streets that police, city officials, and statistics say the percentage for breaking generational poverty is low next to impossible. I think they are right. It is next to impossible. Without God. That is why I see the need for this building at this place at this time with HIS message.

We had shared our vision with another couple, a successful local business man and his wife. I later learned that he had went to that church as a child having grown up in that neighborhood. One Saturday he walked around the church, looking with his heart. The Holy Spirit spoke to him from then on, instilling in him a determination to find who the church belonged to, and how it could be obtained. It was harder than first expected, the names had changed, no one knew who actually held the deed for the long forgotten church. With persistence and guidance thru the Holy Spirit the names and numbers slowly dwindled down. This man of God shared one night, that he came in the habit of driving by this building out of his way frequently. During one of his prayful drive by's he noticed that the front door to the church was cracked open. While he was turning around to go back he was wondering why he was being drawn to go in. He knew it was dangerous, that there could be drug deal going on, drug abuse, almost anything going on inside, plus it was private property. Yet the Holy Spirit led him to step in. With Faith he entered the abandon building. He yelled out more of a warning to whom ever might be inside, that he was there. Silence. With prayers on his lips he made his way thru the years of children playing unattended and the trash left behind. He spoke with his Father of all the dreams, hopes, and promise that this once full of life building could be in this neighborhood. In the sanctuary he hit his knees among the dirt and trash. "God make this into a house of God again" A simple prayer that speaks of so many things. Of hope.

I believe that pure prayer from a man who beat the odds, who left poverty behind, who reached goals, has had success in his life somehow moved God's heart. A beautiful wife, children who love the Lord, a big gorgeous home, nice cars, successful business yet here he was on his knees begging the Lord to fill this land again with His Grace. I wonder did as a child, did this man pray to get out of that area? Did God instill in his small heart those dreams, goal, success knowing that he would return to be a servant to those who didn't leave? Did God bring him back to the very place he left so that he could do wonderful things in the name of his King? The image I had in my mind when he told me about his adventure added fuel to my imagination. He spoke of the mess, yet had excitement about all the potential, the rooms, the gym, and the sanctuary.
Weeks had gone by, every Saturday I would go over all the tidbits he shared as we drove by. Some days I would ask Sim to drive by it, He would just look at me and go out of the way to let me look some more with my heart. I could not help but to pray & to get excited waiting for my answered prayer.

In revival one night I sat there listening to a man speak about revival. He spoke of a man in Texas who went to a town where noone welcomed him or worse no one welcomed who he came to share. On the outside of town he set up a tent and every night would preach to a empty tent. He KNEW God called him there, he listened to the Holy Spirit & stood in faith that he was there to spread the Good News. Day after day, he preached until one night the town pushed down the fence they had build and hundreds crawled to the makeshift alter accepting the Lord into their hearts. I sat up in attention when he first started the story, the Holy Spirit quickening me. I closed my eyes and saw a small open tent, makeshift alter, lawn chairs, and Sim standing on a small stage preaching the Good News. I saw no one there, then 2 or three, then a handful, and hundreds crawling across the ground to a alter crying out for the Lord. I saw this all in the parking lot next to this church. Grabbing my notebook I drew what I saw. Could I ask the people who owned it if we could at least use their land? What if we mowed and kept it clean? Would they let us have revival maybe have our events?

The following Saturday we had Cedarville students out doing street evangelism. Our beginning point was infront of this church and ended back at the same spot. As I looked out upon the faces of those who saw today first hand the lonely, the addicted, the hurt, and the lost, I asked them all to remember this place in prayer. That God would somehow give it to our ministry to open up as a Center of Faith. A "well" where they can come get living water.

On Friday at work my husband called saying "You will not believe this". I put down my pen, shoved all my files to the side and said "Lay it on me." He went to tell me that he was in a meeting when his cell rang. Normally he just turns it off and doesn't think nothing of it except he will call them back. Well this number came up he didn't recognize and the Holy Spirit told him it was important. Finishing the meeting he hurried to dial it back. It was my mothers preacher. He said that he had heard that our ministry wanted the old church on Plum St and if we would pay the small amount they had just put into it this month, then we could have it. I sat here among the files, computer flashing, phone beeping, and people walking by with tears running down my face. I could instantly see kids playing, hear praise music thru the open doors and the church bell ringing its beginning of service. He went on to say that it would all be a done deal in a few weeks. That ALL of it was being signed over to the ministry. All 5 lots of land, the church, the classrooms, and the house, everything. I could not do anything but cry and praise His name. I don't even remember what was said after that, all I know that my heart sang of love for a Father who loves that neighborhood so much.

I told all who would hear of what God had done, those who believe in Him and those who don't. At one point not even a hour after the call it crossed my mind that "He is already getting the Glory out of this Church!" People were hearing real testimony of how He answers prayers specifically. I called Sim back to ask if I could call the business man who had hit his knees in faith. He laughed and said "Sure, but let me tell you the rest. I came back from a meeting and another funder donated the exact amount to pay it off completely." Again God's awesome faithfulness in providing overwhelmed me.
I called my fellovisionaryer and told him the news. I expressed how I didn't know how moms pastor came about in all this, but that the church would indeed once again become a House of God. That cry had been heard, and answered. Laughing he said, "I don't think I told you the whole story of the day I stopped in." He went on to tell me that after he dusted off his knees and locked it up tight, he drove past his church (again out of the way) a girl answered the door and wouldn't let him in not knowing him. His pastor (my mothers also) peeked his head around and let him in. They went to his office, where he told his pastor about this church, the vision, and what his prayer had been. Together they called who owned the deed and shared what vision they had for this deserted place. They had stated "Make a reasonable offer". He went on to tell me that he then began praying in earnest that God would speak to their hearts to just give it away. I was in awe of the intricate web God had used of so many people to make this happen. They did "just give it away" and the remainder got paid within a hour. God has a plan for this land for this Well.

The next day I sat in Adopt A Block morning meeting before going out to witness like we do every Saturday. But this Saturday was different. Sim & I greeted everyone like always , drinking coffee, laughing, and full of real joy knowing that in a hour we would be bringing the Gospel out again to our blocks. I kept looking at Sim and all the dedicated Christian warriors that come every Saturday morning, My heart was beating madly in my chest with excitement. That morning Sim went through the same motions that begin our Saturday morning prayer as sleepy but determined people wander in. Briefly I pondered what Sim and everyone would do if I let the kid in me burst out like she wanted to. I laughed seeing me standing on the chair as a stage doing a little happy dance and saying "Ok I can't take it anymore...Guessss what God did!" Sim must have picked up on my serious contemplation of doing just that when he spoke up and said, "I better tell you the news before my wife bursts." I looked around grinning uncontrollably at all the raised eyebrows looking at me as I shook in my chair. As soon as he started speaking all eyes were on him. As the above story unveiled tears flowed, hands clapped, and praise arose removing the roof. The Spirit of God was so thick, so real that I had to bite my lip to keep from shouting out "Is my God GooD or what?"

I have to admit, that was the longest morning prayer and mini service I ever had to sit through! The Word from God was penetrating, which only added to the excitement inside of me. After the meeting we went out to our blocks. Right in the heart of our neighborhood we parked, directly infront of the Well. Everyone piled out of the vans and stood looking. Some seeing the building for the first time as what it can be, what it will be. The teens talked, pointed, grinned, and hugged. I cried, smiling. We did our block, and was amazed how many said "we heard you got that church." I was shocked to see how fast word spread and was blessed to see all the excitement and hope I saw sparking in the "forgotten" peoples eyes. Even the people I know still are doing as the world does, dealing, addicted, stealing, and lost were wanting this land to fill with Gods grace again. Of course they want Hope we all do. They were proud to be a part of it, and they are a part of it.

Walking back down the street towards the towering church, I could hear the bell ringing in my heart. I told Sim that is the first thing we should work on. A few teenagers wondered around, trying to peek in windows, and excitedly shouting over their shoulders of their finds. On a time schedule, we had to leave before I could join in with the teens. We piled back into the vans and drove away. I kept looking in the rear view mirror my heart pulled to go back. After dropping everyone off, I begged Sim to go back, just us. He didn't understand the pull I feel there, still doesn't. But he loves me, so he went back. I jumped out and roamed around. The boys climbed, peeked, called out and explored as much as I did. Sim got caught up in the child like adventure that overtook me and the boys, looking in the tiny cracks along with us. I went over to the big house next to the church, amazed that this too was the ministries. The beautiful front door with early 1800's doorbell "awed" me, Looking in thru the front windows at the perfect hardwood floors, detailed entryways, high ceilings and careful woodwork shone thru the inches of dust and dirt. The history lover, writer in me took in everything my eyes could see and spun stories in my mind.

Standing on tip toe I looked into the dining room window. My heart stopped. A four inch gap in the dirty lace curtains I looked down onto a huge dining room table covered by layers of dust. It wasn’t the beautiful antique table that caught my breath or made tears blur my vision, it was the pure white sign laying on top, as if untouched. Upon it read in blue bold letters "Adopt A Block" underneath "Bringing the Gospel in a REAL way." I stood back and then looked again. I said,"look" to one of the boys, each looked awed, not saying a word. I told Sim, "Look." Sim looked, seeing what I saw. Telling me he forgot that this church is where Adopt A Block had originated in Springfield. I looked again, whispering "thank you God." My heart knew that all these years it sat empty, it was forgotten, was abandon by man....... It was NEVER abandon by our God. That He was right there waiting for Adopt A Block, to bring BACK the Gospel in a REAL way. We always seem to ask God for a sign...... Well in that window laid a sign for years, just waiting for someone to have child like faith and peek in not with their eyes, but with their hearts. I am saying again today, like I did that day I looked in that streaked window "You can't tell me that isn't our God!"