so about a month or so ago my friend Veronica had mentioned that her church was doing a service project down in Mexico in November. I always wanted to do something like that, so I contacted her, and she was like, "come to church tomorrow and I will tell you all about it!" So I went to the church, and I fell in love...instantly. I walked in to what I felt could have been my living room, minus the band, but the lamps, candles, paintings and soothe warming colors of the stage invited me in, and I didn't want to leave. The pastor, Palmer, was cool and funny and I was drawn to him. He was talking about the Bible, and I was interested in what he had to say! Palmer of course is very easy on the eyes too, and charming, so really listening to him was a breeze. But it was the message that he was giving that had my eyes watering...something was touching my heart...my soul...my spirit. Instantly I knew I was going to come back, and I was going to make this my church. They had this banner hanging on top of the stage that said "taking pieces of heaven to places of hell on earth" ...True Religion...actually dont quote me on that...but pretty close...but I saw that, and realized again, I had found a church I wanted to call "the church I go to". Of course my friend, and her entire family attend the church, so as an individual, I threw myself into her family and sit with them during service.
I went back the following week, and was just as awe inspired, and decided to keep coming back. They had a bare foot Sunday where you donate your shoes and leave barefoot so the pastor can send them to Haiti and Africa for the less fortunate...another reason why I love the church...I had often snubbed going to church because I didnt like the tithing that some members of the church felt obligated to give as they struggled themselves...I never saw them doing anything to give back to the community, to the state, country or internationally...but this church does just that. The pastor doesn't just sit and talk about change, he is the center of the change and he creates, implements and puts these plans into action...and it is happening! He is helping...he is sending the message to all of us to help...and although there is an envelope to tithe in the pamphlets we get at the beginning of every service...I dont flinch and say of course...because this church is different...its giving back what you are putting into it...I love it...and maybe someday, you will too!
http://www.thegroveaz.org/ ---go and visit...
Palmer's info http://www.thegroveaz.org/palmer-chinchen/
