ZB & ViVi experience a Baptist service in Detroit... So I gave the kids a choice this past Sunday morning: come to church with me to see Pastor Littlejohn preach or go to their mothers house. Surprisingly, they both elected to join me. Are you guys sure? I asked. Will there be singing and dancing? ZB replied. Like you wont believe son, I said like you wont believe. Im in then he declared and off we went to Messiah Baptist Church on West 7 Mile in Detroit. When we exited I-75 and started to make our way westward down 7 Mile Road, ViVi remarked on some of the blighted structures that we encountered: Daddy, why dont they fix the buildings? Because they are poor, baby I replied adding you see, not everybody lives like we do in Grosse Pointe. You should help them, daddy she declared instructively. Im going to try to help them help themselves, baby I replied reassuringly, knowing full well how heavily stacked the deck is against these people. Upon our arrival, we were received warmly by everyone we encountered. The children were lavished with attention from strangers impeccably dressed in colors of every shade and hue. ZB engaged them enthusiastically while ViVi in her shyness retreated to the safety of my jacket, huddling beneath it like a baby kangaroo seeking refuge in its mothers pouch. After making some new friends, we made our way into the sanctuary and took our seats. Now, I knew that Pastor Littlejohn could preach but what I did not know is that this man can sing as well. His voice thunders out his gospel message while the choir refrains in their exaltations. The children were absolutely mesmerized. We sang and danced, we held hands with strangers as we prayed, and we witnessed first hand people being emotionally moved to the point of tears. The service commenced at 10:30 am and did not conclude until after 1:00 pm. Not once did the kids complain. Not once did they ask to take a bathroom break. It is my sincere hope that many more suburbanites get the chance to experience the raw and unbridled passion and indomitable spirit of the Detroit community. It has already changed my heart in some fundamental way. Could it change yours?
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:48:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015